THOMBIL Kottaram

An architectural view of the proposed Malayalappuzha Thombil Palace designed by Vasthu expert Kanippayyur Krishnan Namboodiripad. Photo: Special Arrangement

The centuries-old Thombil Palace, believed to be the original abode of the presiding deity of the Bhagavathy temple at Malayalappuzha near here, will soon get a facelift. The Thombil Palace Protection Samiti (TPPS) has launched a project with people's support to rebuild the palace and preserve the adjoining sacred grove (‘kavu').

Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, TPPS leaders V.S. Harishchandran, K.K. Haridas, and P.R. Udayakumar said the project was being taken up on the basis of an astrological consultation (Devaprasnom) conducted at the temple. They said the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) had failed in following the recommendations of the astrological consultation.

Mr. Harishchandran said the Samiti had purchased the 30 cents of land that housed the palace and the sacred grove at Malayalappuzha. It has started the atonement rituals recommended by astrologers and reinstalled the presiding deity at the ‘kavu.'

Mr. Harischandran said the palace would be reconstructed in wood and granite at an estimated cost of Rs.45 lakh. Noted Vasthu expert Kanippayyur Krishnan Namboodiripad had prepared the new design for the palace, strictly adhering to the principles of the traditional temple architecture of Kerala, he said.

The TPPS has also made arrangements to perform various atonement rituals at the Thombil Palace from May 16 to 20. Mr Harishchandran said the temple Tantri (chief priest), Sukumara Bhattathiri of Adimattathu Madhom, will lead the rituals.

Chennas Dinesan Namboodiri, chief priest (Tantri) at Guruvayur Sreekrishna Temple, laid the foundation stone at a function held at Malayalappuzha. Sukumara Bhattathiri of Adimuttathu Madhom, Tantri at the Malayalappuzha temple, performed the rituals

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A devotees' meet that followed was inaugurated by cine actor Kaviyoor Ponnamma. Samiti president Haridas Padippurackal presided over the function.

P.N. Narendranathan Nair, Nair Service Society president, inaugurated the rebuilding work.

C.P. Sugathan, Hindu Parliament State general secretary; K.R. Mohanlal, Devaswom administrative officer; Kamalasanan Karyat, V.S. Harishchandran, and Karthikeyan Nair, TPSS office-bearers; addressed the meeting.

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