From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

?Aluva Kerala • India
Aluva
Coordinates: 10°07′00″N 76°21′00″E / 10.1167, 76.35
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
Area • Elevation	• 8 m (26 ft)
District(s)	Ernakulam
Population	24,108 (2001)

Coordinates: 10°07′00″N 76°21′00″E / 10.1167, 76.35 Aluva (Alwaye ആലുവ) is a town and a municipality in Ernakulam district in the state of Kerala, India. It is one of the most industrialised towns in Kerala, though most of the factories are actually situated in the newly minted town Kalamassery. It is famous for the Aluva Sivarathri festival at Manal Puram (land with sand) on the banks of Periyar River.

Aluva is as much a quaint and interesting town as it is a strategic one. Communal amity and economic well being are the characteristic hallmarks of this wonderful place. It is located 12 km from the Cochin International Airport. Aluva also is the home for the Advaitha Ashramam. It is also the headquarters of the Federal Bank, a large Private Bank in India. Aluva is famous for the Kings palace (Travancore),which was a favourite of many movie directors of the state, till recently,when the archeological department imposed certain restrictions for the use in films. Aluva has some of the famous Hindu temples of Siva Temple, Narasimha Swamy Temple (Kadungaloor temple) Krishna temple, Perumpalli devi temple, Cheerakada temple etc. and also the Christian churches and seminaries of Thrikunathu seminary. Aluva mosque also is very famous. Above all Aluva is famous for its smooth flowing Periyar River which is the second largest river in Kerala. Periyar river is also known as Aluva puzha (river of aluva). Aluva is also famous for one of the oldest residential schools called as Christava Mahilalayam or Mahilalayam (as the locals call it) is perched on top of a hill which overlooks paddy fields and orchards, in the Chowara Ferry and Kuttamassery villages. Other noteworthy schools are St. Mary's High School, SNDP, Government Boys and Girls schools, Islamic Higher Secondary School, Vidyadhiraja Vidhyabhavan, Nirmala High school, St. John the Baptist, St Francis, The Alwaye Settlement, Rajagiri High School in kalamassery (near to aluva) etc. all of which has shown its class in various fields: academic, cultural, sports ..

Union Christian College of Alwaye, is a prominent institution in the field of education. St Xavier's college, Al Ameen College, Engineering College are some other premier institutions in Aluva.

Aluva is well connected to all major cities in the country by air (Nedumbassery, 6 km far), rail, road and sea (nearest port Cochin). All trains (except rajadhani express) have stops at Alwaye. National Waterways pass through Alwaye.

The Uliyannur temple desingned by Perumthachan is very special in its constructional art.

Aluva is home to many artists and writers.

The Thiruvairanikkulam Mahadevar Temple situated at Sreemoolanagaram in Aluva is one of the holiest pilgrim centres of Kerala. It is the only temple where lord Siva and devi Sri Parvathy co exist in a single Srikovil. Lakhs of devotees are coming during the Nadathurappu mahothsavam in the month of Dhanu.

The Janaseva Sisubhavan situated in the border of Aluva town is the prime institution to provide care and protection to the children with no aids. The activities of this establishment has acquired enough participation from entire cross-section of our society.

Aluva is located at 10.1167° N 76.3500° E.^[1] It has an average elevation of 8 metres (29 feet).

As of 2001 India census,^[2] Aluva had a population of 24,108. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Aluva has an average literacy rate of 87%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 49% of the males and 51% of females literate. 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.