Thachudaya Kaimal

Thachudaya Kaimals are a lineage of ruling chiefs in Travancore now in the Indian State of Kerala. HH The Thachudaya Kaimal is considered the spiritual chief and temporal ruler of the Koodalmanikyam Temple and its Estates. The line goes back into antiquity and is mentioned in the Skanda Purana. The Thachudaya Kaimals enjoy considerable immunities by law even in modern times such as being preceded by a personal escort of attendants with lamp and sword. The Ruling Chief has an escort of the Travancore Nayar Brigade. He has no acknowledged superiors and does not rise even in the presence of the King of Cochin, who is the head of the Kshatriyas of Kerala. The Maharaja of Travancore stands with his head bowed and the Raja of Cochin symbolically carries the palanquin of the Thachudaya Kaimal. The residence of the Thachudaya Kaimals is the Kottilakkal Palace in Irinjalakuda. The Arms of the Kaimals bear the insignia of a coiled conch-shell with the words 'Manikkan Keralar' ^[1]

Tradition dictates that the Guruvayur temple belonging to the Zamorin of Malabar, the Koodalmanikyam temple of the Thachudaya Kaimal family of Travancore and the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple of the Travancore royal family are the grandest temples in Kerala in terms of size and proportion of offerings.

End of the Princely Order in India

In 1971, the constitution of India was amended. The Princes and Chiefs of India were deprived of their privy purses, the government annuities that had been guaranteed to them both in the constitution and in the covenants of accession whereby their states were merged with the Dominion of India in the late 1940s. The same amendment also deprived them of other privileges, such as diplomatic immunity.^[2] With the 26th amendment of the Indian constitution,^[3] the Princely Order in India was abolished by Presidential Decree and the Thachudaya Kaimals too lost their claim to the temple and its estates.^[4] which is now managed by a Trust managed by the District Collector although a vestige of former power lies in his being the chief trustee of the temple. However, no current members of the family in Trivandrum have staked claim to the position. Previously, an attempt to depose the Thachudaya Kaimal as a ruling chief was instigated by the Raja of Cochin after the Temple Entry Proclamation in Travancore although he was reinstated by the British paramount power with the involvement of the Viceroy and Governor-General of India ^[5]

H. H. The Thachudaya Kaimal

Thachudaya Kaimal reigned supreme in one of the most important temples of Kerala, the Koodalmanikyam Temple at Irinjalakuda, an estate formerly in the princely state of Cochin. Mr. Day, a historian quoted in Ref 8, page 71 states, "At Irinjalakkuda is a temple, the chief of which is a Brahmin Sannyasi, who must be nominated from certain families. He enjoys considerable immunities, and when he goes out, is preceded by a lamp and sword and has the insignia of supreme authority. He acknowledges no superior and will reside in the presence of no Prince." Much is known of the installation of the Thachudaya Kaimal since it involved a dispute between the Cochin and Travancore Kings on the rights of who could consecrate the Thachudaya Kaimal.

The penultimate Thachudaya Kaimal was born on the 22nd of June, 1895 in the Mundanad branch of the family in Valiyasala, Trivandrum. He was of a deeply spiritual turn of mind and acquired the mastery of Sankrit very early in life. He was a zealous student of religion and philosophy and was nominated by the Maharaja of Travancore (who had melkoima rights at the temple). Sri Mulam Thirunal of Travancore chose the Kaimal who was to be crowned by the Azhvanchery Thamprakkal as the Thachudaya Kaimal through a ceremony known as Jatakavarodham.^[6]

The following account is the installation of a Thachudaya Kaimal in 1808 AD.^[7]

"The process starts with Yogam (Nambudiri Priests) Yogakkars (members of the Yogam or Council) proceeding to the Raja of Cochin and requesting him that a Thachudaya Kaimal be consecrated.

Next, they proceed to Azhvanchery Thamprakkal (Head of the Brahmins) to inform about the proposal. Next the Yogam writes a Writ (Theetooram) to the Raja of Travancore requesting him to send the horoscope of his nominee for consecration. Four members of the Yogam accompanied by Kolom Moothatu, Chirayath Moothatu, Oloor Nayar, and Thuruthikat Nayar (officers attached to the temple) go to Tripunithra (near Cochin) and ask the Cochin Raja for a Theetooram (Royal Wiriing and leave for Trivandrum.

The Theet and Theetooram are read to his highness after informing him that they were looking for the horoscope of the nominee for Thachudaya Kaimal. The Yogam seat themselves on a plank facing East, the Maharaja sat on the West. The Elaya Raja (heir apparent) and 3rd Raja were also present. Vatayattil Pillai stood down the Chowkkay. Oloor Nayar takes the horoscope.

Two members of the Yogam go to Tripunithara to inform the Raja of Cochin on what took place.

A day for conscrecation is chosen and invitations are sent to Tambarakal, Velattukara Nampidi, and Wadakumkootil Nair. On the day of invitation the Raja sat on a piece of cloth facing westwards with his sword on his lap. Kolom Moothatu, Chirayath Moothatu, Oloor Nayar, and Thuruthikat Nayar and the four Kaimals of Nanthipulam, Wadakumkootil Nair and Muriyatathu Nambiar stood in the Theke Vathilmadam. In the Vadakke Vathilmadam stood the Uralers of the nine houses, Vellattkara Nampidi, and Veloss Nampidid and Veloss Nampiar. The Chieftains could only come to the Vathilmadam and could only come in by purging themselves of any offense by giving an elephant as a penalty. The Chief, Chankarakanda Kaimal had to make amends. (Note, the four Kaimals of Nanthipulam probably refer to the four Kaimals of Nandinetter Nadde especially since one of the four Changara Coda Kaimal was one of them who had to make amends at the ceremony.

Next, Velose Nampiar was asked to surrender the silk and sword and insignia of the office given to his Uncle. His position was then given to Itteyethat Nambiar. (Velose Nampiar (similar to all the other titles) was something not only inherited, but had to be sanctioned by the Raja and the Chiefs.)

The Tamprakal then goes through some ceremonies including a puja to Ganapathy. He is given a dakshina of 1001 fanams by Molom Moothatu in a leaf on a plank. Similarly, Vellatukaray Nambidi and Vadakamkooletil Nayar were presented 101 fanams. Then a grand feast was provided to Brahmans and Ambalavasis.

At an auspicious day eight members of the Yogam accompanied by Kolom Motthatu, Nayars, Pishardy, Panikars, Wariyars and Marars bring down the Thachudaya Kaimal from Trivandrum.

Next, the group announces to the Travancore Raja that Ilath Puthen Veetil Kumara Kurup (the given name of the nominee) has been consecrated as the Thachudayan of Irinjalakkuda. The Maha Raja then says "you have been consecrated Thachudayan for Irinjalakkuda. Go you along with the Yogam and manage the temple as I had done." (The temporal part of the ceremony ends)

Next, he enters into a palanquin to Trippayya couple of miles South of Irinjalakkuda. He is then attended by the Raja of Cochin and the Chieftains and Noblemen who had been invited.

The Kaimal is then shaved and bathes in the Kuttam Kulam (tank outside of the temple) and then in the Theertham (sacred pool inside the temple) and then dresses similar to a Nambootiri and has consecrated water poured on is head. more.. "The presiding priest gave him Theertham (holy water) and Prasadam used in worship. Receiving this on a plate, he went around the Sanctum and by the time he reached the Valia Belikall (a large stone altar) a palanquin has been placed in a shed, erected to the south of the altar." The Thachudaya Kaimal gets into palanquin and the Raja touches on end to show it is borne by God on one end and the Raja on the other end. It is then liften by Pallichan Nayars who act as bearers dressed as Nambudiris.

The Raja gets 301 fanams in a bag from Moothatu. Next the Turthikat Nayar dressed in the fashion of the Nambudiri gives each of the Chiefs one and a quarter measures of rich and 32 fanams. The Chieftains make their obeisance and receive their allowance on their shield. more.. (Reference 8, Pages 74 to 81)

This ceremony in 1808 AD can be compared to the Avarodham of the Yogiathiripad of the Vadakunathan temple at Trichur. (Also from Reference 8, page 82)." ^[7]

References