Kalari

Nedumbal Kalari Prathishta (at Nedumbal, Parappookara panchayath, Thrissur)

KALARI TREE

KALARI SCRIPTURES

KALARI ASHAAN

KALARI means training centre.

   It is also the birth place of Kalaripanikar families. When the families enlarge they separate in patriarchal way. Later these Kalaris will become their family temple, where the ancestors will be adorned.

    In the Kalari, training of Martial arts was taking place. Along with that, nursery education in the form of ‘Nilathezhuth’, Astrology, Ayurveda etc.,was taught to the students. They were multi disciplinary schools. Later it was confined mainly to Astrology and they became Astrologers or ‘Jyothishis’.

     Origin of various Kalaris is associated with old Kerala history and culture and Mamankam. When the last Chera King left kerala to Mecca to become Muslim, the natural heir of the power was Valluvakonathiri of central Malabar. But Samoodhiri of Kozhikode has forcefully seized the power,putting one condition – ie, in every 12 years,he will come to Thirunavaya Navamukunda temple and will spend there for one month without any weapons personaly. He would take stance at ‘Nilapadu thara’.His armed force will be there to guard him. If Valluva konathiri can kill him at that time, he can regain the power. Taking the challenge, Konathiri started to train ‘Chavers’(Kamikazes) from selected youths martial arts including ‘Kalaripayattu’ in various Kalaris adjuscent to many Devi temples and in various Kalaripanikar houses. There were 42 feet width kalaris and 64 ft. in the attic of these houses. From the trained able and dedicated persons,Chavers were selected and will be sent to the Mamankam site at Thirunavaya manalpuram. The remaning part will be fierce and blood shed battles, usually endindg in death of chavers before the well equipped Samoothiri forces. The last Mamankam was in 1755 which was stopped by Hyder Ali invasion from Karnataka.

    In short, the various Kalaris of central Kerala are the store houses of rich Kerala heritage.

(Nava mukunda temple)

(Thirunavaya manalpuram)

(Nilapadu thara)

    IT was Lord Parashurama, who is said to be the founder of Kalaries. Mythologically, he created Kerala and brought Lord Sreerama's Grandson ,(Lavan's son) as the Emperor of Kerala. For his protection, Parashurama also brought Kalari soldiers from Thulu(Karnataka), who built the first series of Kalries in Kerala. Lavan's son

                                                               (Lava Kusha Monument)

was throned at Perumadappu, 4 KM north from Guruvayoor temple. This had later become the seat of Kochi Kngdom (Perumbadappu Swaroopam. At that time , the Mamankam was conducted by Cochin Kings. Later this region was seized by Samoothiri of Kozhikode and Mamankams were continued under his control. This was challenged not only by Cochin kings, but also by Valluvanad King as mentioned before.
                                                            Kalari complex front
                                                   

                                                                   Kalari Gopuram
                                                        

                                                                   
                                                 Kalaripayattu signs carved on the roof
                                                   

                                                   Kalari Temple Entry (from east )
                                            

                                                                        Naaga mada
                                                           
                                                                

                                                                       Naaga pooja

                                                                  KALARI Vilakkukal

                              

                                                                Chandika devi, the diety

                                  
                                                           Gurukkal achan ( the kaaranavar)

                                                            KIRATA MOORTHI VIGRAHAM

  
                          Kiratha Moorthy is said to be the Community god, who is the incarnation of Lord Siva.