വരിക്കാശേരി മന -Varikkassery Mana

Varikkassery Mana  

വരിക്കാശേരി മന

Varikkasery Mana is an old Nalukettu Tharavadu in the place Manissery in Ottapalam Town, which is an old Ancestral home used by the Namboothiri Clan from Kerala for more than 1000 years.

The Mana situated in a picturesque landscape of more than 10 acres which contains a beautiful Pond, Two Temples and two Pathayapuras and trees that includes all types of indigenous ones.

Truly speaking the Mana Complex cannot be called a home, it is rather a grand residence with many people staying there, in addition to the owners, with specific duties for each one.  
In 4 Acres, Varikkasseri Mana consists of one Nalukettu, two Pathayappuras (Outhouse): one to the south ( Thekke Pathayappura)  and other to the west ( Padinjare pathayappura),  A Sreekrishna temple, Oottupura and a marvelous large pond with kulappura ( a building at the pond-entrance).  Mana was built by Varikkasseri Ravi Namboodiripad, paternal grand-uncle of current head ( Karanavar) Krishnan Namboodiripad.

There were arrangements for food and accommodation for students to learn Vedas and Sanskrit in the Mana. Including servants, staff, poor people and guests, there were more than a hundred people taking food from the Mana every day. The Mana was so constructed, that it facilitated everyone’s duty

Varikkassery Mana

Nalukettu-Architecture is the traditional architecure of a typical Kerala-house. Nalukettu-structure is typically a rectangular structure where four halls are joined together with four verandas (called Nalirayam) to form an open quadrangle (called Nadumuttam).

The four halls on the sides are named Vadakkini (Northern block), Kizhakkini (Eastern block), Thekkini (Southern block) and Padinjatti (Western block).

Each of these halls has its own well-defined functional importance. Nalukettu is the main building (Tharavadu) of Varikkasseri Mana.

Most parts of this building were built during the first decade of 20th century. The foundation of the building was constructed as per the measurements done by Perumthachan.

It was Velanezhi Jathavedan Namboodiri who designed the Nalukettu building, as per the Vastu Shastra. The elegant poomukham (portico) of Varikkasseri Mana was designed by Krishnan Namboodiripad.

It is 63 years old. Nalukettu building is in three floors. Ground floor has Vadakkini, Kizhakkini, Thekkini, Padinjatti, three kitchens ( Adukkala in Malayalam) and a Poomukham ( portico).

There are lots of other comparatively small rooms, which were used as Storage-rooms or Pooja-rooms (Sreelakam).

Mural paintings - Varikkassery Mana

Interior inside Varikkassery Mana

Inside the Mana, it’s another breath taking view, especially that of the large Anganam, which also contains a Thulasi Thara.The Mana is three storied and due to the nature surrounding the Mana, the inside atmosphere is cool and then I understood the use of ‘Nalukettu’ structure.

The view and feel from the large Pathayapura is also good. The landscape Stretches out to a large extend. Bedrooms are located in the first and second floors.

There are four bath-attached bedrooms and two halls in the first-floor. Several storage rooms are there for storing clothes and accessories.

There are four staircases to the first-floor from the ground level. Three of them are from the three corners of Nalirayam and one from Poomukham. Second-floor is an exact replica of the first-floor.

The storage rooms in the second-floor were used for storing religious ceremonial stuffs. Also There are rooms for storing bedding accessories in the second-floor.

Interior of varikkassery mana 

Interior of varikkassery mana

Another view is of the Pond which mesmerizes us of its green colour and the trees surrounding it. From the Pond then it is to the Large ‘Devi temple’ and a small ‘Aiyappa Kshetram’.

a small ‘Aiyappa Kshetram'

It’s a beautiful, rich of heritage and cultural place and don’t show your inner most childish behavior. A visit makes you move to another world of peace, health and harmony.

written by MovingShoe 

photography Shobin  AB