Uthimoodu

"Uthimoodu" means "the root of Uthi tree (Indian Ash Tree, Lannea coromandelica)". Uthimoodu has 2500 years of history, old Muniyaras are found in Uthimoodu Muruppel Colony & Uthimoodu - Ottakallu, which shows the clear evidence of human settlement on 500 BC. During the period of 18th Century Syrian Christians, Ezhavas, Pulayas, were migrated to Uthimoodu & started cultivation. In 1918 November, 12 families of Mar Thoma Nasranies founded the Uthimoodu Mar Thoma Syrian Church, the land donated by Thekkeparampil Pezhumoottil Koshy Koshy. Kottamala Vampukkara Shiva Temple built in 1990 is the one of the famous Shiva Temple in Uthimoodu. The Other Community Centres are Poykamon SNDP Mandiram established in 1945, SNDP Mandiram @ Nursery Padi, St. Mary's Malankara Catholic Church, The Pentecostal Mission Church, Muruppel Tribal Colony is the only Tribal Colony in Ranni Grama Panchayat, In 1910, the Tribals migrated to Uthimoodu from Naranganam. Uthimoodu - Valiyakalunku Bridge is made by British during the reign of Sri Chithira Thirunal Bala Rama Varma. Uthimoodu PIP Canal is one of the biggest stone made canal in India. The main areas included in Uthimoodu are Uthimoodu Central, Poykamon, Ottakallu, Erattakallu, Muruppel, Karimkuttickal, Dippopadi, Valiyakalunku, Valiplackal, Velivayalpadi, Moozhiyar Junction, Chamathakal, Pandalathumukku, Thadathilpady & Thundumannilmala.

Offices & Facilities @ Uthimoodu :

Deputy Agriculture Office, Ranni Krishi Bhavan, Uthimoodu Co-Operative Society, Indian Overseas Bank, Federal Bank ATM, MTLP School, MTUP School, Corner Stone International School, Uthimoodu Central Anganavadi, Uthimoodu Ottakallu Anganavadi, Vetinary Sub -Centre, Public Library, Milma, Olivumala Marthoma Auditorium.

Uthimoodu is the second largest business centre in Ranny Grama Panchayat. The main establishments in Uthimoodu are Uthimoodu Co-operative Society, Indian Overseas Bank, Krishibhavan, Milma, Cornerstone International School, Chamathackal MTUP School, Uthimoodu MTLP School and NMLP School Valiplackal, Federal Bank ATM, Akahaya Centre, Vetinery Sub Centre...

The primary occupation is agriculture. Rubber is the major contributor to the agricultural sector. Other major crops are cocoa, coconut, tapioca and pepper. Remittances from non-resident Indians (NRIs) from Uthimoodu make important contributions to the economy.

Uthimoodu is a place of communal harmony. The majority of the people are Christians & Hindus (mostly belonging to the Ezhava community). However there are other Hindu Denominations such as Acharis, Saivavellalimars, Velakkathara Nairs, Pulayars, Kuravas, Tribals in good numbers besides to Malankara Catholics , Orthodox , Pentacosts, CSI denominations...

The major places in Uthimoodu are Valiplackal, Valiakalunku, Dippo Padi, Nursery Padi, Velivayalpadi, Moozhiyar Junction, Kottamala, Karimkuttickal, Ottakallu, Erattakallu, Muruppel, Poykamon, Pandhalathu Mukku and Chamathackal.

Uthimoodu is on the route from Ranni to Pathanamthitta about 7 km from Ranni, 8 km from Pathanamthitta and 10 km to Kozhenchery. The place is centroid of Pathanamthitta, Ranni and Kozhenchery. The nearest railway stations are Chengannur (27 km) and Thiruvalla (32 km). The nearest airports are Trivandrum (106 km) and Cochin (130 km).The newly prosposed Sabari International Airport is just 23 km travel from Uthimoodu.

The world-famous Sabarimala Ayyappa Swami temple is only about 60 km from Uthimoodu Junction.

Kottamala Shiva temple

Uthimoodu Mar Thoma church is renowned for its annual Olivu Mala convention (Olive mount convention) also called the "Maramon Convention of the East" established by Christian evangelist, Sadhu Kochoonju Upadesi. The Marthoma church has Completed its 100 years of existence.

The Kottamala Shiva Temple, commonly known as Vambhukkara Shiva Temple is within 3 km built in the early 1990s. People used to do coconut breaking (nalikeryam udakkal) and lighting the lamp (vilakkukathikal), customs and rituals followed in Hindu beliefs. The temple was built in the late 1990s at a place where devotees saw a resemblance of Lord Shiva in banayan tree(ആൽമരം).

Other religious centers include the St. Mary's Malankara Catholic Church, the Pentecostal Mission Prayer Hall and a couple of SNDP Mandirams.