Varapuzha
Grama Panchayat

Varapuzha was once a major centre of activity for foreign missionaries. According to local traditions, the missionaries were known as “True Christians,” and their settlement was called “Verapolis”, meaning “City of Truth.” It is believed that the present name Varapuzha gradually evolved from the word Verapolis over time.

Another legend traces the origin of the name to the ancient administrative system of the region. The commercial and financial headquarters of the Perumakkan rulers was located at Elur, and the minister in charge was known by the official title Elelachingan (Simhan). In classical Tamil, the word Elan also means “chief” or “authority.” It is believed that the area was once referred to as the “river of the chief” (Varante Puzha), which eventually evolved into Varapuzha.

There is also a belief that the place was once known as Varahapuram, named after the Varaha (Boar) incarnation of Lord Vishnu and the ancient Varaha Temple in the area. Over time, this name is said to have transformed into Varapuzha.

The last link of the feudal system in the region was associated with Arakkal Janardhana Nayakkan of Thevarkad, a local chieftain who possessed certain judicial powers granted by the rulers of the time.

Varapuzha also played an important role in Kerala’s social reform movements. Sreekamalanatha Pai of Valiya Veettil was a prominent figure who contributed significantly to social reforms, including the movement for temple entry and social equality.

An interesting historical fact associated with the area is that E. M. S. Namboodiripad spent part of his period of underground political activity in 1948 at the Palakkaparambu ancestral house in Puthenpally. Although this episode was not recorded in his autobiography, it remains an accepted historical tradition in the locality.

Historically, individual land ownership in Varapuzha was limited. Most of the land belonged to the Thuravoor and Alappuzha Devaswoms, while the majority of residents were tenant farmers or landless occupants. The introduction of the Land Policy Bill during the administration of EMS in 1957 provided protection against the eviction of tenant occupants. Although the Land Reforms Act was implemented later, a significant milestone occurred in 1969 when the Valiya Veettil family, one of the largest landowners in Varapuzha, voluntarily granted homestead rights to one hundred families through A. K. Gopalan. This became an important landmark in Kerala’s land reform movement.

As a result of land reforms, tenant occupants and farmers obtained ownership rights to their land, leading to remarkable improvements in the economic, educational, and social conditions of the region.

Historical records indicate that an ancient Shiva temple existed in the northern part of the Panchayat even before A.D. 1400. The author of the literary work Koka Sandesam, written around A.D. 1400, recorded a visit to the Thirumuppam Temple, demonstrating the area's long-standing cultural and religious significance.

Varapuzha Grama Panchayat is widely recognized for its rich cultural and literary heritage. The region has produced several eminent personalities, including M. P. Paul, T. M. Chummar, and Rosy Thomas, whose contributions have enriched Malayalam literature. Among them, the literary works of M. P. Paul are particularly noteworthy and continue to hold an important place in Malayalam literary history.

In the field of sports, T. D. Joseph (Pappan) brought international recognition to the region and remains one of the most celebrated personalities produced by Varapuzha.

Today, Varapuzha stands as a region with a distinguished history, a strong tradition of social reform, a vibrant cultural legacy, and a remarkable record of social and economic progress.