Kallooppara
Kallooppara is a village in Pathanamthitta district in the state of Kerala, India.
History of Kallooppara
The land of Kallooppara was previously known by the name of Perumbranadu, due to its massive storage of rocks and hence being known by the name of 'Perum Parra Nadu', in the previous days and gradually being known as Perumbranad, in the latter days as legend has it.Kallooppara was once the part of Thiruvalla taluk and with the formation of the Pathanamthitta district in 1983, a new taluk was created, Mallapally taluk and Kallooppara became a part of it. It was once governed by the Royalties of the Thekkumkoor Dynasty and Edappally Thampurans .
The Kalari and the fort
The old Vemolinad was separated into 'Vadakumkoor' and 'Thekkumkoor' in A.D.1100. Kottayam, Chenganacherry, Thiruvalla, Kanjirapally and some places of high range where included in Thekkumkoor kingdom.Kallooppara was under the control of the Thekkumkoor dynasty. It had Kalari at Kallooppara. The famous Kalari was known as Thekkumkoor fort which existed until recently. The Thekkumkoor army camped here and it was risky for the enemy to attack them. It is said that the King had many close friends in Kallooppara and its surroundings. The Old Nair lord Family at Koipuram in Eraviperoor was in close touch with the Kings. It was this Nair Lord family who had great influence on the king and inspired him to donate Kallooppara sub-division to Edappally dynasty. As the withdrawal of Thekkumkoor kings, Kallooppara came under the Edappally dynasty, which is also known as Elangalloor Swaroopam. The Edappally dynasty has the history of elevation of a temple priest to the royal position of a King. The founder of the Edappally dynasty was a priest of Thrikkakara temple according to the historical evidence and proverbs.Tracing roots to Edappally
Kallooppara is known for its religious harmony between all the sects of god loving souls be he a Hindu, a Christian, or a Muslim. Master craftsmen belonging to the Viswakarma clan were brought to Kallooppara from Edappally, and hamlets of the then Thirukochi, now known as Kochi, for parting their craftsmanship in the construction of temples like Kallooppara Devi Kshethram, Thelliyoorkavu, Porittikavu and Kallooppara St Mary's Orthodox Church.https://www.facebook.com/KalloopparaSriBhagavathyTempleCSI CHURCH
1. CSI St.Stephen's Church - Pariyaram.2. CSI St. Peter's Church - Anchilavu Near Puthussery Junction.
3. CSI St.Stephen's Church - Kallooppara, Water Tank Road
St Mary's Orthodox Church
In the earlier days the Christian believers of Kallooppara region, had to depend on the 'Niranam Church' for the holy mass, funeral ceremonies and other religious rites. The journey on Vallom through the Manimala and Pampa rivers was tedious, tiresome and risky.The Edappally Kings were ruling at that time and they used to spend their time in Elangalloor Maddom. a site which once existed on the north side of the river Manimala. An abode for the royal guests that was once equipped with a private pool called the 'Kullipura Mallika' equipped with granite rock paved steps to the Manimala river, can still be seen now in Angadikadavu of Puramattam panchayat.
It is said that once while the ruling king of Edappally was having his rest in the Elangalloor Maddom, he happened to see a few number of people coming on a vallom singing hymns accompanied by prayers. The king immediately came down to the river bank to observe the sight more closely and found it to be a burial procession, with the body on the floating hearse covered with a white cloth. The procession that started from Manimala was going to Niranam Church for the funeral of the dead, since in those days Niranam Church was the only Christian church in central Travancore.
This event moved the Kings heart and having realized the hardship of the Christian subjects, he virtually pointed a plot on the other side of the river, and gave sanction to bury the body and build a tent for worshiping. Sebsequent to the burial of the first dead body on the ground, a handful of Nasranis, mainly "Aaruveedan Families took initiative to build a small building that was useful to gather and pray. The Aaruveedan family which was existed in Kalloopara for over 1000 years, had the privilege of building and maintaining this historic church for over 750 years, prior to the time of Adangapurathu family's establishment. The Aaruveedan family stood courageously for the existence of this church despite of many obstacles as a result of religious riots and conflicts up until 1750.
It is commonly believed that the founding stone of the church was laid on Malayalam month Karkadakam 3rd of 515. The stone day of the church is being celebrated on that day.It is also believed that the church has the same age as the origin of Edappally dynasty, the least. The study of the archaeology department also reveals that church was constructed in the 2nd millennium. The sculpture and figure carved in wood also indicates the same. Some letters carved on the slab of holy place of the church also traces back to almost the origin of the church. Though the letters have faded out, they are believed to be of the earlier century. Chengaroor St. George Orthodox Church is the daughter church of kalloopoppara church.
Orthodox Church
Chengaroor St.George Orthodox Church is the other ancient Church In Kallooppara Panchayath.Chengaroor Pally was built on 8th of Idavam, Kollavarsham 1055 and the foundation stone was laid by Geevarghese Mar Gregorious. The church is popularly known as the FIRST DAUGHTER OF PARUMALA THIRUMENI. It belongs to the Niranam Diocese of Malankara Orthodox Church. This Church is popularly known as " Chengaroor Valiya Pally". Church is known for the powerful intercession of the patron saint, Chengaroor Pally Perunal which is an ancient gathering of the Families in Chengaroor and neighbour places. Chengaroor Church Convention is also one of the ancient Conventions in Kerala.
Marthoma Church
The St. Thomas Marthoma Church is the first Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church in Kallooppara.The church was formed in Kollavarsham 1085 with 27 family members who moved out of the St Mary's Orthodox church due to their strong support to the church reformation movement. This church is situated in the 7th ward of Kallooppara Panchayath. For more details: http://kalloopparastthomasmarthomachurch.org/church_members.php
Bethel Church
The history of Mar Thoma Church is an essential part of the history of Christianity in general and that of St. Thomas Christian Community in particular. Bethel Mar Thoma Church, Kallooppara, is one of the Parishes of this great historic Church. Bethel Mar Thoma Church, Kallooppara was established in the year 1912 by forefathers of strong faith and spirit of renaissance. Ever since 1912, the church has been a luminous candle spreading the message of God's love for human.Community History
The families who accepted the new faith From St. Thomas, Disciple of Christ between AD 52 and AD 72, were subjected to much hardship by others at that time and consequently they had to move towards South of Kerala by the end of the 2nd century. Though the Christians devotees of Kallooppara claim their roots to the first century, history dates their arrival and settlement at Kallooppara only from the 9th century onwards. Most of the families migrated from Christian centers like Kuravilangad, Vaikom, Kadambanad etc. Many members from these Christian families further migrated to different parts of Kerala, India, Far East, Middle East, Europe, Africa, Australia, Canada and America; and are valuable contributors in the field of education, science, medicine, engineering, information technology, business, agriculture, religion etc.Demographics
India census, Kallooppara had a population of 17719 with 8386 males and 9333 females.Transportation
The closest Railway station : Thiruvalla.Cochin International Airport, - 100 km
Trivandrum International Airport - 130 km
Boat Services by KSWTC is available from Changanacherry and Thiruvalla to Kuttanadu and Alappuzha.