Poonjar
Grama Panchayat

History

Poonjar Grama Panchayat is a local panchayat comprising the villages of Poonjar and Poonjar Nadubhagam, located in the Erattupetta block of Meenachil taluk in Kottayam district. Spanning an area of 18.22 square kilometres, the panchayat is bounded on the east by Poonjar Thekkekara Grama Panchayat; on the west by Erattupetta Municipality and Thidanad Grama Panchayats; on the north by Theekoy Grama Panchayat; and on the south by Parathode, Poonjar Thekkekara, and Thidanad Grama Panchayats.

Situated almost in the middle of Kerala, on the eastern edge of Kottayam district and to the west of Idukki district, Poonjar is blessed with hills, mountains, and lush greenery, and has transformed into a hub of plantation crops today through the sweat of hardworking farmers. Rubber is the primary cultivation today. Rubber cultivation in the panchayat was first started in the Kallivayil property in the Maniyamkulam area.

On June 12, 1969, Poonjar Grama Panchayat was formed by separating parts of Poonjar Thekkekara. The separated regions became Poonjar Thekkekara Grama Panchayat. Sri N. Ramakrishna Pillai, Sri K. Kumara Menon, Sri K. T. Thomas Kaniamkunnel, and Sri K. C. Joseph Kizhakkethottam played a leading role in forming Poonjar Grama Panchayat with the goal of developing this region. The first president of Poonjar Grama Panchayat was Sri N. Ramakrishna Pillai, and the first secretary was Sri Narayanan Nair of Perumparambil.

Bhavani Thampuratty of Kanjiramattom Palace is a well-known name throughout Kerala for her mastery of classical music. Astrological scholar Brahmasree Mitran Namboothiripad is an artist who has excelled in various arts such as music and dance. The Madurai Meenakshi Temple is situated near the Sree Dharmasastha Temple. The primary festival is the nine-day Navaratri celebration. Other Hindu places of worship include the Mankombukavu Temple in Panachippara, the Sree Krishna Temple, and the 700-year-old Elanjithanam Sree Bhagavathy Temple in Chennad. Christian places of worship such as the Sacred Heart Church in Maniyamkunnu, St. Joseph's Church in Maniyamkunnam, and Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Chennad influence the spiritual, educational, and cultural spheres of the people in their respective areas.

Social and Cultural History

The history of Poonjar is not just the history of Poonjar Grama Panchayat, but of a large region within the broader scope of the name Poonjar, including Poonjar Thekkekara. Although different legends exist regarding the origin of Poonjar, the most popular theory is that the name evolved from "Punyar." This name is connected to the river flowing through the region. Sage Agastya once practiced penance in a place in Peringulam currently known as Kudumurutti. After finishing his penance, the mountain and Punyar became known names because of the Kudumurutti he held. Punyar transformed into Poonjar. The flow of medicinal water sources also contributed to the name Punyar.

In 1160 AD, Manavikrama, a Pandya dynasty king who was the ruler of Madurai, was defeated in battle and arrived at Gudalur, establishing his rule with it as his base. The Travancore region at that time was fractured due to conflicts and chaos. Manavikrama acquired the Poonjar region and the high ranges from the Thekkumkur king and established the Poonjar royal dynasty. In 1816, following the decision of Colonel Munro, the Poonjar king lost his royal status and became a local chieftain. The Meenakshi idol and Sundaresha deity in the Madurai Meenakshi Temple currently located in Poonjar were brought by Manavikrama from Madurai.

In 1300 AD, St. Joseph's Church in Poonjar was established. Christian places of worship were established in Maniyamkunnu, Maniyamkulam, and Chennad. The Muslim population arrived here about 50 years ago. Currently, there are two Muslim places of worship in the Mattakkad and Nellikkachal areas. Poonjar stands as an exemplary symbol of religious harmony and tolerance.

During the period of royal rule, taxes were collected in cash and produce. Institutions like the Anchal office, Magistrate Court, Pakuthikkacheri, and various other kacheris (offices) existed back then. Transportation was mostly by water. Traveling by country boat on the Poonjar River was convenient then. Palanquins were also used for travel by members of the royal family by land. The Kottayam-Poonjar road was the first road in this town. The first bus service started in 1930. The first driver of the first 8-seater bus was Achuthan Pillai from Ambalappuzha.

In 1108 (Malayalam Era), a meeting held on the Poonjar church grounds under the leadership of Changanasserry Parameswaran Pillai served as a milestone in the struggle against landlordism. In 1108, the powerful speech delivered by Pattom Thanu Pillai in the Sree Moolam Praja Sabha demanding permanent land rights and reduced taxes became a part of history. A section of the people in Poonjar participated in the Liberation Struggle of 1957 against the progressive agricultural and education bills of the EMS ministry formed after the formation of Kerala.

Colonel G. V. Raja, who left his mark in the international sports arena, Avittam Thirunal Rama Varma Valiya Raja, a Sanskrit scholar and poet, and P. R. Rama Varma Valiya Raja (known as Alakkode Thampuran), who authored a treatise on the study of Gayatri mantras, are some of the famous sons of Poonjar. Based on oral traditions passed down through generations, the Poonjar Sree Dharmasastha Temple existed even before the establishment of the Poonjar royal dynasty. The Poonjar kings established the Madurai Meenakshi Temple and restored the Sree Dharmasastha Temple from its former state, expanding it with the current structures and decorations. Padivetta, which commemorates Ayyappa's ritual hunting in the festival, is celebrated at the Nayattuppara in Panachippara. Traditional ritualistic and martial arts like Kathakali, Ottanthullal, Chakyarkoothu, Pathakam, Velakali, and Panchavadyam are given prominence on festival days. It is noteworthy that a Kathakali troupe existed under the leadership of Seemankunnu Ashan, and artists like Parakkattu Kelan and Elampathottathil Narayanan nurtured it. Two prominent artists in the field of Ottanthullal were Maniyamkunnam Kuttan Kaniyar and Vayalikkunnel Kesavan Panickar. Art forms like Onanthullal, Parichamuttukali, Koladikkali, and Thiruvathirakali also existed. Avittam Thirunal Rama Varma Valiya Raja, the author of *Bhramarasandesam*, and R. Ramachandran Nair, the owner of the pen name Thulasivanam who authored *Muktamala*, are literary offspring of Poonjar.