which flows through Angamaly, was a major waterway and Angadikadavu near the old church was an important trade centre in the olden days where spices, rice, bamboo and other agriculture and hill products were sent to the old port of Mozoories. Manjaly Thodu is part of the new National Waterways programme and is getting developed. Angamaly is enriched with cultural and devotional centres. There are many old churches which are centuries old with well defined frescoes and other murals which are also known for certain historical meetings and decisions that shaped the modern Christianity in the entire India. The new Catholic church built at the heart of the town is regarded as the biggest of its kind in India. Vembiliyam Mahadev temple, Paddupusha Bhagavathi temple, Thirunayathodu temple, Krishnaswamy temple, Vengoor Durga Devi temple, Kidangooru temple, Kothakulangara temple, Jain temple, Elavuru temple, Muzhikulam temple are all Hindu pilgrim centres near to Angamaly. There are also several hospitals and educational institutions in the locality. Angamaly has a state-owned industrial estate at its southern end which has numerous renowned factories. Kerala State Bamboo Corporation Ltd. has its headquarters at Angamaly. There are several small-scale cracker manufacturing units in the surrounding areas. Angamaly have a decent contribution to literature in form of books like Kaatadiyanthramgal. The importance of Angamaly today is mainly revolved around it being a stone's throw away from Kochi city. The town is on the verge of being assimilated with the fast growing city, with the proposed New Kochi Bypass project (from Karayamparambu to Nettoor) starting just north of, and Kochi Metro phase 3 being proposed to Angamaly as well as Cochin International Airport. The proposed Kochi Global Industrial Finance and Trade (GIFT) city under the Kochi-Bengaluru National Industrial Corridor is proposed at Ayyampuzha, which is close to Angamaly. These developments are expected to catapult Angamaly as a very important part of Kochi city in the immediate future. History Although recorded history does not exist about the origins of Angamaly, legends and local folklore attribute the name Angamaly to the grounds where battles (Ankam in Malayalam language) were conducted at a myal (attributed as a plain ground). Hence a very old battle ground. Another legend is that the word Angamaly is derived from Akamaly I.e.inland port area. Several old coins and other artefacts found from the region tells this area was predominant with Buddhists and Jains in very old time. The