Ottasekharamangalam
Grama Panchayat

Ottasekharamangalam Panchayat is situated in the Nedumangad Taluk of Thiruvananthapuram District. The Ottasekharamangalam Panchayat was established in 1955. At that time, the Panchayat included the present-day Kallikkad Panchayat and some parts of Amboori Panchayat. Ottasekharamangalam Panchayat extended from Agastyarkoodam in the east to Neyyar in the west, and from Thevancode in the north to Chittar in the south (an area of 53 square miles).

Due to its geographical features, this Panchayat remained an isolated island, completely cut off from other regions until the 1950s. The history of Ottasekharamangalam is a blend of legend and reality. According to one legend, the place name Ottasekharamangalam originated because of a Shiva temple established by the mythological character Khara. The elders say that the name Ottasekharamangalam was acquired because the region was the land of Ottasekhara, whose strong vitality and energy radiated there. This isolation changed with the arrival of the Aruvikkara-Shorlakode road, which was built during the reign of Sree Moolam Thirunal, the Maharaja of Travancore.

Even with the colors of modernity, Ottasekharamangalam remains a region that has not lost its village charm. Even if they were myths or superstitions, practices like Munjavillakku, Ezhiyanvillakku, Pekettal, and Puzhuvillakku (various local taboos and rituals) were prevalent in this village as well. These practices have now succumbed to science. The place has progressed a great distance from the midst of rituals and superstitions. The Aruvipuram Shiva Temple, where Sree Narayana Guru consecrated the idol, is approximately 11 kilometers away from this region.

Until about 40 years ago, the majority of the areas in this Panchayat were reserved forest land. The regions where the wards Plamppizhinji, Alachakonam, and Vazhichal are situated were forest land. The increase in population density has destroyed the biodiversity in this area.

When the Panchayat was formed in 1953, the Panchayat office started functioning in a building donated rent-free by Peeru Sahib in Poozhanad. In 1962, the operations shifted to a building donated rent-free by Ramakrishna Pillai in Mandapathinkadavu. In 1983, the Panchayat was divided and Kallikkad Panchayat was formed. The current building was constructed and operations began in 1968 on land donated by Veeranakavu Ramavarrier. The first President of this Panchayat was R. Janardhanan Nair, and the Vice President was K. N. Kesava Panicker.