Edayur
Grama Panchayat

Edayur Grama Panchayat is situated centrally between Valanchery, Marakkara, and Irimbiliyam Grama Panchayats in Tirur Taluk, and Kuruvva and Mookkannad Grama Panchayats in Perinthalmanna Taluk. The Panchayat was formed in 1960, comprising the amshams of Edayur and Vadakkumpuram.

There is sufficient evidence to establish that the region had human settlements from very ancient times. The discovery of Nannangadis (burial urns), umbrella stones, and other archaeological remains from areas such as Pookkattiri and Mavandiyur indicates the existence of ancient settlements in the region.

In the olden days, this area was covered by vast forests. Indigenous communities such as the Nayadis and Alars lived in these forests. The Nayadis had their settlement in an area known as Nayadippara, to the south of Munakkal Palli.

The region was situated between the territories under the control of the Valluvanad Raja and the Zamorin Raja. It is believed that the area came to be known as Edayur because people who lived here could escape paying taxes to either of the two rulers. A group known as the “Angunnamars”, belonging to the Edamana ancestral family, were the local chieftains who ruled this area.

Munakkal Palli is one of the oldest mosques in the Panchayat. It is traditionally believed that the place came to be known as Munakkal Palli because there were three aals (large sacred trees) standing in the area. As Muslims gradually settled around the mosque, merchants and traders established shops and trading centres there. Over time, Munakkal Palli developed into an important commercial centre. The hill nearby is still known as Angadikunnu.

Historical references indicate that Arab traders used to visit this region to purchase dry ginger and pepper. Hill produce and other forest products were transported through the Bharathapuzha River to the port of Ponnani, while goods were also carried by road to Paravanna beach near Tirur.

The Pookkattiyur Temple is considered the oldest temple in the Panchayat. It was established and traditionally managed by the Moothamala Namboothiri family.

The people of Edayur also participated in the National Movement and the Indian Freedom Struggle. The members of the Kottambara ancestral family in the Panchayat were renowned practitioners of traditional medicine. The special treatment available here for Sannipata fever was particularly famous.

Although agriculture has traditionally been the main occupation of the people, the sector has not remained sufficiently remunerative. Consequently, there has been a rapid shift away from agriculture, with many people turning towards the construction sector and other occupations for their livelihood.

Edayur Panchayat is also notable for its tradition of social harmony and communal coexistence. The people of the region have traditionally lived together like members of one family, without caste-based discrimination or social divisions based on class or colour.

If you want, I can also convert this into a more formal government-report style English version suitable for the official Edayur Grama Panchayat website/profile or development report.