Bharananganam, an important pilgrimage centre in South India, is located on the banks of the Meenachil River, away from Pala and from Plassanal, in Kottayam district in the state of Kerala. Bharananganam and surrounding places are hilly areas with a lot of vegetation. Agriculture is the main occupation of the people, who cultivate plantation crops such as rubber. Demographics The population of Bharananganam comprises Catholic Syrian Christians and Hindus. The Syrian Christian community here is said to be 1000 years old, who migrated from kodungallur and palayoor, in the tenth and 11th centuries. Also, many other Christian families migrated to the region from other ancient Christian centers like Nilakkal, Aruvithura, and Kaduthuruthi in the following centuries. The community traditionally practices farming. Both the Christians and Hindus live in absolute peace and harmony. History Bharananganam is known for its many aristocratic and affluent Nasrani families who've branched out from the place to other agrarian areas of Kerala, following the early agrarian expansion of Central Travancore, in the mid-19th century. This expansion lasted until the 1980s, with the last few waves of migrant Syrian Christians from in and around the area, migrating to the hilly villages of highrange and Malabar.Bharananganam is relevant to Nasrani history. The ancient church which was on South Bank of meenachil river was burnt and the church was shifted to North bank of the river. Other major attractions Sree Krishna Swami Temple Bharananaganam is well known for Sree Krishna Temple in the banks of river Meenachil, it is one of the major temples of South Kerala. The east facing Sree Krishna Swami temple is located away from Bharananganam junction in Ettumanoor - Poonjar State Highway. The eight-day long annual festival in Makaram (January) is a very vibrant event in the whole region commencing with the hoisting of the temple flag on Makara Samkramam day, and concluding with ‘Arattu’ (Ritual Bath of the deity) on the eighth day. Besides the regular daily rituals the festivities include processions of the deity on elephant's back to the suburban villages like Kizhaparayar, Keezhambara, Chittanappara and Bharananganam (on five days) the precious ‘Utsava Bali’ (for six days) and art and cultural programs every day. The ‘Arattu’, typical of the 'Arattu' in almost any temple, is a magnificent night-long ceremony including procession of several elephants and performances by major percussion teams. The slow-moving procession of the caparisoned elephants carrying decorative silken umbrellas and other