Aluva

Aluva (Malayalam: [aːluʋɐ]; also known by its former name, Alwaye) is a municipality in the Ernakulam district of Kerala, India. Aluva is situated 14.5 km (9.0 mi) from Kochi, along the banks of the Periyar River, and is a part of the Kochi metropolitan area. Aluva is a transportation hub, connecting North Malabar and Central Kerala to Kochi. The Cochin International Airport at Nedumbassery, located 11.7 km (7.3 mi) from Aluva, is an aviation hub hosting both domestic and international flights. Aluva is also the northern terminus of the Kochi Metro.

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 center 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.