Chengannur

Chengannur (IPA: [t͡ʃeŋ:e̞n:u:r]) is a municipality in the Alappuzha district of Kerala, India. It is located 43 km (26.7 mi) south east of the district headquarters in Alappuzha and about 117 km (72.7 mi) north of the state capital Thiruvananthapuram. Although Chengannur is part of Alappuzha district, it lies closer to the other district headquarters Pathanamthitta, about 24 km (15 mi) to its north west. As per the 2011 Indian census, Chengannur has a population of 23,466 people, and a population density of 1,607/km2 (4,160/sq mi). Today, Chengannur is a primary economic and cultural hub of the Onattukara region. The town is noted for the Chengannur Mahadeva Temple and the Old Syrian Church of the ancient St. Thomas Christians community. It is also a major point for pilgrims to the Sabarimala Temple, and thus has been described as "The Gateway to Sabarimala".