Administrative History

Even after the formation of the state of Kerala, the Kadampanad region continued to remain part of Kollam district. When Pathanamthitta district was formed on 01/07/1983, Kadampanad Panchayat became part of Pathanamthitta district. This Grama Panchayat consists of the regions of Kadampanad, Thuvayoor, and Mannady, which are included in the Parakode Development Block of Adoor Taluk, formed by dividing the old Kunnathoor Taluk.

Before Panchayats were established, during the period when Sir C. P. Ramaswamy Iyer served as Diwan, administration was carried out by a committee called the “Village Uplift Union,” consisting of government-nominated representatives, with the aim of village development. The present areas included in this Grama Panchayat were then part of the Kunnathoor Village Uplift Union. The president at that time was K. Kesavakurup of Thonnuram Panthiyil.

When Panchayats were formed in 1953, democratically elected Panchayat committees came into existence. The Panchayat, which included parts of Kunnathoor Panchayat, was named Kadampanad Panchayat. The first president of this Panchayat committee was K. Neelakandan Nair of Koyippurath.

Place Name History

Kadampanad Grama Panchayat, which includes regions that witnessed legendary and historical events, deserves an important place in Kerala’s history. Historical references in Sangam literature such as Pathitrupathu indicate that Kadampanad and nearby regions were part of ancient Tamilakam during the Sangam age, which historians consider the earliest known civilization in South India.

The place name “Mannady,” located within Kadampanad Panchayat, is believed to have evolved phonetically from the Tamil word “Mantam” found in Sangam literature. The Malayalam word “Mannam” is also derived from the Tamil word “Mantam,” meaning a place where judgments were pronounced or disputes discussed. Authoritative records support this interpretation. Dr. Hermann Gundert defines “Mannam” as a standing place or a place of judgment or discussion under the village tree in the assembly of citizens (Gundert Dictionary, page 720).

Sangam literary works such as Natrinai and Kurunthokai use terms like “Mantam” or “Koodal” to denote places where villagers gathered.

A legend regarding the name Mannady is mentioned in Aithihyamala by Kottarathil Sankunni and in palm-leaf manuscripts obtained from the Kulakkada Thamarassery Nambi Madom. According to the legend, during the rule of the local chieftain of Vakkavathipuzha Pandaram, workers clearing the forest witnessed blood flowing from a stone. A woman who struck the self-manifested idol with a sickle saw the blood flow and threw soil upon it to stop the bleeding. Hence, the place came to be called “Mannady” (“covered with soil”). A related place of worship still exists at Pandimalappuram in Thuvayoor South under the care of the Plavinal family.

Cultural History

Kadampanad and nearby regions once came under the influence of renowned Buddhist centers such as Pallikkal and Karunagappally. With the decline of Buddhism and the rise of Aryan influence and Vedic customs, Kadampanad became an important center of Vedic learning.

The term “Ghatanadan” is believed to have evolved linguistically into “Kadampanad.” The word “Ghata” referred to educational institutions. Centers associated with Parashurama consecration and Vedic studies were known as “Ghata.” One among the 108 Shiva temples believed to have been consecrated by Parashurama, the old Thrikkovil Shiva Temple at Iraveeswaram, is situated at Mannady in Kadampanad Panchayat.

Language scholars such as Prof. A. P. Sankunni Nair and Dr. N. V. Krishna Warrier have noted that words like “Ghata” may have evolved into “Kada,” “Kudi,” “Kulam,” and “Nadu.” Historical examples include place names such as Kadathanad, Kadampanad, Kudavalloor, and Kudamaloor.

During the 9th century AD, under the Kulasekhara kings who ruled from Mahodayapuram, many self-governing regions existed. Copper plate inscriptions from Pattazhy dated 971 AD indicate that Kadampanad was under the administration of a local chieftain. Later inscriptions from Venad also show that Kadampanad became part of the territories ruled by the Venad kings and subsequently came under Kayamkulam kingdom. When Marthanda Varma defeated the smaller rulers and established modern Travancore, Kadampanad became part of Travancore.

It is also believed that the name “Kadampanad” originated because rulers belonging to the Kadamba dynasty once lived here.

Two hill ranges, Kakathanikkunnu in the north and Pandimala in the south, stand like fortifications. Between these hills lies much of Thuvayoor. According to local tradition, Thatta, Thalavoor, and Thuvayoor were prosperous regions. It is said that because this area was blessed with abundance and prosperity by the goddess of wealth, the name “Thuvayoor” originated.

Unlike the other regions in the Panchayat, Thuvayoor slopes eastward. The region contains Maharshimangalam Temple, a traditional Kalari near Manjali Junction, and the Kannankara Yakshi Temple south of the junction. There are also nine Christian churches in the Thuvayoor region, including St. Andrew’s Mar Thoma Church, St. John’s Orthodox Church, St. Thomas Catholic Church, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church, and St. Peter’s Mar Thoma Church.

Ancient and famous temples such as Mannady Pazhayakavu Devi Temple, Puthiyakavu Devi Temple, and Mudippura Bhagavathy Temple built by Vakkavathipuzha Madom are important spiritual centers of Kerala.

One of the first two special English-medium schools established in Travancore functioned at Mannady. Later, the institution was shifted to Kulakkada with land and buildings provided by the Thamarassery Nambi Madom.

Mannady region also contains eight Hindu temples, one Christian church (Mar Thoma Church), and one Muslim Jama-ath mosque.

Tourists, historians, writers, and political leaders visit the memorial of Veluthampi Dalawa, famous temples, Parakkadavu bathing ghat, Kalmandapam, and the cave known as Aravakkal Chaani. The office of the Kerala Government’s People’s Knowledge and Folk Arts Centre is also located at Mannady.

Among the places of worship in this Panchayat, the historic and ancient St. Thomas Orthodox Valiyapally greatly enhances the importance and fame of Kadampanad. Christians who fled from Nilackal Church during the 14th century due to natural calamities or invasions from Pandya regions were given refuge by local rulers in Mannady and settled in Kadampanad. The church they built for worship later became known as Kadampanad Church.

This church became the mother church of many churches in Central Travancore and is considered one of the most important churches of the Oriental Orthodox Church in India. Christians who later migrated to places such as Kayamkulam, Mavelikkara, Kollakadavu, Adoor, Kozhencherry, Kaipattoor, Sooranad, Kallada, and Koodal continued worshipping at Kadampanad Church until churches were established in those places.

Kadampanad is also home to St. George Malankara Catholic Church and Salem Mar Thoma Church. Hindu temples such as the famous Kadampanattu Bhagavathy Temple and Kundom Vettathu Malanada further enrich the historical heritage of Kadampanad.