FORT SRI ANJANEYA SWAMI TEMPLE, PALAGHAT, KERALA...
gk kaushik
Palaghat
The Kerala State is protected naturally by Western Ghats on one side and
on the other by the sea. To get connected to rest of India, there are two
strategic pass through which the Western Ghats could be crossed. One is near
Kottaiyam and the other is near Palaghat. Thus Palaghat had assumed
importance, and served as a link for Kerala, Mysore State, and Madras State.
Hyder Ali in Palaghat
Hyder Ali, under whose rule the area Palaghat was falling, had his
interest controlling the area of Mysore, Malabar, South Canara and Coimbatore.
Therefore Palaghat had assumed importance, and he had positioned some of his
army in this strategically important place. Considering the oppressions he
was facing from the British forces, he had to reinforce his army with more
men and ammunition. Hence he decided upon building a fort in this
strategically located Palaghat and constructed one in the year 1766. Once the
fort was built he improved upon the fort in later years with the help of his
French advisors.
The British captured the Palaghat fort from Hyder Ali in 1784 after eleven
days of siege. But soon British lost control of the fort and Hyder Ali had
recaptured it again. But once again in September 1790 British took control of
the fort. The British had improved upon the fort when under their control.
The Fort of Palaghat
The
mammoth fort is rhombic in shape with huge moat of about thirty feet wide
running all around the fort. Built with granite rocks, to a good height. The
outer wall was of nearly ten feet thickness, so big that a column of army can
move on the top of the outer wall itself. For the entire fort there is only
one gateway in the East. During old time one can enter the fort only through
the split bridge operatable from inside the fort. Two big logs used to be
brought together for passing over the moat.
Today the fort houses a sub jail and a taluk office. Archaeologically
there is nothing special except that there is a stepped well, small-pillared
mandapa where A.S.I. had put up a small gallery now. The pillars of
mandapa have no special carving as that of any Godhead or symbols etc.
Temple for Anjaneya in fort
Today this fort is visited by thousands of local every day for a
different reason. While there is no carving of any art figures in and around
the fort, near the Eastern entrance of the fort there is figure of Anjaneya
carved in the inner side of the wall. It is worth mentioning here that some
of the forts built during the time of Hyder Ali/Tupu Sultan have Anjaneya
figure in 'artha shilpa' form or in shilpa form in or around
the fort. The Lord was worshiped by the warriors, and the Lord is known as
Kote Anjaneya (kote in south Indian language means fort).
Presently a small temporary shed had been erected in front of the carving,
without affecting the archaeological beauty of the fort. It is said that the
carving dates backs to Tupu Sultan. The warriors of his army who were
basically from Mysore had unshakable faith in the prowness of Lord Anjaneya
and it is felt that they must have had the carving made at the entrance of
the fort as the God of Guards.
Lord Anjaneya of Palaghat Fort
The
murthi of Lord Anjaneya is south facing, while the Lord Himself is facing
west. The artha-shilpa carving of the Lord is of about seventeen
inches in height. He is seen in the standing posture with the 'ghatha'
(mace) held in the 'Anjali Hasta' (folded hands). The lord's 'laukuulam'
(tail) raised and curved with a small bell at the end of the tail. He has His
right leg forward; and the left is seen just raised and ready to move. The
Lord had been an inspiration for many warriors who had been living here
during those days. He had been a protector of the warriors who had plunged
the faith on Him.
Bhaktas of the Lord
It is seen to be believed that thousands of locals offering ghee for the
lamp on Saturdays and Tuesday from early morning itself. Today He continues
to inspire many of the Bhaktas who visit Him for their missions'
success. The Lord Anjaneya of Palaghat fort continues to be a protector of
poor and faithful. Next time when you visit Palaghat visit this temple and
bring back inspirations for your missions' success.
The Lord Anjaneya of Palaghat fort continues to be a protector of poor and faithful. Next time when you visit Palaghat visit this temple and bring back inspirations for your missions' success.
[ed. 23.12.03]