Kaviyoor

Kaviyoor (Malayalam: :ml:കവിയൂര്‍) (also Kaviyur) is village located on the banks of the Manimala River in the Pathanamthitta district of Kerala, India. It is a highly literate village with much emphasis on education. There are two major high schools in the village having been over 50 years old. There are also a number of primary and secondary schools and a couple of Teacher Training Institutes.

Vital Statistics

(According to the 2001 census) Area: 12.67 km².
Population: 16,311
Population Density: 1287 per square km
Literacy: 96.35% (Male 97.67%, Female 95.09%)

Demographics

The majority of the residents belong to the Hindu or Christian community. The total population is estimated to be about 16,311 people. The literacy rate about 97%.

Local Self Government

There are 13 wards in the Kaviyoor Grama Panchayat out of which few are represented by women. The HO of the Panchayat is near the Kanika Madapam. which is adjacent to the Krishi Bhavan.

There is also a village office in Kaviyoor Near the K.N.M Govt. High School.

Kaviyoor Grama Panchayat, Kaviyoor P.O, Kerala, India. Phone: +91 469 261 9253

Transport

Thottabhagam is a centre of the Transport activity of the village. There are many buses from Thottabhagam to Changanacherry. Most of the bus services to Changanacherry originate from here but there are also services from Kozhencherry and Pathanamthitta. As Thottabhagam lies on the T.K.Road between Pathanamthitta and Thiruvalla there are many buses plying in this route. Both K.S.R.T.C and private buses operate from Thiruvalla to Mallapally via Njalikandam which is in Kaviyoor.

The nearest railway station is in Thiruvalla which is 5 km from here. It connects Thiruvalla with all the major cities in India. There are daily train Services to New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Howrah Kolkatta, Bangalore and Hyderabad.

Both the Trivandrum International Airport and Cochin International Airport are of identical distance from Kaviyoor. There are also plans to build an Airport in Aranmula by some NRIs in the near future.

History

It is listed in ancient history as one of the 64 villages established by Vishnu-incarnate Parashuram. The original inhabitants were Hindus who later became converts to Jainism and Buddhism; and finally back to Hinduism again by 8th Century, C.E.

The origin of the word 'Kaviyoor' has not yet been acceptably traced. An edict (951, C.E) calls it Kaviyoor; another record (1551, C.E) refers it to as Kapiyoor. Since Jainism reached Kerala through Karnataka, the Jains, after settling in what is now Kaviyoor and carving a cave out of a huge rock for stay and prayers, might have named the place Kaviyoor (Kavi=Cave, in old Kannada & Oor=Place). The claim that Kavi is Cave in old Kannada has not been examined by scholars. Some believe Kapiyoor became Kaviyoor over a period of time; they attribute the name to the presence of the monkey god Lord Hanuman (Kapi=Monkey).

A few centuries (?) later, strong Buddhist evangelists drove Jainism away from Kaviyoor (and from other parts of Kerala). The word 'Palli' denotes Buddhist school/hermitage. (The area behind N.S.S. High School is still called 'Pallipuram'. The N.S.S. High School was established around 1924, over the traditional cemetery of stonesmiths/masons). When Hinduism returned post-800 C.E, the prayer centres of Jains/Buddhists might have been converted to temples. There is no proof or even hints as to what happened in Kaviyoor from 800 C.E to 1750, C.E.

Was it part of Nanruzhai Nadu which had its capital in what is now Thrikkodithanam, 9 KM west of Kaviyoor ? Was it lorded by Thekkumkoor kings, who were believed to have ruled from five centres, the nearest being Puzhavathu, Changanacherry? Was it ever part of Vilakkili Namboothiris who ruled Thiruvalla? Some powerful ruler might have had control over it, because Kaviyoor was a prominent brahmin village and they were considered superior to the brahmins of Thiruvalla, another brahmin village of repute. (Kaviyoor brahmins never married Thiruvalla brahmins till about 50–75 years ago). Vilakkili Namboothiris were the main priests of Kaviyoor at some point of time, esp. 1400-1600, C.E.

There is a reliable version that Neythelloor, a Brahmin family, were the rulers during pre-Travancore days. Their descendants still live in the village. The same family is one of the eleven brahmin families that owned the Kaviyoor Temple once upon a time.

Kaviyoor became part of Travancore when King Marthanda Varma annexed all the territories up to Udayanapuram (20KM south of Cochin) in 1752.

Kaviyoor Kindi

The village was famous for a bronze product - called 'kindi', a tailed pot used in olden days. The manufacturing process, said to be more complex than that of 'Aranmula Kannaadi', was kept a secret and it is said the last person conversant with the manufacture died around 1890, without imparting the knowledge to the next generation - probably because it was not becoming profitable to make kindis of such quality. There is no record of anybody having preserved it. No household is having it now......'Kaviyoor Kindi' thus disappeared forever.

Temples of Kaviyoor

Cave temple

An ancient rock cut temple is located there, carved on a huge rock and the carved rooms and sculptures aore well preserved.The Kaviyoor Trikkukkudi Cave Temple, also known as the Rock Cut Cave Temple, is of historical importance and is preserved as a monument by the Archaeological Department. The engravings here are among the earliest specimens of stone sculptures in Kerala.

The temple has a verandah with a sculpture of Lord Ganapathi carved into the wall and inner sanctum containging a tall shivalinga, all carved out a one huge rock. It bears close resemblance to the Pallava style of architecture. The engravings here are among the earliest specimens of stone sculptures in Kerala. Enshrined in a square cave is the main deity of the shrine, Lord Shiva, represented in the ' Shivalinga' which is about three feet high and carved out of rock. The shrine also has idols of Ganapathy, Maharshi and Dwarapalakas.It was constructed during the rule of the Pallava dynasty who reigned over South India from 608 to 850 AD.

The rock, housing the cave, is actually called Thri-kal-kudi Paara. (Thri/Thiru= Divine, Kal=Stone/Rock, Kudi=home/settlement, Paara=Rock/Boulder). Literally, this means cave settlement. The land surrounding the rock also was called 'Kal-kudi'. Still, there is a nearby piece of land by name 'Kakkudiyil', a corrupt form for 'Kalkudiyil'. More corrupt forms (like Thrikkaakkudi, Thrikkokudi etc) are doing rounds as newer generations of people, defying rhyme and reason, use words, ignoring their etymological significance.

Kaviyoor Mahadeva Temple

History:

Another temple is the Kaviyoor Mahadevar Temple which has a unique style of architecture and is one of the oldest of the Mahadeva temples in Kerala. It stands on a small hillock and is built in the gable style architecture peculiar to Kerala.It is believed to have been constructed in the early years of the 10th century and the 'Kaviyoor Shasanas' of 950/951 C.E has references to the gifts that were offered to this temple. The 'Darusilpas' (wood sculpture) seen around the temple belong to the 17th century. The temple festival is held in December-January of every year. Hanuman Jayanthi, the birth anniversary of Lord Hanuman is also celebrated along with the temple festival.

An important Siva Temple in Central Travancore known as Thrikkaviyoor Mahadevar Temple, it belongs to the oldest period of structural temples.

Several historians, like Stella Kramrich has this opinion. The Perfect round Sreekovil with Sandhara style and its peculiar basment clarifies this opinion.

This is one of the famous major temples of Travancore Devaswam Board under Thiruvalla group of temples.

Art Work:

The "DAARUSILPAS"(wood sculpture) seen around the temple belong to the 17th century when the temple was rebuilt/renovated.The wood carvings on the outer wall of the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum), inner roof of Balickalpura and Namaskara Mandapam are excellent. The Temple itself is a beautiful specimen of Kerala style architecture.

Main Prathishta : Lord Mahadeva & Parvathi. The main idol is called 'Sambashiva', that is, Shiva with consort Amba (Parvathi)-as is evident form the 'mooladhyanam'. The addition of Parvathi, christened as Srimoola Rajeshwari, was done by Kaviyoor Pachu Moothath and relations who had the rights to 'kazhakam' of all shrines (nadas) within the temple, though this was objected to by the then Thanthri (chief priest) of the temple, saying there could not be two 'Parvathis'

Upadevas :

Lord Hanuman

Dakshinamoorthy(Lord Siva along with Ganapathy)

Sreemoola Rajeswari (Parvathy, prathistha done in the year 1068).

Sreekrishnan(with oldest round sreekovil). This temple existed much before the Mahadeva temple was established and is unique for hiding the idol from the rising sun.

Festivals:

1.Thiruvutsavam (December - January) every year starts "Thiruvaathira" in Dhanu masa and ends on 10th day by Araattu Ezhunnellippu.

'Utsavabali','Seva','Pallivetta' are the main functions during Thiruvutsavam.

2.Sivaratri-February/March->Vilakkezhunnellippu(lighting of 8000 Diyas of temple by devotees of 8 Kara's(Desam).

1. Sahasra Kalasam(Abhishekam with 100 pots consisting 1 gold pot,10 silver pot and remaining copper pots during 10 days.

Main Offerings for Lord Mahadeva:

Dhara, Muzhukkappu.Chatussatham

Hanuman Swami

The Hanumanswami Temple in the Temple complex is very famous.

Main Festivals -

1.Hanumad Jayanthy, the birth anniversay of Lord Hanuman is also celebrated along with Thiruvutsavam (December- January)."Pushpa Ratham" (Chariot decorated with full of flowers) is the main attraction on Hanumad Jayanthy day. The "Ghoshayaathra"(rally) starts from Njaliyil Bhagavathi Temple.

2.Pantrandukalabham - August.(Abhishekam with Sandal paste

Main Offerings for Lord Hanuman:

Vatamala ,Aval Nivedyam (AvalPanthirunaazhi),Vettila mala,Thrikkai venna & Venna charthu.

Njaliyil Bhagavathy Temple

Njaliyil Bhagavathy Temple is a temple dedicated to Njaliyil Bhagavathy at Njalikandam in Kaviyoor. The main attraction of the temple is the 101 Kallam(101 Pots) which takes place during the temple festival.

Njaliyil Bhagavathy temple located at Njalbhagom(Njalikandom)in kaviyoor panchayath.An oldest temple formerly owned by Naithallur Illam (famous Brahmin family-member of Pathillathil pottimaar in centra travancore)now taken care by public."Aswathy" in Makaram is the festival time and Thaalapoli is the important function. And Noottiyonnu Kalam ezhunnellippu(like Pongala) and Annadaanam are the other Vazhipaad during festival time.Padayani ,an ancient folk drama is the colour full event during the night.

Agriculture

Main agricultural produces are Rice, Coconut, Arecanut (Betel nut), Betel leaves, Black pepper, Rubber, Plantain, Banana, Sugarcane and Cassava (Tapioca). There is a National Fish Seed Farm located at Polachira in Kaviyoor.

Prominent Citizens

Pachu Moothath (1945-1917), Physician to the Ruler of Travancore and first principal of Ayurveda College, Trivandrum
Kaviyoor Murali, Malayalam writer
Kaviyoor Revamma, Carnatic Musician, Ex-principal, Women's College, Trivandrum
Kaviyoor Ponnamma, Cine Artiste
Kaviyoor Renuka, Cine Artiste and sister of Kaviyoor Ponnamma
Parvathi Jayaram, Cine Artiste, married to Malayalam superstar Jayaram
Shobhana, Cine Artiste; won national award for best actress twice
Shiva Prasad, film director of eminence

Translation of "Kaviyoor"

Malayalam: കവിയൂര്‍ (പത്തനംതിട്ട).