Edakkara
| Edakkara എടക്കര | |
|---|---|
| village | |
|
Edakkara | |
  Edakkara Location in Kerala, India | |
| Coordinates: 11°21′25″N 76°18′19″E / 11.35695°N 76.305263°ECoordinates: 11°21′25″N 76°18′19″E / 11.35695°N 76.305263°E | |
| Country |
 India |
| State | Kerala |
| District | Malappuram |
| Population | |
| • Total | 24,490 |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Malayalam, English |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| Telephone code | 04931 |
| Vehicle registration | KL-71 |
| Website | http://lsgkerala.in/edakkarapanchayat/ |
Edakkara is a town located in the Malappuram district of the Indian state of Kerala.
Location
Edakkara is located near Nilambur, Malappuram District, in Kerala State. It is 15 km from Nilambur and about 37 km apart from Gudallur on the Ooty Guruvayoor State Highway 17 between Gudallor and Manjeri. The town is emerging as a hub in the East Eranad region within the Nilambur Taluk and Malappuram districts.[1]
The town faces mountainous areas to its east.[1]
Name
Edakkara got its name said to have from a Malayalam word “ Edathavalam “ it means a place where somebody stays for rest . So in the end the place got its name as Edakkara.[2]
History
Years ago Edakkara was a place for resting those who were traveling to Kozhikode to Ooty. The place is said to have got its name from a Malayalam word; "Edathavalam" which means a place where somebody stays for rest. So in the end the place got its name as Edakkara. Another story widely believed is that it is a place between two rivers, Chaliyar and Punnapuzha. It is very hard to trace the history of nomenclature of this place.
Edakkara’s history is intertwined with the history of Nilambur Kovilakkam. Their land was divided into 18 Cherikkals (similar to today's ward system). Edakkara panchayath was in East cherikkal. That time people were forest dwellers; they were Malamuthar, Cholanaykkar, Malanaykkar, Aranadar, Paniyar, Kuruvar. Their main income came from the forest. Muslims migrated to Edakkara for cutting trees and to collect bamboos from the forest. At about the same time Nair and Theyyer sects also migrated to Edakkara for agriculture. People still believe that they started cultivating plants.
People who migrated to Edakkara followed the rules and regulations of thamburan (Ruler of the Nilambur) of Nilabur Kovilakam in spite of the religious and cultural differences. An increase in agricultural production brought other professionals to this land. They were blacksmiths, carpenters and workers for land cultivation. In 1920 Edakkara became a migrator's heaven. First Edakkara public school was established in 1932. Edakkara High become one of the best government schools in Malappuram. Ayurvedic healing system and food distribution and health specialty center for maternity and child welfare was really helpful for the society. Meanwhile, Raja Lakshmi buses started bus service via Kozhikode-Ooty road which was built by the British government.
After India’s Independence people started to migrate here from Thiruvathamkoor; it was an exodus actually. Instead of police station a police outpost was started in May–June 1964. Edakkara post office’s inception was on 1940 still it works smoothly. Navodhaya library still plays a pivotal role in Edakkara culture which was started in 1957. Edakkara village was formed during 1963-1964. Health centre, Registration office and Electricity office became a reality in 1981. A small L P school which started in 1963 became a big private institution with several courses still functioning well by the name of Sree Vivekanadha in Palemadu.
1963 is the memorable year of Edakkara Panchayath because of its first election. Savious master became the first President. Vazhikkkadavu Panchayath was formed by dividing Edakkara Panchayath in 1969. In 1978 it divided again and Moothedam Panchayath became a reality. Today Mr O T james is the president and Mrs Sareena Muhammed is the vice president.
Suburbs of Edakkara
- Karimpuzha, Valuvassery and Chungathara
- Palunda, Musliyarangady and Palathingal
- Machu Kuzhiyil, Palad and Nellikuth
Transportation
The town has bus services to four nearby panchayats (Vazhikadavu, Moothedam, Pothukallu and Marutha), and to most districts in Kerala, Mysore, Bangalore and Ooty.
Two bus stations serve Edakkara. Many minibuses connect Edakkara to towns such as Barbarmukk, Karunnechi, Palemad, Marutha, and Shankaramkulam. It is also a stop for Super-Fast Buses that connect the area with Manjeri, Calicut and Perinthalmanna.
Governance
It is administered under the Wayanad Loksabha constituency. A police station in Edakkara is there.
The Panchayat President is Shri O.T James, and the Vice President is Sareena Mohammad Ali.[3]
Economy
Trade is the primary occupation, especially in textiles, groceries and automobiles. Rubber and pepper are the primary crops along with rice and coconut. Remitted income from Persian Gulf countries has supported the development of Edakkara.
The Government High School is situated in the heart of Edakkara. The other schools in and near Edakkara include the Good Shepherd Modern English School.
Grace Welcare Hospital is the most developed Hospital. The Surya Clinic also attracts patients.
Religious Places
Two temples the Sree Krishna Temple and Durgha Devi Kshethram are situated in Edakkara Town. Four mosques, one in Musliyarangadi (the first mosque in Edakkara), one on Post Office Road, one School Road and one on KPM General Hospital Road. Four christian churches which are Marthoma Church munda, Fellowship Church Pallunda and the other two are Pothkal and Palemad.