Chathamattom


Chathamattom, also spelled Chathamattam, is a village in Ernakulam district, Kerala, India. It is located in the Paingottoor gram panchayat. Chathamattom is 4 kilometres away from Paingottoor. Kadavoor represents Chathamattom as a revenue village. 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 and Chatham. "Mattom" means 'place', 'locality' or 'region'. Hence, Chathamattom means "dead place", 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 was situated here. At that time, Chathamattam was known as Shasthavumattam. Black melted stones or dross 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". 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. Rubber, ginger, turmeric, coconut, cocoa, paddy, black pepper, plantain, pineapple and tapioca are commonly cultivated. The main production and staple food is rice. In 2014, the Periyar Valley Irrigation Project was launched by the state Water Resource Department to solve the water scarcity caused by paddy cropping in Chathamattam and Ottakkandam areas in the Paingottoor panchayat during water crisis.

Education