Mallappally (meaning "hill shrine" in Malayalam) is a taluk in Kerala state in India. It is one of the five taluks that make up the Pathanamthitta district. Historically a part of the kingdom of Travancore and Cochin. Called "Land of the BA graduates" due to English education imparted by the CMS College Kottayam in the 19th century, Mallappally is the original home of many Non-resident Indians, and has one of the lowest population growth and highest literacy rates in India. It comes under the Thiruvalla Revenue Division & Thiruvalla Constituency. It is Located 18 km from Thiruvalla railway station and NH 183 in Thiruvalla. Buses leave every five minutes From Thiruvalla to Mallappally and vice versa. Geography Most of the area is hilly with a midland climate. The Manimala River flows through the heart of the town and divides it into Mallappally West and Mallappally East. Mallappally taluk shares a border with Kottayam district at Nedungadappally along a river stream named Panayambala Thodu. From the Pathanamthitta, Kozhencherry, and Ranni side, the entrance to the town is at Mallappally Bridge. Demographics Mallappally is the least populous sub-district in Pathanamthitta District, with 130,000 people. The nine villages of Mallappally, range from Kunnanthanam, the most populous with 21,000, and Telliyoor, the least populous with 8101 people. 64,000 (47%) of the taluk is male, while 70,000(53%) are female. The population of the sub-district has decreased by 2.1% in last ten years. The literacy rate, excluding children under 6, is 97%, and 98% of the male and 97% of the female population is literate. As with other areas of Kerala, Mallappally also depends on migrant labour. In Pathanamthitta, they constitute 35% of the labour force. Syrian Christians (Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church, Malankara Orthodox Church, Malankara Catholics and CSI) and Christians form the majority of population in Mallappally. Christians (all denominations) constitute 61% (68,849) of the population. Hindus (all sects) constitute 34% (58,644) of the population. Muslims form 4%(6,194) and others, less than 1%. Education Institutions Mar Dionysius School, CMS HSS, IHRD HS SCHOOL, GVHSS Keezhvaipur,NIRMAL JYOTHI Public School,MGD HSS Puthussery, Sophia International Academy Anicadu, Bishop Abraham Memorial (BAM) College Thurithicadu, Mar SEVERIOS College of Teacher Education Chengaroor, College of Applied Science (CAS) IHRD, College of Engineering Kallooppara, Central Engineering Institute & ITC, St Joseph's ITC, Mar Ivanios College For Advanced Studies Chengaroor, St.thomas college of advanced studies Parackathanam Places of Worship Pazhaya Suriyani Pally