Sanskrit sources of Kerala history India history
GK: According to the legends, Lord Rama and Lakshmana had visited this hillside. In the caves of the vennimala, sages used to meditate , when lots of the demons were creating nuisance to the sages. Hence sages approached Lakshmana to help. Lord Lakshmana killed many demons. Thus the place came to be called ‘Vijayadri’ in Sanskrit which means ‘hill of victory’ . KR: References to Vennimala appear in Aithihyamala, a famous collection of Kerala legends compiled by Kottarathil Sankunni, which adds literary and spiritual significance to the temple. This study deals with the history of Kerala based on ancient Sanskrit sources, such as the Keralamahatmyam. The modern state known as Keralam or Kerala is situated on the Malabar Coast of India. The first chapter of this study discusses the historical details from the inscriptions. The second chapter deals with the historical points from the Mahatm... This book contains Sanskrit text which you should never take for granted as transcription mistakes are always possible. Always confer with the final source and/or manuscript. 1. Kerala in the Mahabharata, Harivamsa and Ramayana Chapter 6 - Miscellaneous Sanskrit works bearing on Kerala history The earliest Sanskrit work which contains reference to Kerala is perhaps Aitareya Aranyaka. It refers to the Cherapadah as one of the three peoples who violated some of the ancient in junctions. Katyayana (4th century BC) and Patanjali (2nd century BC) also show acquittance with the geography of Kerala. The reference in Kautilyas Arthasastra (4th century BC) to the river churni as one of the rivers of the land where pearls could be found. Mahabharata The great epic Mahabharatha contain references to Kerala. The Mahabharata refers to the Chera king as having supplied provisions and large contigents of fighting men for the belligerent armies of in the battle of Kuruksetra. Some other reference also can be seen in the Mahabharata. cibukāṃśca pulindāṃśca cīnān hūṇān sa keralān sasarja phenatassādau mlecchān bahuvidhānapi Nandini created the Cibukas, Hunas, Keralas etc. with the foams squeezed out of the nostrils to attack Visvamitra. Sahadeva who was sent to the south to defeat the rulers, while Yudhistira was performing the Rajasuya, is referred to have vanquished the rulers of Kerala and collected taxes from them. The genealogies in M.B. also of some historical importance. The Mahabharata has used both the terms Musaka and Musika to refer to a country and its people. It groups the Musikas with distinctly southern countries such as Dravidas, Keralas, Pracyas and Vanavasakas. Bhismaparvams of the epic contain the following reference.— draviḍāḥ keralāḥ prācyāḥ mūṣikāḥ vānavāsikāḥ | According to another version the passage is as follows:— unnatyakā māhiṣakā vikalpā mūṣakāstathā A third version of the epic gives the above lines as— karṇāṭakā māhiṣakā vikalpā mūṣakastathā The Bombay editions of the epic gives the reading Bhusaka for Musaka. The Harivamsa refers to Kola along with Kerala, Pandya, and Cola as a southern region. But the reference is vague and it is doubtful whether it actually mentions the Kolattunad region located in Kerala.The great epic Ramayana contain reference to Kerala. It is stated that Kerala was one of the countries to which Sugriva sent emissaries in search of Sita. nadīṃ godāvarīṃ caiva sarvamevātha paśyata | tathaivāndhrāṃśca pauṇḍrāṃśca colān pāṇḍyāṃśca keralān | The primary origin story for Kerala, found in the Puranas, describes the warrior sage Parashurama, an avatar of Vishnu, reclaiming land from the sea by throwing his axe, from Gokarna to Kanyakumari. He then purified the land with the holy poison of the snake king Vasuki, creating the fertile region of Kerala. This account is known as the Parashurama Kshetram or the Land of Parashurama. The Myth of Parashurama Parashurama's Action: The myth states that Parashurama, after ridding the world of oppressive Kshatriyas, sought a way to redeem his sins. He prayed to the God of the Ocean, Varuna, to provide land. Reclaiming the Land: With blessings from the gods, Parashurama threw his battle axe from Gokarna into the Arabian Sea. The force of his action caused the sea to recede, bringing forth a strip of land from Gokarna in the north to Kanyakumari in the south. Purifying the Land: The reclaimed land was initially saline and uninhabitable. Parashurama then invoked the snake king Vasuki, who spat his holy poison onto the land, transforming the soil into fertile and life-sustaining earth. Naming the Land: The area thus created is known as Kerala, or Parashurama Kshetram, signifying it as the land brought forth by Parashurama. KR Thus Rama came to kerala is far fetched idea. Pampa river is not that of Kerala; but it is in Orissa western Ghats; down below Kishkinda started. K RAJARAM IRS 11025 On Wed, 1 Oct 2025 at 13:20, 'gopala krishnan' via Thatha_Patty < [email protected]> wrote: > VENNIMALA SREE RAMA LAKSHAMANA PERUMAL TEMPLE-PUTHUPALLY-KOTTAYAM > DISTRICT-KERALA > > > Introduction > > The Vennimala Sree Rama Lakshmana Perumal Temple in Puthuppally, Kottayam, > believed to be visited by *Lord Rama and Lakshmana during their exile.* > Located in the village of Puthuppally within the Kottayam district, the > temple is situated on Vennimala hill, approximately 15 km from Kottayam > town. The main deity of the temple is Lakshmana Perumal, and it is one of > the oldest Rama temples in South India. Though the main idol of the > temple is Lord Lakshmana but *Sri Rama is also given the equal priority. > *The temple is on a hill 1500 feet high from sea level. Vennimala Sree > Rama Lakshamana Perumal Temple is one among the oldest Rama Temples in > South India. > > Key Information: > > Name:Vennimala Sree Rama Lakshmana Perumal Temple > > Location: Vennimala hill, Puthuppally, Kottayam, Kerala > > Deity: Lakshmana Perumal > > Mythological Significance: It is believed that Lord Rama and Lakshmana > visited this place during their exile, and *Lakshmana killed demons to > protect the sages residing there. * > > > > Legend > > According to the legends, Lord Rama and Lakshmana had visited this > hillside. In the caves of the vennimala, sages used to meditate , when lots > of the demons were creating nuisance to the sages. Hence sages approached > Lakshmana to help. Lord Lakshmana killed many demons. Thus the place > came to be called ‘Vijayadri’ in Sanskrit which means ‘hill of victory’ . > > *References to Vennimala appear in Aithihyamala*, a famous collection of > Kerala legends compiled by Kottarathil Sankunni, which adds literary and > spiritual significance to the temple. > > History > > The king of the Kerala, Cheraman Perumal Bhaskara constructed this temple > as per the direction of the Kapila Maharishi. The name of this place was > Iravipuram originally. Lord Cheraman Perumal was attracted by the beauty > of this place, stayed here and built a palace. He earmarked the hill as a > sacred and protected place. Lord Cheraman Perumal accepted Lord Rama as his > king and he declared that Lord Rama of this temple will be called by the > name “Vennimala Perumal”. > > With the fragmentation of the Cera Empire, the region of Kottayam came > under the sway of the Vadakkumkoor and Thekkumkoor dynasties. The Sree Rama > Lakshmana Swamy Temple at Vennimala near Puthuppally came under the > Thekkumkoor dynasty, which ruled the region for a long period. > > Unnuneeli sandesam written in 14th century AD describes Vennimala in > Thekkumkoor. In AD 1749 King Marthanda Varma of Venadu captured > Thekkumkoor and there after it was portion of Thiruvuithamkoor > > So the temple is said to be over a thousand years old, with renovations > and reconstructions carried out over the centuries under the patronage of > local kings and devotees. Its age-old charm, combined with the tranquil > hilltop surroundings, continues to draw pilgrims and tourists alike. > > Architecture and Features > > The temple showcases the traditional Kerala style of temple architecture, > with sloping tiled roofs, wooden carvings, and a stone-paved courtyard. > > A key highlight of the temple is that it is on top of a hill that offers > stunning panoramic views of the countryside. *The climb to the temple is > often considered a pilgrimage in itself*, with devotees enjoying the > quietude and bird calls along the way. > > There are two bronze dhwajastambhas (flag masts) in the front yard. The > temple is facing west. The entrance to the temple is through a dwara gopura > in Kerala style followed by an Anappandal. The temple has been constructed > in stone and the mukhamantapa has ornamented wooden panels in between stone > pillars. > > Beyond the namaskara mantapa comes the unique Srikovil only one of its > kind in South India. It is the ‘Ghata Prasada’ type with a pot shape, > the Srikovil is in proper circular form with a neck shaped mukhamantapa in > front. *Both are roofed over by an integral copper roof supported by > rafters*. The exterior of the temple has beautiful daru silpas (wooden > idols) at intervals along the periphery. > > The inside of the Srikovil is hexagaonal shape. The Srikovil and > mukhamantapa are surrounded by pillars enclosing a small walk-way around > with tiles laid all over. Ther is a namaskaramantapa and balikkal in front > of the shrine. > > There is also a *sacred pond* (theertham) nearby, believed to be > connected to the legends of Lord Rama. Devotees often visit this pond as > part of their pilgrimage. It is said that the sacred channel of the temple > opens to this pond. > > Sanctum > > The temple is dedicated to Lord Rama and his brother Lakshmana, rare > deities to be worshipped together in a single sanctum. Even though the main > idol is that of Lakshmana Perumal, Sri Rama is also present in the srikovil > by conviction. *Reinforcing this practice , there are two bronze > dhwajastambhas (flagmasts) in the front yard.* > > Subsidiary shrines > > Among the subsidiary shrines, that of Sri Krishna is unique. Located in > the north-west corner of the outer prakara, it is a small square temple, > and a square mukhamantapa. > > Other deities are Lord Ganesh, Lord Nagaraja, Yakshi. > > Poojas > > Daily three poojas are performed now. Earlier the temple had five poojas > and three sreebalies. *Daily poojas and rituals are conducted in > accordance with Tantric customs*, and the temple is maintained by a > dedicated group of priests and committee members who ensure its traditions > are preserved. > > > > Festivals > > The temple observes all major Hindu festivals, with Sri Rama Navami being > the most significant. Celebrated with grandeur and devotion, the festival > includes special poojas, traditional music, and cultural programs. The > annual Utsavam (temple festival) is marked by rituals, colourful > processions, and community participation. > > Cultural Programs > > Only Ramayana story used to be played here. Koothu for 16 days followed > by Koodiyattom for 12 days was the routine. Vennimala Koothu has been an > integral part of the cultural scene of Kerala for centuries. At present, > the festival goes on for reduced duration of ten days. There is a > koothambalam inside the temple. > > Temple Timings > > Morning 5am to 10am and Evening 5pm to 8pm. > > Offerings to Pithrus > > Devotees pay obsequies in the Malayalam month of *Thulam and Karkidagam > vavu days* in the temple tank nearby with rocky outcrops. > > Tourism > > The Kerala government and local tourism bodies have promoted the area as > part of rural and heritage tourism initiatives, encouraging visitors to > explore the spiritual, cultural, and ecological wealth of the region. > > Address of the temple > > Vennimala Sri Rama Lakshmana Swamy Temple, Payyappady–Vennimala Road, > Puthuppally, Kottayam, Kerala – 686516. Phone : +91 984 743 9251 > > Location > > Nearest Town: Puthuppally (approx. 4 km) > > From Kottayam: Around 12 km by road > > Nearest Railway Station: Kottayam > > Nearest Airport: Cochin International Airport (approx. 90 km) > > Buses and taxis are available from Kottayam and nearby towns. A short > uphill walk or drive takes you to the temple premises. > > Administration > > The temple is under the administrative control of the Travancore Devaswom > Board. > > > > > > > > > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "Thatha_Patty" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > To view this discussion visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/93301374.1696725.1759305032128%40mail.yahoo.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/93301374.1696725.1759305032128%40mail.yahoo.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. 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