Cherai Gowreeswaram Temple

An important pilgrimage centre in Kerala, it is also known as Malayala Pazhani, built in 1912. Gowreeswara temple is dedicated to Lord Muruka. The idle was installed by Sree Narayana Guru. The Temple maintained by Vinjana Vardhini Sabha (V.V. Sabha). To see Cherai at her best come during the festival. The trumpeting of more than 30 elephants and the magical sound of "Panchavaadya" and 'Kudamattam' , the spectacular view of celebratory fireworks.

A.S.V.D. Temple

There is one more famous temple in Cherai, which is Azheekkal Sree Varaha Devswam Temple. This exquisite temple was constructed in A.D. 1869. Azheekkal Sree Varaha DevaswamTemple is the only "Sampoornakshetra" in South India. This is the only temple in India where both the deities of Sree Varaha and Sree Venkateswara are installed side by side and worshiped as single moorthy (God). The famous temple "Ratha" (Chariot) is a rarity in temple architecture. This is the only chariot in the world, which runs on the rail. The festival takes place twice in a year. The chariot is pulled by devotees around the temple to the accompaniment of drum beats.

History of Cherai

Vypeen Island was formed after the great floods of 1341. The Island is 25 Kilometers long and has an average width of 2 kilometers. Pallipuram Panchayat, in which Cherai is included, is at the northern end of Vypeen. Cherai and Munambam are the two parts of Pallipuram Village, which were parts of Kochi and Travancore States prior to the merger of the states. For a land which has a history of less than 700 years since formation, Cherai boasts of a rich cultural heritage with monuments which stand out prominently in India's history. This land has a story of invasion by many foreign regimes. The Portuguese, the Dutch and the British who ruled Munambam area left marks which remain even now. The hexagonal fort built by the Portuguese in 1503 still stands as one of the oldest European Monuments in India
A little South of this fort, by the lakeside, the Portuguese had built a theological school called "Vyikotta Seminary". The printing press built at this School in 1577 is claimed to be the first printing press in Kerala by some historians. In 1661, the Dutch defeated the Portuguese, as a result of which the Seminary, which was under Jesuit priests, was transferred along with the press to Chendamangalam. The Dutch converted the Seminary in to a Leprosy centre.
In 1728, the Dutch sold Pallipuram to the King of Travancore. However, the Leprosy Centre and some adjoining buildings were excluded from this sale and continued to be with the Dutch. These properties came under British authority eventually, when the British defeated the Dutch in 1795. Till recently, this area was known as "British". As per the agreement between the Dutch and British, the leprosy centre continued to be run till 1921. Afterwards, they were handed over to missionaries to establish a Nunnery and School, which are still functioning.These invasions,however, have not only left a few historic monuments for the generations to remember. They have left their longstanding impact on the culture and social life of Cherai. The schools founded by the marauding foreigners did help many in the field of education. But, they were not enough to elevate the poor and downtrodden masses. The caste system prevalent in Kerala forbid the lower caste people from being treated equal, of which Cherai was no exception

CHERAI BEACH

Few beaches in Kerala can compare with the cleanliness and beauty of Cherai beach, situated at a distance of 25 kms from Ernakulam. Affectionately called the princess of the Arabian Sea this 10 kilometer long beach is becoming the favourite destination of the tourists with each passing day.This beach also occupies the unique position of being the only beach where dolphins are sighted.The tourism department has laid much emphasis on the development of this beach and has taken up the task of widening and beautifying it to suit the convenience of the tourists.

From the very ancient times Cherai had been known as the destination to enjoy the best of sea food delicacies to be watered down with the country liquor called Toddy. Cherai is easily accessible from every part of Kerala and can be reached by taking either a boat ride from High court Junction to Vypeen and from there to Cherai or the better option being to take the bus direct to Vypeen from Ernakulam city and from there to Cherai. Cherai is only a 40 minutes drive from Vypeen.

The unique position enjoyed by Cherai in the tourism map of Kerala stems from the fact that it is strategically located. One side borders the Arabian sea and the Vembanad Kayal ( Backwaters) borders the other side. The beach frontage and the backwaters frontage has given Cherai such magnificent scenic beauty that it is doubtful if such beauty spots exist any where else in Kerala. Added to this is the chance to view the village life of a gentry where prawn farming is resorted to at every corner. The sight of coconut trees caressing in the winds and the long line of paddy fields have all made Cherai the favourite destination of globe trotters.
Cherai is the latest tourist craze in Gods own country and undoubtedly with some genuine reason..

Sahodaran Ayyappan

A significant change in the social system of Kerala happened in the late 19th century. Messages of Sree Narayana Guru, whose emergence as one of the greatest ideological leaders of Kerala reached Cherai too and was propagated further by the philanthropist Sahodaran Ayyappan, a native of Cherai. Majority of Cherai natives were from the lower castes and Ayyappan, coming from Ezhava community, a lower caste, helped create a mass movement. On 29 May 1917, Sahodaran Ayyappan organised "Misrabhojanam", an event in which people from all castes of Hindu community sat together and participated in a feast. This event caught the attention of Kerala and was staged at many other places as a renaissance movement.Sahodaran Ayyappan could proudly be presented as the greatest gem donated by Cherai to Kerala's political and social revolution. He founded the "Sahodara Sangham", which helped spread the message of Sree Narayana Guru and SNDP all over Kerala. Along with this organisation, a ladies' wing called "Sthree Samajam" also used to function, at a time when Keralites had not even thought about an organisation for women!
In 1926, much before the Trade Union Act came into force, Sahodaran Ayyappan organised a union called "Aadi Vypin Thozhilaali Sangham" (Vypin Workers' Primary Union), which is one of the first trade unions in Kerala. A paper called "Velakkaran" (Worker) was also published thrice a week by this Union. During the annual meetings, national leaders like E.V.Ramaswami Naykar (Periyor), founder of Dravida Munnetta Kazhakam had attended.
No doubt, people from Cherai proudly identify themselves anywhere in the world as coming from the birthplace of Sahodaran Ayyappan!
After India's Independence and formation of the Kerala State by merger of the three princely states Travancore, Cochin and Malabar, Pallipuram Panchayat was formed. Originally, it was a Group Panchayat consisting of Kuzhupilly and Pallipuram (consisting of Cherai area). Munambam was part of Vadakkekkara Panchayat. On 19 December 1963, Pallipuram Panchayat was reconstituted by separating Kuzhupilly into an independent Panchayat and merging Munambam.

Cherai

One of the must see places that every visitor to Cochin should never miss is the Cherai beach, that borders the nearby Vypeen Island.Cherai beach is 35 Kms from Cochin. This beautiful beach is studded with seashells of various hues and shapes.It is located in Vypeen Island and accessible by ferry or by road from mainland, Cochin. This calm beach is ideal for swimmingThe beauty of Cherai lies in the very fact that it is surrounded on one side by the Vembanad lake and on the other by the Arabian sea. And for those wishing to have a house boat cruise, one can choose to enjoy it in the vembanad lake. And, for enjoyng the beauty of the sea and the beach, come over to the other side.. Thick coconut groves and Chinese fishing nets on the waterfront give it an added attraction. Dolphins can also be seen here occasionally.

The nearby village gives you glimpses of rural Kerala and Cherai's main industry- prawn farming. . A typical Kerala village with paddy fields and coconut groves nearby is an added attraction of this beach.Back Waters : Backwaters of Cherai welcome you with unique charm and beauty.Enjoy a quiet and pleasant trip through the winding scenic backwaters where the heart of Cherai lives. The overhanging branches of coconut trees create an unforgettable symphony of the green surroundings.

Cherai's Eminent Personalities

Sankarady

The veteran Malayalam comedian and character artiste Sankaradi was born in Cherai. who had over 700 Malayalam films at his credit. Sankaradi dominated the Malayalam film scene in the 1970s and 1980s as comedian along with Adoor Bhasi and Bahadur. Later, he switched to character roles. His notable films were Kaboliwallah, Godfather, Kireedom, Chenkol etc. Before entering films, Sankaradi was active in politics. He was a member of the Congress Party, but later became a member of the undivided Communist Party of India (CPI). He left party after the split in 1964 and concentrated in theatre and films. Sankaradi was awarded state's best character artiste award in 1969-71. He had the record of acting in more than 300 films with Prem Nazeer, the evergreen hero of Malayalam film. He remained an integral part of Malayalam cinema till his death.

T.V.R. Shenoy

Eminent Journalist Padmabhushan TVR Shenoy also the son of Cherai. Shenoy had served as the Editor of the weekly news magazine The Week and Sunday Mail and held various posts in Indian Express and MalayalaManorama. Shenoy is a prolific writer and contributes to several national and international newspapers, website and magazines on numerous issues ranging from national politics, economy, social issues, international affairs to current affairs. Presently he regularly contributes articles and opinion to Indian Express, Gulf News, Rediff.com, Newstime and Matrubhumi.

Cherai Anayoottu

Cherai Pooram

Cherai Pooram

Cherai Pooram

Cherai Pooram

Cherai Pooram

Cherai Honeymoon Place