Chithara - Kottarakkara, Kollam
Chithara is a village situated in the Kottarakkara taluka of Kollam district, Kerala. It is located approximately 15 km from the tehsil headquarters in Kottarakkara and around 65 km from the district headquarters in Kollam. Chithara village is a designated Gram Panchayat.
As per Census 2011, the village code of Chithara is 628429. The village covers a total geographical area of 3363 hectares and falls under the 691559 pincode. Punalur is the nearest town, located about 25 km away.
Chithara village is governed under the Panchayati Raj system, with a Sarpanch serving as the elected head. For political representation, the village falls under the Chadayamangalam Vidhan Sabha (Assembly) constituency and the Kollam Lok Sabha (Parliamentary) constituency.
Population of Chithara
As per Census 2011, Chithara village has a total population of 20,268 people, consisting of 9,381 males and 10,887 females. The village has 5,260 households and a sex ratio of 1,160 females per 1,000 males. There are 2,091 children in the 0–6 years age group. The village has 16,566 literate and 3,702 illiterate residents. Additionally, 3,049 people belong to Scheduled Caste (SC) communities and 534 to Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities.
Detailed gender-wise population figures for Chithara are given below:
| Category | Total | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Population | 20,268 | 9,381 | 10,887 |
| Child Population (0–6 yrs) | 2,091 | 1,083 | 1,008 |
| Scheduled Castes (SC) | 3,049 | 1,416 | 1,633 |
| Scheduled Tribes (ST) | 534 | 242 | 292 |
| Literate Population | 16,566 | 7,798 | 8,768 |
| Illiterate Population | 3,702 | 1,583 | 2,119 |
Nearby Villages of Chithara
Chithara is surrounded by several neighbouring villages in various directions. The table below lists these nearby villages along with their approximate aerial (straight-line) distances and directions from the village:
| Nearby Village | Direction | Approx. Distance (Aerial) |
|---|---|---|
| Kummil | South-West | 7.56 km |
| Ittiva | North-West | 7.63 km |
| Kadakkal | West | 7.80 km |
| Pangode | South | 8.05 km |
| Alayamon | North | 8.72 km |
| Kallara | South | 10.71 km |
| Kottakkal (ct) | North-West | 11.23 km |
| Pazhayakunnummel | South-West | 11.65 km |
| Nilamel | West | 12.67 km |
| Vamanapuram | South-West | 13.22 km |
Transport and Connectivity of Chithara
Chithara is connected by an all-weather road, and public transport is mainly available through bus services. The nearest railway station is Punalur, while the nearest airport is Trivandrum International Airport, situated at an approximate aerial distance of 29.3 km.
| Connectivity | Status | Nearest Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Public Bus Service | Yes | Available within village |
| Private Bus Service | Yes | Available within village |
| Railway Station | No | - |
In addition to basic transport facilities, distances and travel times help define overall connectivity. The road distance from Punalur to Chithara is about 25 km, with a usual travel time of around 30-60 minutes. Similarly, the road distance from Kollam to Chithara is about 65 km, with the usual travel time around ~1.9 hours. Actual travel time may vary depending on road conditions and mode of transport.
Banking and Postal Services in Chithara
Banking and postal services are essential for daily financial transactions and communication. The availability of these facilities for Chithara village is detailed below:
| Service Type | Status | Nearest Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Bank | Yes | Available within village |
| ATM | Yes | Available within village |
| Post Office | Yes | Available within village |
Health Facilities in Chithara
Healthcare facilities play an important role in providing basic medical services to the residents. The details regarding the nearest health centres and hospitals serving Chithara village are given below:
| Facility Type | Status | Nearest Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Health Sub-Centre (HSC) | Yes | Available within village |
| Primary Health Centre (PHC) | Yes | Available within village |
| Community Health Centre (CHC) | No | Available within 5-10 km |
FAQs about Chithara
Where is Chithara located?
Chithara village is located in Kottarakkara Taluka, Kollam district, Kerala, India.
What is the gram panchayat of Chithara?
Chithara is its own Gram Panchayat.
What is the pincode of Chithara?
The pincode of Chithara is 691559.
What is the population of Chithara?
Chithara has a total population of 20,268, including 9,381 males and 10,887 females.
How many households are there in Chithara?
There are 5,260 households in Chithara.
What is the literacy rate in Chithara?
As per Census 2011, the literacy rate of Chithara is 81.73%. Male literacy is 83.13% and female literacy is 80.54%.