Aluva

Aluva (Malayalam pronunciation: [ɐːluʋɐ]), formerly known as Alwaye, is a municipality and a northern suburb of the city of Kochi in Kerala. It is located about 15 km (9.3 mi) north of the city centre.

Aluva is known for the Sivarathri festival, which is celebrated annually on the sandbanks of the Periyar River. The Advaita Ashram in Aluva, founded in 1913 by Sree Narayana Guru, an Indian social reformer, further enhances the region’s cultural heritage. Today, despite being part of both the city and the Kochi urban agglomeration, Aluva remains an autonomous municipality with its civic administration conducted by the Aluva Municipal Council, since Kochi Corporation has not expanded its limits for over 53 years.

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. 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, and it is integrated into the Kochi city bus network. The Metro station is situated at Bypass, Aluva.

The etymology of the town’s name has been the subject of speculation for centuries. One widely accepted version relates to the legend of the Hindu god Shiva drinking the Kalakootam poison to save the world. It is said that, with the poison (alam) held in his mouth (vaa), Shiva was transformed into a deity who later resided in a temple in Aluva. The Sivarathri festival is celebrated in his honour. The city is also known as the "gateway to the east".^{[citation needed]} Some leaflets and websites still refer to the town by its colonial name, Alwaye.

Archaeological evidence indicates that settlements existed in Aluva as early as 250 BC. Until 1341 CE, Aluva comprised a continuous area of land spanning Kakkanad and Alangad. By that time, the town was densely populated and had become both a holiday resort and a centre of commerce. Mangalappuzha, a branch of the Periyar that bifurcates at Aluva, was known as a significant centre of trade in South India. Prior to Indian independence, Aluva was part of the Kingdom of Travancore and served as the official summer residence of its royal family. In the twentieth century, when a community of Jews resided in Kochi, some individuals maintained holiday homes in Aluva along the banks of the Periyar River.

Aluva is a constituency in the Kerala Legislative Assembly and forms part of the Chalakudy (Lok Sabha constituency); Anwar Sadath serves as the MLA for Aluva. It is also part of the Chalakudy (Lok Sabha constituency), represented by Benny Behanan, a member.

Administratively, Aluva is governed as a municipality. The current municipal council is led by the Indian National Congress Party under M. O. John, who was elected in December 2020. Previously, the council was chaired by Lissy Abraham (2015–2020) and M. T. Jacob (2010–2015).

Aluva is well connected to other parts of India via air, road, and rail.