A Glimpse of Royalty through Ambotti Thamburan of Pulikkal

Shankarodath Kovilakam His Highness His Holiness

Manavendravarma Yogathirippad

An interview with His Highness His Holiness Manavendravarma Yogathirippad, the Naishtika Brahmachari young Thamburan of Pulikkal Shankarodath Kovilakam,

Can you describe the history of Shankarodath Kovilakam?

The history of Shankarodath Kovilakam can be considered as a symbol of survival and restoration. We came to know about the ancestors of the kovilakam lately. All the hardships and sufferings endured by our ancestors up until very recently depict the history of Shankarodath kovilakam, however the love, respect and honour currently being showered on the kovilakam and the temple by people from all over the world is overwhelming. The progenitor of Shankarodath kovilakam is Triprangode kovilakam, a branch of the Vettath dynasty of the Tanur kingdom. It has come to our knowledge that during the rule of Vettath dynasty, the royal administration was done from Vettath kovilakam and one of its branches was in Triprangode kovilakam. The lineage of Shankarodath kovilakam can be traced to the Thamburatti of Triprangode kovilakam. With the demise of the Maharaja of the Vettath dynasty after a war, the thamburatti of Triprangode kovilakam with her daughter fled from the kovilakam. The current members of Shankaro- dath Kovilakam are descendants of Narayani Ambika thamburatti, daughter of Devaprabha Thamburatti of Triprangode kovilakam. The Thamburattis of our clan generally have the names of Ambika and Ambalika and are referred to as Nambrashtathiri. Based on history, it has come to our knowledge that after fleeing from Triprangode kovilakam, the thamburatti and her daughter arrived in Kavilpad, Olavakode in 1793. A Nair family named Veluthedath Thodi in Kavilpad gave shelter to the thamburatti and her daughter. The elders of this family built a small hut and took good care of the thamburatti and daughter by considering them as their own family members. The thamburattis earned their daily living by performing all the daily chores (like washing pooja vessels, sweeping the temple surroundings etc.) at the nearby Shiva temple. Olavakode and the adjoining areas were under the rule of Samuthiri during the war period and hence, Thamburatti with her daughter had to remain in hiding out of the fear for their lives in case they were discovered to be royal family members. Only the title of Vellattiri was used by them. Our ancestors were also known as Varathanmar meaning those who came from Valluvanad. Since we did not know about our ancestors then, we lived together with the Nair Samithi. Despite continuing a different way of life, we also practiced Shodashakriya rituals in parallel. Kalpathi Shivacharyas used to perform shodashakriyas for us as we were not aware that members of Kothamangalathu Mana was our Othikkan. During that period, along with doing Thriprangottappan’s Thevaram in our Thevarapura, the Pujas for the Paradevatas (family deities) were also being performed. Vettathamma, Chamravatath Ayyappan, Thriprangottappan, Thirunaavayathevar, and Thirumaandaamkunnilamma are our family deities. Panavoor Mana performs the annual Paradevatapujas and are the Kovilakam Thantris. Our ancestors continued performing daily Thevaram even after reaching Olavakode. Our Thevaramurthys are Mullapally Ganapathi, Mullapally Narasimham, Tirur Narasimham, Goshalakrishnan, Alathiyur Hanuman, Alathiyur Sriraman, Thrikandiyurappan, Vettath Mangalath Mahavishnu, Vettathamma, Naavamukundhan and Keraladhiswarathappan. The kovilakam headquarters of the Vettath clan was at Keraladhishwaram. We found out about our ancestors recently. The kovilakam is rooted on a tradition of sacrifice and misfortune of having had to hide one's identity. Worship is the only reason for the survival and prosperity of the kovilakam. We wish to inform people to carry on with their worship. This will bring prosperity and glory as evident in the case of Shankarodath kovilakam.

You are the current Naishtika Brahmachari. If so, who will be the heir after your reign?

Only Thamburattis have importance and authority in kovilakam and palaces. Even though Thamburans have ceremonial positions, the authority and power is with the Thamburattis. Ambotti Thamburan position does not happen in every generation. However, the position of Kovilakam’s Valiyathamburan is passed down from generation to generation. At Shankarodath, the eldest male person of the kovilakam will be elevated to the position of Valiyathamburan. Being an Ambotti Thamburan is a divine vocation. Any child born in Shankarodath Kovilakam lineage who from his Upanayanam observes all customs and rituals with utmost devotion and successfully completes all the prescribed fasts and upacharas will be coronated as Ambotti Thamburan. It is purely God’s decision on who will be the next Ambotti Thamburan. We firmly believe that our Vamsopasanamurthys: Vettekaran, Bhadrakali, and Naga Gods, will decide on next Ambotti Thamburan.

What is meant by Ambotti Thamburan?

The position Ambotti Thamburan means the one nurtures himself spiritually and protects (the maintainer of) the world. Ambotti Thamburan is a position wherein one surrenders himself to God in order to maintain and protect all the living and non-living things in the world. The customs and rituals currently being followed in the Kovilakam were prescribed by our grandmother Veliyakettil Amma Vellattiri Lakshmikutty Nambrashtathiri alias Thankamani Thamburatti. Although it is not clear from the knowledge passed on by our grandmother, we got to understand that our ancestors resided near Thirunaavaya and the position of Yogathirippad who was a Naishtika Brahmachari was from our family. The knowledge and the manuscripts inherited by our grandmother from her forefathers were passed down to us after understanding the contents and the next generation continues to follow the tradition. It was the knowledge shared by our grandmother that Ambotti Thamburan should follow the path taken by Vishwamithra to attain the position of Brahmarishi by upholding Dharma, not compromise on affairs of God and with almighty’s blessings, taking care of one’s subjects. To gain further clarity about the position of Ambotti Thamburan, discussions were held with historians in Kerala and it came to our understanding that the position of Ambotti Thamburan had existed in Kerala in the past and it had stopped in the interim.

Can you explain the main idols and worship methods in Shankarodath Kovilakam?

The temple and place are known by the name of Pulikkal Nagayakshi Kavu and not by the name of the Kovilakam. Even the Kovilakam was known as Pulikkal Nagayakshi Kavu Sri Vishwanagayakshi Kshetram due to the importance given to Nagayakshiamma and serpent groves. The name Shankarodath kovilakam started gaining prominence only during recent times. In our childhood, there were only serpent groves in this land and serpent worship was being performed. The construction of temple happened much later. The history of the serpent groves is as follows: The Kovilakam’s Veliya Thamburatti my great grandmother, Ambika Thamburatti (Kochambu), died of ‘gumam’ disease when my grandmother was four years old and hence my grandmother was raised by her grandmother. As per the customs prevalent during those times, grandmother was married off (Kettukalyanam) when she was four and a half years old to acquire the position of

Thamburatti (prior to kettukalyanam grandmother had the position of Kunjikavu) which is a must for beginning Thevaram. The Thevaram which started at the age of four and a half, continued unceasingly till her death at the age of 104. According to our knowledge, Grandmother killed a golden serpent when she was ten years old after spotting it creeping in Thekkini. As a result of the curse of killing the golden serpent, our grandmother contracted a disease called Vellapand or Chitradharan (Vitiligo) which spread throughout her body. Due to this, the wedding alliance fixed for our grandmother backed off. Later, Pallath Kesavan Nair, a man from the Nair community, came forward and married her. He was a “Naik” in army and World War II veteran. It was he who built and maintained Shankarodath Kovilakam. Realizing that grandmother had contracted the disease as a result of killing the golden snake, he performed severe penance and decided to re-consecrate and worship it. During this time consultations with astrologers were done and the history of this place came to light. In the past, this place was the ashram of Maharishi Kashyapa and therefore the presence of serpents would be in abundance. It was also understood that these serpents need to be worshipped as per the prescribed customs to get rid of the misery in the family and hence Thevaram was performed to the best of our ability. I am the son of one of the daughters of that grandmother. In my youth, I used to worship the big mud mound under a tamarind tree in the southern courtyard of the family home. In 2007, the mud mound collapsed during heavy rains revealing a ‘Swayambhu’ and a sanctum sanctorum was constructed around it. The temple came into existence from 2007 and until then, only serpent groves existed in this place. The presence of Kashyapa Maharshi is still felt in the underground vault inside the temple. Vishwanagayakshiamma (Maninagayakshiamma) is the main idol here. Nagaraja, Nagayakshiamma and Sarpayakshiamma are worshiped together in the shrine which is considered as Mahavishe- sha worship. Another feature of the temple is the ‘Keezhkavu’ known as Shankarodath Kavu. Here Balabhadra Devi, the Swarupadevata of Shankarodath resides in Porkali Bhava. This goddess is our clan deity. Apart from the clan deity, “Ashta Maathrukkal” and traditional upasana murthy of Vettekarappan are also worshipped. Difference between Nagas (snakes) and Sarpa (serpents)?

The difference between Nagas and serpents is that Nagas can take up any desired form. In other words, the Nagas are Vishwakundalini, the spirit that can take any shape it wants at any time. The Nagas are the power which is the kundalini of the universe itself. However, the Sarpa are Stularoopikal and can be seen with our eyes. Usually, all that we see are serpents. Can you explain the rituals of Naga worship and Sarpa (Serpent) worship?

Naga worship and serpent worship are entirely different. Both have different rituals. However, the two are mutually related and are to performed together. Naga worship and serpent worships are not to be done in isolation. Nagasarpa worships have many rituals. Serpent worship includes the worship of whole nature. Nagaradhana encompasses complete tanuyantrasadhana . Hence, Naga worship includes rituals and customs in addition to being associated with Tantra. Rituals are most important in serpent worship. What is the relationship between Mannarashaala temple and Pulikkal Sri Vishwanagayakshi kshetram?

Mannarashaala temple and Pulikkal Sri Vishwanagayakshi kshetram are closely related. It is not only the temple which has a close relationship with Mannarashaala temple, the existence and glory of Shankarodath Kovilakam is also entirely due to blessings from Mannarashaala. Mannarashaala is worshiped as Gurusthaniya of Shankarodath Kovilakam for the following reasons: We are Kshatriyas and hence are not allowed to do pujas However, our tradition allows performance of Thevaram and worship of Paradevata . The Thamburattis are blessed by Garuda to perform Thevaram and treat poison. The Thevaram continues to be performed by the Thamburattis but no tantra or pooja is allowed. The serpents became our Upasanamurti after migrating to Kavilpad. As Shankarodath Kovilakam stands in the midst of Kavus (Serpent groves), it became compulsory for us to worship serpents. As a guru, it was Valiamma Savitri Antharjanam of Mannarashaala who initiated our great grandmother to serpent worship. Hence, Mannarashaala is considered as our “Gurusthaniya” and the annual custom of giving “Avakasham” from Shankarodath Kovilakam continues until this day. The members of Shankarodath Kovilakam visit Mannarashaala every year, make offerings in the temple and seek blessings from Amma and Naga Devathas. Moreover, Mannarashaalayappan resides in the Machil above the vault. After consultation with astrologers, it was understood that Nagaraja had come to marry Nagayakshiamma. A Thirukalayana festival is also held for Nagaraja and Nagayakshiamma. We are also blessed by Valiyathirumeni of Mannarashaala. Therefore, it can be said without a doubt that the kovilakam still exists due to the blessings of Mannarashaala.

Along with the main deities, many other deities are also worshiped here. Can you clarify / elaborate about sub-deities worshipped in the temple?

Of course. The sub-deities enshrined in the Nagayakshikavu are: Maninagam, Karinagam, Balaganapati, Baladhandayudhapani, Balamanikandan, Keraladhiswarathappan, Alathiyurappan, Vettathamma, Nagadevatha, Saligrams, Nagakanyaka, Banalingams and Nagachamundi. The sub-deities in the Keezhkavu are: Anthimahaakaalan and Kshetrapaalan. There are five Kavus based on Chaturvarna system. Brahmanasarpakavu (for Brahmin snakes), Vaishyasarpakavu (for Vaishya snakes), Agamasarpakavu or Kshatriyasarpakavu (for Kshatriya snakes), Ayilyamkavu (for Shudra snakes) and Yakshikavu. There is also a deity of Gandharvaswamy in Yakshikavu

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