[1] [citation needed] Chellanam formed the southern border of the pre-colonial Kingdom of Cochin.

The Kudumbis, along with Gouda Saraswat Brahmins (Malayalam: ഗൌഡ് സാരസ്വത്), Daivajnas and Vaishya Vanis who wanted to preserve their religious and cultural identity, migrated from Goa along the west coast of India, primarily through sea voyages.

[2] A group of Kudumbis may have migrated to Chellanam at the invitation of a Maharaja and on arrival been given (free of tax) a coconut garden and land to grow rice.

On 24 May 2010 residents of Maruvakad, staying near Thiruhridaya Chapel, just 100 meters from Velankanni Matha Pilgrim Center; dug an old well which is to be believed that, it was built and used by Dutch Army around 200 years ago.

Chellanam is on a narrow landform about 10 km in length, starting from St. George Church at the southern end at the northern border of Pallithode village and Kattiparambu (near Thoppumpady).

At the northern end it has a width of 250 metres, accommodating in between the villages of Chellanam, Maruvkad, Chalakadavu, Kandakadavu, Puthenthodu, Kannamaly, Cheriyakadavu and Kattiparambu.

Chellanam south Neendakara junction on SH 66 is some 4.5 km from Eramalloor jn.

According to the traditional practice, the fields used to be prepared for paddy cultivation from the Vishu day, falling in April every year.

The land had to be dried under the hot sun for almost a month, by which time the salt content left over from the prawn farming would be ready to be washed off by the first rain of the monsoon season.

Hindus belonging to communities such as Gowda Saraswatha Brahmins, Eazhava, Pulaya, Velan, Kudumbi, and Ulladan also live in Chellanam.