Mutholy
Grama Panchayat

Mutholy is the birthplace of the Meenachil Karthas, the ancient rulers. The word “Oli” means olive tree, well, spring, or source. The place name Mutholy is interpreted to mean either an area with pearl-like olive trees, a source where pearls were found, or a well where pearls originated. Sri Veera Damodara Simharu, one of the Njavakkattu Karthas, was the first King of Meenachil. Being devout devotees of Goddess Meenakshi, they constructed a temple dedicated to Meenakshi near Kambani, which led to the surrounding area becoming known as Meenachil. In the early days, the Meenachil River was known as the "Kavanar". It later came to be known as the Meenachil River because it flows through the Meenachil region. In the olden days, when road transport had not progressed as it has today, the Meenachil River—which was well-suited for water transport—was the main reliance. Products and goods were transported to Alappuzha in Kettuvallams (houseboats/cargo boats) from Mutholy Kadavu. There is ample evidence that foreigners and North Indians had maintained trade relations since ancient times with the Kingdom of Meenachil, which had attained prosperity through the trade of spices and black pepper.

During the ancient period, the Meenachil Kingdom, which includes present-day Mutholy village, was plundered several times. Until Marthanda Varma, the Maharaja of Travancore, conquered the Meenachil Kingdom in 1751, the Meenachil Kings administered the country through 'Nattukkootams' (local assemblies) formed by centering each 'Kara' (locality), and their heads known as 'Millakkarans'. The Allunkalkunnu Cave located in this Panchayat is a place mythologically believed to be where the Pandavas lived in hiding. In the past, social and cultural progress developed in connection with temples and churches. This village had a past where ritual art forms, dance-music forms, and plays like Onamthullal, Kurathiyattam, Ammanamkali, Nookkukuthi, Kalakali, “Aivarkali” (a musical dance form closely resembling Thiruvathirakali, performed by men in connection with temples), and “Chavittu Nadakam” (usually presented by the Christian community) had quite good roots.

Rubber is the main crop in this Panchayat, where fertile soil mixed with red earth is found in most areas. While at one time at least ten percent of the total land area consisted of paddy fields where rice was cultivated, today it is observed that most of them have been reclaimed to cultivate rubber and coconut. Rubber cultivation began here as early as 1902, the same year it was first introduced in Kerala. Kadambukattil M. Chacko was a prominent freedom fighter from this village. St. Joseph's L.P. School is the very first Malayalam school in the Meenachil Taluk itself. Ettumanoor-Poonjar, Mutholy-Kidangoor, Pala-Vaikom, and Andoor-Marangattupally are the major transport routes passing through the Panchayat. Mutholy is a Panchayat that gives great prominence to traditional, small-scale, and medium industries. Foundries manufacturing lamps, copper vessels, and weapons operate here and there in the Panchayat.

In the field of education, 12 schools operate in the Panchayat across the private and government sectors. St. Antony's Boys High School, St. Joseph's Girls High School, St. George's Primary School, and St. Joseph's T.T.I. are the major schools operating in the private sector in Mutholy Panchayat. In the government sector, three L.P. schools operate at Velliyoppally, Puliyannoor, and Thekkummury. There are 11 temples and 6 Christian churches in the Panchayat. Puliyannoor Mahadeva Temple, Edathettu Kavu Devi Temple in Panthathala, Malayinkavu Devi Temple, Padinjattukara Pattupurackal Devi Temple, and Paikkepadam Temple are the main Hindu places of worship. Meenachil St. John's Church, and the St. John's Churches at Mutholy, Nelyani, Palayam, and Kuruvinal are the major Christian churches in the Panchayat. A lot of festival celebrations like the Kadappattoor festival, Meenachilkavu Medam Pathu, Pattupurackal festival, and church feasts are conducted in connection with these places of worship. Vettoor Raman Nair from the field of literature, K.K. Aroor from the cinema industry, Dr. Thomas Menamparampil from the spiritual sphere, and international swimmers Sumi Cyriac and Soni Cyriac are the prominent individuals who have brought glory to this Panchayat.