The Shevadhi Museum and Indological Research Institute, in an exciting new venture, has officially partnered with Alliance University, Bengaluru. This collaboration aims to delve into and study the remarkable trove of palm leaf manuscripts housed at the ancient Kumaranalloor Devi temple.
Last year, a truly astonishing discovery was made: approximately 37,200 palm leaf manuscripts were unearthed from the dusty attic of the temple office. Following nearly a year of dedicated preservation efforts at the temple’s own museum, these priceless historical records are now ready for academic exploration. This recovery represents one of India’s most substantial findings of temple manuscripts.
Officials from the temple reveal that this extensive collection offers a window into various facets of the temple’s past. It encompasses official temple documents, intricate records of rites and rituals, detailed accounts of the unique devotional singing style known as Brahmini pattu, numerous property title deeds, vital revenue records, meticulous account books, and a wealth of historical correspondence. However, some of these documents present a fascinating challenge, as they are penned in ancient scripts that require specialized expertise to fully unlock their narratives.
The newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) isn’t just about research; it will also provide invaluable opportunities for students at Alliance University to immerse themselves in this rich historical material. Furthermore, there are exciting plans to develop UGC-approved courses at Shevadhi, solidifying its role as a hub for indological studies.
Currently, the dedicated team at the museum is actively working to decipher and prepare some of the most captivating records from this collection for publication, promising to share these unearthed stories with a wider audience.
The Kumaranalloor Devi Temple itself holds deep historical roots, believed to have been founded in the 10th century CE. Its establishment is attributed to sixteen families under the patronage of the Chera rulers of Kodungalloor, a legacy beautifully preserved in a Vattezhuthu inscription found within the temple grounds.