Aluva

Aluva (Malayalam pronunciation: [ɐːluʋɐ]), formerly known as Alwaye, is a major town and municipality in the northern part of the Kochi metropolitan area in the Indian state of Kerala. Situated on the banks of the Periyar River, it serves as an important residential, commercial, and transportation hub in Ernakulam district and is the administrative headquarters of Aluva taluk. Located northeast of central Kochi, Aluva has long been recognized as a gateway between Kochi and central Kerala. Aluva is noted for its cultural, religious, and historical significance. It is best known for the annual Aluva Sivarathri festival, one of Kerala’s largest religious gatherings, held on the sandbanks of the Periyar River. It is also closely associated with Sree Narayana Guru, who founded the Advaita Ashram in Aluva in 1913, establishing the town as an important centre of social reform and spiritual thought. Historically, Aluva developed as a prominent settlement along the Periyar River and grew into a centre for trade, education, and industry. Aluva also serves as the administrative centre of the Aluva taluk. In 1956, the taluks of villages—including Mukundapuram, Kanayannur, Kunathunad, and North Paravur—were combined to form the Aluva taluk. Despite being part of the Kochi urban agglomeration, Aluva continues to function as an autonomous municipality and remains one of the most significant urban centres in Kerala. The headquarters of the District Police Chief of the Ernakulam Rural Police District, the Superintending Engineer of PWD (Roads), and the District Educational Officer are also located there. Additionally, Aluva is the northern starting point of the Kochi Metro rail’s first phase, which began operations in June 2017.