Onattukara
Odanad was a feudal state in late medieval Kerala.
It was established in the 11th century, and disestablished in 1746 when it became part of Travancore Kingdom after the King Marthanda Varma's northern expedition. The last king of Odanad was King Kotha Varma. At the time of its dissolution, it was composed of the present-day taluks of Mavelikkara, Karthikapally, Chenganur in the Alappuzha district and Karunagapally in the Kollam district. Another name of onattukara is kayamkulam. In the 15th century, the capital of Odanad was moved from Kandiyoor-Muttom to Eruva and Krishnapuram in Kayamkulam, which led to the state being called Kayamkulam. After this shift, Kayamkulam became the commercial centre of Odanad, while Mavelikkara remained its cultural centre. Odanad was controlled by Nair lords, among whom the ruler of Kayamkulam was the most prominent.
Etymology
The word Odanad is a transliteration of the Malayalam word ഓടനാട്, ōṭānāṭŭ, which is a portmanteau of ഓടം, ōṭām meaning boat, and നാട്, nāṭŭ, meaning land, so Odanad means the land of boats. An alternative hypothesis is that the first part of the word derives from ഓടമുള, ōṭāmuḷa, meaning bamboo, and that Odanad means the land of bamboo. Kerala Varma Valiya Koil Thampuran's Sanskrit work Mayura Sandesam describes Odanad as the land of vines.Kayamkulam is the capital of Odanad, the central figure in the festival of Onam. The state was hence known as Onattukara, which translates to the land of Onam.
The state was metonymically referred to as Kayamkulam after the capital was moved to the city of Kayamkulam.
History
11th – 14th century
The history of Onattukara during the medieval period is documented through epigraphical records and literary works. The Thiruvalla copper plates contain references to Odanad and its early capital, Mattom.Literary works such as the Unnuneeli Sandesam provide context on the region, noting the significance of Chennithala. Much of the genealogical information regarding the rulers of Odanad is derived from inscriptions found at the Kandiyoor Sree Mahadeva Temple, notably the record of King Rama Kotha Varma.
15th – 18th century
In 1743, Odanad was bordered by the feudal states of Pandalam, Thekkumkur, Elayadath, Vadakkumkur, Purakkad and Thrikkunnapuzha, according to records left by Julius Valentin van Gollenesse, Commander of Dutch Malabar at the time.By 1746, Odanad had been persuaded by the Dutch to take up the leadership of a new confederation which included Chembakassery, Thekkumkur and Purakkad. In this fourth war known as Battle of Purakkad between the states, Odanad was again defeated and its territories finally annexed to Travancore.
Politics
Government
Odanad was controlled by Nair lords, among whom the ruler of Kayamkulam was the most prominent.Foreign relations
Odanad maintained friendly relations with the Portuguese and the Dutch empires since the 16th century, primarily due to its strategic position on the Malabar Coast for the lucrative pepper trade. Odanad was an early ally of the Dutch East India Company in Malabar and hosted a Portuguese factory in the 16th century.Dutch Relations and Travancore Conflict
The relationship with the Dutch became increasingly significant in the 18th century, especially as the rising power of Travancore under Marthanda Varma threatened the independence of the northern states. The Dutch, aiming to maintain the balance of power and secure their commercial interests in the region, began actively supporting an anti-Travancore alliance which included Odanad, Desinganadu, Cochin, and Thekkumkur.- Battle of Colachel and Aftermath : The Dutch policy of political interference ultimately failed following the decisive defeat of the VOC by Travancore at the Battle of Colachel in 1741. This event significantly weakened Dutch influence in Kerala.
- Treaty of Mannar : Following a period of conflict, the Raja of Odanad sued for peace with Travancore and signed the Treaty of Mannar in 1742.
- Annexation : Despite the earlier treaty, Odanad was later persuaded by the Dutch to take the leadership of a new confederation against Travancore in 1746, which culminated in the Battle of Purakkad. Odanad was defeated, and its territories were finally annexed into the Kingdom of Travancore, effectively ending its status as an independent state.
Military
Organization and Strength
The Odanad military power was primarily controlled by Nair lords, among whom the ruler of Kayamkulam was the most prominent. The Nairs were the traditional aristocratic martial class of the region, and the military structure relied heavily on their feudal contingents.- Size: The king of Odanad was recorded to have commanded a substantial force of approximately 15,000 efficient and well-trained soldiers during the 18th century conflicts against Travancore.
- Military Station: The town of Krishnapuram served as the primary military station of Odanad before it was annexed by Travancore.
The Kayamkulam Vaal (Sword)
- Design: The *Vaal* was a slightly curved, double-edged sword, distinguishing it from the single-edged talwar common in northern India. Its design was specially adapted for the demands of dueling and close-quarters combat on the terrain of Kerala.
- Craftsmanship: The double-edged blade was notable for its dangerous and peculiar profile in local warfare. Its efficient construction is often attributed to the Kattuvalli metal smiths of Kandiyoor.
- Symbolism: As a double-edged sword, it symbolized royalty and elite status among the Nair aristocracy. The hilt often featured silver inlays, sometimes incorporating motifs like the caduceus, reflecting the cultural reverence for snakes in regional Hindu rituals.
- Legacy: The sword remains a key cultural relic. Preserved examples of the *Kayamkulam Vaal* are prominently displayed at the Krishnapuram Palace Museum in Kayamkulam.
Economy
Demographics
Religion
Chettikulangara Temple
The Chettikulangara Devi Temple in Chettikulangara, Mavelikkara thaluk near kayamkulam is dedicated to the Hindu goddess Chettikulangara Amma,. It is believed to have been consecrated by Padmapadacharyar, a disciple of Adi Shankara, on the Uthrattathi day of Makara month in AD 823. The goddess worshipped here is believed to have been a family deity, and later emerged as the village and then the regional deity. Local historians oppose the argument that the temple is not as ancient as the nearby Kandiyoor Sree Mahadeva Temple or Mavelikkara Krishna Swamy Temple and Kannamangalam Mahadeva Temple as it had not been mentioned in the Unnuneeli Sandesam. written in the 14th century. Also, there is no mentioning of the temple in the British survey records. According to late Kandiyoor Mahadeva Shasthri, Samudra Bandhan, a leading courtier of Ravi Varman, an ancient King of Venad had visited this temple and wrote poems on Bhagavathi. They also hold that Aadithya Kulasekharan, the King of Venad had also visited the Chettkulangara temple.The mythology surrounding the temple has it that after Parasurama created Kerala. He had established 108 Durga temples, 108 Shiva temples, numerous Sastha temples, besides 108 Kalaris, Shakthi Kendras and five Ambalayas, one of which was Jagadambika of Chettikulangara, the Goddess of Odanad. The myth behind the temple's origin is related to clash between local landlords and it is clearly mentioned in the kuthiyotta pattu. The actual paradevatha dtas built by Kayamkulam Rajas. Lord Krishna is the Aradhana Moorthy of kayamkulam rajas. Makaram Festival one of the largest festivals in middle travencore. This festival is celebrated in 10 days. The seventh and eighth days festivals are very important. 7-ulsavam celebrated in temple's west region and 8-ulsavam celebrated in temple's east region. Eruva Sreekrishna's Arattukulam is one of biggest ponds in middle Kerala. The Valiya Kakkanadu Madom near to Eruva Sree Krishna swamy temple is famous for the Gandharva temple, warriors who trained the military arts for Odanadu army and army heads of King belonged to this family.
The ancient temple at the place Evoor is in the Onattukara region. This temple had originated in the presence of Bhagavan Sri Krishna himself.
This temple is one of the most important 26 Maha-Vishnu shrines in the world. The myth is linked to 'Khandava-dahanam', described in 'Mahabharata'. The remains of burnt trees being widely found here, confirm this. Further evidence are, nearby Mannarassala and 'Pandavarkavu' temples.
The great Kanva Maharshi, had been living in this part of Onattukara. 'Kannamangalam' is nearby. His 'Ashramam' later became a temple. Evoor Krishnaswamy's yearly 'Arattu' is held in this temple's tank.
Origin
According to local mythology, Agni deva, the Hindu god of fire, had been suffering from a severe stomach ailment. As a remedy, Lord Brahma advised him to consume the herb-rich Khandava Forest. The forest was home to serpent-king Takshaka, a close friend of Lord Indra. Whenever Agni tried to consume the forest, Lord Indra's thundershowers dutifully extinguished the fire.Agni appeared in the form of a brahmin to seek the help of Krishna and Arjuna, who were visiting the area. They set up a fire to consume the forest. Maharshi Kanva arrived to save his 'Archa Murti'. a four armed image of Vishnu. Krishna granted a boon that the murti would not be harmed by fire. Soon, Agni started consuming Khandava Forest. Lord Indra used thundershowers promptly but on Krishna's advice, Arjuna constructed a canopy of arrows to prevent the rain from disrupting Agni's consumption of the forest. Thus Agni's ailment was cured.
As a sign of thankfulness, Agni sought permission to install that murti in a new temple there to facilitate worship. As instructed by Krishna, Arjuna fired an arrow to determine the location. A new temple was soon consecrated where the arrow had landed. Evoor is the shortened form of 'Eytha ooru', meaning the place from where the arrows were showered to make the canopy of arrows. Krishna infused his divine power into the murti and Arjuna performed its first puja. A murti of Bhootha Natha Swamy, together with Yakshi Amma were consecrated as the sub-deities. The ancient trees roofing them are the survivors of Khandava Forest.