Arakuzha
History
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/87/Mar_Varghese_Payyappilly_Palakkappilly.jpg/90px-Mar_Varghese_Payyappilly_Palakkappilly.jpg)
The village has a large population of Syrian Catholic Christians. Marth Mariam Syro-Malabar Catholic Forane Church has an important role in the life of the people. Saint Thomas Christians of Arakuzha have more than 1,500 years of recorded history. This region comprising Kothamangalam, Vazhakulam, Arakuzha, Mylakompu, Nagapuzha, Muthalakodam of erstwhile Travancore kingdom has some very old Syrian churches. Arakuzha, being an ancient Syrian Christian centre has given asylum to many migrant Syrian Christians during the Tipu's persecution of Nasranis. Venerable Mar Varghese Payyappilly Palakkappilly had served as the parish priest of Marth Mariam Church in Arakuzha (1920-22). During his tenure in Arakuzha he started St. Mary's School there. He also purchased 12 acres (49,000 m) of land in M.C.Road for constructing St. Joseph's Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, Meenkunnam.
Several families migrated to different parts of Kerala, mainly to Malabar and high range areas, in search of agriculture land.