Mattathil Kovilakam

Mattathil Mattathil Kovilakam was the protectors and rulers of the Desham (region) of Thodupuzha that they were in and a reporting relationship emerged to a "Naadu Vaazhi" (Ruler of the land). The regional ruler known as Elasmprathi (Representative of Travancore Raja). The last Elasmprathi of Thodupuzha Desam was Elasmprathi Narayana Pillai deputed by the His Highness Maharaja of Travancore.The capital of this desam was Karikode. Naadu is a group of Deshams known as CHALAMKODU. Since the Kovilakam had a name of its own, it invested the members with a sense of responsibility to conduct themselves in a manner befitting the traditions. Elasamprathi Narayana Varma    was trustworthy administrator of His Highness Maharaja of Travancore.   The Kovilakam was administered by a Karnavar, the senior most male member of the family, who would be the eldest maternal uncle of the family. The members of the Kovilakam consisted of mother, daughters, sons, sisters and brothers. The fathers and husbands had only a very minimal role to play in the affairs of the Kovilakam. It was a true matrilineal affair. The Karanavar took all major decisions, however, the consent of the eldest female member of the family was obtained before implementing the decisions. This eldest female member would be his maternal grandmother, own mother, mother's sister, his own sister or a sister through his maternal lineage. Since the lineage was through the female members, the birth of a daughter was always welcomed. A fresh water pond (Kulam) was an essential requirement for the Kovilakam for bathing purposes. Daily baths were a must for all. Also, there were many rituals which needed ceremonial bathing. Each Kovilakam also has a Bhara Devatha (clan deity) revered by those in the particular Kovilakam. Temples were built to honour these deities. Mattathil has its paradevatha in Kallara in Kottayam District and its for Kallara Devi( Temple of Goddess). AKalarideivam/devatha or deity presiding over the practice of Kalarippayattu (martial art form in Kerala) was also honoured. Mattathil Kovilakam had a Sarpa Kavu (Sacred Grove for Serpents) for the worship of serpent deities. Annual rituals and feasts were ceremonially conducted at the Sarpa Kavus. Mattathil houses were grand and unique in style and architecture, and its owned temples, schools, other buildings and vast expanses of land one a time. One peculiarity of Nair ovilakam in the past was that they were built always quite deep into the landed property owned by the Kovilakam and almost in the middle of the main property, mainly for security and military strategy reasons. However as the families grew bigger and more homes were built, in recent times, things have changed. The Kovilakam house had a unique Kerala style architecture with an inner courtyard or many inner courtyards enclosed within the several large buildings built in the traditional Kerala style, including wells. This house had two four courtyards is a Pathinarukettu. There were specific locations for prayer places, kitchens, storage for grains, living places for women and men - both married and unmarried - in the Kovilakam building complex. Kovilakam had four sectional buildings, Thekkini (Southern Section), Kizhakkini (Eastern Section), Vadakkini (Northern Section), and Padinjattini (Western Section), around a single inner courtyard. The Thekkini was the abode of the Karnavar. The Vadakkini was for the kitchen and for women. The Padinjattini consisted of bedrooms for the married women. There was a separate Uralppura (Building for Mortar) for rice meshing. This same room was used for separation of women during their menstrual periods. The socio-cultural changes which accompanied industrialization, modernization and political awakening had its toll on many old institutions. The matrilineal communities had to change with times. Maternal uncles started caring for their own children instead of their nephews and nieces. Fathers took charge of their sons and daughters and the husband and wife started living together with their offspring. Social reforms spread with modern education. Partition of Kovilakam for individual share (Ohari Bhaagam) happened due to enactments. Kovilakam crumbled. The matrilineal system disintegrated. The change occurred within a span of 25 years and by 1940s the Tharavadu system of living became a thing of the past. Big Naalukettu and Ettukettu structures began to collapse or were sold off. History Kerala was bifurcated to various kingdoms (nadukal) towards the end of the reign of Perumal dynasty. The area of land consisting of the present taluks (Sub-Divisions) of Thodupuzha and Muvattupuzha came to be called keezhmalai nadu after the disintegration of the dynasty. The capital of keezhmalai nadu was Karikodu which is situated on the east and north of Thodupuzha Town. Keezhmalai nadu was annexed by the king of vembolinadu the capital of which was Vaikom. But Karikodu continued to be the capital .The rulers of Vembolinadu belonged to Vadakumkur Dynasty. Karikodu was captured by the King of Thiruvithamcore from Vadakumkur Dynasty. The kingdom was divided into Taluks and revenue villages under the new dynasty. The lords were replaced by revenue officers. Civil courts were also established .The province of Kadalikadu came under the jurisdiction of Kumaramangalam pravruthi( revenue village) of Thodupuzha taluk. Later it became a part of Manjallur village. When Idukki District was erected, Karikodu was brought under Muvattupuzha taluk of Ernakula District from Thodupuzha taluk of Idukki District.    The Thodupuzha – Muvattupuzha Road has played an important role in the development of Karikodu. There had been only a track till the middle of the 19th century. When Bellard, the British Resident, visited the monastery at Vazhakulam in 1869, the locals submitted a memorandum demanding the erection of a market (chantha)at Vazhakulam and the construction of a road connecting Thodupuzha with Muvattupuzha through Kadalikadu. The track was developed into a road by 1878 and bullock carts, the common means of transport in those days, could travel through the road. Travelers from the settlements in the eastern part began traveling through it on their way to Kochi, Thruppunithura and Aluva. In 1897 a market was set up at Vazhakulam. Vazhakulam market used to function every Tuesdays and Fridays. It had been the biggest trade centre for three quarters of a century. Vazhakulam cattle market, officially established in 1934, had been famous in the past. With the construction of concrete bridges at Muvattupuzha and Pannippilli enhanced transportation through this road.   hodupuzha is a little, picturesque town situated on the banks of the Thodupuzha river.The name Thodupuzha might have been derived from of two Malayalam words, "Thodu" (which means canal) and "puzha" (which means river). The conjecture is that a canal eventually became a river and that this town is close to it. There is yet another version that the word "Thodu" also means "touching' and "puzha" means "river", which makes it a place that touches a river. It is an ancient town with a history dating back to many centuries ago. It is a neat, quiet town and the cradle of religious harmony and peaceful co-existence., Christian churches, Hindu temples and Muslim mosques abound in Thodupuzha and co-exist next to each other. The people of Thodupuzha are hard working in nature. By sheer dint of hard work, they have converted the hilly terrains into prosperous plantations of Cardamom,Rubber ,Ginger, Bananas, Coco, Tapioca, P epper, etc. This has enabled them to live a prosperous and contended life. Which has also provided the momentum for their social and cultural attainments. The Buddhest and Jain religions which made their first inroads into kerala in 300 B.C. have left thier impact on Thodupuzha and neighbouring areas. The Buddhist religious relics found at Karikodu is ample proof of this surmise. In 100 A.D. kerala was divided for administrative reasons into several provinces such as Venad, Otanad, Nanvushainad, Munjunad, Vempolinad and Keezhmalainad. Thodupuzha and Muvattupuzha were in Keezhmalainad which had its headquartes at Karicodu. Keezhmalainad was in existence till 1600 A.D. In that year, it lost a battle with Vadakkumcoor and became part of it. The kings of Vadakkumcoor used to live at Karicodu for several years. At the time of king Marthandavarma, Vadakkumcoor became a part of the State of Travancore. The relics of a fort is still there at Karicodu. The Annamalai Temple which carries the traits of Tamil architecture is at Karicodu. At this temple, one can see many statues and lamps made out of stone and metals believed to have been made in the 14th century