ImportMaster: robot: import pages using Special:Import

2021-11-13T21:19:47Z

robot: import pages using Special:Import

New page

{{short description|Early dynasty in Kerala}}
{{about|a royal dynasty in Kerala|the place|Pandalam}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{confusing|date=October 2018}}
{{fiction|date=October 2018}}
}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2019}}
{{Infobox Former Country
|native_name = പന്തളം രാജവംശം
|conventional_long_name = The Kingdom of Pandalam
|common_name = Pandalam Dynasty
|era = [[Kollam era]]
|year_start = {{Circa|903}} CE (79 [[Malayalam calendar|ME]])<ref name=rf>{{cite web|url=http://www.ayyappa.com/RoyalFamilyOfPandalam.htm|title=Royal Family Of Pandalam - Website Of Lord Ayyappa And Royal Family Of Pandalan|website=www.ayyappa.com}}</ref>
|event1 =
|year_end = 1820 CE (995 ME)<ref name=rf />
|s1 =
|image_flag =
|flag_alt = sd
|image_map = പന്തളം കൊട്ടാരം.JPG
|image_map_caption = Front view of the two-storeyed Pandalam Valiyakoyikkal palace
|capital = [[Konni, Pathanamthitta|Konni]] (for about 100 years) [[Pandalam]] (up to 1820 CE)
|common_languages = [[Tamil language|Tamil]] [[Malayalam]]
|religion = [[Hinduism]] 
|government_type = Monarchy
|leader1 = Raja Rajasekhara verma (Ayyappa's adopted father)
|year_leader1 = Beginning of Kollam era
|leader2 =
|year_leader2 =
|leader3 =
|year_leader3 =
|today = [[India]] [[Pathanamthitta district]]
|demonym=|area_km2=|area_rank=|GDP_PPP=|GDP_PPP_year=|HDI=|HDI_year=}}

'''Pandalam dynasty''' ([[Malayalam]]:പന്തളം രാജവംശം) a royal dynasty emerged from a branch of [[Pandya dynasty|Pandya kingdom]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Connecting the past and present of Kerala's royalty|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/2020/oct/30/connecting-the-past-and-present-of-keralas-royalty-2216822.html|access-date=2021-03-05|website=The New Indian Express}}</ref> which existed in [[Kerala]] during the [[Kollam era]]. They came to Kerala fearing the assault of a ruler. 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 of [[Pathanamthitta]], [[Kerala]], [[India]].

==Early history==
The Pandya Kingdom of [[Tamilakam]] was once attacked by [[Malik Kafur]], the commander-in-chief of [[Alauddin Khalji]] of [[Khalji 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 in [[Poonjar]] in [[Kottayam]] and established the [[Poonjar dynasty|Poonjar kingdom]]. The other branch (''Chembazhannur'') wandered through several places ghatsand facing much difficulty finally settled in [[Pandalam]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://vrittantham.blogspot.com/2015_01_01_archive.html|title=ധര്‍മ്മ ശാസ്താവും അയ്യപ്പനും ഒരു വിമര്‍ശന പഠനം|website=vrittantham.blogspot.com|date=2015-01-04}}</ref> The fleeing Chembazhannur branch at first settled in [[Valliyur]] (near [[Tirunelveli]]) and enjoyed a privileged position in the society.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sites.google.com/site/thatvamasiorg/pandala-raja|title=Pandalalm Raja - thatvamsiorg|website=sites.google.com}}</ref> Later due to the threats of invasion, the royal family shifted to [[Tenkasi]]. [[Thirumalai Nayakkar|Thirumalai Savuri Nayunu Ayyalugaru Naidu]], a famed ruler of Madurai wished to see his daughter's marriage with a prince of Chembazhannur family. But upon the rejection of marriage proposal, Nayak became an enemy of Pandiyas. He made huge damages in Tenkasi with his strong ''Maravappada'' (army). Knowing that they couldn't continue a peaceful life in Tenkasi, the family moved to a place named {{not a typo|''Elathoor maniyam''}} and procured the mountainous regions near [[Puliyankudi]]. But Nayak continued to torture the royal family which forced them to proceed towards west ([[Kerala]]) via places such as Achankovil, Aryankavu, [[Kulathupuzha]] and settled in [[Konni, Pathanamthitta|Konni]] by c. 79 [[Malayalam calendar|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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://muringamangalam.blogspot.in/2009/12/blog-post.html|title=മുരിംങ്ങമംഗലം ക്ഷേത്ര ഉല്‍പത്തി|date=2009-12-13|website=murungamangalam.blogspot.in}}</ref> 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 as ''Chembazhanji kovilakom''. Attacks on [[Travancore]] by Cholas forced the family to flee Konni and then to settle down in [[Pandalam]] which became their permanent capital. A full-fledged kingdom was established by around {{Circa|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. The [[Venad]] ruler also played a great role in the establishment of this kingdom.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://pandalamonline.blogspot.in/2009/06/history.html?m=1|title=Pandalam the holy town|date=2009-06-17|website=pandalamonline.blogspot.in|access-date=2016-10-09}}</ref> People enjoyed a peaceful atmosphere and ideal life under the Pandalam rulers. As of the [[Travancore State Manual|Travancore 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 {{convert|1000|sqmi|km2|sigfig=2}} which covered the parts of [[Konni, Pathanamthitta|Konni]], Achankovil, [[Tenkasi]] and the forest regions of [[Sabarimala]], 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 of [[Travancore]] 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 the [[Battle of Colachel|Kayamkulam conquest]] of Varma. Pandalam was forced to give a big amount of Rs.2,20,001 to Travancore government towards the cost of wars after [[Tippu Sultan|Tippus]] conquest in [[Malabar region|Malabar]] 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 to [[Devaswom boards in Kerala|Travancore devaswom board]]. Before the formation of [[Pathanamthitta]] district, Pandalam was a part of the [[Mavelikkara]] taluk of [[Alappuzha]] district.

==Legend about the relationship with Ayyappa==
[[File:ശബരിമല ക്ഷേത്രം.JPG|thumb|Sabarimala, the holy abode of [[Ayyappa]]]]

It is believed that the royal family of Pandalam belonged to the ''[[Bhargava]] gotra'' while other royal families in Kerala were included in the ''Viswamitra gotra''. The kingdom is famed for its kinship with [[Ayyappa]], the son of [[Harihara]] (the fusion of [[Shiva]] and [[Vishnu]]). Raja Rajasekhara, a king of this dynasty during his hunting expedition heard the crying of a baby near the banks of [[Pamba River|Pamba]]. The raja found a glorious looking infant wearing a bead in his neck and surrounded by a [[Halo (religious iconography)|halo]]. The childless raja was doubted whether to take the child with him. But Sage [[Agastya]] 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 named ''Manikanta'' (''Mani'' means bead and ''Kanta'' 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 as ''Yuvaraja'' of Pandalam.<ref>{{cite book |last=V|first=Ramakumar |date=September 2002 |chapter=പന്തളം രാജവംശം |edition=1st |editor=Paramasivan Nair |title=Sree Ayyappan |url=http://www.sisobooks.net |location=[[Thiruvananthapuram]] |publisher=Siso books |pages=55–56 |isbn=81-7797-033-X}}</ref>

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 him ''Ayyane'' and ''Appane'', 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 at [[Sabarimala]] where he would be presiding to bless thousands of devotees. He blessed everyone who assembled there once this was done and vanished forever.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://earnhapply.blogspot.com/2007/11/pandalam-royal-family-ancestors-of.html|title= J Y O T H I|website=earnhapply.blogspot.com}}</ref>

{{Quote
|class =
|title =
|quote = പാണ്ഡ്യേശ വംശതിലകം കേരള കേളിവിഗ്രഹം ആർത്തത്രാണപരം ദേവം ശാസ്താരം പ്രണമാമ്യഹം
|author =
|source =
}}

The above verses show the relationship of Lord Ayyappa with the Pandiya kingdom. He is often depicted as the ''Thilak'' (a mark on the forehead) of the Pandiya vamsa and the beloved deity of Kerala nadu.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.janmabhumidaily.com/news350859|title=പന്തളത്തു തമ്പുരാന്റെ ഭജനം|website=www.janmabhumidaily.com}}</ref>

==The Palace complex==
'''Pandalam palace'''
{{Infobox building
| name = Pandiyan / Pandalam Palace
| native_name = '''பாண்டிய அரண்மனை / പന്തളം കൊട്ടാരം'''
| map_type = Kerala
| map_caption = Location of Pandalam palace in Kerala
| status = Historical site
| building_type = Royal Palace
| architectural_style = Traditional Kerala architecture
| structural_system =
| location = [[Kerala]]
| location_city = [[Pandalam]]
| location_country = [[India]]
| coordinates = {{coord|9.32|76.73|display=inline}}
| completion_date =
| affiliation = Pandalam dynasty
| developer = Pandalam rajas
| opened =
| material = wood, bamboo, mud, stone
| main_contractors =
| architect =
| structural_engineer =
}}({{lang-ml |പന്തളം കൊട്ടാരം}}) is a royal palace of Pandalam located on the banks of [[Achankovil|Achankovil river]] was the residence of royal family members.<ref>{{cite web|title=Heavy rush for Thiruvabharanam darshan at Pandalam Palac|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/heavy-rush-for-thiruvabharanam-darshan-at-pandalam-palace/article2790642.ece|access-date=3 March 2014}}</ref> 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 was took 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.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://sabarimalayatraa.blogspot.com/2012/12/royal-family-of-pandalam.html |title= Royal family of Pandalam |website= sabarimalayatraa.blogspot.com}}</ref>

===Valiyakoikkal temple===
{{main article|Valiyakoikkal temple}}
[[File:Pandalam kshethram1.JPG|thumb|Pandalam Valiyakoikkal Sastha temple]]
The temple situated on the banks of [[Achankovil]] 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. A [[Shaligram|''Salagramam'']] (sacred stone) is installed here instead of an idol. The holy [[Thiruvabharanam]] procession to Sabarimala begins from this temple every year on 28th of ''dhanu'' before the [[Makaravilakku]] festival hosted in the month of ''Makaram''.<ref>{{cite news|title=Hundreds throng Pandalam to worship Thiruvabharanam|url=http://www.hindu.com/2011/01/10/stories/2011011058310300.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110115031119/http://www.hindu.com/2011/01/10/stories/2011011058310300.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2011-01-15|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=2011-01-10|access-date=2013-12-27}}</ref>

===Kaipuzha temple===
There are mainly two shrine in this complex, one for [[Shiva]] under the palace administration other for [[Krishna]] managed by Travancore devaswom board. The ''[[Navagraha]]'' (nine holy planets) sculptures are portrayed in the shrine of Krishna. Once the idol of ''Narasimha Murthy'' was installed in the temple which was very powerful. But due to the unfortunate incidents in the palace, the idol was replaced by the ''Santhana gopalam'' pratishta as per the instructions of astrologers and priests.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.india9.com/i9show/Kaipuzha-Shiva-Temple-52036.htm|title=Kaipuzha Shiva temple in Pandalam India|website=www.india9.com}}</ref>

===Thevarappuras (prayer rooms)===
[[File:Pandalam palace1.JPG|thumb|Kochukoikkal thevarappura]]
The prayer rooms or ''Thevarappuras'' 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 of [[Minakshi]] amman idol.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.keralahoneymoonpackage.com/2014/01/historical-pandalam-palace-and-its.html|title=Historical Pandalam Palace and Its Importance|website=www.keralahoneymoonpackage.com}}</ref>

===Srampical palace===
The palace is placed in the north of Valiyakoikkal temple. The ''[[Thiruvabharanam]]'' (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.

===Puthenkoikkal===
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 of ''Valiya thamburatti'' (senior most female member).

==Customs and beliefs in the palace==
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 of ''[[Vibhuti]]'' (sacred ash).

===Some important customs===

* The representative of the Valiya Thampuran has the privilege of being the last to pray at the Sabarimala shrine on [[Makaravilakku]] day
* The male children (before ''[[upanayana]]'') and female members (age 10–50) are not allowed to undertake the holy pilgrimage.
* The royal members need not carry the ''Irumudikettu'' (travel kit) along with them on the Sabarimala pilgrimage.
* The Valiyakoikkal temple will be closed for 12 days upon the demise of any family member of the Palace.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ayyappa.com/CustomsOfRoyalFamily.htm|title=Customs - Pandalam royal family|website=www.ayyappa.com}}</ref>

==Notable personalities==
The royal family of Pandalam has renowned artists, scholars and men of letters.
* [[Pandalam Kerala Varma]] is a writer. He wrote many narrative poems, translations, children's poetry and two [[mahakavya]]s. He served as the chief editor of "Kavana Kaumudi", the first Malayalam periodical.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Nair |first1=Mohanakshan |title=Mahakavyas of Pandalam Kerala Varma: a study (പന്തളം കേരളവര്‍മ്മയുടെ മഹാകാവ്യങ്ങള്‍ - ഒരു പഠനം ) |url=http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in:8080/jspui/handle/10603/7532 |website=Shodhana |publisher=Mahatma Gandhi University |access-date=3 December 2018}}</ref>
* [[V.S. Valiathan]] (Vattaparambil Sankaran Valiathan) was born in the royal family of Pandalam as the son of Revathinal Ravi Varam Raja and Thottathil madhavi Amma. He is one of the noted artists from Kerala who followed the styles of [[Raja Ravi Varma]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Raja Ravi Varma Prize for Valiathan |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/raja-ravi-varma-prize-for-valiathan/article3131680.ece |website=The Hindu |access-date=3 December 2018 |language=en-IN |date=11 May 2006}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Colbegin|colwidth=22em}}
* [[Poonjar dynasty]]
* [[Ayyappa]]
* [[Pandalam Palace]]
* [[Pandalam Kerala Varma]]
* [[Valiyakoikkal temple]]
* [[Pandya dynasty]]
* [[History of Kerala]]
* [[Thiruvabharanam]]
* [[Aranmula palace]]
* [[Malayalam calendar]]
{{colend}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.pandalam.org Information portal about Pandalam]
* [http://www.ayyappa.com Official website of Pandalam palace]
** [http://www.ayyappa.com/RoyalFamilyOfPandalam.htm Royal Family Of Pandalam]

{{Tourism in Kerala|state=collapsed}}

[[Category:Dynasties of India]]
[[Category:Kingdoms of Kerala]]

Pandalam dynasty - Revision history

ImportMaster: robot: import pages using Special:Import