Porur
Grama panchayat

Present-day Porur Panchayat was formed by combining the regions of Porur Amsom and Chathangottupuram Amsom. According to local legend passed down through generations, the name “Porur” originated in connection with the Porur Shiva Temple. It is believed that while clearing the forest, a worker’s tool struck a stone, from which smoke began to rise unusually. The place came to be known as “Pukayoor” (land of smoke), which later evolved into “Porur.” Historians believe that such legends were commonly associated with the clearing of forests for temple establishment in ancient Kerala.

Another legend states that the Shiva idol here was consecrated by “Kharan,” the brother of Ravana and a great devotee of Lord Shiva. The Sri Thirumandhamkunnu Bhagavathy Temple at Chathangottupuram is also famous in the region.

Two ancient Muslim places of worship in the Panchayat are the Edappulam Mosque and Thodikappulam Mosque. The Edappulam Mosque is believed to be more than 200 years old. The renowned Islamic scholar and respected religious leader Pottayil Manu Musliyar served as the Qazi (religious head) there.

The village also contributed to India’s national freedom movement. Krishnan Menon of Ramanattukara sowed the seeds of nationalism in the area, and several public meetings were organized in different parts of the Panchayat as part of the movement. The Malabar Tenancy Act of 1929 emerged as an outcome of the landlord-tenant conflicts that intensified during the 1921 Malabar Rebellion. The rebellion also marked the beginning of significant reforms in education and land ownership systems. Historical evidence shows that people strongly opposed corruption, misuse of authority, and autocratic practices even during those times.

An elected Panchayat Board came into power in 1963.

Chathangottupuram became known beyond the region for traditional medicine and astrology. Unnikkutty Vaidyar was once the most prominent Ayurvedic physician in the area, and his family continues the medical tradition today. The famous Vedic scholar Kanjirath Mannazhi Kesavan Namboothiri was also known for treating rabies. In the Porur region, Modappilassery Kunjan Vaidyar and Porur Ayyappan Vaidyar were renowned practitioners of indigenous medicine.

Amanath Muhammad Amani Moulavi, who translated the Holy Quran into Malayalam, was also a native of this area.

Cultural History

Porur Panchayat was formed by combining Porur and Chathangottupuram regions. The name “Porur” is traditionally linked to the origin story of the Porur Shiva Temple. The legend narrates that smoke rose from a stone struck by a worker’s tool during forest clearing, leading to the place being called “Pukayoor,” later shortened to “Porur.”

Another local legend says that the Shiva idol was consecrated by “Kharan,” brother of Ravana and devotee of Shiva.

The Thirumandhamkunnu Bhagavathy Temple at Chathangottupuram also has an interesting legend. An elder from the ancient Achath Nair family, believed by some to be a Paikkattu Nair, regularly visited the Thirumandhamkunnu Temple at Angadipuram. Due to old age, he prayed sorrowfully that he could no longer continue visiting the temple. As he returned home, the goddess is believed to have accompanied him by sitting upon his palm-leaf umbrella and settled at the present temple, which had originally been a Sastha temple. The Sastha deity was then moved outside. Because the deity was moved “outside” (“angottu puram”), the place came to be called “Sasthavangottupuram,” which later evolved into “Chathangottupuram.”

As a remembrance of the goddess arriving on the umbrella, a ritual called “Kudayezhunnallippu” (procession with umbrella) is still conducted during temple festivals.

To the northwestern side of the Panchayat lies Ravimangalam village. The famous Vishnu temple there is believed to have given the place its name, as the deity is considered Vishnu with the aspect of Ravi (Sun God).

The Porur Shiva Temple festival is celebrated for eight days from the Punartham star in the Malayalam month of Kumbham until the Arattu ceremony on Chithira star day. It was once regarded as the national festival of old Porur region. The Uthram Vilakku festival at the Porur Sree Dharma Sastha Temple is celebrated with grandeur.

The Chathangottupuram Thalappoli festival is closely connected with agriculture. Agricultural activities for the new year traditionally begin only after the festival. A famous traditional mock fight conducted at Kalakkandam during the festival is well known. No police intervention or complaints are usually associated with this customary practice. Even during prohibition periods, drinking was traditionally permitted on the day of Thalappoli.

The festival also symbolized communal harmony. A Muslim representative wearing a traditional headgear would walk in front of the temple procession, a role traditionally performed by members of the Mundayil family.