Kulasekhara

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For the Vaishnava Saint and King, see Kulashekhara

The Kulasekhara dynasty is one of the three surviving royal lineages that ruled the current Indian state of Kerala.

Even though the term Kulasekhara dates back to the earlier reign of the Chera dynasty that ruled with Muziris as the capital, the current family that ruled the Principality of Travancore traces its lineage from Kolathunadu. The other surviving lineages are the Cochin royal family and the Zamorins of Kozhikode and the ones of Mavelikkara, Pandalam and so on.

The major distinguishing aspect of succession for the Travencore Kulasekharas is the matrilineal succession.

The progressive psychedelic band Kula Shaker take their name from this Dynasty, being named after Kulashekhara of the Vaishnava Alvars.