Valakom, Kottarakara

Valakom is a village in the Kollam district of Kerala, India. It lies within Kottarakkara taluk.

Location and access

Valakom is 10 km south of Kottarakkara and 8 km north of Ayoor on M C Road/SH-1 (Angamali-Thiruvananthapuram). Valakom is well connected with Thiruvananthapuram, the state capital and to other major towns of Kerala by road. There is no railway line passing through Valakom. Kottarakkara railway station on the Punalur-Kollam line is the nearest railway station.

Distance from major cities of Kerala from Valakom by road are as follows.

Thiruvananthapuram- 063 km, Kollam - 038 km, Kottayam - 090 km, Kochi - 153 km; Thissur - 223 km; Kozhikode - 354 km

The famous pilgrim centre Sabarimala is easily accessible from Valakom and the distance is 108 km. Kottarakara Ganapathi Temple, Kottukal Rock Cut Cave Temple and Chadayamangalam Jatayu Para are the nearest pilgrim and tourist destinations.

Political representation

Valakom comes under the Kottarakkara legislative assembly constituency currently represented by Adv. Aisha Potty of CPI(M), and under the Mavelikkara parliament constituency currently represented by Mr. Kodikkunnil Suresh of INC.

Institutions and businesses

Many churches and religious institutions as well as a BEVCO outlet is also situated here. Major banks operating in Valakom include Federal Bank, State Bank of Travancore, Muthoot Fincorp, Kosammattam Finance, and Panamkunnil Bankers. Y.M.A. Library and Sree Gosalakrishna temple are situated at Marangattukonam, 1 km from Valakom. A police aid post is located near the Mercy Hospital Junction (Old Kalachantha/cattle market) which is one km north of the town in SH-1.

Education

The major educational institutions in the village are the Marthoma High School(started in 1924, which is the oldest one in this locality), R. V. Training College & school and C.S.I. Training centre, college & school for the Hearing Impaired.

• Marthoma High School, Valakom
• Rama Vilasam Higher Secondary School, Valakom
• Rama Vilasom Teacher Training Institute, Valakom
• Mercy College Of Nursing, Valakom
• St.Mary's Bethany Central School,Valakom
• CSI School for the Deaf & Dump.

Health

Mercy Hospital is a major health care centre in this area. There are a few other clinics also there.

Notable residents

Dy.SP Krishnakumar, Dy.SP Johnkutty, Panchayath Member Johnkutty and Babykutty, P.M. Thomaskutty (Chf.Mgr., KTR FedBank) hail from this village.