Mathrumala

Mathrumala is a hill located 16 kilometers east of the town of Kottayam in Kooroppada, Kottayam District, Kerala, India. The hilltop has a temple shrine dedicated to Rajarajeshwari (Devi).

History

The Thekkumkur Kings, based at Vennimala, kept their army at Mathrumala. In AD 1749 King Marthanda Varma captured Thekkumkur and annexed it to Venad. Previous lords namely Ambazhathunkal Karthas were removed from their posts and a large portion of the land then came under the tenancy of the Kolathettu family from Kolathunadu. The area including Mathrumala was inhabited by farm laborers of the Paraya communitywho worked the land owned by the Kolathettu family. These farm labourers had their Kuladevata (deity) namely ‘Saptamathrukkal’ installed on hilltop and regular offerings were made.

In the early 1950s, Mathrumala was inherited by Chempakasseril Thankamma, Tharavattathil Pappiyamma, Champakara Savithriyamma and Asariparambil Gopala Pillai. In mid sixties, Assariparambil Gopala Pillai some land near to hill top to Padoor Sreedharan Pillai. This portion of land was again sold to Shri Scaria Kalayil. With his help, Koorpada, from the Holy Cross Church erected an iron cross on hilltop though the land was not officially owned by them. This caused tension between local Christians and Hindus. In 1967 Shri Mulanthanathu G. Raman Nair and his sisters who inherited the property filed a case in Kottayam Munsiff Court. The case continued for nearly 15 years. The Church authorities were ordered to hand over the land for reconstruction of the original temple. The cross was also subsequently removed. The temple is now managed by the Kerala Kshetra Samrakshana Samiti.

Reference

http://www.keralatourism.org/routes-locations/mathrumala/id/9895

http://www.onefivenine.com/india/Places/checkin/mathrumala-devi-temple