Sreevallabha Temple, Thiruvalla – History

Sreevallabha Temple, Thiruvalla – History

The name Thiruvalla is a colloquial form of Sreevallabhapuram, named after the chief deity Sree Vallabha. The ancient name of Thiruvalla was "Valla Vai". This name had some relation with the river Manimala which was known as Valla Puzha, suggesting that Thiruvalla was at the mouth/bank of river Manimala and hence was known as Valla Vai. Thiruvalla was under the rulership of Ay, Nantuzhainadu, Thekkumkoor and Thiruvithamkoor dynasties. There are several inscriptions in this temple and one is dated back to 12th century and is called Thiruvalla Sasanam.

It is believed to have been built in 2998 BC (first built) and later in 59 BC (rebuilt and expanded). Historical evidences suggest the presence of human habitation before 3000 BC. Further, Thiruvalla was once a village among 64 Namboothiri Brahmins villages in Kerala and is considered to be one among the oldest human settlements in India. Once a major spiritual center this temple, for centuries, had been under the control of Thiruvalla Pathillathil Pottimar (Brahmins of ten families) till 1752-1753. 

Marthanda Varma, Raja of Travancore during 1752-1753 seized control from the Brahmins and, it is believed, that later Ramayyan Dalawa looted whole temple assets and took them to Thiruvananthapuram.  So, it was once a rich temple.

The Thiruvalla inscriptions in Malayalam, first ever prose work, date back to the 12^th century AD, they were first found in the temple in 1915. Sreevallabha temple flourished to a major spiritual and educational centre by AD 1100. The temple had governed a Vedic school (Thiruvalla Sala) with around 1500 students and 150 teachers. Veda, Vedanta, Tarka, Mimamsa, Jyotisha, Ayurveda, Kalaripayattu etc. were taught here. The temple also owned an ayurvedic hospital with facilities to admit and treat 100 patients at a time.

Addressing Lord Sreevallabha by names Kolapiran, Thiru Vazhmarban and Sundarayan, the Tamil Vaishnavite saints Nammalvar of the 5th century AD (2612-2622 in Divya Prabhandham) and Thirumangai Alvar of the 9^th century AD (Paasurams 1806-1817 in Divya Prabhandham) had praised glory of the temple. Famous Sanskrit poet Dandin (7^th Century AD) of Kanchi mentioned the temple in his works. The famous Unnuneeli Sandesam of the 13^th century AD highlighted the grandeur, beauty, serenity, fame and status of the temple during its time.

Other works that glorified the temple are Sreevallabha Kshethra Mahatmiyam of the 10th century AD, Sreevallabha Charitham kavyam, Thukalasura Vadham Kathakali, Sreevallabha Charitham Kathakali, Sreevallabha Vijayam Kathakali, Sreevallabha Suprabhatham, Sreevallabha Karnamritha Sthothram, Yajanavali Sangrham etc. 

It had 15 major priests (Melshanthi) and 180 sub-ordinate priests (Keezh Santhi) all the time and another 108 for only daily noon pooja. Temple provided staying and food facilities for all visitors, students, teachers etc. and also used to conduct annadhanam (serving food to the poor) daily. Naivedya of Lord Sreevallabha for a single time used to be made from 45 para (one para can feed appx 100 persons) rice. In all these years, temple acquired enormous amount of wealth that it even used to serve food in golden banana leaves and throw them considering as the leavings. It also had thousands of acres of land too which are lost now.

Up to 1968, ladies and elephants were not allowed in the temple. The temple used to be opened for ladies only during Thiruvathira of dhanu month and Vishu of Medam till then. Anyhow now this custom is not in practice. These facts clearly say that how popular and wealthy the temple was in those days. One can find a number of historical inscriptions inside the temple. There are references to the Thiruvalla Lord in Garuda Puranam and Matsya Puranam.