Karulai
Grama panchayat

This regionally significant area in Nilambur evolved from ancient lands owned by local temples and inhabited by indigenous, cave-dwelling tribes like the Cholanaikans, whose ancient legacy is preserved in ritual ponds and Pali stone inscriptions. Renowned for its dense evergreen forests that attracted ornithologist Dr. Salim Ali, the region also features British-engineered iron bridges from the 1930s and the historic Nedumkayam elephant training farms. Deeply tied to India's freedom struggle, it served as a strategic hotspot during the 1921 Malabar Uprising, where rebel leader Modavangaluvan Unnithari was martyred. The modern era of the region was catalyzed in 1948 when Father Plavungal resettled Christian families from Travancore onto 280 acres of land bought from the Nilambur royalty, establishing "Bethel...