About Irinjalakuda

Irinjalakuda is said to have been created by the great sage Parasurama and was one of the 64 villages that were set up by him. It was most prominent among them and was also head for 10 of the villages. It followed the caste system based on ‘Manusmruthi’ with some variations based on Kerala model.

From the ancient archives, the original name of the place was revealed as ‘Irinjalikoodal’ which literally means “merge together”.  In ancient times, there were two streams started from Kurumalipuzha and Koodapuzha (belongs to Chalakudypuzha) which moved through Konthipuram in the north and Velukara in the south. The two streams converged in the west and were called ‘Irangikoodal’ which again means “merge together” and thus the current name of Irinjalakuda is derived. However, today, Irinjalakuda does not have any river.

Yet another legend goes that Irinjalakuda was derived by merging “Irunnu Salayil Koodai” with “Virinja Alu Kuda”.  In the town, one will find a huge Banyan tree standing at the centre of Irinjalakuda with branches that are spread like an umbrella. 

Irinjalakuda is located at 10.33ON 76.23o E with total area of 11.24 Sq Km. It has an elevation of 39 metres (128 feet).

Irinjalakuda also has tropical climate similar to that of other towns and cities of Kerala. The town gets significant rainfall and short dry season has little impact. 

Irinjalakuda is administered by the municipality of Irinjalakuda which was formed in the year 1936 with the total area of 11.24 sq Kms. The first municipal chairman was K I Varunny and it was divided into 22 electoral wards then. Today, Irinjalakuda has 41 electoral wards. It is also the headquarters of Mukundapuram Taluk. It is a Grade II municipality. The town also has court complex that consists of Judicial First Class Magistrate Court, Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal, Munsif Courts and Additional Sub Court and family court.  Irinjalakuda has an assembly constituency as well as Lok Sabha Constituency which comes under Thrissur. Irinjalakuda also has special sub jail.

DISTRICT COLLECTOR, THRISSUR
District Collector Office, Civil Station,
Ayyanthole, Thrissur 680 003
Phone : 0487 – 2361020
Email : [email protected]
https://thrissur.nic.in/

HELPLINE NUMBERS
Citizen's Call center - 155300
Child Helpline - 1098
Women Helpline - 1091
Crime Stopper - 1090
Rescue & Relief - 1070
Ambulance - 102, 108

Irinjalakuda Municipality
Address: Irinjalakuda, Kerala 680121
Phone: 0480 282 5210
https://www.irinjalakudamunicipality.in/

During 18th century, Sakthan Thampuran who was the then ruler of Cochin Kingdom brought four Christian families to Chanthappura in Irinjalakuda to improve the trade and commerce of the city. This resulted in the economic development of the town and the Diwan of Kochi Shanmughan Chetty built a canal called as ‘Shanmugam Canal’ which helped in the transportation of goods through water. This also resulted in the development of the business.

Though the canal exists even today, but it has lost its glory. Irinjalakuda is famous for the Chandrika Soap which was made by C R Kesavan Vaidyar and the same has been bought by Wipro Company in Bangalore. Kerala Solvent Extractions Ltd is yet another company which manufactures cattle feed, dairy products and edible oil and is also listed in the Bombay Stock Exchange. KLF Coconad manufactured by KLF Nirmal Industries P Ltd is one of the biggest coconut cooking oil brands in Kerala and Padmashree Mohanlal has endorsed the same. 

Tourism in Irinjalakuda

Irinjalakuda has many famous temples, churches, waterfalls, dams, etc. The famous tourist spots are Arattupuzha temple, Koodalmanikyam temple, Vishwanathapuram temple, Mary Maculin Church, Avittathur Church, St Sebastian Church, etc. Most of the tourists who visit Kerala also visit Irinjalakuda throughout the year. 

Irinjalakuda is situated on State Highway 22 which links with NH 47 as well as NH 66 in Kerala State. State Highway 22 and State Highway 61 criss-crosses the Irinjalakuda town. Private bus station as well as KSRTC operates bus service for local as well as inter-district. Irinjalakuda has a railway station situated 6 Km East of Kallettumkara, Aloor Villages and comes under Southern Railways. Most of the express trains stop here. Thrissur junction is the major railway head situated 21 Kms away from Irinjalakuda. The nearest airport is the Cochin International Airport situated at Nedumbassery and some 36 Km away from Irinjalakuda. The airport is connected to all other major airports in India as well as to many foreign airports.