pandyan king of Madurai became the king of Poonjar and the making of Madurai Meenakshi Temple at Poonjar
Pandyan king of Madurai became the king of Poonjar and the making of Madurai Meenakshi Temple at Poonjar
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| MADURAI MEENAKSHI TEMPLE |
History:-
Despite being the mighty Pandyan Dynasty Kings of Madurai, our destiny was to migrate to
Malayalam country as refugee and leave Madurai, which under our rule became the great
center of learning, the citadel of art and culture and dance, music and richer and
prosperous. We built the sanctum sanctorum of the Madurai Meenakshi Temple. We
controlled the seas and the Pandyan Army was agile for that. There were of course incessant
wars also with our neighboring brothers the Cholas of Tanjore and the Cheras of
Venad (Kerala).
The Exodus.
On that night, Madurai was celebrating its victory over Cholas and recapturing Madurai,
which for a brief spell fell into the hands of Cholan and, was feasting and rejoicing the
re-entry of their victorious King Manavikrama into the Madurai Fortress. But by the dead of
night all, except one, were fast asleep in the fortress, our General Viswanatha Naicken,
who had got heavy bribe from the Cholan and promise of a piece of the territory was awake
to open the fort gates for the enemy.. The vindictive Chola army went on a spree of chopping
off the sleeping soldiers and was seeking Manavikrama’s blood. The wise Minister hearing the
commotion wasted no time; took Manavikrama and the immediate family through a secret
escape tunnel and brought them
to the safety of the wilderness said to be Agamalai,
looking east and down southwards over the Agamalai Range and plains area near Theni and Bodi. Pass Peak is on the far right.
an enclave between two high mountains (Munnar-Kodaikanal Range and Bodinayakanur
Kodaikanal range) and unknown and undetectable to the enemy. From there our ancestor
trekked by night in disguise, reached Pulni worshipped Lord Subramanya, then traveled
towards Malayalam Country and trekking Udumalpet,
Meenakshipuram and reached Palghatusserry (Palghat).
Getting help of a Namboodiri family our ancestor found a house to live in exile. But soon
the Chieftain of the land found it was none other than Pandyan King Manavikrama and
fearing subjugation, ordered Him to leave. The hapless family, despite being the richest
with basket loads of gold, gems and jewels, once again knew not where to go.
The Namboodiri friends advised Manavikrama to go over tothe Vanneri near Kunnamkulam
(Trichur), purchase land and build home and a few of them accompanied family.
By the time a house was built at Vanneri, the Poligars of Theni, Uthamapalayam and
Kumbam got news of the survival of their overlord and reached Vanneri to pay respects
and seek His return to the throne; the Cholan Himself repenting for having sinned against
the noble soul. Manavikrama not yet free from shock and dismay had no desire to return.
The Poligars went back started to build palace at Mele Gudalloor to beseech Manavikrama
to return. By the time Manavikrama had felt insecurity at Vanneri and looked for asylum
elsewhere when the Elangallur King (Edapally) received Manvikrama with all the honors
befitting the Pandyan King and sought the hand of His eldest daughter. The family adopted
the Malayalee style of “Thali kettu” and Marumakkathayam and became Malayalees. The
Elangallur King gave a gift of Ernakulam to the princess. Soon Manavikrama left for heavens.
But the fiercely freedom loving Pandyans could not remain idle guests. Kulasekhara, the
eldest prince, wanted to settle nearer to Goodalloor and regroup the Poligars and the
family’s lands situated between the eastern ridges of the Western Ghats and western ridges of Suruli Hills such as Goodalloor, Poothupatti, Anumanthampatti, Uthamapalayam, Thevaram, Theni and portion of Periyakulam reaching up to Vattalagundu.
By this time the family had made intimate relation with Namboodiris, who told
Kulaswekhara that the Chieftain of Poonjar situated at the foothills opposite Goodalloor
had died and was available for sale. Soon Kulasekhara sent emissaries to Venmalanad
Kothavarman Kovil Adhikarikal of Thekkumkur Palace, a thaivazhi of Cheras and struck a
deal, paid in gems and jewels and purchased Poonjar. Hearing Kulasekhara was Pandyan
King, Adittya Varma, the Thekkumkur King, ceremoniously installed Kulasekhara the King
of Poonjar at a grand ceremony held at Tali Temple (could be Mele Mankompu) and gave
Kulasekhara the sword as authority and a piece of silk as insignia. Kulasekhara paid rich
gifts and the Namboodiris and the inhabitants of Poonjar moved along with Him to Poonjar.
Finding an ideal site by the side of Meenachil River built a temple for the original idols of
Madurai Meenakshi and Sundereswar, which Manavikrama took at the time He was fleeing
Madurai. And then built a temple for Lord Ayyappa. Palaces and fortresses came later.
They shed their surname Perumals and adopted Rajas instead. The adopted names like
Kerala Varma Raja, Godavarma Raja, Ramavarma Raja and everyone was identified by
their birth stars like Rohininal, Avittamnal etc. The women were called “Thampuratti”,
and they adopted three names Amba, Ambika and Ambalika denoting their ancestry to
Kurushetra. The adoption of Malayalee customs and marumakkathayam prevented
marrying Thampirattis. Everything was plenty and there was Nataka Sala, Nayattu,
Oottupura (common mess) and separate living accommodation for men. Only Namboodiri
could marry their women. The Grand maternal uncle managed properties for sisters and
nephews and nieces.
Visakham Thirunal as First Prince with his brother Ayilyam Thirunal and the Dewan Rajah Sir T. Madhava Rao
He married a daughter of Irayimman Thampi who was also of royal descent. In 1873 the Maharajah and his wife had their eldest daughter Bhagavati Pillai Kochamma who married Sri Rajaraja Varma Avargal of the Mavelikara Royal family. Their next daughter was born in 1876, Rukmini Pillai Kochamma who married Sri Kerala Varma Thirumulpad. The Maharajah's youngest daughter, Bhageerathi Pillai Kochamma was born in 1877 and was married to Sri Rama Varma of the Royal Family of Poonjar. The Thali Kettu Kalyanam of the Maharajah's daughters was conducted on the 18th of May 1883 in a grand public ceremony with the above mentioned husbands, as recorded by the French Ambassador in the Travancore Court.
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Lt. Col. Goda Varma Raja (13 October 1908 - 30 April 1971), known as G.V. Raja, was the founder President of the Kerala State Sports Council[1]. He is considered the father of Tourism in Kerala[2].Raja was born October 1908 at Poonjar in Kottayam. He was also the husband of Princess Karthika
Thirunal Lakshmi Bayi of Travancore, the sister of Maharajah Chithira Thirunal Balarama
Varma [3]. He was an honorary Colonel in the Travancore state force
=====================================================================
Sri.Rama Varma Raja, Valiya raja of Poonjar Palace
==============================================================================================================
Kumbam got news of the survival of their overlord and reached Vanneri to pay respects
and seek His return to the throne; the Cholan Himself repenting for having sinned against
the noble soul. Manavikrama not yet free from shock and dismay had no desire to return.
The Poligars went back started to build palace at Mele Gudalloor to beseech Manavikrama
to return. By the time Manavikrama had felt insecurity at Vanneri and looked for asylum
elsewhere when the Elangallur King (Edapally) received Manvikrama with all the honors
befitting the Pandyan King and sought the hand of His eldest daughter. The family adopted
the Malayalee style of “Thali kettu” and Marumakkathayam and became Malayalees. The
Elangallur King gave a gift of Ernakulam to the princess. Soon Manavikrama left for heavens.
But the fiercely freedom loving Pandyans could not remain idle guests. Kulasekhara, the
eldest prince, wanted to settle nearer to Goodalloor and regroup the Poligars and the
family’s lands situated between the eastern ridges of the Western Ghats and western ridges of Suruli Hills such as Goodalloor, Poothupatti, Anumanthampatti, Uthamapalayam, Thevaram, Theni and portion of Periyakulam reaching up to Vattalagundu.
By this time the family had made intimate relation with Namboodiris, who told
Kulaswekhara that the Chieftain of Poonjar situated at the foothills opposite Goodalloor
had died and was available for sale. Soon Kulasekhara sent emissaries to Venmalanad
Kothavarman Kovil Adhikarikal of Thekkumkur Palace, a thaivazhi of Cheras and struck a
deal, paid in gems and jewels and purchased Poonjar. Hearing Kulasekhara was Pandyan
King, Adittya Varma, the Thekkumkur King, ceremoniously installed Kulasekhara the King
of Poonjar at a grand ceremony held at Tali Temple (could be Mele Mankompu) and gave
Kulasekhara the sword as authority and a piece of silk as insignia. Kulasekhara paid rich
gifts and the Namboodiris and the inhabitants of Poonjar moved along with Him to Poonjar.
Finding an ideal site by the side of Meenachil River built a temple for the original idols of
Madurai Meenakshi and Sundereswar, which Manavikrama took at the time He was fleeing
Madurai. And then built a temple for Lord Ayyappa. Palaces and fortresses came later.
They shed their surname Perumals and adopted Rajas instead. The adopted names like
Kerala Varma Raja, Godavarma Raja, Ramavarma Raja and everyone was identified by
their birth stars like Rohininal, Avittamnal etc. The women were called “Thampuratti”,
and they adopted three names Amba, Ambika and Ambalika denoting their ancestry to
Kurushetra. The adoption of Malayalee customs and marumakkathayam prevented
marrying Thampirattis. Everything was plenty and there was Nataka Sala, Nayattu,
Oottupura (common mess) and separate living accommodation for men. Only Namboodiri
could marry their women. The Grand maternal uncle managed properties for sisters and
nephews and nieces.
History
The current Meenachil taluk was a principality under the local chieftains, the Meenachil Kartha
s (also known as Njavakkat Karthas) beforeMarthanda Varma annexed it to Travancore in
1754. The name of the place comes from Goddess Meenakshi, the deity of the Karthas.
Veera Kerala Damodara Simhar was a chieftain belonging to this family.[1] The southern bank
of the river was the kingdom of Thekkumkoor, the capital of which was Changanassery, and
the northern bank, that of Vadakkumkoor, with its capital at Kaduthuruthy. The Poonjar royal
family also held sway over significant areas of the district towards the east.
s (also known as Njavakkat Karthas) beforeMarthanda Varma annexed it to Travancore in
1754. The name of the place comes from Goddess Meenakshi, the deity of the Karthas.
Veera Kerala Damodara Simhar was a chieftain belonging to this family.[1] The southern bank
of the river was the kingdom of Thekkumkoor, the capital of which was Changanassery, and
the northern bank, that of Vadakkumkoor, with its capital at Kaduthuruthy. The Poonjar royal
family also held sway over significant areas of the district towards the east.
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Visakham Thirunal Rama Varma (19 May 1837 - 4 August 1885) was the Maharaja of the
erstwhile Indian kingdom of Travancore from 1880-1885 AD. He succeeded his elder brother
Maharajah Ayilyam Thirunal to the throne of Travancore.
erstwhile Indian kingdom of Travancore from 1880-1885 AD. He succeeded his elder brother
He married a daughter of Irayimman Thampi who was also of royal descent. In 1873 the Maharajah and his wife had their eldest daughter Bhagavati Pillai Kochamma who married Sri Rajaraja Varma Avargal of the Mavelikara Royal family. Their next daughter was born in 1876, Rukmini Pillai Kochamma who married Sri Kerala Varma Thirumulpad. The Maharajah's youngest daughter, Bhageerathi Pillai Kochamma was born in 1877 and was married to Sri Rama Varma of the Royal Family of Poonjar. The Thali Kettu Kalyanam of the Maharajah's daughters was conducted on the 18th of May 1883 in a grand public ceremony with the above mentioned husbands, as recorded by the French Ambassador in the Travancore Court.
==================================================================================
Lt. Col. Goda Varma Raja (13 October 1908 - 30 April 1971), known as G.V. Raja, was the founder President of the Kerala State Sports Council[1]. He is considered the father of Tourism in Kerala[2].Raja was born October 1908 at Poonjar in Kottayam. He was also the husband of Princess Karthika
Thirunal Lakshmi Bayi of Travancore, the sister of Maharajah Chithira Thirunal Balarama
Varma [3]. He was an honorary Colonel in the Travancore state force
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Sri.Rama Varma Raja, Valiya raja of Poonjar Palace==============================================================================================================
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