Kurumbranad - Kurumbiathiri swaroopam
Encyclopedia
Kurumbranad was a former Nair
Hindu
feudal kingdom in present day Kerala state, South India
, on the Malabar Coast
. Once a powerful kingdom capitalized at Mapayil, Puthuppanam, Vadakara. The area borded from sea at West side and Karnataka at the East. At North Kolathu Nadu and Polanad (former name of Calicut) at South.
According to archaeological evidence, the Wayanad forests have been inhabited for more than three thousand years. Wayanad was originally ruled by Vedar kings. However, after a Kshatriya
Prince (Raja of Kumbala), was captured and held hostage in Tirunelli by the Vedars, it was invaded and annexed by a combined force led by the Raja of Kottayam and the Raja of Kurumbranad. The Vedar king (Arippan) was killed and most of his subjects were massacred. However, the Raja of Kumbala asked a Nair
aristocrat, Nanthillath Nambiar to marry the daughter of the Vedar king, who had survived the massacre. Nambiar was appointed as the Moopil Nair of Veliyambam, where the surviving Vedars were resettled. It was decided that Wynad should be partitioned between Kottayam-Malabar and Kurumbranad. The Kottayam Raja was awarded North West Waynad and the Raja of Kurumbranad was awarded South East Wynad. As a result of disputes between them, the Kurumbranad Raja gave up his country to the Kottayam Raja, except for the palace and some landed properties. The Raja of Kottayam divided Wynad in to 10 Swaroopams (Naads) and appointed governors (Usually Nairs with the tile of Vazhunnor) to rule each one of them. These swaroopms were again divided into Chiefdoms, which were ruled by Moopil Nairs. The administrative subdivisions of Waynad under the Kottayam rule were as follows[3]:
Senior Raja of Kurumbranadu helped the British in their fight against Tipu Sultan. Following Mysore's withdrawal, Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja (the head of western branch of the family) and the British parted their ways. And in 1799, after the fall of Tipu, the British took over Wayanad. Pazhassi Raja engaged in a prolonged guerrilla war with the British until he was killed in 1805. When the state of Kerala came into being in 1956, Wayanad was a part of Kannur district; later in 1957 south Wayanad was added to Kozhikode district and north Wayanad remained with Kannur district. By amalgamating north Wayanad and south Wayanad, the present Wayanad district came into being on the 1st November 1980 comprising three taluks; Vythiri, Mananthavady, and Sulthan Bathery.
, Koilandy, Balussery
, Perambra
, North Wayanad, South Wayanad, and parts of the present Karnataka State
and Tamil Nadu State
.Naduvannur
was the centre of the territory of kurumbranad.
System of Tantrik
Sect. They perform 'Saktheya Pooja' or 'Thamasa Pooja' at their Thekkini of Nalukettu. This system is based on 'Kulaarnnava Tantra' of Tandrik Version of 'Kerala School of Sakthism',and are the followers of 'Kali Kula School'.
Shree Valayanad Temple of Calicut and Shree Mookambika
Devi Temple of Kollur are famous centers of Kaula System of Sakthism, being the others 'Samaya
' (Practicing Shree) and 'Mishra
' (Adi Shankaracharya
).
The temple at Balussery is very small without even a flagstaff or altar. The important offering here is the distribution of meals to those who come here from other places. It is a small temple, situated east of Quilandy 25 km from Kozhikode
, via Karappampu - Kakkodi. Navarathri, Thiruvonam
and Vishu
are observed with fervour. Main offering is breaking of 12,000 coconuts. (Formerly this temple was owned by the Kurumbranad Rajas).
Lokanarkavu Devi Temple is a combination of three temples. Sree Mahavishnu temple and Sree siva Temples are the others. Mandala pooja observed in grand scale. The ancestral home of the legendary warrior Thacholi Othenan
is associated with the temple.
It is about 25 km from Kozhikode. This was once the fort of the Rajas of Kurumbranad.
Othenan was born into the feudal Nair family of Manikoth in Thacholi near Vatakara (His father was a cheftian of a small fiefdom) a small town in Kerala, called as Thacholi Koottam (derieved from Chellanttan Kurup - Chellanttan Swaroopam). He practised Kalarippayattu (ancient martial art form of kerala) from a very young age and grew up to be an extraordinarily brave and skilled warrior. Legends portray him as being a merciless opponent to enemies and a friend to the helpless. Even the powerful Zamorin of Calicut respected him. He defeated Kadhirur Gurukkal in ankam (dual/war) and killed him. But one of the Gurukkal’s disciples killed Othenan through treachery at the young age of 32.
form and not Durga form. The same applies to the local rulers who later claimed Lokanarkavu as their family goddess. All the rulers of Kerala had Goddesses with Thamasa pooja or shakteya pooja; i.e. poojas in which either man or animal was sacrificed. It was a more local tradition and most family temples of Kerala kings and locals had followed such tradition until it was modified.
Nair
Nair , also known as Nayar , refers to "not a unitary group but a named category of castes", which historically embody several castes and many subdivisions, not all of whom bore the Nair title. These people historically live in the present-day Indian state of Kerala...
Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
feudal kingdom in present day Kerala state, South India
South India
South India is the area encompassing India's states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu as well as the union territories of Lakshadweep and Pondicherry, occupying 19.31% of India's area...
, on the Malabar Coast
Malabar Coast
The Malabar Coast is a long and narrow coastline on the south-western shore line of the mainland Indian subcontinent. Geographically, it comprises the wettest regions of southern India, as the Western Ghats intercept the moisture-laden monsoon rains, especially on their westward-facing mountain...
. Once a powerful kingdom capitalized at Mapayil, Puthuppanam, Vadakara. The area borded from sea at West side and Karnataka at the East. At North Kolathu Nadu and Polanad (former name of Calicut) at South.
History
The extended family of the Kurumbranad Rajas was officially known as “Kurumbiathiri Swaroopam” . The family includes 30 sub families like Thachooli Koottam (Chellattan Kurup- Chelkettan Swaroopam), Moodadi Koottam, Vennappaloor Kootam etc.According to archaeological evidence, the Wayanad forests have been inhabited for more than three thousand years. Wayanad was originally ruled by Vedar kings. However, after a Kshatriya
Kshatriya
*For the Bollywood film of the same name see Kshatriya Kshatriya or Kashtriya, meaning warrior, is one of the four varnas in Hinduism...
Prince (Raja of Kumbala), was captured and held hostage in Tirunelli by the Vedars, it was invaded and annexed by a combined force led by the Raja of Kottayam and the Raja of Kurumbranad. The Vedar king (Arippan) was killed and most of his subjects were massacred. However, the Raja of Kumbala asked a Nair
Nair
Nair , also known as Nayar , refers to "not a unitary group but a named category of castes", which historically embody several castes and many subdivisions, not all of whom bore the Nair title. These people historically live in the present-day Indian state of Kerala...
aristocrat, Nanthillath Nambiar to marry the daughter of the Vedar king, who had survived the massacre. Nambiar was appointed as the Moopil Nair of Veliyambam, where the surviving Vedars were resettled. It was decided that Wynad should be partitioned between Kottayam-Malabar and Kurumbranad. The Kottayam Raja was awarded North West Waynad and the Raja of Kurumbranad was awarded South East Wynad. As a result of disputes between them, the Kurumbranad Raja gave up his country to the Kottayam Raja, except for the palace and some landed properties. The Raja of Kottayam divided Wynad in to 10 Swaroopams (Naads) and appointed governors (Usually Nairs with the tile of Vazhunnor) to rule each one of them. These swaroopms were again divided into Chiefdoms, which were ruled by Moopil Nairs. The administrative subdivisions of Waynad under the Kottayam rule were as follows[3]:
- (1) Muthornad (Muthakurnad) - This division was placed under the direct control of the senior Raja of Kottayam. Divided in to the following Nair Chiefdoms (The rulers of which were jointly known as Aruvarambath Jenmakkars):
- (1) Vazhathattil Nair
- (2) Tavinjal Nair
- (3)Mulliyankizhil Nair
- (4) Alattil Nair
- (5) Ayiravittil Nair
- (6) Varayal Nair
- (2) Ellornad (Elankurnad) - This was placed under the direct control of the second Raja of Kottayam. Divided in to the following Nair Chiefdoms:
- (1) Edachana Nair
- (2) Vemom Nambiar
- (3) Wynad Swaroopam - Placed under the third Raja of Kottayam. Divided in to the following Nair Chiefdoms:
- (1) Kuppathode Nayar
- (2) Tonder Nambiar
- (3) Pulpadi Nayar
- (4) Chikkalur Nayar
- (4) Porunnanur - Placed under the third Raja of Kottayam. Comprises Porunnanur and VellamundaVellamundaVellamunda is a village and a Gram panchayat in the Wayanad district of Kerala, India. Situated at the foot of Banasura Peak and Mangalassery hill Vellamunda has rich greenery and scenic beauty to flaunt off. Famous tourist attraction is Banasura Sagar earth dam, which is the largest of its kind...
Amsams. Divided in to the following Nair Chiefdoms:- (1) Manchan Nambiar
- (2) Karingari Nair
- (3) Mangalasseri Nair
- (4) Vattathode Nambiar
- (5) Cherukara Nair
- (5) Nallurnad - Placed under the third Raja of Kottayam. Divided in to the following Nair Chiefdoms:
- (1) Manchan Nambiar
- (2) Karingari Nair
- (3) Idachena Nair
- (6) Kurumbalanad - Comprises Kurumbala and Kottathara Amsams. This division was placed under Avinjat Nair of Payyormala. He was the son of the Kottayam Raja, who gave him the title of Vazhunnavar (Ruler). Divided in to the following Nair Chiefdoms:
- (1) Thenamangalath Nair
- (2) Poyil Nair
- (7) Edanataskur - Comprising Amsams of Kottapadi, Kalpatta and Vythri. Divided in to the following Nair Chiefdoms:
- (1) Kalpetta Nayar
- (2) Kanthamangalath Nayar
- (8) Tondernad - Placed under the Tonder Nambiar.
- (9) Muttil-Pakkam - Placed under Bhagiam (Pakam) Swaroopam.
- (10) Veliyambam - Placed under Veliyambam Vazhunnavar (Nanthillath Nambiar, who married the Vedar princess).
Senior Raja of Kurumbranadu helped the British in their fight against Tipu Sultan. Following Mysore's withdrawal, Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja (the head of western branch of the family) and the British parted their ways. And in 1799, after the fall of Tipu, the British took over Wayanad. Pazhassi Raja engaged in a prolonged guerrilla war with the British until he was killed in 1805. When the state of Kerala came into being in 1956, Wayanad was a part of Kannur district; later in 1957 south Wayanad was added to Kozhikode district and north Wayanad remained with Kannur district. By amalgamating north Wayanad and south Wayanad, the present Wayanad district came into being on the 1st November 1980 comprising three taluks; Vythiri, Mananthavady, and Sulthan Bathery.
Government of Kurumbranad
- Absolute MonarchyAbsolute monarchyAbsolute monarchy is a monarchical form of government in which the monarch exercises ultimate governing authority as head of state and head of government, his or her power not being limited by a constitution or by the law. An absolute monarch thus wields unrestricted political power over the...
- Parts of Kurumbranad surrendered to Nediyirippu Swaroopam of Eradi (Zammorin of Calicut)
- Indian District of Madras Presidency
Jurisdiction
Vadakara was the capital of the Royal State. The area under the control of the Rajas included Vadakara, MoodadiMoodadi
-Demographics: India census, Moodadi had a population of 29607 with 14248 males and 15359 females....
, Koilandy, Balussery
Balussery
Balussery is a small but fast developing town area located at the heart of Kozhikode district in Kerala state, south India.- Geography :Balusseri is located at . It has an average elevation of .- Overview :...
, Perambra
Perambra
Perambra is a town in Koyilandy taluk of Kozhikode district in North Malabar region of Kerala state, India. This is one of the 140 assembly constituencies in Kerala, and one of the 12 block Panchayats in Kozhikode district....
, North Wayanad, South Wayanad, and parts of the present Karnataka State
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
and Tamil Nadu State
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
.Naduvannur
Naduvannur
Naduvannur is a village in Kozhikode district in the state of Kerala, India.The name Naduvannur denotes that it was the centre of the territory of Kurumbranad.'Nadu' means centre and ur means place.-How to reach:...
was the centre of the territory of kurumbranad.
Kaula as a Tandrik Sect
Tacholi Koottam are the strong believers of KaulaKaula
Kaula Island, also called Kaula Rock, is a small, crescent-shaped offshore islet in the Hawaiian Islands.-Geography:It is located west-southwest of Kawaihoa Point on Niihau, and about west of Honolulu. The island is actually the very top of a volcanic tuff cone that rests on top of a larger,...
System of Tantrik
Tantra
Tantra , anglicised tantricism or tantrism or tantram, is the name scholars give to an inter-religious spiritual movement that arose in medieval India, expressed in scriptures ....
Sect. They perform 'Saktheya Pooja' or 'Thamasa Pooja' at their Thekkini of Nalukettu. This system is based on 'Kulaarnnava Tantra' of Tandrik Version of 'Kerala School of Sakthism',and are the followers of 'Kali Kula School'.
Shree Valayanad Temple of Calicut and Shree Mookambika
Mookambika
The Mookambika Devi Temple of Kollur, dedicated to Mookambika Devi, is one of the most prominent shrines for people in the state of Karnataka and Kerala, India. Located at a distance of 147 km from Mangalore in the picturesque surroundings presented by the banks of the river Sauparnika and...
Devi Temple of Kollur are famous centers of Kaula System of Sakthism, being the others 'Samaya
Samaya
The samaya , is a set of vows or precepts given to initiates of an esoteric Vajrayana Buddhist order as part of the abhiṣeka ceremony that creates a bond between the guru and disciple.According Keown, et al., Samaya may be defined as:*A particular system of teaching or...
' (Practicing Shree) and 'Mishra
Mishra
Mishra or Misra is a Hindu Brahmin surname found mostly in the northern and central parts of India.It is one of the most widespread Brahmin surnames in the fertile Gangetic plain region and in the Indian states of Punjab, Delhi, Orissa, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh,...
' (Adi Shankaracharya
Shankaracharya
Shankaracharya, is a commonly used title of heads of mathas in the Advaita Vedanta tradition. The title derives from Adi Shankara, a 9th century CE reformer of Hinduism. He is honored as Jagadguru, a title that was used earlier only to Lord Krishna...
).
Temples and Forts of Kurumbranadu
- Balussery Vettackorumakan Kavu
The temple at Balussery is very small without even a flagstaff or altar. The important offering here is the distribution of meals to those who come here from other places. It is a small temple, situated east of Quilandy 25 km from Kozhikode
Kozhikode
Kozhikode During Classical antiquity and the Middle Ages, Kozhikkode was dubbed the "City of Spices" for its role as the major trading point of eastern spices. Kozhikode was once the capital of an independent kingdom of the same name and later of the erstwhile Malabar District...
, via Karappampu - Kakkodi. Navarathri, Thiruvonam
Thiruvonam
Thiruvonam is a Taluk town in Thanjavur district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.-Geography:Thiruvonam is located at . It has an average elevation of 36 metres .-Demographics:...
and Vishu
Vishu
Vishu is a Hindu festival celebrated in the Indian state of Kerala, usually on April 14 of the Gregorian calendar. This occasion signifies the Sun's transit into the Mesha Raasi , according to Indian astrological calculations, and represents the vernal equinox...
are observed with fervour. Main offering is breaking of 12,000 coconuts. (Formerly this temple was owned by the Kurumbranad Rajas).
- Lokanarkavu Devi Temple
Lokanarkavu Devi Temple is a combination of three temples. Sree Mahavishnu temple and Sree siva Temples are the others. Mandala pooja observed in grand scale. The ancestral home of the legendary warrior Thacholi Othenan
Thacholi Othenan
Thacholi Meppayil Kunjhu Othenan or Mepayil Tacholi Manikoth Kovilakathu Kunji Othena Kurup or more popularly Thacholi Othenan was a legendary hero who is believed to have lived during 16th century in North Malabar region of Kerala, India...
is associated with the temple.
- Balussery Fort
It is about 25 km from Kozhikode. This was once the fort of the Rajas of Kurumbranad.
Famous persons of Kurumbiathiri Swaroopam
Thacholi Meppayil Kunjhu Othenan (Udayana Kurup of Thacholi Manikoth House) or more popularly Thacholi Othenan (Malayalam: തച്ചോളി ഒതേനന്) was a legendary hero from North Kerala, a small state in south India, who lived in the 16th century, was born in the Kurumbiathiri Family. Highly stylised songs and stories of his valour and chivalry abound. His real name was Udayana Kurup. He is praised about in Vadakkanpattu (ballads of North Kerala).Othenan was born into the feudal Nair family of Manikoth in Thacholi near Vatakara (His father was a cheftian of a small fiefdom) a small town in Kerala, called as Thacholi Koottam (derieved from Chellanttan Kurup - Chellanttan Swaroopam). He practised Kalarippayattu (ancient martial art form of kerala) from a very young age and grew up to be an extraordinarily brave and skilled warrior. Legends portray him as being a merciless opponent to enemies and a friend to the helpless. Even the powerful Zamorin of Calicut respected him. He defeated Kadhirur Gurukkal in ankam (dual/war) and killed him. But one of the Gurukkal’s disciples killed Othenan through treachery at the young age of 32.
Vadakkan Pattu (Ballad)
The heroes of Vadakkan Pattukal had their ancestral goddesses as KaliKali
' , also known as ' , is the Hindu goddess associated with power, shakti. The name Kali comes from kāla, which means black, time, death, lord of death, Shiva. Kali means "the black one". Since Shiva is called Kāla - the eternal time, Kālī, his consort, also means "Time" or "Death" . Hence, Kāli is...
form and not Durga form. The same applies to the local rulers who later claimed Lokanarkavu as their family goddess. All the rulers of Kerala had Goddesses with Thamasa pooja or shakteya pooja; i.e. poojas in which either man or animal was sacrificed. It was a more local tradition and most family temples of Kerala kings and locals had followed such tradition until it was modified.