Araikalam, Nedumudy   

The disciples of Jesus Christ set out in different directions to different parts of the earth. In the year 52 A.D,
apostle Thomas came to India and disembarked in Kodungalloor, then called Musiris.

It is believed by tradition that St. Thomas established seven churches in India, that is he laid the
foundation for Christian communities in seven places. These seven places are:- Niranam, Kollam,
Palayoor, Nilackel, Koackamangalam, Koattackavu and Kodungalloor.

During his time, he baptised many Brahmins, Kshatriyas and Vaishyas. Families from Palayoor,
Kali, Kaliankav, Shankarahari, Pakalomattam were also baptised. Araikal family ,a Brahmin family was
among the four families to be baptised from Pakalomattam. This family travelled from Palayoor and settled
down in many places and they also settled down in Kottayam near the Maharani’s courtyard. Then
Chembakasherry Maharaja visited Kottayam Maharani and while discussing with her he told her that he
needed a Christian family for the temple oil purifying duty. Then Maharani told him about the ARAIKAL
family and they were brought to Ambalapuzha by the Maharaja. It was believed then that the oil touched by
Christians was pure and this family was choosen to do this auspisicious duty. They were staying towards
the east side of the temple. Chembakasherry Maharaja was very kind to the family.

After some time the family was pressurized by the locals to leave that place and so as the Maharaja
was pleased by this family he gave them a land in : ‘NEDUMUDDY, THEKKEMURY’ and he also gave
special privilege to the family like tax exemption.

Here they changed their house name from ‘ARAIKAL’ to ‘ARAIKALAM”. Later Vallitty Thoma , the
son of Kochitty Thoma was born in A.D 1825 .A.D.1846 he married from Thathampalli Vanniaparampil
Mariamma. He had five sons and one daughter. One of his sons was Mihael who married and setteled
down at Puthenparamp Champakalam). Another one of his sons named after his own name, Kochitty
Thoma stayed back at Araikalam. Another son named Ouseph settled down at Alappuzha and because he
didn’t have any issue, he adopted son of Vallity Thoma named Cherian as his own son and he gave him all
his belongings. Mathai was the son of Cherian and Mathai’s daughter was married off to a family,
Kanacherry in Pulinkunnu. Thomman’s elder son Kochitty stayed at Araikalam. Thomman’s sister was
married off to Vadakkemury, Amichakary. After some time Thomman brought his sister and brother in law
to Kizhakkedam near Araikalam.

Kochitty’s daughter was married from Vandakathil (Vadakke Vandekam). She had four sons and
two daughters.