History of Block Panchayat
Kollengode Block Panchayat**, located in the Chittur Taluk of the Palakkad district in Kerala, is a locally governed intermediate tier of administration. It encompasses several prominent grama panchayats and is widely recognized for its rich royal history, vast agricultural landscape, and cultural heritage.
Ancient & Prehistoric Roots:** Archaeological excavations near the Gayathripuzha river valley and the foothills of Thenmala have revealed Neolithic settlements and posthole sites. This suggests that the region hosted early structured, settled human communities long before documented royal dynasties.
The Vengunad Kingdom: Historically, Kollengode was the seat of the Vengunad Swaroopam (ruled by the Vengunad Nambidis or Kollengode Rajas). The royal lineage claims ancestry tracing back to the ancient Chera dynasty through King Dharmavarma. The name "Kollengode" itself is believed to be derived from Kollen (the blacksmith community), who were historically prominent in the area.
The Kollengode Palace: The original royal palace was completely destroyed by Tipu Sultan during his Mysore invasion in 1789. In 1904, Raja Vasudeva Raja built the current traditional Kerala-style structure, the Kollengode Palace, which still stands as a testament to the region's heritage.
British Rule & Decentralization: Following the Anglo-Mysore Wars in the 19th century, the Kollengode territory was integrated into the British Malabar District, transforming the local kings into political pensioners. Local self-governance officially began expanding in the 20th century, culminating in modern intermediate administrative blocks like the Kollengode Block Panchayat under the Kerala Panchayati Raj Act.
The Kollengode Block Panchayat acts as an umbrella body overseeing several constituent Grama Panchayats, which typically include Kollengode, Koduvayur, Puthunagaram, Vadavannur, and Muthalamada.The "Rice Bowl". Often referred to alongside neighboring areas as part of the "Rice Bowl of Palakkad," the economy here is intensely agrarian. The plains are highly fertile due to networks of local rivers and streams, heavily featuring vast paddy fields, sugarcane plantations, and coconut groves.Geography: It is positioned exceptionally close to the **Palakkad Gap** and lies right under the foothills of the Nelliyampathy/Western Ghats mountain range. The Gayathripuzha River, a primary tributary of the Bharathappuzha, flows through this region.
Tourism Focus: The block is famous across India for its untouched village beauty, historic sites, and eco-tourism. Prominent destinations within its limits include the Kollengode Palace, the ancient Kachamkurissi Temple, Chinganchira Nature Temple, and the Seetharkundu Viewpoint.