Payyanur is a town situated in the Kannur district of Kerala, India, in the valley of the Ezhimala Hills. The place derives its name from the renowned Sri Subrahmanya Swami Temple located here. Payyan is an appellation of Lord Subrahmanya and ooru means the place. Thus Payyanur means the land of Lord Subrahmanya. Payyanur is also well known for Pavithra Mothiram, Astrology, art forms like Theyyam and Poorakkali.
Payyanur is also well known for Pavithra Mothiram, astrology, art forms such as Theyyam and Poorakkali.
Payyanur is also well known for Pavithra Mothiram, astrology, art forms such as Theyyam and Poorakkali.
Ancient HistoryPayyanur is one of the ancient civilized places in Kerala. This north end town of Kerala claims a rich and glorious heritage . The archeological remaining excavated from Payyanur and nearby places prove the existence of a civilized city in this area centuries ago.
The famous travelers, who visited here, have described about this area in high words. The famous traveler Ibn Bathutha visited Ezhimala in AD 1342 and wrote about the big seaport and the Chinese ships anchored here. 1n AD 1273 Abul Fida and in AD 1293 the world famous traveler Marco Polo, and in 15th century the Italian traveler Nicholo Kondi also visited this place and had given a very good impression about Ezhimala port which was called by the name “Heli”. The Portuguese Scholar and traveler Barbosa who made lot of researches and studies on Kerala and its People had described a lot about this place
Ezhimala KindgdomCenturies back Payyanur was a part of the Ezhimala Rajya. King Nandan who ruled this Ezhimala Rajya was very famous and mighty. The books written during Sang Time describe about this country and this king with much importance. Later Ezhimala became under the regime of the Chera Dynasty and thereafter the Mooshaka Dynasty. Ramanthali was the headquarters of the Mooshaka Dynasty.
Evolution of Payyanur TownDuring the past the city centre was Kachil Patanam (present Kavvayi) was the main town because of the waterways through Kavvayi River and its big Seaport. It was the administrative as well as business centre during that time. According to historians ships from China and other countries used to visit this port and anchored in the nearby river Changoorichal. Kavvayi retained its position even during the rule of British East India Company also. They established the first Magistrate court and Registrar’s Office in Kavvayi only.
Later Kokkanisseri became the city centre. The main road, which starts from Perumba, divided the town into two. The south of this road was called Payyanur village and the north Kokkanisseri village. The business centre was called Kokkanisseri Bazaar. Later the name Payyanur became common and thus the developed city of today came into existence.
Payyanur, which is located in the northern part of Kerala, is one of the ancient civilized places in the state. It claims a rich and glorious heritage. The archeological remains excavated from Payyanur and nearby places prove the existence of a civilized city in this area centuries ago.Payyanur is also famous for Pavithra Mothiram.Its is special kind of ring made in the shape of pavithram.
The famous travelers, who visited here, have described about this area in high words. The famous traveler Ibn Bathutha visited Ezhimala in AD 1342 and wrote about the big seaport and the Chinese ships anchored here. 1n AD 1273 Abul Fida and in AD 1293 the world famous traveler Marco Polo, and in 15th century the Italian traveler Nicholo Kondi also visited this place and had given a very good impression about Ezhimala port which was called by the name “Heli”. The Portuguese Scholar and traveler Barbosa who made lot of researches and studies on Kerala and its People had described a lot about this place
Ezhimala KindgdomCenturies back Payyanur was a part of the Ezhimala Rajya. King Nandan who ruled this Ezhimala Rajya was very famous and mighty. The books written during Sang Time describe about this country and this king with much importance. Later Ezhimala became under the regime of the Chera Dynasty and thereafter the Mooshaka Dynasty. Ramanthali was the headquarters of the Mooshaka Dynasty.
Evolution of Payyanur TownDuring the past the city centre was Kachil Patanam (present Kavvayi) was the main town because of the waterways through Kavvayi River and its big Seaport. It was the administrative as well as business centre during that time. According to historians ships from China and other countries used to visit this port and anchored in the nearby river Changoorichal. Kavvayi retained its position even during the rule of British East India Company also. They established the first Magistrate court and Registrar’s Office in Kavvayi only.
Later Kokkanisseri became the city centre. The main road, which starts from Perumba, divided the town into two. The south of this road was called Payyanur village and the north Kokkanisseri village. The business centre was called Kokkanisseri Bazaar. Later the name Payyanur became common and thus the developed city of today came into existence.
Payyanur, which is located in the northern part of Kerala, is one of the ancient civilized places in the state. It claims a rich and glorious heritage. The archeological remains excavated from Payyanur and nearby places prove the existence of a civilized city in this area centuries ago.Payyanur is also famous for Pavithra Mothiram.Its is special kind of ring made in the shape of pavithram.
About Theyyams
SREE KAPPATTU KAZAKAM Is one of the important kazhakam in payyanur, Lost of important theyyams are playing during the Kaliyattam(festival). The Kaliyattam will held only between 75 years. poorakkali is another traditional artform, every year it will play in the kazakam during the month of may.
During the regime of the Kolathiri Dynasty Payyanur was a part of Kolathu Nadu ruled by the Kolathiri Rajas based in Chirakkal near Kannur. During the British Rule, Payyanur was considered as a "farka" which in term is a part of the Chirakkal Taluk. Till the formation of the Kerala State in 1957 Payyanur remained in the Malabar District of the Madras State. The famous scholar and author Dr. Herman Gundert , Willima Logan,the Malabar District collector during the British Rule who wrote Malabar Manual also visited Payyanur and did a lot of studies on the rich heritage of Payyanur
Sree Muchilot Bagavathi RamanthaliRamanthali [near Payyanur]also came into the fore in 2008 January as a result of the Muchilot Bagavathi Perumkaliyattam.Varachuvaykkal and Kalavaraniraykkal are already over. Muchilot Bagavathi is one of the most popular deity worshipped in North Kerala. There is a practice for suppling food to thousands of devotees in connection with the Muchilot Bagavathi. Another work 'Muchilot Bagavathi' narrates the origin and establishment of Muchilot Kavu in different parts of Kannur and Kasaragod District. Highly decorative figure of Muchilot Bagavathi attracts the minds of devotees and the men of esthetic sense. In Cherukunnu and Kannapuram yearly Muchilot Bagavathi Theyyam performed. But in several other Kavus [worshipping place] Muchilot Bagavathi Theyyam performing in a gap of 12 to several years like one at Kayyur[near Nileshwar] in Jan 2008 after a term of 47 years. Perumkaliyattam at Muyyam near Taliparamba was a great experience to the devotees in the month of December 2007.
Pavithra MothiramPayyanur Pavithram or Pavithra Mothiram is internationally famous like" Aranmula Mirror "or "Ambalapuzha Palpayasam". Pavithram is the particular ring worn during performing vedic or holy rituals or during the "pithrubali" (ceremony performed for the well being of the forefathers or departed souls) in the Hindu tradition. The traditional Pavitram is usually made of "dharba" grass. The formation of Payyanur Pavitram is closely related with Payyanur Sree Subrahmanya Swami Temple. According to the legends, Pavitram made of gold was recommended to avoid the inconvenience of making it many times a day for the various poojas and rituals.
Payyanur Pavithra Mothiram is a uniquely crafted ring shaped like a knot and considered being a sacred ornament. Usually Payyanur Pavithram is being made of Gold and Silver. The Pavithram is to be worn on the right ring finger by the person performing Vedic Karmas. It is believed that this ring will bring luck and grace to anyone who wears it with the deep devotion. The three lines on the top of the ring represents the three vital "nadees"(nerves) of the human body, Ida, Pingala and Sushumna. The knot between these three nerves together can awake or arose the "Kundalini sakthi" (vital energy of the body) of the human body. It is believed that the Pavithram brings the "Trimoorthi Chaithanyam" ( the vigor or the effect due to the presence of the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva).The person who wear Pavithram as well as the Goldsmith who makes it has to have to impose some sort of self control or discipline over themselves. They should be pure vegetarian and shouldn't take alcohol and should keep way from immoral activities. If wore by women, they have to remove the ring during the period of menstruation.
According to tradition, the Pavithram, before handed over to the customer, is taken to Payyanur Perumal Temple for special poojas and a part of the cost of the ring will be given to the temple as an offering. Payyanur Pavithram is being exhibited in many of the museums of India as well as abroad. It is relevant to mention the name of late C.V. Kunhambu, who ws an expert in the making of Payyanur Pavithram and was also a great freedom fighter.
SREE KAPPATTU KAZAKAM Is one of the important kazhakam in payyanur, Lost of important theyyams are playing during the Kaliyattam(festival). The Kaliyattam will held only between 75 years. poorakkali is another traditional artform, every year it will play in the kazakam during the month of may.
During the regime of the Kolathiri Dynasty Payyanur was a part of Kolathu Nadu ruled by the Kolathiri Rajas based in Chirakkal near Kannur. During the British Rule, Payyanur was considered as a "farka" which in term is a part of the Chirakkal Taluk. Till the formation of the Kerala State in 1957 Payyanur remained in the Malabar District of the Madras State. The famous scholar and author Dr. Herman Gundert , Willima Logan,the Malabar District collector during the British Rule who wrote Malabar Manual also visited Payyanur and did a lot of studies on the rich heritage of Payyanur
Sree Muchilot Bagavathi RamanthaliRamanthali [near Payyanur]also came into the fore in 2008 January as a result of the Muchilot Bagavathi Perumkaliyattam.Varachuvaykkal and Kalavaraniraykkal are already over. Muchilot Bagavathi is one of the most popular deity worshipped in North Kerala. There is a practice for suppling food to thousands of devotees in connection with the Muchilot Bagavathi. Another work 'Muchilot Bagavathi' narrates the origin and establishment of Muchilot Kavu in different parts of Kannur and Kasaragod District. Highly decorative figure of Muchilot Bagavathi attracts the minds of devotees and the men of esthetic sense. In Cherukunnu and Kannapuram yearly Muchilot Bagavathi Theyyam performed. But in several other Kavus [worshipping place] Muchilot Bagavathi Theyyam performing in a gap of 12 to several years like one at Kayyur[near Nileshwar] in Jan 2008 after a term of 47 years. Perumkaliyattam at Muyyam near Taliparamba was a great experience to the devotees in the month of December 2007.
Pavithra MothiramPayyanur Pavithram or Pavithra Mothiram is internationally famous like" Aranmula Mirror "or "Ambalapuzha Palpayasam". Pavithram is the particular ring worn during performing vedic or holy rituals or during the "pithrubali" (ceremony performed for the well being of the forefathers or departed souls) in the Hindu tradition. The traditional Pavitram is usually made of "dharba" grass. The formation of Payyanur Pavitram is closely related with Payyanur Sree Subrahmanya Swami Temple. According to the legends, Pavitram made of gold was recommended to avoid the inconvenience of making it many times a day for the various poojas and rituals.
Payyanur Pavithra Mothiram is a uniquely crafted ring shaped like a knot and considered being a sacred ornament. Usually Payyanur Pavithram is being made of Gold and Silver. The Pavithram is to be worn on the right ring finger by the person performing Vedic Karmas. It is believed that this ring will bring luck and grace to anyone who wears it with the deep devotion. The three lines on the top of the ring represents the three vital "nadees"(nerves) of the human body, Ida, Pingala and Sushumna. The knot between these three nerves together can awake or arose the "Kundalini sakthi" (vital energy of the body) of the human body. It is believed that the Pavithram brings the "Trimoorthi Chaithanyam" ( the vigor or the effect due to the presence of the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva).The person who wear Pavithram as well as the Goldsmith who makes it has to have to impose some sort of self control or discipline over themselves. They should be pure vegetarian and shouldn't take alcohol and should keep way from immoral activities. If wore by women, they have to remove the ring during the period of menstruation.
According to tradition, the Pavithram, before handed over to the customer, is taken to Payyanur Perumal Temple for special poojas and a part of the cost of the ring will be given to the temple as an offering. Payyanur Pavithram is being exhibited in many of the museums of India as well as abroad. It is relevant to mention the name of late C.V. Kunhambu, who ws an expert in the making of Payyanur Pavithram and was also a great freedom fighter.