Ananganadi
Grama Panchayat

Based on its topography, Ananganadi Grama Panchayat, which lies in the midland region, can be broadly divided into four geographical zones: elevated hillocks, sloping areas, low-lying regions, and paddy fields.

Ananganmala, Pakkimala, Randumalakkadu, Nilavarakkadu, and Aarukadu are some of the prominent hills within the Panchayat. Much of the land extending down from these hill slopes has been terraced and made suitable for cultivation by the local people.

The Panchayat is generally characterised by fertile, laterite-rich soil. Paddy cultivation, including both single and double cropping, is carried out over a total area of 1,294 hectares. Coconut, banana, tapioca, and rubber are among the other major crops cultivated in the Panchayat.

The Kanjirapuzha Canal plays a vital role in ensuring the availability of water for the agricultural requirements of the Panchayat.

Ananganadi Grama Panchayat was constituted in 1961. However, the Panchayat, comprising 10 wards, began functioning under a fully democratic system following the elections held in 1963.

The Panchayat has a geographical area of 20.78 square kilometres and a total population of 24,445. Of the total population, 10,242 are males and 11,386 are females.

Ananganmala, an area of scenic and ecological significance, is one of the prominent destinations attracting eco-tourists to the Panchayat.

The public distribution system in the Panchayat is strengthened by eight distribution centres, including one Maveli Store and seven ration shops.

The Palakkad U.P. School, which began functioning as a school in 1892, is the first educational institution established in the Panchayat.

The Panchayat has a total of thirteen educational institutions, including its only high school located at Ananganadi.

Palakkad and Panamanna have the highest concentration of schools within the Panchayat. Together, these areas have four schools, comprising two Lower Primary (L.P.) Schools and two Upper Primary (U.P.) Schools.

The Electricity Board Office is located at Ananganadi, while the Post Office is situated at Kothakurissi.

In the healthcare sector, the Panchayat has three hospitals providing services under the Allopathy, Ayurveda, and Homoeopathy systems of medicine.

For conducting marriages and other public functions, residents make use of facilities such as KM Auditorium, DS Auditorium, Noormahal Auditorium, and CT Convention Centre.

The Agricultural Seed Production Centre is located at Pathamkulam.

The Panchayat has a total of four banking institutions:

• State Bank of India (SBI)

• Kothakurissi Service Co-operative Bank

• Ottapalam Co-operative Urban Bank

• Ananganadi Women's Co-operative Bank

Roads are the primary mode of transportation within the Panchayat. The nearest airport, seaport, and railway station are located at Kozhikode, Kochi, and Shoranur, respectively.

Panamanna Ambalavattam Road, Vattaparambu Road, and Pathakulam Colony Road are among the important roads serving the Panchayat.

The nearest major bus stands are located at Ottapalam and Cherpulassery.

As Muslims and Hindus constitute a significant portion of the Panchayat's population, many of the major festivals and religious observances are associated with these communities.

The Panchayat has more than 35 places of worship, including Cherambattakkavu Bhagavathi Temple, Ganapathippara Ganapathi Temple, Kanjirathil Chathan Seva Madam, Kadukkavu Temple, Moochikkundu Juma Masjid, Thekkekadu Juma Masjid, and Pavukkonam Juma Masjid.

Major religious festivals celebrated in the Panchayat include Cherambattakkavu Pooram, Malol Makkavu Pooram, Pathamkulam Bhagavathi Pooram, Pathayathil Nercha, Ananganadi Nercha, Manipally Nercha, and Chandan Kuzhi Nercha.

It is believed that the name Ananganadi originated from the area's location at the foothills of Ananganmala.

It is said that Mahatma Gandhi delivered a speech at a gathering held near the Ananganadi market in 1934.

In 1935, E.M.S. worked in this region along with P.V. Kunjunni Nair, Kayarattu Kuttappan Nair, V.P. Menon, and others associated with the freedom movement.

In 1942, Sankaranarayana Ezhuthachan participated in the Indian freedom struggle and was subsequently imprisoned.

In 1949, under the leadership of Krishnan Nair, a community feast was organised at Pavukkonam School. Earlier, in 1930, temple-entry activities were organised after bathing at the Panamanna temple pond.

In 1982, an initiative started by Kandu Ezhuthachan at the Ezhuthachan Kalari in Palakkad later developed into a school providing education up to Class IV.

Ananganadi Grama Panchayat was formed in 1961, and its governing body was constituted through democratic elections. C.V. Ramachandra Menon was the first President of the Panchayat.

Among the notable personalities associated with the Panchayat who are no longer with us are V.P. Menon, former Governor of Bihar; freedom fighter Kayarattu Kuttappan; and Vappala Sankaranarayana Menon, who played a leading role in social reform movements.

R. Nambiyath is one of the prominent personalities from the Panchayat associated with the film industry.

Notable artists from the region include Thayambaka exponent Kalamandalam Panamanna Sasi, writer Sasi Warrier, and Panamanna Manoharan and Panamanna Mani, renowned exponents of Kurumkuzhal and Maddalam.

Several organisations are actively involved in promoting art, sports, and cultural activities within the Panchayat.

Government healthcare facilities are available to residents under the Allopathy, Ayurveda, and Homoeopathy systems of medicine.

These hospitals are located at Pathamkulam and Ananganadi.

The Primary Health Centre at Pathamkulam has sub-centres at Ambalavattam, Pavukkonam, Tharuvakkonam, and Kanjiram.