DebbieLemke: minor refine page for consistency and improved wording after review

2026-03-17T03:36:37Z

minor refine page for consistency and improved wording after review

2402:3A80:1BAD:BD70:678:5634:1232:5476 at 12:16, 14 October 2021

2021-10-14T12:16:42Z

New page

{{Short description|Old house in Kerala known for traditional architecture and numerous film appearances}}{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox building
| name = Varikkasseri Mana
| native_name = {{lang|ml|വരിക്കാശ്ശേരി മന}}
| image = Varikkasseri Nalukettu.jpg
| image_size = 
| alt =
| caption =
| alternate_names = Varikkumanchery Mana
| map_type = Kerala
| map_alt =
| map_caption =
| building_type =
| architectural_style = [[Architecture of Kerala|Kerala Architecture]]
| architect = Krishnan Thampuran
| structural_system = Red stone
| roof = Roof tiles
| est_completion = 1902
| cost =
| location = [[Manissery]], [[Ottappalam]], [[Palakkad]], [[Kerala]]
| owner = Varikkasseri Krishnan Namboodiripad
| current_tenants =
| location_country = India
| coordinates = {{coord|10|46|16|N|76|20|14|E}}
| altitude =
| start_date =
| completion_date =
| inauguration_date =
| demolition_date =
| height =
| diameter =
| other_dimensions =
| floor_count = Three
| floor_area =
| rooms = 74 in the main building
| awards =
| parking =
| website =
| references =
}}
'''Varikkasseri Mana''' (Malayalam: വരിക്കാശേരി മന), alternatively known as '''Varikkumanchery Mana''', is one of the oldest traditional aristocratic [[Nambudiri|Namboothiri]] family houses (illam) in [[Kerala]]. Built in [[Architecture of Kerala|Kerala architectural style]] on a plot of land measuring approximately 4 acres, the building is located at [[Manissery]], a village in [[Ottapalam]] in [[Palakkad]]. It is a popular shooting location for Malayalam films and several commercially successful films such as [[Devasuram]], [[Aaraam Thampuran]], [[Rappakal]] were filmed on its premises.

== Profile ==
The Varikkasseri family is reported to have a history of over 1000 years and the family is known to have occupied a sovereign position among ''Ashta gruha'' (Eight Families) Namboothiri families.<ref name="Varikkassery Mana - a report">{{Cite web |url=http://wikimapia.org/8805651/Varikkassery-mana-Marked-by-krishnan-varikkassery |title=Varikkassery Mana - a report |last=Krishnan Varikkassery |website=wikimapia.org |language=en |access-date=2019-04-18}}</ref> The Mana was built by Varikkassery Ravi Namboothirippad<ref name="Varikkassery Mana, where heritage wins time - MovingShoe">{{Cite web |url=http://movingshoe.com/varikkassery-mana/ |title=Varikkassery Mana, where heritage wins time - MovingShoe |website=movingshoe.com |access-date=2019-04-18}}</ref> in or about 1902, using locally available red stone.<ref name="Veedu special episode at Varikkassery Mana">{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JM1vTJO6Y8 |title=Veedu special episode at Varikkassery Mana |last=Veedu |date=2014-07-31 |website=YouTube |access-date=2019-04-18}}</ref> An expansive ''padippura'' (gate house)<ref name="8 Gorgeous Movie Locations in Kerala that will Bring Out the Actor in You!">{{Cite web |url=https://medium.com/@paradiseholidays/8-gorgeous-movie-locations-in-kerala-that-will-bring-out-the-actor-in-you-8e55a433e685 |title=8 Gorgeous Movie Locations in Kerala that will Bring Out the Actor in You! |last=Holidays |first=Paradise |date=2017-05-08 |website=Medium |access-date=2019-04-19}}</ref> provides the entry to the three-storied building complex which comprises a ''[[nalukettu]]'' with 74 rooms, two ''pathayappuras'' (outhouses), a large pond and the adjoining bath house, a family temple complex consisting three temples of [[Shiva]], [[Krishna]] and [[Ayyappan]], and an ''oottupura'' (dining hall), which has since been demolished.<ref name="Varikkasseri Mana - the ancestral home of Malayalam cinema">{{Cite web |url=https://english.manoramaonline.com/lifestyle/decor/varikkasseri-mana-ottapalam-palakkad-movie-location.html |title=Varikkasseri Mana - the ancestral home of Malayalam cinema |website=OnManorama |access-date=2019-04-18}}</ref> It was designed by Krishnan Thampuran, also known as Shilpi Thampuran, of Varikkasseri family, who had earlier studied architecture in [[Chennai]] and his exposure to western architecture is seen in the design of the building, especially in the long slender columns surrounding the portico of the building. The beams, doors and windows are made out of wood and are adorned with intricate carvings.<ref name="Veedu special episode at Varikkassery Mana" />

The house was used in a number of Malayalam films,<ref name="The New Indian Express - 29 May 2012 - They’re shooting like hell at Varikkassery Mana"/> starting with [[Theertham (film)|Theertham]], the 1987 film made by [[Mohan (director)|Mohan]].<ref name="Veedu special episode at Varikkassery Mana" /> It is reported that the [[principal photography]] of over 100 films have been done here<ref name="Most popular shooting locations for Mollywood">{{Cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/photo-features/most-popular-shooting-locations-for-mollywood/photostory/50159310.cms |title=Most popular shooting locations for Mollywood |website=The Times of India |access-date=2019-04-18}}</ref> which include [[Devasuram]], [[Aaraam Thampuran]], [[Rappakal]], [[Anandabhadram]], [[Drona 2010|Drona]], [[Simhasanam (2012 film)|Simhasanam]], [[Madampi]], [[Sufi Paranja Katha (film)|Sufi Paranja Katha]], [[Jana (film)|Jana]] ([[Tamil language|Tamil]]), [[Thooval Kottaram]], [[Valliettan]], [[Kaavalan]], [[Manthrikan]] , [[Pretham 2]] and [[Shylock]].<ref name="Most Popular Shooting Locations for Mollywood.">{{Cite news |url=http://m.timesofindia.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/Most-popular-shooting-locations-for-Mollywood/photostory/50159317.cms |title=Most Popular Shooting Locations for Mollywood. |access-date=11 May 2016 |publisher=[[Times Of India]]}}</ref> Visitors are allowed in the complex when no film is being shot, but access to the ritually pure ''thevarapura'' is restricted to Brahmins who intend to perform rituals.<ref name="The stately Varikkasseri Mana beckons visitors">{{Cite web |url=https://travel.manoramaonline.com/travel/getting-about-kerala/palakkad/2018/11/09/the-stately-varikkasseri-mana-beckons-visitors.html |title=The stately Varikkasseri Mana beckons visitors |website=OnManorama |language=en |access-date=2019-04-19}}</ref> The mana is maintained and managed by a trust formed by the current owners of the property, consisting of 10 of the 25 original heirs and some investors who purchased the rights from the remaining 15 heirs.<ref name="The New Indian Express - 29 May 2012 - They’re shooting like hell at Varikkassery Mana">{{cite news|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/article529529.ece|title=They're shooting like hell at Varikkassery Mana|last=Satish|first=A|date=29 May 2012|work=[[The New Indian Express]]|access-date=11 May 2016}}</ref>

[[:ml:ശില്പി വരിക്കാശ്ശീരി കൃഷ്ണൻ നമ്പൂതിരിപ്പാട്|Varikkassery Krishnan Nampoothirippad]] was a well-known sculptor. He built the portico for this house in 1940s.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Srushtiyum visrushtiyum (സൃഷ്ടിയും വിസൃഷ്ടിയും, ശില്പി വരിക്കാശ്ശീരി കൃഷ്ണൻ നമ്പൂതിരിപ്പാടിൻറെ കലയും ജീവിതവും)|last=Rajendu|first=S|publisher=Mathrubhumi Books|year=2012|isbn=978-81-8265-380-1|location=Calicut}}</ref>

== Location ==
The Mana is located at [[Manissery]], in [[Ottappalam]], around 42 km from [[Palakkad]], in the south Indian state of Kerala.<ref name="The stately Varikkasseri Mana beckons visitors" /> The nearest railway station is [[Ottapalam railway station]] but one may also reach the place via [[Shornur railway station]] which is 13 km away.<ref name="Varikkassery Mana - a documentary">{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISHvAenqanY |title=Varikkassery Mana - a documentary |last=White Line |date=2018-08-05 |website=YouTube |access-date=2019-04-19}}</ref> [[Kozhikode International Airport]] is the entry point by air, which is situated 62 km away from the Mana.<ref name="Ottappalam">{{Cite web |url=https://www.keralatourism.org/destination/ottappalam-palakkad/148?_e_pi_=7%2CPAGE_ID10%2C3796295779 |title=Ottappalam |website=Kerala Tourism Department |access-date=11 May 2016}}</ref>

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
File:Varikkasseri Gopuram.jpg|<center>Entrance</center>
File:Varikkasseri Ambalam.jpg|<center>Varikkasseri temple</center>
File:Varikkasseri Nalukettu 2.jpg|<center>Nalukettu</center>
File:Varikkassery mana.jpg|<center>Verandah</center>
File:Varikkasseri Nadumuttam.jpg|<center>Courtyard</center>
File:Varikkasseri Pathayappura.jpg|<center>Out-house</center>
File:Varikkasseri Kulam.jpg|<center>Family pond</center>
File:Varikkasseri Kulappura.jpg|<center>Bath house</center>
File:Insideofvarikkasserymana.jpg|<center>A view from inside</center>
File:A window of the Varikkasseri Mana.jpg|<center>The red stone wall and a window</center>
</gallery>

== See also ==
* [[Olappamanna Mana]]
* [[Poomulli Mana]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

== Further reading ==
* {{Cite web |url=http://wikimapia.org/8805651/Varikkassery-mana-Marked-by-krishnan-varikkassery |title=Varikkassery Mana |last=Krishnan Varikkassery.. |website=wikimapia.org |language=en |access-date=2019-04-18}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Varikkasseri Mana}}
* {{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjSjDmMdbZ8 |title=Varikkasseri Mana after Lockdown |last=F7byFaisal |date=2021-01-25 |website=YouTube |access-date=2021-01-25}}
* {{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXxjaIjtIR4 |title=Kerala Tourism - Varikkassery Mana |last=Azhiyur Traveler |date=2014-04-07 |website=YouTube |access-date=2019-04-18}}
* {{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qr0WTCfMbs |title=Varikkassery Mana - Illam - 100 years old Houses - Ashta griha |last=Travel diaries |date=2018-03-21 |website=YouTube - Kerala tourism |access-date=2019-04-18}}

{{Tourism in Kerala|state=collapsed}}

[[Category:Buildings and structures in Palakkad district]]
[[Category:Indian noble families]]
[[Category:Cultural heritage of India]]
[[Category:Ottapalam]]

Varikkasseri Mana - Revision history

DebbieLemke: minor refine page for consistency and improved wording after review

2402:3A80:1BAD:BD70:678:5634:1232:5476 at 12:16, 14 October 2021