THE IMPORTANCE OF KOTTARAKARA
AND MEENPIDIPARA TOURIST CENTER
Kottarakkara( കൊട്ടാരക്കര )is a town and taluk in Kollam District), in Kerala state, India. The
town is close to the Kollam port which has a rich history linked to the early
medieval period as well as a reputation for being an important commercial,
industrial and trading center. It lies 27 kilometres (17 mi) to the east of
Kollam city center and 18 kilometres (11 mi) to the west of on National Highway
208/220.
Kottakkara, also known in the ancient days of the kings as the
Elayadathu Swarupam, was a principality ruled by a branch of the Travancore
Royal Family. Its fame is also due to Kathakali, the famous dance drama which
originated initially as Ramanattam created in the 17th century by Prince and
later patronized by the Raja of Kottarakkara in early 19th century absorbing
other dance forms of Krishnattam with further innovations. R aja of Kottarakara is known as the
“Father of Kathakali”. Other historical places of interest include the
Ganapathi Temple and the over 700 year old Christian church. Kottarakkara, a
compound word made up of the words Kotta, meaning "palace", and kara
meaning "land", literally means "land of palaces". The
small city which had several palaces was thus named "Kottarakkara."
Kathakali traced its origin to the ritualistic (tantric) period of the
Vedic Age and connected its growth from the popular, folk dance dramas.It was
believed that Kathakali was conceived from Krishnanaattam, the dance drama on
the life and activities of Lord Krishna created by the Samoothirippadu (
Samoothiri or Swamy Thirumulpad), of Calicut.The reason for that is said as
follows: Once Kottarakkara Thampuran the Raja of Kottarakkara who was attracted
by the tone of the Krishnanaattam requested the Samoothirippadu for the loan of
a troupe of performers on the eve of some festive occasion. Due to internal
feuds and political rivalry between them, the Samoothirippadu refused to send
the performers and insulted with the remarks: “It is useless to depute the
troupe, because Kottarakkara Thespian’s court would be neither able to
appreciate nor understand anything of the highly artistic Krishnanaattam and
the high standard of the performance”.Here the political rivalry between the
two chieftains leads to the art rivalry. So Kottarakkara Thampuran initiated a
parallel mode of entertainment, which he called Raamanaattam which was later
transformed into Aattakatha, and yet later into Kathakali while Krishnanaattam
based on the story of Lord Krishna’s activities, Raamanaattam described the
complete story of Lord Raman.Krishnanaattam was written in Sanskrit, “the
language of the Gods”. Raamanaattam was in Malayalam, the language of the
people. The use of Malayalam, the local language (albeit as a mix of Sanskrit
and Malayalam, called Manipravalam), has also helped the literature of
Kathakali sound more transparent for the average audience. By the end of the
seventeenth century, the finished product of Raamanaattam was placed before the
world under the title Kathakali.Then Kottarakara Thampuran known as the “Father
of Kathakali”.
Kottakkara is a small principality close to Kollam. It is now a modern
taluk town with all essential facilities. As a taluk headquarters, it has
sixpanchayats. It is surrounded by several other towns namely, the
Kizhekketheruvu(2.5km from kottarakara town), Karickom, Thrikkannamangal, ,
Vendar,Mylom, Kalayapuram, Puthur, Poovattoor, Valakom, ,and many others.NH
208(Kollam to Thirumangalam)and MC road(Thiruvananthapuram to Chenganassery) is
meeting at kottarakkara. Kottarakkara is linked with Kollam (the district
headquarters), both by road and rail, at a distance of 27 km. It is 72 km to
the north of Thiruvananthapuram (the capital of Kerala) and 80 km to the south
of Kottayam.kottarakara is a beautifully landscaped terrain with gift of nature
Meenpidipara and Vellaramkunnu. Kottarakara
Meenpidippupaara is one of the most scenic and prominent place in Kerala
Situated about 2 kilometers from Kottarakara College Junction. Water
of Meenpidipaara is believed to have healing properties. Many locals
visit here regularly. As a
testimony, some old persons says Meenpidipara water is very good
for herbal bathing .Their substantiating fact is that water reaches the falls
after flowing through areas of medicinal herbs from Chengamanad
Kizhakketheruvu. Hundreds of tourist from
different of the Kollam district visit Meenpidippupara for bathing.In
Meenpidipara there is good chance for trekking.Trekking to nearest Myladumpaara
in very interesting. Kochu meenpidipara is also very interesting and
attractive.Meenpidippupaara is located in Kottarakara College
Junction. It takes a 5 minutes auto or car drive from kottarakra pulamon to
reach Meenpidipaara . Prof. John Kurakar
is the president of the Meenpidipara Development Council.
Kottarakara is a major center of Christian community.Kottarakara
Thampuran(Raja Of Kottarkara) honored ancient Christian Family’s and famous
Christian members. Mr. Mathen from Kuravilangad was the manger of his palace
(Kottarakara Kottaaram) it is major center for the Malankara Orthodox Church. St.Gregorios College is the famous Arts and
science Higher Institution,Bed College
and Higher secondary institutions were satred by Orhodox Bishop H.H
Basalios Marthoma Mathews II,in the name
of St.Gregorios Parumala in Gregorios mount Kottarakara. Many famous Hospitals and other private business centers
are here.
The town contains many notable places of worship, including Sree Maha
Ganapthy Temple (in the suburb of Kizhakkekara), dated to the 10th-11th
century, shrine of Ganapathy, Mahadeva Temple (in the western suburb of
Padinjattinkara), Kottarakkara Goshala and Kulasekharanellor Sree BhadraKali
Temple, amongst many other temples. Kottarakara Assembly Constituency is part
of the Mavelikkara (Lok Sabha constituency). Kottarakkara is an official taluk
of India and has administrative authority over 27 villages. Kathakali traced
its origin to the ritualistic (tantric) period of the Vedic Age and connected
its growth from the popular, folk dance dramas.
Kottarakkara Sree Manikanteswara Mahadeva Temple is located near the
"Althara", on the northern side. Shiva in the form of a fierce hunter
is deified here. Another shrine next to it is a Durga temple, where the deity
installed is known as Pazenadu Bhagavathy. Devi The idol of was carved out from
the root of the jack tree by Perumthachan.
Kottarakara is a major center for both the Malankara Orthodox Church and
the Mar Thoma Church. The most important churches are Kizhakketheruvu Orthodox
Valiyapalli, Kottarakara Mar Thoma Pally, Padinjaretheruvu Orthodox Church,
Kottapuram Orthodox Church, Ayppalloor
Salem Orthodox church and Neeleswaram St. Mary's Orthodox Church. There are
also Catholic churches, Pentecostal church's (namely The Pentecostal Church,
Church of God) and a mosques near the market in Kottarakkara.Kottarakara holds
the famous center of Christian Conventions
.Historically, the small town was known as the land of palaces of kings in
Kerala. Its earliest known palace construction is traced to the 14th century.
This is attributed to the dynasty of Ilayidathu (also known as Kunninmel), who
established themselves here. During the period 1383–1444, Chera ruled over
Venad and built his palace here. It was then the capital of the (also spelled
Elayadutharai Swarupam), which is testified by the remnants of seven palaces.In
1739, the Dutch and allied forces had attacked the Travancore forces who were
backed by the British at at Kottarakkara. The Dutch then installed the princess
of Elayadathu Swarupam, who had escaped earlier from Kottarakkara to Tekkumkur
as the ruler of the state. In return, the princess had gifted to the Dutch a
large farm about 15 miles from Kollam and also at Bichnor where they
established their “redoubt”. Followed by this victory, on December 30, 1739 the
armed forces than attacked the Travancore and won many battles.
However, in the 18th century, the last queen of this dynasty surrendered
her kingdom to Marthanda Varma (her cousin), following which the queen went to
Cochin where she sought asylum from the Dutch. The Dutch had provided her a
pension of 2 rupees and 5 annas.After Tipu Sultan invaded Malabar, Dharma Raja
the royal family member of North Malabar settled in Kottarakara. In the mid
19th century, the family line disintegrated.
In 1835, it became part of the administrative unit of Kollam as part of
the Travancore state which had two revenue divisions, the Kottayam and the
Kollam. In 1949, it became part of the integrated state of Travancore and
Cochin. The town Village, Block and Jilla and, of course, the state and central
governments.2014 Kottarakara become the Municipality.Kottarakara Assembly
Constituency is part of the Mavelikkara (Lok Sabha constituency). Kottarakkara
is an official taluk of India and has administrative authority over 27
villages. Kathakali traced its origin to the ritualistic (tantric) period of
the Vedic Age and connected its growth from the popular, folk dance dramas.
Prof. John Kurakar
D. Unnikrikrishnan Nair
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