About Village
Vakathanam village is 12 Kilometers from Kottayam on the way to Changanacherry via Puthuppally. In ancient times Vakathanam was ruled by Kings of Thekkumkur.Njaliakuzhy was the place where the culprits were executed by hanging. The surrounding places are Puthupally, Thenganal, Kurumbanadam and Thottakad.
Demography
Vakathanam is a large village located in Changanassery Taluk of Kottayam district, Kerala with total 4972 families residing. The Vakathanam village has population of 19589 of which 9429 are males while 10160 are females as per Population Census 2011
Geography
Vakathanam village shares boarder with Puthuppally, Thottaykadu,Panachikadu,Madappally and Chethipuzha villages
Socio-Economic
The terrain is hilly with fertile soil. The western border of the panchayat has vast paddy fields. Fundamentally, this is an agricultural village. During earlier years, Vakathanam was famous for Kappa and Chakka which are the Malayalam terms for Tapioca and Jackfruit. Over time rubber plantation trees have replaced them. Vakathanam is an important commercial center of Kottayam. The chief crops are rice and rubber. Rubber was planted in Vakathanam already in the year 1930s. In the year 1940s some cultivators of rubber cut down the trees because its cultivation did not bring any income.Its plantation began to be widespread in the year 1970s.
Tourism
Manikandapuram temple (which is mentioned also in Unnuneeli Sandesam, written in the 14th century) is the most ancient religious worship centre, built by the Thekumkur Kings probably in the 14th century.The famous Naraswimha Swami Temple in Kerala is located at Kadamuri in this village. In 1928 Baselios Geevarghese I, Catholicos of the East, also known as (Vallikattu Bava), was buried in Vallikattu Dayara.It became an important centre of pilgrimage.15 August (Shunoyo Feast) and 17 December (anniversary of Baselios Geevarghese I) are the important feast days for the Dayara.