Mannar, Alappuzha

Mannar is a small business town in Chengannur Taluk in Alappuzha District of Kerala state, India, on State highway 6. It is also known as the Bell Metal Town.LocationMannar is situated on the banks of the Pamba river, Manimala River and Achan kovil river. Mannar is 9 km from Chengannur, Thiruvalla, Haripad and 8 km from Mavelikara. It is connected by four railway stations (Chengannur, Thiruvalla, Harippad and Mavelikara) at a distance of 8 to 9 km each on four sides. Parumala Jn:, Kuttiyil Jn:, Muttel Jn:, Aalum moottil Jn:,Koyickal Jn: and Store Jn: are the main junctions in Mannar.Historical Importance of MannarMannar was the venue for the famous Treaty of Mannar ( Mannar Harmony Deed) signed between Maharaja of Travancore Marthanda Varma and Kayamkulam King in 1742. After this deed Kayamkulam and a major portion of central travancore became the part of Travancore Kingdom.IndustryTraditional bronze metal industryMannar is well known for its bronze industry, as well as other metals. There are hundreds of traditional 'ALA'S'(kilns or furnaces) in Mannar. There are many small-scale manufacturing establishments engaged in this business, employing traditional workers, where prospective buyers can visit, observe the making and then purchase the artefacts produced. The most important household utensil they used to make are kinnan (plates for taking foods like kanji and boiled rice), nilavilakk, uruLi, chempi (for par boiling paddy), kindi (a vessel for taking water for washing hands and feet). The most famous utensil makers were Chinkili Achari and Kollan Neelakantan Achari. There was an expert craftman Kurattiyil Neelakantan Achari, who made the minutest gold ornaments. Later industry shifted to manufacturing big size artefacts and Craftsmen from this town created many well known artefacts, such as a Varpu displayed at Delhi Museum, the lamp at Kuravilangad Church, the lamp of Chettikulangara Devi Temple, the bell at Simla Temple, the bell at Cathedral Church, New Delhi and a replica of famous tree of life and knowledge. This town is second only to market leader manufacturing city Moradabad. Now almost all things you see in our shops are those brought from Moradabad.