Thenkurissi
Grama Panchayat

History of the Grama Panchayat

In ancient times, this region was home to a great Dravidian civilisation. This village was part of the Naduvattam region, which included areas of the Palakkad Taluk conquered by the Zamorin. The region had an abundance of palmyra trees. The Dravidians used these trees to produce various products such as jaggery and toddy. In those days, the Dravidians gave place names associated with honey to places containing groves, rivers and rocks. A grove was also referred to as ‘Kurichi’. Thus, the Kurichi of the Karimpana (palmyra), a honey-bearing tree, came to be known as Thenkurissi.

R. Raghava Menon played a leading role in the national movement from this region. In 1946, Jayaprakash Narayan addressed a public meeting at Manamkulambu. At the beginning of the 19th century, a library was established in memory of the scholar Champathil Chathukkutty Mannadiyar. This institution paved the way for many social changes in the region.

In 1919, Chinnan Nair Aided Elementary Schools were established for the first time at Thenkurissi and Vilayanchathannur. The establishment of a school at Vadakkethara in 1919 marked the beginning of the modern education system in the Panchayat. Subsequently, several educational institutions were established in different parts of the Panchayat, catering to people of various castes and religions as well as the general public.

The Thenkurissi Grama Panchayat, a land enriched by the great Dravidian civilisation, is home to several places of worship. There are eight temples and one mosque within the Panchayat. The festivals and celebrations associated with these places of worship reflect the unity of the people and the rich cultural identity of the Panchayat.

The major festivals celebrated here include Vilayanchathannur Kummatti, Vilayannur Kummatti, Manjhalur Kummatti and Vilayanchathannur Palli Nercha.