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Draft:Punnorkottu Mana

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Punnorkottu Mana
Alternative namesSwarnathu Mana
General information
Architectural styleKerala architecture
LocationPazhamthottam, Ernakulam, Kerala
Technical details
Floor area10,351 sq ft

Punnorkottu Mana (Malayalam: പുന്നോർക്കോട്ട് മന), alternatively known as Swarnathu Mana (Malayalam: സ്വർണ്ണത്ത് മന), is one of the many traditional aristocratic Namboothiri family houses (illam) in Kerala located in Pazhamthottam village in Ernakulam district, 30 km south-west of Kochi.[1][2][3][4] The mana is over two-centuries-old. [2] It is the ancestral home of the Punnorkkottu family, who migrated from Northern and Central parts of Kerala almost 1,000 years back. Punnorkkottu belongs to Pazhoor Griham of Ashtagrihathil Aadhyans.[1] The mana is associated with the legend of Adi Shankara.[5]

The mana is a rare Panthrandukettu (12-halled with 4 courtyards). Within the mana there are designated areas for holding performances, storing food, for Shradham and Upanayanam ceremonies as well as storerooms for grains and sleeping quarters. The mana showcases eye-catching woodwork with intricate etchings. There are three large ponds and a temple dedicated to goddess Bhuvaneshwari in the Mana.[3] In olden days, pooram used to be held in the temple.[4] Near to the main house there is also a Pathaayappura (granary) and Maalikas to accommodate guests.[3] The mana used to house 40 inmates and 16 servants.[2]

History

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Painting of Adi Shankara, exponent of Advaita Vedanta, with his disciples, by Raja Ravi Varma

According to legend, once, Shankaracharya as a child brahmachari seeked alms here, but as the mana was in poverty at that time, the lady of the house could offer only a single amla fruit, that was the only piece of food there, to him. He accepted it and composed a prayer to Goddess Mahalakshmi who was so pleased that it rained golden amla fruits. Thus the mana also came to be known as 'Swarnath' mana.

In the year 1545, a fire broke out in Punnorcott Mana destroying a large area of the building and many palm leaves containing historical records.[4] In 1795 the mana came under the attack of Tipu Sultan's soldiers and suffered massive destruction.[3][4]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Vedanaattu Graamakkaar". Namboothiri Website Trust.
  2. ^ a b c Kakkat, Thulasi (18 August 2012). "Kerala's Nalukettus". The Hindu.
  3. ^ a b c d Sreekumar, Priya (2018-09-09). "Grand relic of a beautiful past". The Asian Age. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  4. ^ a b c d Mahesh, Purnendu. "Swarnathumana: A Case Study of Namboothiri Brahmins of Ancient Kerala" (PDF). Christ College, Irinjalakuda.
  5. ^ "Swarnath Mana - 4 Things to Know Before Visiting". Travalour.