Chathamattom

Chathamattom ചാത്തമറ്റം
Village
Chathamattom Chathamattom
Coordinates: 10.022°N 76.727°E / 10.022; 76.727
Country	India
State	Kerala
District	Ernakulam
Taluk	Kothamangalam
Area
• Total	21.22 km2 (8.19 sq mi)
Population  (2016)
• Total	8,221
Time zone	UTC+5.30 (IST)
PIN code	686671
Area code	0485
Vehicle registration	KL 44

Chathamattom (Malayalam: ചാത്തമറ്റം), also spelt as Chathamattam, is a village in Ernakulam District, Kerala, India. It is located in the Paingottoor gram panchayat. Chathamattom is 4 kilometres away from Paingottoor. The nearest towns are Kothamangalam, Muvattupuzha, and Thodupuzha.

Etymology

Chathamattom is the amalgamation of two Malayalam words: Chatha and mattom. Chatha is derived from the words Chatha (Malayalam: ചത്ത, lit. 'Dead') and Chatham (Malayalam: ചാത്തം, lit. 'A funeral ceremony for deceased relations and ancestors and also the anniversary of the same'). "Mattom" (Malayalam: മറ്റം) means 'place', 'locality' or 'region'. Hence, Chathamattom means "dead place" (Malayalam: ചത്ത മറ്റം), which, according to ancestors, this region is historically known for an event or phenomenon linked to "death" and many people have died in this region in the past. The cause of their deaths is unknown.

Chathamangalam, a village in the Kozhikode district also shares the word Chatha and is also linked to many deaths.

In English, both spellings, Chathamattom and Chathamattam, are used interchangeably.

History

Chathamattom is a place of historical importance. The ordnance factory of the ancient kingdom (Thrikkariyoor-the oldest capital of Chera Dynasty) was situated here. At that time, Chathamattam was known as Shasthavumattam. Black melted stones or dross (Malayalam: കീടൻ കല്ലുകൾ, romanized: Keedon Kallukal) broken into pieces when thrown in the fire are commonly found in some dry lands here, which is evident is evidence for an ordnance factory.

Geography

An attractive environmental sightseeing place in Chathamattom is "Pothencheeni Kunnu" (a hill above 300 meters high). The distant view of the metro city Kochi from here gives an amazing vibe and makes it a good place for trekking. There is also a Reserve Forest on the Mullaringadu-Chathamattom Road.

Economy

Agriculture is the main occupation of people. Ginger, turmeric, coconut, cocoa, paddy, black pepper (Idukki Gold or black gold), plantain, pineapple and tapioca are commonly cultivated. The main production and staple food is rice.

Education

• Government Higher Secondary School (GHSS) is situated on the Mullaringadu-Chathamattom Road.
• Sree Narayana Guru College Of Arts & Science