This part of Kerala is famous for its fertile lands and rubber plantations Ponkunnam is a part of Chirakkadavu grama panchayath. NH 220 (Kollam-Kottarakkara-Kottayam-Theni), the former K.K road (Kottayam-Kumily road), passes through the town. Kottayam is around 34 km. K.K road is an easy way to Madurai in Tamilnadu. The Main Eastern Highway (Punalur-Pathanamthitta-Muvattupuzha Road / SH - No2 ) me
ets NH 220 at Ponkunnam. Ponkunnam is well connected to almost all the places of Kerala by road. Thekkady is 83 km far from here. Ponkunnam has all communities (Christians, Hindus, Muslims) mostly agriculturist. Famous novelist and short story writer Ponkunnam Varkey lived here. Ponkunnam Damodaran the famous Poet was born here. K.P.A.C Ravi , actor cm Singer, belongs to Ponkunnam. Malayalam Film actor Babu Antony and his brother Thampi Antony hail from Ponkunnam. The old name was Chirakadavu Vadakkum Bhagam.The name Ponkunnam was coined by Magistare T.Pappu Pillai about 100 years back, while inaugurating the vegetable market. Late A.K.Patchu Pillai is the Father of modern Ponkunnam. Karippaaparambil Dominc(Dummini Vakil), Pangappattu S.Ramanatha Pillai, Mulavelil Neelakanda Pillai, P.R.Rajagopal, Ex Minister P.T.Chacko and Rosamma Punnose were leading advocates of Ponkunnam Bar. Late P.N.Krishna Pillai,Punnamparambil was the first qualified Doctor of Ponkunnam. The operation theater of Kanjirappally Taluk Hospital is built in his memory.Palayakunnel Vaidyans were famous Ayurveda Physicians. Dr.C.P.S.Pillai is the Seniormost Modern Medical Practitioner. Vidvan A.P.Karunakaran Nair is a famous Sanskrit Scholar. Malayoram is the trimonthly published from Ponkunnam by Jose Pulluveli. KVMS, Santhi Nikethan and Sri Hari are the thre hospitals in Ponkunnam Town. Ponkunnam is the gateway to highrange. Ponkunnam is developing rapidly towards Kanjirappally with the new state of the art shopping complexes and office towers and relocation of banks from the town centre due to traffic congestion. The government offices such as Punchayat, Water Authority, Electricity Board etc, are located at KVMS junction. Possibilities are there that in a short span of 5 years the two towns, Ponkunnam and Kanjirappally may be joined with all commercial and hospitality businesses. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ponkunnam)
