Sat Nov 22 13:09:35 UTC 2025: Summary:
The article reports on the Union government’s support for the preservation of palm-leaf manuscripts discovered in the Kumaranalloor Devi Temple in Kottayam. The Sevadhi Museum and Indological Research Institute, dedicated to these manuscripts, has been recognized as an independent research institute under the Gyan Bharatam Mission, a flagship initiative of the Union Ministry of Culture for documenting and preserving India’s manuscript heritage. The institute houses a vast collection of palm leaves containing valuable information on medicine, astronomy, architecture, and more, believed to be nearly three centuries old.
News Article:
Kottayam Temple Manuscripts Preservation Receives Major Boost from Union Government
Kottayam, India – November 22, 2025 – Efforts to preserve a remarkable collection of palm-leaf manuscripts discovered in the attic of the centuries-old Kumaranalloor Devi Temple in Kottayam have received a significant boost from the Union government. The Sevadhi Museum and Indological Research Institute, established to safeguard and study these invaluable historical documents, has been granted the status of an independent research institute under the Gyan Bharatam Mission, a flagship initiative of the Union Ministry of Culture.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) formalizing this partnership was signed today in New Delhi by Samar Nanda, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Culture, and Hari C.T., Administrator of Sevadhi. Sevadhi is one of only 14 research institutions across India to be approved under the Gyan Bharatam Mission and the only one classified as an independent research institute.
The institute boasts an impressive collection of 37,200 palm leaves containing ancient knowledge on subjects ranging from medicine and astronomy to architecture and poetry. A compilation titled “Kumaranalloor Granthavari” has already been published based on the contents of these manuscripts. The institute recently collaborated with Alliance University, Bengaluru, to conduct a course in Epigraphy and Manuscriptology.
Believed to be approximately three centuries old, the manuscripts are expected to shed light on the life and society during the royal era of Kottayam. According to temple authorities, the collection includes temple records, details of rites and rituals, information on Brahmini pattu (a traditional devotional singing form), land title deeds, revenue documents, accounts, and communication notes. Experts believe that further research on these manuscripts will provide invaluable insights into India’s rich cultural and historical heritage. The Gyan Bharatam Mission’s support ensures the long-term preservation and accessibility of these important historical resources for future generations.
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