Kattanam

Some of Kerala's noted churches and temples are located in Kattanam. One famous Nagaraja temple in Kerala "Adimoolam Vetticode Sree Nagaraja Temple", created by Lord Parashurama is located in this village. Well-known churches like St. Stephen's Orthodox Church (Kattanam Valiyapally), St. Stephen's Malankara Syrian Catholic Church, Sacred Heart Catholic Church (Thiruhridhaya Devaalayam), St. Thomas Marthoma Church, and the St. James C.S.I. Church are located at Kattanam. St. Thomas Mission Hospital, Meppallykutty is a famous landmark near Kattanam. Kattanam St. Stephen’s Orthodox Church, known as “Kattanam Valiyapally”, with a history of more than 180 years, is 7 km east of Kayamkulam and was the first church in Kattanam. In the outskirts of Kattanam, remnants of Buddhist culture and influence also exist.

Evening view of the town on a rainy day!

Kattanam was merged with Mankavu (Kavu with mango trees) and there was only a very few Hindu families were living in this place including Mankavil Gurunathanmaar those who were conducting mantravadham (Black Magic) and believed to had supernatural powers. The story of Kattanam is related to a Yakshi (Brahma Rakshas) lived in Mankavu was a folkloric vampire . She was a Brahmin lady who was living in the same place centuries before the mankavu was formed. She had found murdered in her tharavattu kulam (family pond) together with her unborn child. And it is also believed that the entire Brahmin family who were living there destroyed and centuries after Mankavu formed in the same place. The Brahmin lady was reborn into a Yakshi, waylaying men with her beauty and drinking their blood. It is also believed that after stopping the yakshi of Panayannarkavu, kadamattathu Kathanar (a priest with supernatural power) has visited Kattanam to stop the yakshi but he couldn’t succeed and returned. Even the karmas (actions) of Mankavil Gurunadhanmar’s were turned against them, their powers couldn’t withstand against yakshi and the unnatural death of their family members increased day by day. It has been found in devaprashnam (ascertaining the lord's will) that the land has to be sold (for prize) to someone to get rid of the yakshi as well as the curse on them. Kattanam was very fertile land but were not in use due to the fear of the yakshi in Mankavu. Finally a Scholar Velangattu Achen aka Mankavil Valiachen (Parish priest of Kattanam Orthodox Valiapally) has come forward and purchased the entire Mankavu for one Rasi (ancient Indian coin). This Mankavil achen arrested the yakshi with his Divine power and the yakshi requested him to install her to a paala tree (Alstonia Scholaris) which he refused and her soul sent permanently to rest in peace. From then the Velangattu achan known famous as Mankavilachan, destroyed the entire Mankavu and removed the fear from the public, made the place suitable for Katta (paddy with grains) production by Anam (blessing) from God. Because of the good fertility of the paddy land, the production of KATTA’s (paddy with grains) has increased, accumulated and traded from here, “KATTA-ANAM” means “Blessed with Paddy Grains” and since the place is known and called as KATTANAM. Kattanam Valiyapally is an epitome of Secularism. Valiyapally was established on 25 May 1835 by its founder Nilamel Anniyil Karyadil Mathunni Tharakan in the land delivered by a Hindu family Known as Piralasseri Puthan Vilayil family owned by Thuruthiyil Shri Sankaran. The church was blessed by Cheppad Philipose Mar Dionysius, (Malankara Metropolitan of The Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church during 1825–1855) in the name of the first Martyr St. Stephen. In the initial days of this church onwards St. Stephen’s Day is celebrated on January 20,21, 22 & 23 (Malayalam Month Makaram 6,7,8,9). Compared to the other churches in Malankara, different customs are practised here. One among them is the three-day-long possession(known as Raasa), which covers kilometers and kilometers to deliver the blessings . In this occasion all people, irrespective of caste or creed take part in the possession with prayers. This possession has become a must -see, colorful and elegant, filled with blessings. "Chempedappu" is also a custom related to Kattanam Valiyapally Perunnal. Later many of the Christian families migrated to Kattanam and together with the existing and migrated Hindu families they started cultivation in Kattanam and became best farmers. Nilamel Anniyil, Arakandathil, kannankara, Karyadil, Kaleeckal, Mankavil, Thachireth, Velangattu and Meenathethil are few early Christian families settled in Kattanam.

Before Kayamkulam Swaroopam was annexed by Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma of Travancore, Kattanam was the part of Kayamkulam Swaroopam. Old folklore's tell that Kalakattu Kuravar's ,One of the oldest ethnic families of Kattanam where the largest suppliers of Pepper to Kayamkulam Swaroopam. The famous and well-known "Pallipuram Devi Temple" which is more that 400 years old is located 3 km East of Kattanam,it is believed to be the Kalari(Martial Art School)of the Kings of Kayamkulam Swaroopam. The temple myths are related to famous and well-known Kottarathil Family, which history of more than 300+ years.It is believed that one of Kottharathil Achan,the then Karanavar(Family Head) who was a devotee of Pallipuram Devi was infected by smallpox ,which was incurable at those times and those who got infected will be buried alive to avoid spreading of the disease ,The Karanavar told his Sons and Nephews he don't want to be buried alive ,rather leave him at Pallipuram Devi Temple(which was surrounded by forest at that time),so that he can breath his last breath at the Devi's place.As instructed by him was left at the temple ,waiting for his imminent death surviving on the Balance Nivedya(offering to deity) offered by the temple priest. One night he saw Devi in his dream in the form of a very proud old woman with a cane walking stick in her hand, she beat him with her walking stick and scolded him for sleeping there, the Karanavar woke up from his sleep found him immensely sweating ,after some days his smallpox got cured and he returned home. There are many others leaving near by the temple have similar divine experiences.

There are several schools, Engineering, Medical and Nursing Colleges, in the locality which provides primary, secondary and higher levels of education. Kattanam is well connected to neighboring cities and states via several highways. Pope Pius XI High School, run by the Catholic Church was one of the most reputed educational institutions especially from the 1970s to 90s with its boarding facilities. Many students from affluent families from various parts of Kerala used to study at this school. Marthoma Upper Primary School, Mankavil School are others in the village.