| Kozhimala | |
| Other Name: | Kovilmala |
| Settlement Type: | Tribal settlement/village |
| Pushpin Map: | India Kerala#India |
| Pushpin Label Position: | right |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location in Kerala, India |
| Coordinates: | 9.7208°N 77.0483°W |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: |  India |
| Subdivision Type1: | State |
| Subdivision Name1: | Kerala |
| Subdivision Type2: | District |
| Subdivision Name2: | Idukki |
| Named For: | Mannan tribal community |
| Government Type: | Panchayath |
| Governing Body: | Kanchiyar panchayath |
| Unit Pref: | Metric |
| Elevation M: | 830 |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Demographics Type1: | Languages |
| Demographics1 Title1: | Official |
| Demographics1 Info1: | Malayalam, English |
| Timezone1: | IST |
| Utc Offset1: | +5:30 |
| Postal Code Type: | PIN |
| Postal Code: | 685511 |
| Area Code: | 04868 |
| Registration Plate: | KL-37, KL-69 |
Kovilmala, locally known as Kozhimala (the hill of hen), is a tribal settlement and a small village near Kattappana in the district of Idukki in Kerala state, India. It is the only existing tribal kingdom in South India which falls under the Kanchiyar grama panchayath of Idukki tehsil (previously Udumbanchola tehsil).[1] [2] The Kingdom consists of namely four divisions such as 'Thekkottu Kattu Rajyam', 'Nadukkuda Kattu Rajyam', 'Athal Orupuram' and 'Chenkanattu Mala'. Goddess Madhura Minakshi of famed Madura Temple in Tamil Nadu is their Kuladevatha (tutelary deity).[3]
Kovilmala is the headquarters of Mannan community who preserves certain customs, traditions and form of governance, making them a unique tribal unit.[4] The system of governance here is a democratic - monarchy in which a king is elected by the people to rule.[5] The dynastic succession is through the matrilineal system of inheritance by which the properties are inherited by the nephew. The administration of Mannan community inhabited here is held by Raja Mannan (King of Mannans), the title given to the elected king. He holds the responsibility to take care of the other 42 Kudis (settlements) spread over the various parts of Idukki district.[6] Today, these Kudis are located in places like Kumily, Adimaly, Vathikudy, Maniyarankudy, Machiplavu, Korangatti, Kattappana, Murickassery, Thopramkudy, Nedumkandam, Mankulam, Irumpupalam etc.[7] [8] The king has a council of 9 ministers named Kanis (community leaders) who assist him to settle the disputes regarding marriage, divorce, internal and external affairs.[9] Annual meetings are held every year for the leaders who represents various kudis.[10] [11] These Kanis are also responsible to elect a new king after the death of any king. The current king of this community is 'Raman Raja Mannan', an economics graduate from Maharaja's college in Eranakulam, who ascended the throne following the demise of his uncle 'Ariyan Raja Mannan', the 16th king of this tribal dynasty.[12] It is believed that the Mannan community were the warrior tribe of Pandyan lines, fled to the forest interiors of Idukki at time of the prolonged war between Cheras and Cholas in ancient Tamilakam. Today, they hosts an annual festival named 'Kalavoottu' as a tribute to the nature for providing sufficient harvest. An '
In the past, Accessing Kozhimala was quite difficult due to the absence of quality roads. But the transportation facilities were improved in the recent times as Kozhimala achieved great fame. The easiest route to Kozhimala is by Kattappana - Kanchiyar - Swaraj - Murikkattukudi route (14 km). Private buses operates to Kozhimala from Kattappana at regular intervals. Taxis are also available from the main junction at Swaraj.
The nearest airport to Kozhimala is Cochin international airport (118 km). Thiruvananthapuram international airport is at a distance of 205 km.
Kaduthuruthy is the nearest railhead which is at a distance of 92 km. Kottayam (103 km), Changanassery (104 km) and Thiruvalla (110 km) are the other nearby railheads.