Vaipur
Encyclopedia
Vaipur is located in the banks of River Manimala, in Pathanamthitta District
, Kerala
, India
. The name 'Vaipur' is said to have come from the word Vayoopuram, which means Place of Vayu (Air). Vaipur has an ancient trading history. Vaipur port(chanda kadavu) had links to Purakkad / Alappuzha port and was connected to Manimala
, Niranam
, Kallooppara
, Mallappally, Kaviyoor
, Tiruvalla
, Nedumkunnam
and nearby places. Traders from nearby places used to come to Vaipur market to sell and buy their wares. Vaipur chanda (market) used to function on Mondays and Thursdays every week. Vaipur was part of Alappuzha
(Alleppey) district until the creation of Pathanamthitta District and Mallappally Taluk.
'http://www.anikkattilamma.com The four well-known Nair families are Kaimodathu, Mangalathu Tharavadu, Alancherril and Kolathu.
The kaimodathu tharavadu members are named with surname "Kaimal
". All over in Kerala the Kaimal family members are less. The main branches of Kaimodathu tharavadu are Edavassary, Kulathunkal and Thumpooru. The Alancherril Nairs(the main branches are Edoor Pillais and [KARUMALIL]) migrated from Madapally near Changanacherry and their family deity is in Cheruvally Temple. The Kolathu Nairs migrated from the ancient Kolathu Nadu(Malabar).shiva family members ares less( karumalil veershivas)
Vaipur is famous for the Temple Festivals: Vaipur Mahadeva Temple Utsavam (the most famous is the 7th Festival that is celebrated on the 7th day of the festival by devotees of "Cheruthottuvazhi"), Kulangarakkavu Kumbha Pooram, Kottangal Padayani, Kulathur Meena Pooram, Thricherpurathu Karkidaka Vavu Pooja, and the Mandala Poojas during the Sabarimala season. The Vaipur road has been declared as Sabarimala patha.
Muslims in Vaipur are either Rawthers or Labbas (Rawthers and Labbas are following the Hanafi school of fiqh). Some of the Labba families (Amir Khadi's family, Vavar family) at Vaipur claimed to be the 14th or 15th line of descendants of Vavarswami, friend of Sabarimala Ayyappan. The descendants of Vavar are believed to be Vaidyas practicing the Unani
(Greek) system of medicine.
The word Rawther is said to have come from the word Mauther, which means people in charge of elephants' and horses' divisions of the king's army. The myth says that, Rawthers originally belonged to Pandya Desam near Madurai in Tamil Nadu (currently Chennai) and migrated to Travancore during an attack from Thirumalainaicken. Some of the Rawther families are then migrated to different places of Kerala; including Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Kollam and Eduki districts and Malabar.
Vaipur people can’t forget the name “Vaipur Chandanakkudam” every year Makaram 15th celebrating this festival as part of the Perumpara UROOS; we can see Hindu Muslim brotherhood in this festival.
Vaipur (Pazhaya Palli) is listed (along with Niranam, Kallupara, Changanassery and Kanjirappally in the nearby places) among the 180 parishes that had representatives at the Synod of Diamper
(Udayamperoor) in 1599, that was held by the Portuguese Archbishop Menezes of Goa to unite the Indian Syrian Christians/Nazranis/ Saint Thomas Christians
to the Latin Catholic Church of Rome and its practices. This later led to division of the Indian Christian church into mainly the Jacobite Orthodox Church and the Syrian Catholic Churches after the Koonan Kurisu Sathyam(Coonan Cross Oath
) of 1653. After this period of dissension and division within the Christian community, the Christian communities of various denominations, appear to have migrated from Vaipur, to other places. The Catholics mostly migrated to Nedumkunnam and nearby places.
The Edoor Tharakans belonging to the Syrian Christian/Nazrani Community, were powerful traders and landowners in the area. They are reported to have originated from Kalikavu Illam, whose members migrated to Vaipur from either Kuravilangad or Nilackal. The Pulincunnu Vachaparampil family website tracing their ancestry to AD 1760, mentions about Eliamma from their family being married to Thommy Tharakan of Edoor, Vaipur and the couple being childless. The Edoor tharavad, had 9 branches: 1) Edoor (Vaipur), 2) Karuthaparackal (Vaipur), 3) Kallooprayat (South Anicad), 4) Mecherimannil (Vaipur), 5) Cheranayil (Kottangal), 6)Edoor Marungottil (Vakathanam), 7) Plakizh (Eraviperoor) 8)Kozhimannil (Morani South Anicad), 9) Puthuparampil Peedika (Vaipur). Other major sub branches of these divisions are Kuppumadathil (Manimala), Akkattu(Manimala), Edoor Karuthaparackal family migrated to Nedumkunnam and formed the Thathakatt and Nechikatt families in Nedumkunnam. The Karathaparackal Nechikatt family history, records the family roots 250 years back to Thathakatt-Nechikatt families, settled in Nedumkunnam.
Nedumkunnam
temple and church had connections to the Vaipur Christian and Hindu communities.
Dr. Ashok Neuro Surgeon, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Ernakulam.
Advocate Melazhakathu Thomas Joseph practicing law in Bombay High Court.
Pathanamthitta district
Pathanamthitta district is the youngest district located in the southern part of the state of Kerala, India. The district headquarters is in Pathanamthitta town. The district is surrounded by Kottayam, Idukki, Alappuzha and Kollam districts. It has a border with the state of Tamil Nadu in the east...
, Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. The name 'Vaipur' is said to have come from the word Vayoopuram, which means Place of Vayu (Air). Vaipur has an ancient trading history. Vaipur port(chanda kadavu) had links to Purakkad / Alappuzha port and was connected to Manimala
Manimala
Manimala is an area in the Kottayam district of Kerala in India. The population is about 10,000, of whom the majority are farmers whose main income comes from rubber plantations. The people are from several religions and castes. Manimala and nearby areas are thickly populated by Syrian Catholics...
, Niranam
Niranam
Niranam is a village in central Travancore region in Kerala, India. It was a port in ancient Kerala, on the confluence of the Manimala and Achankovil River. It is almost from Tiruvalla in Pathanamthitta District of Kerala...
, Kallooppara
Kallooppara
Kallooppara is the land with the most divine touch of tranquility and peace. The swaying of the majestic and tall coconut groves in soul-relishing breeze is a sight that can make anyone think of 'Kingdom Come'...
, Mallappally, Kaviyoor
Kaviyoor
Kaviyoor is a small village, appearing in history books as one of the ancient 64 Brahmin settlements of Kerala. It is located on the western bank of the river Manimala in the taluk of Thiruvalla in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala, India. It is a highly literate village...
, Tiruvalla
Tiruvalla
Tiruvalla , is a city and a Taluk headquarters located in Pathanamthitta district in the State of Kerala in South India, spread over an area of 27.94 km2...
, Nedumkunnam
Nedumkunnam
Nedumkunnam is a picturesque Kerala village, located about 16 km East of Changanacherry on Changanacherry-Manimala Road, in Kottayam district of Kerala, India. It is 3 km East of Karukachal towards Manimala/Cheruvally. Literally, it is the 'land of hills', being on the hilly terrain...
and nearby places. Traders from nearby places used to come to Vaipur market to sell and buy their wares. Vaipur chanda (market) used to function on Mondays and Thursdays every week. Vaipur was part of Alappuzha
Alappuzha
Alappuzha , also known as Alleppey, is a town in Alappuzha District of Kerala state of southern India. As per 2001 census Alleppey is the sixth largest city in Kerala with an urban population of 177,029. Alleppey is situated to the south of Kochi and north of Trivandrum...
(Alleppey) district until the creation of Pathanamthitta District and Mallappally Taluk.
Temples
Vaipur is famous for the seven temples: Vaipur Mahadeva Temple, Kulangarakkavu Sree Bhuvaneswari Temple, Kottangal Sree Devi Temple,Kulathoor Major Devi Temple,Thricherpuram Sree Shankara Narayana Swami Temple, Sasthamkavu Ayyappa Temple, Keethrikka Sree Krishna Swami Temple.nearest temple 'anikkattilammakshethramAnikkattilammakshethram
Anikkattilammakshethram is a temple situated at Anicadu Village, 3.5 km from Mallappally in Pathanamthitta district in the southern part of Kerala, India. Adiparasakthi Sivan and Parvathi are given equal status in the temple. Agnimahakalan and Agniyekshi are symbolized by these idols. Each...
'http://www.anikkattilamma.com The four well-known Nair families are Kaimodathu, Mangalathu Tharavadu, Alancherril and Kolathu.
The kaimodathu tharavadu members are named with surname "Kaimal
Kaimal
Kaimal was a title of nobility conferred on the Nairs of Kerala by the rulers of Cochin and Travancore. The term Kaimal is derived from Kai which in Malayalam means hand, signifying power...
". All over in Kerala the Kaimal family members are less. The main branches of Kaimodathu tharavadu are Edavassary, Kulathunkal and Thumpooru. The Alancherril Nairs(the main branches are Edoor Pillais and [KARUMALIL]) migrated from Madapally near Changanacherry and their family deity is in Cheruvally Temple. The Kolathu Nairs migrated from the ancient Kolathu Nadu(Malabar).shiva family members ares less( karumalil veershivas)
Vaipur is famous for the Temple Festivals: Vaipur Mahadeva Temple Utsavam (the most famous is the 7th Festival that is celebrated on the 7th day of the festival by devotees of "Cheruthottuvazhi"), Kulangarakkavu Kumbha Pooram, Kottangal Padayani, Kulathur Meena Pooram, Thricherpurathu Karkidaka Vavu Pooja, and the Mandala Poojas during the Sabarimala season. The Vaipur road has been declared as Sabarimala patha.
Masjids & Muslims
Vaipur has two famous Masjids: Vaipur Pazhayapalli Jama-Ath (Estd: 1185AD) and Puthanpally Jama-Ath (Estd: AD 1895). Vaipur Muslim Pazhayapalli was the first Masjid for 18 places (Kara) includes Erumely, Kanjirappally and Vaipur etc. Vaipur Jamia Rahumathul Anam Arabic College and Orphanage was started in the year 1992, Currently 120+ orphans from various places of Kerala are living in this orphanage. Arabic College is recognized as one of the best Arabic Colleges in Kerala and some of the students have received grants from Govt. of India.Muslims in Vaipur are either Rawthers or Labbas (Rawthers and Labbas are following the Hanafi school of fiqh). Some of the Labba families (Amir Khadi's family, Vavar family) at Vaipur claimed to be the 14th or 15th line of descendants of Vavarswami, friend of Sabarimala Ayyappan. The descendants of Vavar are believed to be Vaidyas practicing the Unani
Unani
Unani-tibb or Unani Medicine also spelled Yunani Medicine means "Greek Medicine", and is a form of traditional medicine widely practiced in South Asia...
(Greek) system of medicine.
The word Rawther is said to have come from the word Mauther, which means people in charge of elephants' and horses' divisions of the king's army. The myth says that, Rawthers originally belonged to Pandya Desam near Madurai in Tamil Nadu (currently Chennai) and migrated to Travancore during an attack from Thirumalainaicken. Some of the Rawther families are then migrated to different places of Kerala; including Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Kollam and Eduki districts and Malabar.
Vaipur people can’t forget the name “Vaipur Chandanakkudam” every year Makaram 15th celebrating this festival as part of the Perumpara UROOS; we can see Hindu Muslim brotherhood in this festival.
Churches & Christian settlements
Vaipur had Christian/Nazrani settlements dating back to the 13th century. St. Mary's Church, Vaipur was established in AD 1212, according to the records of Changanacherry Archdiocese. The only Syrian Catholic churches that were contemporaneous with Vaipur St.Mary's Church, were Champakulam (Kalloorkad) St.Mary’s (Estd:427 AD), Athirampuzha, St.Mary’s (Estd AD 835),Changanaseri St. Mary’s (Estd AD 1017), Kudamaloor St. Mary’s (Estd: AD 1125). The Nazranis of Vaipur belonged to Niranam Church (which according to tradition was one of the 7 churches established by St Thomas in the first century AD). The Nazranis of Manimala, Vaipur and Kallooppara, had to travel to Niranam using the waterways of River Manimala. Later, the Kallooppara Church was established and Vaipur Christians used to be members of that Church until Vaipur pazhaya palli was established.Vaipur (Pazhaya Palli) is listed (along with Niranam, Kallupara, Changanassery and Kanjirappally in the nearby places) among the 180 parishes that had representatives at the Synod of Diamper
Synod of Diamper
The Synod of Diamper, held at Udayamperoor/Diamper, is a diocesan synod by which Latin usages were formally adopted by the Christians of Saint Thomas. It was convened on June 20, 1599, under the leadership of Aleixo de Menezes, Archbishop of Goa. Archdeacon George was forced to comply with the...
(Udayamperoor) in 1599, that was held by the Portuguese Archbishop Menezes of Goa to unite the Indian Syrian Christians/Nazranis/ Saint Thomas Christians
Saint Thomas Christians
The Saint Thomas Christians are an ancient body of Christians from Kerala, India, who trace their origins to the evangelical activity of Thomas the Apostle in the 1st century. They are also known as "Nasranis" because they are followers of "Jesus of Nazareth". The term "Nasrani" is still used by St...
to the Latin Catholic Church of Rome and its practices. This later led to division of the Indian Christian church into mainly the Jacobite Orthodox Church and the Syrian Catholic Churches after the Koonan Kurisu Sathyam(Coonan Cross Oath
Coonan Cross Oath
The Coonan Cross Oath , taken on January 3, 1653, was a public avowal by members of the Saint Thomas Christian community of Kerala, India that they would not submit to Portuguese dominance in ecclesiastical and secular life...
) of 1653. After this period of dissension and division within the Christian community, the Christian communities of various denominations, appear to have migrated from Vaipur, to other places. The Catholics mostly migrated to Nedumkunnam and nearby places.
The Edoor Tharakans belonging to the Syrian Christian/Nazrani Community, were powerful traders and landowners in the area. They are reported to have originated from Kalikavu Illam, whose members migrated to Vaipur from either Kuravilangad or Nilackal. The Pulincunnu Vachaparampil family website tracing their ancestry to AD 1760, mentions about Eliamma from their family being married to Thommy Tharakan of Edoor, Vaipur and the couple being childless. The Edoor tharavad, had 9 branches: 1) Edoor (Vaipur), 2) Karuthaparackal (Vaipur), 3) Kallooprayat (South Anicad), 4) Mecherimannil (Vaipur), 5) Cheranayil (Kottangal), 6)Edoor Marungottil (Vakathanam), 7) Plakizh (Eraviperoor) 8)Kozhimannil (Morani South Anicad), 9) Puthuparampil Peedika (Vaipur). Other major sub branches of these divisions are Kuppumadathil (Manimala), Akkattu(Manimala), Edoor Karuthaparackal family migrated to Nedumkunnam and formed the Thathakatt and Nechikatt families in Nedumkunnam. The Karathaparackal Nechikatt family history, records the family roots 250 years back to Thathakatt-Nechikatt families, settled in Nedumkunnam.
Nedumkunnam
Nedumkunnam
Nedumkunnam is a picturesque Kerala village, located about 16 km East of Changanacherry on Changanacherry-Manimala Road, in Kottayam district of Kerala, India. It is 3 km East of Karukachal towards Manimala/Cheruvally. Literally, it is the 'land of hills', being on the hilly terrain...
temple and church had connections to the Vaipur Christian and Hindu communities.
Notable residents
Dr.Chitrathara MD (Gynec) MCh (Uro), is a reputed cancer surgeon, specializing in urological, gynecological and breast cancer. She is also the wife of the famous Oncology Physician "Dr. V.P. Gangadharan". Her fields of interest also include oral cavity cancer and soft tissue sarcoma surgeries. She was trained in basic cancer surgical training at India's Premier Cancer Intitute - ata Memorial Hospital]. She also underwent ICRETT Fellowship training in Jewish General Hospital Montreal, Canada. In 1990 she joined Regional Cancer Center, Trivandrum. She worked there for 13 years as Asst. & Associate Professor and as Surgical Oncologist and Chief Surgeon of Genitourinary & Gynec Services. Later she worked as Sr.Consultant in Lakeshore Hospital, Kochi and at "Amrita Institute of Medical Science" as Professor of surgical & Gynec Oncology. She has published in peer reviewed journels, contributed chapters to many books and authored the book "The Ovarian Cancer-Comprehensive and Contemporary Management". She is currently President of Onco-Care Charitable Society and Chairman elect of KFOG Oncology Committee".Dr. Ashok Neuro Surgeon, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Ernakulam.
Advocate Melazhakathu Thomas Joseph practicing law in Bombay High Court.