Varikkasseri Mana

Varikkasseri Mana
വരിക്കാശ്ശേരി മന
Alternative names	Varikkumanchery Mana
General information
Architectural style	Kerala Architecture
Standort	Manissery, Ottappalam, Palakkad, Kerala
Land	Indien
Coordinates	10°46′16″N 76°20′14″E
Estimated completion	1902
Owner	Varikkasseri Krishnan Namboodiripad
Height
Roof	Roof tiles
Technical details
Structural system	Red stone
Floor count	Three
Design and construction
Architect(s)	Krishnan Thampuran
Other information
Number of rooms	74 in the main building

Varikkasseri Mana (Malayalam: വരിക്കാശേരി മന), alternatively known as Varikkumanchery Mana, is a well known mansion belonging to Namboothiri nobility in Valluvanad region of Kerala. Built in traditional Kerala architectural on a plot of land measuring approximately 4 acres, the building is located at Manissery, a village in Ottapalam in Palakkad. It is a popular shooting location for several commercially successful films such as Devasuram, Aaraam Thampuran, Rappakal and Aranmanai 4.

Profil

The Varikkasseri family is reported to have a history of over 1000 years and the family is known to have occupied a sovereign position among Ashta gruha (Eight Families) Namboothiri families. The Mana was built by Varikkassery Ravi Namboothirippad in or about 1902, using locally available red stone. An expansive padippura (gate house) provides the entry to the three-storied building complex which comprises a nalukettu with 74 rooms, two pathayappuras (outhouses), a large pond and the adjoining bath house, a family temple complex consisting three temples of Shiva, Krishna and Ayyappan, and an oottupura (dining hall), which has since been demolished. It was designed by Krishnan Thampuran, also known as Shilpi Thampuran, of Varikkasseri family, who had earlier studied architecture in Chennai and his exposure to western architecture is seen in the design of the building, especially in the long slender columns surrounding the portico of the building. The beams, doors and windows are made out of wood and are adorned with intricate carvings.

The house was used in a number of Malayalam films, starting with Theertham, the 1987 film made by Mohan. It is reported that the principal photography of over 100 films have been done here which include Bramayugam, Devasuram, Aaraam Thampuran, Rappakal, Anandabhadram, Drona, Simhasanam, Madampi, Sufi Paranja Katha, Jana (Tamil), Thooval Kottaram, Valliettan, Kaavalan, Manthrikan , Pretham 2 and Shylock. Visitors are allowed in the complex when no film is being shot, but access to the ritually pure thevarapura is restricted to Brahmins who intend to perform rituals. The mana is maintained and managed by a trust formed by the current owners of the property, consisting of 10 of the 25 original heirs and some investors who purchased the rights from the remaining 15 heirs.

Varikkassery Krishnan Nampoothirippad was a well-known sculptor. He built the portico for this house in 1940s.

Standort

The Mana is located at Manissery, in Ottappalam, around 42 km from Palakkad, in the south Indian state of Kerala. The nearest railway station is Ottapalam railway station but one may also reach the place via Shornur railway station which is 13 km away. Kozhikode International Airport is the entry point by air, which is situated 62 km away from the Mana.

Gallery

• 
  Entrance
• 
  Varikkasseri temple
• 
  Nalukettu
• 
  Verandah
• 
  Courtyard
• 
  Out-house
• 
  Family pond
• 
  Bath house
• 
  A view from inside
• 
  The red stone wall and a window

See also

• Olappamanna Mana

Further reading

• Krishnan Varikkassery.. "Varikkassery Mana". wikimapia.org. Retrieved 18 April 2019.

External links

• F7byFaisal (25 January 2021). "Varikkasseri Mana after Lockdown". YouTube. Retrieved 25 January 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
• Azhiyur Traveler (7 April 2014). "Kerala Tourism - Varikkassery Mana". YouTube. Retrieved 18 April 2019.
• Travel diaries (21 March 2018). "Varikkassery Mana - Illam - 100 years old Houses - Ashta griha". YouTube - Kerala tourism. Retrieved 18 April 2019.