Ezhumanthuruthu
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Ezhumanthuruthu is a small "thuruthu" ie island situated 8 km west of Kaduthuruthy town. It falls in Kottayam district, the city of letters. It is a densely populated place of Kaduthuruthy Gram Panchayat.
Population comes around 3500. Area comes about 2 square kilometers. It is a twin "thuruthu" comprising of the main land Ezhumanthuruthu and another small thuruthu called Pulithuruthu. The adjoining place to the east is the famous Ayamkudy and on westwards the popular water logged place of upper Kuttanad known as "Mundar estate". The populace of Ezhumanthuruthu is 90% of agriculture labours and small or medium farmers.
One can reach Ezhumanthuruthu straight from nearby town Thalayolaparambu by road of 5 km or from Kaduthuruthy town. The nearest railway station is Kaduthuruthy railway station. It is about 6km away from this place. Long ago, the place was surrounded by rivers. Now any one can access through road.
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[edit] History
Ezhumanthuruthu has a well-known history of its origin. During the 18-19th century due to Tippu's invasion of Malabar area, Brahmins of Palaghat and their warriors eloped towards south. On their route, some families settled at this small place. One of the Namboothiripad, has divine powers. He used to bath early morning in nearby river. One day a mango tree fell down on his route causing obstacle to his way. He murmured three times "Ezhumave".
"Ezhu" means stand up and "mave" means mango tree in Malayalam. After this incident the mango tree stood up and clear the way for the Namboothiripad. There after the place known as Ezhumanthuruthu and the house of the Namboothiripad as Ezhumavil Mana. In legend it was said that the Pandavas travelled through this place during their twelve years' "agyathavasam". There lies a stone bridge beneath the north side Kariyar river which they constructed for crossing the river.
[edit] The architect of Ezhumanthuruthu
The present day developments, enjoyed by the people of this place is the result of hard work of Sri.Godan Namboodiripad, popularly known as Godan thirumeni. He contributed land to build up the only one upper primary school. When all the LP Schools lost 5th standard, Ezhumanthuruthu LPS retained it because of this Thirumeni. His efforts were immense to develop the school. Due to his hard work and timely intervention, a public telephone booth was commissioned after dragging the over head line of 4 km line which was very difficult to get sanction from the authorities during that period. A post box was also brought into Ezhumanthuruthu and hang on the wall of the then LP School in nineteen sixtees. He was instrumental for the progress of this small island. He died on 2nd January 2007 at his elder son Babu's residence at Ahmedabad. He was 85 years.
[edit] Public places
There is a U.P.School. A co-operative milk society, a Public Library known as Netaji Smaraka Gramina Grandhasala and a post office(B.O). About the Library
This library is organised by a group of youngsters who organized benefit shows and received donations to collect money for buying books. Several distinguished people give out their contribution to approve the registration of the library in the state library council.
[edit] Places of worship
There are some places of worship. The Kunnumel Kavu devi temple is situated on top of a small hill. The deity is a devi and lots of people from neighbouring places visit everyday. This is managed by local SNDP branch. It is often believed that this devi roams in the night hours to see her devotees and to enquire about their well-beings. It is a tragic scene of now a days in "thuruthumma" that the heritage of this island, the small hill is now no more. The SNDP branch has sold out the hill soil to fulfill their vested interests. There was a history in last century that during the tragic flood, people seek assylum on top of the hill because all other surrounding areas were inundated by water.It was a nice scenery from top of the hill to watch the Mundar estate towards Vaikom.
Another temple is known as Poonkavil Sri. Balabdra devi. The deity is goddess Baala Bhadra. It is a popular belief among the village folk that devi Baalabhadra looks after the well being of every girl child. Also worshiping and offering the famous Neyyvilakku and Lemon chain by adolescent girls speeds up their wedlock.
Another place of worship is the Chelakkapally ammavan. He was a strong warrior of the then [[Rajha]s,fought and martyr. Due to his martydom people worship in this temple.
Another famous temple is the thrikayil temple. The lord Siva and Ayyappa are the deities and lots of people visits this temple everyday. It is managed by the NSS Karayogam.
Another place of worship is the Muthappan kavu.
In the yard of Ezhumavil Mana, there is another deity named "Sankaranarayanan". This was actually installed in the Nadumittam of this mana. After some time this mana was reconstructed and the deity was left in the yard. The deity is popularly known as "Mitta thevar" meaning "god in the yard". Years before, one day a "bright light appeared in the Nalukett. At that time no namboodiries were there. There were only antharjanams (ladies of nambudiri famiy). They found this light quiet unusual and installed in the nalukettu only.
[edit] Inland water tourism:
Ezhumanthuruthu is emerging as a hub for the "Monsoon tourism" and "Inland water tourism". Several foreigners used to visit the nearby place "Mundar estate" which has a unique feature that during heavy monsoon and subsequent flood, it is a marvelous experience for people to have a ride on the inundated area. This place is otherwise called as a part of the "Upper Kuttanad". During paddy harvesting season it is a nice experience to visitors to watch the village folk engaged in harvesting rice. The Koithupattu, traditional folk song sung by elders is now near extinction. The villagers have a craze on performing boat race during Onam season as a mark of enthusiasm on the arrival of fresh rice, welcome for Onathappan and so on. Spending a vacation on July- August in Ezhumanthuruthu is a memorable experience.
