Cochin royal family

Hill Palace, the main palace

Flag of the Royal Family of Cochin

The Cochin Royal Family were rulers of Cochin, or Kochi, India. They were also known as Perumpadapu Swaroopam or Kuru Swaroopam.

Tradition of Perumpadapu Swaroopam

Maharaja Kerala Varma Thampuran a.ka.
Aikya Keralam Thampuran

Traditionally Perumpadappu Moopil is considered as the political head of all the Brahmins in Kerala (spiritual head being Azhvanchery Thamprakkal). Their rituals and tradition is almost similar to that of Brahmins with some exceptions like 12 days of Pollution on death or Birth, Veli not performed for marriages of male members, cannot do pooja yagam etc. Normally for Sandhya vandanam members recite 10 Gayatri mantrams. Among the ruling families in kerala only members of Perumpadappu swaroopam traditionally had the right to Serve feast to Brahmins or can have food together with Brahmin(thachudya kaimal of kudalmanikya kshetram also have that right). This can be verifed by reading Shaktan Thampuran story in Ayithihyamaala of kottarathil Shankunni.We can see there is a strong relation of Cochin dynasty with the Christian community.The elephant lamp presented by Shaktan Thampuran to the Saint Mary's Church, Kanjoor proving the above fact. Every member has to do Shodasakriyakal. The term "Shodasakriyakal" refers to sixteen rites to be performed by all members, as structured through "Smruthi".

1. Sekom (Garbhaadhaanam) : A rite to be performed just before the first sexual intercourse after marriage.
2. Pumsavanom : To be performed just after conception.
3. Seemantham : Performed after Pumsavanom.
4. Jathakarmam : Performed just after birth.
5. Naamakaranam : Naming Ceremony of the child.
6. (Upa)nishkramanam (Vaathilpurappadu) : Involves taking the child out of the house for the first time.
7. Choroonu : The first ceremonial intake of rice by the child.
8. Choulam : The first hair-cut ceremony of the boy/ girl.
9. Upanayanam : (Only for boys).
10. Mahaanamneevrutham (Aanduvrutham) :
11. Mahaavrutham :
12. Upanishadvrutham :
13. Godaanam : Rites as part of thanks-giving to the Aacharyan (priest or teacher).
14. Samaavarthanam : A long ritual for the completion of the above said Vedic education.
15. Marriage
16. Agniadhaanam : A rite performed as an extension of Oupaasanam and introduction to Sroutha rites.

Deities

Sree Poornathrayeesa Temple

• Paradevatha (goddess): Vannery Chitrakoodam, Pazhayannur Bhagavathy, Chazhur Pazhayannur Bhagavathy
• Paradevan (god): Vishnu (Sree Poornathrayeesa), Tiruvanchikulathappan (Lord Shiva of Thiruvanchikulam between North Paravur and Kodungallore)
• Other Deities: Chottanikkara Bhagavathy, Pulpalli Thevar and many

Marriage

Traditionally the female members of the family are married (Sambandham) only to Namboodiri Brahmins while male members marry ladies of the Nair/Samanthan class. These wives of the male members are not Ranis as per the matriarchal system but instead get the title of Nethyar Amma. But today with Namboothiris marry within their class Perumpadappu Swaroopam members marry from other Malayala Kshatriyas class in Kerala. Traditionally the rule for marriage is females marry from same class (like thirupad) or class above (Namboothiri) and males marry from same class (like thirupad) or Nairs.

Naming practice of male Thampuran

In Cochin Royal Family all the male Thampurans were named according to the following methodology.

• Eldest Son To A Mother Goda Varma (No Longer Used)
• Second Son Rama Varma
• Third Son Kerala Varma
• Fourth Son Ravi Varma.

From then on to till date the last three naming convention is followed. But the name Goda varma is followed in the other root family (moola thavazhi) of cochin royal family namely chazur kovilakam. Reference – Genealogy of Cochin Royal Family

Naming practice of female Thampuran

In Cochin Royal Family the female Thampurans were named according to the following methodology.

• Eldest daughter To A Mother – Amba
• Second daughter – Ambika
• Third Daughter – Subhadra

This naming convention is followed again to third daughter and fourth etc.

Both the female and male members are called by the name "Thampuran" and have same last name(Thampuran). (in all other royal families in Kerala, males are called Thampuran and females – Thampuratti. For more details, please visit [1])^{[citation needed]}

See also

• Thrippunithura#Royal Heritage
• Kingdom of Cochin

Further reading

• Genealogy of Cochin Royal Family – By Rameshan Thampuran

References

External links

• Emergence Of Kingdom Of Cochin And Cochin Royal Family
• Cochin Royal Family Historical Society
• Namboothiri Websites Trust Calicut