Draft:Punnorkottu Mana

Punnorkottu Mana (Malayalam: പുന്നോർക്കോട്ട് മന), alternatively known as Swarnathu Mana (Malayalam: സ്വർണ്ണത്ത് മന), is one of the many traditional aristocratic Namboothiri family houses (illam) in Kerala. It is the ancestral home of the Punnorkkottu family, who migrated from Northern and Central parts of Kerala almost 1,000 years back. It is located in Pazhamthottam village in Ernakulam district, Kerala.

The mana is a rare Panthrandukettu (12-halled with 4 courtyards). Within the mana there are designated areas for holding performances, storing food, for Shradham and Upanayanam ceremonies as well as storerooms for grains and sleeping quarters. The mana showcases eye-catching woodwork with intricate etchings. There are three large ponds and a temple dedicated to goddess Bhuvaneshwari in the Mana. In olden days, pooram used to be held in the temple. Near to the main house there is also a Pathaayappura (granary) and Maalikas to accommodate guests.

History
According to legend, once, Shankaracharya as a child brahmachari seeked alms here, but as the mana was in poverty at that time, the lady of the house could offer only a single amla fruit, that was the only piece of food there, to him. He accepted it and composed a prayer to Goddess Mahalakshmi who was so pleased that it rained golden amla fruits. Thus the mana also came to be known as 'Swarnath' mana.

In the year 1545, a fire broke out in Punnorcott Mana destroying a large area of the building and many palm leaves containing historical records. In 1795 the mana came under the attack of Tipu Sultan' s soldiers and suffered massive destruction.