Cheerappanchira
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Cheerappanchira is a famous ezhava tharavadu renowned for its Kalari in Muhamma, Alappuzha. Cheerappan Chira family, Mukkal Vettom Ayyappa Temple of the family and their Kalari, are as old as the mythology of Lord Ayyappan and his abode at Sabarimala. It is believed that Lord Ayyappan was trained in this Kalari. Young Ayyappan was trained by Cheerappanchira Panicker and became the his most brilliant student. - Link[1] It is believed that one young girl of this family fell in love with the Lord and requested to accept her as wife. But Ayyappan turned down her request and to be a “Brahmachari”.
Mrs. Susheela Gopalan, Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader, and wife of A. K. Gopalan, belongs to this tharavadu. Recently, the family Kalari was reopened and around 40 students are being trained in the martial art of Kalarippayattu.
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[edit] Mukkal Vettom Ayyappa Temple
Mukkal Vettom Ayyappa Temple is built by the Cheerappan Chira Panicker in the Tharavadu pilgrimage, as the elders of the family were not able to go for pilgrimage to Sabarimala. The Lord himself was believed to had made arrangements for building up temple near to the hermitage for Kalari Guru.
[edit] History
Cheerappanchira were taught Kalari only to the people of karappuram area (place around Muhamma). Pandalam King approached the Mooppan (senior most member of the family) who was also asan, to teach Kalarippayattu to the Prince Ayyappa. Having mastered this technique, Lord Ayyappa, rushed to Pandalom on hearing the sudden attack on kingdom, virtually disaapearing from Cheerappan chira. Before his departure he left behind his royal belongings to reveal his identity to his asan(guru). (His quarters at cheerappan chira is maintained till date as Swami Mattom). On realizing the divine identity of Lord Ayyappa, his earthly started his annual pilgrimage to Sabarimal temple. On becoming old, when he was not able to make his annual pilgrimage to Sabarimala temple, Lord Ayyappa apeeared in the dream of the saddened Guru and consoled him for his inability to take the annual pilgrimage. Lord Ayyappa also instructed the Guru to construct a temple at cheerappan chira, where he will reside with his full powers for ¾th ( 3 quarters of the year- which in Malayalam is Mukkal. Hence the name Mukkal Vettam) of the year. He also informed that a log of sandalwood would appear against the flow of the waters at vembanad Lake Lake the next day, which should be used for constructing the temple. Folklore has it that the log of sandalwood appeared in the waters the next day and with which the Mukkal Vettam temple was built.
[edit] Sabarimala And Mukkal Vettom Temples
The importance of the relation of these two ancient temples is evidenced by the Thirupattaya Charthu (the royal decree) of the Pandalam King, by which the right to conduct the fireworks offerings at Sabarimala was given to cheerappan Chira family. Till this date, people of old age and women who cant undertake pilgrimage to Sabarimala come to this temple to offer their prayers on the belief that, by the darshan at Mukkal vettom, Lord Ayyappa will shower the same blessings as the darsan at Sabarimala. In the year 2001, as instructed by the Ashtamangala Deva Prasnam, (the astrological findings) held at Sabarimala, Sabarimala temple authorities conducted special poojas and offerings as penance at this temple.
[edit] Swamy Muttom or Mutt
The Kudil (Hermitage) wherein Swamy Ayyappan lived during his martial art learning period is still being preserved in its original form by the inheritors of Cheerappanchira family from generation to generation. Great Indian Saint and Prophet, Sree Narayana Guru, during his vist to this family used to use this Kudil. Hence it has got the name Swamy Muttom.
[edit] Sabari Mala Prasadam
A strong liking for sweets is a common factor of all Hindu Gods and Ayyappa is no exception. Appam and Aravana (Payasam made of rice, ghee and jaggery) are the prasadams of the Lord. There is an interesting story behind these prasadams also. The young daughter, Leela, of Kalari Panicker fell in love with Ayyappa. She requested to accept her as wife. But Ayyappan turned down her request as being a Brahmachari. Soon the girl started bringing him food to capture his attention. Time passed by and the girl reached her puberty. And her family, following the Hindu tradition, prepared special cuisines to celebrate the occasion. One mandatory item on the menu is Rthumathikanji (porridge made using rice and five times the quantity of jaggery). On that day she took this porridge to Ayyappa, who was practising payattu in the Kalari. He liked it very much and requested the girl to bring only the porridge everyday. It is believed that the practice of offering Aravana as prasadam to the God was born from this incident.
