Vayalar
Grama Panchayat

Vayalar is a village where the distinctiveness of Malayalam culture is deeply intertwined with the broader traditions of Indian culture. Situated adjacent to the municipal limits of Cherthala, the village beautifully blends the vibrancy of urban life with the charm and grandeur of rural life.

Extending from the National Highway on its western boundary to the backwaters on the east, Vayalar has a diverse landscape. Paddy fields, homesteads, backwaters, and canals are interspersed throughout the region. Sacred groves (kavu) and traditional ancestral homes (mana) that are still preserved in Vayalar bear witness to its rich heritage and traditions.

The Sree Saktheeswara Temple at Kalavankodam, which was blessed by the sacred footsteps of Sree Narayana Guru, one of the foremost leaders of Kerala's cultural renaissance, is located in the heart of Vayalar.

Vayalar is also the birthplace of the immortal poet Vayalar Rama Varma. Through his poetry, the beauty of Vayalar's countryside has found a lasting place in the hearts of people across the world.

The Punnapra-Vayalar uprising, an important chapter in the history of India's freedom struggle, transformed Vayalar into a land of revolution. The Thirunagakulangara Temple, enriched by stories, history, and tradition, represents the spiritual essence of this sacred village. It is one of the most important centres of serpent worship in Kerala.

Alongside agriculture, the coir industry became one of the major sources of livelihood in Vayalar. The history of struggles undertaken by coir farmers and workers for their survival and rights has also become one of the defining features of Vayalar.