Ancient document supports Ezhava community’s claims in Sabarimala temple found

An ancient document, which supports the Ezhava community’s claims in the famous hill temple of South India Sabarimala, has been found in the private archaeological collection of Dr. Monson Mavunkal.

Earlier, the community failed to prove some of its traditional rights, including the right to handle the fireworks of the temple, due to the lack of supporting documents.

The new document, which is a royal order released several decades back by the Panthalam Palace, gives an impression that a famous Ezhava family in the district of Alappuzha ‘Cheerappan Chira’ was the actual managers of the temple rituals, and there were no other community, including the Brahmin community, there in the charge of the temple at that time.

The interesting thing is that there is no indication in the document that there existed a ban for women aged between 10 and 50 in the temple during that time.

More importantly, as per the document, there were only three rituals done in the temple. Interestingly, there is no indication in the document about many of the main rituals practiced now in the temple.

From the document, it can be assumed that the high priest system was executed in the temple much latter and it was after the execution several new customs and traditions which now stands contrary to the country’s constitution evolved.

Renowned historian Dr. M R Raghava Warrier has personally verified the documents kept in the private archaeological collection.

Dr Mavunkal has not revealed from where he has got this document.         

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