Pizhala
Pizhala is an island near Kochi surrounded by river Periyar. It is the central part and Capital of Kadamakkudy Grama Panchyath, Kanayannur Taluk, Ernakulam District in the Indian state of Kerala. The name Pizhala is derived from the Portuguese words paz na ilha, which mean 'peace on island'. Pizhala island was formed naturally due to the great floods of Periyar in 1341 AD, which choked the Muziris Port, one of the greatest ports in Ancient World.
History
1341–1541
In 1341, The great flood in Periyar destroyed the Musiris Port.The new port was created in Kochi along with many islands. The island got name in the period of Portuguese invasion. Arising of Christian community.
1741–1941
In 1859, due to order of The Vicariate of Verapoly Archbishop Bernardo Baccinelli, O.C.D, O.C.D Catholic missionaries constructed first school in PizhalaGeography
Pizhala is made up of A sedimentary sand. River Periyar sediments sand and mud in the time of flood on AD 1341. Pizhala is situated on the northern side of Kochi and the southern side of Varapuzha, the old headquarters of the Carmelite missionaries. This island is surrounded by the river Periyar. Major portion of the island is wet land i.e. Pokkali Paddy Field. The island Pizhala includes South main land and North main land known as "Paliamthuruth".Culture
stayed in Pizhala in his boyhood days. His uncle Fr. Joseph Moonjappilly was the parish priest of St. Francis Xavier's Church, Pizhala.Before 2010, Pizhala has only two wards one is Pizhala South and Pizhala North. Paliyam Thuruth was included in Pizhala North Ward.
| No | Ward Member Pizhala South | Ward Member Pizhala North | Duration |
| 1 | Mr. E M Sebastian | Raman Master | 1963-1979 |
| 2 | Mr. E D Joseph | Mr. P R Vijayan | 1979-1984 |
| 3 | Mr. E A Francis | Mr. Purushothaman | 1990-1995 |
| 4 | Mr. E D Xavier | Mr. Suresh | 1995-2000 |
| 5 | Mrs. Valsa Francis | Mrs. RajaLakshmi | 2000-2005 |
| 6 | Mr. E A Francis | Mr. Santhosh Kumar & | 2005-2010 |
| 7 | Mrs. Rajani Pradeep | 2010-2015 | |
| 8 | Mr. Prakashan | 2015-Till date |
In 2010, Pizhala has divided into three wards, They are Pizhala South, Pizhala North and Paliyam Thuruth.
| No | Ward Member Pizhala South | Ward Member Pizhala North | Ward Member Paliyam Thuruth | Duration |
| 1 | Valsa Francis | Mrs. Sheeba James & Mrs. Sofi Manoj | Mrs. Rajani Pradeep | 2010-2015 |
| 2 | Mr. Cerine Xavier.P | Mr. Benny Xavier | Mr.V K Prakasan | 2015–Present |
Education
"Pallikoodam" established and Davassy Assan was the first teacher. It upgraded and is now known as St Francis UP School. People can study up to 7th standard. Students have been from Pizhala, Moolampilly and Chennur. Celebrated centenary of school in March 2020.Also there is three play schools; "Baalavaadi" One is near to St. Francis UP school, Second Second One near to Shree Vaishanava Temple and the last one in Paliyamthuruth.
| No | Name of Head Master/Mistress | Duration |
| 1 | Shree. Kumara Menon Master | - |
| 2 | Shree. Kakko Master | - |
| 3 | Shree. E M Francis Master | - |
| 4 | Shreemathi. E M Mary Teacher | - |
| 5 | Shree. E F Francis Master | - |
| 6 | Shree. K N Antony Master | - -1999 |
| 7 | Shreemathi. K V Elsy Teacher | - |
| 8 | Shreemathi. P S Saify Teacher | - |
| 9 | Shree. K V Williams Master | - Till Date |
Religion
Pizhala has a Protestant church, One Catholic Church named as St. Francis Xaviers Church, Moorthinkal Shree Vaishnava Kshethram owned by Kudumbi Community Temple, Shree Balabhadra Temple controlled by Pulaya Community and Eight Family Temples.Shree Balabhadra Temple
Shree Balabhadra Temple is First Temple in Pizhala. It has a history of more than a century. It is situated near to the primary health center Pizhala. Shree Bala Bhadra Temple is controlled By Pulya Maha Sabha Community. Shree Balabhadra Temple is opening for "pooja" on a couple of days in every monthMoorthinkal Shree Vaishnava Kshethram
Moorthinkal Shree Vaishanava Kshethram, is important temple in pizhala. This Temple was constructed on 1924 under Kudumbi Community. Total Area of this temple is around one acre. Maha Vishnu is the main worship god of this temple. "Bhagavathi", "Brahma Rakshas", "Nagayakshi" and "Naga raj" are the sub worship of it. Temple will open for worship every morning and evening.Temple Festival
Celebrate according to Shaka Varsha Calendar. It will conducted on rohini star day in the month of Makham in Shaka Varsha Calendar. It is five day festival. It is very amazing Festival.Manjakkuli or Holi
Nirapoothiri
St Francis Xaviers Church, Pizhala
Different Eras of Catholic Church Pizhala
Family Temples
| No | Name of Temple | Worship | Controlling Family | Date of Construction |
| 1 | Vanadurga Temple | Vanadurga | Valiya Veetil Family | - |
| 2 | Maravan Temple | Maravan | Devaswam Parambil Family | - |
| 3 | Hanuman Temple | Hanuman | Panakkapparambil Family | - |
| 4 | Vanadurga Temple | Vanadurga | Theruviparambi Family -First Temple | |
| 5 | Shreerama Temple | Shreeraman | Theruviparambi Family - Second Temple | - |
| 6 | Thekkan Chovva Bagavathi Temple | Thekkan Chovva Bagavathi | Arisserry Parambil Family | - |
| 7 | Nagadevatha Temple | Nagadevatha | Theruviparambil Family - Third Temple | - |
| 8 | Shreerama Temple | Shreerama | Theruviparambil Family - Fourth Temple | - |
Agriculture
Pokkali rice Cultivation on June to October Season. Fish and Shrimp Farming on October - April SeasonProverbs
Because of The High Yield of Pokkali Cultivation, This Proverb arose in Kadamakkudy Region. Nothing wasted in PizhalaEconomy and business
Agriculture and fishing.Pokkali Krishi
Kudumba Shree self-help groups are actively participating in the economy of Pizhala
Transport
-Pizhala Ferry, Kothad-Pizhala Ferry, Kadamakkudy-Pizhala Ferry and Chariamthuruth-Chennur-Pizhala Ferry are the four ferries which connect Pizhala island with the mainland. With the construction of Vallarpadam International Container Terminal Road, transportation has been made a little easier. The bridge between moolampilly and Pizhala is under construction. All piling work is over.There is boat service between Ernakulam-Varapuzha and South Chittoor-Valiya Kadamakkudy.
Pizhala has two parts - Pizhala Mainland and Paliyamthuruthu.
Infrastructure
Pizhala is one of the backwards island in Ernakulam District even if it is naturally beautiful.The Main Government Offices on Pizhala Island are:
- Primary Health Centre
- Kadmakudy Grama Panchayath Office
- Kadmakudy Village Office (Kadamakudy
- Union Bank of India Branch
- Pizhala Post Office Pin 682 027