History of Grama Panchayat
Amboori has historically been the habitation of the 'Kaanikkar' tribal community. Following the Second World War, the Travancore princely state faced a severe famine. Consequently, with the permission of the Travancore King, Christians from Pala and Kottayam began to settle and cultivate uncultivated areas in the Western Ghats. This forced the indigenous tribal population to retreat from their traditional settlements.
The first Christian settlement occurred in 'Pantha,' near 'Maayam,' in the northern part of Amboori. St. Mary's Church established in Maayam is the first Roman Catholic church in this region, and St. Mary's School there is the first school in the area. Later, the construction of the Neyyar Reservoir led to the mass displacement of Christians, Pulayars, and Parayars from Pantha. The majority of them were resettled in Amboori. In 1947, 25 Christian families from Central Travancore settled in the hilly region called Amboori. They carried their belongings on foot and as headloads for about 12 kilometers from Panachamoot, which was the last accessible motor point. For the first three years, the settlers had to battle wildlife and malaria. By 1950, 50 more families from places like Pala, Changanassery, Thodupuzha, and Chengannur migrated to Amboori.
The historically significant 'Dravyappara' (Treasure Rock) is situated in the hills to the west of Amboori. Another legend states that Marthanda Varma, the Maharaja of Travancore, hid atop Dravyappara during his escape from the assault of the Ettuveetil Pillamar (Lords of Eight Houses). There are 72 steps carved into the rock leading up to the cave temple on top of Dravyappara, which has an approximate height of 700 feet from the ground level and 1500 feet above sea level. It is a local belief that the poor people of the region pray to the goddess residing in Dravyappara to express their sorrows and seek their desired blessings.
The legend holds that if the goddess accepts the prayers of those who stand near the giant entrance on the northeastern slope of Dravyappara and loudly state their needs, the rock vessel on the southeastern edge of the entrance would fill with the exact amount of wealth requested. The person who received the financial blessing had to return the amount to the stone vessel within a specified time and loudly announce the action from the spot. It was an unwritten rule that no one should look inside the entrance. However, once, a young man who came to return his father's debt waited out of curiosity to see who came to collect the money. Shortly, a beautiful woman appeared naked from inside the entrance, took the money, and went back inside. Upon seeing the youth, the enraged female figure is said to have closed the entrance of Dravyappara forever with a clap of thunder. Villagers believe the entrance will open again someday, and they faithfully perform daily rituals near the narrow, three-door southeastern entrance for this purpose. Another legend believed by the Kaanikkar is that the goddess appeared before an ancient devotee who performed rituals at Dravyappara.