History

Marangattupilly Grama Panchayat is a local self-government institution in Meenachil Taluk of Kottayam District and under Uzhavoor Block. It comprises the villages of Kurichithanam, Elakkad (part), and Monippilly (part). The Grama Panchayat was formed on 15 August 1953 and covers an area of 37.58 square kilometres. Uzhavoor Panchayat lies to the north; Karoor and Uzhavoor Panchayats to the east; Karoor and Kadaplamattom Panchayats to the south; and Kuravilangad and Neezhoor Panchayats to the west.

History of the Name

This region, once covered with trees and forests, was originally known as 'Marankattupilly'. Over time, through linguistic transformation, the name evolved into 'Marangattupilly'. The original name of the Panchayat was 'Elakkad'. The word 'Ela' can mean land as well as cow, while 'Kadu' may refer to a forest, forest-covered land, dense green vegetation, or grassland where cattle grazed. The name 'Elakkad' is believed to have originated from the combination of 'Ela' and 'Kadu'.

Ancient History

Historical accounts suggest that the ancestors of the present-day population had settled in this region around AD 1000. The area was under the rule of the Kings of Vadakkumkoor. Some ministers from the Andoor Pallippuram family also served the Vadakkumkoor rulers. In 925, when Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma Kulasekhara Perumal, the Venad ruler, defeated Vadakkumkoor and annexed it to Travancore, the people of this region became part of Travancore. Subsequently, the Vadakkumkoor ruler sought refuge in the kingdom of the Zamorin. During the 15th and 16th centuries, a large number of people, mostly Christians, migrated to this Panchayat from neighbouring areas in search of agricultural land and settled here.

The Freedom Struggle

During the Indian freedom struggle, many people from this region actively participated in the movement under the leadership of the State Congress. Through their association with David Mahapilla and Professor K. M. Chandy, who were residing in Pala, prominent State Congress activists such as M. M. Kurian Mattathumanal, T. John Pulukkil, and P. R. Achuthan Edappattupadavil helped spread the message of freedom in Marangattupilly.

History of Education

In the field of education, the first educational institution in the Panchayat, Mannackanad Government U.P. School, was established in 1885.

History of Transportation

The first public road in the Panchayat connected Kadaplamattom with Kidangoor and Cherpunkal, and Kurichithanam with Uzhavoor and Koothattukulam. In earlier times, the Koothattukulam–Kidangoor section of the M.C. Road served as a royal route. When Kaduthuruthy and Pala were important centres of water transport, bus services first began along the M.C. Road passing through Kuryanad, on the north-western boundary of the Panchayat. Later, bus services also started along the Kozha–Pala Road passing through the central part of the Panchayat in 1930.

Major Places of Worship

Several prominent places of worship are located within the Panchayat. These include St. Francis Assisi Church, established in 1828, Kurichithanam Sree Krishna Temple, Karippadavatthukavu, Parayil Sree Dharma Sastha Temple, Palakkattumala Narasimha Temple, Shiva Temple, Mannackanad Ganapathy Temple, Kavil Bhagavathy Temple, Kuryanad Cheruvallikkavu, Cheradikkavu Temple, Vellakkavu Temple, Moothedath Bhagavathy Temple, and Andoor Shiva Temple.

The major churches and Christian places of worship include Mannackanad Holy Cross Church, Paikkad St. Sebastian's Church, Mount Carmel Church at Palakkattumala, Kurichithanam St. Thomas Church, Nithyasahayamatha Church at Palakkattumala, and Kuryanad St. Anne's Monastery Church.

Geography and Agriculture

Marangattupilly has a diverse landscape consisting of small hills, streams, plains and paddy fields. Geographically, the Panchayat belongs to the midland region. The major crops cultivated here are paddy, rubber and coconut. The region has a distinctive hilly agricultural landscape. The hills of Palakkattumala, Nellithanathumala, Urukoodimala, Kalambulimala, Alakkapallimala, Pelur Mala, Sasthampara and Kodupilly are among the natural attractions of the area. Among these, Alakkapilly, Kalambuli Mala and Nadukunnu are particularly attractive to visitors.

Prominent Institutions

Several institutions and personalities known at the national and international levels are a source of pride for this region. Labour India Publications, Marangattupilly, Sreedhari Pharmaceuticals, Kurichithanam, Neerackal Gloves, Marangattupilly, Labour India Gurukulam Public School, and K. R. Narayanan Government L.P. School, Kurichithanam, the alma mater of former President K. R. Narayanan, are among the prominent institutions in the area.

Famous Personalities

In addition to former President K. R. Narayanan, the Panchayat has been home to several notable personalities. They include literary figures such as C. K. Mattam and K. S. Namboothiri, traditional practitioner Maniyambra Thomas Vaidyan of Andoor, and social worker Father Varkey Kathanar.

Marangattupilly Grama Panchayat

History and Heritage