വാഴയൂർ
ഗ്രാമ പഞ്ചായത്ത്

Vazhayur Grama Panchayat is located in Kondotty Block of Eranad Taluk in Malappuram District. The Panchayat, which falls within the limits of Vazhayur Village, has an area of 21.19 square kilometres.

The Panchayat is bounded by Vazhakkad, Pulikkal and Cherukavu Grama Panchayats on the east; Olavanna and Perumanna Grama Panchayats of Kozhikode District on the west; Cherukavu Grama Panchayat and Ramanattukara Municipality of Kozhikode District on the south; and Vazhakkad Grama Panchayat together with Peruvayal and Perumanna Grama Panchayats of Kozhikode District on the north.

Vazhayur Grama Panchayat was formed in December 1977 by bifurcating Cherukavu Panchayat. The inhabited areas are mainly spread across the sloping terrain and valleys below the higher hill ranges.

The ancestors of this region are believed to have lived without experiencing the direct authority traditionally associated with royal rule, even during the period of the Chera kings. In earlier times, Azhinjilam, Karad and Cherukavu were the principal villages, while Vazhayur came into existence later.

During that period, local assemblies known as Nattukoottams exercised considerable influence. Administration was later carried out by Namboothiri families, who divided villages into Desams and grouped Desams into larger local administrative units for governance.

This region formed part of Ramanad, which was under the direct rule of the Zamorin of Calicut. Historically, Vazhayur had closer links with Kozhikode than with Valluvanad. The name “Vazhayur” is traditionally understood to mean a place associated with banana cultivation.

As the area was directly administered by the Zamorin, there was no separate local chieftain or Naduvazhi. Historical traditions also suggest that, centuries before the birth of Christ, valuable goods exported from Beypore to Egypt in the ships associated with King Solomon included monkeys and peacocks from the Vazhayur region.