Through the Grama Panchayat
The Eramamkuttur Grama Panchayat officially came into existence on January 1, 1962. Its boundaries are the Peringome-Vayakkara Grama Panchayat to the north; Alakkode and Chapparapadavu Panchayats to the east; Kadannappally-Panapuzha Panchayat to the south; and Kangol-Alappadamba Grama Panchayat to the west. Covering an area of 75.14 square kilometers, the Panchayat has a total population of 27,051, comprising 13,153 women and 13,898 men. Geographically situated in the 'Malanad' (highland) region, the Panchayat's major agricultural crops include rubber, paddy, coconut, arecanut, and black pepper. The Peruvamba and Perool rivers flow through the area. Numerous ponds and 54 public wells serve as the Panchayat's water sources, alongside several taps providing drinking water. To ensure safe travel at night, 356 streetlights have been installed. Karipur Airport is the nearest airport. For rail travel, residents primarily rely on the nearby Payyannur and Pazhayangadi railway stations. Kochi Port is the closest seaport, while the Mathamangalam bus stand is the nearest bus terminal. The Mathamangalam-Kuttur-Olayambadi road passes through the panchayat. There are around thirteen bridges in the area, including the Kuliyambram Bridge and Kannada Bridge. Although Eramam-Kuttur Panchayat lacks large-scale industries in either the public or private sectors, weaving units operate in Eramam-Pullupara and Kakkara. The panchayat is served by three petrol pumps: two operated by Bharat Petroleum (in Mathamangalam and Perumpadavu) and one by Indian Oil Corporation. Numോerous ration shops and a Maveli Store operate within the panchayat under the public distribution system. The commercial activity of the grama panchayat is centered around shopping complexes and markets located in Mathamangalam, Kuttur, Olayambadi, and Kakkara. Culturally, the panchayat is home to about fifteen temples—including the Meenkulam Sree Krishna Temple and Thrippannikkunnu Shiva Temple—ten Muslim places of worship (such as the Kuttur Juma Masjid and Mathamangalam Juma Masjid), and three Christian churches. Major festivals include the Meenkulam Sree Krishna Temple festival and the Thrippannikkunnu Shivaratri festival. Notable figures associated with the panchayat include the late litterateur Kesari Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar, as well as freedom fighter Chandu Nair and writer K.V. Raghavappanikkar. To foster engagement in arts, sports, and culture, there are around thirty-five centers dedicated to these fields. In the healthcare sector, fifteen hospitals—covering Allopathic, Ayurvedic, and Homeopathic systems—operate within the Grama Panchayat, including the Mathamangalam Primary Health Centre. A veterinary hospital has also been established at Olayambadi to support animal husbandry. To nurture new talent in education, the area is served by two private schools (located in Mathamangalam and Perumpadavu) and twelve government schools. Strengthening the local banking sector are branches of SBI, Canara Bank, Vijaya Bank, Syndicate Bank, and North Malabar Gramin Bank, alongside six cooperative banks. Ten libraries exist within the Panchayat to encourage reading habits among the residents. For public events and wedding ceremonies, the local population relies on facilities such as the Chuzhali Bhagavathi Temple Auditorium, Meenkulam Sree Krishna Temple Kalyana Mandapam, and Karippal Nagam Kalyana Mandapam. The Electricity Board office is located in Mathamangalam, while the Water Authority sub-office operates in Kuttoor. A 'Krishi Bhavan' has been established in Kuttoor to provide services to the agricultural sector.
