Kottarakkara was the capital of the famous Ilayidathu swaroopam.The historical evidences collected
from here reveals that about seven -palaces- existed there. The land of kottaram’s
later became Kottarakkara
Besides Manikandeswara Kshethram, owned
by the Ilayidathu dynasty is the Kottarakkara kovilakam of which, historical
evidences are available from the sixth century of Malayalam era. Kottarakkara
kovilakam was the younger thavazhy of the Venad dynasty.
So this was known as the Ilayidathu (younger) swaroopam,and also as Kunninmel.
The land spreads from Kottarakkara, Pathanapuram and Nedumangad
to Shencottah in the east.
Chera Udaya Marthandavarma, who ruled
Venad during A.D.1383-1444, is supposed to have built the Kovilakam. But,according
to the famous historian Sooranad Kunjanpillai, the Kunninmel dynasty has
been mentioned in the Mathilakam Books in the year 1345 itself.
Kottarakkara is known as a land of temples.
The Padinjattinkkara Mahadeva temple,Manikandeswara temple,Kulasekharanalloor
Sreekrishna temple,Thrikkannamangal Mahavishnu temple,Neduvathur bhagavathy
temple are all famous temples. There are also many places which are believed
to be associated with Ramayana. These are Jadayumangalam(Chadayamangalam),Valiyonkunnu
(known in connection with Bali),Ugramkunnu (connection with Sugreeva)and
also Poredam, which is known as the battlefield of Ravana and Jadayu.
