Vechoochira

Vechoochira വെച്ചൂച്ചിറ
village
Mushroom species spotted in Vechoochira
Coordinates: 9°26′06″N 76°51′08″E / 9.435°N 76.8522°E / 9.435; 76.8522Coordinates: 9°26′06″N 76°51′08″E / 9.435°N 76.8522°E / 9.435; 76.8522
Country	India
State	Kerala
District	Pathanamthitta
Government
• Type	Panchayath
• Body	Vechoochira grama panchayath
Area
• Total	51.8 km2 (20.0 sq mi)
Elevation	3 m (10 ft)
Population (2011)
• Total	21,237
• Density	410/km2 (1,100/sq mi)
Languages
• Official	Malayalam, English
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN	686511
Telephone code	04735
Vehicle registration	KL-03, KL-62
Literacy	96.58%
Website	[1]

Vechoochira (Malayalam: വെച്ചൂച്ചിറ) is a village located in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala, India.

Vechoochira is near to Erumely, a famous Hindu pilgrim centre. It is about 6 km (3.7 mi) from Erumely and 14 km (8.7 mi) from Ranni.

From 1900-1920, missionaries from England established a farm area near Vechoochira, known as Mission Kunnu. When the English missionaires departed, the land was given to local people. Many families from the Tiruvalla-Vennikulam area migrated to Vechoochira and bought land properties from the locals. No prior history is available before early 1900, but it is assumed that the area was part of the vast forest area, and indigenous tribal people (Adivasis)used to live in non permanent structures. It is likely to believe that these tribes were living there for several centuries. At the beginning of 1900, the Travancore rulers gave about 100 acres of farmland to a court advocate (believed to be from Chengannur) for lease and later this land was acquired by NSS cooperative society and now it is known as 'Noorokkad estate (emerging from 100 acre kaadu). In late 1960s displaced families from Idukki dam project were rehabilitated to an area called Idukki kooppu (south west of Vechoochira-Koothattukulam). Ennooramvayal is another name for area north west of Vechoochira, denoting 800th field place of CMS missionaries. Also in 1920-40s a severe form of small pox (Vasoori) caused many deaths in Vechoochira.

The "Ex-service men colony" (the land given to Second World War and China conflict veterans by Indian government) was established in Vechoochira by the Indian Government as a reward for their services.

Many well known educational institutions are located in this panchayatu (village), including two higher secondary Schools, a High School, an Arts college, a Polytechnic, a Navodya High School, a vocational Higher Secondary school and many English medium primary schools.

People from all the major religions (Christianity, Hinduism, Islam) live here together with due respect to each other. Most of the villagers are farmers, cultivating banana, tapioka, rubber, coconut, etc.

Perunthenaruvi falls, a famous water fall in Pamba river is located in this panchayath. It is about 4 km (2.5 mi) from the town, accessible through paved (asphalt) road. The entire pampa river water is converging and flowing through channels before it falls to a 30 ft drop. The base of the fall is very shallow and deep consisting of several twistering spots. If you want to see the water fall closely, take all precaution not to step on slippery rocks and edges. Every year many people lose their lives by underestimating the force of the water flow and depth. Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) has built a view gallery and rest area near the fall. Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) will be building a 3MW power generation station (utilyzing hydro electric power) at the fall in the near future.