Mamangam Era Temple Remnants Craftily Covered up by State Archaeological Dept.

Kozhikode: Remnants of an ancient temple including a Shivalinga and the sacred Peedha, believed to bear testimony to the famed Mamangam, have been clandestinely buried by officials of the Archaeological department. The demeaning deed executed by Archaeological Department came to light, with the matter being raked up by Oral History Research Centre, Tirur by Foundation Director Tirur Dinesh. A notification with regard to the same has also been sent to the Director General of Archaeological Survey of India, Prime Minister of India and Minister of Human Resources

It was following a directive issued by Kerala High Court that the preservation and conservation of Mamangam monuments was undertaken. Soon after, the remnants of a temple was discovered in the courtyard of Kodakkallu Tile Factory in Thirunavaya, Tirur in an excavation, which was done 10 years ago. The excavation and inspection of the items discovered was done in September 2003 by a team headed by the Higher Grade Assistant of Kozhikode Pazhassiraja Museum, following a letter written by district collector of Malappuram to the Archaeological Department.

 

The Shiva Linga and Peedhom were discovered when the place near the foundation of Kodakkallu Tile Factory was dug up. The report prepared by Archaeological Department gives a detailed report on the excavation and subsequent findings related to the excavation, mentioning in depth, how the place had a temple, along with a Sreekovil, before the tile factory was set up. The report suggests that it was probably the diety worshipped by the Saamoothiris. However, why the place was not demarcated as special owing to its connection with the famed Mamangam, and subject to conservation has not been mentioned. There is no mention as to why the place was covered up either.

“A pit of size 4.8 meters was dug up. The upper portion of the Shiva Linga was found broken. It was found fixed to the Peedhom. The roofing could have been disbanded, to facilitate work for the tile factory,” quote sources about the report findings.

The famed Mamangam last took place in 1766 and has not been recorded after the Mysore wars. The setting up of factories in this place took place following the arrival of German missionaries onto Indian soil.