Poonjar dynasty

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This article is about an ancient royal dynasty in Kerala. For the place, see Poonjar.
The kingdom of Poonjar
പൂഞ്ഞാർ രാജവംശം, பூஞ்ஞார் ராஜவம்சம்
1160–1750
StatusKingdom of medieval Kerala
CapitalPoonjar
Common languagesMalayalam,Tamil
Religion
Hinduism
Raja 
• 12th century
Manavikrama Kulasekara Perumal
Historical era
Kollam Era
• Established
1160
• Disestablished
1750
Today part ofKottayam district
Idukki district
Theni district

Poonjar dynasty (Malayalam:പൂഞ്ഞാർ രാജവംശം,

Peerumedu
and Kannan Devan hills.[1][2]

Manavikrama Kulasekara Perumal

In 1157 CE,

Madurai Meenakshi temple. These idols were later installed in the Poonjar Meenakshi temple on the banks of Meenachil river
.

Owning Poonjar

Upon the journey to Thekkumkur, Manavikrama and his troops were unexpectedly attacked by some robbers near

Lord Ayyappa) from an unexpected attack of thieves.[4]

Expansion of Poonjar kingdom

After acquiring Poonjar from Thekkumkoor rajas, Manavikrama procured Elamala region of Chengamanadu Devaswom in M.E 364 and the Kannanthevannoor region from Keezhmalainadu Kothavarmman Kovilathikarikal in M.E 427. The Cumbum, Koodallur,

Tamil nadu
. By 1425 CE, the area of Poonjar kingdom was about 4,000 km2 (1,500 sq mi).

Decline

After 1625 CE, there were no inheritors in Ponnjar royal family. Hence the members of Sarkara kovilakom in

English East India Company raised their voice for the ownership of Kannandevan hills and many Pandya nadus. Upon acquiring the ownership rights of these regions, Anjanadu and Kannandevan hills were given to Poonjar kingdom. When time passed, many regions under Poonjar were given in lease to Travancore including Anjunadu, Elamala and Periyar regions. The vast Poonjar kingdom finally shrunk to just 87 km2.[6]

Prominent Members

The royal family has many prominent members. Most notable among them is Col.

G.V. Raja
who is considered as the most eminent promoter of sports in Kerala and the first person to identify the potential of developing the state into a hub of tourism.

Recently a statue was unveiled of his older brother PR Rama Varma Raja a prolific personality who during his lifetime was based from Alakode, Kerala.[8]

Another important person was the late P Kerala Varma, a change-maker, social activist, and tantrik scholar.[9] He stood for elections multiple times the notable one being against the late chief minister K. Karunakaran in 1998.[10]

Gopa Varma, another member of the royal family has been a pioneer in promoting adventure sports and sustainable tourism in Kerala. He has been pivotal in the promotion of paragliding as a popular sport in Kerala.[11]

Poonjar palace

The Poonjar palace, about 600 years old (built around AD 1400) is built in the traditional architectural styles of ancient

Idukki districts.[12] Other components used were granite stone blocks, laterite tiles and clay tiles of larger and medium sizes. The ancient architectural styles of Kerala can be seen anywhere here. The temple like structure gives the palace itself a holy look. The floors and interior parts are quite unique in their design and outlook. There is also a temple inside the palace built according to the Vastu shastra laws. Marvelous statutes of various Hindu deities are placed in various parts of palace. The furniture made of teak, sandal wood and rose wood. These uniqueness of Poonjar palace attracts many visitors. A museum is also housed inside the palace which preserves many rock cut lamps, sculptures and antiques. The Kerala state department of archaeology keeps the palace as a heritage site and a historic monument.[13]

Temples under Poonjar dynasty

  • Sree Dharma Sastha Temple Poonjar
  • Madhurameenakshi Temple Poonjar
  • Nayattupara Ganapathi Temple Poonjar
  • Kottaram Sree Krishna Swami Temple Poonjar
  • Nadackal Bhagavathi Temple
  • Sree Saraswathi Devi Temple, Mankompu
  • Sree Dharma Sastha Temple Vandiperiyar

Attractions at the palace

Poonjar palace preserves a unique exquisite collection of various materials which remain in good condition.

  • Droni, a bed used in the traditional Ayurvedic treatment
  • Precious jewel boxes and lamps
  • Sculptures of Nataraja (the dancing Shiva)
  • Palm-leaf engravings
  • Rock-cut lamps and Chuttuvilakku carved out of the stone walls
  • A unique conch shell brought out once in a year for ritual practices
  • Weapons used by rajas
  • Palanquins and chandeliers[14]

See also

References

  1. ISBN 81-264-1578-9
    .
  2. ISBN 81-264-1588-6
    .
  3. ^ "Poonjar palace-Kottayam". Kerala-tourism.org. Retrieved 6 August 2019.
  4. ^
    ISBN 81-7797-033-X
    .
  5. ^ "Poonjar palace and its history". Astrolika.com. Retrieved 6 August 2019.
  6. ^ a b Mathew, Mannarakam (2013). "പൂഞ്ഞാർ മണ്ഡലം". Poonjar: Charithramurangunna Punyabhoomi (4 ed.). Mannarathu Publications, Erattupetta. pp. 135–138.
  7. ISBN 978-81-264-1866-4
    .
  8. ^ "Chandy to unveil statue". Thehindu.com. June 6, 2012.
  9. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2017-10-28. Retrieved 2017-10-17.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  10. ^ "Kerala Varma Raja dead". Thehindu.com. July 6, 2010. Retrieved 6 August 2019.
  11. ^ "Soar above the Wagamon landscape". Thehindu.com. March 6, 2007. Retrieved 6 August 2019.
  12. ^ "600 വർഷത്തെ പഴക്കം; കേരള തനിമയുടെ അപൂര്‍വ കാഴ്ചയുമായി കോട്ടയം ജില്ലയിലെ കൊട്ടാരം". ManoramaOnline (in Malayalam). Retrieved 2021-07-16.
  13. ^ "History of Poonjar palace in Kottayam". Godsowncountry.info. Retrieved 6 August 2019.
  14. ^ "My Eyes on Kerala: Poonjar Palace". Keraltourismtips.blogspot.com. Retrieved 6 August 2019.
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