Mallappally is a taluk in Pathanamthitta district ofKerala state, south India. The major populations are Christianity and Hinduism. The land derived its name from mallan (meaning “strong people”) and pally (meaning “place”), and is believed to have a community of brave aggressive people from the nearby communities. History says that then Maharaja on a visit to this place was greeted with an elephant by a neighbouring state (supposedly the present Keezhvaipur). People of Mallapally held steadfast the elephant with the intention of not letting it away and an impressed Maharaja proclaimed then and there that a place with so much of strong men deserves a name called “place of strongmen” ,Mallapally. Thus Mallapally was christened.

The land holds a reasonably vast history and culture which includes:

• Vacation Bible School was first introduced at Mallappally, Kerala during 1953 to 1956 by the CSI Missioneries. The Vacation Bible School conducted by Orthodox church is referred as OVBS.The most famous OVBS was conducted by Orthodox sunday school, Kalooppara district at MGD High School,,Puthusserry. Participants were belongs to Chengaroor valia pally, Kalooppara Valia pally, Nellimmoodu palli, Vallamala palli, kadamankulam palli, marettu palli-Karuthavadasserikadavu, etc. Now the above named churches conducting OVBS at their own places. The famous Pathicadu Orthodox church attracts lot of students during vacation. The children are given a light snack everyday at the end of each session and various games and other interesting activities are encouraged. On a particular day of OVBS children clad in white,rally through the streets holding flags and placards. They sing songs in praise of God, but they shout slogans detesting Satan and the vice. The Pathicadu Syrian Orthodox Church was recently renovated to a spectacular church and it has begun attracting devotees from all walks of life.

• The Mallappally Convention was started in 1912, which is an ancient gathering of Malankara Christian Community, mainly communities of Mar Thoma and CSI.

• Ancient Churches Most of the Christians in this taluk belongs to the Ancient Malankara Orthodox Church.Kallooppara ST.Marys orthodox church and Chengaroor St.George Orthodox chruch are the anicient churches in Mallapally taluk.Chengaroor Pally (church) was built on 8th of Idavam, Kollavarsham 1055 and the foundation stone was laid by His Holiness Geevarghese Mar Gregorious (Parumala Thirumeni). 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 famous for the powerful intercession of the patron saint, St.George and many people is believed to have received favours from GOD ALMIGHTY due to his intercession. It is firmly believed that SAHADA (saint) protects those who take refuge, from serpents, ailments, and all kinds of dangers and troubles.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. Chengaroor Orthodox church have two schools, St. Geroge LP School Poothampuram, chengaroor and St. Geroge Primary school chengaroor. Chengaroor is on the way from Thiruvalla to Mallappally. Chengaroor chira, chengaroor Valia pally padi (west jn.) Chengaroor East Jn (Reeth palli padi, Chengaroor Convent Jn., chengaroor B Ed college Jn.

• Shiva Rathri, a legendary Hindu festival, is celebrated at its best and has the greatest gathering in Kerala, after the Alwaye Shiva Rathri. The land is now popularly known as Shiva Rathri Nagar.

• History of Christian Families

The four prominent high class priestly Hindu (Brahmin)Families who acceptedthe new faith From St. Thomas, Disciple (Apostle) of Christ, families whoaccepted the new faith were Kali, Kalikavu ,Pakalomattom & Sankarapuri .Because of their new faith ,these families and their children were subjected tomuch hardship by others at that time and consequently they had to move towardsSouth of Kerala by the end of the 2nd centaury. The Ancient ChristianFamilies in Mallapally Taluk : Pakalomattam Chamathil family (Chengaroor)-One of the ancient Malankara Suriyani (Syrian) Christian family in Mallapallytaluk.This family belongs to The Ancient Malankara Orthodox Church. -ParelFamily, Vattasseril Family, Kochummannil family etc are the other AncientFamilies In this taluk.

• The Major Sections of community are Christians and Hindus. The Palathinkal family is the major Christian family. Chamathil Family (Chengaroor),Parel Family, Vattasseril Family etc all come under Palathinkal family. These families enjoy the proud status of being the first Christians who accepted Christian faith from Saint Thomas, the Apostle of India, who came to kerala in AD 52.
• As a latest example of communal harmony, a mosque is being constructed on the way to Anicadu near the small Mallapally bridge.

Education

College of Engineering Kallooppara located in the Sylvan hills ofPathanamthitta district, is one of the premier institutions among the newgeneration Engineering colleges of South India. Ever since its inception in1999 under the aegis of the Institute of Human Resources Development (IHRD – aGovt. of Kerala undertaking) the college has already made its presence felt inthe technical horizon of the State. The College is affiliated to CochinUniversity of Science and Technology (CUSAT).

An IHRD school with classes up to 12th standard also functions inMallapally. Mallapally also boasts of numerous playschools and many smallschools in its suburb.

CMS High Schoolis the seventh school to be established by Britishersin Kerala.

BAM College is an Arts and Science College with many graduate andundergraduate courses. This college is the only college under the EvangelicalManagement in Kerala.

Population

Mallappally is the least populated taluk of Kerala state. An most of thepeople are abroad

See also

• http://www.Pathicaduoschurch.orgPathicadu Church
• Pathanamthitta