History of Grama Panchayat
History of Grama Panchayat
Social-Cultural HistoryEach region here has distinct and fascinating place-name legends in circulation. The place Mallankuzhi, which had perennial springs even in summer until recently, is said to have gotten its name because it was the spot depressed by the footprints of “Mallan,” a tribal man. Pits resembling the footprints of a giant man are still said to be visible here. Vellarikkad was reportedly once a forested area filled with water. The legend of Vellarikkad is linked to the Sree Ramaswamy Temple. It is said that the place got its name because sage Agastya retrieved a Vishnu idol that lay hidden in a chamber within the forest’s waterbody and installed it here. This temple is believed to be over 1,400 years old. The name Cheramanangad is associated with the Chera kings. It may have later become Chiramanangad. It is also said that the name Chiramanangad came about because it was a region of ponds (chira), Brahmin homes (mana), and forest (kaadu). Kudakkallu, remnants of Jain culture, have been found here and are still protected by the Central Archaeological Department. Kunjikkuttan Thampuran mentions in Kerala Charithra Kavyam: “The sign of this is seen in the kudakkallu with stone legs, slightly raised, on the holy ground where the noble sage Siddharthan’s grave is covered.” The most kudakkallu are found in Chiramanangad. The Central Archaeological Department is conducting further studies on the kudakkallu. These kudakkallu have been included in the Central Government’s conducted tour circuit. It is heard that the Portuguese, who landed by ship and reached Palayur, came on horseback from there to Chemmamthitta, and traveled via Vellachal through Eyyal up to Vaniyampara. The place known as Eyyal Kotta is now in Choondal Panchayat. It is said to have been the headquarters of the Talappilly local kings, while others say it was built by Tipu during his military campaigns. In any case, Eyyal is one of the most referenced places in both place-name histories and Kerala history. Years ago, the region Marathankode was densely wooded. For people from the Malabar region, after crossing the Karichal Kadavu-Chiralipuzha ferries to enter Kochi, the only route to connect with the eastern region was the Kundamkulam-Vadakkanchery dirt road. At that time, travelers from Malabar would find time for lunch and rest under the shade of these trees. This region, thick with trees, later came to be called Marathankode. The Chiramanangad Kudakkalparambu, twelve Roman gold coins, one hundred and five silver coins, and the Eyyal Cave — all taken over and preserved by the Archaeological Department — are invaluable historical artifacts recovered from this region. Kadangode Panchayat is a center for numerous Hindu, Christian, and Muslim places of worship. The ancient Hindu temples include the Bhagavathy Temple, Vellarikkad Sree Ramaswamy Temple, Eyyal Bhagavathy Temple, Chiramanangad Palanchery Shiva Temple, and Chemparayoor Ayyappan Kavu. The first Christian churches in this panchayat are Vellarikkad Church and Marathankode Church. Now there are Christian churches in Chiramanangad, Eyyal, and Kadangode as well. The first Muslim mosque in this panchayat is the Thippilassery Kadangode Thalengattiri Palli. Juma masjids are located at Vellatheri, Kadangode-Manappady, Chiramanangad, Pannithadam, Eyyal, Adoor, Vellarikkad, and Marathankode. Under the leadership of the Cochin Prajamandalam organization, the national independence movement was active in Kadangode Panchayat as well. Early activists like Keezhveettil Madhavan, Valanath Balakrishnan Nair, Puthiyamathoor Cherayi Padinjakkara Sankaran Panicker, and Mandamparambu Kozhikattil Kuttiraman made noble contributions to the national movement. In the 1930s, against the backdrop of the surging national renaissance movement, various activities took place in Kadangode Panchayat as part of it. To secure temple entry rights for backward communities and Scheduled Caste members, under the leadership of P.K. Krishnan Ezhuthachan, members of backward communities entered the Vellarikkad Sree Rama Temple and proclaimed temple entry. The Kaikulangara house, blessed by the birth of Kaikulangara Ramavaryar — a great scholar, renowned author of numerous books, and a Mahatma — is located in Kadangode Panchayat. Former MLC Kodanattu Narayanan Namboothiri, C. Pareed Haji who was respected by all irrespective of caste or religion, Village Court Judges Sayyid Abdul Rahman Kochu Koya Thangal and Kunnathu Narayanan, Senior Judge Kuttiraman Nair, Mandamparambu Kochappu, Kottayam Bishop Adoor Yuyakim I Cheeran, and prominent Islamic scholar Sayyid Abdul Rahman Imbichi Koya Thangal are among the children of this land.