Thekkumkur

Thekkumkoor (also transliterated as Thekkumkur or Thekkumcore) was a small independent kingdom that existed before 1750[1] in the southern part of Kerala, India. The literal meaning of the title is the southern regent and the attribute southern distinguished them from another kingdom known as Vadakkumkoor (northern regent) which bordered it in the northern side.[2] The royal household, Thekkumkoor Kovilakam, were at Neeraazi Kottaram, near Kavil Bhagavathi temple, Pizhavathil of Changanasseri, Vennimala near Puthuppally and Thaliyilkotta near Thazhathangadi in Kottayam. Many mistake Laxmipuram Palace, in Pizhavathil as the royal residence of Thekkumkoor kings. But Lakshmipuram palace was built after the last Thekkumkoor kingdom was conquered by the Marthanda Varma, the king of Venad in 1750. This was for accommodating the fleeing Parppanaattu royals

    from Malabar during the raid of Tipu Sultan.

    The ruler of Thekkumkur had sided first with the Kingdom of Kayamkulam and then with the principality of Ambalapuzha against Travancore under Marthanda Varma. After the fall of Ambalapuzha, and as the ruler of Thekkumkoorr refused to come to terms with Travancore, his capital city was taken on September 11,1750 by Ramayyan Dalawa, the general and prime minister of Marthanda Varma and the state was annexed to Travancore in 1753. The details of the battle are described in the 'History of Travancore From The Earliest Times' by P. Shankunni Menon, erstwhile Diwan Peshkar (a rank equivalent to Deputy Prime Minister) of the Travancore State and father of another noted historian K. P. Padmanabha Menon.

    History

    From the beginning of the ninth century AD, the history of Thekkumkoor and of Kottayam are virtually indistinguishable. Kottayam then was a part of Vempolinad, an area in the Kulasekhara Empire (800 – 1102 AD). By about 1100 AD, the Kingdom of Vempolinad had split into the Kingdoms of Thekkumkur and Vadakkumkur.[2] After their separation, Thekkumkur became an independent kingdom, while Vedakkumkur became a vassal of Cochin.

    The royal house originally situated in Vennimala in Kottayam.[2] It was protected by a fort known as Thaliyilkotta and as a result the locality came to be known in the same name as the fort. On a later stage, Tekkumkoor kings shifted their headquarters to Nattassery(Near Kumaranalloor) at the outskirts of Kottayam town. The Royal family members are now staying at Nattassery; now this Palace are visible with several ancient Nalukett & new houses constructed by current family members in close compounds of Edathil Bhagavathy Temple.

    Later, the Portuguese and the Dutch established trade relations with both these kingdoms, dealing in black pepper and other spices.

    After the subjugation of the Dutch by Travancore in 1742, military operations of Marthanda Varma progressed against the northern neighbouring kingdoms including Thekkumkoor. Though Thekkumkoor allied with Chempakassery and Vadakkumkoor to protect the kingdom, all of them were finally annexed to Travancore.[3]

    Towards the end, the Thekkumkure Royal Family only controlled the small area of Kovilakam of Kolathu Kara Kozhanchery.

    Paradevatha

    Edathil Bhagavathy is the paradevatha of the Thekkumcore Royal Family. The main pūjā is performed on Medam 18 (which usually it falls on May 1) every year. The pūjās are performed by the thandri from surya Kaladi Mana. There will be a thrikala pūjā (meaning pūjās in the morning, noon & evening) on this day. It is a day for family get-togethers as well.

    Daily pūjās are performed by the Vadakkummal family. Vadakkummal Vikraman Namboodiri is the current main priest. The last day ceremony of the Kumaranallor Temple Ulsavam, the ārāttu (the day after the Thrikkarthika) is performed at the Meenachil River which is close to the Edathil Temple (2 km away from Kumaranalloor Devi Temple). The ārāttu is performed near the Edathil Bhagavathi Temple once every year since Kumaranalloor Bhagavathi comes to see her sister the Edathil Bhagavathi. During the month of January Bhagavata Purana Sapthaham with Bhagavathom Moolam is conducted every year.

    References

    1. ↑ P. Shungoonny Menon - A HISTORY OF TRAVANCORE - First edition: 1878 , New edition: 1983, Page 130, 131 - ISBN 978-8170200406
    2. 1 2 3 A Sreedhara Menon (1 January 2007). A Survey Of Kerala History. DC Books. pp. 166–. ISBN 978-81-264-1578-6. Retrieved 9 August 2012.
    3. ↑ A. Sreedhara Menon (1987). Political History of Modern Kerala. D C Books. pp. 140–. ISBN 978-81-264-2156-5. Retrieved 10 August 2012.

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