Eruvessy
Grama Panchayat

Social History

The headquarters of the region, which covered an area of 45 square miles in the Irikkur Firka, was Ellarinji. The ruler was Karikkattidam Nayanar. Later, the Eram of Eruvesshi and the Panchayat were formed by combining the regions of Eruvesshi and Payyavoor. The Amsam Adhikari belonged to the Edaklavan family, a janmi (landlord) family. The administrative system at that time consisted of officials such as Adhikaris, Menons, and Kolakkars. Administrators were appointed through a hereditary system, and authority was passed down by succession. The Adhikaris had the power to collect land tax, administer justice, and register births and deaths. They were also known by the official titles of Adhikari, Village Munsiff, Village Magistrate, Registrar of Births and Deaths, and Pound Keeper. In this vast land area, human habitation was very limited. People lived on a communal basis. The Muchilottu Bhagavathi Temple and the Ganapathi Temple were the main places of worship. Tribal communities such as the Karimbalars and Mavilars also inhabited these regions. The Karimbalars were permanent settlers, while the Mavilars were a migratory community. Muslims were also present here in very small numbers. During that period, when upper-caste dominance prevailed, land ownership was restricted exclusively to them. Karakkattidam Nayanar, the Edaklavans, and the Chirakkal Raja were the principal landlords. In addition, land also belonged to the Payyavoor Devaswom. The ownership of this land, which belonged to the Chirakkal Kovilakam, was granted to Mandanar. Mandanar was a member of the Chirakkal royal family who had been excommunicated from the Kovilakam. The royal status and authority of the Chirakkal Kovilakam were vested in Mandanar. His residence came to be known as Mootthedath Aramana. The remains of this palace can still be seen near Poopparamba. Besides Mootthedath Aramana, four other palaces were established: Ilayidath Aramana, Mundaya Aramana, Koorari Aramana, and Idayillam Aramana. According to legend, the Kudiyattis were a group said to have been excommunicated either from the Chirakkal Kovilakam or from Mandanar’s palace. It is believed that the place name Kudiyanmala originated from their name. As hostile forces increased due to arbitrary exercise of power, Mandanar was compelled to leave the area for self-protection and transferred his properties to the government.

History of Cultural Development

The region is home to numerous temples and cultural centers that flourished in ancient times, including Kanjirangattu Shiva Temple (Muyipra), Chengoth Chuzhali Bhagavathi Temple, Eruvesshi Theruvu Ganapathi Temple, Muchilottu Bhagavathi Temple, Puthiya Bhagavathi Kavu, Poopparamba Vairan Kottam, Puliyanar Kavu, Kiliyankal Vayanattu Kulavan Temple, and Nelliyottuparamba Temple. There are also many places where Theyyam rituals have been traditionally performed for centuries, along with several important centers such as Karivellur. The settlement movement in Eruvesshi Panchayat began in 1943. Pulppel Joseph, a native of Kanjirappally, was the torchbearer of this movement. The migration of settlers into the hilly regions continued until 1950. Migrant farmers established themselves in areas such as Areekkamala, Kudiyanmala, Nellikkutty, Ratnagiri, Chundapparamba, Cheriya Areekkamala, Kottakkunnu, Vanchiyam, Pottanplavu, and Chundakkunnu. Peasant struggles spread throughout the region and were powerful enough to bring significant changes to the landlord-based land ownership system. The Kavumbayi Struggle, which took place on 30 December 1946, had a profound impact on agrarian relations in this area. One of the prominent leaders of the struggle was M.C. Rayarappan Master, popularly known as M.C.R. The first steps toward literacy in this region were taken through Eruvesshi A.U.P. School. It was founded in the second decade of the twentieth century by Edaklavan Koroth Ramankutty Nambiar. Nirmala L.P. School at Chemberi, established in 1950, was upgraded to a high school with the formation of the state of Kerala. Eruvesshi is also believed to be the birthplace of Sri Muthappan, one of North Kerala’s most revered deities. According to legends and songs associated with Sri Muthappan, the Ayyankara Illam and Thiruvanchira mentioned in these traditions were located in Eruvesshi. The site is now occupied by the Padikkutti Devi Temple. An annual festival is held there during the Pooram days of the Malayalam month of Meenam, with the ceremonial dance carrying the Thidambu on the head being the main ritual. Muyipra Muchilottu Bhagavathi Temple, Eruvesshi Puthiya Bhagavathi Temple, and Eruvesshi Ganapathi Temple are ancient and historically significant centers of worship and cultural heritage. Chuvvali Bhagavathi Temple, Mootthedath Aramana Temple, and Kanjirangad Temple are among the major religious institutions in the area. Near the Eruvesshi River, at a place called Aramana, stand the stone remains of Mandanar Kotta, a fort believed to be centuries old. In 1946, the first Lourdes Matha Church was established in Chemberi. People of various religions attend its annual feast. A mosque known as Issathul Islam Juma Masjid also functions in the area. The library movement has played a major role in the cultural activities of this region. In 1950, the first reading room in the Panchayat was established at Poopparamba under the leadership of the Farmers’ Association. These institutions made an invaluable contribution to improving literacy and education among the people. In 1956, a library named National Reading Room was established at Chemberi, a major settlement center. Today, Eruvesshi Panchayat has ten libraries, one of which serves as the Panchayat Cultural Centre.