CATEGORY : HERITAGE TOURISM
Mannadi
is situated about 13 Kms away from Adoor. Sri. Veluthampi Delava, a great
patriot and a gallant fighter who exhorted the people to fight against British
rule sacrificing their life through “Kundra Proclamation”. He spent his last
days at Mannadi. Veluthampi(Chempakaraman Velayudhan) was born in 1765 at
Thalakkulam in Kanyakumari district, where he was brought up and studied
martial arts(Kalarippayattu) and proved his excellent performance. He was a
benevolent administrator. He fought against all evils in the society and wiped
out all type of corruption. He made an attempt to assassinate British Resident
Mechalaei accompanied by Paliathachan, but it was in vain and it paved the way
for an open fight against British to repulse them from Travancore. Unable to
withstand he run away and took shelter in Mannadi temple where his enemies
rounded him. At length, he decided not to die surrendering before his enemies
and dared to commit suicide..
Mannadi Bhagavathi temple is very famous. It is an ancient temple with some
stone sculptures. The most important festival of this temple is “Ushabeli”,
which falls in February/March. Kerala institute of Folklore and Folkarts
functions here.The Late Veluthampi Dalava, the famous Diwan of Travancore, Who fought against the British for India’s freedom ended his life in Mannadi, When British soldiers surrounded him. The Govt. of Kerala acquired 1 acre and 27 cents of land at the death place of Veluthampi Delava and a monument is constructed there. It is also proposed to construct the statue of Delava there. Mannadi is within Adoor police station limit – 10 Km away from Adoor town.
Veluthampy Dalawa
(Supreme
Commander of forces and Prime Minister) of erstwhile Travancore state and a
bold leader who was synonym of people’s power. Veluthampy occupied the position
of Dalawa for nearly eight years. He came to the lime light leading a popular
agitation in protest against the corruption and worthlessness of the
Minister-trio during the reign of Balaramavarma Raja. The agitation ended in
victory and Veluthampy was elevated to the status of the Minister for Commerce
and Trade. In 1801 he became the Dalawa of Travancore.Due to some unpopular
policies followed by Veluthampy, he had to face strong public protests
and during these occasions the British come forward to help him. They were
given authority to station a portion of the British army in Travancore. Thus
Travancore lost the status of an independent sovereign country. As time went ,
Veluthampy was constrained to prepare for an open struggle against the
Britishers.Veluthampy exhorted all the subjects of Travancore to rise up
and act to extinguish the British Supremacy in the country. He made a
passionate appeal in an open space at Kundara which is the historically famous
Kundara Proclamation. Abandoned by the cowardly Raja and hunted by the English
army Thampy found refuge in suicide. The British army brought the dead body of
this bold patriot to Kannanmoola in Thiruvananthapuram and exhibited in the
gallows publicly.