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Kingdom of Pandalam പന്തളം രാജവംശം, பந்தளம் ராஜவம்சம் | |
|---|---|
| c. 903 CE (79ME)[1]–1820 CE (995 ME)[1] | |
 Front view of the two-storeyed Pandalam Valiyakoyikkal palace | |
| Capital | Konni (for about 100 years) Pandalam (up to 1820 CE) Latitude: 9.2566° NLongitude: 76.7244° E |
| Common languages | Malayalam Tamil |
| Religion | Hinduism87% Muslim6% Christian7% |
| Government | Absolute Monarchy Council of Ministers Dharma-Based Rule |
• Beginning of Kollam era | Raja Rajasekhara verma (Ayyappa's adopted father) |
| Historical era | Kollam era |
• Established | c. 903 CE (79ME)[1] |
• Disestablished | 1820 CE (995 ME)[1] |
| Area | |
• Total | 3,000 km2 (1,200 sq mi) |
| Currency | Panam Kasu Fanam Travancore Rupee |
| Today part of | India Kerala state Pathanamthitta district |
Pandalam dynasty (Malayalam:പന്തളം രാജവംശം,Tamil: பந்தளம் ராஜவம்சம்) was a royal dynasty which existed inKerala during theKollam era and emerged from a branch ofPandya kingdom.[2]
The Pandalam kingdom was established around 79 ME (903 AD) by the Pandalam royal family who are the descendents of the Pandya kings of Madurai.
They came to Kerala fearing the assault of the Nayaks of Madurai. In Kerala they were given land and status by Kaipuzha Thampan (Kunjunni Varma Thampan) of Nilambur Kovilakam a landlord who lived in Amanthur Palace at Kaipuzha from Kottayam Kerala. Today Pandalam is part ofPathanamthitta,Kerala,India.
The Pandya Kingdom ofTamilakam was once attacked byMalik Kafur, the commander-in-chief ofAlauddin Khalji ofKhalji dynasty. Upon the failure of Pandiya rajas, two branches of this dynasty fled towards west (Kerala) to secure themselves from the attacks.
One branch proceeded via the Western Ghats mountainous regions and settled inPoonjar inKottayam and established thePoonjar kingdom. The other branch (Chembazhannur) wandered through several places ghats and facing much difficulty finally settled inPandalam.[3]
The fleeing Chembazhannur branch at first settled inValliyur (nearTirunelveli) and enjoyed a privileged position in the society.[4] Later due to the threats of invasion, the royal family shifted toTenkasi. [ the royal family which forced them to proceed towards west (Kerala) via places such as Achankovil, Aryankavu,Kulathupuzha and settled inKonni by c. 79 ME, which was according to the Copper deed issued by the Venad raja.
The family constructed a shrine for lord Shiva in Konni (Muringamangalam Sreemahadevar Temple) for their daily worships. This temple is one of the most noted contributions of Chembazhanuur family in Kerala.[5] A number of Mutts, Manas and Koyikkalls were also constructed by the family. The local people fed up with the activities of thieves accepted the family as the ruling class which was named asChembazhanji kovilakom. Attacks onTravancore by Cholas forced the family to flee Konni and then to settle down inPandalam which became their permanent capital.
A full-fledged kingdom was established by aroundc. 370 ME (1194 CE) by obtaining the land from Kunjunni Varma Thampan (Kaipuzha Thampan) of Amanthur Kovilakam at Kaipuzha and the local ruler and landlord of the region. TheVenad ruler also played a great role in the establishment of this kingdom.[6] People enjoyed a peaceful atmosphere and ideal life under the Pandalam rulers. As of theTravancore state manual, Pandalam kingdom kept friendly relations with the rajas of Travancore. Relation between Kaipuzha Thampan and Maharaja of Travancore was extremely cordial. Pandhalam Raja established a good relation with Maharaj of Travancore through Kunjunni Varma Thampan who was the close friend, advisory of Maharaja of Travancore.
The territories of Pandalam kingdom extended to an area of 1,000 square miles (2,600 km2) which covered the parts ofKonni, Achankovil,Tenkasi and the forest regions ofSabarimala, the abode of Ayyayppa. During 345 ME, Aadhichavarman a Venad ruler had given a sizable portion of land to this kingdom.Marthanda Varma, the famed Venad ruler and establisher ofTravancore kingdom (925 ME) was named for his annexation policies.
But on his conquests in Central Travancore, Pandalam was left independent and wasn't annexed to his domain. This was primarily due to cordial relations that Travancore had with Pandalam and of the assistance by the royal family in theKayamkulam conquest of Varma. Pandalam was forced to give a big amount of Rs.2,20,001 to Travancore government towards the cost of wars afterTippus conquest inMalabar coast during 965 ME. The amount was paid in various installments. During 969 ME, the income from Sabarimala temple was used to pay as installments by a ruler of Pandalam.
By 995 ME, the raja of Travancore made an agreement with the Pandalam king assuring that they would support every member of the royal family if they were allowed to collect revenue from Pandalam. Upon the acceptance of this offer, the kingdom of Pandalam was merged with Travancore and a monthly pension was issued for each royal family member. The administrative rights of temples including Sabarimala within the premises of kingdom was transferred to the Travancore government and later toTravancore devaswom board. Before the formation ofPathanamthitta district, Pandalam was a part of theMavelikkara taluk ofAlappuzha district.
It is believed that the royal family of Pandalam belonged to theBhargava gotra while other royal families in Kerala were included in theViswamitra gotra. The kingdom is famed for its kinship withAyyappa, the son ofHarihara (the fusion ofShiva andVishnu). Raja Rajasekhara, a king of this dynasty during his hunting expedition heard the crying of a baby near the banks ofPamba. The raja found a glorious looking infant wearing a bead in his neck and surrounded by ahalo.
The childless raja was doubted whether to take the child with him. But SageAgastya arrived there and cleared his doubts by telling him that the child is a boon from the Gods and advised him to accept him. He was namedManikanta (Mani means bead andKanta being the neck). He was given proper education in gurukulam Later Rani gave birth to a son but raja considered Manikanta as his elder son and decided to crown him asYuvaraja of Pandalam.[7]
Manikanta was not willing to take up the throne as he was destined to crush evil. A greedy minister in the court misled the rani of the palace and partake in his scheme against Manikanta. Following the words of the minister, the rani pretended to be affected by a severe stomachache. The bribed royal physician prescribed the milk of Tiger as the only cure for this ache. The king was quite sure that none of the royal servants could complete the mission of obtaining milk from a tiger, but Manikanta agreed to go deep into the forests to fetch it. In the forests, Manikanta would come to fight and vanquish the demoness Mahishi.
On the very next day, he arrived at the palace riding a tiger followed by a group of cubs. Realizing that Manikanta was not an ordinary being, the members of the palace began praising him by calling himAyyane andAppane, from which the name "Ayyappa" originated. As his mission of slaying the demoness Mahishi was fulfilled, Manikanta determined that he should leave the palace, not before instructing the raja to construct a shrine atSabarimala where he would be presiding to bless thousands of devotees. He blessed everyone who assembled there once this was done and vanished forever.[8]
പാണ്ഡ്യേശ വംശതിലകം
കേരള കേളിവിഗ്രഹം
ആർത്തത്രാണപരം ദേവം
ശാസ്താരം പ്രണമാമ്യഹം
The above verses show the relationship of Lord Ayyappa with thePandyan kingdom. He is often depicted as theThilak (a mark on the forehead) of the Pandiya vamsa and the beloved deity of Kerala nadu.[9]
Pandalam palace
| Pandiyan / Pandalam Palace | |
|---|---|
പന്തളം കൊട്ടാരം | |
  Location of Pandalam palace in Kerala | |
| General information | |
| Status | Historical site |
| Type | Royal Palace |
| Architectural style | Traditional Kerala architecture and Pandiyan architecture |
| Location | Kerala,Pandalam,India |
| Coordinates | 9°19′N76°44′E / 9.32°N 76.73°E /9.32; 76.73 |
| Affiliation | Pandalam dynasty |
| Technical details | |
| Material | wood, bamboo, mud, stone |
| Design and construction | |
| Developer | Pandalam rajas |
(Malayalam:പന്തളം കൊട്ടാരം) is a royal palace of Pandalam located on the banks ofAchankovil river was the residence of royal family members.[10] The architectural mixtures of both Pandyas and Keralites can be witnessed in any corner of the palace. Mud, bamboo, stone and wood are the mostly used construction components in the old structures. It was in this palace that lord Ayyappa spent his childhood. In course of time, many parts of the palace were taken away by minor conflagrations and floods. But quite a few structures like Valiyakoikkal temple, Kaipuzha temple and Thevarappura remains still which depicts the ancient history and archaeological importance.[11]
The temple situated on the banks ofAchankovil river was the family temple of Pandalam kingdom, built in the traditional architectural styles of Kerala. It was built by Rajasekhara raja after returning from Sabarimala for daily worships of Ayyappa. The shrine is placed within the palace premises. ASalagramam (sacred stone) is installed here instead of an idol. The holyThiruvabharanam procession to Sabarimala begins from this temple every year on 28th ofdhanu before theMakaravilakku festival hosted in the month ofMakaram.[12]
There are mainly two shrine in this complex, one forShiva under the palace administration other forKrishna managed by Travancore devaswom board. TheNavagraha (nine holy planets) sculptures are portrayed in the shrine of Krishna. Once the idol ofNarasimha Murthy was installed in the temple which was very powerful. But due to the unfortunate incidents in the palace, the idol was replaced by theSanthana gopalam pratishta as per the instructions of astrologers and priests.[13]
The prayer rooms orThevarappuras of both Vadakkekottaram and Nalukettu palaces structured elegantly in wood are still in unblemished condition which keeps the idols of 28 gods and goddess for worshipping. The Pandiyan relation of Pandalam kingdom can easily be noticed from the presence ofMinakshi amman idol.[14]
The palace is placed in the north of Valiyakoikkal temple. TheThiruvabharanam (sacred ornaments) of lord Ayyappa are kept here. Pilgrims have the opportunity to worship the ornaments and to view the holy palanquin at times of Mandala - Makaravilakku period. These ornaments are taken out on the morning of 28th Dhanu then moved to the temple and later to Sabarimala temple in a holy procession.
This building is situated near a pond. The pond was once meant for bathing purposes of ladies in the palace. The raja on his way to Sabarimala with the sacred ornaments used to halt at this palace to receive the Vibhuti and blessings ofValiya thamburatti (most senior female member).
The palace itself keeps a number of varied customs and beliefs as sacred. The royal family had the privileges to perform various ritual practices at Valiyakoikkal and Sabarimala temples. Devotees often visits the raja to obtain the blessings in the form ofVibhuti (sacred ash).
The royal family of Pandalam has renowned artists, scholars and men of letters.
