During the medieval period Cherthala was an important hub for the spice trade, with merchants from across India and abroad trading spices, textiles, and other commodities. Its proximity to the backwaters and Arabian Sea made it ideal for such activities.
Cherthala
About
Municipality and taluk in Alappuzha District, Kerala - between the coast and backwaters, with villages, census towns, and localities across Cherthala Taluk.
District
Alappuzha
Country
India
Timezone
Asia/Kolkata
Population
45,102
Coordinates
9.68°N, 76.34°E
Heritage
History of Cherthala
A fuller look at how this place grew - from early roots to the town travellers visit today.
In the 18th century, following the 1762 treaty between Travancore and Cochin, Cherthala came under the Kingdom of Travancore and remained a vital trade center. The economy and culture flourished, with various institutions established. It served as a strategic center during conflicts such as the Travancore-Dutch War (1757–1758), when Dutch outposts in Alleppey were key targets. The region experienced political instability in the early 20th century, culminating in the Punnapra-Vayalar uprising of 1946, a communist-led revolt against Travancore rule that spread from Cherthala to Ambalapuzha.
After the States Reorganisation Act of 1956, Cherthala became part of Kerala. Today, it is a thriving municipality with a diverse economy and rich cultural heritage.
Know the place
More about Cherthala
Culture, nearby stops, and practical notes for travellers.
Overview
Cherthala is a municipality and taluk in Alappuzha District, Kerala. The taluk includes several villages, census towns, and localities.
Villages & localities
Cherthala Taluk includes Arookutty, Aroor, Arthunkal, Cherthala, Cherthala North, Cherthala South, Ezhupunna, Kadakkarappally, Kanjikuzhi, Kodamthuruthu, Kokkothamangalam, Kuthiathode, Mararikulam North, Muhamma, Pallippuram, Panavally, Pattanakkad, Perumbalam, Thanneermukkam North, Thanneermukkam South, Thaikkattussery, Thuravoor South, Vayalar, and Vayalar East.
Weather & climate
Live weather
Drizzle · 96% humidity · 10 km/h wind
Now
25.1
°C
Climate
Tropical monsoon climate with warm humidity.
Best season
September to March
Taluk
Villages and Major Localities in Cherthala Taluk
24 villages and major localities in Cherthala Taluk.
- 01 Arookutty Village in Cherthala Taluk.
- 02 Aroor Village in Cherthala Taluk.
- 03 Arthunkal Coastal village in Cherthala Taluk.
- 04 Cherthala Village / HQ area of Cherthala Taluk.
- 05 Cherthala North Village in Cherthala Taluk.
- 06 Cherthala South Village in Cherthala Taluk.
- 07 Ezhupunna Village in Cherthala Taluk.
- 08 Kadakkarappally Village in Cherthala Taluk.
- 09 Kanjikuzhi Village in Cherthala Taluk.
- 10 Kodamthuruthu Village in Cherthala Taluk.
- 11 Kokkothamangalam Village in Cherthala Taluk.
- 12 Kuthiathode Village in Cherthala Taluk.
- 13 Mararikulam North Village in Cherthala Taluk.
- 14 Muhamma Village in Cherthala Taluk.
- 15 Pallippuram Village in Cherthala Taluk.
- 16 Panavally Village in Cherthala Taluk.
- 17 Pattanakkad Village in Cherthala Taluk.
- 18 Perumbalam Island village in Cherthala Taluk.
- 19 Thanneermukkam North Village in Cherthala Taluk.
- 20 Thanneermukkam South Village in Cherthala Taluk.
- 21 Thaikkattussery Village in Cherthala Taluk.
- 22 Thuravoor South Village in Cherthala Taluk.
- 23 Vayalar Village in Cherthala Taluk.
- 24 Vayalar East Village in Cherthala Taluk.
Faith
Temples
9 temples in and around Cherthala.
- 01 Karthyayani Devi Temple (Cherthala) Principal Devi temple in Cherthala.
- 02 Velorvattom Sri Mahadevar Temple Mahadeva temple at Velorvattom.
- 03 Kanichukulangara Devi Temple Famous Devi temple near Cherthala.
- 04 Thiruvizha Sree Mahadeva Temple Mahadeva temple near Cherthala.
- 05 Mararikulam Sree Mahadeva Temple Mahadeva temple at Mararikulam.
- 06 Maruthorvattom Sri Dhanwanthari Temple Dhanwanthari temple at Maruthorvattom.
- 07 Nagamkulangara Mahadeva Temple Mahadeva temple at Nagamkulangara.
- 08 Varanad Devi Temple Devi temple at Varanad.
- 09 Kalavamkodam Saktheeswaram Temple Saktheeswaram temple at Kalavamkodam.
Faith
Churches
6 churches around Cherthala.
- 01 St. Andrew's Basilica (Arthunkal) Historic coastal basilica at Arthunkal.
- 02 St. Mary's Forane Church (Muttom) Marian forane church at Muttom.
- 03 St. Mary's Forane Roman Catholic Church, Thankey Roman Catholic forane church at Thankey.
- 04 St. Martin Church St. Martin parish church near Cherthala.
- 05 St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Church Syro-Malabar church near Cherthala.
- 06 St. Sebastian's Church St. Sebastian parish church near Cherthala.
Faith
Mosques
7 mosques around Cherthala.
- 01 Central Jumua Masjid, Cherthala Central Friday mosque in Cherthala.
- 02 Thaickal Juma Masjid Friday mosque at Thaickal.
- 03 Rifaiyya Juma Masjid Nedumbrakkad Friday mosque at Nedumbrakkad.
- 04 Masjid Majlis Mosque in Cherthala.
- 05 Ansar Masjid Mosque in Cherthala.
- 06 Masjidul Aman Mosque in Cherthala.
- 07 Jeelani Masjid Mosque in Cherthala.
Visit
Popular Tourist Places in Cherthala
18 popular tourist places in and around Cherthala.
- 01 Marari Beach (Mararikulam) Quiet coastal beach near Mararikulam.
- 02 Arthunkal St. Andrew's Basilica Historic coastal basilica at Arthunkal.
- 03 Arthunkal Beach Beach beside the Arthunkal church area.
- 04 Thiruvizha Sree Mahadeva Temple Mahadeva temple near Cherthala.
- 05 Pathiramanal Island Island on Vembanad Lake near Cherthala.
- 06 Thanneermukkam Bund Major bund across Vembanad Lake.
- 07 Vembanad Lake Kerala's largest lake beside Cherthala.
- 08 Kumarakom Backwaters (nearby) Famous nearby backwater destination.
- 09 Kokkothamangalam Church Historic church at Kokkothamangalam.
- 10 Aroor Bridge Bridge landmark on the Kochi–Cherthala corridor.
- 11 Vayalar Memorial Memorial linked with the Vayalar struggle.
- 12 Perumbalam Island Island village destination near Cherthala.
- 13 Muhamma Backwaters Backwater landscape at Muhamma.
- 14 Pallippuram Backwaters Backwater landscape at Pallippuram.
- 15 Poochakkal Locality and visitor stop near Cherthala.
- 16 Houseboat Cruises Houseboat trips on Cherthala-side backwaters.
- 17 Coir-making villages Traditional coir craft villages around Cherthala.
- 18 Birdwatching around Vembanad Lake Birdwatching on the Vembanad shoreline.
Coast
Beaches
5 beaches in and around Cherthala.