Chitarikaal was a small Hamlet connecting the mountain pathways linking the Thejaswini river jetty at Perumbatta to Cherupuzha and Pulingome, thus forming an important link from the coastal town of Nileshwaram to the further reaches of the Western Ghats. The area was surrounded by forests where the primary mode of agriculture was by shift farming known as "Ponamkrishi" and pepper cultivation. The place was used as a stopover while transporting the forest produce such as pepper to the coast. The name "Chitaari" means a storehouse for agricultural products-mainly rice-and "Kal" represents a specific location. So together "Chittarikkal" means "At Chittaari". The region was a part of the Dakhina Kannada District, headquartered at Mangalore under the Madras Presidency.

Chittarikkal attained most of it's development after the migration of Christian farmers from Southern Districts like Kottayam and Idukki. This migration which is popularly known as 'Malabar Kudiyetam' happened in the 1950's and 1970's. The first educational institution in Chittarikkal was St:Thomas Lower Primary School which started on 30th June 1949 and became a High School in 4th July 1960. Now Chittarikal is home for two prestigious Schools, St Mary's English Medium High School and St Thomas Higher Secondary School. 'Elavunkal Hospital' takes care of the health need of people. Chittarikkal is home for St Thomas Forane Church and Lord Shiva Temple(Shiva Kshetram). Chittarikkal is a agricultural oriented village and main products are Rubber, Coconuts etc and very near to Palavayal