Peermade | |
|---|---|
 View from Parunthumpara in Peerumedu | |
  Peermade Location in Kerala, India Show map of Kerala Peermade Peermade (India) Show map of India | |
| Coordinates:9°33′02″N77°01′49″E / 9.5505100°N 77.0302580°E /9.5505100; 77.0302580 | |
| Country |  India |
| State | Kerala |
| District | Idukki |
| Government | |
| • Type | Panchayati raj (India) |
| • Body | Peermade Grama Panchayat |
| Area | |
• Total | 52.34 km2 (20.21 sq mi) |
| Population (2011) | |
• Total | 22,213 |
| • Density | 420/km2 (1,100/sq mi) |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Malayalam, English[1] |
| • Regional | Malayalam,Tamil[2] |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| PIN | 685531 |
| Area code | 04869 |
| Vehicle registration | KL-37 |
| Website | [1] |
Peermade, also speltPeerumedu is a village,Grama Panchayat andhill station in the state ofKerala, in southwesternIndia.[3] It lies 915 metres (3,002 ft) above sea level in theWestern Ghats (Sahyadri) about 85 kilometres (53 mi) east ofKottayam on the way toKumily
The name is sometimes related to theSufi saint, 'Peer Mohammed', as "hill of the Peer" (പീരുമേട്).[4] The name Peerumedu is derived from the fact that Pirmuhammed Waliullah, a prominent Siddha and Sufi monk of Tamil Nadu, chose the mountain for meditation for a long time. Siddhan, spiritual guru and famous Sufi poet of Tamil known as Rumi of South India Peeru Muhammad Sahib is resting at Takkala in Kanyakumari district. Takkala and Peerumed are pilgrimage centers.
There is also a local saying that the name "Peerumedu" has come from the large number of "Pera trees" ie. Guava trees that existed way back, Which inturn came to be called as "Peramedu" and now famously known as Peerumedu.
As of2011 Census, Peerumade had a population of 22,213 with 11,049 males and 11,164 females. Peerumade village has an area of 52.34 km2 (20.21 sq mi) with 5,617 families residing in it. The average sex ratio was 1010 lower than the state average of 1084. In Peerumade, 8.8% of the population was under 6 years of age. Peerumade had an average literacy of 89.1% lower than the state average of 94%; male literacy was 93.9% and female literacy was 84.5%.[5]
The landscape of Peermade includes spectacular waterfalls, open grass lands and pine forests.[6] Predominantly it is classified asMalanad with an elevation ranging from 3,000 ft (910 m) from the mean sea level.
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Peermade was once the summer retreat of theMaharajas ofTravancore. During those periods these regions were quite inaccessible, covered by dense forests and was inhabited by certain tribes like 'Malappandarams' and 'Malayarans'. The archaeological excavations points out that there was an ancientNeolithic culture flourished in the high-ranges which wasn't written or recorded. But the findings of cultural remnants from the hill tracks nearKumily andVandiperiyar provides some factual evidences of the existence of a rich culture.[7]
Peermade was the highest elevation on the mountain route that once connected theTravancore withMadurai in ancientTamilakam. The mountain barriers created by theghats separated these two regions.[7]: 2 Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, one of the largest wildlife reserves in India, is 43 kilometres (27 mi) away. It has herds ofelephants and other wildlife as well as lakes.
The area is extremely fertile and until recently featured lushplantations ofcoffee,tea,cardamon, andcoconut.[8] With a long history of spice growing, the focus is now on the production of organicblack pepper,white pepper,ginger andturmeric.[9]
At a 2006 show, spice growers from Peermade displayed samples of organically grown spices includingcardamom, black pepper, white pepper,nutmeg,mace,cloves, turmeric, ginger,vanilla beans, vanilla powder and herbs such asoregano,sage,thyme androsemary. Oils of thyme and rosemary were also displayed.[10]
Marian College[11] and Mar Baselios Christian College of Engineering and Technology[12] are located at Kuttikanam in Peermade.
Peermade assembly constituency is part ofIdukki (Lok Sabha constituency).[13]Vazhoor Soman is the current MLA of peermade.
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