Old documents prove that the lands of Muvattupuzha belonged to ‘Edappally Swaroopam’.  Later the rights were transformed to various ‘Manas’ (Brahmin Families).  The ‘Perandoor’ Temple at Edappally is still considered as the root temple of many Nair families of Kadathy, Vellorkunnam and Vazhappilli.  The most noteworthy contribution from this relationship with Edappally came to ‘Perumattam’ by 

 bringing a new community to this area, which was hither to inhabited by Hindus and Christians. ‘Perumattam Karthas’ were the landlords who controlled that area.  A ‘Kunjamma’ in that family had some mental troubles.  When all the treatments failed, a Muslim ‘Sidha’ (a Man with Divine Powers) was brought from Edappally.  The moment he entered the compound, some visible easiness was felt to Kunjamma.  With the treatment of the Sidha she got completely cured.  Pleased with the performance of the Sidha the Kartha allotted land for a mosque and for the settlement of forty Muslim families.  The Advice of the managers ‘Thirumattan Koduthalum Perumattam Kodukakrathu’ (Even if you give your house, please don’t give the entire Perumattam village) turned as a cry in the wildness.  Thus a strong Muslim community emerged at Perumattam and spread to other parts of Muvattupuzha. 

 The Sidha who lived long serving humanity was called ‘Valiappappa’ with reverence by the people of all communities. Still a tomb containing his mortal remains is there as his monument.  

When speaking of the Perumattam Karthas, Mudavoor karthas enter into the memory.  One of the famous personalities among them, Thottappattu Sankarn Kartha owned a ‘KAVU’ (Temple of goddess) and ‘SubKavu’ at kavumkara.  At that period kavumkara was mostly inhabited by Hindus including Tamil Brahmins.  When kavumkara developed as a market area, Muslims began to settle down there.  Majority of Hindus migrated from there to other parts of Muvattupuzha.  The Number of devotees in the kavu decreased.  Mudavoor kartha lost his interest in the temple.  He dismantled it and took the remains including the deity to Mudavoor.  He sold the land to the Muslim merchants.  They grew in numbers. As they had to depend on Perumattam for religious prayers, a prayer hall was constructed at Kavumkara which gradually was transformed into a mosque ‘The Chandappally’ in the market area. 

In the year 1988 this mosque was repaired, renovated and renamed as Central Juma Masjid.  Surrounding this mosque a strong Muslim society is living at Kavumkara with amity and Unity.  To remind us of the old ‘Keezhukkavu’ a house name by the name ‘Keezhukavil’, the ‘Keezhukkavil ‘ canal and the Keezhukavil Bridge are still there in Kavumkara.

The grand Catholic Church aloft proudly at Post Office Junction is known as ‘Holly Magy Church’. In the first quarter of 19th century after circuit to the northern region the King’s administrators were returning to south in ‘Manchal’ accompanied by the pedestrian forces. When they reached Muvattupuzha it was getting dark. They had to reach Koothattukulam , the nearby Inn for their stay. The team was upset for want of adequate lamps. Geevarghese achan of Arakuzha Pittapillil family helped them by arranging

torches made of dry coconut leaves. As an expression of gratification for this, the ‘Adhikari’ recommended Achan to the king. Achan was invited to the palace and honoured with a ‘Vadi and Pidi’ (Stick with a Grip). Considering of goodwill of Achan, king allotted some land for the construction of a church. In July 27, 1820 the ancient form of the present church, a small chapel, came into existence. With timely repairs, renewals and renovations the church attained its present growth tremendously showing it’s blessing on to well educational institutions on both sides. Whatever may be the present family identities, Christians from Palai, Mannathoor ,Veliyannoor, Kizhakkambalam,Nediyasala,Moolamattam and other places migrated to this land and a powerful catholic community made its roots here. Surrounding the church an ‘Angadi’ (Market) mostly belonging to the Christians developed. Angadi is still known as Angadi. The Kandanad Diocese Aramana and ‘Aramanappalli’ under the Jacobite Syrian Church have a different story to say. In the ‘Soo-naha-dose’ held at Mulanthurity in the year AD 1876, the Malankara Syrian Church was segmented into seven dioceses for administrative convenience. Kandanad diocese was one among them. There are at present more than 80 church institutions under the management of this Diocese. Realizing the advantageous and central position of muvattupuzha with regard to transportation and development the first metropolitan, Poulose Mar Evaniyose, who was a personality of vision purchased two acres of land at a cardinal point, in the dawn of last century, and there, in the due course, the Bhadarasanappalli, Aramana (Bishop’s House) and a shopping complex grew into heights. East to Aramanappally stands the CSI parsonage. The church has now been shifted to the upper storey above the shopping complex. Latin Catholics form only a meagre part of Muvattupuzha’s population. In the Latin Church at Vazhappilly till recently the priests were white Italian monks. The Only Bethany church at Muvattupuzha is also at Vazhappilly.

‘Velloorkunnu’ means the hill of light. With the grace of Vellorkunnam Temple situated at the hilltop on the bank of the river a strong and affluent Nair Society developed in Vazhappilly-Kadathi areas.Among
 the Hindu temples the Velloorkunnam temple is the oldest and most traditional. Old peoples say that during the period of invasion of Tippu terrified with the attack at any time the flag mast of this temple was removed and deposited in the river by the devotes.Still one can find the basement of this staff at the temple

courtyard. Stories also live as to the hiding of the flag mast and valuables of Narasimha Temple at the pond in the temple compound. The ‘Sreekovil’ (sanctum sanctorum) of this temple which is round in shape is so beautiful incomparable with anyone of its kind. Narasimha Temple is also an old and traditional one owned by various ‘Manas’.

'Puzhakkarakavu' on which the beauty, glory and fame of Muvattupuzha are founded requires particular mention. Even people from distant places come to worship here. The idol or ‘Vigharam’ in this temple is ‘Swayambhoo’, self made, naturally born. With the joint efforts of the king’s servants and local chiefs the temple was constructed at ‘Thriveni Sangamam’, point of harmony of the rivers, where the deity was discovered. The ‘Chirappu Maholsavam’ here is grand and colorful. It was started during the rule of the king, which is still celebrated with all devotion and glamour by the people of muvattupuzha irrespective of the cast and the religion. Colorful cultural programs, rituals and prayers are the specialities of this age-old festival. There is an ‘Aanapandal’ ( A canopy for the elephant) in this kavu which also bears a historical story. As the predecessor to the concrete Thodupuzha Bridge, there was a bridge made of wood, pillars been made of granite stones, constructed in the year 1917. Chattanathakaralayar of chenkottai was the contractor for the work. The stone pillars failed to stick well to the ground and become firm despite all the engineering skills. A perplexed god fearing contractor made an offering to the goddess by donating the ‘anapandal’ when everything was made all right. This historical fact is inscribed in the stone laid in the temple.

It needs special mention about the temple at Ambalakkunnu owned by ‘Kumara Bhajana Devaswom’. When the untouchables and low cast people, daring the dark days of cast and class discrimination in the society, were denied of entry into the temples which mostly belonged to the Upper cast Hindus, a handful of low cast Hindus youngsters, educated and enlightened, assembled at Ambalakkunnu and decided to have a temple of their own. They met Sree Narayana Gurudevan, the great social reformer of Kerala, divine and spiritual leader, and with his blessings a temple was elevated at Ambalakkunnu. The idol of lord Siva was enshrined in this temple by Swamy Neelakanta Theerthapadar, the Contemporary and disciple of Sree Narayana Guru. The holy festival in this temple is ‘Kumbhapooyam’. The temple was later renovated to transfigure into a fascinating one of which Muvattupuzha can ever be proud. 

‘Kumbhabharani’ and ‘Meenabharani’ in karanattukavu are the daises for ‘Garudan Thookam’, an old art form of Kerala, which are offered to goddesses by devotees. The Nandana Skhethram (temple) at Kurian Mala and the Sivagiri Skhethram at Randarkara are exceptionally noteworthy in as much as the harijans have a great say to their management.

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Last modified: October 12, 2001