Kunhimangalam
Encyclopedia
Kunhimangalam is a small village situated in the north end of Kannur District in the state of Kerala
. Payyanur
and Payangadi
are the main neighboring towns of Kunhimangalam.
warfare, Lord Hanuman, when carrying a piece of Himalaya Mountain for the “Mritasanjeevani” herb, a part of the mountain dropped here in this region which was identified as Ezhimala. As per the study, rare herbal medicines still exist on this hill.
Stepping deep in to the history, this region was known as Elimala. Environment, weather conditions and in particular the fertile soil made this land suitable for habitation from centuries ago. It is believed that people were in existence at this village ever since the Stone Age Civilization (between BC 300 & AD 100).
Once upon a time, "Ezhimannan", the ruler of Ezhimala, governed Kunhimangalam. At that time, the province of Ezhimala spanned between “Badagara” and “Mangalore
”. In Sang literature
, this area is referred to as “Ezhil Malai” which means high hillock. In the later years, it is widely believed that Ezhilmalai reduced to Ezhimala. In the history, this region is also known as “Elimala”, “Mooshika Sailam”, “Sapta Sailam”, “Mount Eli” and “Mount the Eli”. It was the seat of the renowned Mooshika dynasty. This dynasty reached its apex of grandeur during the administration of King Nandan. The vestiges of the history illustrate that it was an occupied region from the very ancient antiquity.
Ezhimala was also a well-known attraction of the ancient sailors. The Ezhimala hills are renowned for rare medicinal herbs with mythological significance. Here the sea is bluer than in other areas and the sand at this beach has a different texture. Carved stone pillars, prehistoric mosques, burial chambers, caves and granite platforms are visible at the foot of the hills; all these indicate presence of human life in this hilly region in the past. Mesmerizing sea view, 286m high hillocks and the reminiscences of ancient life, all are the facts that fascinated the sightseers. Then the Mount Dili lighthouse proved the center of attraction for tourists. This mountain range was an eminent milestone for sailors because of its majestic form and the lighthouse.
According to historians, during the 12th century when China’s main mode of transportation was through sea, ships from China and other countries sailed through the river “Changoorichal” which is the west frontier of this village. “Changoorichal” was named after the china’s biggest ship “Changu” anchored in this river. Also, Marco Polo
, the famous voyager mentioned about Ezhimala in his travelogue.
Also residuals of four or five caves made of stones at “Thiyyar Vekkum Chal” are the reminiscences of the Stone Age
civilization. There is a reference about 64 villages - 32 Tulu villages and 32 Malayalam villages - at the time of commencement of Kerala. Among these Tulu villages, Kunhimangalam is also mentioned. There is a story behind the origin of the name “Kunhimangalam”'.
It is evident from the history of Kunihmangalam, a Namboodiri family known as “Kunhaangalam Taravadu” ruled the so-called Kunhimangalam. They ruled the village in an acceptable manner, but over the time this family started to become extinct and at last one mother and a son left as the only members of the family. One day both the mother and son went to river Kaveri to pray for their departed family members and while coming back when they looked from top of the Gadikuzhi hills they noticed that soldiers of Chirakkal Tamburan triumph over the Kunhaangalam Taravadu. The mother and son ended their life in fire with grief. Later, it is believed that the mother emerged as Goddess “Veerachamundi” and the son as God “Veeran”. Due to the high adoration and gratitude towards this Namboodiri family, the people around this area constructed a temple at the same place where the Taravadu existed and they called it as “Kunhimangalam Molom”. The people started worshipping “Veerachamundi” and “Veeran” as their Goddess/God and the village is then being known as Kunhimangalam.
After several years, when all the activities centered in the then existed Kunhimangalam-Cheruthazham
panchayat, the people of Kunhimangalam village got provoked and made confrontation for forming a separate panchayat for them. Under this circumstance, Kunhimangalam Panchayat came into existence during the year 1962. Initially the Panchayat Office was situated in a rented building in “Theru”. The first Panchayat President was Mr. U. Kunhiraman who administrated the panchayat under his commanding guidance for more than 24 years. The first panchayat election was conducted not based on the political parties as today. In those days people’s movements were very much effective and most of the works were carried out through such movements. Hindus and Muslims dominate the area. However, there are a few numbers of Christian families too. All these people from different communities co-existed peacefully adopting their own rites and rituals.
At present, the President of Kunhimangalam Panchayat is Mr.T.V.Krishnan Nair. The Panchayat is under development in various aspects. The neighboring towns Payyanur and Payangadi are very fast developing towns that influence in the economical and commercial aspects of this village.
Rural Dispensary, Children's Home, Various Cultural forum
, Libraries, Agricultural Development Office, Mini Stadium
, Fish Market
, ICDP center, Three Post Offices
, Telephone Exchange, Electricity office
, the bold environmental organization SEEK operating with its HQ, Consumer (Maveli) store
, Milk societies, Cinema theater
, Village office, Panchayat office, Banks, Railway Station
, etc. are some of the facilities available here.
There are two main roads and several link roads that connect this Village to the main centers of the district. National Highway 17
passes through this village. Also the railways cross through this village and the Railway Station is known as “Ezhimala”.
of Kerala.
Christians are recently inhabited but Hindus and Muslims are integrated in most of the places. There are two main churches at this village; one at Kovvappuram and the other at Edat known as Capuchin Church at Edat. There are several mosques but the important one is the Jamayeth Mosque. A Hindu Nair family was involved in building up this mosque and a Muslim family was involved in the “utsav” of “Muchilottu Bhagavathi” which clearly shows the Communal harmony and cultural heritage of this village. Angadi and Koyappara are the most Muslim populated areas.
We can see the remains of many old temples, which were dented due to ageing. Also we can see the remains of a temple near the highway at Edanad, which had aesthetically carved doors and domes made of stones. Most of the temples do have yearly celebrations but Kannangattu Bhagavathi temple has its celebrations once in two years only. There are numerous temples of Sree Muthappan, the deity of the common man.
. Widely spread paddy fields, coconut trees, cashew nut trees and areca nuts are seen all over the place. The natural water resources available at all the three sides and the fertile soil
of this village intensified the agriculture and thereby improving the business and industry. Most of the villagers are farmers and doing agriculture related jobs. Apart from cultivation, Beedi
-cigar
works and weaving
are the other areas of employment. Until a few years ago, Kunhimangalam
was one of the few self-reliant villages of Kerala. The vast paddy fields and vegetables farms, the earthen pots
manufactured at Koyappara, the clothes made at Saliya theru, the bronze vessels
and sculpture
industry at Moosarikkovval, fishing
from the Pullankode river, all made this village self-sufficient. However, today like many other places of Kerala Kunhimangalam is also mostly depending upon the foreign currency from the Gulf Countries.
has got its own inheritance. It has helped a lot to strengthen the National Movement against the British rule as well as for the social revolution. The history of education in North Malabar
has got strong influence in the agricultural movement of this region. The great leaders of freedom struggle of this area who started their work through agricultural movement had a broad and sincere vision towards the advantage of education among common masses.
The national and agricultural movements have made immense changes in the social, cultural and educational sectors. In the earlier years, after the primary education, the people of Kunhimangalam were dependent either on Government High School at Payyanur
or the Government High School at Madayi
for higher education. However, higher fees and lack of transportation facilities hindered most of the people to get higher education. There was a night school in “Panachira” from where several people got educated who are still alive.
The first school in Kunhimangalam
was the Govt. L.P. School and its first headmaster was Mr. P.M. Ramunni Master.
The first headmaster of Edanad West L.P. School was Mr. Raghavan Master.
The founder and the first headmaster of Edanad U.P. School was Sri V.V. Chindankutty Nayanar.
Sri C.V. Gopalan Nambiar was the founder and the first headmaster of Gopal U.P. School and he was the teacher for many of the erstwhile generation.
There are several kindergartens and educational institutions such as Four L.P. Schools, Three U.P. Schools, One unaided U.P. School, One High School, One Central School (Kendriya Vidyalaya
), One College, English Medium Schools, etc. in this village.
, Kunhimangalam had a population of 18014 with 8253 males and 9761 females.
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
. Payyanur
Payyanur
Payyanur is a Municipal Town situated at the northern end of Kannur district in North Malabar region of Kerala, India. This Municipality consists of three administrative villages viz. Vellur, Korom and Payyannur. Other villages are; Annur and Kokkanissery....
and Payangadi
Payangadi
Payangadi means old market. Payangadi is a small township approximately 22 kilometers north of Kannur town, in Kerala, South India. The west side of this town is Madayi Hills and one side is Payangadi Rivers. Ezhimala, the hills with lot of medical herbs and ancient history is situated nearly 4...
are the main neighboring towns of Kunhimangalam.
History
According to our scriptures, during Rama-RavanaRamayana: The Epic
Ramayana: The Epic is a 2010 computer-animated film from India's Maya Digital Media. Directed by Chetan Desai and produced by Ketan Mehta, it was released by Warner Bros...
warfare, Lord Hanuman, when carrying a piece of Himalaya Mountain for the “Mritasanjeevani” herb, a part of the mountain dropped here in this region which was identified as Ezhimala. As per the study, rare herbal medicines still exist on this hill.
Stepping deep in to the history, this region was known as Elimala. Environment, weather conditions and in particular the fertile soil made this land suitable for habitation from centuries ago. It is believed that people were in existence at this village ever since the Stone Age Civilization (between BC 300 & AD 100).
Once upon a time, "Ezhimannan", the ruler of Ezhimala, governed Kunhimangalam. At that time, the province of Ezhimala spanned between “Badagara” and “Mangalore
Mangalore
Mangalore is the chief port city of the Indian state of Karnataka. It is located about west of the state capital, Bangalore. Mangalore lies between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghat mountain ranges, and is the administrative headquarters of the Dakshina Kannada district in south western...
”. In Sang literature
Sangam literature
Sangam literature refers to a body of classical Tamil literature created between the years c. 600 BCE to 300 CE. This collection contains 2381 poems composed by 473 poets, some 102 of whom remain anonymous The period during which these poems were composed is commonly referred to as the Sangam...
, this area is referred to as “Ezhil Malai” which means high hillock. In the later years, it is widely believed that Ezhilmalai reduced to Ezhimala. In the history, this region is also known as “Elimala”, “Mooshika Sailam”, “Sapta Sailam”, “Mount Eli” and “Mount the Eli”. It was the seat of the renowned Mooshika dynasty. This dynasty reached its apex of grandeur during the administration of King Nandan. The vestiges of the history illustrate that it was an occupied region from the very ancient antiquity.
Ezhimala was also a well-known attraction of the ancient sailors. The Ezhimala hills are renowned for rare medicinal herbs with mythological significance. Here the sea is bluer than in other areas and the sand at this beach has a different texture. Carved stone pillars, prehistoric mosques, burial chambers, caves and granite platforms are visible at the foot of the hills; all these indicate presence of human life in this hilly region in the past. Mesmerizing sea view, 286m high hillocks and the reminiscences of ancient life, all are the facts that fascinated the sightseers. Then the Mount Dili lighthouse proved the center of attraction for tourists. This mountain range was an eminent milestone for sailors because of its majestic form and the lighthouse.
According to historians, during the 12th century when China’s main mode of transportation was through sea, ships from China and other countries sailed through the river “Changoorichal” which is the west frontier of this village. “Changoorichal” was named after the china’s biggest ship “Changu” anchored in this river. Also, Marco Polo
Marco Polo
Marco Polo was a Venetian merchant traveler from the Venetian Republic whose travels are recorded in Il Milione, a book which did much to introduce Europeans to Central Asia and China. He learned about trading whilst his father and uncle, Niccolò and Maffeo, travelled through Asia and apparently...
, the famous voyager mentioned about Ezhimala in his travelogue.
Also residuals of four or five caves made of stones at “Thiyyar Vekkum Chal” are the reminiscences of the Stone Age
Stone Age
The Stone Age is a broad prehistoric period, lasting about 2.5 million years , during which humans and their predecessor species in the genus Homo, as well as the earlier partly contemporary genera Australopithecus and Paranthropus, widely used exclusively stone as their hard material in the...
civilization. There is a reference about 64 villages - 32 Tulu villages and 32 Malayalam villages - at the time of commencement of Kerala. Among these Tulu villages, Kunhimangalam is also mentioned. There is a story behind the origin of the name “Kunhimangalam”'.
It is evident from the history of Kunihmangalam, a Namboodiri family known as “Kunhaangalam Taravadu” ruled the so-called Kunhimangalam. They ruled the village in an acceptable manner, but over the time this family started to become extinct and at last one mother and a son left as the only members of the family. One day both the mother and son went to river Kaveri to pray for their departed family members and while coming back when they looked from top of the Gadikuzhi hills they noticed that soldiers of Chirakkal Tamburan triumph over the Kunhaangalam Taravadu. The mother and son ended their life in fire with grief. Later, it is believed that the mother emerged as Goddess “Veerachamundi” and the son as God “Veeran”. Due to the high adoration and gratitude towards this Namboodiri family, the people around this area constructed a temple at the same place where the Taravadu existed and they called it as “Kunhimangalam Molom”. The people started worshipping “Veerachamundi” and “Veeran” as their Goddess/God and the village is then being known as Kunhimangalam.
After several years, when all the activities centered in the then existed Kunhimangalam-Cheruthazham
Cheruthazham
Cheruthazham is a census town in Kannur district in the state of Kerala, India. It is the location of the famous Hanumarambalam, dedicated to Sri Rama and Hanuman.Cherutazham is also the birthplace of Kalamandalam Krishnan Nair who gave a new dimension to the art of Kathakali...
panchayat, the people of Kunhimangalam village got provoked and made confrontation for forming a separate panchayat for them. Under this circumstance, Kunhimangalam Panchayat came into existence during the year 1962. Initially the Panchayat Office was situated in a rented building in “Theru”. The first Panchayat President was Mr. U. Kunhiraman who administrated the panchayat under his commanding guidance for more than 24 years. The first panchayat election was conducted not based on the political parties as today. In those days people’s movements were very much effective and most of the works were carried out through such movements. Hindus and Muslims dominate the area. However, there are a few numbers of Christian families too. All these people from different communities co-existed peacefully adopting their own rites and rituals.
At present, the President of Kunhimangalam Panchayat is Mr.T.V.Krishnan Nair. The Panchayat is under development in various aspects. The neighboring towns Payyanur and Payangadi are very fast developing towns that influence in the economical and commercial aspects of this village.
Facilities
Rural Dispensary, Children's Home, Various Cultural forum
Theatre
Theatre is a collaborative form of fine art that uses live performers to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place. The performers may communicate this experience to the audience through combinations of gesture, speech, song, music or dance...
, Libraries, Agricultural Development Office, Mini Stadium
Stadium
A modern stadium is a place or venue for outdoor sports, concerts, or other events and consists of a field or stage either partly or completely surrounded by a structure designed to allow spectators to stand or sit and view the event.)Pausanias noted that for about half a century the only event...
, Fish Market
Fish market
A fish market is a marketplace used for marketing fish products. It can be dedicated to wholesale trade between fishermen and fish merchants, or to the sale of seafood to individual consumers, or to both...
, ICDP center, Three Post Offices
Indian Postal Service
The Department of Posts functioning under the brand name India Post , is a government operated postal system in India; it is generally referred to within India as "the post office"....
, Telephone Exchange, Electricity office
Kerala State Electricity Board
Kerala State Electricity Board is a public sector agency under the Government of Kerala, India, that generates and distributes the electricity supply in the state...
, the bold environmental organization SEEK operating with its HQ, Consumer (Maveli) store
Maveli Stores
Maveli Stores is a venture of the The Kerala State Civil Supplies Corporation .Under the Government programme of market intervention, pulses and spices are purchased and sold to the consumers at subsidised prices fixed by the Government. The Government of Kerala aids this operation by giving grants...
, Milk societies, Cinema theater
Movie theater
A movie theater, cinema, movie house, picture theater, film theater is a venue, usually a building, for viewing motion pictures ....
, Village office, Panchayat office, Banks, Railway Station
Indian Railways
Indian Railways , abbreviated as IR , is a departmental undertaking of Government of India, which owns and operates most of India's rail transport. It is overseen by the Ministry of Railways of the Government of India....
, etc. are some of the facilities available here.
There are two main roads and several link roads that connect this Village to the main centers of the district. National Highway 17
National Highway 17 (India)
National Highway 17, commonly referred to as NH 17, now renamed as NH 66, is a busy National Highway in India that runs roughly north-south along the western coast of India, parallel to western ghats. It connects Panvel, near Mumbai to Kochi, passing through the states of Maharashtra, Goa,...
passes through this village. Also the railways cross through this village and the Railway Station is known as “Ezhimala”.
Trivia
Kunhimangalam has 13 alphabets in its name and coincidentally it is divided into 13 ‘wards’ and the district, which it belongs to, is the 13th districtKannur district
Kannur District is one of the 14 districts in the state of Kerala, India. The town of Kannur is the district headquarters, and gives the district its name. The old name Cannanore is the anglicised form of the Malayalam name Kannur. Kannur District is bounded by Kasaragod District to the north and...
of Kerala.
Religion
In this village, human relationship is cherished much and nurtured the ethics of communal harmony and enhanced cultural heritage. We can proudly and sincerely state publicly that the poisonous seeds of social evil never flourished in this small land. Hindus, Muslims and Christians all breathe in a friendly atmosphere. More than mere human relationships, we can find communities loving each other, depending each other and raising the value of communal harmony and cultural heritage. The social equality can be witnessed through the involvement of Hindus and Muslims in each other's festivals and celebrations.Christians are recently inhabited but Hindus and Muslims are integrated in most of the places. There are two main churches at this village; one at Kovvappuram and the other at Edat known as Capuchin Church at Edat. There are several mosques but the important one is the Jamayeth Mosque. A Hindu Nair family was involved in building up this mosque and a Muslim family was involved in the “utsav” of “Muchilottu Bhagavathi” which clearly shows the Communal harmony and cultural heritage of this village. Angadi and Koyappara are the most Muslim populated areas.
We can see the remains of many old temples, which were dented due to ageing. Also we can see the remains of a temple near the highway at Edanad, which had aesthetically carved doors and domes made of stones. Most of the temples do have yearly celebrations but Kannangattu Bhagavathi temple has its celebrations once in two years only. There are numerous temples of Sree Muthappan, the deity of the common man.
Economy
The main occupation of the inhabitants is agricultureAgriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
. Widely spread paddy fields, coconut trees, cashew nut trees and areca nuts are seen all over the place. The natural water resources available at all the three sides and the fertile soil
Fertile soil
Fertile soil has the following properties:*It is rich in nutrients necessary for basic plant nutrition, including nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium....
of this village intensified the agriculture and thereby improving the business and industry. Most of the villagers are farmers and doing agriculture related jobs. Apart from cultivation, Beedi
Beedi
A beedi is a thin, South Asian cigarette filled with tobacco flake and wrapped in a tendu leaf tied with a string at one end.The word comes from beeda, Marwari for a leaf wrapped in betel nuts, herbs, and condiments....
-cigar
Cigar
A cigar is a tightly-rolled bundle of dried and fermented tobacco that is ignited so that its smoke may be drawn into the mouth. Cigar tobacco is grown in significant quantities in Brazil, Cameroon, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Indonesia, Mexico, Nicaragua, Philippines, and the Eastern...
works and weaving
Weaving
Weaving is a method of fabric production in which two distinct sets of yarns or threads are interlaced at right angles to form a fabric or cloth. The other methods are knitting, lace making and felting. The longitudinal threads are called the warp and the lateral threads are the weft or filling...
are the other areas of employment. Until a few years ago, Kunhimangalam
Kunhimangalam
Kunhimangalam is a small village situated in the north end of Kannur District in the state of Kerala. Payyanur and Payangadi are the main neighboring towns of Kunhimangalam...
was one of the few self-reliant villages of Kerala. The vast paddy fields and vegetables farms, the earthen pots
Pottery
Pottery is the material from which the potteryware is made, of which major types include earthenware, stoneware and porcelain. The place where such wares are made is also called a pottery . Pottery also refers to the art or craft of the potter or the manufacture of pottery...
manufactured at Koyappara, the clothes made at Saliya theru, the bronze vessels
Bronze
Bronze is a metal alloy consisting primarily of copper, usually with tin as the main additive. It is hard and brittle, and it was particularly significant in antiquity, so much so that the Bronze Age was named after the metal...
and sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture is three-dimensional artwork created by shaping or combining hard materials—typically stone such as marble—or metal, glass, or wood. Softer materials can also be used, such as clay, textiles, plastics, polymers and softer metals...
industry at Moosarikkovval, fishing
Fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
from the Pullankode river, all made this village self-sufficient. However, today like many other places of Kerala Kunhimangalam is also mostly depending upon the foreign currency from the Gulf Countries.
Education
In the field of education, KunhimangalamKunhimangalam
Kunhimangalam is a small village situated in the north end of Kannur District in the state of Kerala. Payyanur and Payangadi are the main neighboring towns of Kunhimangalam...
has got its own inheritance. It has helped a lot to strengthen the National Movement against the British rule as well as for the social revolution. The history of education in North Malabar
North Malabar
North Malabar , is a historic as well as geographic distinction in India used to refer the area covering; present Kasaragod and Kannur Districts, Mananthavady taluk of Wayanad District and Koyilandy & Vatakara taluks of Kozhikode District in modern Kerala and the entire Mahé sub-Division of...
has got strong influence in the agricultural movement of this region. The great leaders of freedom struggle of this area who started their work through agricultural movement had a broad and sincere vision towards the advantage of education among common masses.
The national and agricultural movements have made immense changes in the social, cultural and educational sectors. In the earlier years, after the primary education, the people of Kunhimangalam were dependent either on Government High School at Payyanur
Payyanur
Payyanur is a Municipal Town situated at the northern end of Kannur district in North Malabar region of Kerala, India. This Municipality consists of three administrative villages viz. Vellur, Korom and Payyannur. Other villages are; Annur and Kokkanissery....
or the Government High School at Madayi
Madayi
Madayi is a small place in Kannur district, Kerala, South India. It is located near Payangadi.Madayi is also the site of the famous Madayi Kavu where devotees worship Mother Kali, Shakthi. The Goddess is known for Her blessings on devotees, and the temple is also famous for the Koyikalasham...
for higher education. However, higher fees and lack of transportation facilities hindered most of the people to get higher education. There was a night school in “Panachira” from where several people got educated who are still alive.
The first school in Kunhimangalam
Kunhimangalam
Kunhimangalam is a small village situated in the north end of Kannur District in the state of Kerala. Payyanur and Payangadi are the main neighboring towns of Kunhimangalam...
was the Govt. L.P. School and its first headmaster was Mr. P.M. Ramunni Master.
The first headmaster of Edanad West L.P. School was Mr. Raghavan Master.
The founder and the first headmaster of Edanad U.P. School was Sri V.V. Chindankutty Nayanar.
Sri C.V. Gopalan Nambiar was the founder and the first headmaster of Gopal U.P. School and he was the teacher for many of the erstwhile generation.
There are several kindergartens and educational institutions such as Four L.P. Schools, Three U.P. Schools, One unaided U.P. School, One High School, One Central School (Kendriya Vidyalaya
Kendriya Vidyalaya
Kendriya Vidyalaya, is a system of central government schools under the Ministry of Human Resource Development ....
), One College, English Medium Schools, etc. in this village.
Demographics
India censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
, Kunhimangalam had a population of 18014 with 8253 males and 9761 females.