City India

Cities in Ernakulam

Aluva (IPA: [ɐːluʋɐ]; also known by its former name Alwaye) is an eastern suburb of the city of Kochi in Kerala, India. It is a part of the Kochi metropolitan area and is situated around 15 km (9.3 mi) from the city centre on the banks of Periyar River. A major transportation hub, with easy access to all major forms of transportation, Aluva acts as a corridor which links the highland districts to the rest of Kerala. Cochin International Airport at Nedumbassery is 11.7 km from Aluva. Aluva is accessible through rail (Aluva railway station), air (Cochin International Airport), metro (Kochi Metro) along with major highways and roadlines. Aluva KSRTC bus station is an important transport hub in Kerala and one of the busiest stations in central part of the state. Aluva, home to the summer residency of the Travancore royal family (the Alwaye Palace), is also known for the Sivarathri festival, which is celebrated annually on the sandbanks of Periyar. The Advaita Ashram in Aluva, which was founded in 1913 by Sree Narayana Guru, an Indian social reformer, adds to the cultural aspect of the region. Today, despite being a part of the city as well as the Kochi urban agglomeration, Aluva is still 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. The taluks of villages including Mukundapuram, Kanayannur, Kunathunad and North Paravur were combined to form the Aluva taluk in 1956. The headquarters of the District Police Chief of Ernakulam Rural Police District, Superintending Engineer, PWD (Roads) and the District Educational Officer are also located there. It is the northern starting point of Kochi Metro rail's first phase, which began its operations in June 2017, as well as the Kochi city bus network. The Metro station is at Bypass, Aluva.