Vadakkencherry Agraharam - 100 Agraharams Project
As a kid I never understood the difference between Vadakkencherry and Wadakkancherry until I visited them much later. I wonder why the name 'Cherry/cheri' came to use? The word means hamlet in Tamil. However an amateur historian in the online portal 'Medium' says that 'ncheri' means Divine in Egyptian. 'The region of Kerala was engaged in trading activities from the 3rd millennium BCE with Arabs, Sumerians and Babylonians. Phoenicians, Greeks, Egyptians, Romans, and Chinese were attracted by a variety of commodities, especially spices and cotton fabrics.'
All across the land of Cholas one can see Kochchenga Chola’s Maada koils or elevated platform temples. It is a wonder to see a similar temple on an elevated platform in a 'Palakkad Agraharam'.
The Simhanada Bhagavathy is the personification of sound - Nada Roopini - and much like the goddess in Tharekkad.
I am learning new things with every agraharam. Each has its uniqueness. Here in Vadakkencherry a special offering is made to Ganapathy rice, curd and milk - that is what the melshanti / pujari tells us. If I heard it right it is called Chirappu.
The Agraharam has retained great character and kept most of its homes traditional. There is great camaraderie with the residents. I love the huge gathering during the shoot.
If you need more context about the Agraharam - remember the name Vivek Ramaswamy, the Entrepreneur and a Republican. His roots are in this Agraharam.
Radhe Krishna
Sriram(Hari)
100-Agraharams Project
Rama Bhagavathar Charitable Trust
July 3, 2024