Arthunkal was the capital of Muthedath Kingdom, one of the pricipalities of Kerala, during the 16th century. Historians opine differently as to how Arthunkal got that name.One among them is that it has evolved from 'Arthhikulangara', the name of the place at that time. Arthhikulangara, in course of time turned 'Arthhikulangal' and later, Arthunkal.According to historian George Schurhammer, the capital of Muthedath was known as 'Muthedathunkal' (at Muthedath) and it changed to 'Edathunkal' and then Arthunkal.Portuguese Missionaries landed in Kerala following the arrival of Vasco da Gamma. They visited Muthedath and found so many St Thomas Christians here. They were not baptized, but their ancestors were.The Jesuit missionaries started their mission in Muthedath and Elayedath(the neighbouring principality). In 1579 A.D., the Jesuit priest Manuel Texeira from Goa visited Arthunkal on his way from Kochi to Kollam (Quilon). As on request by the Christians, he arranged Fr Gasper Pius to be appointed in Arthunkal for their spritual needs in 1581. Since 1560 A.D., the Christians and missionaries had been requesting the Muthedath King for the permission of an oratory, though the king did not give much attention to. But following the incessant pestering from the Christians and considering the helps the king had from the missionaries, he granted permission in November, 1581 to construct a church using wood and coconut leaves. He also granted a few trees from his premises for the purpose.The Christians installed a wooden cross and constructed, with the co-operation of the local Hindus, a church, where the king had given permission to. On 30th November, the church was consecrated in the name St Andrew the Apostle. The first vicar was Fr Gasper Pius S.J. On completion, the king of Muthedath came to visit the church and asked the vicar to maintain the church suitably to be the House of God. Since then, many Hindus from the neighboring regions came to the church, prayed to St Andrew and got their appeals fulfilled.

This is the official website of Guruvayur Devaswom. This site contains information about Guruvayur Temple, its istory,legends,customs,facilities..

Vidyarambham Publishers, Alappuzha,Kerala,Book Publishers-General,Devotional,Astrology,Ayurvedam,ThachusasthramAn eminent publishing house with more than eighty years of brilliant heritage, Vidyarambham is a well-known name among Malayalis around the globe.The house has brought out precious books on different categories like Devotional, Astrology, and Ayurvedam etc. for three generations and still continues the course of disseminating knowledge to the public.Founded by Late K. Narayana Chettiar, who entered the world of books by peddling books in and around temple maidans for his livelihood. A man with relentless working nature, he started Vidyarambham Publishers in 1919 in Alapuzha and published books on general interest. His elder son N. Chellappan Chettiar (1934) joined business with his father in 1955 and soon carved out a niche market in Malayalam Publishing by producing books on various subjects. For his various contributions to the book industry, the Federation of Indian Publishers has felicitated him by conferring Award for Significant Contribution to Book Promotion & Publishing in the year 2001. He has served in many committees related to printing and publishing. At present he is a member of All India Federation of Master Printers, New Delhi, Book Development Council of Kerala Government, Trivandrum and in the executive committee of All Kerala Publishers and Booksellers Assosciation. Since early 1955 he was designated as Secretary of Vidyarambham, and still widely known to the industry in that byname.His wife P. A. Ramani manages the Alapuzha Sales Depot. He has 4 daughters and 2 sons. The elder son N. C. Sivaraj is in charge of Trivandrum Depot. (Vidyarambham Publishers, TRIDA Centre, Pattom Road, Medical College PO, Trivandrum 695011). Besides this, he owns the largest Greetings Cards Showroom of the city, Greetings Galaxy, Near Ayurveda College, Trivandrum 695001. The younger son N. C. Rajendran looks after the publishing activities in Alapuzha. He has achieved the Master's Degree in Publishing Science and Printing Technology from Mahatma Gandhi University with First Rank. Before joining the firm he was working in National Institute of Oceanography, Cochin, after his Post Graduation in Oceanography from CUSAT.The extent and diversity of books are amazing that range from Primary Educational books to authoritative titles on Devotion, Astrology, Ayurvedam, and Tachusasthram. The General books include Yoga, Magic, Fables, and Crime etc. In joint with Gayathri Parivar, Santhikunj, Haridwar, the house brings out Malayalam editions of books on Gayathri Devi. The publications are all professionally edited and produced with strict quality control both during printing and finishing line. The prices of the books are always kept a minimum considering chiefly the targeted readers so that it would be bearable to them.The promotion of books are largely done by releasing regular advertisements through leading newspapers and periodicals. The books are marketed out through all leading bookshops across the state apart from our own bookshops at Alapuzha and Trivandrum. The readers can purchase books through mail - the VPP system, which is used widely by people outside Kerala and India. Besides own publications, the firm sells titles of similar categories of other major publishers in the state. The Yogada Stasanga Society of India, Ranchi, appointed the house as the distributor of Malayalam translation of "Autobiography of a Yogi".