Keerampara
Grama Panchayat

In A.D. 900, the Kulasekhara ruler divided the Thiru-Kochi region into various provinces. The areas of Keerampara Panchayat formed part of Keezhmalai Nadu, which belonged to the Thodupuzha and Muvattupuzha provinces created in this manner. The Chelamala region, which was the fort of the Azhvar Thambrakkal during the rule of Cheraman Perumal, is situated within this panchayat. Though the area has now turned into forest land, remnants of the fort and related structures can still be seen there. Nearby Kalappara and Purappara are believed to have been used as threshing grounds.

The old Aluva–Munnar road, which passes through the center of this panchayat, was once the royal route used by kings and rulers during the monarchy for their summer journeys to Munnar and Devikulam. This old road passes through the world-famous Thattekad Bird Sanctuary. To cross the Periyar River flowing along the boundary of the panchayat, rafts were used for transporting horse carts. Even today, this crossing point is known as “Kuthira Changadam” (horse raft crossing).

This settlement region has had human habitation for more than 150 years. The main crops cultivated here were paddy, chama millet, sugarcane, broom grass, and ginger grass. Goods required for an entire year were once traded in the surroundings of the Thrikkariyoor temple. Bullock carts and buffalo carts were the main means of transportation during those days. During harvest time, the buffalo caretaker was allotted a plot of land known as “Pothukandam,” which other laborers cultivated, harvested, and threshed for him.

During British rule, M.K. Paily from this village served as an assessor (jury member) in the Paravur Sessions Court as part of the judicial administration system. The oldest temple in this migrant village is the Palamattam Shiva Temple, discovered about a hundred years ago by Pryter Sahib and M.R. Kittu Mesthiri. The oldest Christian church is St. Joseph’s Church at Veliyelcheel.

The first school in the panchayat, M.T.L.P.S at Oonjappara, was established in 1920 as part of missionary activities. From 1950 onwards, the presence of labor movements became visible in the area. Activities of all major political parties had begun in this village from early times itself.

Although Keerampara Panchayat was declared a “Village Festival Panchayat” in 1984, significant achievements could not be attained at that time. One notable event associated with the festival was the mass marriage of 175 couples conducted in the presence of former Indian President Giani Zail Singh. This was considered the first event of its kind in Asia.

This land has centuries of cultural history. Although history lies dormant in this migrant region, a new culture began taking shape here around one and a half centuries ago. In earlier times, many folk art forms flourished here, including Chavittu Nadakam, Margamkali, Kilippattu, harvest songs, Sasthampattu, Parichamuttu, and drama. These folk arts developed in connection with temples such as the Keerampara Vilayekkattu Bhagavathy Temple, Palamattam Shiva Temple, Perumannoor Shiva Temple, and Purappara Bhagavathy Temple.