Mannar - the bell metal town of Kerala
The ‘Bell Metal Town’ of Alappuzha district of Kerala, Mannar, is extremely famous for its works in brass, bronze and silver. Most destinations in Kerala are known far and wide for its extraordinary beauty and ethereal sights. But Mannar has made a name for itself for its many fascinating creations throughout the times gone by.
Mannar is located on the banks of the Pamba, Manimala and Achankovil Rivers. Its streets are crammed with bell metal shops with entrancing creations and pieces on display, using methods which have changed hands over a long, long period of time. Many famed creations in highly significant places can be traced back to Mannar. The craftsmanship which originates from this industrial town, bustling with life, is in demand even now, across various places. People visit to see men hard at work at the famous forges, fashioning expertly quiet beautiful traditional lamps, large bells, traditional brass cooking vessels and much, much more.
Historical Importance
The Treaty of Mannar, or the Mannar Harmony Deed, was signed here, as the name suggests. The treaty was signed by the Maharaja of the Travancore kingdom and the Kayamkulam king in the year of 1742 to put an end to the battle between the Travancore kingdom and the Kayamkulam kingdom which had been ongoing for years. The battles fought were over the kingdom of Kollam, where the king adopted an heir from Kayamkulam, to the dismay of the Maharaja of Travancore. This dispute led to the bitter defeat of Kayamkulam and thus led to the Treaty. As stated by the treaty, the king of Kayamkulam gave up land from his kingdom to be merged with the Travancore kingdom and paid 1000 rupees every year. The Kayamkulam king of the time is said to have escaped, having seen the treaty as an insult and not wanting to fulfil its terms. It is said that he fled for the northern region and the Maharaja found nothing but an empty palace.
Places of Interest
Mannar is known not only for its masterful creations in bell metals, but also for many places of interest and importance which are close many hearts to this very day.
The Panayannar Kavu Temple
A grand, glorious temple, the Panayannar Kavu Temple is home to The Mother Goddess in her ferocious avatar of Bhadrakali. It is quite famous and can be traced back to the past echoes of time in Malayalam literature classics such as Aithihyamala and Unnineelisandesham. Mother Nature gently embraces the temple premises with her lush green skirts as the gentle breeze welcomes devotees to seek the blessings of the Goddess Bhadrakali.
Lord Shiva has also been placed here, in the age of the Thretayuga, around five hundred years back, by the Sage Parasuram, facing towards the West, in the direction of the Pampa River. Maa Bhadrakali sits here facing towards East in all her splendour as the slayer of Darikaasura. There are also other deities worshipped here with fervour.
There are also murals depicting scenes of great significance from The Devibhagwatham, The Ramayana and other epics, in the traditional style of Kerala. It boasts of much talent, with gentle strokes and elegant paintings and is one of the few temples in Kerala with its murals intact.
The annual Vishnu festival held at the Temple is quite famous amidst the masses, and devotees gather to celebrate with much enthusiasm.
Parumala Church
St. Peter’s and St. Paul’s Orthodox Church, known more popularly as Parumala Church, or Parumala Palli, is situated in Parumala, near the river Pampa. This church is host to the tomb of St. Geevargese Mar Gregorios, who passed away in the year of 1902, aged 54. It is thus one of the primary reasons for being a famous pilgrimage site. It was under the instructions of the Saint that the church was built in the year 1895, on January 27th.
Parumala Perunnal is a festival celebrated by the church every year from October 26th to November 2nd with great pomp, to honour the death anniversary of the St. Geevarghese Mar Gregorios. Many visit the church during this time and are engrossed by the celebrations and festivities held in due remembrance of the Saint.
The Thrikkuratti Mahadeva Temple
The Thrikkuratti Mahadev Temple is one of the 108 Shiva temples built by the great Lord Parasurama. Devotees come to this temple to not only worship Lord Shiva, who presides over this temple, but also to bear witness to its unique festivities like the Sahasra kalasam, Maikatti puja and Sivarathri Nritham. Tourists with a fondness of the traditional arts often come here to see the antique wooden carving of Thrikkuratti Mahadeva Temple Sreekovil and appreciate the excellent artistry. On the east side, at a special gate called locally as ‘Nada’, worshippers of other religions also present offerings. This is a practice believed to be centuries old, highlighting the harmony with which people coexisted in times past.
The temple is built quite beautifully following a design from Northern Indian architecture and is host to both a Mahadeva Temple and a Mahavishnu Temple within the same compound.
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