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Witness to community history
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The `Noothana Bimba Prathishta and Jeernodharana Ashtabandhana Mahakumbabhishekam' will be performed at the Thekkemadam Sree Dharmasastha Temple on April 7.
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THE THEKKEMADAM Sree Dharmasastha Temple, near Anavathil, Mattancherry, has been a witness to almost 300-400 years of the history of the Tamil Brahmin community in Kerala.
The view of the temple from outside does not really prepare you for what is inside. As you enter the long courtyard-room, which is marked by many windows on one side, you realise that every nook here has perhaps a tale to tell. It was this place that was the centre of the extensive hundi and banking business in this area in the past, according to T. N. Ananthanarayanan.
S. L. Narayanan, one of the four executive trustees, which includes besides him, K. Ramasubramaniam, V. S. Parasuraman and V. Devasikhamani, suggests that a mini tour of the premises would be appropriate to provide a sense of perspective.
The main part of the shrine consists of the `Thekkethalam' and the sanctum housing the idol of the deity Lord Dharmasastha, which is fronted by a large hall. An entrance at the side leads you unexpectedly to a pond, which is quite a surprise in this well populated area of Mattancherry. The premises house a Ganesha temple and a `Sarpakavu' and Mr. Narayanan points out that there are two more ponds here. Most of the property is dotted with residential houses and small offices as members of the `samooham' have their homes here. One can easily imagine how closely knit and self-sufficient the settlement must have been with every necessity of daily life easily within reach. "We keep all our traditions still intact here," remarks Mr. Narayanan.
The settlement, known as the Thekkemadam Mahasamoohan or the Kochi Karanthayar Palayam Mahasamooham, traces the origin of its establishment to the time when the Raja of Cochin who visited Kayamkulam often, found a community of businessmen there from Kallidaikarchi in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu and invited them to settle down in Mattancherry to carry on their trade. The hostilities between the rival states had made life in Kayamkulam a little difficult and the Brahmins accepted the request to come to Mattancherry. Soon a settlement was established here and the community thrived.
The community already had a small temple dedicated to Lord Dharmasastha near the Kayamkulam Raja's palace but they did not bring the idol of the deity with them initially. What they did bring was a lamp representing the Lord. This lamp has been kept lighted at the Cochin Thekkethalam in what is now a part of the temple premises. This room, it is recorded, still contains old palm leaf documents pertaining to their affairs. A traditional belief prevails that in the old days, the Lord Dharmasastha himself moved about in the midst of men and a member of the `samooham' relates that he is said to have visited the Cochin Thekkethalam. The source of this story, he continues, is an old song contained in palm leaf writing.
The community soon became entrenched in Mattancherry and its members thought if fit to bring the idol of their deity from Kayamkulam and have it installed here. Accordingly a piece of land to construct a temple was acquired from the Raja of Cochin and the idol was duly consecrated. This temple has borne witness to the growth of the settlement here.
Over the years it has been observed that the original idol of Lord Dharmasastha was becoming fragile and it was believed that a replacement would be in order. Consequently a new idol is to be installed in the temple with all the required rituals.
The `Noothana Bimba Prathishta and Jeernodharana Ashtabandhana Mahakumbabhishekam' will be performed at the temple on April 7, while the ceremonies leading up to this will begin from April 4.
PRATIMA ASHER
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