My Spiritual Travelogue - Visit to Temples in and around Kumbakonam-Part-2

Visit to Sri Airawateswara Temple at Darasuram

Darasuram (a Panchayat Town) is situated about 3 KM from Kumbakonam. During the Chola Dynasty (11th Century period) King Raja Kambeera Mamannan and Raja Raja Chola II changed their capital town from Gangaikonda Cholapuram to Palaiyarai, an ancient temple city which was named as Raja Raja Puram. King Raja Raja II was very much interested in developing fine arts, music and dance during temple festival occasions. He was also very fond of developing temple architecture and constructed a beautiful temple for Lord Shiva Airavateswara 1160 to 1162 A.D. The temple was named as Raja Rajechuram and in passage of time, now being called as Darasuram.  The main deity's consort is Periya Nayaki Amman.

Sri Airavateswara Temple front view 

This temple, one of the three architectural marvels (other two being the Big Temple in Thanjavur and Gangaikonda Cholapuram in Perambalur districts built by the Chola Kings) has its uniqueness as that of the other two temples similarity in architecture, style, for its intricate, beautiful sculptures and epigraphs. The temple is in the form of a chairot being pulled by  elephant and horse with a fleet of steps.

The stone chariot

An epigraphist and temple expert Kudavayil Balasubramanian details that there are many unique sculptures in this temple which include 73 panel of sculptures depicting the life history of 63 Nayanmars which are very rare to see anywhere. The temple is full of rare sculptures, chola period paintings, epigraphs that give details about the history of Raja Raja Cholan. The temple main entrance, palipeeda and the Nandi were reassembled by the Archaeological Survey of India . The fleet of steps near the palipeeda were made of stone and are said to create musical notes when tapped by finger or by metal.  There are sculptures of 108 Devara Othuvars who sung in the temple during the period of King Raja Raja II. 

A mythology connected with the temple : Airavatham is an elephant, white in color and is a vahana of Devendran.  It was cursed by Rishi Durvasa to lose its shining white.  Airavatha came to this temple and worshipped the Lord for regaining its white color and got back its original color.  Hence, the deity came to be known as Sri Airawateswara (protector of elephant).

Another legend is that the presiding deity Airavateswarar cured Lord Yama who was suffering under a Rishi's curse from a burning sensation all over the body. Yama took bath in the sacred tank and got cured from his illness. Since then the tank is said to be known as Yamateertham.

Main Gopura 85 ft height

                                                        

                   Intricate stone carvings

                                          

                            

     The four praharas

                            

Intricate carvings and sculptures on inside temple walls

UNESCO has declared the temple (2004) as a world heritage monument and the Archaeological Survey of India is maintaining the temple well. With lush green lawns in front and illumination, the temple has become a tourist spot.

Visit to Sri  Srinivasa Perumal Thirukoil at  Nachiarkoil 

Nachiarkoil or Thirunarayur  is a small town on Kumbakonam-Tiruvarur road, about 10 KM from Kumbakonam.  This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the main deity is Lord Srinivasa Perumal and his consort is Sri Vanjulavalli Nachiayar.  This is one of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated for Lord Vishnu.  In this temple, it is believed, Lord Vishnu taught Pancha Samskara (a religious initiation) to Thirumangai Alwar.    

Main Gopura

This temple is believed to have been built by Kochengat Cholan of late 3rd cenurty AD.  He is said to have built about 70 temples for Lord Shiva and this is only temple which he built for Lord Vishnu.   

                                                                 

                                                                          Inside temple

Legend has it that  Lakshmi was born as Vanchulavalli at the foot of a Vanchula tree to Medhavi Munivar.  Vishnu is believed to have manifested himself in the Pancha Vyuha  forms and married Vanchulavalli.  In the sanctum are the sculptures of the deities - Sankarshana in the east, Pradyumna in the south, Anirudha in the west, Purushothaman in the north and Vasudeva in the center.  There is no separate shrine for Thayar.  There are shrines for Yoga Narasimhar, Ramar, Hanuman and Chakrapani.

                                                      

                                              Sri Srinivasan Perumal and Vanchulavalli Nachiyar

   

 

Temple details in Tamil Notice Board

Kal Garuda (Lord's Vahana or vehicle)

There is a special significant importance in this temple to Lord's Vahana - Kal Garuda which is made of stone.  A legend has it that while sculpting the stone for making the Garuda Vahana for The Lord, after making the wings, sculptor found the Garuda started flying and shocked by this incident he threw a stone which struck the idol nose and brought it down.  Then the idol decided to stay there to bless the devotees.

There is a special sannadhi  to Kal Garudun. Garudun is seen with nine serpents and is believed to have the powers to remove the Navagraha Dosham. The speciality of the Kal Garuda is that during Garuda Seva festival (during December), the mount is said to increase exponentially in size as it is carried out of the sanctum with the Utsava moorthi seated on, and decrease the same way while being brought back inside the temple. It is found only 4 people are needed to carry it initially and as it is carried out of the temple, 64 people are required to carry it thereon.  At the end of the Garuda Seva event one can even now find  sweat drops on the Kal Garuda symbolising of having completed the greatest job of carrying The Lord for the seva.

                                                                        

Kal Garudun

 நாலாயிர திவ்யப் ப்ரபந்தத்தில்  திருமங்கை ஆழ்வார் அருளிச் செய்த பெரிய திருமொழி  7-1 - கறவா மடநாகு (திருநறையூர் 8) 1548 பாசுரத்தில்  இத்தலத்தைப் பற்றி  சிறப்பாக பாடப்பெற்றுள்ளது :   

                       "கறவா  மடநாகு தன்  கன்று உள்ளினாற் போல் 

                              மறவாது அடியேன் உன்னையே அழைக்கின்றேன் 

                              நறவார் பொழில் சூழ் நறையூர் நின்ற நம்பி 

                              பிறவாமை எனைப்பணி எந்தை பிரானே!"

மேலும், நாலாயிர திவ்யப் ப்ரபந்தத்தில்  திருமங்கை ஆழ்வார் அருளிச் செய்த பெரிய திருமொழி  7-2 புள்ளாய்  (திருநறையூர் - 9) 1558 முதல் 1567 முடிய  பாசுரங்களிலும்  " நறையூர் நின்ற நம்பியை"  போற்றிப் பாடியுள்ளார் .

                     "பொன்னுலகில் வானவரும் பூமகளும் போற்றி செய்யும் 

                      நல்  நூதலீர் !  நம்பி திருநரையூரர்  - மன்னுலகில்  
                      என் நிலைமை கண்டும் இறங்காரேயாமாகில் 

                      மன்னு மடல்  ஊர்வன் வந்து " - 

                             
                                - பெரிய திருமடல் தனியன் பிள்ளை  திருநறையூர்  அரையர்  அருளிச் செய்தது .




Visit to Sri  Venkatachalapathi swami Koil at Oppiliappankoil

The temple is situated about 7 kms south of Kumbakonam and about 1/2km from Thirunageswaram.

This is one amoang the 108 Divysa Desams.  This place is also known as Thiruvinnagaram.

Sri Oppiliappan Temple main gopura

The sthala purana is discussed in Brahmmananda Puranam wherein details are offered by Lord Brahmma himself. Once Tulasidevi who was born along with nectar (amrita), while churning the milky-ocean, begged Lord Narayana that she also be adorned by Him on His chest like Mahalakshmi.  Thereupon, the Lord said that Lakshmi did very severe penance to gain a place on His chest. The Lord further said that Lakshmi would appear as Bhoomidevi at a holy place near Kumbakonam, to the south of Kaveri and would be brought up by sage Markandeya as his daughter. Tulasi should go there earlier and be in the form of lovely Tulasi plant at the sage's hermitage. Then Lakshmi would appear under the Tulasi plant as Bhoomidevi. Later on Lord Narayana would come and marry Bhoomidevi and live there forever. Then the glory of Tulasi will become known to all.

The Lord further said that those who worship Him with petals of tulasi, shall attain all prosperity in the world and also the benefit of performing 'Asvamedha yaga'. All those who reside in this holy place will attain Sri Vaikunta at the end of their lives. From then onwards, Tulasi lived in this holy place, which therefore came to be known as Tulasi Vana (Tulasi forest).  

 Sri Oppiliappan, Sri Bhoomidevi, Sri Markendeya sage

ஒப்பிலியப்பன்  அல்லது உப்பிலியப்பன்  எதற்கும் ஒப்பில்லாத அப்பன் என்றும்,  உப்பு இல்லமல் பகவானுக்கு ஸ்கல நைவேத்தியங்களும் செய்யப்படுகின்றமையால் உப்பிலியப்பன் என்றும்,  போற்றி வணங்கபடுகிறார்.   இவ்வெம்பெருமானுக்கு லவணவர்ஜித் (உப்பை விலக்கிய) ஸ்ரீனிவாஸன் என்ற சிறப்பு பெயரும் உண்டு. நம்மாழ்வார்  எம்பெருமானை பொன்னப்பன், மணியப்பன், முத்தப்பன், என்னப்பன், திருவிண்ணகரப்பன்  என்று போற்றி வணங்குகிறார். 

இங்கு எழுந்தருளியிருக்கும் மூலவர் நின்ற கோலத்தில் காட்சியளிக்கிறார் .  இக்காட்சி, திருப்பதி  ஸ்ரீ வெங்கடா சலபதி  நின்ற கோலத்தினை  ஒத்திருக்கின்றது.   தாயார் ஸ்ரீ பூமி தேவியும் , மார்கேண்டேய  முனிவரும்  கிழே அமர்ந்து  காட்சியளிக்கின்றனர்.

இத்தலம் ஆழ்வார்களால் மங்களா சாசனம் செய்யபெற்றுள்ளது. 

இத்தலத்தையும்  இத்தல எம்பெருமானையும் நம்மாழ்வார் 11 (3249 - 59) பாசுரங்களிலும், திருமங்கை அழ்வார் 34 பாசுரங்களிலும் (1448 -1477, 1855, 2080 (72), 2674 (113)  பொய்கையாழ்வார் 1 பாசுரம் , பேயாழ்வார்  2 பாசுரங்களிலும்  (2342, 2343) மங்களாசாசனம் செய்தருளியுள்ளனர் .

திருமங்கை யாழ்வார் அருளிச் செய்த பெரிய திருமொழி 6-1 - வண்டுனு  (திருவிண்ணகர்  1)

1448 - 1477, 1855, 2080 (72), 2674(113)

 1448  "வண்டுனு  நறுமலர் இண்டை கொண்டு பண்டை நம் வினை கெட  என்று அடி மேல் 

             தொண்டரும் அமரரும் பணிய நின்று அங்கு அண்டமொடு அகலிடம் அளந்தவனே !

             ஆண்டா ய் ! உனைக் காண்பதோர் அருள் எனக்கு அருளுதியேல் 

             வேண்டேன் மனை வாழக்கையை  விண்ணகர்  மேயவனே!"

Visit to Goddess Durgambigai temple at, Patteeswaram

Patteeswaram is a village near Kumbakonam,  which is about 8 Kms away. This village is famous for its Sri Durga Temple.  The village is named after Patti, the calf of Kamadhenu, a divine cow in Hindu mythology.  Hence, the main deity in this temple is named as Patteswarar and Lord's consort is Sri Durgambigai.  This Sri Durgambigai temple is a big temple and maintained well.  Though the temple is a Shiva Temple - Sri Patteswarar, the temple is known famous for Lord Shiva's consort Sri Durgambigai.  This temple has five gopurams which show the temple architecture of Pallavas, Cholas and Nayaks period. Patteswaram is  one of the parihara sthalams which means that those afflicted by doshams due to their karma deeds (sins)  can get absolution of their sins by performing parihara poojas (remedial poojas) in this temple to attain papa vimochanam.

Temple entrance

Patti, calf of Kamadhenu worshipping Eshwar

The legend goes like this - Lord Rama was afflicted with  three doshams (great sins) for killing King Ravana - brahmmahathi (killed a brahmin) dosham, verahatthi (killing a warrior) dosham and chayahatthi (killing a ardent Shiva devotee) dosham.  He could get rid of these doshams and get absolution of his sins  by installing Shiva lingams and  do penance and perform parihara poojas.   He installed one Shiva Lingam in Rameshwaram to ward off brahmmahatti dosham, installed another Shiva Lingam in Vedaranyam to get rid of verahatti dosham and the third shiva lingam at Patteeswaram to cleanse his chayahatti dosham and obtained papa vimochanam.  

Here, in this temple,  the Nandi ( Lord Shiva vahana) is slightly shifted to a side from its position as can be seen in other temples, with a view to give a clear view to the child poet Thirugnanasambandar who came to Patteeswaram in a hot summer, totally tired and exhausted because of the intense heat, to worship Lord Shiva.  To make it cool for the young devotee, Lord erected a முத்துப்பந்தல் (canopy of pearls) all along his way and also asked Nandi to move aside so that He could straightaway see his devotee Sambandar when he enered the temple.  To commemorate this incident, even now this temple celeberates a special festival 'Muthupandal festival' in the tamil month of Ani (ஆனி ).     

          

                   Lord Patteeswarar

Temple tank is there in the front side.  A shrine for Pillayar is also there near the tank.  

Lord;s consort Sri Durga protects mankind from evil forces, removes negative qualities of mankind viz. ego, envy, anger, hatred etc.  Goddess Sri Durga can be seen here in Shanta Swarupam, seated on lion (Her vahana) and her foot on demon Mahishasura, with ashtabhuja (eight hands) holding conch, discuss, bow, arrow, sword, shied and a parrot in them.  Devotees throng this temple to have Her devine darshan and worship the Goddess Durga during Rahu Kalam period, tuesdays, fridays, sundays, full moon and new moon days.  The Goddess Durga here is considered to be a very powerful deity, showers Her Blessings on Her devotees.  Devotees will also pray the Goddess to seek Her Blessings for marriage of their daughters.    Lemon garlands, cloths are offered to the deity by the devotees.  Tamil month Aadi ( ஆடி மாதம்) is very important for Goddess Durga and special poojas are performed throughout this month.  Accordingly, temple timings are a little different from other days.

Goddess Durgambigai

Temple timings:  Monday-Sunday (Except   Friday): 6 AM to 1 PM, 4PM to 9 PM, Friday: 6 AM to 1 PM, 4AM to 10 AM

Contact details: Arulmigu Dhenupureeshwar Thirukkovil, Sri Durga Sthalam, Patteswaram, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur Dist, Phone: 0435 2416976 emple Website: http://www.patteeswaramdurga.org

  

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.  

வணக்கம் 

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