Azhvanchery Thamprakkal
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The Azhvanchery Thamprakkal or Azhvanchery Samrat is the title of the senior most male member of the Brahmin
(Namboothiri) feudal lords of Azhvanchery Mana, located in Athavanad
, present day Malappuram district, Kerala state, South India. The Azhvanchery Thamprakkal owned a bulk of land in Athavanad
, hence the name Athavanad
itself is derived from them- Azhvanchery Thamprakkal vazhum Nad. The Azhvanchery Thamprakkal is often considered as the supreme religious head of the Namboodiri Brahmins of Kerala and for every Raja to be formally crowned, his blessings were required.
The ancestral home of the Azhvanchery Thamprakkal, who is even today held in high esteem and religious sanctity, is in Athavanad
.
Azhvanchery Thamprakkal were a great patron of mathematics and astronomy. In the famous Brahmandapuranam by poet Thunchath Ezhuthachan, Azhvanchery Thamprakkal had been mentioned as 'Netranarayanan'. Thunchath Ezhuthachan had written that he composed Brahmandapuranam, under the instruction of the Azhvanchery Thamprakkal.
Legend has it that the title of Thamprakkal which means, literally Emperor (having originated from the Sanskrit
Samrat and later corrupted into Thampran) came to be used to refer to the Brahmin
s of Azhvanchery Mana Family after one day, while returning from a coronation ceremony with a Golden cow, the Thamprakkal was stopped on the road by a low caste member who stated that the right to take dead cows rested with his caste and not with high Brahmins. On this affront being offered, the Thamprakkal sprinkled some water on the golden cow and brought it to life. The low caste man exclaimed "you are indeed a Thamprakkal" and since then the title has stayed with the family. The Thamprakkal also has four privileges within the Namboodiri caste and otherwise which are:
The opinion of the Azhvanchery Thamprakkal was considered supreme in deciding matters relating to religion, caste, society etc. The family otherwise are Adhyan Namboodiris and use the surname of Namboodiripad.
The present day Azhvanchery Thamprakkal is Azhvanchery Krishnan Thamprakkal succeeding his father, Raman Thamprakkal (1927-2011). The holy idol of Sree Ganapathi worshiped by Azhvancherry Thamprakal is at Chettikulangara Devi temple, Mavelikkara. Centuries ago, the then Thamprakal gifted the holy idol to the "Yogeeswara" of Chettikulangara temple.
Brahmin
Brahmin Brahman, Brahma and Brahmin.Brahman, Brahmin and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self...
(Namboothiri) feudal lords of Azhvanchery Mana, located in Athavanad
Athavanad
Athavanad is a village in Malappuram district in the state of Kerala, India.In Malayalam, "Athavanad" it is the abbreviation of "Ayvanchery Thambrakkal Vayunna Nadu".-Demographics:...
, present day Malappuram district, Kerala state, South India. The Azhvanchery Thamprakkal owned a bulk of land in Athavanad
Athavanad
Athavanad is a village in Malappuram district in the state of Kerala, India.In Malayalam, "Athavanad" it is the abbreviation of "Ayvanchery Thambrakkal Vayunna Nadu".-Demographics:...
, hence the name Athavanad
Athavanad
Athavanad is a village in Malappuram district in the state of Kerala, India.In Malayalam, "Athavanad" it is the abbreviation of "Ayvanchery Thambrakkal Vayunna Nadu".-Demographics:...
itself is derived from them- Azhvanchery Thamprakkal vazhum Nad. The Azhvanchery Thamprakkal is often considered as the supreme religious head of the Namboodiri Brahmins of Kerala and for every Raja to be formally crowned, his blessings were required.
The ancestral home of the Azhvanchery Thamprakkal, who is even today held in high esteem and religious sanctity, is in Athavanad
Athavanad
Athavanad is a village in Malappuram district in the state of Kerala, India.In Malayalam, "Athavanad" it is the abbreviation of "Ayvanchery Thambrakkal Vayunna Nadu".-Demographics:...
.
Azhvanchery Thamprakkal were a great patron of mathematics and astronomy. In the famous Brahmandapuranam by poet Thunchath Ezhuthachan, Azhvanchery Thamprakkal had been mentioned as 'Netranarayanan'. Thunchath Ezhuthachan had written that he composed Brahmandapuranam, under the instruction of the Azhvanchery Thamprakkal.
Legend has it that the title of Thamprakkal which means, literally Emperor (having originated from the Sanskrit
Sanskrit
Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...
Samrat and later corrupted into Thampran) came to be used to refer to the Brahmin
Brahmin
Brahmin Brahman, Brahma and Brahmin.Brahman, Brahmin and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self...
s of Azhvanchery Mana Family after one day, while returning from a coronation ceremony with a Golden cow, the Thamprakkal was stopped on the road by a low caste member who stated that the right to take dead cows rested with his caste and not with high Brahmins. On this affront being offered, the Thamprakkal sprinkled some water on the golden cow and brought it to life. The low caste man exclaimed "you are indeed a Thamprakkal" and since then the title has stayed with the family. The Thamprakkal also has four privileges within the Namboodiri caste and otherwise which are:
- Bhadrasthanam: The chief seat in any assembly
- Sarvamanyam: Universal respectability
- Brahma Samrajyam: Sovereignty over all Brahmins
- Brahmavarchas: Highest authority in Vedic learning
The opinion of the Azhvanchery Thamprakkal was considered supreme in deciding matters relating to religion, caste, society etc. The family otherwise are Adhyan Namboodiris and use the surname of Namboodiripad.
The present day Azhvanchery Thamprakkal is Azhvanchery Krishnan Thamprakkal succeeding his father, Raman Thamprakkal (1927-2011). The holy idol of Sree Ganapathi worshiped by Azhvancherry Thamprakal is at Chettikulangara Devi temple, Mavelikkara. Centuries ago, the then Thamprakal gifted the holy idol to the "Yogeeswara" of Chettikulangara temple.