Annamanada Mahadeva Temple,
Thrissur – History
The
temple was believed to constructed in 8th Century CE. The
temple was considered as one of the thirty two Grama Kshetras in the Kerala
coast. Initially, the
temple was administered by 10 to 12 Namboothiri Illams. The administration
was taken over by Zamorin of Kozhikode in the mid of 18th Century
CE. Cochin rulers usurped the control from Zamorins. Later, the control went to
Travancore Rulers. Then, Cochin ruler approached the British East India Company
to mediate in their dispute with Travancore regarding control of the temple.
The British East India Company in 1814-15 CE ruled that
Cochin had sovereign rights over the Adoor Grama and the Annamanada Temple, but
certain rights of the
temple were conceded to Travancore state. Later, considering the difficulty
of exercising those special rights in a foreign territory, Travancore conceded
those rights as well to the Cochin ruler in 1902. Now the
temple is being administered by the Cochin Devaswom Board.
The
temple has also contributed to the promotion of Koothu and Koodiyattom. Out
of the 18 traditional Chakyar families of Kerala, the Mekkatt family had its
original habitat near Annamanada. Later, this family along with two other
families - Valia Parisha of Ambalapuzha and Cheria Parisha of Kidangoor merged
with the Kazhakuttom Chakyars. Cheria Parisha Parameswara Chakyar is credited
with the formulation of Mantrankom Koothu of Bhasa in current format in the Annamanada
temple in the latter half of nineteenth century.
The Mantrankom Koothu and Koodiyattom used to last for
41 days during the Mandala Kaala starting from Vrischikam first (Nov - Dec). In
the absence of a Koothambalam, the Valiyambalam was the venue for staging plays
and Annamanada
temple is one of the two temples in Kerala where such marathon performance
of Koothu used to be held in the Valiyambalam in front of the main Sannidhi. Tantries
or chief priests are from Kuttalakkatt and Avanaparambu Namboothiri Illams.
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