Ariyittu vazhcha Kovilakam', Kochi. thehindu.com/
Above image: The over neglected historical Ariyittu vazhcha Kovilakam', was at last renovated in 2013 with a newly built walkway along the compound wall. The nalukettu structure with 4 inter -connected quarters was carefully conserved using materials that are as close to the ones used in the original structure. Matching materials like wood, brick, etc., with proper finishes and textures were chosen to retain the heritage aspect of the existing structure. The strong room (nilavara), the well and a pond inside the site were cleaned and restored. For unknown reasons, the strong room is not open to public. Credit goes to a Konkani historian and activist, Puroshottam Mallya, 84, who got the ASI act promptly through the help of former popular judge A.R. Krishna iyer.........
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| Ariyittu vazhcha Kovilakam', Kochi.wikimapia.org/ |
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| Cottage like coronation house, en.wikipedia.org |
Above images: Ariyittuvazhcha Kovilakam', Kochi, Kerala; top image: central court yard in the nalukattu structure.........
Renovated in 2013 'Ariyittu vazhcha Kovilakam', a fine example of traditional Nalukettu architecture of Kerala is a state declared heritage site. Way past when monarchy rule prevalent in this region, this place was specially used for what was called the Ariyittu Vazhcha, an essential ceremony linked to the coronation of the new heir of Cochin Royal family. it will be centered around the legal heir who is to ascend the Cochin throne. This tradition had been that as part of the coronation ceremony there will be ceremonial procession from the Dutch palace in Mattancherry to the Ariyittuvazcha Kovilakam where the maharajah will bathe in the pond at kovilakom. Later he is to sit on the cot with with an olakkuda (umbrella made of palm fronds). During the coronation, the crown is placed on his lap and the priests will perform the vedic rituals chanting related mantras. Rice is showered on the king as a gesture of blessings. It is called Ariyittuvazhcha. Ari is the Malayalam word for rice. The coronation march from Mattancherry to kovilakom was a grand event in those days. After a visit to the Paliyarakavu Temple and the Mutts run by the Tamil Brahmins to receive blessings, the ruler will visit the Dutch Palace to hold a formal durbar.
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| a An information board at Ariyittu vazhcha Kovilakam', wikimapia.org/ |
The locked room in the coronation palace is opened only for this specific purpose. Among the rulers, Maharajah Rama Varma (1698-1722), refused to wear the crown until recaptured the land Vanneri, he lost to the Zamorin of Kozhikode. When the Zamorin army tried to size the palace they were defeated at Pallipuram by the Portuguese (1557). As a token of his gratitude, the Maharajah gifted the Immanuel kota (Fort Immanuel) and the Portuguese, reciprocated by building the palace in Mattancherry for him. Later, the Dutch modified the structure and improved the fortification. Hence, it is now called ''Dutch Palace.”
This interesting monument across Mattancherry Nehru Memorial Town Hall is, no doubt, intertwined with the growth and history of Kochi. Prior to 2013, this heritage structure was slowly crumpling and at one point of time, was slotted for demolition. Because of protests from various quarters, the idea of demolition was given up on this historical structure. In 1994, plans were afoot to demolish it and build a shopping mall. In 1995, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) moved in to conserve Ariyittu vazcha Kovilakam and later serious step was taken by the state administration to save it for the next generation of people. ASI allocated six cents of the roughly 30 cents compound for the village office to facilitate the renovation work.
At Ariyittu vazcha Kovilakam of the erstwhile Cochin royal family, in 1948 the last coronation ceremony - coronation of Parikshit Thampuran took place. After independence, like so many princely states, this state became part of the Indian Union and the coronation palace came under the custody of the government.
It is imperative for the Kerala government to preserve this historical coronation palace which played a vital role during the heyday of the Cochin rulers.
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