in Kuttanad region. During the feast family members from outside Edathua, especially from the southern Kollam, Trivandrum side of Kerala and Kanyakumari District of Tamil Nadu, come and visit their relatives. During the 10-day feast, many devotees stay and cook food in the church premises and take part in ritual bathing in the river in front of the church. The church is colorfully illuminated, and there is a fireworks display. Educational institutions St. Aloysius College, Edathua is the only arts and science college in Kuttanad. St. Aloysius Higher Secondary School St. Mary's Girls High School Georgian Public School & Junior College, Edathua. Marthoma Syrian Girls High School, Anaprampal Holy Angels Senior Secondary School, Edathua Prominent people Varghese Augustine Punchaichira, the first elected Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from the then Thakazhy constituency after India's independence, was from Edathua. He defeated his friend and now famous novelist Thakazhy Shivashankarappilla in the election. Edathua is the hometown of K. N. P. Kurup, who was also its panchayat president. Edathua is the home town of the international swimmer Arjuna award winner Sebastian Xavier of Manammal family. It is also the home of Mathews Mar Theodosius, the Metropolitan of Idukki Diocese. Malankara Orthodox Church belongs to Kannammalil family Pandankary . 'Keralaassisi' Puthenparampil Thommachen, the founder of the Franciscan Third order in Kerala, is also from Edathua. Transportation Distance from Edathua: Cochin International airport - 109 km Trivandrum International airport-128 km Ambalappuzha railway station-13 km Thiruvalla railway station- 17 km Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) operates bus service from Sub depot of Edathua. Kerala State Water Transport Department (SWTD) operates boat services from Edathua boat jetty. References Villages in Alappuzha district