# Angamoozhy

Angamoozhy is a small village in Pathanamthitta district in the Indian state of Kerala. It is located near the Kakkad power station and the Sabarimala temple. Geographically, Angamoozhy is located in the Western Ghats mountain range.

## Economy

Angamoozhy is predominantly a agriculture township. Because of its high humidity and mountainous terrain, it was suitable for plantations and was thus mostly used for growing tea and coffee. However, these were mostly replaced with rubber plantations later on. Along with rubber cultivation, sugarcane, cocoa, pineapple, kappa, cashew, ginger, pepper, tapioca, pulses, and spices are also cultivated in some areas.

## Transportation

Both state-run KSRTC and privately operated buses connect Angamoozhy to Pathanamthitta town. Angamoozhy is located on Mannarakulanji-Moozhiyar Road. Pilgrims to the famous Sabarimala temple return by road (one-way) through Angamoozhy via Plappally. This road joins with the one-way road to Sabarimala at Vadasserikara.

## Geography

Angamoozhy is geographically a high-range area (Malanadu) situated in the southeastern part of Kerala and very close to the Western Ghats mountain ranges. It has an average elevation of 18 m (59 ft) above sea level.

## Administration

Angamoozhy is located in Seethathodu Panchayat and is included in the Konni taluk in Pathanamthitta District. It is located 45.7 kilometers away from Pathanamthitta town towards the east. Nearby panchayats are Chittar, Perunad, Vadaserikkara and Konni. Angamoozhy was previously a part of the Ranni legislative assembly constituency but is now included in the Konni assembly. It was also formerly in the Idukki parliamentary constituency but is currently part of Pathanamthitta.

## Landmark

The famous Nilackal St. Thomas Church is situated near Angamoozhy. The second largest hydroelectric project in Kerala, Sabarigiri, is located in this village.

## Location

Angamoozhy is on the Pathanamthitta - Kumily Route. A small river, Kakkattar (a tributary of the Pamba River), marks the centre of Angamoozhy, which is 3 kilometers from Seethathodu.

## Etymology

Angamoozhy is a historic town with references since the 19th century. The name Angamoozhy derives from Anamoozhy, which is the name of the junction, visited by the elephants at the center of the town. In Malayalam, Ana means elephant, and Moozhy means town.

## Climate

The city has a tropical climate, the monsoons start in June. The months of April–May can get pretty humid. The best weather is from October to February.
Angamoozhy experiences three distinct seasons: summer, monsoon and winter. Typical summer months are from March to May. The warmest month in Angamoozhy is April. Although summer doesn't end until May, the city often receives locally developed heavy thundershowers in May (although humidity remains high).
December through February are the winter months. The lowest temperatures are experienced during January.
vtePlaces adjacent to Angamoozhy
Ranni&Kottayam
Sabarimala
Gavi/Kumily
Pathanamthitta
Angamoozhy
Moozhiyar
Kollam
Kottarakkara/Thiruvananthapuram
Punalur/Tenkasi :
Angamoozhy is the gateway to the world-renowned pilgrim centre Sabarimala. The area also has a few beautiful dams and adjoining man-made reservoirs.

## Population

The people of Angamoozhy are mainly agriculturists and plantation workers. People began settling in Angamoozhy about 100 years ago. The people mainly belong to Hindu, Christian, and Muslim religions. There are several places of religious worship in Angamoozhy. In many of the families based in Angamoozhy, there are large numbers of people working outside Kerala as well as outside India.
* Hinduism (72.3%)
* Christianity (21.6%)
* Islam (6.1%)

## Agriculture

Agriculture is the main occupation. About 75% of the population is dependent on this sector. Rubber is the most important crop, with its plantations covering over 478 square kilometres (185 sq mi). The hilly terrain coupled with high humidity makes the region suitable for rubber plantations. Tapioca and pulses are the important dryland crops. Other major crops are coconut, banana, pepper and ginger. In certain areas, cashew, pineapple, sugarcane, cocoa and other tree spices are cultivated.

## Political

Communist parties have a strong base in Angamoozhy. The Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) governs both panchayat wards in Angamoozhy and (the Seethathodu Panchayat is controlled by the LDF.
Despite having a strong communist base, both the Member of Parliament and the Member of State Legislative Assembly representing the area from the Indian National Congress, the main political opponent of the left parties.

## Temples

Angamoozhy is the gateway to Sabarimala. The only temple in Angamoozhy is Sree Shakthi Dharma Shastha Temple, dedicated to Lord Ayyappa and a goddess. Shiva, Ganapathy and Nagaraja are other sub deities. The temple festival (utsavam) is held annually in the months of March and April. During Sabarimala season, many pilgrims visit this temple on their way to Sabarimala. The temple provides facilities such as food and shelter.

## Chayalppadi Church

One of the first members of the Kurisumala Ashram in Vagamon, Fr. Nadamala Philipose, arrived at Angamoozhy on 2 April 1972. It was an underdeveloped region situated between two major pilgrim centers of Kerala, namely the Sabarimala Temple and the Nilackal Church. With the blessing of Archbishop Benedict Mar Gregorios, the Metropolitan of Trivandrum, Fr. Nadamala, clothed in saffron tunic reached this mission centre. With the intention of the renewal of the Nilackal church (one of the seven churches established by St. Thomas, the Apostle) Fr. Nadamala started residing in this forest area inhabited by wild animals. Along with this mission, he was also involved in the social development activities of the locality. When he reached the place, there was only a small chapel made of grass belonging to the Archdiocese of Trivandrum. But the people of the location, including Hindus, Christians, and Muslims jointly built a hut thatched with grass for him to reside. He gave the name to his new hut, 'Chayalpadi' which means "entrance (padi) to Nilakkal (chayal)". Father Nadamala passed away on May 21.

## Education

Important schools:
* Gurkulam U.P.S Angamoozhy
* S.A.V.H.S Angamoozhy
* Cherupushpam Eng. Medium Nursery School Angamoozhy

## Transportation

Airports: Thiruvananthapuram's Thiruvananthapuram International Airport and Kochi's Cochin International Airport are at almost the same distance from Angamoozhy (about a three-hour drive).
Railways: The nearest railway stations are Chengannur (65km), and Thiruvalla (69km).
Roads: The main roads are Vadaserikara - Chittar - Angamoozhy - Plappally Road, Pathanamthitta - Angamoozhy - kumily.
Buses: All major long-route buses stop at Angamoozhy Junction.
Local Transport: Taxis (auto-rickshaws, cabs, etc.) are available on every road, and in all major junctions they have their slots. Smaller buses ply at regular intervals to the internal locations, as there are narrow roads.

## Feature films in Angamoozhy

Some sequences of the Malayalam film Captain were shot in Angamoozhy. Recently, the film Ordinary, starring Kunchacko Boban, was shot in Gavi near Angamoozhy.

## Important places

* Valupara
* Aliyanmukku
* Kochandy
* Thevarmala
* Panjipara
* Kottamonpara
* Plappally
* Nilakkal
* Gavi
* Moozhiyar
* chathuppu
* Idippukal
* Kochukoickal
* Urumpini
* Poovelikkunnu
* Murukkini

## Hospitals and medical stores

* Government Primary Health Centre
* Chaithanya Hospital
* Government Homoeo hospital