Vaikom is a taluk and also its capital town, situated in the North-West of Kottayam in Kerala, India. Its western border is bounded by the Lake Vembanad, and is crossed by various distributaries of the River Muvattupuzha. It lies between Ernakulam and Kottayam. Vaikom is the oldest township in Kottayam, and among the oldest in South India.
Vaikom is populated by people from all communities, including Ambalavasis, Arayans, Christians, Dheevaras, Ezhavas, Iyers, Muslims, Nairs, Namboodiris, Goud Saraswat Brahmins and Varmas. As of 2001[update] India census[1], Vaikom had a population of 22,637. Males constitute 48% of the population and females 52%. Vaikom has an average literacy rate of 86%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 88%, and female literacy is 84%. In Vaikom, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.
The Vaikom Shiva Temple, known as Thekkan Kashi [Southern Kashi], is the heart of the town, and is remarkable for the Vaikom Ashtami celebrations during November. It is notable as the venue of the Vaikom Agitation for achieving for the lower castes the right to walk on the roads surrounding the temple.
The traditional economy has been based on coconut and rice crops, and fishing; more recently, crops like nutmeg, black pepper, and latex have also been introduced. Tourism and software are also pursued as means to livelihood. Hindustan Newsprint Limited is situated in Velloor.
Vaikom is administered by a Municipality and is the seat of a Munsiff's court (among the oldest to be established in the Kingdom of Travancore). Vaikom assembly constituency is reserved for Dalits and is part of Kottayam parliamentary constituency.[2]
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India
