Ranni

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Ranni
Taluk
The dilapidated old bridge and new bridge at Ranni
Ranni Location in Kerala, India Ranni Ranni (India) Show map of KeralaShow map of IndiaShow all
Coordinates: 9°22′0″N 76°46′0″E / 9.36667°N 76.76667°E / 9.36667; 76.76667Coordinates: 9°22′0″N 76°46′0″E / 9.36667°N 76.76667°E / 9.36667; 76.76667
Country	India
State	Kerala
District	Pathanamthitta
Government
• Type	Taluk
Area
• Total	1,004 km2 (388 sq mi)
Elevation	331 m (1,086 ft)
Population  (2011)[1]
• Total	198,194
• Density	200/km2 (510/sq mi)
Languages
• Official	Malayalam, English
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN	689672
Telephone code	04735
Vehicle registration	KL-62
Nearest city	Pathanamthitta
Sex ratio	47:50 ♂/♀
Literacy	95%
Lok Sabha constituency	Pathanamthitta

Ranni is a Town in the Pathanamthitta district of Kerala, in India. The taluk headquarters is a township on both sides of the Pamba River. Ranni is also one of the largest taluks in Kerala. The renowned Hindu temple of Sabarimala is in this taluk, situated approximately 66 km from the main town, Ittiyappara. Ranni is known for its natural environment, forests, hills, river and good climate.^[2][3]

Etymology[]

Ranni is derived from similar word in malayalam which means "Queen" or "Rani". Ranni is known as "The Queen of the Eastern Hill Lands"(മലനാടിന്റെ റാണി).

History[]

The history of Ranni can be traced 5000 years back to the early settlement activity of Adi Dravidans around Sabarimala and Nilakkal. The temple at Sabarimala is an early temple of Kerala, dating back to around 2000 years. The deity's sitting posture and resemblance of the prayer 'Sharanam vili' to "Buddham Sharanam / Sangam Sharanam" points to the Buddhist past.^{[citation needed]} Buddhist hermits always prefer to stay in interior jungles for solitary contemplation to attain Nirvana.^[4] The word 'Ayya' is a Buddhist Pali word that means Lord/God. There was an ancient trade route passed through Nilackal between Kerala and Pandian kingdom.^[5]

Ranni Karthakal[]

The former rulers of Ranni were known as Ranni Kartha or Karthkal of Ranni they were the "Samanthas" and blood- related family of Thekkamamkoor Raja.18th Century Anizham Thirunal Marthandavarma of Vennad annexed Thekkamkoor kingdom and confiscated all the lands that belongs to the former rulers. Ranni Karthas Kioyikal (Palace) were stand at a place called Areekkal. Ranni karthas build Ranni Manjor Ramapuram temple. The temple is same as the construction of the Aranmula Sreeparthasaradhy temple but the darshan is towards southern direction.

The Famous Devi Temple Thottamon Kavu Devi temple is its famous landmark. Thottamonkavu devi is believed the daughter of Paramashiva so the song "Mukkannan Thirumakale is famous" where Mukkannan is Shivan. It is a part of Ranni Taluk which lies in the valley of the Western Ghats.

Thottamon kavu Devi Temple is a resting place for pilgrims to sabarimala. The temple belongs to some nair families in Ranni. The family who administrated the temple were known as naaluveedanmaar (നാലുവീടന്മാർ), the four nobles. The four Panikar families are who held the title were Meempallil (മീമ്പള്ളിൽ), Kerukattu (Padiyarakkalayil, കേറുകാട്ട്), Pangattu (പങ്ങാട്ട്) and Cheruthalayathu (ചെറുതാലയത്ത്).

In the 18th century, Knanaya Christians migrated to Ranni from Kallissery and later established the church, St. Thomas Church of Ranni. A significant number of Malankara Orthodox Christians & Mar Thomites also migrated from surrounding areas. In the early 19th century, Dr. Claudius Buchanan visited Ranni and was presented an old hand written Syriac Bible, from Ranni St. Thomas church.^[6]

Ranni was a part of Central Travancore region before the unification. Until the formation of Pathanamthitta district in 1982, Ranni was a part of Kollam district.^[7]

Geography[]

Ranni is located at

9°23′N 76°49′E / 9.38°N 76.81°E / 9.38; 76.81. It has an average elevation of 131 m (433 ft) above sea level.^[8] The location and elevation is measured around the township. However, towards the east, the elevation is much higher. River Pamba flows through Ranni. The township is situated on either side of the river. According to the Census of India, Ranni has a total of 1,004.61 square kilometres (387.88 sq mi).^[9] Out of the total area, 708 square kilometres (273.36 sq mi) or 70% is forest.^[10] This forest cover gives Ranni its green environment.^{[citation needed]}

Climate[]

Like the rest of the state, Ranni has a wet and maritime 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 May. Due to the higher elevation, the climate is cooler towards the eastern area.

Economy[]

Business is centered on the market in the main township, Ittiyappara situated on the northern side of the river. The economy of Ranni is primarily from agriculture. Ranni is the largest rubber producing taluks in Kerala.^[12] The hilly terrain, high humidity and good rain makes it suitable for rubber cultivation. Other major crops are cocoa, coconut, tapioca and pepper. NRIs are also another major source of income. It has the largest NRI population in a state of Kerala.

Transport[]

Ranni is largely dependent on private buses. Most of the long route KSRTC buses ply on the State Highway - 08. The State Highway - 08 (Punalur-Pathanamthitta-Pala-Muvattupuzha Road) connects the town to other major towns. There is a KSRTC bus depot in Ranni adjacent to Private bus stand. Auto rickshaws are available and generally hired for short distances (1–3 km) where bus services are non-existent or rare. Jeep is another preferred mode of transport where the terrain is hilly or rugged.

A train service connecting Ranni is one of the long-standing demands. Although the Union Government has cleared a proposal in 1995, the project awaits implementation.^[13] The nearest railway stations are at Thiruvalla and Chengannur which are at a distance of nearly 30 km each.

The nearest airports are Cochin International Airport (110 km) and Thiruvanathapuram International Airport (125 km).

Sabari International Airport[]

The proposed Sabari International Airport, Cheruvally would be the closest airport upon completion, at 10 km away from ranni town. Proposed to be at Belivers Church Cheruvally estate, will be the 5th airport of the state of Kerala.

Demographics[]

As of 2011 census, Ranni taluk had a population of 198,194 of which 94,773 males and 103,421 are females. The female-to-male ratio is 1091:1000 higher than the state average of 1059:1000 and significantly higher than the national average of 933:1000. There were 53,172 households in taluk limits. A very low housing density owes to a large reserved forest area. Ranni's literacy rate is 95%.^[14]

Although most of the residents are Malayalis there are some Tamil, Sikh, Bihari, Bengali settlers. Much of the population are temporary workers who are mainly employed in the construction sector. The population of migrant workers from the northern parts of India has increased over the last few years because of the shortage of local unskilled manpower. Ranni still has a few settlements of aborigines known as 'adivasis' deep in the forest area.

Ranni's major religions are Hinduism and Christianity.

Features[]

-Part of Taluk having largest forest area (Ranni taluk) in Kerala state.

-Gavi and Perumthenaruvi are located nearby and these are tourist hotspots.

-Shares border with Kottayam District.

-Is famous for its rubber plantations and padayani at kottangal temple.

-Landmarked by sincere citizens, tourist hotspots, paddy fields, noval constructions, industries, quarries, etc...

Civic administration[]

Ranni taluk is a part of Pathanamthitta district administration. The taluk headquarters is at Block pady. Ranni taluk is divided into 11 villages.^[15] Villages are the smallest subdivision. The following are the list of villages:

Ranni-Angadi Chittar Ranni-Pazhavangadi Ranni-Perunad

Ayroor Kollamula Vadasserikkara Athikayam

Ranni Chethakkal Cherukole

Education[]

Primary, middle and secondary schools are run in all the villages of Ranni taluk. However, there are only 7 senior secondary schools covering 6 out of the 11 villages. This is primarily due to the reason that till 1997–98, these were offered as pre-degree courses in colleges.^[16] As of 2001, there are 138 primary, 59 middle and 35 secondary schools.^[10]

There are three colleges in Ranni taluk. affiliated to the M.G. University, is an arts and science college established in 1964.^[17] For almost four decades this was the only college in the taluk. In 2005, Caarmel Engineering College, a self-financing engineering college was established. This is situated in the Ranni-Perunad division. The college is now closed due to financial crisis. The Vishwa bhramana arts college and Govt polytechnic college are situated in vechuchira. The Mar Thoma Teachers’ Training College Ranny is a self- financing institution affiliated to the M.G. University, and approved by NCTE.

Apart from the schools and colleges, Ranni also has 3 adult literacy centers. Ranni is a hub of central board schools with with a legacy of over 40 years. Cornerstone International School (& Cornerstone Kidscenter) and Citadel are other secondary options among CBSE schools. These literacy centers or Saksharatha Kendram came as a state effort to attain total literacy.^[18]

Politics[]

Ranni assembly constituency is part of Pathanamthitta (Lok Sabha constituency).^[19] The main political parties are the Congress and the CPM, CPI, Kerala Congress. BJP (Bharatiya Janatha Party) now AAP (Aam Aadmi Party) has significant importance in the election. Pramod Narayan is the elected representative of Ranni assembly constituency.^[20] He successfully contested assembly election in 2021.^[21]

Media[]

There is 3 local television channels, Citi TV, operational in Ranni. The channel, established in 2002 telecasts news, documentaries, advertisements, albums and other program Malanad TV is operating from Pazhavangadi and Vismaya TV established 2014 this is the largerst local channel in Pathanamthitta district.^[22]

Facilities offered[]

A taluk hospital located near to Perumpuzha bus stand. There are two theatres namely Upasana and Sreelakshmi in Ranni. It houses a RTO office, a police station, law court situated in the town itself. Several health care centres and Akshaya centres offer their services here. Private hospitals like Marthoma hospital, Menanthottam hospital, Trinity Hospital, Thiruvalla Medical Mission hospital (Mannamaruthy) and Trinity hospital are centered around the township.

See also[]

• Pathanamthitta district
• Thottamon
• Sabarimala
• Keekozhur
• Angamoozhy
• Angadi
• Perunad

References[]

External links[]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ranni.

• The Complete Ranni News
• A Detailed history of Ranni
• Thottamon-Ranni