Geographical background and nomenclature

Panachikkad is a beautiful agricultural village spread over an area of ​​22.74 sq km in Pallam block of Kottayam district. This area, blessed with natural beauty, is bounded by Kottayam Municipality and Puthuppally Panchayat to the north, Kuruchi and Vakathanam to the south, Vakathanam and Puthuppally to the east, and Nattakam to the west. This area, which was under the rule of the erstwhile Chembakassery king, was named 'Panachikkad' because 'Panichi' trees grew in abundance in this area.

Panchayat at a glance (Boundaries)

Administrative history and social movements

Panachikkad Panchayat has a long history of going through various popular struggles and development processes. In 1949, the first village union came into existence with K.V. Abraham as its president, and later in 1951, it became a full-fledged panchayat. The Katta strike, the agricultural labour strike, the Paramada strike, and the land reform laws implemented in connection with the workers' awakening during the 1950s-70s played a decisive role in changing the social structure and mindset of the people here.

In the past, this area was dependent only on water transport. The road built by the Travancore kings for the Dakshinamookambika temple darshan became the first major land route. Later, in 1961, the railway line also passed through this village. Currently, allopathic, homeopathic and ayurvedic treatment institutions for better health care and 8 major libraries for the cultural advancement of the people are actively functioning in the panchayat.

Religious harmony and cultural heritage

Panachikkad village is a perfect example of religious harmony. There are about ten Hindu temples, more than twenty Christian churches and a Muslim mosque in this small area. The people here live with mutual respect and harmony. The Panachikkad Sree Vishnu Temple, established in the 17th century, and the famous Panachikkad Saraswati Temple, known as 'Dakshina Mookambika', are the main holy places here. Thousands of people, regardless of caste or religion, come here to introduce their children to the world of letters on the occasion of the commencement of school on Vijayadashami.

Similarly, the St. Stephen's CSI Church in Velluthuruthy, established in 1835, and the CSI Church in Kollad Pallikunnel, where the Holy Mass was offered in Malayalam for the first time in Kerala in 1836, are also of historical importance. The fact that locals participate in temple festivals and church festivals here in unison, regardless of caste or religion, speaks of the cultural unity of this land.