Irinjalakuda - History

History

According to Hindu mythology, Irinjalakuda was created by sage Parasurama. According to Keralolpatthi, out of the 64 gramas (villages) established in Kerala, Irinjalakuda was the head of 10 of them. Irinjalakuda was one of the most prominent among these villages. Like the other villages this ‘Grama’ also followed the ‘Chathurvarnia’ system of society which lay upon caste system based on the ‘Manusmruthi’.

The name Irinjalakuda has been derived from "Iru" and "Chaal" meaning two streams. According to another legend, the origin of the name Irinjalakuda came from 'Irinjalikoodal'. 'Koodal' simply means merge, merging of two rivers. Two streams that start, one from Kurmalipuzha and the other from Kudapuzha, that belongs to Chalakudypuzha, and move through Konthipulam at North whereas, the other one through Velukara at South. Then these two streams merge in the West. So it shows that Irinjalakuda may have gradually developed, from 'Irinjalikoodal', that derived from 'Inangikoodal', means - merge. At present there is no river in Irinjalakuda, only but the myth of river.

Another legend suggests that the origin of the name Irinjalakuda were heard, "Irunnu Salayil Koodai”, and "Virinja Alu Kuda". There is a huge Banyan tree still standing in the centre of the Irinjalakuda spreading the branches to the sky like an umbrella. In 18th century the Ruler of Kochi, Sakthan Thampuran brought four Christian families for improving commerce and trade to the place known as ‘Chanthappura’(now Chandakunnu). When they struck gold in this field, more of this community migrated and settled in the area and now it became one of the strong hold of this community. Besides Hindu and Christian communities this area consists of Muslims.

A prominent Kerala mathematician-astronomer Madhava (Mādhava) who founded the Kerala school of astronomy and mathematics was from Sangamagrama (Saṅgamagrāma), a town in medieval Kerala believed to be the town of Irinjalakuda.

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