Vettom
Grama Panchayat

Social History Although there is a view that this princely state came to be known as "Vettom"—meaning "light of the land"—because it was the region where the Malayalam script, art, and culture originated, it remains unclear whether this is the actual historical basis for the name or merely a figurative expression. The historically significant Kingdom of Vettom was ruled by the Vettath dynasty under the suzerainty of the Zamorin. The Vettath Royal Dynasty became extinct upon the death of its last heir on May 24, 1973. The royal palace was situated near the present-day Vettathukavu Devi Temple; the temple is said to have been the King's family shrine. It was the King of Vettath who introduced new reforms to the art form of Kathakali. This region also bore witness to the military campaigns of Tipu Sultan....