My Spiritual Travelogue - Visit to Kaduthuruthy Thalayil MahadevarTemple, Kaduthuruthy, Kerala

Kaduthuruthy is situated in the mid-way between Vaikom and Ettumanoor, about 28 KM from Kottayam.  A small town and a backwater coastal land on the northern and western parts.  As per historical facts, the name Kaduthuruthy is derived from "Kadal Thuruthy" and over period of time changed to Kaduthuruthy.  Another Purana legendary details that the name Kaduthuruthy is changed over period of time from "Kadichu Iruththy" (meaning placed in between the teeth) when Saint Kharasura got three idols from Lord Shiva, of which the one he took in his mouth had been installed at Kaduthuruthy.

Temple entrance view from road side

Temple inside view

Temple inside another view

The Shiva Temple "Thalayil Mahadeva Temple" is one of the best known temples in Kerala. During the tenth century this place was ruled by Pandya Kings.  Later it was divided into  Vadakkumkoor  and Thekkumkoor and Kaduthuruthy became the headquarters of Vadakkumkoor.  Puranic history illustrates that Saint Kharasura got three idols from Lord Shiv and he installed one idol at Ettumanoor, the other at Vaikom and the third one at Kaduthuruthy.  It is also a belief that the Shiva idols at Vaikom and Kaduthuruthy were installed at the same time and one can see separate shrines for Vaikkathappan and Ettumanoorappan.  It is a belief that whoever worship the three Shiva Lingas here are considered to be same as worshiping the three Shiva Lingas at the three different places viz. Ettumanoor, Kaduthuruthy and Vaikom.

Sri Ettumanoorappan Sannadhi

The Shiva idol of this temple faces to the east and it is the smallest of the three idols which Saint Kharasura installed, only 3" tall.  On the southern side there are separate sannadhies for Sri Ganapathy, Dharma Sastha, Goddess Durga.  There is a mandap in front of the shrine which has got many array of wood carvings which portrays about ancient architectural elegance.  The interiors and entrance of the temple exhibit the story of Lord Shiva on wood carvings.    The wood carvings in the temple also illustrates architectural style of medieval Kerala, featuring carvings of stories of Karthaveerarjuneeyam. About 300 years ago, a major fire broke out here and destroyed most part of the temple, but the mandap with its splendid carvings was remained undisturbed.   At that time, the then priest saved the idol but could not his life.  As to commemorate his sacrifice, one can see even today and idol of him erected at the northern part of the shrine.  This temple comes under the administration of Travancore Devaswom Board.

A news clipping kept inside the shrine on the temple history in Tamil.

Kaduthuruthy St. Mary's Valiapally also known as Kaduthuruthy Muthivamma is historic and famous church where Virgin Mary appeared in front of the devotees as an old woman.   This miraculous appearance of Virgin Mary happened in AD 1596, during the erection of the historic granite cross of Kaduthuruthy St. Mary's Vallyapalli.   This church is one of the churches blessed by Virgin Mary .

                                                    

St. Mary's Valiappally

50 Feet Cross

It is believed that this Cross is the highest open air cross in Asia, made out from a single granite block.  

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My Spiritual Travelogue - Visit to Sri Vadakkunnathan Temple, Thrissur, Kerala

Sri Vadakkunnathan temple is located in Thrissur of Kerala District.  This is an ancient Shiva temple. In Malayalam Vadakkunnathan means The Lord of the North, who resides in Kailasam (The Himalayas) which is in the northern side of India.  Lord Shiva of this temple is considered to be  the Lord of the South and so was this temple called Southern Kailasam. Western entrance of the Temple A rare picture of main entrance of Vadakkunnathan Temple taken in 1913 seen from Swaraj Round from Illustrated Guide to the South Indian Railway, printed by Hoe and Coat the 'Premier Press'

As per legends there are different versions of story of the origin of the Vadkkunnathan Temple.   Inspite of some differences between these versions in the origin of the temple, there is a consensus in them on one fact that the temple was founded by Parasurama.   Legends also narrates that initially the Shiva linga was at the foot of the huge Banyan tree.  This Mula Sthana banyan tree is well preserved now which is in front of the western temple entrance.  The vast greenary maidhan (ground) surrounded by the Mula Sthana Banyan tree serves as a beautiful sight for the tired eyes. The famous 'Sri Mula Sthana' Banyan Tree The temple architecture is a classic example of the Kerala architectural style.  I have seen in the temples here in Kerala they have mostly a common architectural design in and around the shrine, intricate  wooden carvings dedicated to the puranic legends and maestros, beautiful rare mural paintings of ancient times etc.    Here, this temple was built during the seventh century, built according to the Hindu Sastras, and a pre-Dravidian temple.  The temple theatre, konwn as Koothambalam has four magnificient Gopurams and the lofty masonry walls are of great craftsmanship and skill.  This famous Koothambalam is the place for performing arts viz. Nangyar Koothu, Koodiyattam and stage plays, which are Central Kerala's ritualistic art forms.   Koothamalam is on the right side This temple has also got a legendry historical detail that the Religious Guru Adi Shankara's parents Shivaguru and Aryamba  prayed Lord Shiva in this temple that they be blessed with a child.  The couple observed vigorously pooja and bhajans for a mandalam period (41 days)  in this temple.  Shiva appeared before them and blessed for a child with two options - 1. a mediocre son with a long life  or 2. an extraordinary son  with shorter life.  The couple opted the second option.  Thus, the child was born to the couple and they named him as Shankara in honour of Lord Shiva.  Adi Shankara attained videha mukti  in this temple.

The world famous colourful Thrissur Pooram festival being conducted in the temple premises here even now, though the temple is not participating in the festival.  The main attraction of the Pooram is the Elanjitharamelam, a two hour Chendavadyam (with five instruments) is held near Koothambalam in the temple, by the top most artists from the state.  This festival was introduced by Sakthan Thampuran (1751-1805)  who was very fond of  Lord Vadakkunnathan.  His personal interest towards the Lord changed the fortune of the Thrissur City too.    

The main deity Lord Shiva is in the form of a huge lingam, but not visible, is fully covered under a screen of ghee formed by the daily abhishekam with ghee over hundred and hundred of years.  A thick ghee layer has been formed around the lingam which is now about 5.0m high with cascading crescents of gold and three serpent hoods on top.  This is the only Shiva temple where lingam is not visible.  It is also said that the ghee covered the lingam is not emanating any kind of foul odor and does not melt even in summer.  

There are shrines for Krishna (in the form of Krishna as cowherd), Nandikeswara, Parasurama, Simhodara, Ayyappan, Vettekkaran (Lord Shiva as hunter) and Adi Shankara in the outside of the main deity shrine. There are shrines for Ganapati, Sankaranarayana, Rama, Arthanarishvara.  Main festivals of this temple are Maha Shivaratri, Aanayoottu (feeding elephants).

Temple timings :  Morning - From 03:00 AM to 10:30 AM, 

                            Evening -  From 05:00 PM to   8.30 PM 

My Spiritual Travelogue - Visit to Ettumanoor Sri MahadevarTemple,Ettumanoor, Kerala.

Ettumanoor, situated about 10 KM from Kottayam railway station is famous and one of the most celebrated Shiva temples in Kerala. This is an ancient temple has its own sanctity and  brought glory and fame to the place by its Myths and puranic legends.    Many vedic names are associated with this temple and it is believed that Pandavas, Sage Vyasa visited this temple.  Shri Adi Shankaracharya, known as Bhagavatpada Acharya composed his 'Soundarya Lahari' here from this place.  Owing to the power of the 'Aghora Moorthy' the temple considers to be a very important place of worship which attracts pilgrims, devotees and Ayyappa bakthas not only from the country but also from abroad.   Being our family deity temple, we make it a point to visit this temple to have darshan of Sri Mahadevar as frequently as possible whenever we visit Kerala.  

Sri Ettumanoorappan

Temple main entrance 

Legend has it that great Saint Khara Prakasha worshiped Shiva at Chidambaram and prayed for installing Shivalinga for the betterment of humanity.  Lord Shiva blessed him and presented three Shivalingas by his own self.  He journeyed holding one Shivalibnga on each hand and one in his mouth or neck.  He reached Vaikom, and wanted to take some refreshing.  He kpet the Shivalinga on ground.  After his return, he realised that he could not lift the Shivalinga.  He installed this Shivalinga at this place Vaikom and the other two Shivalibngas at Ettumanoor and at Kaduthuruthy.  It is believed that visiting these three Shiva temples at these three places in a single day is of great significant and auspicious. 

Several other legends associated with this temple has it say that this "Aghora Moorthy' Shiva at this temple is said to be grave in nature.  Saint Khara Prakasha left the place after installing the idol in the present position.  For many years, it remained quite unknown and this place became a dense forest. Once, a harijan woman while collecting arrow roots with her sickle happened to hit a stone which began bleeding.  Meantime, her tool and basket were thrown off which fell near Vaikom and at Ettumanoor.  The woman informed this matter to the authorities and the presence of divinity came to be known to everybody.  Even today, the scar made by the sickle is still visible on the Shiva Linga. Later on, another Saint who visited this place was disrespected by the locals and cursed and in an anger he cursed that this place should remain unnoticed and abandoned.  Thousand years later, Saint Vilwamangalathu Swamiyar revealed the divinity here and the temple was renovated.  Further, the temple was reconstructed by Pandya King Chanda Bhakaran atound 1540 A.D.

 
  

The present temple structure with its Western Gopuram at the main entrance with rich decorations, and the praharams around (circumbulatory path)  were reconstructed in 1542 A.D. There are Dravidian mural paintings on the walls inside and outside the main entrance and these  are considered to be one of the finest wall paintings in India.  One of the paintings 'dancing of the Shiva' is a magnificent piece of ancient art.  A glittering golden flag mast  (Kodimaram) with eight Guardian Gods "Ashthadik Paalaks" installed  inside the temple welcomes the devotees is a major attraction in this temple.   The architecture of this temple shows an excellent authentication for the Vishwakarma Sthapathis for their architectural skills.  The temple roofs are covered with copper sheets and it has 14 ornamental tops.  

A rectangular circumbulatory passage surrounds the sanctum are fixed with oil lamps in wooden frames  and these are lit during festival times which is a beautiful sight to see at night. The sanctum bears wooden intricate carvings of superior workmanship portraying legends from the Ramayana and the Bhagavata puranam.

                              

Temple inside with Golden Kodimaram

A narrow corridor leads to the inner sanctum where the presiding deity "Agora Moorthy" Lord Shiva is consecrated on a elevated sanctum sanctorum (Garpagraha) which is accessible through a few steps. Only the Priest (Melsanthi) and his deputies are allowed to do poojas at the garpagraha.  At the base level of the sloping deck, a small crowd of devotees can have a clear darshan at a time since the angle of vision is limited. Opposite to the main deity sannathi  a large mandapam is there where on the northern side Goddess Bhagavathy sannadhi and on the eastern sannadhi demon Yakshi sannadhi are there. 

Separate sannadhis are there for Sastha, Ganapathy,  and Chief Messenger of Lord Shiva 'Anthimahakalan'.   On the northern side, few yards away from the main temple,  a small beautiful temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna.     

One among the important festival being celebrated in a grand manner for ten days  in this temple is 'Aarattu Festival' performed on the Thiruvathira day in February - March every year.   Large gathering of devotees witness the 8th and 10th day when seven two feet tall elephant statues and the eighth elephant statue is a one foot tall statue (hence called seven and half elephant statues - 'Ezharaponnanna in Malayalam) made of about 13 Kgs of gold with a Pazhukka Kua (a bunch of Arecanuts)  donated by  Travancore Maharaja Karthika Thirunal will be taken out in a procession around the circumbulatory path and kept at a place for public darshan. These Ezharaponnnana denote the 8 dhik paalakas or the guardians of the cardinal directions are displayed.  These Ezharaponnana  when saw in the mist of brilliant lights of Theevaties (big oil torches) is indeed a thrilling experience is a great visual spectacle to the devotees. This temple, one of the wealthiest Devaswoms in Kerala has many valuable possessions.  The Aarattu procession accompanied by many caparisoned elephants and traditional temple orchestra all give a scintillating glorious moments for the devotees who gather in large numbers during the temple annual festival.   

Ezharaponnna procession

The Thulabharam is one of the important rituals of this temple. People make offerings in return to God for favours received through their prayers. On one pan of the balance, the child or man for whom offerings were promised to God is weighed and the other pan will be filled with the agreed items for offering (generally grains or fruits etc.) in equal weight.  

The Prominent features of the temple constitute - 1)  Valiyavilakku - a Divine Oil Lamp keeps ever awake, continuously spreading spiritual light to millions and millions of devotees.  Devotees offer Gingelly oil for this valiyavilakku and it is a belief that the soot that accumulated at the bottom of the surface of its shade has been found to cure many eye diseases.

2) Vrishbha Vahanam (Bronze Ox) - A ruler in the middle of the 8th century Chempakassery Raja Devanarayanan  worshiped Sri Ettumanoorappan and got cured his incurable disease acute stomach pain.  He donated two "Vrishbha Vahanam made of Bronze with 'chennellu' a kind of paddy grain. The vahanams are kept in the mandapam. 

Click below to listen to another beautiful song on Sri Ettumanoorappan.

POOJA TIMINGS: Morning 4.00 A.M. to  12.00 Noon and Evening 5.00 P.M. to 8.30 p.m. 

Contact address: Adm. officer, Ettumanur Mahadever Temple, Ettumanoor. Phone: 0481-537675

My Spiritual Travelogue - Visit to Chottanikkara Sree Rajarajeswari Amman temple, Chottanikkara, Kerala.

Chottanikara is located about 17 KM away from Ernakulam Railway Station and around 7 KM away from Thiruppanithura railway station.  This town is famous for its Goddess  Rajarajeswari  (Bhagavathi) Amman temple which is one of the most famous temples in Kerala State.  Her Shakthi or Power draws thousands and thousands of her devotees daily from all over.  

Chottanikkara Sri Rajareswari Amman

The temple Legend history says That the area in which the temple is situated was once a dense forest that was believed to be infested by yakshas and rakshsas. A tribesman named Kannappan used to live in this forest. He was a devout worshipper of Kali, and would ritually sacrifice a cow to her every Friday  ( the day of the Goddess). One day, he found a beautiful black calf near the forest. he kidnapped her and took her to his altar. Just before he sacrificed the calf, his daughter, Manimanga, stepped in and pleaded for him to stop. The man loved his daughter and thus let her keep the calf as a pet. Unfortunately, Manimanga died the next morning. However, when the tribes man looked for the calf, he found two divine stones in its place : one was Lakshmi and the other was Vishnu. After many years, the stones were forgotten. One day, a woodcutter came to the forest to cut some trees. Since his axe was blunt,he sharpened it on a nearby stone. Wonder of wonders, the stone started bleeding. After devaprasnam, it was concluded that the stones were divine. The idol at Keezhkavu didn't come until after the temple was built. One night, a Brahmin was walking along a moonlit trail. Suddenly, he saw a beautiful woman, standing all alone. He offered to escort her home, and she agreed. However, when the Brahmin went to the Goddess's priest, he was told that it was really a yakshi. thus, with the yakshi after him, the Brahmin ran to the temple. Just as he reached the sanctum, the yakshi transformed and rounded up on him. However, the goddess jumped out of the sanctum sanctorum as Kali and killed her. She then went to wash her self in the pond, where the Kali idol was found hundreds of years later by Vilvamangalam of Guruvayoor. Thus the two Amman deities were born and worshipped at the main temple and at the Keezhakkavu temples.

The temple architecture is followed by ancient Vishwakarma Sthapthis in line with the wooden sculpture done in Sabarimala temple. One can worship  the Goddess Bhagavathi Amman in three different forms in a day viz. as Saraswathi Amman in the morning dressed in white,  as Lakshmi Devi dressed in Crimson in the noon and as Durgai Amman dressed in blue in the evening.  Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Lord Ayyappa, Lord Ganesha and Lord zmuruga are also worshipped in this temple. The deity's Shakthi or Power is very well known here to cure her devotees from mental illness or to drive away the evil spirits.  There is a specific pooja being performed daily at the Keezhkkavu temple which is located at the foothills of the main temple.  Here, in this temple, the Bhagavathi Amman deity can be seen with a 'soola' (Trisul) in hand in the form of a rudra swarupa Kali.  People suffering from mental illness worship this Bhagavathi Amman who not only cures their illness but also ward off all evil  spirits.  A special pooja 'kuruthi pooja' is performed in this temple daily for the well being of her devotees.

Another peculiarity of this temple is that the Goddess is not fixed to the ground but rests on a bed of sand. Nearby her, is the idol of Lord Vishnu. Hence the devotees always pray to her along with Lord Narayana (Lord Vishnu) viz. 'Amme Narayana', 'Devi Narayana', 'Lakshmi Narayana' and 'Badre Narayana'.  Tuesday's and Fridays are important days in a week for Sree Bhagavathi Amman temples and one can see lot of worshipped in the temple.  Also the nine days of Navrathri festivals are celebrated in a grand manner every year in Amman temples

An important ritual is being performed in this temple is 'Makam Thozhal'. In this ritual, the Goddess Bhagavathi Amman appears in her sacred full-fledged splendor and glory bedecked with her full gold ornaments, precious jewellery and innumerable garlands.  Her devotees confidently believe that her darshan at this moment will result in the fulfillment of all their prayers and long desires and all their  miseries will go away from that golden moment.  It is believed that Bhagavathy Amman in her full attire gave darsan to Vilwamangalam Swamiyar on the Makam day and appears on the same day every year for giving darshan to the devotees in her special appearance. The Bhadrakaali at Kizhukkavu is believed to exorcise evil spirit from devotees

Click flwg link to listen the melodious devotional song on 'Amme Narayanan, Devi Narayana..."

http://www.tamilv2.com/Tamil%20Devotional%20Songs/Amme%20Narayana%20Devi%20Narayana%20-%20Www.TamilKey.Com.mp3

                                                      

Temple timings are - 04.00 a.m. To 12.30 p.m. And 4.00 p.m. To 8.45 p.m.

Contact details : Chottanikkara Devaswom, Chottanikara, Ernakulam Dist, Kerala PIN 682312

Phone: 0484-2711032, 2713300

URL: www.chottanikkarabhagavathy.org

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My Spiritual Travelogue - Visit to Arulmigu Patteeswarar Temple in Perur, Coimbatore

Perur is a town near Coimbatore (7 KM from Coimbatore Railway Station on the Western side) near river Noyyal.  This Kongu region of Tamilnadu has got one of the best known Sivasthalams in Perur. This temple dates back to the Chola dynasty, about 1500 years back, during early Christian Era. This temple was built by Palayakkars and the inner most sanctum sanatorium was built by Karikala Cholan. The main deity of the temple is Lord Patteeswarar and His consort is Parvathi also called as Pachainayaki Amman. As the legend goes that a cow Khamadhenu and its calf Patti worshipped Lord Shiva in this temple and the name Patteeswarar was born. Similar is the legend with the other two famous Siva temples - one Patteeswarar temple at Dharasuram near Kumbakonam and the other Sri Dhenupureeswarar temple in Madambakkam near Chennai.

                                                 

                                                    

                                                    

Different views  of the temple entrance

This magnificent temple's architecture is unique and beautiful. The famous hall Kanagasabhai where the Nataraja sannadhi is situated has rare, very beautifully and intricately carved priceless stone sculptures depicting different manifestations of Lord Siva and other gods on both sides that stand testimony to the splendid work of temple architecture in Tamilnadu. It's really a wonderful feast to the eyes of those who love ancient temple architecture.  A gold plated Nataraja statue offering blessings two sages Goumuni and Pattimuni add more beauty to the Kanagasabai hall.  This temple is called 'Mel Chidambaram'.

One of the intricately carved beautiful stone sculptures

                                                                                                                                                                  

Some of the main and important festivals celebrated in this temple are Panguni Uthram during March, Natyanjali (festival of dance) in September, karthigai  Sangabishekam in November and Arudhra darshanam in December. Thousands of devotees gather here during festivals time to offer their prayers to Lord Patteeswarar and Goddess Perianayaki to seek their blessings and bestow them with their benign grace.

This place has got some wonder specialities - the seeds of the tamarind tree in front of the temple do not germinate when sown which spells the truth that those pray to Lord Patteeswarar will attain total salvation and no births or deaths any more for them;  the palm tree is praised as Irava Panai (இறவா பனை) meaning it won't fall down which symbolically mean that those belief Lord Patteeswarar never bow down but ever straight with name and fame;  the bones of those dead when immersed in Noyyal river would turn to white stones; a belief is that dying creatures would keep their right ears upwards to listen to the Lord uttering 'Namashivaya' mantra to take them to Heaven;  the cow dungs found around this place would have no germs.

Saints Sundrar sang in praise of Lord Patteeswarar in this temple in Thevaram when he came to visit his friend King Cheramaan Perumal who ruled Kerala at that time.  But, the ten pathogams sung by Sundarar are not available.

During 18th century, when Tippu Sultan invaded south he attached some of the Inams of the temple and later it was restored back to the temple by East India Company.  A treasure trove containing Roman coins were found in Perur which dates back to the Roman period.

Temple timings are - 6.00 am to 1.00 pm and 4.00 pm to 8.30 pm.  Pooja timings are 7.30 am to 12.00 noon and 7.30 pm to 8.30 pm.  Contact Phone No. +91 4222607991.

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