Kumbanad

Kumbanad is a place in koipuram panchayath Pathanamthitta district of Central Travancore area in Kerala state, in India. It is a part of Thiruvalla Taluk and First Name of the Kumbanad Known as Konakanad. It is situated on the (Thiruvalla-Pathanamthitta-Kumbazha Road — SH07). Kumbanad is one of the wealthiest settlement in India. It has also the highest number of Christian houses of worship in India, estimated to be over fifty, for an area of its size.

The nearest airport is Cochin International Airport and Trivandrum airport.

Pullad, the closest town, is 3 km from Kumbanad.

Etymology

Kumbanad is derived from two words in malayalam, Kumbhi and Nadu, which together mean "the land of elephants". It is believed that many wild animals and elephants roamed about this place a hundred years ago.

Economy

Remittance from NRIs is the primary source of income. The large number of ATMs and high bank density are also attributed to large bank deposits. As of 2009, the bank deposits for the Kumbanad-Pullad-Thiruvalla belt are estimated to be 5,400 Crore.

There are other small business and services that depend on the foreign remittance. Since most of the emigrants are young and middle aged, most of the settled population is old-aged. There are services and health care units that cater to their needs. 90% of the emigrants are from America,& Middle East.

Politics

Kumbanad is part of Aranmula assembly segment and Adv. K. Sivadasan Nair -UDF/INC is the current MLA. In Lok sabha, Kumbanad is represented by the sitting MP from Pathanamthitta, Mr. Anto Antony (Indian National Congress). Ajitha Kumari (United Democratic Front) is the current Koipuram panchayat president.

Govt Departments

• Sub Treasury
• Kumbanad 33 KV Substation
• Telecom Center and Telephone Exchange
• Kumbanad Head Post Office
• Electricity Section Office

Climate

Kumbanad has a tropical climate. The region receives most of the rain from the South-West monsoon from June to August and the North-East monsoon during October and November. Although the summer is from March to May, it receives locally developed thundershowers in April and May.

Demographics

The famous Pentecostal Hebronpuram convention and Brethren Convention held here in the month January of every year.

• The Christian denominations include Marthoma, CSI, Evangelical, Indian Brethren, Jacobites.

Pentecost's includes Indian Pentecostal Church of God, Assemblies of God, Church of God, The Pentecostal Mission, Born again (Christianity), Presbyterianism, Nondenominational Christianity, Baptists, Pentecostal Maranatha Gospel Church, various Independent Pentecostal's and Apostolic.

There are also Catholic and Syrian Orthodox communities in Kumbanad.

• The other denominations in Kumbanad are Hindus.

The population breakup for Koipuram panchayat, as per 'Census India'

1. Males: 12,823
2. Females: 14,266
3. Households: 6,615

Places to see

• Pamba River: 4 km
• Aranmula temple: 5 km
• Aranmula - Aranmula kannadi: 5 km
• Hanging bridge (Edanadu): 6 km
• St Thomas Evangelical Fellowship Camp & Retreat Centre Kadapra: 2 km
• St. Mary’s Orthodox Cathedral, Puthencavu
• Charalkunnu ;6 km
• Malanada Temple 2 km, Kumbanad - Arattpuzha Road
• Aruvikkuzhy Water Falls;5.5 km

Transport

Kumbanad is connected to Pathanamthitta, Kozhencherry, Tiruvalla, Chengannur, Sabarimala, Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Guruvayoor, Tuticorin, Coimbatore, Salem, Velankanni, Hosur and Bangalore by private and government operated KSRTC buses. Kumbanad has been included in one of the new stations in the draft plan for the Tiruvalla - Sabarimala railway line.

T.K.Road ( Tiruvalla-Pathanamthitta-Kumbazha Road / SH - 07 ) connects Kumbanad to Thiruvalla, Manjadi, Kattode, Thottabhagom, Vallamkulam, Nellad, Eraviperoor, Pullad, Chettimukku, Maramon, Kozhencherry, Thekkemala, Nelikala, Elanthoor and Pathanamthitta. The Main Central Road from Thiruvalla connects to major towns/cities in Kerala. Muttumon connects Kumbanad to Kurianur, Mallapally, Vennikulam and towns in Kottayam district. The road from Kumbanad main kavala connects to Arrattupuzha via Kareelamukku, Othera, etc. and further on to Chengannur. Valathukara Canal can be seen on this route

Train Stations:

• Thiruvalla: 9 km
• Chengannur: 9 km

Airports:

• Kochi - Nedumbassery: 124 km
• Trivandrum: 117 km;
• Aranmula (Proposed): 6 km

Nearest Bus Stations :

• Thiruvalla  : 9 km
• Chengannur  : 9 km
• Kozhencherry: 8 km

Nearest Towns

• Pullad
• Arattupuzha
• Puramattam
• Eraviperoor
• Thiruvalla

Educational institutions

• Noel Memorial Higher Secondary School
• Brethren English Medium High School
• Grace Mount Public School
• Nellimala EALP School
• Govt. UP School Boys
• Govt. Girls LP School
• Govt UP School, Vattakotta
• Indian Bible College
• Indian Theological Bible College Nellimala-Kumbanad

Hospitals

• Fellowship Mission Hospital

Churches

• River of Life Ministries Nellimala
• Marthoma Valiapally
• St. Paul's C. S. I. Church, Kumbanad
• St.Thomas Marthoma Church
• Salem Marthoma Church
• Paingalody Bethel Marthoma Church
• Vattakottal Christ
• Bethel Marthoma Church Nellimala Kumbanad
• Indian Pentecostal Church (ELIM)
• Indian Pentecostal Church (IPC, HebronPuram)
• Church of God (Full Gospel) in India, Bethel Kumbanad
• IPC Ebenezer Church Thattackad
• Koorthamala Church
• Evangelical Church
• Exodus Revival Church
• Brethren church
• Catholic (LC)
• Orthodox Church
• Celone Pentecostal church
• St. Paul's Malankara Catholic Church
• Bethel Marthoma Church
• St. Thomas CSI Church Kumbanad
• The Pentecostal Mission (TPM)
• Assemblies of God
• Born again (Christianity) Church
• Presbyterianism Church
• Nondenominational Christianity Church
• Baptists Church
• Pentecostal Maranatha Gospel Church
• Anglican Church of India
• Various Independent Pentecostal churches.
• Many Born Again Baptized / Nondenominational Christian Bible teacher's Worship Houses.

External links

• Aerial view of Kumbanad
• Pincodes in Kumbanad
• Constituencies
• Census Koipuram
• Census India