History of Grama Panchayat
Social and Cultural History
Kizhakkekallada Grama Panchayat is situated in the north-eastern part of Kollam district. Kallada has a long and distinguished association with the national movement and the struggle for responsible government. Its history is closely intertwined with Marthanda Varma, the founder of modern Travancore.
Kallada was once under the rule of the Desinganad royal family. In 1784, a dispute over the rights to Kallada became one of the reasons for Marthanda Varma's campaign against Desinganad. In the ensuing conflict, the kingdoms of Kayamkulam and Elayidathu Swarupam joined Desinganad in fighting against Marthanda Varma. As a result, Marthanda Varma was temporarily forced to suspend the campaign.
Later, during his campaigns against the neighbouring kingdoms of Martha (Karunagappally), Kayamkulam, and Kottarakkara, Marthanda Varma is said to have stayed in Kallada. After defeating the King of Vadakkumkoor in battle, he brought the defeated king to Kallada and kept him there. It was customary for defeated rulers to be kept in different villages to prevent them from regrouping their forces and raising another army.
During his stay in Kallada, Marthanda Varma decided to build a temple, as there was no shrine or deity for him to worship. Following the advice of Ramayyan Dalawa, the ancient Marthandapuram Temple was constructed. The temple is believed to have received its name from Marthanda Varma, who commissioned its construction. A beautiful palace and a bathing ghat were subsequently built on the southern side of the temple. The pond associated with this site is still known as Koyikkal Neerazhi.
The Story of the Kooṟka Porridge
There is also a popular traditional story associated with Marthanda Varma's period of hiding.
According to local tradition, while living in hiding, Marthanda Varma once reached a Brahmin household at Cherupoyka, near Kallada. Exhausted and hungry, he asked the family for something to eat. Only one woman lived in the poor household at the time. She immediately prepared a simple porridge using powdered koovaraku (finger millet) and served it to him.
Overcome with hunger, the king scooped up the hot porridge with a jackfruit leaf and ate it hastily. Seeing this, the woman, unaware of his identity, stood behind the door and remarked that “Marthanda Varma is not taking the porridge the way he takes a country.” The saying is traditionally interpreted as advice to approach a task gradually and strategically rather than rushing into it.
It is believed that this advice influenced Marthanda Varma's later military strategies. After becoming king, he is said to have returned to the household and granted the family 100 acres of dry land and 100 acres of wetland.
Buddhist Heritage
Kallada's ancient temples, their traditional rituals, and the artistic style of some of their idols have led to the belief that several of these sites may once have been associated with Buddhist viharas. The traditional eduppu kuthirakal (ceremonial horses) themselves are said to bear similarities to Buddhist religious traditions.
There is further archaeological evidence suggesting that Kallada may once have been a centre of Buddhism. A Buddha statue, approximately three feet high and carved from white marble, was discovered at Velancharuv Purayidam in Koduvila. The statue displays several characteristic features of Buddhist iconography, including the ushnisha, lotus posture, meditative expression, uttariya (upper garment), jnana mudra, and hands resting one above the other in the lap.
The statue was discovered in 1978 and was installed at the Koduvila Temple in 1984.
Chittumala Sree Durgadevi Temple
The famous Chittumala Sree Durgadevi Temple is a place steeped in both legend and history. Goddess Durga is revered by people belonging to all communities in Kallada as a beloved deity, source of hope, and protector.
The annual festival of the temple is regarded as a celebration that transcends religious boundaries and brings the people of the entire village together. The temple is believed to have once belonged to the Desinganad royal family, and tradition holds that it was built by the last Queen of Desinganad.
Marthanda Varma is said to have entrusted the administration of the temple to a governing committee representing 16 karas (localities), including Kizhakkekallada, Padinjarekallada, Karinthottuva, Peruvelikkara, Munroe Thuruthu, and Villimangalam. The committee had a designated patron who oversaw its affairs.
One of the major features of the temple festival is the Kuthira Ezhunnallippu, in which four karas jointly present a ceremonial horse. The temple is traditionally said to have owned extensive paddy fields, measured at approximately 1,000 para of land.
Several parcels of land were traditionally set aside for specific temple purposes. Kodikoorapparambu, near the Chothirathil Bridge, was reserved for raising the festival flag. Thanduthangil Purayidam was set aside for supplying oil to the temple. A piece of land at Munroe Thuruthu was reserved for providing coconuts to those who carried the ceremonial horses during the festival.
The Legend of Chittumala
According to local tradition, a woman from the Kurava community named Chitta once sharpened the edge of her sickle on a stone lying in the forest. To her astonishment, blood is said to have started flowing from the stone. Frightened, Chitta cried out, and people from the surrounding area gathered at the spot.
The stone was subsequently installed at the Mathilakam, and the idol was later moved to Chittumala.
One traditional explanation for the name Chittumala is that it originated from the place where Chitta discovered the sacred stone. Another popular interpretation traces the name to the words “Chittu Ala.”
St. Francis Xavier
St. Francis Xavier is also believed to have visited the region. In 1544, he travelled from Kochi to Kollam and from there reached Koduvila in Kallada.
Velu Thampi Dalawa and Kallada
Kallada also has a connection with the final days of Velu Thampi Dalawa, one of the prominent figures in the history of resistance to British rule in Travancore.
After his defeat in battle, Velu Thampi is believed to have escaped towards Mannadi, travelling through Mulavana, Kallada, and a number of lesser-known routes.
According to historical tradition, during this journey Velu Thampi sought refuge at the house of the Unnithans of Kadayatt at Mulavana. Deeply distressed that he was unable to save Thampi from the pursuing forces, one of the Unnithans is said to have taken his own life.
The British forces that pursued Velu Thampi subsequently destroyed several ancient temples and residences along their route. Among the structures believed to have been damaged during these attacks were the Verannoor Mahavishnu Temple and the Marthandapuram Temple in Kallada.
The rich history of Kizhakkekallada is thus woven from royal traditions, religious heritage, archaeological evidence, social movements, local legends, and the lives of remarkable personalities. Together, these have shaped Kallada into a region of enduring historical and cultural significance.
