History of Grama Panchayat
This region, which was initially part of Aynadu and later Odanadu, subsequently came under the rule of Thekkumkoor, Pandalam, and eventually Travancore. It is also said that the region was under the rule of the Chera king, whose capital was Mahodayapuram.
According to local tradition, Lord Krishna and Balarama travelled along the Pamba River on a raft carrying six bamboo poles. When they reached Aranmula, they rested near the riverbank at the place where the temple now stands. It is believed that the place came to be known as Aranmula from this legend.
The temple-entry struggle conducted by the Harijans under the leadership of Kurumban Daivam to gain entry into the Aranmula Temple is an important chapter in the history of the social renaissance in Kerala. In 1937, in connection with the first anniversary of the Temple Entry Proclamation, Mahatma Gandhi visited the Aranmula Temple.
In 1864, the first school in the panchayat, known as Kottarathil Pallikoodam, was established. Aranmula is also home to two centres that produce the world-famous Aranmula Kannadi (Aranmula metal mirror).
Initially, this panchayat was part of Kollam District. It later became part of Alappuzha District, and when Pathanamthitta District was formed in 1983, Aranmula Panchayat became part of Pathanamthitta.
The first president of Aranmula Panchayat was Adv. M. P. Raman Pillai. At present, the panchayat falls under the Aranmula Assembly Constituency and is part of the Mavelikkara Lok Sabha Constituency.
Aranmula is a land known for its Shiva Temple, the famous Parthasarathy Temple, and several prominent Christian and Muslim places of worship.
