The myths and beliefs of Sabarimala would not be complete without a journey through the historical routes of the Panthalam Royal family.
Thazhamon Madom is the last word for ‘Tantrik’ rites performed at Sabarimala. The pilgrimage history of Sabarimala would not be complete without the ‘thiruvabharana’ (sacred ornaments) procession. The procession is led by the representative of Panthalam king. The head priest welcomes the representative by washing his feet below the 18 holy steps or ‘pathinettam padi’, before proceeding to sanctum sanctorum. The poojas (ceremonial worships and offerings) that follow are done under the supervision of the king. Once the temple closes after pilgrimage season, the sanctum sanctorum is locked and the key along with kizhippanam (an amount offered as part of rituals) is handed over to the representative of the king.
As per tradition, the senior king of Panthalam Palace does not go for worship to Sabarimala. Other members of the royal family can go to Sabarimala only after ‘upanayanam’ or ‘poonool kalyanam’ (sacred thread ceremony) as custom demands. Kings from Panthalam do not pray standing right in front of the idol. They can climb the holy steps without ‘irumudikkettu’ (bag with two compartments which is to be carried on head). Antiquity of the palace is calculated from ‘Kollavarsham’ 79 (Malayalam era). Panthalam Valia Koyikkal Temple, and Thonnalloor, Kaippuzha palaces also have a significant place in Sabarimala history.
Pandya dynasty
The ancestors of the royal family belonged to Pandya dynasty who were the rulers of Madurai. The kings had a difference of opinion with their minister Tirumalanaykkan. Following this, they left Madurai and reached Sivagiri, which was appropriated by them. Later they dwelled in places like Thenkashi, Elanthoor and Maniyam, after which they reached Panthalam. They started living on either banks of the river Achankovilar. Fort palaces were constructed at Thonnalloor and Kaippuzha. The administrative headquarters was Thonnalloor. The ministers stayed at Muttar and the army chiefs at Kadaykkadu. Panthalam desam extended from Chenkotta till Chembakassery.
Chengannoor Thazhamon Madom
The fame and nobility of Thazhamon Madom dates back to the legend of the formation of Kerala. Legend says that sage Parasurama who built 64000 temples after retrieving Kerala found the ‘tanthris’ (priests) for the temples from Nalloor in Andra Pradesh. He invited 2 brahmins to Kerala who excelled in ‘tantrik’ practices, and decided to test their skills on the banks of River Krishna. He ordered them to cross the heavy flowing river without using boats. One of them placed darbha (holy grass used for rituals) on the water and crossed the river walking over the grass. The second priest shoved water to either sides and walked across to the other bank.
\The Brahmin from Nalloor who used darbha to cross the river came to me known as Tharananalloor thanthri (priest) and the Brahmin who shoved water to both sides and crossed the river came to be known as Thazhamon thanthri. As per the system of ‘makkathayam’ (patrilineal inheritance) followed at Thazhamon Madom, rights to perform thanthrik rituals is inherited by the sons in the family.
Thazhamon Madom is the last word for ‘Tantrik’ rites performed at Sabarimala. The pilgrimage history of Sabarimala would not be complete without the ‘thiruvabharana’ (sacred ornaments) procession. The procession is led by the representative of Panthalam king. The head priest welcomes the representative by washing his feet below the 18 holy steps or ‘pathinettam padi’, before proceeding to sanctum sanctorum. The poojas (ceremonial worships and offerings) that follow are done under the supervision of the king. Once the temple closes after pilgrimage season, the sanctum sanctorum is locked and the key along with kizhippanam (an amount offered as part of rituals) is handed over to the representative of the king.
As per tradition, the senior king of Panthalam Palace does not go for worship to Sabarimala. Other members of the royal family can go to Sabarimala only after ‘upanayanam’ or ‘poonool kalyanam’ (sacred thread ceremony) as custom demands. Kings from Panthalam do not pray standing right in front of the idol. They can climb the holy steps without ‘irumudikkettu’ (bag with two compartments which is to be carried on head). Antiquity of the palace is calculated from ‘Kollavarsham’ 79 (Malayalam era). Panthalam Valia Koyikkal Temple, and Thonnalloor, Kaippuzha palaces also have a significant place in Sabarimala history.
Pandya dynasty
The ancestors of the royal family belonged to Pandya dynasty who were the rulers of Madurai. The kings had a difference of opinion with their minister Tirumalanaykkan. Following this, they left Madurai and reached Sivagiri, which was appropriated by them. Later they dwelled in places like Thenkashi, Elanthoor and Maniyam, after which they reached Panthalam. They started living on either banks of the river Achankovilar. Fort palaces were constructed at Thonnalloor and Kaippuzha. The administrative headquarters was Thonnalloor. The ministers stayed at Muttar and the army chiefs at Kadaykkadu. Panthalam desam extended from Chenkotta till Chembakassery.
Chengannoor Thazhamon Madom
The fame and nobility of Thazhamon Madom dates back to the legend of the formation of Kerala. Legend says that sage Parasurama who built 64000 temples after retrieving Kerala found the ‘tanthris’ (priests) for the temples from Nalloor in Andra Pradesh. He invited 2 brahmins to Kerala who excelled in ‘tantrik’ practices, and decided to test their skills on the banks of River Krishna. He ordered them to cross the heavy flowing river without using boats. One of them placed darbha (holy grass used for rituals) on the water and crossed the river walking over the grass. The second priest shoved water to either sides and walked across to the other bank.
\The Brahmin from Nalloor who used darbha to cross the river came to me known as Tharananalloor thanthri (priest) and the Brahmin who shoved water to both sides and crossed the river came to be known as Thazhamon thanthri. As per the system of ‘makkathayam’ (patrilineal inheritance) followed at Thazhamon Madom, rights to perform thanthrik rituals is inherited by the sons in the family.
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