At a glance

Geographical Location

  • District: Thrissur

  • Taluk: Chalakudy

  • Block: Kodakara

Area and Villages

  • Total Area: 103.11 square kilometers

  • Villages Included:

    • Mattathur and Vellikulangara (fully)

    • Inchakundu and Kodassery (partially)

Boundaries

DirectionBoundary
NorthVarantharappilly Panchayat
EastTamil Nadu State and Kodassery Panchayat
SouthKodassery Panchayat
WestKodakara and Parappukkara Panchayats

Curious Place Names

Some of the place names in the Panchayat are quite intriguing. Examples include:

  • Vellikulangara

  • Kodali

  • Moonnumuri

  • Avittappilly

The Origin of the Name 'Mattathur'

In relation to Kodakara and other western regions, Mattathur was considered the "Matté Attathe Ooru" (the village at the very other end). In the past, there were no other human settlements (villages) further east beyond Mattathur. Therefore, it was literally true when the people from the western regions referred to it as the village at the far end.

History and Ancient Relics

In various parts of the Panchayat, one can find sculptures and temple ruins carved in granite with exceptional artistic craftsmanship, reflecting a rich historical past.

Areshwaram (The Mini Sabarimala)

  • Natural Setting: At one time, this temple was nestled in the middle of a dense forest. Even during the 1950s, monkeys used to roam freely here. However, the surrounding forests have vanished today.

  • Special Feature: The temple features a 'Punarjani' (a narrow cave passage) through which devotees crawl to cleanse themselves of their sins.

    Topography

  • Eastern Border: The Western Ghats mountain ranges lie to the east of Mattathur.

  • Terrain: The topography of the Panchayat consists of hills and occasional plains interspersed between them.

  • Granite Deposits: Extensive deposits of granite can be found adjacent to these hills and mountains.

  • Agriculture and Soil

  • Soil Quality: The present-day farmlands were formed as plains from landslides carrying soil down from the forest areas. As a result, these lands are highly rich in organic nutrients.

  • Agricultural Heritage: This abundance of natural organic matter is likely the reason why the agricultural sector of this Panchayat was so rich and prosperous in the past.