Travancore Sugars and Chemicals Limited near
Thulissala koyikkal The Travancore Sugars and Chemicals Limited (TSCL) is a state government company which was incorporated in 1937 with registered office and factory in
Valanjavattom and commenced commercial production in 1948. The company then owned by
M/s Parry & Co. had three divisions; Sugar division, Distillery division and Blending-Bottling division.
Government of Kerala overtook the company in 1974 and the sugar division was closed in 1998 due to the non-availability of
sugarcane, which was used to be cultivated in large scale in the village at the time of its establishment. The company is currently engaged in the manufacturing of
Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) only and is sold through
Kerala State Beverages Corporation (KSBC), a company owned by Government of Kerala. It also produces and sells
rectified spirit,
methylated spirit and Extra Neutral Alcohol (ENA) to various establishments including medical colleges, hospitals, research institutions,
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and
Regional Cancer Centre (RCC).
St. Peter's and St. Paul's Church, Parumala In 1872, the then
Metropolitan of Malankara, Joseph Mar Dionysius established a seminary in the island of
Parumala to train the students of Malankara church. The metropolitan and the students used to live in an old building called
Azhipura which is still conserved. The land also had a church built by the
Arikupurathu family of its owner, Mathen Karnavar. Mar Dionysius invited the
Chorbishop of Vettickal
St. Thomas Dayara,
Geevarghese Mar Gregorios to Parumala and given him the title of Ramban (monk-priest). Geevarghese later succeeded as the
Metropolitan of Malankara and inherited the existing old church and the land after the death of Mathen Karnavar. He renovated the church as a result of his long term effort. He was canonized by the church after his death and the Parumala church became one of the prominent pilgrimage centers in Kerala. At the end of the last century, the church was extensively renovated to accommodate the large number of pilgrims and the present church at Parumala was designed by renowned architect
Charles Correa.
Thomathukadavu and Thomas the Apostle According to local tradition, around AD 52,
Thomas the Apostle arrived in
Niranam through
Kottachal an ancient and important water way of early days and landed at
Thomathukadavu, which is now located on northwestern part of Kadapra village. Through the ministry of the word and miraculous deeds, he brought many high class
hindus to Christian faith. He
baptized them at
Nerkadavu located adjacent to the Niranam Jerusalem Mar Thoma Church. The first Christians of
Niranam were from four families;
Pattamukku,
Thayyil,
Maankki and
Madathilan. == Overview ==