GEOGRAPHY
Panathady Grama Panchayat, located in the Kanhangad Block of Vellarikundu Taluk in Kasaragod District, was originally formed by including the villages of Kallar and Panathady under the erstwhile Hosdurg Taluk. With the formation of Vellarikundu Taluk in 2014, comprising the grama panchayats of Kallar, Panathady, Kodom-Belur, Balal, Kinanoor-Karinthalam, West Eleri, and East Eleri, Panathady became part of the newly constituted taluk. The Panchayat covers an area of 79.79 square kilometers and is bordered by the state of Karnataka to the north and east, Balal Panchayat to the south, and Kuttikol and Kallar Panchayats to the west.
Situated along the eastern highland region of the Western Ghats, Panathady is a picturesque area of hills and valleys rising up to 3,480 feet above sea level. The Chandragiri River, originating from the forests of Coorg and flowing east to west through the heart of the Panchayat, enriches the agricultural sector of the region. Panathady is also a land of cultural and religious harmony where people of different faiths and traditions coexist peacefully. Important spiritual centers in the Panchayat include the Bhagavathy Temple at Thulurvanam, the Mahavishnu Temple at Kallar, the Peruthady Shiva Temple, Rajapuram Holy Family Church, Malakkallu Lourde Matha Church, Panathady St. Joseph Church, Panathoor Church, and the mosques at Kallar and Panathoor.
In the field of education, Rajapuram St. Pius Tenth College, established in 1995 with a focus on higher technical education, stands as a prestigious institution and a symbol of pride for the region. Panathady also holds historical significance as the birthplace of the concept of “Gramolsavam,” envisioned by Anand Bose, the then Sub Collector of Kasaragod, which was first implemented at Rajapuram and later inspired the concept of public outreach programmes in governance.
Since the formation of Kasaragod District in 1984, Panathady has been recognized as one of the largest grama panchayats in the district and has received substantial development support. The Panchayat is known for its rich spiritual heritage, with around 32 Hindu temples, 7 mosques, and 13 Christian churches. The tribal Marati community residing in the area preserves its unique cultural traditions, including the worship of hill deities and ancestral spirits, along with ritual performances such as Theyyam dedicated to deities like Bhairava, Karinchamundi, Panchurli, and Vishnumoorthi. The community continues to speak an unwritten form of the Marathi language.
Blessed with natural beauty, agricultural prosperity, cultural diversity, and a vibrant social heritage, Panathady Grama Panchayat stands as a unique example of harmonious rural life and sustainable community development.
