Karimannoor
Grama Panchayat

History and Geography of Karimannoor Grama Panchayat

Karimannoor Grama Panchayat is situated in the Karimannoor and Neyyassery villages under Elamdesam Block Panchayat in Thodupuzha Taluk of Idukki District. The Panchayat covers an area of 33.33 square kilometres. It is bounded by Vannappuram Grama Panchayat to the north, Edavetty and Alakode Grama Panchayats to the south, Kodikulam Grama Panchayat and Thodupuzha Municipality to the west, and Udumbannoor Grama Panchayat to the east.

Karimannoor is located near the hill ranges at the western edge of the Western Ghats. The general topography of the Panchayat consists of small and large hilly regions along with valleys and plains between them. The Ummadakkinthandu–Karappilly hills in the south and Narumkanam hills in the north are separated by plains, with Nellimalathandu, Manakkathandu, Mission Hill, Maruthumparappara, and Kannadippara situated in between.

The undulating landscape, green paddy fields, more than three major streams flowing east to west, the Kannadiyar River including Thommankuthu, and the nearby forest areas together make this Panchayat naturally beautiful and increasingly important on the tourism map.

Karimannoor Panchayat, situated on both sides of the historic Kottappuram–Kambamkotta region, is a rural area with centuries-old culture and traditions. Traditional art forms of Kerala such as Kathakali had admirers here from ancient times. Kathakali performances for the public were conducted annually at Inchappilly Illam and Alappattu Tharavadu.

During the early decades of the last century, paddy cultivation was the major occupation. Paddy was cultivated not only in wetland fields but also in dry lands, which was known as “Virippu Krishi.” Today, rubber and coconut are the major crops of the region.

Social and Cultural History

There are two prevailing opinions regarding the fort located across Wards 5 and 7 of the Panchayat. One view is that it separated Keezhmalainadu and Melmalanadu, while another says it marked the border between the Vadakkumkoor and Thekkumkoor kingdoms. Elders say that the water bodies around the fort once contained crocodiles and other reptiles, and bamboo groves existed on both sides. This fort remains an important historical monument of Karimannoor.

The historic significance of Karimannoor is also evident from the old Karikkode–Madurai trade route, which was about 40 links wide and passed through Annayikkanam, Kiliyara, Thekkumkootam, and Pannoor. This route was reportedly used for trade between Keezhmalainadu, believed to have had its headquarters at Karikkode, and Pandinadu.

Ancient remains such as iron pits seen on the hill slopes south of Nambiar Kandam in Neyyassery, building remnants in the Thommankuthu forest area, ancient memorial stones found at Kulirkkuzhi, Aanikkuzha, and Unnichikkavala in Ward 5, and stone urns and clay jars found at Kavumchara in Ward 1 all reflect the Panchayat’s ancient past.

The Pannoor Sree Varahaswamy Temple, one of the rare Varaha temples in Kerala, is believed to have been established during the Treta Yuga. Other ancient temples that stand testimony to the region’s historical heritage include the Karthyayani Devi Temple, Shanthikattu Bhagavathy Temple located within forty acres of forest land, Malayathampuram Sastha Temple at Mulappuram, Puthiyara Shiva Temple, Chandrappillikkavu, Pannoor Ayyappa Temple, Elampikkattu Temple, Edathil Dharmasastha Temple, and Ambakkudi Sree Dharmasastha Temple.

Most of the central areas of Karimannoor Panchayat were once owned by Inchappilly Illam and Pannakkal Mana (Kunchirakkattu Illam). Since the present Karimannoor town belonged to Pannakkal Mana, it was formerly known as “Pannakkamattom.” Much of the remaining land consisted of forest areas and government lands under the Pandarappattam system. Agricultural lands were largely under the control of the Thodupuzha Devaswom and temple authorities.

Alongside the feudal landlord-tenant and master-slave systems, there also existed independent land ownership directly under the government known as Pandarappattam. The caste system and untouchability were also prevalent. In the early days, most agricultural labourers belonged to oppressed communities. Dalit workers were often bought, sold, and even transferred as dowry.

Development History

Large-scale migration into this region began during the first half of the eighteenth century. Most migrants came from places such as Meenachil Taluk, Elanji, Koothattukulam, Mutholapuram, and Arakuzha. Along with their own labour, they depended on oppressed communities for agricultural work. There was no fixed wage system, and workers were usually provided only enough food to survive.

In the paddy fields owned by upper-caste landlords, separate threshing grounds existed for upper-caste and lower-caste workers during harvesting seasons.

The first educational institution in the Panchayat was the Karimannoor Government U.P. School established in 1894. For English education, the nearest institution was the Government English School at Thodupuzha. In 1935, St. Joseph’s made English education accessible to the majority of people.

Most illnesses were treated by Ayurvedic traditional physicians. Famous practitioners included Mathalikunnel Vaidyan, Vattakkavil Mani Vaidyan, Pottassheril Velayudhan Vaidyan, Gopalapilla Vaidyan, Kunnel Vakkan Vaidyan who was renowned for paediatric treatment, and Govindan Vaidyan. For allopathic treatment, people mostly depended on the Government Hospital at Karikkode. Before 1940, the Kaliyar Estate Doctor was another source of allopathic treatment.

In 1941, St. Mary’s Hospital started functioning at Karimannoor with two rooms. A Government Dispensary was established in 1962.

The earliest revenue office in the Panchayat was known as “Pakuthikacheri.” Its jurisdiction included the present-day villages of Kodikulam, Vannappuram, Neyyassery, Udumbannoor, and Karimannoor.

The first government institution in the Panchayat was the postal office established in 1942. The first church in the Panchayat was the Neyyassery Catholic Church, while the first Muslim place of worship was the Neyyassery Mosque.

Karimannoor had long suffered from inadequate transportation facilities. The earliest route connecting the region to Thodupuzha, the taluk headquarters and trade centre, was the Thodupuzha–Annayikkanam–Thekkinkootam–Pannoor–Cheppukulam village road. Farmers carried commercial crops on their heads along this route to sell in Thodupuzha and returned carrying essential goods for their households.

The early initiatives in road construction were led by the late parish priests of Karimannoor Church, Rev. Fr. Mavunkal and Fr. Nambyaparambil.