Onattukara
Odanad | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
11th – 18th century | |||||||||
Capital | Feudal Monarchy | ||||||||
Kayamkulam Raja | |||||||||
History | |||||||||
• Established | 11th century | ||||||||
• Disestablished | 1746 | ||||||||
| |||||||||
Today part of | India |
Odanad (
Etymology
The word Odanad is a transliteration of the Malayalam word ഓടനാട്, ōṭānāṭŭ, which is a portmanteau of ഓടം, ōṭām meaning boat, and നാട്, nāṭŭ, meaning land, so Odanad means the land of boats.[1] An alternative hypothesis is that the first part of the word derives from ഓടമുള, ōṭāmuḷa, meaning bamboo, and that Odanad means the land of bamboo.[1][3] Kerala Varma Valiya Koil Thampuran's Sanskrit work Mayura Sandesam describes Odanad as the land of vines.
Kayamkulam is the capital of Odanad, the central figure in the festival of Onam.[1][2] The state was hence known as Onattukara (ഓണാട്ടുകര, ōṇāṭṭukara), which translates to the land of Onam.
The state was metonymically referred to as Kayamkulam after the capital was moved to the city of Kayamkulam.
History
This section needs additional citations for verification. (February 2014) |
11th – 14th century
Copper plate inscriptions in Thiruvalla, dated to the 11th century, mention Odanad and Mattom, then its capital. These inscriptions, along with the Unnuneeli Sandesam, also note the significance of Chennithala whips in Odanad.
Most of the records of the rulers of Odanad come from the temple records of the Kandiyoor Sree Mahadeva Temple.
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15th – 18th century
In 1743, Odanad was bordered by the feudal states of
By 1746, Odanad had been persuaded by the Dutch to take up the leadership of a new confederation which included Chembakassery, Thekkumkur and Purakkad. In this fourth war known as Battle of Purakkad between the states, Odanad was again defeated and its territories finally annexed to Travancore.[5]
Politics
Government
Odanad was controlled by Nair lords, among whom the ruler of Kayamkulam was the most prominent.
Foreign relations
Odanad maintained friendly relations with the Portuguese and the Dutch empires since the 16th century.
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Military
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Odanadu Dynasty was one of the strongest Military powered state in ancient Kerala. One among the strongest and brave army power, Kayamkulam provided mortal support to the surrounding local states and helped them to lead war against their rivals. The identity Weapon was " Double side sharpen Sword" commonly called Kayamkulam Vaal.
Economy
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The King of Kayamkulam had trade relations with foreigners in the backwaters west of Pullukulangarak, as proof of this, the huge trade can still be seen in the Pandikashala. From this the king had unprecedented financial reserves. When Marthanda Varma attacked Kayamkulam, the king escaped to Iringlakudak through this port.
Demographics
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Religion
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Chettikulangara Temple
The
The mythology surrounding the temple has it that after
The ancient temple at the place Evoor is in the Onattukara region. This temple had originated in the presence of Bhagavan Sri Krishna himself.
This temple is one of the most important 26 Maha-Vishnu shrines in the world. The myth is linked to 'Khandava-dahanam' (burning of Khandava forest), described in 'Mahabharata'. The remains of burnt trees being widely found here, confirm this. Further evidence are, nearby Mannarassala and 'Pandavarkavu' temples. (The research conducted by the archeology dept. of Kerala reveals that the fossils remains found in the fields near to the temple are not burned one. The forest cover fell down centuries back due to excessive sea level increase and flooding the area under sea. Carbon dating is also done to determine the time period.)
The great Kanva Maharshi (one of the top 7 Rishis), had been living in this part of Onattukara. 'Kannamangalam' (Kanva-mangalam) is nearby. His 'Ashramam' (hermitage) later became a temple. Evoor Krishnaswamy's yearly 'Arattu' (ceremonial bath) is held in this temple's tank.
Origin
According to local mythology,
Agni appeared in the form of a brahmin to seek the help of Krishna and Arjuna, who were visiting the area. They set up a fire to consume the forest. Maharshi Kanva arrived to save his 'Archa Murti'. a four armed image of Vishnu. Krishna granted a boon that the murti would not be harmed by fire. Soon, Agni started consuming Khandava Forest. Lord Indra used thundershowers promptly but on Krishna's advice, Arjuna constructed a canopy of arrows to prevent the rain from disrupting Agni's consumption of the forest. Thus Agni's ailment was cured.
As a sign of thankfulness, Agni sought permission to install that murti in a new temple there to facilitate worship. As instructed by Krishna, Arjuna fired an arrow to determine the location. A new temple was soon consecrated where the arrow had landed. Evoor is the shortened form of 'Eytha ooru', meaning the place from where the arrows were showered to make the canopy of arrows. Krishna infused his divine power into the murti and Arjuna performed its first puja. A murti of Bhootha Natha Swamy (Kiratha Murti form of Lord Siva), together with Yakshi Amma (Devi Parvati) were consecrated as the sub-deities. The ancient trees roofing them are the survivors of Khandava Forest.[6]
Fire and re-construction
In the 1880s, the temple was destroyed in a fire. When the 'Sree Kovil' (sanctum sanctorum) was caught fire, so many people tried to remove the Deity, but failed. At last, an old Brahmana-devotee of the adjacent house, after taking a dip in the temple tank, entered the raging flames and brought out the Deity, safely.
Sri Moolam Thirunal, then king of Travancore, was in Kasi at that time. Appearing as a Brahmana-boy in his dream, Sri Krishna asked the king to re-construct the Evoor temple. Immediately, the king returned home and constructed a huge temple complex. It contained royal facilities such as security trenches atop the roof all around and underground drainage network to discharge the 'abhishka water' from 'Srikovil' to adjacent temple tank.
The renowned 'Tharananalloor Tantri' (whose ancestor had been brought to Kerala by Sri Parashurama) was appointed as the traditional 'Tantri'. Immense wealth (including lands and other assets) was arranged to ensure self-reliance. Also, extensive neighbourhood facilities and all necessary infrastructure were put in place for the temple.
Prayoga Chakra Prathishta
Evoor Bhagavan's Deity is the unique Prayoga Chakra Prathishta. Live 'Sudarshana Chakra' in rear right hand; Panchjanya Sankha in rear left hand; Butter in frontal right hand; and the frontal left hand is held on the hip as a mani-bandham.
Bhagavan is in a combative mood ready to release 'Sudarshana Chakra'. He is the 72-year-old Sri Krishna at His peak glory and power.
Vedic experts have confirmed the extremely rare divine presence of "Sri Chakra" on this deity. Consequently, "Raktha-pushpanjali" is a special offering here which is unavailable in Vishnu temples elsewhere.
Evoor temple is popularly known as the "Guruvayoor of Onattukara".
Evoor temple is situated near the Cheppad Railway station between Kayamkulam and Harippad. The railway line is called the "Theera Desa" (coastal route which is not the main railway route). It is easier to reach there by bus. Cheppad is about 7 km north of Kayamkulam bus stand. From Harippad Bus stand Evoor is about 5 km south. You can get down at Cheppad Junction and go by an auto-rickshaw to Evoor temple. Alternatively, one can get down at the bus stop (south of Cheppad and north of Ramapuram Devi temple) on NH-47 and walk up to the temple which is about 1 km east of NH-47.
Buddhist legacy
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/e4/Mavelikara_Buddha.jpg/100px-Mavelikara_Buddha.jpg)
Mavelikkara was once a flourishing centre of Buddhist culture,
Ramapuram Bhagavthi Temple-Odanadu Dynasty Temple
Ramapuram Bhagavathy Temple[Ramapurathamma ] is considered as the Kingdom deity temple of Odanadu(Kayamkulam Kingdom) [Odanadu Rulers]. After stealing the Sreechakram, sanctified at sanctum of Ramapurathamma, the then Trippappur king Marthandavarma and his Chief [Dalava] Ramayyan had conquered Kayamkulam .The absence of the most sacred Sreechakram rendered them powerless and it paved the way for Marthanda Varma to establish his supremacy over Kayamkulam dynasty .
Syrian Christians of Odanad
The Syrian Christians of Odanad existed even before the establishment of the Kingdom. Chengannur being the earliest centre where the Chengannur Old Syrian Church was established in the 4th century by the Syrian Christian migrants from Niranam and Nilakkal. Later in the 7th century a church was built in Haripad but was demolished in the 11th century and half of the Syrian Christians of Haripad joined the Karthikapally Syrian Church which was built in AD 829 AD by the Syrian Christian migrants from Chengannur, and the other half established the Cheppad Syrian Church in 1175 AD. Kayamkulam became a commercial capital owing to its port merchantry and many Syrian Christians migrated to Kayamkulam. These Syrians relied on the Kadampanad Syrian Church (built in AD 325) till the establishment of the Kayamkulam Kadeesha Syrian Church in AD 824 by Mar Sabor and Mar Aphroth. In AD 943 the Syrian Christians of Mavelikkara built the Mavelikkara Puthiyakavu Syrian Church when they split from the Kayamkulam Kadeesha Syrian Church.
Culture
Festivals in Odanad include the Jeevatha Nritham,[8] a traditional form of dance, and the Kettukazhcha, which has its origins in Buddhism.[9]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d "Kayamkulam Dynasty". Archived from the original on 7 September 2013. Retrieved 15 February 2014.
- ^ OCLC 44811613.
- ^ "Onattukara". Mavelikkara: Raja Ravi Varma College of Fine Arts. Archived from the original on 15 February 2014. Retrieved 15 February 2014.
- ^ Galletti, A. (1911). The Dutch in Malabar. Government of Madras.
- ^ Pandarakalam, James Paul. "Namboothiri Rulers - Ambalapuzha Namboothiri Royalty - Unearthing a God-centered Kingdom". Calicut: Namboothiri Websites Trust Calicut. Archived from the original on 22 October 2013. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
- ^ "Home". evoortemple.com.
- ^ "Short History of Trivandrum Diocese". Union of Catholic Asian News. Archived from the original on 31 July 2013. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
- ^ Puthiavila, Manoj K. (March 2009). "Manifesting the Rich Culture" (PDF). Kerala Calling. Government of Kerala: 30–32. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 February 2014. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
- ISBN 9788176481700.)
after Brahminism [...] legendary heroes like Bhima and heroines like Panchali replaced the Buddhist tableax
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