History of Grama Panchayat
Ummannoor is an inland village filled with lush green paddy fields, fertile hilly terrains, and rocky clusters. This region, which has achieved its present appearance with modern amenities in tune with the nation's progress, boasts an extensive history. The village originally belonged to the ancient principality of Elayadathu Swaroopam. Through his spies, the ruler of that time learned that three sages had been meditating for a long time in the forest area situated in the southern part of the kingdom. To look after the welfare of these serene sages, he appointed his five most trusted and eminent Brahmins. These Brahmins established five mathas (monasteries) around the sages' place of meditation, made the surrounding areas cultivable, and settled there permanently as landlords. Later, all three sages attained Samadhi, and a temple was established centering around their meditation site. To help the king identify the place, it was called "Mummuniyoor" (the land of the three sages). It is said that over time, this name evolved into the present-day "Ummannoor".
The ancient temples established by the Brahmin landlords of that era include the Ummannoor Anchumoorthy Temple, Ummannoor Sastha Temple, Andoor Mahavishnu Temple, Polikkodu Mahadeva Temple, Vayakkal Bhagavathi Temple, Puthiyidath Shiva Temple, Vilangara Sree Subramanya Swami Temple, Vilangara Indayalappaswami Temple, Vellavoor Kavumkalari Temple, Aaraayikkonathu Moorthikkavu, and Vayanammoola Shiva Temple. Alongside Hindu temples, the Ummannoor Panchayat also has very ancient Christian places of worship and Muslim mosques. Serving as a supreme example of religious harmony, these institutions are preserved to this day. Among the Christian places of worship, the Valakom Church, Ummannoor Church (Gurusikunnu), Andoor, Ambalakkara, and Nellikunnam churches—established and developed by the devout Yavanan Kathanar who arrived from Kottarakkara—are very ancient and renowned. It is known that the Muslim population here was very small in the early days, and the Vilayanthoor Mosque is recognized as the oldest mosque in the area.
As was common in many regions during the early days, numerous kudipallikoodams (traditional village schools) operated in the Ummannoor area. Pappu Ashan of Valiyavila in Ummannoor, Kesava Kurup Ashan of Mariaveettil in Vilangara, Kattayil Neelambi Jyotsyar, and Ummannoor Govindan Jyotsyar were the early pioneers in this field. Kavungal Govinda Pillai Ashan was the most famous for his Sanskrit education and scholarship; he was also reportedly a well-known poet and artist in the region. Valakom M.T.H.S., owned by the Mar Thoma Church, was the first high school in the panchayat. The schools in Valakom and Ambalakkara, established by Chacko Kasheesha—who actively participated in panchayat activities from the beginning—are also among the early educational institutions. Early leadership in English education was provided by the former headmaster of Valakom M.T.H.S., Rev. Fr. P.V. Abraham (Ala Achan). Institutions like Andoor L.P.S. Vayakkal, D.V.U.P.S. established by Sukumaran Pillai, the L.P. Schools in Vilangara and Vayakkal, various church schools, Vilangara Parambamadam U.P.S., and Vadakkottu W.L.P.S. played a major role in accelerating continuing education. The L.P. School established and run by the panchayat in the Kambamkode ward, an area that initially lacked sufficient educational facilities, serves as a vital link in the educational sector.
Ummannoor Panchayat focused on arts and culture right from its early days. In the field of Kathakali, Nadakkavil Raghavan Pillai Ashan was famous for his contributions to its musical branch. Despite gradual changes and continuous growth in administration and development, the Valakom Palace—established by the Kollam Division Peshkar Rajaraja Varma Koithampuran—and its adjoining police chowki (outpost) remain as nostalgic remnants of this land's past glory.
