Vakathanam
Grama Panchayat

Vakathanam was once a small princely territory under the rule of the Thekkumkoor kings. In course of time, the region became part of the Kingdom of Travancore.

The historical and cultural heritage of Vakathanam dates back many centuries. The Unnuneeli Sandesam, a renowned Malayalam literary work, contains references to the geographical features of the region and provides directions to the messenger through areas covered by forests. Some of the areas mentioned in the work extend through five wards of the present Vakathanam Grama Panchayat. The work also provides valuable references to the Manikandhapuram Sree Krishna Swamy Temple.

Manikandhapuram is also mentioned in the copper plate inscription associated with the Thekkumkoor ruler and in the Sanskrit epic Mayura Sandesam. The Kadampoor Sree Narasimha Swamy Temple is also referred to in Unnuneeli Sandesam. There is evidence suggesting that the Kuruthi Kamankavu Temple at Thottakkad also belongs to this ancient period.

These temple complexes, which represent the cultural heritage of the region, serve as important indicators of Vakathanam's long historical tradition, extending back at least 1,500 years. The stone inscriptions at the Vakathanam Sree Dharma Sastha Temple, records preserved at the Thottakkad Sree Sankaranarayana Temple, and the legends associated with Rappuzha Muthan are further evidence of the antiquity of the region.

During the period of the Thekkumkoor kings, the Nandikattu Panikkans (Edathil) served as loyal retainers of the king and were entrusted with duties associated with punishment and execution. The old sword believed to have belonged to the period of the kings, preserved in the prayer room of the inner quarters of the Nandikattu family, who were traditionally associated with the royal armoury, is considered an important historical relic.

Njalikuzhi, where criminals were historically executed by hanging, and the nearby cave believed to have been used for confining prisoners, along with the old cremation ground and remnants associated with the ancient fort, are important landmarks reflecting the region's historical past.

The ancestral roots of several ancient families from the Champakkara and Palamattam regions can also be traced to Vakathanam. The traditional practice of offering the first measure of pure milk obtained after a cow gives birth to the deity of Manikandhapuram is said to continue even today.

Vakathanam is also associated with several prominent religious, social and cultural personalities and institutions. Vallikkattu Dayara, where the tomb of His Holiness Baselios Geevarghese I, the second Catholicos of the Malankara Church and its supreme head, is situated, is one of the important religious heritage centres of the region.

The Chotharakunnel House, associated with the maternal family of Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara, and Kizhakke Neelamana, the ancestral home of Mannathu Padmanabhan's father, Manayil Easwaran Namboothiri, are also located in this region.

The homes of several brave freedom fighters who participated in India's freedom struggle and the family of the renowned literary figure I. C. Chacko are also associated with Vakathanam.

During the period of royal rule, Vakathanam was part of the Puthuppally Pakuthi. The Puthuppally administrative office, known as the Kacheri, functioned from the village office situated near the Manikandhapuram Temple in Vakathanam.

Vakathanam has traditionally been a land where people belonging to Hindu, Christian and Muslim communities have lived together in harmony like members of one family. Agriculture has been the principal occupation of the people.

It is believed that agriculture was introduced in Vakathanam earlier than in many neighbouring areas. The forests were cleared and the initial crops cultivated included sugarcane, chama, varaku, fodder grass and pulses. The historically significant sugarcane cultivation of Vakathanam was documented by the historian Kochippan Tharakan in an article published in Bhashaposhini.

Historical accounts also mention traders who transported hill produce, sugarcane products and tapioca from Vakathanam to other regions using large cargo boats and country vessels.

The branches of the Meenachil River, connected to the Vembanad Lake, once formed extensive waterways along the northern and western parts of Vakathanam. Large boats could travel through these waterways. Boats carrying ash and manure from neighbouring regions arrived in Vakathanam and returned with agricultural produce. Important boat landing points included Nalloor Kadavu, Madathiparambil Kadavu, Paravankadavu, Kaniyan Kadavu, Puthusserikadavu, Aattupurath Kadavu, Malika Kadavu and Vettikkalingu.

Before the introduction of the Swaraj vehicle service associated with Shankunni Menon, waterways were the principal means of transportation. Vallavara boats and traditional Chundan boats were used for water travel, while bullock carts and rickshaws were used for transportation on land.

Place names such as Muthalakkery, associated with areas where crocodiles were once believed to have been found, continue to remain part of the local geographical memory of Vakathanam.

The early agricultural crops of the region included coconut, sugarcane, paddy, tapioca, beans, pigeon pea, banana, varaku, chama, fodder grass, arecanut, pepper, yam, colocasia and other traditional crops. Later, cocoa, rubber and vegetables became increasingly common in the agricultural landscape.

Vakathanam Varikka Chakka, a traditional variety of jackfruit, is historically famous in the region. Much of the area consists of lateritic and gravelly soil.

The Manikandhapuram Sree Krishna Swamy Temple, which is under the Travancore Devaswom Board, is one of the major temples in the region.

Christian communities began settling in Vakathanam approximately 400 years ago. An early place of worship was established on the elevated area of Pallikkunnu. Subsequently, different Christian denominations arrived and established their religious institutions in the region.

Among the important churches established in Vakathanam are Thottakkad St. George Catholic Church, founded in A.D. 1803, Vakathanam Valiyapally, whose foundation is associated with the 20th day of Dhanu in the Malayalam calendar year 1023, and Vakathanam CSI Church, founded in A.D. 1885.

Numerous temples and churches are located throughout Vakathanam, reflecting its rich religious and cultural diversity.

Social and Cultural Institutions

Community organisations, clubs and libraries have played an important role in the social and cultural development of Vakathanam. Clubs and libraries function in most wards of the Panchayat.

The libraries functioning with financial assistance from the Panchayat include:

• Jaihind Public Library, Thrikkothamangalam
• Public Library, Kadampoor
• Friends Library, Eravuchira
• Public Library, Ponganthanam
• Vijaya Library, Nalunnakkal
• N. K. Varghese Memorial Library, Ponganthanam
• Public Library, Kannan Chira
• Santhosh Club & Library, Vallikkad
• Union Club & Library, Puthenchantha
• Progressive Club & Library, Vakathanam
• National Public Library & Reading Room, Kooramattam

These institutions have contributed significantly to the promotion of education, reading, cultural activities, social interaction and community development in Vakathanam.

A Heritage of Continuity

The history of Vakathanam is a rich blend of ancient royal traditions, religious heritage, agriculture, waterways, education, social institutions and community life. The temples, churches, historical landmarks, traditional agricultural practices and cultural institutions together reflect the deep-rooted heritage of the region.

Preserving this heritage while promoting inclusive and sustainable development remains an important part of the continuing journey of Vakathanam Grama Panchayat.