At a glance
Arakuzha Grama Panchayat is located within the Muvattupuzha Block of Muvattupuzha Taluk in Ernakulam district, comprising the villages of Arakuzha and Maradi. The panchayat spans an area of 29.31 square kilometers. Its boundaries are defined by Muvattupuzha Municipality and the Maradi and Avoli panchayats to the north; the Palakuzha and Manakkad (Idukki) panchayats to the south; the Avoli and Manakkad (Idukki) panchayats to the east; and the Maradi and Thirumaradi panchayats to the west. Historically, Arakuzha was part of the Vadakkumkur Kingdom and later fell within the Kottayam district of the princely state of Travancore. Following the integration of princely states, the region came under the administration of Thiru-Kochi, and subsequently, Kerala, upon the formation of linguistic states. Mary Roy, the mother of the renowned writer Arundhati Roy, hails from this area. St. Joseph's L.P. School, established by the Carmelite order in 1915, was the first school in Arakuzha. An ancient Christian church situated in the heart of the panchayat stands as tangible evidence of the region's long-standing cultural heritage. During the era of Arakuzha Unniyathiri and the Chettur Karthas, cultural arts such as Kalaripayattu and Yoga were actively nurtured in this village. It is observed that cultural activities such as education and cooperative initiatives were promoted in conjunction with churches, while art forms like *Koothu* and *Koodiyattam* flourished alongside temples and sacred groves (*Kavu*). Traditional art forms and rituals—such as *Chendamelam*, *Pada Puja*, *Mudiyettu*, *Thookkam*, *Kalamezhuthu*, *Ammankudam*, *Sasthampattu*, and performances involving instruments like the *Thudi*, *Udukk*, and flute—continue to be part of Hindu worship sites today. Similarly, art forms like band music, *Chenda* performances, and plays remain a feature of Christian church festivals. It has been over a century since smaller churches were established in Memadang, Thottakkara, Meenkunnam, Perumpalloor, and Peringazha—branching out from the ancient Arakuzha Church—to provide local facilities for worship. A church dedicated to St. Thomas is situated at Kurishumala, a pilgrimage center located right next to the Arakuzha Forane Church. Once a year, on *Puthu-njayar* (New Sunday), thousands of believers—both domestic and international, and from diverse religious backgrounds—visit this pilgrimage center to seek spiritual fulfillment. The Peringhazha Bhagavathi Temple; the Kaippullikkavu in Ward 2; the temple belonging to Mazhuvancheri Illam; the ancient Nhallurkkavu in Ward 4; the Poothakkavu Bhagavathi Temple and Mullappadi Paradevatha Temple in Ward 5; the 1,400-year-old Thottakkarakkavu in Ward 8; and the ancient Perumakkavu Temple in Ward 9 are all active places of worship and cultural centers.
