History of the Grama Panchayat
History of the Grama Panchayat
Mankulam Grama Panchayat is located in the Devikulam Block of Devikulam Taluk in the Idukki district. Formed on October 2, 2000, this panchayat falls under the jurisdiction of Mankulam village. Spread across an area of 123 square kilometers, the panchayat is bounded by Edamalakkudy panchayat to the north, Adimali panchayat to the south, Munnar and Pallivasal panchayats to the east, and Kuttampuzha and Adimali panchayats to the west.
It has been over 15 years since the formation of the Mankulam Grama Panchayat, which is situated in the Munnar region. Spanning 123 sq. km and home to over 12,000 residents across 13 Scheduled Tribe (ST) colonies and one Scheduled Caste (SC) colony, our panchayat previously lacked adequate transportation facilities, electricity, and other essential amenities. However, during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, we achieved significant progress. By giving special emphasis to agriculture, animal husbandry, and dairy development, substantial milestones have been reached in the production sector. The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) was effectively utilized to attain these accomplishments.
Most regions have tales of migration and foreign domination to tell. This area was formerly under the control of the Poonjar kings. During Tipu Sultan's military campaigns, the city of Madurai, then ruled by the Dravidian King Thirumala Nayak, was also attacked. Fearing the invasion, the people of those regions fled and established five settlements (ooru) — Kanthalloor, Keezhanthoor, Karayoor, Marayoor, and Kottakudi — and settled there permanently. This region came to be known as Anjunad. A hybrid Tamil-Malayalam culture prevails here today. During Tipu Sultan's invasion, there was a significant migration from Madurai to the Marayoor area. These migrants formed a distinct community, lived together, and intermarried. It is said that they were called 'Muthuvans' because they carried their belongings on their backs (muthuku). Besides them, the block encompassing this panchayat is home to several indigenous tribal communities that maintain unique customs and rituals. Remnants of an ancient administrative system featuring titles like Manthri, Mannadiyar, Ooruthendakkar, and Maniyakar still exist among certain tribal groups. An ancient panchayat system and Nattukoottam (the predecessor to modern Grama Sabhas) were also prevalent among them. There are still tribal groups here that enforce social boycotts (Ooruvilakku) on individuals who marry outside their own settlement. Mankulam Grama Panchayat relies on a completely agrarian economy. Tea, cardamom, coffee, and rubber are the major plantation crops, taking up a significant portion of the total agricultural land. Lakshmi Tea Estate is the primary tea plantation, and the majority of the workers in these estates are migrants from Tamil Nadu. In the Mankulam area, which was once part of the Munnar panchayat, rubber is cultivated across approximately 250 hectares. Remnants of the old Aluva-Munnar road, which passes through various wards of Mankulam panchayat, can still be seen today. Old milestones in the Anpatham Mile (50th Mile) area and the ruins of a bungalow echoing the grandeur of British dominance are also visible. The land further preserves Muniyaras (dolmens) where sages once meditated, as well as the remains of Nannangadis (large earthen urns used for ancient burials).
(Note: The following section repeats earlier geographical details in the original text) Mankulam Grama Panchayat is located in the Devikulam Block of Devikulam Taluk in the Idukki district. Formed on October 2, 2000, this panchayat falls under the jurisdiction of Mankulam village. Spread across an area of 123 square kilometers, the panchayat is bounded by Edamalakkudy panchayat to the north, Adimali panchayat to the south, Munnar and Pallivasal panchayats to the east, and Kuttampuzha and Adimali panchayats to the west. Topographically falling under the Malanad (hilly) region, the major crops in Mankulam panchayat include rubber, cocoa, arecanut, cardamom, nutmeg, coffee, pepper, and coconut. The Nallathanni River, Mankulam River, and Eettachola River are the panchayat's primary water sources. As a mountainous region, Mankulam panchayat boasts numerous hills and peaks. Pallikkunnu, 96 Kunnu, Muniparakkunnu, Parvathy Mala, Kilikkallu Mala, and Virinjapara Mala are the prominent ones. Places that attract tourists to this panchayat include Anakulam Ooru, Perumbankuthu, Nakshathrakuthu, Chinnar Kuthu, Kilikkallu Kuthu, Virinjapara Muniyara, Kallakuttikudi Kuthu, Kozhivalan Kuthu, Valyapparakutty, and the Viripara Tea Estate. This picturesque region is situated amidst the Sahyadri mountain ranges as part of the Western Ghats. The panchayat falls under the High Range agro-climatic zone. This region uniquely possesses rock paintings (Ezhuthalas) drawn by ancient figures—estimated by historical and archaeological researchers to be over 3,000 years old—alongside historical Muniyaras (dolmens) that have stood for centuries. The elders believe that most of the land here is blessed by the holy footprints of the Pancha Pandavas.
