The reign of Marthanda Varma (A.D 1729-58) of Travancore is one of the most significant epochs in the history of modern Kerala.¹ It marked the virtual end of the feudal era and the beginning of the modern age in Kerala history. He ruled from A.D 1729 to 1758. The Grand Dedication or the Tripatidanam of January 1, 1750 was an important event in the history of the reign of Marthanda Varma. The expanded country of Travancore was dedicated to the God Sri. Padmanabha by Marthanda Varma in January 1750. The Grand dedication was done by offering the royal sword in front of the idol of Sri. Padmanabha in the presence of his family members and ministers. From the day of Grand Dedication Marthanda Varma and his successors became the trustees of the country of Sri. Padmanabha and they declared themselves as ‘Sri. Padmanabha Dasa’or the slaves of Sri. Padmanabha. The act of the Grand Dedication by Marthanda Varma may be assumed as a cleverly decision. He wanted that the enemies of the King would naturally become the enemies of the God and any of their action against the King and the country would be an action against the God. By the ‘Trippadidanam’, Marthanda Varma became able to suppress the negative voices against the King.

1 A. Sreedhara Menon, Kerala History and its Makers, Kottayam, 1987, p. 133.