Nenmanikkara
Grama Panchayat

Nenmanikkara Grama Panchayat – History and Profile

History

Nenmanikkara Grama Panchayat is located in an area that was once known as the granary of the Chathakkudam Devaswom belonging to the Peruvanam village community, one of the most renowned Namboothiri settlements in Kerala. It is believed that the Panchayat derived its name from the abundance of high-quality paddy cultivated in the region.

In 1920, Agamananda Swamikal, who participated in the Vaikom Satyagraha, established an ashram at Pazhayi. In 1937, the textile workers of Amballur formed a union under the leadership of P.S. Namboothiri and participated in the historic textile strike of 1938. The first educational institution in the Panchayat, Little Flower Primary School at Thalore, was established in 1925 by the CMI priests.

In 1885, the boat-building companies St. Sebastian, Swadeshi, and Shivakami were established on the banks of the Manali River. A railway line also passes through the Panchayat, contributing to its connectivity and economic development.

The Panchayat is home to several important places of worship, including Chennamkulangara Bhagavathy Temple, Thalore Shiva Temple, and churches located in Thalore, Pulakkattukara, Nenmanikkara, Chittissery, and Pazhayi. These institutions have played a significant role in shaping the cultural and spiritual life of the region.

Major festivals celebrated in the Panchayat include Thalore Shivaratri Mahotsavam, Chennamkulangara Bharani, Chakkumkulangara Pooram, Chittichathakkudam Pooram, Chathanakkal Pooram, Pathamudayam Festival, Nenmanikkara Shivaratri, and the annual church feasts of Thalore, Pulakkattukara, Nenmanikkara, Chittissery, and Pazhayi.

Prominent personalities associated with the Panchayat include Chakkumkulam Appu Marar, renowned for his mastery of Chenda Melam, Mulang Variyath Krishna Variyar, a distinguished Sanskrit scholar, and Kochanian Variyar, a freedom fighter.

Nenmanikkara Grama Panchayat

Nenmanikkara Grama Panchayat is situated in Kodakara Block of Mukundapuram Taluk in Thrissur District, Kerala. The Panchayat was formed in 1977 by bifurcating the former Thrikkur Panchayat. It covers an area of 11.41 square kilometres.

The Panchayat is bounded by Thrissur Corporation, Thrikkur and Puthur Panchayats to the north; Pudukkad and Parappukkara Panchayats to the south; Alagappanagar and Thrikkur Panchayats to the east; and Vallachira Panchayat and Thrissur Corporation to the west.

According to the 2001 Census, the Panchayat had a population of 21,112, comprising 10,722 females and 10,390 males. Nenmanikkara has achieved a literacy rate of over 90 percent.

The Panchayat lies in the midland region of Kerala. Coconut and Nendran banana are the principal crops cultivated here. The Manali River and Kurumali River are the major rivers flowing through the Panchayat. Important canals include Kailithodu (3 km) and Kayalthodu (3.5 km).

Potential tourist destinations within the Panchayat include the Odanchara Regulator Dam at Pazhayi, Manyankuzhi–Cheruval, and the Kulakkattukara Regulator.

National Highway 47 passes through the Panchayat. The Amballur Transport Bus Stand serves as the nearest major bus station. Important bridges include the Manali Bridge at Amballur, the Railway Bridge at Eravakkad, and the Palakkadavu Bridge at Pazhayi. Historically, Palakkadavu–Mulang and Palakkadavu–Vallachira served as nearby inland water transport routes.

The nearest port is Kochi Port, while Pudukkad Railway Station is the nearest railway station. Residents primarily depend on Cochin International Airport, Nedumbassery, for air travel.

Economy and Industries

Southern Plastics at Thalore is one of the major industrial establishments in the Panchayat. Medium-scale industries include the manufacture of plastic water tanks and packing bags. Small-scale industries such as roofing tiles, bricks, and clay tiles are also prevalent.

Traditional industries include the production of earthen pots, cooking vessels, household utensils, and flower pots. Amballur and Thalore serve as the principal commercial centres of the Panchayat.

Arts, Culture and Sports

Institutions promoting arts and sports include:

• Lalitha Kala Samithi, Pazhayi
• Azhikode Janakeeya Kala Kendram
• Progressive Club, Madavakkara
• E.C.C., Eravakkad

Major cultural institutions include:

• Grameena Vayanasala, Pazhayi
• Grameena Vayanasala, Thalore
• Sathyan Smaraka Vayanasala, Chittissery
• Sargadhara Vayanasala, Chittissery
• Azhikodan Memorial Library

Health Services

A Primary Health Centre functions at Chittissery, with sub-centres at Eravakkad and Pulakkattukara. An Ayurveda Dispensary under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) also operates at Chittissery.

In the field of animal husbandry, a Panchayat Veterinary Hospital functions at Paliyekkara. An ICDP sub-centre is also located at Pazhayi.

Educational Institutions

The aided educational institutions in the Panchayat include:

• Deepthi High School, Thalore
• Deepthi Higher Secondary School, Thalore
• Little Flower Lower Primary School, Thalore
• St. Theresitas Upper Primary School, Thalore
• Pulakkattukara Lower Primary School
• MKM School, Nenmanikkara
• OMS School, Eravakkad
• RKLPS, Pazhayi
• JLP School, Cheruval
• Jesus Academy

Keats College, Amballur, is a private college serving the area.

Financial Institutions

Major financial institutions operating in the Panchayat include:

• State Bank of Travancore, Thalore
• Thalore Service Co-operative Bank
• Thalore Service Co-operative Bank, Pazhayi Branch
• Thalore Service Co-operative Bank, Manali Branch
• Amballur Land Mortgage Bank
• Vanitha Multipurpose Co-operative Society
• Catholic Syrian Bank, Thalore
• Gramin Bank, Amballur

Public Facilities

Important auditoriums and community halls include:

• MKM Auditorium, Chittissery
• Thalore Service Co-operative Bank Auditorium
• Mecheri Auditorium
• Thalore Sree Mahadeva Temple Auditorium
• Chennamkulangara Kalyana Mandapam

Government institutions functioning in the Panchayat include:

• Krishi Bhavan, Paliyekkara
• Veterinary Hospital, Paliyekkara
• Government Dispensary, Paliyekkara
• Village Office

Post offices operate at Chittissery, Pazhayi, Nenmanikkara, and Thalore. The Panchayat has 20 Anganwadis distributed across its 16 wards. The nearest police station is located at Pudukkad.

Today, Nenmanikkara Grama Panchayat stands as a vibrant local self-government institution that combines a rich historical legacy, strong cultural traditions, agricultural prosperity, and modern developmental aspirations.