Veethukunnu
Veethukunnu (Veethkunnu) is a unique place that combines natural beauty and cultural significance, located in Pilicode Grama Panchayat of Kasaragod district. The history, legends and main features of this place are given below:
1. Veethukunnu Smritivanam (State Level Award)
This is a hilly area of about 10 acres spread over wards 2 and 11 of Pilicode Panchayat. Once just thorny bushes and red rocks, this hill was transformed into a large forest through a popular movement.
Devaharitam Puraskar: As a result of its nature conservation activities, this Smritivanam has won the first place in the state-level Pachathuruthu Puraskar (in the Devaharitam category) of the Haritha Kerala Mission.
Biodiversity: Currently, more than a thousand trees of 218 species grow here. These include aal, arayal, kanjiram, sandalwood, various types of native mangoes, and medicinal plants. This forest is the habitat of many birds and animals.
Ring Road: The 'Paitrikam Ring Road' around the hill is a favorite place for morning and evening rides by the locals.
2. Veethukunnu Vishnumurthy Temple and Legend
The Vishnumurthy Temple located on the top of the hill is the cultural center of this place. This temple is closely related to the Sri Rayaramangalam Bhagavathy Temple, the chief deity of Pilicode.
Legend: In the past, a yogi used to meditate on Rayaramangalathamma on this hilltop and do penance. At that time, a demon named 'Allohalan' invaded this area and harassed the monk. Hearing the monk's distress, Rayaramangalathamma asked the Vishnu idol, which was installed in her northern temple, to chase away the demon. The Vishnu idol, which came in a fierce form, trampled the demon (in another story, it is also said that Bhagavathy herself killed the demon). It is believed that the Lord, who was attracted by the beauty of this place, stayed here later.
3. Rare Theyyam ritual (Kunnummattheyyam)
The Theyyam rituals here are very famous and unique in North Malabar itself.
Theyyam crossing the railway bridge: The Vishnu idol, which is tied to the Kottumpuram, is carried on a burning pile of coals (Meleri) and then has a journey in a state of rage. Crossing the fields and railway tracks, they rush towards the Veethukunnu Vishnumurthy temple for kilometers. This is a rare sight where the rituals start at one temple and end at another hilltop temple.
Apart from the Vishnumurthy, the Theyyakolams like Raktachamundi and Angakkulangara Bhagavathy are also tied here. The main rituals here are held in the month of November (Tulam 21 and 22).
4. The agricultural tradition of 'Kavalkar'
There is a 'Kaval' group of six people who have been traditionally responsible for protecting the crops in the fields under the Rayaramangalam temple. These Kavalkars also supervise the Veethukunnu Vishnumurthy temple. It is believed that they will protect the agricultural wealth of the country by carrying the staff and the scepter of power received from the Pallikkara Bhagavathy temple on Medam 1 (Vishnu day).
Veethukunnu is the most beautiful place in Pilikotte, where nature and devotion go hand in hand, adjacent to the Cheruvathur and Karivellur areas.
