Parumala Church

The earth of Thiruvalla It of legends

SANJAI VELAYUDHAN

INTRODUCTION:

Thiruvalla Is a localized city in the neighborhood of Pathanamthitta in the beautiful Kerala. The city crosses a geographic sector of 27.94 km². The harbor and the airport more close are localized in Kochi and the Thiruvananthapuram capital is localized to a distance of 130 Km. The city has a tropical climate with a temperatures spreading top of {PN{PN34.4 °PN}CPN} in summer to a low level of {PN{PN18. 5 °PN}CPN} in the winter with a height of healthy precipitations of 3040 mm. The place is associated with a lot of religious legends and myths (in a predominant way Hindu followed by Christian) that it does an important center of religious convictions in Kerala. The apostle of Jesus, the St. Thomas that landed in Kodungallur is believed to have visited Niranam in Thiruvalla in 53 ap. Jesus Christ It erected a crucifix and founded and constructed a church here. There is a certain structure that is associated with this church here. It has the big cross and of granit in front of the church. Thiruvalla is adjacent to the crucible of Christianity in Kerala (The close locations as Changanasherry, Kottayam etc are known to be sturdy of the centers of Christianity). The fight for the civil one overflowed also to the in a predominant way Hindu earth also. The this is also the location of the Palace of boundaries nedumpuram and the Palace of architectural famous royal Paliakkara. A visit to Thiruvalla will not be complete without the purchase of some figurines in artistic bronze of "Mannar".

PHOTO:

One of the older lived places, there are enough proofs to suggest that the sector had been lived since 500 CEBS although the city was been founded a day around 800 THIS. The current sectors of Niranam and Kadapra on the party of the west of Thiruvalla emerged from the sea around this time.

A lot of old manuscripts and marches (Thalli ola- the archives engraved on satirize them to the coconut walnut) likes the Shasanas and the mentions of Granthas of Thiruvalla, but by the different names-" Thiruvattuvai", "Thiruvallavazhu," Nalla Worm, Mallikavanam". according to the legends, the name Thiruvalla diverts from the word "Thiru Valla Vazh", named after the river Manimala. It was known as Valla puzha, suggesting that Thiruvalla was at the mouth of Manimala of river and was therefore known as Valla worm (Valla could mean that the boat and worm in the means of Malayalam articulates silent) meaning in a cowardly way where the boat originates or where disembarkation arrives. Because of this the temple idol of temple of Vallabha of Sri of Thiruvalla was called "Thiru Vallavayappan" that reformed later as "Sri Vallabhan" the temple of Vallabha of Thiru, in Seen that the divinity is God Vishnu. This temple the one is among the cent and eight Vaishnava Thirupathis in India. Another version says that the name came from the old name "Valla worm". On the party of the west of Thiruvalla, where the rivers Pampa, Manimala and Kovil Does poorly joins offers a panoramic view. As in a lot of other places in India, the culture and the heritage of Thiruvalla are secured in a predominant way to its temples. The historic proof including the plates of copper and the royal proclamations identifies Thiruvalla as one to prosper and the center of witty and educational prominence in 1100 THIS. The Temple of Vallaba of Sree governed a Vedic School with a thousand students and hundred professors. The leaders of Thiruvalla belonged to the Dynasty of Thekkumkoor, that had one of his principal seat to Edathil close to the Temple of Kaavil.

The of formerly Walked Kaavil Etait once one of the most of the big stores celebrate Kerala that had links to the links of exterior commerce. The market of Kaavil was situated in fact in the street beginning Temple of Erankavu to the temple of Kaavil in the present Kavumbhagom. The it was also the first sector of regulation of early Christians of Thiruvalla. This was quoted in the Poem Idol of Malayalam "Unnuneeli Sandesham". The it was the epicenter of Thiruvalla until the nineteenth century. The this is to be noted that Thiruvalla was not practically under the direct British rule and until the independence of India of Great Britain; it was governed by the dynasty of Travancore.

One of the fame reasons for Thiruvalla are his Diaspora. It has several Communities indian of passage. Most of his financial muscle is diverted from their payments. Despite his small size, most of the principal banks have branches here. It also is known for the influence of Christian missionaries gnawing the in a predominant way Hindu population. The this is the already strong reputation for the education and was raised by the coming of the missionaries and the a lot of schools started with them around the sector with the promotion activates education by the Royal Family of Travancore. Thiruvalla has a big no of big institutions and of educational small ones including a medical private university. It has a high rate of alphabetizing of au-dessus of 90% and as having once the biggest number of graduates of university in everywhere in India.

More than the Islam, the this is Christianity that has a bigger presence here after Hinduism. The presence of Christianity is sturdy here with the principal seat of the Ruins Thoma Church, the Church Evangedlique and the penteca´te Church indian of God (IPC) localized in and around Thiruvalla. The principal seat of the Diocese of Niranam of Orthodox Church and Malankara the Archidiocese of Thiruvalla of Catholic Church is also in Thiruvalla. The church of Niranam considered to be the quarter among the 8 churches this St. founded Thomas in Kerala is just 5 Km far of Thiruvalla.

The Niranam celebrates, the Church of Paliakkara, Kallooppara Valiyapalli and the churches of Parumala is the destinations of important tourist. Despite the Christian well subsidized church presence, the old inhabitants of Thiruvalla always the stick to their Hindu convictions. It has a lot of temples that have their origins rooted in the antiquity. One of the Sabarimala the more of center of revered and visited pedlerinage is localized comparatively close to Thiruvalla. The it could be bad to say that there is not currents of religious bottom in Thiruvalla although there is not case of the recorded religious major violence here.

THE LEGENDES, THE MYTHS &the amplifier; the FOLKLORES HAVE RELATES HAS THIRUVALLA:

Most of the original myths of Thiruvalla have a Hindu bottom. I chose three different histories (did not link up to the temple directly) that are secured in itself with the history of Thiruvalla.

The Pynanarkavu Yakshi:

This history has also his cultural social meaning. Thiruvalla especially was dominated by the Hindu and the adhesive ones of local religions. This history that I guess must have been popularized to bring forward the strength of the Practioners of Christian faith that worked hard to muster numbers for their religion. It could be noted that the Hindu one has couriu their social system principally using their "the class system" -a hierarchy that was legalized by religious penalty. The oppressive system of class was one of the most of the powerful factors that returned able other religions to take roots close in Kerala and India. Despite the predominance of this oppressive system, the it was always a difficult task for the missionaries to convert local people to their pleat. On a time period, they went counts that the local religions supplied by the powerful histories and the pictures they evoked and that the miracle histories could be used as a factor supporting to prove that the Christian Gods were more powerful than the a local one.

Goes here the history- THE opposing one of the history was an unfortunate Yakshi called The Pynanarkavu Yakshi or the Parumala Yakshi. The den of this "lady" was the thiruvananthapuram-padamanabhapuram way that used the road for the travelers wanting to attain or the destination. The it was a way hunt climbing back up solitary by a direct and deserted sector cover by the dense forest. The Yakshi would be found in this lengthening looking for his source (the sources) of nutrition. In these days, she found its victims in the big numbers. The winning way slowly the reputation of the mortal way, the less people chose to take this way and the Yakshi was left with the decrease numbers the Yakshi began proactivement preying on the men directly of the towns. Literally, the terror returned and the villagers took a defensive position in consultant of the shamans and exorcistes. Nothing (the traditional manners) worked. The Yakshi continued his brutish bloody one. The new ones of this Yakshi spread themselves to the four corners of the world through the earth attained finally the ears of the legendary hero and the local Christian priest the frightful and prestidigitateur, "Kadamattathu Kathanar". With the connotations of economy of the local people likes a hero (with the connotations to the dragon assassin-st. George), it exposed to annihilate this blood sucking the creature. It looked for it and after some days managed to identify his den. She did the opening in his normal disguise of a sensual lady. The Kathanar also a human was taken by the beauty of the demonstration but engaged it. The Yakshi asked it for someone files slipping. It is used to do "paan" that is a local soft drug. To prepared to his question, it offered to him it files but on one a nail in iron. Timid of metal (as the legends say that the devilish spirits are afraid of items in metal iron especially) the Yakshi refused to accept and is backed up. But the Kathanar was anxious his to accept files it on the nail. The nail was strengthened with a "mantra" magic that had the capacity temporarily to reduce his strength. Now it it was the bend of Kathanar to persuade and she accepted it finally. She did facing a tactical loss of his obscurity and its carnal strengths. It pushed the nail to the summit of his head returning it a slave to him.

To rehabilitate the Yakshi, the Kathanar took it to an old parent of his, she lived alone and Kathanar presumed that the Yakshi could be big assistance to the solitary woman. The old lady was delighted and was offered to prepare the lunch for them. After the lunch, the Kathanar took a siesta while the old woman and the girl of slave obtained to know itself. As was the custom with the women in Kerala (former days of course) the lady offered to comb the hair of the slave girl. While to comb, the comb hung on the nail that the priest had obtained to cause bleeding. Alarmed, the woman withdrew the nail on and the Yakshi fled.

Stunned by the incident, the lady is awakened the Kathanar and related the incident to him. The Kathanar is realized the seriousness of the position and ran behind the direction that she had fled. The miraculous Kathanar soon the ketchup with her and she increased his rhythm and the hunt took them at last to a place called "Mannar". Do not know why, but is supposed to have taken the only boat to cross the river Pampa. The Kathanar was without a method of means of transportation but used its competences averting to secure the Yakshi to the opposite bank for that she was incapable to move and was taken to the trap. It transversed that the river likes that a surfer on a leaf of banana and attained the Yakshi to the other bank. The Yakshi went counts that she had met his game and begged it for not to destroy it. The Kathanar was the example of sensitiveness and it allowed for him to live furnished she does not lose blood of human. She was fulminated the choice of a calm life in the surrounding forest that is known as Pynanarkavu. In accordance with his promise, she is renowned to live until the date haunts the forests although invisible to the human eye. Of course, the observations were quoted by a lot although there is not murder retrieved having been caused by her.

The Legend of the Gluttonous Monster - "Bhaken"

This is an old legend and presumed to have intervened when Thiruvalla was known as" Mallikavanam". This history is important from the standpoint cultural social. When the Aryans of the India of the north migrated to the south Parties, the this was nothing except an acquisition because, they brought the radically different culture, the religion and the life method. Although these migrations have intervened in the phases on a long period, it had for result a dominating relation. This "traps" arrived without or the violence or the effusion of minimal blood. The it was more of a social acquisition leaving the Aryans at the top of the social hierarchy. They used their culture and their symbols to relegate the original inhabitants to a position of more of subordinate one. Nevertheless, it also could be noted as rather to destroy the current religions and the cultural symbols, there was an assimilation of divinities and the local symbols in the aryan pleat. The it was a brilliant strategy that gave the permanence to the aryan presence in south India. Thus as this history that was at first one under history of the Hindu edpique-mahabharatha was projected to have intervened in a removed one (then) the place as Thiruvalla to absorb the local people in the principal current Aryan. What the one view is the event superimposition to a south context. This episode is supposed to have arrived in a place called Meenthalakara also was known as Ekachakra gramam (the town). Bhaken was a gluttonous monster that lived in Kakkathurithu close to Amaloor. The abominable Bhaken had a reputation for his greediness. It would devour does not import what and all in the town and this major distress caused to the villagers. Incapable to endure the vorace the monster, the villagers entered into to a pact with him. According to its terms and according to the conditions, the cart of loaded buffalo with the food would be put emphasis on daily to Bhaken by a chosen member of the town. In contrast to the agreement, the Monster would consume not only the entire load of food, but also the animal of current of air and the man that was assigned to take the expedition. Finally the bend of a family of brahmane (please grade brahmane here) came they must leave their only son takes the food to Bhaken. As usual it was that the family sheltered also the Pandavas (the protagonists of the Mahabharatha) that had escaped recently of the attempts on their life and lived in the disguise of their enemies, the Kauravas. When they came to know distress of their hosts, Kunti Devi the mother of the Pandavas was anxious the sending of his third and the strongest Bhima of son to meet the Monster instead of the boy of brahmane. Bhima that was known itself for his appetite vorace attained the appointment and instead of awaits the consignataire, polite of the load itself. Naturally, Bhaken was exasperated and was tried fine Bhima. Now as the party of the protagonists Bhima killed Bhaken without the a lot of agitations. The duel that himself was done in a historic the one for Thiruvalla. During the duel, Bhima is supposed to have thrown a copper receptacle to Bhaken, and the place where it fell is known as "Chembukandam" (meaning in a cowardly way that the depression left by copper impact). In the middle of the duel, the buffalo flowed to the under earth, and this place is known as "Erumathadam". The place where the monster was decapitated is known as "Thalapala". The place where the legs of the monster were torn to leaves and were launched is known as "Kalumoola". And the place where the gouged out eyes of the monster was launched is known as "Kannadichal". And the place where the testicules were launched were known as "Urulakunnu" changed later to "Umikunnu". The place Meenthalakara was since a long time known as "Bhakenthalakara". Useless to say that the duel was a very violent one a that subtly declares also the strength of the Aryans.

The legend of the Thukalassery Rakshasa or of Monster:

It is supposed to have intervened in one of his in a predominant way lived town especially by brahmanes (the community on the food chain according to the system of Class indian). The town was also the residence of the devilish Rakshasa (the monster) known as "Thukalan". As is the nature of a Monster, it bothered the villagers no end. With no manner to submit the powerful monster, as is the character of Indian ones by itself, they assimilated it in their lives and learned to against heart to live with him. As no other psychopathe it began the sensation more and more of powerful one. It continued to cause the boredom for an old unmarried one of brahmane (brahmanes and generally their old people are not bothered usually, as they are considered to be the closest one to god. The people fear even that their curse be very powerful). She did not want to take the monster on his step and thus asked to the "Vishnu" of lord (without doubte the head of the Hindu trinity) for the monster respite. Again, with the complexions suggesting the predominance of brahminical, it is said that the lord paid attention to the old ones please the lady and it appeared himself to the town and killed the monster using his disc of d it characteristic (called Sudarshana Chakra). The chakra flew in a circular manner and a force that gets ready of his rotation, decapitated the monster. Etre arms it lord, before to return to the holy fingers, it did is to leave has some washing out the blood on to the bank. This place was named afterward it "Chakrashalana Kadavu" changed now as "Chakrashala Kadavu". The place where the remained monster is known as "Thukalassery".

THE PLACES EMINENTS IN AND AROUND THIRUVALLA:

(1) SABARIMALA: The place of the "the big pedlerinage", Sabarimala is sacred to all Hindu practiquants in south India. Localized on a craggy hill, it is considered to be the abode of the "God" "Ayyappa". "Ayyappa" is considered to be the offspring of a divine bantering between two important members of the Trinity vishnu and Hindu Shiva. Although technically a homosexual union, it was against disputed as during the union, Vishnu was in the form of a "Mohini" -beauty and celestial Shiva in his original male forms. According to the Hinduism, every incident has a divine reason behind him and thus, the birth of Ayyappa was not any exception to kill the demoness "Mahishi" dreaded that exercised the destruction in the earth of the Gods. The history of Ayyappa is described in another item.

The center celebrates pedlerin localized close to Thiruvalla, the this is 191 Km far to the north of Thiruvananthapuram and 210 Km of Kochi. The trip to the mountain summit to attain the temple to love the "God" is a difficult the one. Although the modernity provided with the better opportunities and to the better steps to attain the summit, the this always is one climbed lasts. The pedlerin must undergoes also 41 days of austerities before it can went to the temple. During the period, the pedlerin must abstains from the food non-vegetarian, not to carry shoes, to abstain from the sex, not to shave etc. thus the one can say that the trip to the good day is at least 42 long days that in the contemporary times is a big sacrifice all alone. Since the temple is localized in the middle of thick forests where a sanctuary of tiger is localized, the climbed furnishes also the pedlerin with the impressive views of Lady Nature in his full flower. As one says "the this is the trip that has importance more than the destination"-A pedlerinage to Shabarimala justifies this.

(2) TEMPLE OF CAVE OF THEKEKUDI: Before the arrival and calming itself of the "Aryans" on the part north of India, Kerala had one in a predominant way tribal population lives in the localized forests on its hills and its mountains. The influence of this old screw always can be seen in the theories and the practice of Hinduism in Kerala. Although the nature adoration dominates the region, the cave temples were not in the fashion. Thekkumkudi has the distinction of is the location of a rare type of temple of cave of spatial one it sacred incorporated the 18th century and is in the style of Pallava of architecture.

(3) The "the TEMPLE OF PARTHASARATHY OF ARANMULA" the rows among one of the most of the eminent temples of Kerala and according to the local legends, the this is almost 500 old years.
(4) The "the TEMPLE OF MAHADEVA OF KAVIYOOR" is an old other temple and is considered having been constructed in the first years of the tenth century.
(5) The "the TEMPLE OF SWAMY OF RAKHTAKANTA" This old localized temple in "Omallur" also is known for fails it annual cattle held in the month of Malayalam of "Meenam".

(6) The "CHILANTHIYAMBALAM" strangely rather is named. It means the spider temple. Rather in contrast to the nomenclature, the spiders here are not loved. Drawn water of the "Chilanthi Kinar" meaning that localized araignede-bien in the temple premises is considered by the local swellings as a panacea for the skin diseases.

(7) The fame of the "THE TEMPLE OF DEVI OF KADAMMANITTA" Divert from an important rite executed in its premises called the "KADAMMANITTA PADAYANI". This is executed as a rite offering to the divinity (the Goddess of mother). It is executed every year between the first day of "Medam" (according to the era of Malayalam) and concludes on the tenth day (Pathamudayam).

OTHER ATTRACTIONS:

(1) regate-kerala of SNAKE has a big maritime tradition that covers the sea and the bodies of internal water. To the crossing in its bodies of internal water, they developed special boats locally known as the "Vallom". With the experienced crew, These "Valloms" can go really quickly. It was used earlier by the monarchy and the eminent personalities for the accelerated transportation. These rudimentary methods of transportation now are used to run known in the local language as "Vallom Kali". Certain of these "Valloms" is called "the snake boats". These boats are long, sveltes and able to suit several crews and able to attain the big speeds on water. The this principally is during Onam (the festival of Harvest of Kerala that falls in August/September) that these are put emphasis on for the races. One of the most of the famous races intervene in the lake Aranmula that turns in a battlefield for the snakes boats.

(2) The MIRRORS OF METAL did in Aranmula and known by the same name 'Aranmula Kannady" the can rival its versions of glass and is famous the world on for his technical skillfulness. The hand did using an old method; this trade was limited to some craftsmen that know the secrets of his preparation. It is done an alloy in special metal and does using the "lost wax" the method and then polite to the perfection. It enters different forms and can be pocket or is placed as a coat of unique and exotic fireplace. It is converted a long period and thus the available numbers are less. To guarantee that his production remains in local limits, the secrets of his preparation only are revealed to the few members families and passed generation to the generation.

(3) KONNI is a plant center where the harvests of types as rubber, the pepper, coffee and the ginger etc are grown. The this is so famous as the training center for the wild elephants. These wild elephants are taken close jungles using of big big cages drinks some traditional. Kerala is known in any case as the earth of lovers of elephant and the elephants is used in all its festivals of temple. The prestige of every temple directly also is measured based on the number of elephants that participate in its festivals. Thus, the this is but natural that the people of came to the four corners of the world to Konni to visit these centers.

(4) CHARALKUNNU (translated in a cowardly way as the sand mountain) is a station of picturesque hill from which the one can have a panoramic view of the sectors of low level lie including that of the Pampa of river (This River is considered as one of the rivers holy by the Hindu and his history are associated closely with the legend of the tutelary divinity of kerala-ayyappan). The view fascinates enough to draw tourists of everywhere.

(5) PERUMTHENARUVI (translated in a cowardly way as "the big river of Honey"). The Perumthenaruvi has a water fall celebrates of which ones water flows down below a rocky bed in a ravin, sixty to hundred feet deeply.

(6) MANNAR Near is localized Thiruvalla and is famous for the items do copper. The items include heavy traditionally used tools in the Kitchen of Kerala just like the beautiful sculptures. These items are sold by his weight and are available to a fraction of his price if the one should buy a big store.

Âc Sanjai velayudhan

Note: The author would like your bouquets of redactions them two &the amplifier; the violent critics. To write to me- sanjai.velayudhan@gmail.com.