Pandalam dynasty

The Kingdom of Pandalam
പന്തളം രാജവംശം
c. 79 CE (903 AD) –995 CE (1820 AD)
Front view of the two-storeyed Pandalam Valiyakoyikkal palace
Capital		Konni (for about 100 years) Pandalam (upto 1820 AD)
Languages		Malayalam Tamil
Religion		Hinduism Shaivism
Government		Monarchy
King
•	Beginning of Kollam era	Raja Rajasekhara (Ayyappa's father)
Historical era		Kollam era
•	Established	c. 79 CE (903 AD)
•	Disestablished	995 CE (1820 AD)
Today part of		India Pathanamthitta district

Pandalam dynasty (Malayalam:പന്തളം രാജവംശം), (Tamil:பந்தளம் பேரரசு) was a royal dynasty emerged from a branch of Pandiya kingdom of ancient Tamilakam and existed in Kerala during the Kollam era. It was in this dynasty that Lord Ayyappa, the presiding deity in Sabarimala had his human sojourn to slay the demoness Mahishi.

The Pandya Kingdom of Tamilakam was once attacked by Malik Kafur, the commander-in-chief of Alauddin Khilji of Khilji dynasty. Upon the failure of Pandiya rajas, two branches of this dynasty fled towards west to secure themselves from the attacks. One branch proceeded via the Western ghats mountainous regions and settled in Poonjar in Kottayam and established the Poonjar kingdom. The other branch (Chembazhannur) wandered through several places and facing lots of difficulties finally settled in Pandalam. The fleeing Chembazhannur branch at first settled in Valliyur (near Tirunelveli) and enjoyed a privileged position in the society. Later due to the threats of invasion, the royal family shifted to Tenkasi. Thirumalai Nayak, a famed ruler of Madurai wished to see his daughter's marriage with a prince of Chembazhannur family. But upon the rejection of marriage proposal, Nayak became an enemy of Pandiyas. He made huge damages in Tenkasi with his strong Maravappada (army). Knowing that they couldn't continue a peaceful life in Tenkasi, the family moved to a place named Elathoor maniyam and procured the mountainous regions near Puliyankudi. But Nayak continued to torture the royal family which forced them to proceed towards west (Kerala) via places such as Achankovil, Aryankavu, Kulathupuzha and settled in Konni by c. 79 CE, which was according to the Copper deed issued by the Venad raja. The family constructed a shrine for lord Shiva in Konni (Muringamangalam Sreemahadevar Temple) for their daily worships. This temple is one of the most noted contributions of Chembazhanuur family in Kerala. A number of Mutts, Manas and Koyikkalls were also constructed by the family. The local people fed up with the activities of thieves accepted the family as the ruling class which was named as Chembazhanji kovilakom. Attacks on Travancore by Cholas forced the family to flee Konni and then to settle down in Pandalam which became their permanent capital. A full-fledged kingdom was established by around c. 370 CE (1194 AD) by obtaining the land from Kaipuzha Thampan, a rich landlord. The Venad ruler also played a great role in the establishment of this kingdom. People enjoyed a peaceful atmosphere and ideal life under the Pandalam rulers. As of the Travancore state manual, Pandalam kingdom kept friendly relations with the rajas of Travancore.