History of Ayikkareth
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Ayikkareth is a small hamlet near the small town of Edathitta in Kodumon Panchayat of Pathanamthitta District. The word Ayikkareth means "the land of those who praise together." People also call Ayikkareth as Ayikkareth Murippu.It is a hilly area. Ayikkareth has two parts: East and West. Ayikkareth Junction is located on the western side. The origin of the place name 'Ayikkareth' is from after 1949.
This is a settlement village. Ayikkareth became a settlement village in the 20th century. The first settler here was Pattoli Adhichan's son, Govindan. Pattoli Adhichan was a traveller, well-versed in herbs. He arrived at Thatta while travelling from the north. Most of the ancestors of those who settled here are from Thatta and Parakkara. Therefore, the festival of Oripuram Bhagavathy Temple in Thattayil has been widely celebrated by the people here since ancient times.
Why did people settle here? These are the reasons:
(1) Population growth,
(2) Employment prospects,
(3) Availability of agricultural land.
Ayikkareth was a part of the Travancore State until 1949. Later, it became part of the Kollam district. The taluk was Kunnathur when it was part of the Kollam district.Pathanamthitta district was formed on 1-11-1982[G.O (M.S)No 1026/182/RD dated 29.10.1982]. Thus, this area became a part of Pathanamthitta district. The taluk headquarters became Adoor.
Megalithic Culture and Ayikkareth
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No Megalithic cultural remains have been found in Ayikkareth, but a burial urn was found in June 2020 from nearby Mankuzhi.This is a part of the Megalithic culture.Megalithic culture didn't extend to Ayikkareth due to various reasons.The main reason is geographical inaccessibility.
Ayikkareth and Home Addresses
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The place name Ayikkareth is also used as a house name. It reveals the love of the people for the region.
A Perennial Well
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Despite being in a hilly area, there is a perennial well at a place called Ayikkareth. That well is in VG Bhaskaran's farm land. The well is as old as the settlement era.
Tholuzham and Ayikkareth Hill
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If you look west from the top of Ayikkareth Hill, you can see the Thatta area, especially the Tholuzham junction.
Kalleli Appooppan Temple
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There is a temple at Ayikkareth Junction where the chief deity is Kalleli Appooppan. This temple was founded in the 21st century.
Mullottu Dam
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Mullottu Dam is barely half a kilometer from Ayikkareth Junction. This embankment was constructed in 1957. In 2019, the Haritha Kerala Mission launched its 'Pachathuruthu Programme' as a pilot project in the catchment areas of Mullottu Dam.
At one time, irrigation from the Mullottu Dam flourished agriculture in the vicinity. It benefited the laborers and farmers who were residents of Ayikkareth.
Folk Art and Music
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The people of Ayikkareth are ardent lovers of folk art and music. On special days, they gather and present different kinds of folk music.In short, Aikareth can be described as the capital of folk arts and music of Kodumon Panchayat.
Religion
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The residents of Ayikkareth are Hindus, except for a few Christian families.
Rituals and practices
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The People of Ayikkareth worship several gods. They worship Sun, Hill, Goddess, Lord Krishna,Lord Siva, Kalleli Appooppan etc.
The dead are either buried or cremated as per their caste. They believe in immortality of the Soul.
Ancestral Worship
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Ancestral worship is prevalent among residents of Ayikkareth. They offer tender coconut water (milk), betel leaves, areca nuts, and tobacco to their ancestors on special days.
Kodungallur Devi Temple Festival
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The Kodungallur Bharani Mahotsavam is a significant festival observed at Bhagavathy Temple in Kodungallur, Thrissur district, Kerala. Historically, residents of Ayikkareth used to take part in the Kodungallur Devi Temple Festival, but now the number of individuals travelling from Ayikkareth to celebrate the Kodungallur Bharani has diminished considerably.
Occupation
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Most of the people living here are workers and farmers. There are people doing all kinds of jobs now.
Agriculture
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Ayikkareth is primarily an agricultural area with numerous farmers engaged in farming. They mainly cultivate banana, tapioca, colocasia, yam, turmeric, ginger, green chili, black pepper, and other crops.
The farmers of Ayikkareth primarily sell their products at Edathitta and the Kodumon market.
Residents of Ayikkareth and Kodumon Rubber Plantation
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After the formation of the Kodumon Rubber Plantation in 1959 by clearing the Kodumon mini-forest, many residents of Ayikkareth found employment there.
Position of Women
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Women enjoyed freedom from the early days of the village of Ayikkareth. They were free to engage in the profession of their choice.There was no social taboo on educating girls. There has been a policy of promoting girls' education since ancient times. So, women are not educationally backward.
Harvest Strike
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Agricultural workers from Ayikkareth actively participated in the harvest strike in the Paddy fields of Edathitta in Kodumon, Kollam district. This struggle took place before the Emergency in 1975.They did not work in the Paddy field until their wages were increased.
Emergency Period and Ayikkareth
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The period from 25 June 1975 to 21 March 1977 brought misery to the residents of Ayikkareth. They overcame it by exchanging agricultural products and food.
Food
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The main staple of the people of Ayikkareth is rice. They like to eat boiled tapioca with chutney. Generally, natives of Ayikkareth are flexitarian.
Vishwakarmaja Community
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Vishwakarmajars play a crucial role in the construction activities of a village. There are also Vishwakarma families in Ayikkareth village.
Ayikkareth has a rich culture and heritage that dates back to the early 20th century. Within it, the pulse of art and agriculture beats. The culture and heritage that we see today was formed during the time of royal rule.It is the responsibility of every Ayikkareth resident to preserve and enrich the rich culture and heritage of Ayikkareth.
🖋️ Bhagyaraj.V.B
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