THE IMPORTANCE OF KOTTARAKARA AND MEENPIDIPARA TOURIST CENTER

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