Cheerappanchira
Encyclopedia
Cheerappanchira is an Ezhava
tharavadu
renowned for its Kalari
in Muhamma
, Alappuzha District
. Cheerappanchira family, Mukkal Vettom Ayyappa Temple of the family and their Kalari
, are as old as the mythology of Lord Ayyappan
and his abode at Sabarimala
. It is believed that Ayyappan was trained in this Kalari. Young Ayyappan was trained by Cheerappanchira Panicker and became the his most brilliant student.http://www.pathanamthittapolice.com/sabarimala.htm It is believed that one young girl of this family fell in love with the Lord and requested to accept her as wife. But Ayyappan turned down her request and to be a “Brahmachari”. She was offered a seat at Sabarimala known as Maalikapurathamma
. Recently, the family Kalari was reopened and around 40 students are being trained in the martial art of Kalarippayattu
.
the next day, which should be used for constructing the temple. Folklore has it that the log of sandalwood appeared in the waters the next day and with which the Mukkal Vettam temple was built.
in the tharavadu because the elders of the family were not able to go for pilgrimage to Sabarimala. The Lord himself was believed to have made arrangements for building up temple near to the hermitage for Kalari Guru.
The importance of the relation of these two ancient temples is evidenced by the Thirupattaya Charthu (the royal decree) of the Pandalam
King, by which the right to conduct the fireworks offerings at Sabarimala was given to Cheerappanchira family. Till this date, people of old age and women who can't undertake a pilgrimage to Sabarimala come to this temple to offer their prayers on the belief that, by the darshan at Mukkal vettom, Ayyappan will shower the same blessings as the darsan at Sabarimala. In 2001, as instructed by the Ashtamangala Deva Prasnam, (the astrological findings) held at Sabarimala, Sabarimala temple authorities conducted special poojas and offerings as penance at this temple.
There is a mythical origin for the prasadams. Leela, the daughter of Kalari Panicker, fell in love with Ayyappan. She requested to accept her as wife. But Ayyappan turned down her request as being a Brahmachari
. Soon she started bringing him food to capture his attention. When the girl reached puberty her family, following the Hindu tradition, prepared special cuisines to celebrate the occasion. One mandatory item on the menu is Rthumathikanji (porridge made using rice and five times the quantity of jaggery). She took this porridge to Ayyappan, who was practising payattu in the Kalari. He liked it very much and requested the girl to bring only the porridge everyday. It is believed that the practice of offering Aravana as prasadam to the God was born from this incident.
Ezhava
The Ezhavas are a community with origins in the region presently known as Kerala. They are also known as Ilhava, Irava, Izhava and Erava in the south of the region; as Chovas, Chokons and Chogons in Central Travancore; and as Tiyyas, Thiyas and Theeyas in Malabar...
tharavadu
Tharavadu
Tharavad is a system of joint family practised by people in Kerala, especially Nairs. Tharavadu was a legal entity like a Hindu Undivided Family as per Indian Income Tax laws, and was entitled to own properties. The others, like Namboothriris, Ezhavas, Christians and Muslims also now refer to...
renowned for its Kalari
Kalari
The word Kalari means battle ground in Tamil and translates as "threshing floor" or "battlefield" in Malayalam. Training for Kalarippayattu, a martial art of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, is traditionally done inside the Kalari....
in Muhamma
Muhamma
Muhamma is a census town in Cherthala Taluk in Alappuzha district in the Indian state of Kerala.It is home to the famous Cheerappanchira kalari, where Ayyappan had his training in the martial arts; the Communist Party of India leader, Mrs. Susheela Gopalan Muhamma is a census town in Cherthala...
, Alappuzha District
Alappuzha district
Alappuzha is one of the 14 districts in the state of Kerala in India. It was formed as Alleppey District on August 17, 1957. The name of the district was officially changed to Alappuzha in 1990. The district is a widely known tourist destination, and is well known for its coir factories. Most of...
. Cheerappanchira family, Mukkal Vettom Ayyappa Temple of the family and their Kalari
Kalari
The word Kalari means battle ground in Tamil and translates as "threshing floor" or "battlefield" in Malayalam. Training for Kalarippayattu, a martial art of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, is traditionally done inside the Kalari....
, are as old as the mythology of Lord Ayyappan
Ayyappan
Ayyappan is a Hindu deity worshiped in a number of shrines across India. Ayyappan is believed to be an incarnation of Dharma Sastha, who is the son of Shiva and Vishnu . The name "Ayyappan" is used as a respectful form of address in the Malayalam language, spoken in the Indian state of Kerala...
and his abode at Sabarimala
Sabarimala
Sabarimala is a Hindu pilgrimage center located in the Western Ghat mountain ranges of Pathanamthitta District in Kerala. It is the largest annual pilgrimage in India with an estimated 45–50 million devotees visiting every year. Sabarimala is believed to be the place where the Hindu God Ayyappan...
. It is believed that Ayyappan was trained in this Kalari. Young Ayyappan was trained by Cheerappanchira Panicker and became the his most brilliant student.http://www.pathanamthittapolice.com/sabarimala.htm It is believed that one young girl of this family fell in love with the Lord and requested to accept her as wife. But Ayyappan turned down her request and to be a “Brahmachari”. She was offered a seat at Sabarimala known as Maalikapurathamma
Maalikapurathamma
Raja of Pandalam admitted Ayyappa to a famous Kalari at Cheerappanchira, a famous family for Kalaripayattu training, in Cherthala in Alappuzha district. During this time he mastered all martial arts from various Kalaries. The young daughter, Leela, of Kalari Panicker fall in love with Ayyappa...
. Recently, the family Kalari was reopened and around 40 students are being trained in the martial art of Kalarippayattu
Kalarippayattu
Kalaripayattu is a southern Indian martial art originating in Tamil Nadu but also practiced in contiguous parts of Kerala and Karnataka.Kalari payat includes strikes, kicks, grappling, preset forms, weaponry and healing methods...
.
History
Cheerappanchira were taught Kalari only to the people of karappuram area (place around Muhamma). Pandalam king approached the Mooppan (senior most member of the family) who was also asan, to teach Kalarippayattu to the Ayyappan. Having mastered this technique, Ayyappan, rushed to Pandalom on hearing the sudden attack on kingdom, virtually disappearing from Cheerappanchira. Before his departure he left behind his royal belongings to reveal his identity to his asan (guru). (His quarters at Cheerappanchira is maintained till date as Swami Mattom). On realizing the divine identity of Ayyappan, his earthly Guru started his annual pilgrimage to Sabarimal temple. On becoming old, when he was not able to make his annual pilgrimage to Sabarimala temple, Ayyappan appeared in the dream of the saddened Guru and consoled him for his inability to take the annual pilgrimage. Ayyappan also instructed the Guru to construct a temple at Cheerappanchira, where he will reside with his full powers for three-quarters (which in Malayalam is Mukkal, hence the name Mukkal Vettam) of the year. He also informed that a log of sandalwood would appear against the flow of the waters at Vembanad LakeVembanad Lake
Vembanad Lake is the longest lake in India, and the largest lake in the state of Kerala. It is also one of the largest lakes, in India. A lake spanning several districts in the state of Kerala, it is known by different names in different localities viz. Punnamada Lake in Kuttanad, Kochi Lake in...
the next day, which should be used for constructing the temple. Folklore has it that the log of sandalwood appeared in the waters the next day and with which the Mukkal Vettam temple was built.
Sabarimala and Mukkal Vettom temples
Mukkal Vettom Ayyappa Temple was built by the Cheerappanchira PanickerPanicker
Panicker is an Indian title or last name used by members of various communities in the state of Kerala. The Kaniyars community of Kerala, particularly central and northern region, by virtue of their traditional occupation as teachers of a martial art are commonly known as Panicker...
in the tharavadu because the elders of the family were not able to go for pilgrimage to Sabarimala. The Lord himself was believed to have made arrangements for building up temple near to the hermitage for Kalari Guru.
The importance of the relation of these two ancient temples is evidenced by the Thirupattaya Charthu (the royal decree) of the Pandalam
Pandalam
Pandalam is one among the fastest growing towns in Kerala, India. Known far and wide for its legendary connection with Lord Ayyappa and Sabarimala, Pandalam is considered to be a holy town...
King, by which the right to conduct the fireworks offerings at Sabarimala was given to Cheerappanchira family. Till this date, people of old age and women who can't undertake a pilgrimage to Sabarimala come to this temple to offer their prayers on the belief that, by the darshan at Mukkal vettom, Ayyappan will shower the same blessings as the darsan at Sabarimala. In 2001, as instructed by the Ashtamangala Deva Prasnam, (the astrological findings) held at Sabarimala, Sabarimala temple authorities conducted special poojas and offerings as penance at this temple.
Swamy Muttom or Mutt
The Kudil (Hermitage) where Ayyappan lived during the period of his martial art training has been preserved in its original form by successive generations of the Cheerappanchira family. Sree Narayana Guru, during his visit to this family used this Kudil. Hence it has got the name Swamy Muttom.Sabari Mala Prasadam
A strong liking for sweets is a common factor of all Hindu Gods and Ayyappan is no exception. Appam and Aravana (Payasam made of rice, ghee and jaggery) are the prasadams of the Lord.There is a mythical origin for the prasadams. Leela, the daughter of Kalari Panicker, fell in love with Ayyappan. She requested to accept her as wife. But Ayyappan turned down her request as being a Brahmachari
Brahmacharya
Brahmacharya is one of the four stages of life in an age-based social system as laid out in the Manu Smrti and later Classical Sanskrit texts in Hinduism. It refers to an educational period of 14–20 years which starts before the age of puberty. During this time the traditional vedic sciences are...
. Soon she started bringing him food to capture his attention. When the girl reached puberty her family, following the Hindu tradition, prepared special cuisines to celebrate the occasion. One mandatory item on the menu is Rthumathikanji (porridge made using rice and five times the quantity of jaggery). She took this porridge to Ayyappan, who was practising payattu in the Kalari. He liked it very much and requested the girl to bring only the porridge everyday. It is believed that the practice of offering Aravana as prasadam to the God was born from this incident.