RobbyAyres at 10:40, 9 February 2026

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{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{Infobox royalty
| name = Karthika Thirunal Lakshmi Bayi
| title = [[Maharani of Travancore]]; Attingal Mootha Thampuran
| image =Karthika Thirunal Thampuratti.jpg
| caption =
| reign = (1985–2008 Titular Maharani)
| coronation =
| full name = ''Sree Padmanabhasevini Vanchidarma Vardhini Raja Rajeshwari Maharani Karthika Thirunal Lakshmi Bayi, Attingal Mootha Thampuran and the Maharani of Travancore''
| birth_date = {{birth date|df=yes|1916|09|17}}
| birth_place = Travancore
| death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|2008|06|08|1916|09|17}}
| death_place = Thiruvananthapuram
| burial_date =
| burial_place = 
| predecessor = [[Sethu Lakshmi Bayi]]
| suc-type =
| heir =
| successor = [[Uthram Thirunal Lalaithamba Bhai]] (2008 June to November 2008 )
[[ Karthika Thirunal Indira Bai ]](2008 November to 2017 July ) current ; Bharani Thirunal Rukmini Bayi
| spouse = {{Marriage|[[G. V. Raja|Lt. Col. P. R. Godavarma Raja]] of [[Poonjar dynasty|Poonjar Royal House]]|1934|1971|end=died}}
| issue = {{plainlist|
* Avittom Thirunal Rama Varma
* [[Pooyam Thirunal Gowri Parvathi Bayi]]
* [[Aswathi Thirunal Gowri Lakshmi Bayi]]
* [[Moolam Thirunal Rama Varma]]}}
| house = {{plainlist|
* [[Travancore royal family|Venad Swaroopam]]
* Kulasekhara (Second Chera) Royal Dynasty}}
| father = Pooram Nal Ravi Varma of [[Kilimanur Palace]]
| mother = Amma Maharani Moolam Thirunal Sethu Parvathi Bayi
| religion = [[Hinduism]]
| signature =
}}

'''Maharani Karthika Thirunal Lakshmi Bayi''' (1916-2008) was the only sister of the last ruling Maharajah of [[Travancore]], Sree [[Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma]] and of his successor, Sree [[Uthradom Thirunal Marthanda Varma]]. Under the matrilineal ''[[Marumakkathayam]]'' system of inheritance prevalent in the kingdom of Travancore, it was her children who were heirs to the throne. She therefore held a special place in the Travancore court, superior to the Maharaja's wives, and was termed the Rani of Attingal in her own right. In 2013, her only surviving son succeeded his uncles as titular Maharaja of Travancore and is known as [[Moolam Thirunal Rama Varma]].

==Early years==
Born as the only daughter of Queen Mother [[Sethu Parvathi Bayi]] and Sri Ravi Varma Koyi Thampuran of [[Kilimanoor]], she married Lt. Col. [[G. V. Raja]]. According to ''Oneindia'' online daily she was a witness to major events in pre-independence and independent India, was an accomplished dancer, singer and a linguist as well.<ref>{{cite news|last=.in|first=oneindia|title=lakshmibai-thampuratti|url=https://malayalam.oneindia.com/news/2008/06/08/kerala-lakshmibai-thampuratti-obit.html|access-date=24 March 2014|newspaper=Oneindia|archive-date=8 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408215513/http://malayalam.oneindia.in/news/2008/06/08/kerala-lakshmibai-thampuratti-obit.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In accordance to the tradition, she was also the Chief of Attingal Fiefdom, known as Mootha Thampuran.

[[File:Karthika thirunal and brother.jpg|thumbnail|left|Karthika Thirunal with her younger brother, future Maharaja [[Uthradom Thirunal Marthanda Varma]].]]
She was born as the only daughter of Sanskrit scholar and aristocrat Sri Pooram Nal Ravi Varma Kochu Kovil Tampuran of Kilimanoor Kovilakam and Amma Maharani Moolam Thirunal [[Sethu Parvathi Bayi]] of Travancore, on 17 September 1916, in the matrilineal Royal House of [[Travancore]]. She was educated by selected tutors and scholars. She mastered languages like [[Malayalam]], [[Sanskrit]], English, French etc. Since her childhood, Karthika was deeply interested in dance and music. Recognizing her interests, her elder brother, Maharajah Sree [[Chithira Thirunal]], appointed Harikeshanelloor Muthaiyya Bhagavathar as her music teacher. In 1933, at the age of 16, Karthika Thirunal became the first from her family to undertake a sea voyage with her mother, against the then prevalent superstitious belief related to crossing the sea. She also participated in the All India Women's Conference of 1935, held in [[Thiruvananthapuram]].<ref>{{cite web|last=UMA|first=MAHESWARI|title=Maharani Karthika Thirunal: Witnessing History|url=http://kerala4u.in/307/personalities/maharani-karthika-thirunalwitnessing-history|publisher=kerala4u.in|access-date=24 March 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231175747/http://kerala4u.in/307/personalities/maharani-karthika-thirunalwitnessing-history|archive-date=31 December 2013}}</ref>

==Royal wedding==
As soon as Karthika Thirunal turned 16, it was decided to get her married. Usually, the [[Koyi Thampuran]]s were chosen as bridegrooms for Travancore Princesses and Queens.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Mewat|first1=Mahi|title=The Indian Encyclopaedia|page=4690}}</ref> According to [[Uthradom Thirunal]], Maharajah [[Sree Chithira Thirunal]] and [[Sethu Parvathi Bayi]] ignored the superiority of Koyi Thampurans and got her married to a young aristocrat named P.R. Godavarma Raja of Poonjar Palace. The Maharajah felt that it was fine to make a different choice so as to find a suitable spouse for his sister and for the first time chose a bridegroom from the Poonjar Royal House.

[[File:Lt. Col. Godavarma Raja of Travancore (1938).jpg|thumbnail|left|Lt. Col. P. R. Godavarma Raja – Prince Consort of Karthika Thirunal Lakshmi Bayi during his military days]]
When P.R. Ramavarma Raja, (husband of Karthika Thirunal's maternal aunt), visited Kowdiar Palace, he put forward the name of his younger brother Godavarma Raja (Col.[[G. V. Raja]]) as a prospective bridegroom for Karthika Thirunal. Godavarma Raja who later attained immortal fame as the ''King of Kerala Sports and Tourism'', at the time of the proposal was studying in Madras for attaining a Degree in Medicine. The couple met each other in 1933. Godavarma accepted the wedding proposal for Karthika Thirunal's hand and discontinued his education there. Karthika Thirunal's family too approved, and the wedding was thus announced. It was the first time a Travancore Princess married some one other than a [[Koyi Thampuran]]. Poonjar Royal Family is believed to be the descendants of [[Pandya Dynasty]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Uma Maheshwari|first1=S|title=Thrippadidanam|publisher=Mathrubhumi Books|isbn=978-81-8265-947-6|pages=162–175|edition=3}}</ref>

The preparations for the ''Pallikettu'' (wedding of a Travancore Princess)began in 1933 itself. Huge wedding venue was created at ''Sundara Vilasom Palace''. Many prominent Indian Royals were invited for the wedding and the wedding was a lavish affair. The wedding of 17-year-old Karthika Thirunal and 26-year-old Godavarma Raja took place on 24 January 1934. The royal couple stayed at [[Kovalam]] for their honeymoon and it was during this time, Godavarma Raja, smitten by the beauty of the place, decided to develop and promote Kovalam as a tourist destination. After their wedding, [[G. V. Raja]] joined the Travancore State Force (Army) and served as a [[Lt. Colonel]] and as one of the commanding officers of the Nair Brigade (Travancore King's Bodyguards).<ref>{{cite web|last=kovalamhotels.|first=com|title=KOVALAM – PARADISE OF SOUTH INDIA|url=http://www.kovalamhotels.com/|access-date=24 March 2014}}</ref>

The couple had four children, Elayarajah (Crown Prince) Avittom Thirunal Rama Varma (1938–1944, died at the age of six of a rheumatic heart condition), Pooyam Thirunal Gowri Parvati Bayi (1941), [[Aswathi Thirunal Gowri Lakshmi Bayi]] (1945) and Sree [[Moolam Thirunal Rama Varma]] (1949), the Titular<ref>"Though by the 26th amendment to the Constitution, Article 363 was repealed whereby the rights and privileges of the rulers of Indian states were taken away, still the name and title of the rulers remained as such and unaffected in so far as names and titles were not contemplated as rights or privileges under the repealed Articles 291 and 362 of the Constitution."</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=HANEEF|first=MAHIR|title='His Highness' isn't unconstitutional: Kerala high court|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/His-Highness-isnt-unconstitutional-Kerala-high-court/articleshow/27492597.cms?intenttarget=no|access-date=27 January 2014|newspaper=The Times of India|date=17 December 2013}}</ref> Maharajah of Travancore and the Head of Travancore Royal Family & Supreme Guardian/Custodian of Sree Padmanabhaswami Temple.<ref>{{cite news|author=Express News Service|title=Moolam Thirunal Anointed Custodian of Temple|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/Moolam-Thirunal-Anointed-Custodian-of-Temple/2014/01/04/article1981976.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221150640/http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/Moolam-Thirunal-Anointed-Custodian-of-Temple/2014/01/04/article1981976.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 February 2014|access-date=22 January 2014|newspaper=The New Indian Express|date=4 January 2014}}</ref>
In the memory of his late nephew, Prince Avittom Thirunal, Maharajah [[Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma]] built the SAT Hospital in Trivandrum.

<ref>രാജകുടുംബത്തിന്‍റെ കണ്ണീര്‍ തോരുന്നില്ല! മനോരമഓണ്‍ലൈന്‍ – 2012 ജനു 28, ശനി : 'ആറാം വയസ്സിലാണ് അവിട്ടം തിരുനാള്‍ രാമവര്‍മയുടെ വേര്‍പാട്. 1944ല്‍ ആയിരുന്നു അത്. ജന്മനാ അനാരോഗ്യമുള്ള കുട്ടിയായിരുന്നു. റുമാറ്റിക് ഹാര്‍ട്ട് എന്ന ഹൃദയത്തെ ബാധിക്കുന്ന രോഗമായിരുന്നു. രോഗത്തിന്‍റെ കാഠിന്യത്തെ കുറിച്ചു ഡോക്ടര്‍മാര്‍ ഞങ്ങളെ ആരെയും അറിയിച്ചിരുന്നില്ല. കഴിവുറ്റ ഡോക്ടര്‍മാരോ ചികില്‍സാസൗകര്യമോ ഉണ്ടായിരുന്നുമില്ല. സൂക്ഷിച്ചു വളര്‍ത്തണമെന്നു പറഞ്ഞിട്ടില്ലാത്തതിനാല്‍ മറ്റു കുട്ടികളെ പോലെ അവിട്ടം തിരുനാളിനെയും ഒാടാനും ചാടാനുമെല്ലാം വിട്ടു. കേരളത്തില്‍ നല്ല മഴയുള്ള സമയമായിരുന്നു. ഈര്‍പ്പവും തണുപ്പും നല്ലതലെ്ലന്നു ഡോക്ടര്‍മാര്‍ പറഞ്ഞതനുസരിച്ചു കാര്‍ത്തിക തിരുനാളും ഭര്‍ത്താവ് കേണല്‍ ഗോദവര്‍മരാജയും അവിട്ടം തിരുനാളിനെയും കൂട്ടി കന്യാകുമാരിയിലേക്കു പോയി. അവിടെ മഴയുണ്ടായിരുന്നില്ല. ഒരു ദിവസം വൈകുന്നേരം അവിട്ടം തിരുനാള്‍ അമ്മയോടു പേടിയാകുന്നുവെന്നു പറഞ്ഞു മടിയില്‍ തലവച്ചു കിടന്നു. പിന്നെ ഇരുട്ടാകുന്നുവെന്നു പറഞ്ഞു, കണ്ണ് കാണുന്നിലെ്ലന്നു പറഞ്ഞു. പതിയെ ബോധം മറഞ്ഞു. മടിയില്‍ കിടന്നുകൊണ്ടു തന്നെ ഈ ലോകം വിട്ടു പോയി.</ref>
<ref name=January>{{cite news|last=മനോരമ|first=ഓണ്‍ലൈന്‍|title=രാജകുടുംബത്തിന്‍റെ കണ്ണീര്‍ തോരുന്നില്ല!|url=https://malayalam.yahoo.com/%E0%B4%B0%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%9C%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%81%E0%B4%9F%E0%B5%81%E0%B4%82%E0%B4%AC%E0%B4%A4%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%A4%E0%B4%BF%E0%B4%A8%E0%B5%8D-%E0%B4%B1%E0%B5%86-%E0%B4%95%E0%B4%A3%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%A3%E0%B5%80%E0%B4%B0%E0%B5%8D-%E0%B4%A4%E0%B5%8B%E0%B4%B0%E0%B5%81%E0%B4%A8%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%A8%E0%B4%BF%E0%B4%B2%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%B2-062125143.html|access-date=30 March 2014|newspaper=Malayala Manorama (Malayalam Online Edition)}}</ref>

==Full title==
Her Highness Sree Padmanabhasevini Vanchidharma Vardhini Raja Rajeshwari Maharani Karthika Thirunal Lakshmi Bayi, Attingal Mootha Thampuran and the Maharani of Travancore

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Karthika Thirunal Lakshmi Bayi}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bayi, Karthika Thirunal Lakshmi}}
[[Category:1916 births]]
[[Category:2008 deaths]]
[[Category:Indian female royalty]]
[[Category:Travancore royal family]]
[[Category:Scientists from Thiruvananthapuram]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian women writers]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian non-fiction writers]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian royalty]]
[[Category:Women from the Kingdom of Travancore]]
[[Category:People from the Kingdom of Travancore]]
[[Category:Women writers from Kerala]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian women scientists]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian social scientists]]
[[Category:Writers from Thiruvananthapuram]]
[[Category:Educators from Kerala]]
[[Category:Women educators from Kerala]]

Karthika Thirunal Lakshmi Bayi - Revision history

RobbyAyres at 10:40, 9 February 2026