The Beginning: |
Kerala was ruled by Brahmins (Namboothiris), in the early days.
They used to meet every 12 years at Thirunavaya to discuss and
co-ordinate affairs of state. Conflict of interests made
administration extremely difficult , over a period of time, and they
decided to take external help, bringing a Kshatriya from outside to
rule. They also decided to restrict the tenure last only 12 years so
that appointee does not get too ambitious and usurp the power |
Kulasekhara Perumal: |
Valunambis were given the responsibility of identifying a
suitable person, and designated team met the king of Vijayanagaram
which was a powerful empire at that time. The emperor gave
permission to pick from anyone from Chera, Chola, or Pandya race. A
person from Chola race by name Narayana bhattan was identified by
this team and brought to Kerala. He was appointed as Kulasekharan
(translating to mean the best person of the race) and came to be
known as Kulasekhara perumal, as time passed . Kulasekhara perumal
's.settlement came to be known as Kulasekharapuram and, later,
as Trikulasekharapuram. |
As a devotee of Vishnu, he constructured a temple for
Vishnu which became famous as Trikulasekharapuram temple, or
Trikledath in short. |
Present Kodungallur Kovilakam: |
Much of Kerala history, for a long time after the rule of
Kulasekhara perumal, is not popularly known. Kodungallur
Kovilakam,sandwitched between two major powers of Kochi and
Samoothiri, is believed to be of fairly recent
origin. |
Padinjaredathu namboothiri is believed to have been in
power in the areas surrounding Kodungallur, before
establishment of present Kodungallur Kovilakam. Padinjaredathu
namboothiri handed over power to the present Kodungallur
Kovilakam.. |
Kodungallur Kovilakam was initially located at
Trikulasekharapuram. Sthanaarohanam (Coronation) and related
ceremonies for Raja (Valiathampuran) of Kodungallur are done at
Trikulasekharapuram temple premises. |
Vishnu, deity of Trikulasekharapuram temple, is considered to be
the family deity of Kodungallur Kovilakam. |
Padinjattedathu swaroopam |
Rulers of Kodungallur came to be popularly known as
Padinjattedathu swaroopam, in memory of
Padinjaredathu namboothiri. |
Becoming subordinate to the Raja of Cochin
|
Attack of Tippu Sultan on Malabar disrupted the delicate
political equilibrium within Kerala, by the
very ferocity and scale of attack was unparalleled in the
relatively peaceful settlement of Kerala. Both Kings of
Travancore and Cochin made a treaty offer to King of Kodungallur, in
return to paying in money for the military support,. |
King accepted the offer from King of Cochin, as it was felt
wiser to get support from immediate neighborhood in case
of emergencies like war. Cost of war was so high that Kodungallur
Kovilakam could not pay up completely. This resulted in King of
Cochin annexing Kodungallur. Thus, Kodungallur remained an
autonomous principality subordinate to the Raja of Cochin until
Indian Independence in 1947 |
At the present location: |
A few years after Tippu's defeat in the hands of British, the
royal family relocated themselves to the present location at
Chirakkal Kovilakam and later a branch moved to Puthen
Kovilakam. Kodungallur Kovilakam came to be known as a Gurukulam (centre of learning like Nalanda and Takshasila) during this period. Scholars from all over Kerala came to live in the palaces and study Sanskrit and Vedic science. |
Area around the original settlement at
Trikulasekharapuram was subsequently donated
by Kodungallur Kovilakam for various noble causes |
Courtsey: |
History presented here, upto Kodungallur becoming subordinate to
Raja of Cochin, is largely an adaptation from articles
published by Kodungallur Kunjunni Raja in July-September 2008 and October-December 2008 issues of Kshathrasandesam.
A curious reader may pick up the original article written in
Malayalam from the reference magazine. The magazine is available
online and you get the same by clicking the link for the respective
issues |
|
Just as with other royal families in Kerala,
there is not much written information about Kodungallur Kovilakam,
except for very recent past. However, much of its history is part of
folklore. This web site is a humble attempt to consolidate
information scattered around and preserve for the benefit of
posterity, with the hope that a rich culture based on social and
human values is not lost in the onslaught of fast pace of modern
life and new social order. Any kind of guidance and support in
improving an authenticity would be very helpful. We request support,
especially in terms of information and specific write up , from all
members and well wishers of Kodungallur
Kovilakam. |