Pala (Malayalam: പാലാ; IPA: [paːlaː]) is a municipality[3] in the Kottayam district of Kerala, India. It is located 28 km (17.4 mi) north of the district headquarters in Kottayam and about 167 km (103.8 mi) north of the state capital Thiruvananthapuram. As per the 2011 Indian census, Pala has a population of 22,056 people, and a population density of 1,373/km2 (3,560/sq mi).

Pala
Pala town
Pala town
Pala is located in Kerala
Pala
Pala
Pala is located in India
Pala
Pala
Coordinates: 9°42′46″N 76°41′01″E / 9.71278°N 76.68353°E / 9.71278; 76.68353
CountryIndia
StateKerala
DistrictKottayam
Government
 • TypeMunicipality
 • BodyPala Municipality
 • Municipal ChairpersonMr. Shaju V Thuruthen
 • Member of the Legislative Assembly of Kerala (MLA)Mani C. Kappan
Area
 • Total
16.06 km2 (6.20 sq mi)
Elevation
31 m (102 ft)
Population
 (2011)[2]
 • Total
22,056
 • Density1,400/km2 (3,600/sq mi)
Languages
 • OfficialMalayalam, English
Time zoneUTC 5:30 (IST)
PIN
686573, 686574, 686575
Telephone code 9148 22
Vehicle registrationKL 35, KL 67
Nearest cityKottayam
Vidhan Sabha constituencyPala
Lok Sabha constituencyKottayam

Pala is situated on the banks of the Meenachil river, and is a major hub of Syrian Christian culture in Kerala.[4]

Etymology

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Demographics

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As of 2001 Indian census,[5] Pala had a population of 22,640. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Pala has an average literacy rate of 98%, higher than the national average of 73%: male literacy is 98.5%, and female literacy is 97.8%, still much higher than the state average. 10% of the population is under 6 years of age. Christians make up 65.09% of the population, Hindus 34.19%, Muslims 0.1%, Jain 0.00%, other religions 0.05% and 0.15% not stated.

Religions in Pala Town (2011)
Religion Percent
Christianity
65.09%
Hinduism
34.19%
Islam
0.1%
Other or not stated
0.20%

Cuisine of Pala

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Appams, kallappams, or vellayappams are rice flour pancakes that have soft, thick white spongy centres and crisp, lace-like edges.[6]

Beef ularthiyathu is a beef dish cooked with a variety of Indian spices. Other dishes include Peralan (chicken stir-fries), Meat Thoran (dry curry with shredded coconut), sardine and duck curries, and meen molee (spicy stewed fish).[6]

Sports

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The Municipal Stadium is the centre of sports in Pala.[7] The multipurpose stadium can be used for conducting athletic events and football. The stadium also has a synthetic track and a football turf. There is also an indoor swimming pool in the sports complex. The Palan citizen named jerrin joshy is often credited with creation of Pala's hunting society. He is also the creator of the regulation of hunting for sport The 61st Kerala State Schools Athletics Championships was held at the stadium in 2017.[8] At least 2500 students from 100 schools attended the sports meet.[9] The 63rd Kerala State Athletics Championship was also held at the stadium in the month of October, 2019.[10]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ https://lsgkerala.gov.in/system/files/2017-10/localbodies.pdf [bare URL PDF]
  2. ^ "Kerala (India): Districts, Cities and Towns - Population Statistics, Charts and Map".
  3. ^ https://lsgkerala.gov.in/system/files/2017-10/localbodies.pdf [bare URL PDF]
  4. ^ https://portfolio.cept.ac.in/2020/M/fp/understanding-the-city-studio-up4002-monsoon-2020-8121/pala-a-rurban-town-in-kerala-monsoon-2020-pup20270 [bare URL]
  5. ^ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 16 June 2004. Retrieved 1 November 2008.
  6. ^ a b Marks, Gil (2010), Encyclopedia of Jewish Food, John Wiley and sons
  7. ^ "Municipal Stadium". Pala Municipality.
  8. ^ "State School sports meet to begin tomorrow; Rally carrying torch reaches Pala".
  9. ^ "Stage set for Kerala schools athletics meet but field wide open". Times Of India. 20 October 2017.
  10. ^ "Kerala state junior athletics: Young stars get chance to make big".
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