Uthimoodu

Origin and Evolution

"Uthimoodu" means "at the base of Uthi tree (Indian Ash Tree, Lannea coromandelica)". There was an Uthi tree. The area around the present Uthimoodu was dense forest before the establishment of human settlements.The pioneering families were Mannil,Kalayil, and Thoppil followed by Puliyodil, Thazhayil from Elanthoor,Thekkepurayil(Olickel), Thengumkuttathil(Suresh Bhavan),Mankuthil Pampakottu,Manappurathu, Maruthickal, Puloor from Chempakasseril, and Korattikkara. Uthimoodu Town celebrated their centenary on 1 November 2004.The world famous Sabarimala Sree Ayyappan temple is only about 65 km from Uthimoodu Junction.

Landmarks

It is the second largest business centre in Ranny Panchayat. The main establishments in Uthimoodu are Uthimoodu Co-operative Society, Indian Overseas Bank, Krishibhavan, Milma,Cornerstone International School, Chamathackal MTUP School, Uthimoodu MTLP School and NMLP School Valiplackal.

Economy

The economy of Uthimoodu is primarily from agriculture. Besides rubber, which is the major contributor to the agricultural sector, other major crops are cocoa, coconut, tapioca and pepper. Non-resident Indians (NRIs) from Uthimoodu are contributing to the economy of the place in a big way.

People and Community

Uthimoodu is a place of great communal harmony. The majority of the people are Hindus (mostly belonging to the Ezhava caste) who are NRIs ,rubber plantations workers,businessmen ,Carpenters ,agricultural estates owners and labours. However, a large proportion of land lies with the Syrian Christian families who immigrated to Uthimoodu in the late 19th century.

Major places

The major places in Uthimoodu are Valiplackal, Valiakalungu, Dippo Padi, Nursery Padi, Maruthickal Padi, Velivayalpadi, Anakuzhickal, Kottamala, Karimkuttickal, Poikamon, Panthalathu Mukku & Chamathackal.

Transport

It is on the route from Ranni to Pathanamthitta about 6 km from Ranni and 8 km from Pathanamthitta. The place is centrally located between Pathanamthitta and Ranni, with good connectivity by Road. The nearest railway station is Chengannur, which is around 30 km from this place. Nearest Airport is Trivandrum(106 km) and Cochin (130 km). The newly proposed Aranmula International Airport is just 20 km away.

Religion

Majority of people live in Uthimoodu are Hindus and Christians.Given the immigration of several Syrian christian traders in the late 18th century, Mar Thoma Christians founded the Uthimoodu Marthoma Church in 1918. The Uthimoodu Mar Thoma church is renowned for its annual Olivu Mala convention (Olive mount convention) also called the "The Maramon Convention of the East" established by the eminent Christian evangelist, Sadhu Kochoonju Upadesi.

The Kottamala Shiva Temple, commonly known as Vambhukkara Shiva Temple which is within a 3 km radius from Uthimoodu junction got its devotee beliefs in the early days of 1900s,where people used to do Tender Coconut breaking (nalikeryam udakkal ) and lightening the lamp (Vilakkukathikal), both are customs and rituals followed in Hindu beliefs ,but the temple was properly built in the late 90s where people saw the facial resemblance of lord Shiva.The land where now the temple actually situated was belonging to a christian family but later they sold it to Devasom Uthimoodu.

Other religious centers include the St. Mary's Malankara Catholic Church, the Pentecostal Mission Prayer Hall and a couple of SNDP Mandirams.