Mappilassery Tharavad, my mother's ancestral house

 It's always a pleasure to visit this ancestral home of my mother, called Mappilassery Tharavad, in Champakulam. And particularly so on Moolam Naal in the Malayalam month  of Mithunam, because that's the day the Champakulam Boat Race takes place, and this house plays an important role in this spectacular water festival.

I give below, extracts from Wikipedia, which tells the fascinating story of the Boat Race and the ceremonies that take place in the house prior to the race:

The Champakulam Moolam Boat Race is one of the oldest^[1][2][3][4] vallam kali (snake boat race) (after the Aranmula Boat Race) in Kerala state of south India. The race is held on the River Pamba on Moolam day (according to the Malayalam Era M.E) of the Malayalam month Midhunam, the day of the installation of the deity at the Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Temple.^{[citation needed]}

Contents

• 1The legend
• 2Other renowned boat races in Kerala
• 3References
• 4External links

The legend[edit]

It is said that the Raja of Chempakasseri, Pooradam Thirunal Devanarayanan, built a temple at Ambalappuzha as suggested by the royal astrologers, but just before the installation of the deity (Lord Krishna) he was informed that the idol was not auspicious.^{[citation needed]}

It was important to install a suitable idol immediately. Accordingly, the priests identified another idol of Lord Krishna, kept at the Karinkulam temple in Kurichi. This idol was believed to have been given to Arjuna by Lord Krishna himself, and was therefore considered very sacred. After getting the idol from Karinkulam temple, the Raja's men set forth by boat for the return journey. While returning to Ambalappuzha, night set in, and, as instructed by the Raja, they took shelter at a Christian household, the home of Mappilassery Itty Thommen, in the village of Champakulam. Itty Thommen was a loyal subject and a confidant of the king.

Itty Thommen and his family received the men and the idol with great honour. The next day, the Raja and his entourage turned up at Mappilassery, accompanied by a huge mass of people. Pujas were offered to the deity and Itty Thommen and his men also travelled with the flotilla to Ambalapuzha where the idol was duly consecrated and installed with great fanfare. On the way, the people of Champakulam and adjoining areas, as well as the priests and laity of the Champakulam Kalloorkadu Church, honoured the Raja and the idol.

These events took place in 1545 A.D. The Raja, pleased with the love and affection shown to him by his Christian subjects, declared that henceforth, to commemorate these events, a great water carnival would be held at Champakulam every year, on Moolam day in the Malayalam month of Mithunam. Thus began the Champakulam Snake Boat Race and related functions, which continue to this day.

In 1613 A.D., sixty-three years after the idol was given shelter at Mappilassery, the old house was being demolished and a new one being built. Raja Devanarayanan's successor heard the news and immediately sent word to Itty Thommen's son, Kunhi Thommen that the area where the idol was kept, which was considered a devasthanam or sacred place, was to be specially demarcated and used only as a place of worship. Also, in keeping with Hindu practices, no menstruating women were to enter the room. A special lamp, made of rare metals, was given to the family, to be kept in this holy place, and perpetually burning, as an eternal flame. Special privileges were also conferred on the family, including the grant of lands and coconut groves to supply the oil for the lamp.

Even today, these practices continue. The lamp is kept perpetually burning. Every year priests and other delegates from the temple call at the house on Moolam day, with gifts and prasadam for the karanavar or head of the house. This ceremony is known as the Moolakazcha. It is believed that on Moolam Day, Lord Krishna resides not at the Temple, but at Mappilassery House! Reverentially, on unshod feet, the Temple delegates enter the prayer room, where along with Christian icons like the cross, and statues of Jesus and Mary, the lamp, known as the Vazhakoombu Vilakku is given a place of prominence. The temple representatives then venerate the lamp, and are treated by the family to a sumptuous feast. It is only after all these ceremonies, that the famous Champakulam Snake Boat Race commences.

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This year's functions fell on 12th July 2022 and Simmy and I were once again privileged to see the events. As usual, we  felt that we were witnesses to history being repeated.

The Temple representatives (about 50 of them) came in a motor launch, were received warmly by the current head of the family, gifts were exchanged, (including the fabled Ambalapuzha palpayasam), the visitors paid their respects to the Vazhakoombu Vilakku (perpetually lit lamp) and were served tea and snacks. The Namboodiri Thirumeni (priest) and other representatives of the Devaswom Board, as well as the karanavar of the family, gave brief speeches, and then the visitors left, signalling that the boat race could commence.

For me and Simmy, it was also an opportunity to meet several members of the family, some of whom we had never met before.

These ceremonies have been going on since 1545 AD and represent the spirit of communal harmony and amity that have characterised Kerala all these years. I hope and pray that they will continue for ever. Sometimes however, when I survey the present polarisation of communities that is going on in the country, I feel rather pessimistic. God help us all, and our country.

Some photos of the events at Mappilassery Tharavad on 12th July 2022 (Moolam Naal of Mithunam ME)

Temple representatives arrive by boat

Murukkan for the Temple representatives

 

The lamp

Another view of the lamp

Speech  by the Temple Thirumeni