CHEERAPPAN CHIRA

Story of Cheerappan chira

Cheerappanchira is an Ezhava tharavadu renowned for its Kalari in Muhamma, Alappuzha District. Cheerappanchira 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 said that Ayyappan was trained here. Young Ayyappan was trained by Cheerappanchira Panicker and became the most brilliant student. 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”. Recently, the family Kalari was reopened and around 40 students are being trained in the martial art of Kalarippayattu.  This place is between Alleppy and Cherthala of Kerala. Self with wife had been to this place in December 2014 on way to Sabarimala.

Cheerappanchira has taught Kalari only to the people of karappuram area (place around Muhamma). Pandalam king approached the Mooper (senior most member of family) who was also Asan, to teach Kalarippayattu to Ayyappan. Having mastered this technique, Ayyappan rushed to Pandalam on hearing the sudden attack on kingdom, virtually disappearing from Cheerappanchira. Before his departure he left behind his royal belongings to reveal his identity to his asan (guru). (His quarters at Cheerappanchira are maintained till date as SwamiMattom). On realizing the divine identity of Ayyappan, his Guru started his annual pilgrimage to Sabarimala temple. On becoming old, when he was unable to make his annual pilgrimage to Sabarimala temple, Ayyappan appeared in the dream of the saddened Guru and consoled him for his inability to take the pilgrimage. Ayyappan also instructed the Guru to construct a temple at Cheerappanchira, where he will reside with his full powers for three-quarters (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 (also known as Vembanad kayal) 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.

Mukkal Vettom Ayyappa Temple was built by the Cheerappanchira Panicker in the tharavadu because the elders of the family were not able to go for pilgrimage to Sabarimala. The Lord himself was believed to have made arrangements for building up temple near to the hermitage for Kalari Guru. 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 Cheerappanchira family. Till this date, people of old age and women who can't undertake a pilgrimage to Sabarimala come to this temple to offer their prayers on the belief that, by the darshan at Mukkal vettom, Ayyappan will shower the same blessings as the darsan at Sabarimala. In 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. The 2012 release of Lord Ayyappa album of P. Unni Krishnan titled SABARIMALAI VA CHARANAM SOLLI VA has a special song called SABARI NATHA CHARANAM SWAMI on Mukkal Vattam temple where he has referred the current head priest of this temple as from the vamsam of the Lord's Guru. It also refers to Aravana payasam. Story of Panicker's daughter love and Ayyappan refused is already mentioned. Soon she started bringing him food to capture his attention. The girl was following the Hindu tradition only and prepared special cuisines to celebrate the occasion. One item on the menu is Rthumathikanji (made of rice and jaggery - more times the quantity). She took this with Appam to Ayyappan, who was in the Kalari. He liked it much and requested her to bring that item everyday. It is believed that the practice of offering Appam & Aravana to God was born from this incident.