By K.C.Jayarajan Raja

(Sreevidya -- January 1998)

In memory of Vallukanari himself becoming a Chaver and taking up the challenge of pushing through the swordsmen of Samoothiri and reaching the Nilapatuthara, even now, during the pooram, before the deity is taken out of northern Balipura, "Purappad Puja" is conducted in the presence of Vallukanari or his representative.

Similarly, as soon as Vallukanari reaches northern Balipura, in memory of the Chaver pada, three or four young boys display mock swordplay. While the deity is being taken down the steps of northern passage for Arattu, members of the Kovilakom go along with the procession with swords and shields. Till recently, the Vallukanari himself used to accompany the procession as bodyguard to the Deity.

After the Vallukanari lost the right of conducting the Mamankam, the Pooram festival was conducted as a reminder of the age-old Mamankam and to display the cultural tradition of Valluvanad.

Pooram is not just any festival. It has some special daily features. In no other temple is Aratu conducted twice daily during festivals. The festival became elaborate only after losing the right to conduct Mamankam.

Samoothiri annexed Palghat and its surrounding areas and subjugated the Nedungadi kings (chieftains). In response, Vallukanari erected the "Mannarmala Fort" and crowned the fourth senior member of Manjeri Kovilakom as the king of Mannarmala to stop the efforts of Samoothiri to cross the Attapadi Mala (Silent Valley) and enter Valluvanad. The new king of Mannarmala was given some titles and special rights and privileges by the Vallukanari. He is entitled to Malikhan and the title "Onnu kure ayirathil Thampuran" (one in a thousand).

After losing Panthalur areas, Vallukanari had to accept Melattur river as its northern border. In order to stop the enemy crossing the river, Vallukanari appointed a young member of the family as Patinharakkara Thampuran.

In the south to protect the coasts of Bharata Puzha the 5th sthani (Kolathur Thampuran) and senior-most Thampuratty (Kolathur Thampuratty) were made rulers of the area. To protect them, a strong army was created under the command of Kulathur Varier.

It is also said that a Brahmin, Puzhakkattiri Moos, was Vallukanari's chief commander. He had a number of Kalaris under him for training the warriors. Even now, near his Illam, there is a place called Pataparambu (field for pata i.e. training field).

Samoothiri was never able to defeat the army of Vallukanari, even though Vallukanari had fewer soldiers. A surprised Samoothiri asked Sree Villwamangalam Swamiar the reason for this. The Swamiar asked Samoothiri to touch him by one finger, close one eye and then look at the battlefield. When Samoothiri did so, he saw "Bhadrakali" ie Thirumandhamkunnilamma attired in red garb with sword and shield, standing by the side of Vallukanari and directing the battle.

Later, Samoothiri, in the garb of a Sannyasi (Bhikshu) did tapas for 41days at Thirumandhamkunnu and this pleased the Goddess. When Bhagavathi asked what he wanted as varam, he said he wanted Sakthi to conquer Valluvanad. The goddess said the whole of Valluvanad belonged to her and it was to be ruled by her devotees ie Vallukanaris. However, she promised half her strength to Samoothiri.

Because of this help, Samoothiri built the "Thiruvalayanad Temple" in the model of Thirumandhamkunnu Temple and installed Bhadrakali there.

Historically, the prosperity of Valluvanad under Valluvakonathiri, should be written in golden letters in the history of Kerala.

We have already covered a nearly true history of Vallabha Vamsam. Here is another version but less authentic.

Some historians believe that Vallabha Vamsam came from the old Travancore State.

As evidence they point out the finds of certain archaeological materials from Thiruvalla etc, which indicate that there was a place called Valluvanad in AD 1200. The area was ruled by a king who was a descendent of the "Aye" Vamsam. Places like Thirunandikara, Mekkad, Muttam, Eranjikal, Kalkulam etc were supposed to be part of this Valluvanad.

This is a vast area extending from Kollam to Thiruvalla. The capital was Pothimala near Shenkottai. Later it is said the capital was shifted to Vizhinjam. The basis of all this presumption is the Sreevallabha temple at Thiruvalla.

From a cultural point of view, this cannot be true. When you consider the period of existence of this kingdom, the possibility is that a branch of Vallabha vamsam could have migrated South from the present Malabar area. Only after the 12th century, is there any mention about this Valluvanad in Travancore state.

However it is a fact of history, that Vallabha vamsom was ruling over Valluvanad in the Malabar area, much before 12th century. Thus logically, a part of the Vallabha family might have migrated from North to South and not from South to North.

In another instalment, more substantive evidence will be provided on this aspect. In any case this article is about the widely accepted Vallabha Vamsom which ruled from Angadipuram, the capital of Valluvanad.

Let us now turn towards some "Aithihyam" (folk tales) about Thirumandhamkunnilamma. Several centuries ago, Ayodhya, which was then famous due to Ramarajyam (and now due to Babri Masjid), was ruled by Mandhata of Surya Vamsam.

He accepted sanyas and as a Rajarshi (Kshatriya turned to sanyasi) roamed throughout our lands. When he reached Angadipuram, he felt attracted by the beauty of the place. At that time, it was a forest full of wild animals. It is said that all the animals lived in peace with each other at this place. The place appeared special and divine (Pavithram) to him.

The sweet music of birds, the vast plain with a small hillock in the middle, to the north of the hillock a stream with crystal clear water rippling over uneven rocks sounding like a waterfall, all attracted the saint.

He decided to spend rest of his life doing penance at this place. He found a suitable place for doing Tapas (meditation) on the hillock and settled there.

The place where he did tapas is still preserved. Devotees pluck leaves from a tree from the site and wear it on their heads as prasad. This site is preserved even now and is at the north west side of the Sreemoola sthanam.

The west side of the temple is even now called "Anakkad" (Elephant jungle). Nowadays it is not a forest of trees but a forest of concrete.

After years of penance of Mandhatha, God Shiva appeared before him, asking him what he wanted. Mandhata, who had sacrificed all worldly pleasures, said, "I do not want anything material. However, for my daily pooja I may be given the world's best Sivalingam."

Lord Siva replied, "The best Lingam is in Kailas and is used by Parvathi for daily worship. How can I hand that over to you?"

However, Rajarshi Mandhata insisted that he is not interested in anything else than the particular "Sivalingam".

Since Shiva could never disappoint a devotee, he agreed and gave the Sivalingam to Mandhata, who installed it with appropriate rituals at Sreemoolasthanam and started daily pooja.

The next day at Kailas, when Sree Parvathi went for her daily pooja, she found her favourite Sivalingam missing. Searching everywhere she finally came to Shiva. Shiva informed Sree Parvati that he had given the Sivalingam to his dearest devotee Mandhata.

Hearing this, the angry Devi declared that she would not eat anything till she gets back the Sivalingam. Shiva replied that he could take back what he had given to a devotee, since that will be against Dharma, but that he had no objection to Devi taking it back from him.

Parvathi Devi immediately ordered Bhadrakali and soldiers (Bhoothaganam) to go to Earth (Bhoolokam) and bring back the Sivalingam, immediately. Bhadrakali mounted Vetalam (her carriage) and along with the soldiers, reached Angadipuram. She asked Mandhata to return the Shivalingam which he refused to do.

Bhadrakali tried all peaceful methods to make him agree to hand over the Sivalingam. She even tried to scare him by showing her monstrous form. However, all her peaceful efforts went in vain and she decided to use force. But due to a powerful Jyothi (light) emanating from the hillock, the soldiers were not able to go near it.

At last she and her followers began to shoot arrows at Mandhatha. When the wounds from the arrows became unbearable, he plucked some fruits hanging from twigs (Atanga) and threw it at the soldiers. When the fruits broke and seeds looking like Sivalingams appeared on the horizon, the followers of Bhadrakali started to run away.

Then Bhadrakali made a single stone bridge over the stream. She crossed the bridge and started pulling out the Sivalingam. Mandhata resisted the attempt with all his might. Finally the Sivalingam split into two pieces.

The Trimurthi (Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva) appeared before Mandhata and blessed him. Sree Parvathi was also pleased, seeing his steadfast devotion. The Sivalingam was presented to the Rajarshi and was installed there itself with the required rituals. Even now the deity at Sreemoolasthanam is a broken one.

Sree Parvathi requested Mandhata to erect a temple for Bhadrakali and the seven ladies who had accompanied her (Saptha Mathrukkal). This is the present Mathrusala.