Institutional History
Institutional History
Moonnilavu is a Grama Panchayat located in the Meenachil Taluk of Kottayam district, under the Erattupetta Block, comprising the villages of Moonnilavu and Melukavu. Spanning an area of 33.41 square kilometers, the panchayat is bordered by Melukavu Panchayat to the west, Thikoiy Panchayat to the south, Thalanad Panchayat to the east, and Kudayathoor and Arakulam Panchayats to the north. This region is visually stunning, featuring a lush green landscape filled with mountain peaks, rocky terrains, small streams, winding hill paths, and verdant agricultural lands. The area is situated at an altitude of approximately 2,500 feet above sea level. Loamy, laterite, and gravelly soils are the primary soil types found here. The region experiences both the South-West monsoon and North-East climatic conditions. Its Parliamentary constituency is Kottayam, and its Assembly constituency is Pala. According to the 2011 census, Moonnilavu Panchayat has a population of 10,016 distributed across 14 wards, comprising 4,923 males and 5,093 females. The Scheduled Caste (SC) population stands at 466, while the Scheduled Tribe (ST) population is 4,027.
The majority of the people in the panchayat are farmers or depend on agriculture for their livelihood. The primary crops grown here are rubber, coconut, black pepper, coffee, tapioca, banana, cardamom, wild ginger, and various vegetables. Naturally beautiful and ancient tourist destinations such as Illickal Kallu, Kattikkayam Waterfall, Kadavupuzha Waterfall, and Kannadipara are located within the Moonnilavu Grama Panchayat.
Moonnilavu is a panchayat that encompasses regions like Mankombu and Irumapra Valakam, which hold a very ancient history. Legend has it that the Bhagavathi Temple in Mankombu is centuries old. Historically, there were three large Elavu (silk cotton) trees in this area; thus, the place where these three Elavu trees stood together came to be known as "Moonnilavu" (meaning 'three Elavu trees'). This is the only temple in this panchayat and is believed to have been established by the Poonjar Royal Family. It is said that a prince from the Poonjar Royal Family had married from the Madukkayil Nair family in Mankombu. There is also a lore that a community from the Pandya region, known as Chettipillamar, fled their homeland with their revered idol of the Goddess out of fear of a Chera dynasty king. They sought refuge with the Poonjar King, who permitted them to settle in the Mankombu region. Later, they consecrated their beloved Goddess in a section of the Mankombu temple and continued performing rituals and pujas. As time passed, being proficient in trade, they migrated to various parts of the present-day Thodupuzha Taluk. Nevertheless, every year on the 10th of Medam (Pathamudayam), the Chettipillamar still trek up the hills to visit this ancient, famous temple for worship and offerings.
A community known as the Mala Arayans used to inhabit the dense forests of Moonnilavu's mountainous terrains, cradled in the lap of the Western Ghats. It was foreign missionaries like Henry Baker Jr. and A.F. Painter who guided them out of social evils such as ignorance, superstition, and exploitation by the upper class. Henry Baker’s biography notes that this community was peace-loving, hardworking farmers, and highly intelligent. The ancient churches and schools in areas like Irumapra and Mankombu serve as milestones in the socio-cultural fabric of this village. The Anchal Office (ancient post office) at Irumapramattom also holds a prominent place in the pages of history.
The present-day Moonnilavu Grama Panchayat was originally part of the Poonjar Vadakkekkara Panchayat. This independent panchayat was formed as a result of four years of continuous agitation. The first president of the Poonjar Vadakkekkara Panchayat was Shri. M.G. Gopala Pillai Madappatt. On September 13, 1969, the Poonjar Vadakkekkara Panchayat was bifurcated into two, leading to the formation of the Moonnilavu and Thalanad panchayats.
The naturally scenic Moonnilavu Grama Panchayat holds immense potential for tourism development. Pazhukkakkanam and Illickal Kallu are destinations capable of captivating any tourist's heart. The Kattikkayam Waterfall and Kadavupuzha Water Level/Waterfall are also major attractions for visitors. Furthermore, Kannadipara, Theilappara, Moscow Viewpoint, Meechal Valakettu Mudi, and Kolanimudi stand out as other breathtakingly beautiful tourist spots within the Moonnilavu Panchayat.