Thiruvananthapuram
Padmanabhapuram located in the present state of Tamil Nadu was the then capital of the erstwhile kingdom of Travancore. The kingdom of Travancore had unified with the free Bharat to become a part of the country. Today a commoner will know Thiruvananthapuram easily than the Padmanabhapuram. Thiruvananthapuram is the capital of the modern state of Kerala. During the British rule, the city was known by the name Trivandrum. Like any other city of Bharat, this city has a long history.
The city had been named after the name of presiding deity of this kshetra Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy. The kings of Travancore wish to be known as custodians of the State ruled by Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy. They had surrendered themselves to Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy as a dutiful servant.
Marthanda Varma
Anizham Thirunal Veerabaala Marthanda Varma (1706–7th Jul 1758) popularly known as Marthanda Varma, was king of Travancore from 1729 until he died in 1758. He is known for beating the kings of European armed forces at the 1741 Battle of Colachel against the Dutch. He was instrumental in expanding the Travancore kingdom from the conventional domain of the kingdom.
The rise of modern Thiruvananthapuram began with the accession of Marthanda Varma in 1729 as the founding ruler of the princely state of Travancore (Thiruvithamkoor in the local vernacular). During his reign, Marthanda Varma shifted the kingdom's capital from Padmanabhapuram to Thiruvananthapuram in 1745.
From then on the city of Thiruvananthapuram saw expansions in all fields like art, culture, education, armed training, etc.
The Nair Brigade
Without mention of Nair brigade, the success story of Marthanda Varma will be incomplete. Nairs were a warrior community in the region. The Nair Brigade was the army of the erstwhile kingdom of Travancore and was responsible for the security of Travancore kingdom. King Marthanda Varma's bodyguards were called 'Thiruvithamkoor Nair Pattalam' (Travancore Nair Army).
As the maker of modern Travancore Sri Marthanda Varma had modernized the army of the kingdom in which the Nair brigade played a good part. He defeated the Dutch commanders to help modernise the warfare. With this Marthanda Varma continued expansion of territory with this army and annexed all the princely states right up to Kochi in 1746.
Later years Nair Brigade succeeded in defending the kingdom against the invading army of Tipu Sultan of Mysore in A.D. 1791. In the war near the Nedumkotta, Tippu Sultan lost his sword in the war with the Nairs of Travancore. The Travancore army was reorganised as the Travancore Nair Brigade in 1818.
The Travancore army was officially referred to as the Travancore Nair Brigade in 1818. In the early days, only Nairs were admitted into this brigade. Later, the unit was expanded and several sub-units were formed even with non-Nairs. The name Nair Brigade remained unchanged. The army was involved in many services during peacetime.
Pallayam/Palayam the Head quarters of the Nair Brigade
When the capital of Travancore kingdom was shifted from Padmanabhapuram to Thiruvananthapuram by King Marthada Varma, the Nair Brigade also shifted. Initially, the headquarters was moved from the old capital to the new. Then it was moved to Kollam and later brought back to Thiruvananthapuram. The place where their HQ was in Thiruvananthapuram is known today by the name ‘Pallayam/Palayam’. ‘Pallayam’ in Malayalam means ‘cantonment’.
The building which was the Headquarters of the Nair Brigade of Travancore located in Pallayam/Palayam is now the Legislative Museum of Kerala.
As the maker of modern Travancore Sri Marthanda Varma had modernized the army of the kingdom in which the Nair brigade played a good part. He defeated the Dutch commanders to help modernise the warfare. With this Marthanda Varma continued expansion of territory with this army and annexed all the princely states right up to Kochi in 1746.
When the Nair Brigade shifted from Padmanabhapuram to Thiruvananthapuram, they brought some deities worshiped by them along to the new capital. One such deity is Sri Hanuman Swamy brought by them.
Pallayam/Palayam Sri Hanuman Swamy Temple
The area where the early cantonment was located is known as Pallayam/Palayam. Presently the cantonment had been shifted elsewhere. But the name Pallayam/Palayam for the area remained and now it is the heart of the city. Kerala State Legislature assembly, Legislature member’s hostel, main secretariat, etc are the main attractions of Pallayam/Palayam today. With the shifting of cantonment elsewhere the HQ of the Nair Brigade also shifted, but if one thing remains there in Pallayam/Palayam it is the small temple built by the army men for Lord Sri Hanuman Swamy.
The small temple where the Lord was placed and worshiped by the warriors of Marthanda Verma today stands where it was but with some expansion. The temple is east-facing. An arch with a mortar artwork showing Sri Hanuman Swamy worshiping Sri Rama and Sri Sita on the top welcomes the devotees. A peepal tree stands in place of a conventional flag post. A sign board announces that the temple is managed by the Travancore Devaswom Board. As one enters, a huge long verandah with offices on either side is seen. At the end, an open space with a grand punnai tree in the center is seen in front of the main temple. The main temple has two entrances and two huge tall lamps stand in front of both the entrance.
As one enters the door, there are ‘thinnai’ [platform] on either side of the path leading to the main temple. Devotees are seen sitting and reciting Sri Ramayanam, Sri Vishnu, and Sri Hanumath Sahasranamams. There is a banyan tree at the end of the left side of the platform with a lot of falls[vizhuthu] giving shade to the entire open space between the end of the platform and the main sannidhi.
On the right side of the sannidhi, there is a punnai tree, a branch of which is touching the main sannidhi of Sri Hanuman Swamy. The wonder about this tree is that a Hanuman figure is formed naturally, which is also worshiped by the devotees.
Now there are two main sannathis of the temple. On the left side sannidhi Sri Ganesha is installed and on the right side sannidhi one can see Sri Hanuman Swamy.
Sri Hanuman Swamy
Sri Hanuman Swamy is seen in the standing posture. The deity is very unique and at first sight, it enthralls us. Devotee’s eyes are riveted at the fascinating beauty of the five-foot-tall Sri Hanuman Swamy. The pleasant-looking face is slightly tilted leftward and a silver crown is seen on His head. The glowing eyes are pouring out ‘karuna’ [kindness] on the devotees. In His ears, He is wearing ‘Kundalam’. He is seen with ‘gorapal’ [protruding teeth] as in the case of Narasimha Swamy, but it is pertinent to note it adds pleasantness to the face. On His neck, a few ornaments are seen. His right-hand shows ‘abhya mudra’ and bestows blessings to the devotees. Lord’s left hand is resting on the left thigh. A mace had been placed near His left thigh. There is a small knife on His hip belt. Tail is near His feet, with a small curve.
Location of the temple: Sri Hanuman Swamy Temple, OTC, Pallayam, Thiruvananthapuram"
Experience
Lord who gave courage to the entire brigade, Sri Hanuman Swamy of this kshetra is sure to boost our courage and bestow enough daringness to face the challenges in life.
SRI HANUMAN THINKS DIFFERENTLY, THINKS FAST
THINKS AHEAD AND ACTS FOR SURE
Ed [Sep 2015]
Updates: [Jan 2025]