Ezhikkara
Grama Panchayat

Since the western boundary of the Panchayat once formed part of the border of the former Travancore Kingdom, customs checkpoints were established at Chathanad, Pulinganad, Kadakkara, Kedamangalam, and Ettiyodam for the collection of customs duties. Remnants of these checkpoints can still be seen today.

In earlier times, there existed a coastal pathway known as the Paravur Bund Road, extending from Pulinganad in the south to Ettiyodam in the northeastern corner, which was suitable for travel. After the integration of Travancore and Cochin, the customs checkpoints were abolished, and this road gradually fell into disuse.

Water transport was the primary mode of travel in the past. However, with the construction of the Chathanad–Paravur Road, water transportation lost much of its significance.

It is believed that the Panchayat's name evolved from “Azhikkara”, meaning “the shore associated with the backwaters or sea,” which later became “Ezhikkara.” Another interpretation suggests that the name may have originated from the combination of the Malayalam words “Kadal” (sea) and “Kara” (shore/land), indicating land formed by the sea.

The earliest educational institutions in the Panchayat were traditional village schools known as Kudipallikkoodams. The first formal school was established on 29 cents of land donated by Govinda Panicker of Tharamel Chitteparambil. Around the same period, nearly a century ago, schools were also started at Kodamangalam and Nandyattukunnam. The only high school in the Panchayat is the Ezhikkara Government High School.

The Panchayat once functioned under a feudal landlord-chieftain social system. Most of the land belonged to a few Nair ancestral families, Devaswoms (temple trusts), and landlords residing outside the region. The landowners did not directly engage in agricultural work; instead, farming was carried out by agricultural laborers. Occupations were largely divided on the basis of caste, and these distinctions were also reflected in religious and social customs.

The Sastha Temples in the north and south, along with the Chitteparambil Kudiyakulangara Bhagavathy Temple, were places of worship mainly for upper-caste Hindus. In contrast, places of worship for the marginalized Hindu communities included Kali, Kulangara, Neendoothara, Puliyampilly, and Thiyyapparambu. Significant changes occurred in these practices following the Temple Entry Proclamation.

Among Christian places of worship, Chathanad Church, established more than 200 years ago in the name of Saint Vincent Ferrer, is regarded as the first church of its kind in Kerala. Another important religious institution is the Kedamangalam Juma Masjid, a mosque with a history of over 200 years.

During India's freedom struggle, many local people actively participated in various movements. Among them was Nelpadu Chandrasekharakurup, popularly known as Vajrakkuruppu, along with several others from the region.

A highly respected personality of the Panchayat was E.K. Parameswaran Pillai of Idayattil. He served as a teacher and later as an Assistant Educational Officer (AEO) and was honored with a prestigious Teachers’ Award for his contributions to education.