During the pre-independence period, the warrior community who served as custodians of the Mazhuvannoor Bhagavathi Kshethram in South Mazhuvannoor held a significant portion of the agricultural land in the region until the implementation of the Kerala Land Reforms Act, which redistributed land ownership across the state. [2]
In the 1890s, Gregorios of Parumala visited Mazhuvannoor and stayed there for a period of time. He consecrated the newly reconstructed Mazhuvannoor Church in 1891 (Kollavarsham 1067), which had been rebuilt through the efforts of the local community.[3]
Old Mazhuvannoor Jacobite Church
Local traditions link his visit to events such as efforts to protect the paddy fields of Njeriyamkuzhi Paadam from pest infestations and a prophecy concerning the Periyar River, which later became a key source of irrigation for the region through the Periyar Valley High Level Canal Project, even though the Muvattupuzha River is geographically closer. According to these accounts, he prayed that the river’s flow would reach the area and that the land would yield “a hundred, sixty, and thirtyfold harvest.” [4]
The name Mazhuvannoor (Malayalam: മഴുവന്നൂര്) is believed to derive from “Mazhuvarooru,” meaning “habitat of the Mazhuvar.” In ancient Tamil and Malayalam, mazhu means axe, and Mazhuvar referred to people associated with iron work and axe-making, as noted in Sangam texts like the Purananuru[6]
Geologically, the area is rich in iron-bearing soil, supporting the view that early inhabitants were iron workers or toolmakers. Over time, Mazhuvarooru evolved phonetically into Mazhuvannoor, literally “place of the axe.”
Demographics
According to the 2011 census of India, Mazhuvannoor has 3679 households. The literacy rate of the village is 88.38%.[7]
Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church Christians in Mazhuvannoor associated with St. Thomas Cathedral Valiya Palli Mazhuvannoor, St. George Church Kunnakkurudy, St. George Chapel Mangalathunada, St. Mary’s Chapel Thattamughal, St. Mary’s Church Veettoor, and Guardian Angel Retirement Home Airapuram, all under the Holy See of Antioch. [8]
Other Christian churches include St. George Malankara Catholic Church Mangalathunada and St. Joseph Syro-Malabar Church Mudavoor.
Hindu temples in the area include Blandevar Mahavishnu Temple, Nellad Shiva Temple, Sree Mahadeva Temple at Valamboor, South Mazhuvannoor Bhagavati Kshetram, Vimala Sri Mahadeva Temple, NSS Hall South Mazhuvannoor and SNDP Hall at Valayanchirangara.
The Airapuram Juma Masjid is the major place of Muslim worship in the region. All these communities coexist peacefully, living together in harmony.[10]
State Highway 41 (Thekkady Road) is the principal road passing through Mazhuvannoor, providing major connectivity to nearby towns and regions. Other important roads include the Peruvammuzhi–Mazhuvannoor Road, Mazhuvannoor–Kadayiruppu Road, and Thattamughal–Trikalathur Road. [11]
A chain of four schools is located in the central part of Mazhuvannoor, comprising two Government Lower Primary Schools, SRV Upper Primary School, and MRSV High School. These institutions serve as key centers of basic education for the local community.
Mazhuvannoor Panchayat has several healthcare facilities catering to the local population. The Primary Health Centre (PHC) is the main government medical facility in the area. Other notable healthcare institutions include the Airapuram Ayurvedic Hospital, the Mazhuvannoor Veterinary Hospital at Mangalathunada, and the Homeopathic Hospital at Nellad.
Economy
The Agro Cooperative Society Market at Mangalathunada is well known for trading locally produced agricultural goods and supports the livelihood of many local farmers.[12]
The Mazhuvannoor Service Co-operative Bank Ltd No. E-21, headquartered at South Mazhuvannoor, plays a vital role in supporting the local economy through agricultural loans, small-scale industry support, and financial inclusion. It operates branches in nearby areas such as Valamboor, promoting rural development and community welfare. Alongside it, the Airapuram Service Co-operative Bank also contributes significantly to the region’s economic growth and trade activities.[13]
References
↑ "Kerala villages"(PDF). Land Records Information Systems Division, NIC. Archived from the original(PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
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