Vellicode

History

The human inhabitants of Vellicode date back to the later stone age period. The earliest known grouping of the area is Idai Nadu. The region was ruled by tribal Villivan chieftains before being annexed by the Chera Dynasty during the 11th century as Kalkulam.

Name

The ancient name of Vellicode was Sarva Vali Kode which means a place were all religions are followed. A church, said to have been built by St Thomas the Apostle is nearby. Also flanged to the south is the Bhagavathy Temple.

In 1738 an exponent of martial art "Adi Murai" named Mallan Asan of Arapurai family went to the palace grounds of Udaya Marthanda Varma and won many fights. So the king gave a silver chest armour and a silversword. He renamed his native village as Vellicode (Velli means Silver and code means cutlass).

Major family group

Nadar Catholic Family's, as it is known, history traces back its legacy to 10th century. During those period the Pandya kingdom was ruled by Koon Pandian. He got converted to Hinduism from jainism . Its a custom in Hinduism to give a girl as offering to the priest who does the homam. Rajappa & Devappa who were working in the courts of pandya king were also requested to convert into Hinduism and give there sister as offering. The Brothers never liked the idea, So they Killed there sister and fled down south.

They reached the place called Sarva vali kode in Trivamcode state. Trivamcode had a Church constructed by ST Thomas the deciple of Jesus. (Presently it is the oldest standing church in the entire world). They converted themselves into Christians and settled down. For the next 1000 years (till today ) the family got expanded and today in the place called vellicode there are 800 families and all are staunch Roman Catholic. The best part is that the last eight generations are very much traceable and even all the families still hold the links together.