Mulagumudu

Kanniyakumari district covered 1684 km² having 4 taluks, 96 towns and 63 villages. Mulagumoodu comes under Kalculam taluk, Thuckalay block and Mulagumoodu town panchayat. The census details of Mulagumoodu as per the 2011 Census is as follows :-

Total population - 19538 Males - 9603 Females - 9935

Population in the age group of 0-6 - 1859 Males - 968 Females - 891

Literates - 16555 Males - 8203 Females - 8352

Scheduled Caste population - 304 Males -142 Females - 162

Scheduled Tribe population - 10 Males - 3 Females - 7

Total workers - 6960 Males -5362 Females - 1598

Main workers - 5953 Males - 4972 Females - 981

Cultivators - 121 Males - 117 Females - 4

  Mulagumoodu is easily derived from the word mulgu (pepper), there is indeed plenty of pepper grows in these regions.[1]
    
  In the Dutch book named " PATER VICTOR " Een Apostel van zuid - India(1831-1897) written by Fr.Andreas a Sta Maria, O.C.D in the year 1929,it was stated that Fr.Victor O.C.D from Belgium came to Mulagumoodu in the year 1860.  At that time Mulagumoodu was an abandoned village, probably an abode of brigands.It was not a catholic village, though there were some Christians.There was nothing externally attractive.But Fr.Victor experienced an attraction to be there.He got the necessary permission from his Bishop and started work putting his trust in Him who had called him.

  The year 1888 was a year of calamities for the whole Mulagumoodu and for the neighbouring areas. The people had fallen in the grip of the epidemics of Cholera. It was really horrible. We see everywhere the dead or the dying. So many people died. Every where weeping and lamentations. We can hear nothing but the sound of spades digging the tombs. The epidemics increased the number of orphans for the orphanage with the obligation of finding out new means to maintain them all. In the year 1862 Fr.Victor bought 40 acres(16 hectares) of land to the Mulagumoodu Parish and started his development activities. He built churches, schools, orphanages for boys and girls. He laid the foundation stone for the construction of Mulagumoodu convent in the year 1891 and was completed on 1897. He also gave training to youth in masonry, carpentry and blacksmith works. He also started tile works which dominated the market in those days, which provided job opportunities to many.

  The Founder of the Convent of the Sisters, Fr.Victor arranged to have the services of the Canonesses St. Augustine of Yper, Belgium. The two volunteers, Mother Marie Louise De Meester and Mother Marie Urusule came to Mulagumoodu on 07-11-1897 from Belgium and took possession of the newly constructed Convent by Fr.Victor at Mulagumoodu. The two Sisters from Belgium founded ICM at Mulagumoodu having their headquarters at Trichy.ICM Sisters have been doing commendable socio and economic development activities among the people of Mulagumoodu and its surrounding villages. The skill of local women in lace making trained by the ICM Sisters created new records at Mulagumoodu in those days. Mulagumoodu is famous for its delicious Jack fruits.

   Mulagumoodu-Colachel road of 8 km is the shortest road connecting NH47 to the natural harbour at Colachel. At present majority of the people of Mulagumoodu are Christians. St.Mary's church, Mulagumoodu is the Vicariate comes under the Diocese of Kuzhithurai and formerly it was under the Diocese of Kottar.St.Mary's church celebrated its 150th jubilee in the year 2010.
    
   Many decades of narrow path in southern side of St.Mary's Church, Mulagumoodu has been widened as a beautiful road benefiting to the villagers of Adakachi Vilai, Arunankal, Kadan Vilai, Kallipara Vilai by connecting Fr.Victor Memorial Rock was formed on 01.05.2016, mainly by Fr.Dominic with the assistance of other fathers and parishners. The road was christened as Fr.Victor road.
 
  The following are the fruits of the tireless works of Fr.Victor and the ICM Sisters.

1) Infant Jesus High School for girls, Mulagumoodu.

2) Infant Jesus Teacher Training Institute for women, Mulagumoodu.

3) St.Joseph's Hr.Sec.School, Mulagumoodu.

4) St.Joseph's Matriculation Hr.Sec.School, Mulagumoodu.

5) Pope John Paul II College of Education, Mulagumoodu.

6} Fr.victor Library, Mulagumoodu.

7) St. Aloysius Library, Mulagumoodu.

8) Nanjil milk plant, Mulagumoodu.

9) Infant Jesus Arts and Science College for women, Mulagumoodu

10) St.Mary's benefit fund Ltd, Mulagumoodu.

11) St.Mary's benefit fund Ltd, Azhagiamandapam.

12) St.Mary's Community hall, Mulagumoodu

 The Pechiparai Dam water flows at Mulagumoodu via Attukulam and this water fills the following ponds which is very much useful for agriculture.

Tapioca, coconut, plantain and rubber are being cultivated by the farmers of Mulagumoodu.

1. Kamangkulam
2. Edaikulam
3. Puthukulam
4. Paithakulam.

1) Infant Jesus High School for girls, Mulagumoodu.

2) Infant Jesus Teacher Training Institute for women, Mulagumoodu.

3) St.Joseph's Hr.Sec.School, Mulagumoodu.

4) St.Joseph's Matriculation Hr.Sec.School, Mulagumoodu.

5) Pope John Paul II College of Education, Mulagumoodu.

6} Fr.victor Library, Mulagumoodu.

7) St. Aloysius Library, Mulagumoodu.

8) Infant Jesus Arts and Science College for women, Mulagumoodu

9) St.Mary's International School (ICSE)

Mulagumoodu includes many religious worship centres, churches and temples.

• Basilica of Our Lady of Nativity
• HMS Church, Pandarakonam
• The Salvation Army Church, Kurumankuzhy
• St. Paul CSI Church
• Pentecostal Church
• Sri Krishnan Koil, Vayakkarai