KeralaRealEstate.com
Sell / Buy Properties, Land, Buildings, Flats, Houses, Villas, Commercial Properties in Kerala

Keralaindex.com
Kerala Business Directory, Kerala Yellow Pages, Kerala Business, Industries

Keralamatrimonials.com
Kerala Matrimony, Kerala Brides, Kerala Bridegrooms, Malayalee Matrimonial

Keralaevents.com
Event Management Kerala, Kerala Business Events, Kerala Upcoming Events

NAME :

The word Changanacherry is supposedly derived from "Changanattusserry" and has its roots, perhaps, in trading activities. This was a famous trading hub where traders from the Kuttanad area and the High Ranges from the east converged. The root of the name is also linked,debatably though, to the measurements used for rice in old era, viz., "Changazhi", "Nazhi" and "Uzhi". The name might have originated from a combination of these three measuring containers. The word 'changazhi' seems to have more relevance because there was a prominent illam (brahmin's residence) by name Changazhimattam. This family owned a large part of the area.
An interesting story mentions that during the reign of King Marthanda Varma of Travancore, steps were taken to build a Catholic church by giving out plots for sowing 'Changazhy', 'Nazhy' 'Uri', 'Payattupadu' (various malayalam terms of measuring grains). All these terms put together may have made up the name of the place to Changanacherry. (However, the land for the church was given by the local king of Thekkumkoor, much before Marthanda Varma reigned). Another belief is that the name is derived from three separate words 'shankh', 'nadam', 'cherri'. The story goes that sometime in the past, the ruler of Changanacherry commissioned a church, a temple and a mosque to be built equidistant from his palace so that he would wake up every morning to the call of the conch shell (shankh), the chimes of the church bells (nadam), and the muezzin's call (sherry).

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND :

Earlier, Changanacherry and surrounding areas were part of a kingdom called Nantuzhainadu . The kingdom referred to more authentically is Vempolinadu . The kingdom disintegrated or was nibbled by others in 12th century C.E. The capital of Nantuzhainadu kingdom was Thrikkodithanam. From 12th century onwards, till 1753 C.E, Changanacherry was a part of Thekkumkoor monarchy. The origin of Thekkumkoor kings is not known except that they started ruling in 12th century C.E and that they were Nairs with family name ‘Idathil’ . The founder of Thekkumkoor kingdom might have been a powerful Nair landlord who exploited the fall of Nantuzhainadu to the hilt. These kings never used the surname/caste tag 'Varma' along with their names, although some people wrongly refer to them as Varmas.
At the time of the last king of Thekkumkoor, western parts of Changanacherry i.e., Vazhappally and Puzhavath (originally called Pizhavath), but excluding Perunnai were mostly owned by the Nampoothiri family of Changazhimattam  which was a relic of the Pathillathu system. Not only was Changazhimattam Potti a powerful landlord, but he was also a close friend of the last Raja of Thekkumkoor.
In the history of Changanachery, there is high regard for the local chieftains called Ettuveetil Pillamar. It is said that the King Marthanda Varma had put the eight chief tains to death and that the curse of these people were on the king . Whatever the truth behind this legend, the Kings of Tranvancore were rather supertitious and are said to have avoided Changanachery. The tomb of these heroes can be seen here.