Puramattom
Grama Panchayat

History of the Grama Panchayat

Origin of the Place Name

The village is naturally enclosed by the Manimala River to the north, Iraviperur—the great settlement of Iravi—to the west, Koyippuram to the south-west, and the historically renowned Ezhumattoor to the south and east. Surrounded by these regions like a natural fortress, the village possesses a rich historical heritage. Several legends explain the origin of its name.

According to local tradition, the Malayalam term "Purakile Muttam" (the backyard) gradually evolved into "Puramuttam", and over time became "Puramattom". This explanation is also supported by historical evidence.

Towards the end of the first century of the Kollam Era, a landlord named Kannan Chovan lived in this region. He owned a vast area of land, and a small marketplace functioned adjacent to the backyard of his residence. Over time, the market developed into an important commercial centre of the village. Consequently, the locality known as "Purakile Muttam" gradually came to be called "Puramuttam", which later evolved into "Puramattom".

Social History

During the reign of the erstwhile Kingdom of Travancore, the Kallooppara region was one of the five territories granted by the ruler Cheraman Perumal as a gift to his close associate, the Edappally Thampuran.

Kallooppara served as the administrative centre of the region comprising the five villages of Kallooppara, Puramattom, Mallappally, Anikkad and Kottangal. The official palace of the Edappally Thampurans was situated on the banks of the Manimala River in Puramattom, opposite the famous Kallooppara Devi Temple.

This wooden palace, popularly known as the Kulippura Malika, also served as the royal summer residence. The rulers administered the region from this palace.

Adjacent to this historic palace, which reflects the legendary past of Puramattom, a monastery was also established. Water transport through the Manimala River was the principal means of administration across the vast Kallooppara region.

Several monasteries were established along this waterway as resting places. One of the most notable among them was the Cherunattu Madham near Kavungumprayar. In later years, this monastery and the surrounding lands came under the ownership of the Cherunattu Illam family.

This renowned ancestral house is also the birthplace of the celebrated Malayalam poet Vennikulam Gopala Kurup.

In Kollam Era 990, the Edappally rulers conducted land surveys, assigned land to the people, and collected land revenue. This authority was transferred to the democratic government in January 1956.

The legend of Kandan Chira, which narrates that a man named Kandan was sacrificed alive to strengthen a breached earthen bund damaged by natural calamities, is remembered as a dark chapter in the social history of the village.

Social reformer Pullelikkal Thevan Ashan played a significant role in creating awareness among the people against such social evils and superstitions.

The people of Puramattom actively participated in the Nivarthana Agitation led by the Travancore State Congress, established in 1113 M.E., as well as in the popular movements against the administration of Sir C. P. Ramaswami Iyer.

Cultural History

One of the greatest strengths of this Panchayat is the harmonious coexistence of Hindu, Christian and Muslim communities, living together like members of one family.

The Panchayat is home to four Hindu temples, sixteen Christian churches and one Muslim mosque.

Social and cultural organisations such as NSS, SNDP, PRDS, KPMS, Viswakarma Mahasabha, Sambava Mahasabha, Vettuvar Mahasabha, Vannar Pathiyan, Ayyappa Seva Sangham and Vilakkithala Nair Samajam actively contribute to the social and cultural development of the Panchayat.

The oldest Hindu temple in the Panchayat is the Thrikkayil Temple, which is well known for its annual festival and the Kavadi procession held during Maha Shivaratri. The Komaladevi Temple at Komalam Kadavu is another important place of worship.

Established in 1841, St. Behanan's Orthodox Valiyapally is the oldest Christian church in the Panchayat. Other notable churches include St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church, Kavungumprayar (1875) and St. Thomas Catholic Church, Vennikulam (1935).

Valankara Muslim Jama-ath Muhyiddin Mosque is the only mosque in the Panchayat.