Kerala district wise temple details:-

Thiruvananthapuram

    * Attukal Temple

    * Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple

    * Varkala Janardanaswamy temple

    * Palakavil Devi Temple, Edava

    * Sree Mahadevar Temple, Parassala

    * Saradagiri Temple, Sivagiri, Varkala

    * Sri Sankaranarayana Temple, Navaikulam

Kollam

    * Radha Madhava temple, Allenchery

    * Sri Mahadevar temple, Agastiacode, Anchal

    * Vayalil Thrikkovil Mahavishnu Temple, Ilamkulam, Kalluvathukkal

    * Ammachiveedu Devi Temple

    * Ananthavalleeswaram Temple

    * Kottarakulam Sree Maha Ganapathy Temple

    * Mukathala Murari Temple, Mukathala

    * Rameshwaram Shiva Kshetram, Anchukallumoodu

    * Sree Krishna Swamy Temple, Asramom

    * Sree Maha Ganapathy Temple, Thamarakulam

    * Umikkicham Veedu Sree Krishna Swamy Temple

    * Oachira Parabrahma Ksetram,Oachira

[ ] Pathanamthitta

    * Perumpetty Sree Mahadevar Temple,Perumpetty. [Shivan, Krishnan,Devi, Ayyappan & Ganapathy]

    * Kottangal Bhagavathi Temple, Kottangal.

    * Kottanadu Pranamalakkavu Devi temple, Kottanadu, perumpetty.

    * Kunnam Annapoorneswari Devi Temple, Valyakunnam, Chalappally.

    * Thirumalida Mahadeva Temple, Mallappally

    * Mahadeva Temple, Kaviyoor, Thiruvalla

    * Sabarimala Sree Ayyappa temple, Sabarimala

    * Sri malayalappuzha Devi Temple, Malayalappuzha

    * Sri Parthasarathy Temple, Aranmula

    * Kadammanitta Devi Temple, Kadammanitta

    * Srivallabha Temple, Thiruvalla

    * Thumpamon Vadakkumnatha Temple, Pandalam

    * Thazhoor Bhagavathy Kshetram, Vazhamuttom

    * Chakkulathukavu Devi Temple, Thiruvalla

    * Sree Subrahmanya Swamy Temple, Kodumthara

    * Sree Rakthakandha Swamy Temple, Omallur

    * Vettoor Aayiravillan Temple, Vetoor

    * Sree Krishna Swamy Temple, Kozhencherry

    * Valamchuzhy Devi Temple, Valamchuzhy

    * Karunattukavu Sree Bhagavathi Temple, Kavumbhagom

    * Sree Dharma Sastha Temple, Anaprambal

    * Sri Malayalappuzha Devi Temple, Malayalappuzha

    * Puthenkavu Devi Temple, Nedumprom

    * Karunattukavu Sree Krishna Swamy Temple, Kavumbhagom

    * Ezhamkulam Devi Temple, Ezhamkulam, Adoor

    * Aduparkavu Devi Temple, Vayalathala, Ranni(Ranni - Kozhencherry 8 km)

[ ] Alapuzha

    * Vettikulamkara

    * Chettikulamkara Devi Temple, Mavelikkara

    * Siva Temple, Kurattiyil, Mannar

    * Kunnathoor Devi Temple, Kuttemperoor, Mannar

    * Harippad Subramanya Swamy Temple

    * Mannarshala Temple, Haripad

    * Sri Krishnaswamy Temple, Mavelikkara

    * Kandiyoor Mahadeva Temple, Mavelikkara

    * Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna Temple, Ambalapuzha

    * Vethalankavu Temple, Kappil East, Krishnapuram, Kayamkulam

    * Sastamkulangara Narasimhamurthy temple, Chenganoor

    * Angadickal Devi temple, Chenganoor

    * Mahadeva Temple, Chenganoor

    * Bharanikkavu Devi Temple, Kattanam, Mavelikkara

    * Sri Devi Temple, Chettikulangara

    * Kottamkulangara Temple

    * mahadeva temple, kalarcode, alapuzha

    * Koottummel Devi Temple,Eara (Kottayam - Kainady route 16 km)

    * Karumathra Temple, Kainady (Kottayam - Kainady route 18 km)

    * Nedumudy, Kottaram Bhagavathy Temple

    * Mahadeva Temple Kudassanad/Anikunnathu ambalam

    * Dhanvanthari Temple, Prayikkara, Mavelikkara

[ ] Kottayam

    * Kavinpuram Devi Temple, Ezhacherry

    * Thrikodithanam Mahavishnu Temple, near Changanassery

    * Vazhappally Mahadeva Temple

    * Ettumanoor Mahadevar Temple

    * Perumattom MahaDeva Temple, Veliyannoor

    * Nellikkakkunnu Bhagavathy Temple, Veliyannoor

    * Panachikat Saraswathy Temple,Kottayam

    * Sree Ganapathy Temple, Malliyoor

    * Shiva Temple, Ettumanoor

    * Shiva Temple, Vaikom

    * Subramaniyan Temple, Udayanapuram

    * Shri Subramanya Swami Temple[1], Arpookara (Near Medical College), Kottayam

    * Sree Narasimha Swamy Temple, Kozha, Kuravilangad

    * Kalikavu Devi Temple, Kuravilangad

[ ] Idukki

[ ] Ernakulam

    * Thrikkakara Vamanamoorthy Temple

    * Eravikulangara temple, Nedumbassery

    * Siva Temple, Ernakulam

    * Sree Poornathrayeesa Temple, Thrippunithura

    * Chottanikkara Devi Temple

    * Sree Bhavaneeswara Temple, Palluruthy

    * Blandevar Mahavishnu Temple, Blandevar, North Mazhuvannoor

    * Irapuram Bhagavathi Temple, Blandevar, North Mazhuvannoor

    * Kavipallathu Siva Temple, Blandevar, North Mazhuvannoor

    * Thiruviraanikulam Shiva Temple, Aluva

    * Pazhoor Perum Thirkovil, near Piravom

    * Mattapillikavu Bhagavathy Temple, Thuruthikara

    * Sree Bagavathy Temple, Arayankavu

    * Ameda Snake Temple, near Nadakavu

    * Chakkamkulangara Shiva Temple, Thrippunithura

Cheranalloore Siva temple,near Thottuva Dhanwanthari temple, Built more than 1000yrs before during the regime of IInd Cheraman Empire, ruled from old Mahodayapuram

[ ] Thrissur

    * Aarattupuzha [Sree Shasta] temple, Arattupuzha, Urakam

    * Sree Guruvayoorappan temple, Guruvayur

    * Mammiyoor Temple

    * Keezhthali Sree Mahadeva Temple

    * Vadakkunnathan Temple, Thrissur

    * Koodalmanikyam, Irinjalakuda

    * Ammathiruvadi Temple, Ūrakam

    * Sri Vailikulagara Bhagavathi Temple, Kakkassery

    * Thiruvanikkavu Temple, Machad, Vadakanchery

    * Sri Mahavishnu Temple, Mangalam, Vadakanchery

    * Cherpu Bhagavati Temple, Cherpu

    * Cherumukku Mahavishnu temple, Cherumukku

    * Kizhe Thrikkovil Temple, Cheruvathery

    * Kodungallur Bhagavathi temple, Kodungallur

    * Midhunappilli Shiva Temple

    * Poonkunnam Shiva Temple

    * Sri Paramekkavil Bhagavathi Khetram

    * Thiruvambadi Lord Krishna Temple

    * Uthralikkavu Temple, Vadakkanchery

    * Viyyoor Shiva Temple

    * Paambumekaatu Mana, Mala, Trissur

    * Avittathur siva Temple, Irinjalakuda

    * Pulloor Siva temple, Irinjalakuda

    * Nambiyan Kavu Siva temple, Irinjalakuda

    * Sreerama Temple, Thiruvilwamala

[ ] Palakkad

    * Easwaramangalam Temple, Sreekrishnapuram

    * Maathur Ganapathi Temple, Thottakkara, Ottapalam

    * Chinakkathoor Bhagavathi Temple, Palappuram

    * Yajneshwaram Shiva Temple, Thrithala

    * Pariyanempatta Bhagavathi Temple, Kattukulam, Mangalamkunnu

    * Vayilyamkunnu Bhagavathi Temple, Kadampazhipuram

    * Pookottukavu Bhagavathi Temple, Pookottukavu

    * Kodarmanna Mahavishu Temple, Punchapadam

    * Punnamparambu Bhagavathi Temple, Manampatta

    * Thalayanakkad Siva Temple, Thalayanakkad

    * Cherplery Siva Temple, Punchapadam

    * Killikkurussi Mahadeva Temple

    * Brahmeeswaran Temple

    * Mangottu Kavu Temple

    * Anjaneya Mandir, Gangothri Nagar, Nemmara

    * Lakshminarayan Temple, Shekaripuram

    * Kalikavil Bhagavathy Temple, Mathur

    * Panayoorkavu Bhagavathy Temple, Kadamboor, Ambalapara

    * Vettaykkorumakan Temple, Convent Road, Ottapalam

    * Poozhikkunnu Sree Krishna Temple, Sunder Iyer Road, Ottapalam

    * Vengeri Temple, Ottapalam

    * Parthasaradhy Temple, Thottakkara, Ottapalam

    * Neellikavu Bhagavathy Temple, Kayarampara, Ottapalam

[ ] Malappuram

    * Thirumanthamkunnu Temple

    * Allathur hanuman temple, Alathiyur, Tirur

    * Thrikkavu Temple, Ponnani

    * Thirunavaya Temple, Thirunavaya

    * Devi Temple, Kadampuzha

    * Vayambatta Vishnu Temple, Kolathur

    * Trikandiyoor Mahadeva Temple, Tirur

[ ] Kozhikode

    * Lokanarkavu temple, Vatakara

    * Siva Temple, Arakkiladu, Vatakara

    * Tali Siva Temple, Kozhikode

    * Sree Valayanad Devi Temple Govindapuram

    * Pisharikavu Temple, Koyilandy, Kozhikode

[ ] Wayanad

    * Thirunelli Temple, Brahmagiri Hill

    * Mazhuvannur Maha Siva Kshethram, Tharuvana

[ ] Kannur

    * Muthappan temple, Parassini

    * Thiruvangad Sreerama Temple, Thalassery

    * Rajarajeshwara Temple

    * Kadalai SreeKrishna Kshethram

    * Mundayamparamba Devi Temple, Iritty

    * Sree Andalur Kavu - Sree Rama Temple, Thalassery

    * Kalarivaathakkal Bhagavathy Temple, Kannur

    * Kanjirangad Vaidyanatha Temple, Taliparamba

    * Peralasseri Subrhmanya Temple, Kannur

    * Sundareswara Temple, Talap, Kannur

    * Trichambaram Sreekrishna Temple, Taliparamba

    * sree jaghanantha temple, Thalassery

    * sree Thiruvatoor Devi Temple, Madai

    * Sree Subrhamanya Temple, Payyanur

    * Sree Chala Bhagavati Temple, Chala

[ ] Kasargod

    * Ananthapura Lake Temple

    * Kodoth Bhagavati Temple, Kodoth, Kanhangad

ATTUKAL TEMPLE,KERALA

Attukal Bhagavathy Temple

Name:       Attukal Bhagavathy Temple

       

       

Primary deity:    Attukal Bhagavathi

       

Location:   Attukal, Thiruvananthapuram

Coordinates:      [show location on an interactive map] 8°28′N 76°58′E / 8.47°N 76.96°E / 8.47; 76.96Coordinates: [show location on an interactive map] 8°28′N 76°58′E / 8.47°N 76.96°E / 8.47; 76.96

Attukal temple (Malayalam:ആറ്റുകാല്‍ ഭഗവതി ക്ഷേത്രം) is a shrine in Kerala, India. The temple has gained international attention since it was listed by the Guinness Book of World Records as "the largest gathering of women in the world". The record was based on the number of pilgrims on 23 February 1997, when 1.5 million assembled to offer pongala to Attukal Devi.[1][2]

Contents

[hide]

 [ ] History

        This section requires expansion.

The Goddess Kannaki (Parvathi) is the main deity in this temple. It is believed that Kannaki came to Attukal from Madurai.[citation needed]

[ ] Pongala Festival

Worship during Attukal Pongala at Tippu Street, South Fort, Thiruvananthapuram.

Attukal Pongala is the main festival of this temple. Millions of women gather every year in the month of Kumbham around this temple and prepare Pongala (rice cooked with jaggery, ghee, coconut as well as other ingredients) in the open in small pots to please the Goddess Kannaki. During the festival nearly five kilometres around the temple become covered with smoke from the 'aduppu's (temporary hearths made of 3 to 9 bricks). A holiday is declared in the city on that day. Tourists from other countries also participate in the Attukal Pongala.

[ ] Other Festivals

The other festivals in this temple are:

   1. Mandala Vratham - Festival in connection with the annual Utsavam of Sabarimala

   2. Vinayaka Chathurthi - Pooja to the Lord Ganapathy

   3. Pooja Vaypu - Identical to Dussera festival (Saraswathy Pooja and Vidyarambham)

   4. Sivarathri - Siva Pooja

   5. Karthika - Karthika Deepa

   6. Ayilya Pooja - Milk, flowers etc. offered to serpent God and special rites

   7. Aiswarya Pooia - On all full moon (Pournami) days

   8. Nirayum Puthariyum (Ramayana Parayanam) - During the month of Karkadakam

   9. Akhandanama Japam - 4th Sunday of every month

PADMANABHASWAMY TEMPLE

Padmanabhaswamy temple

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Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple

Name:       Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple

       

       

Primary deity:    Padmanabhaswamy Vishnu

Architecture:      Kovil

Location:   Thiruvananthapuram

       

Padmanabhaswamy temple (aka Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple), (Malayalam: ശ്രീ പദ്മനാഭ സ്വാമി ക്ഷേത്രം) is a famous Hindu temple of Lord Vishnu, located inside the Fort in city of Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. The temple is one of the 108 divya desam,[1] the holiest abodes of Lord Vishnu. The main deity, Padmanabhaswamy, is a form of Vishnu in Anananthasayanam posture (in eternal sleep of yognidra).[2] This is an ancient temple and the city of Thiruvananthapuram derives its name from the name of the presiding deity enshrined in the temple.

Contents

[hide]

    * 1 History

    * 2 The temple

          o 2.1 Gopuram

          o 2.2 Garbhagriha

    * 3 Legend

          o 3.1 Mythology

    * 4 Sri Padmanabha Swamy Mahatyam - History

    * 5 Prasadam

    * 6 Darshan, Sevas and Festivals

    * 7 Compositions

    * 8 References

    * 9 External links

[edit] History

In olden days Sree Padmanabha Kshetram and its properties were controlled by powerful lords known as Ettuveetil Pillamar under the guidance of Ettara Yogam. Later, Marthanda Varma defeated the Pillamar and his cousins "Kunju thampis" and took over power.

The last major renovation of the temple was done by King Marthanda Varma, Maharaja of the erstwhile princely state of Travancore. He dedicated his kingdom to the deity, and pledged that he and his descendants would serve the kingdom as Padmanabha Dasa, meaning "servants of the Lord Padmanabha". With this, Sri Padmanabha became the nominal head of the state of Travancore, assuming the title Perumal, the Emperor. The British Government saluted the Lord with a 21-gun salute, a military tradition of colonial days, which was continued by the Indian Army until the abolition of the privy purses by Government of India with Indira Gandhi as the Prime Minister.[2]

The royal insignia of the Lord, The Valampiri Shankhu or dextral conch-shell, served as the State emblem of Travancore and even continued so for some time after the re-organization of the States. Sri Padmanabha is still regarded as regional deity of Travancore[citation needed]. The two annual festivals of the Temple culminate in a grand procession, in which the three deities (Sree Padmanabha, Narasimha Swamy and Krishna) are carried on flower-deck and aesthetically decorated Garuda Vahanas to the Shankhumukhom beach, for 'aaraattu' (sacramental ablution). The 'aarattu' days are declared as local public holidays in Thiruvanathapuram.

Sri PadmanabhaSwamy

Sri PadmanabhaSwamy Temple

Temple Name:   Sri Padmanabhaswamy Kshetram

Alias Name:       AnantaPuri

God Name:        Sri Anantha PadmanabhaSwamy

Goddess Name: Sri Hari Lakshmi Thayaar

Pushkarni:         Matsya Theertham alias Padma Theertham

Vimanam: Hemakoota Vimanam

Location:   Trivandrum

State and Country:     Kerala, India

Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple

[edit] The temple

[edit] Gopuram

The temple has a 100 foot[3], seven-tier gopuram. The temple stands by the side of a tank, named Padma Theertham (meaning the lotus spring). The temple has a corridor with 365 and one-quarter sculptured granite-stone pillars with elaborate carvings. This corridor extends from the eastern side into the sanctum sanctorum. An eighty-foot flag-staff stands in front of the main entry from the 'prakaram' (corridor). The ground floor under the gopuram (main entrance in the eastern side) is known as the 'Nataka Sala' where the famous temple art, Kathakali was staged in the night during the ten-day uthsavam (festival) conducted twice a year, during the Malayalam months of Meenam and Thulam.

[edit] Garbhagriha

In the Garbhagriha, an idol of Vishnu is depicted in a reclining position over the serpent Anantha or Adi Sesha. The serpent has his face pointed upwards, as if enjoying the smell emanating from the lotus held in his left hand. His right hand hangs over Shiva. Sridevi and Bhudevi, two consorts of Vishnu stand by his side and the Brahma is seen on a lotus, which emanates from the navel of Vishnu. The idol is made up of 10008 Saligram that compose the reclining Vishnu. These Saligram are from the banks of the river Gandaki in Nepal, brought with much ceremony on elephants. On top of the Saligram, "Katusarkara yogam", a special ayurvedic mix, was used to make a plaster. The katu sarkara mould keeps the idol free from pests. The abhishekam of the Lord is not a traditional ritual. The daily worship is with flowers and for the abhishekam special separate idols are used. The flowers have always been removed using peacock feathers fearing damaging the katu sarkara on the idol.[citation needed]

In order to perform darshan and puja, one has to climb on a stone slab. Different parts of Vishnu’s idol - the face, the navel and the feet - are visible from three different doors. Only the King of Travancore may perform Namaskaram, or bow prostrate on this stone slab. This slab is made of a single stone, and since the idol of the Lord is also on this slab, anybody who bows prostrate, or any material object that is kept on the slab, henceforth belongs to the Lord. Here, the King is called a "Padmanabha Dasa", or a "servant" of Vishnu. Adherents believe that it is actually Vishnu who rules the state of Tranvacore.

In the 108 Divya deshams, or holiest shrines of Lord Vishnu, the idols of the Lord are in one of the three different postures. Either reclining, sitting, or standing. A unique feature of the Padmanabha Swamy temple is that it has idols in all these three postures. The main idol inside the sanctum sanctorum and viewed from three doors is in the reclining posture, the idol viewed through the central door in the standing posture, and the "Utsava Murthi", the idol taken out for the festival processions is in the sitting posture.

There are other important shrines inside the temple for Hindu deities Narasimha, Krishna, Ayyappa, Ganesha and Hanuman. Many other small shrines like Kshetrapalan (who guards the temple), Vishwaksena and Garuda are also present.

A unique feature that came to light recently is the fact that Lord Padmanabha's idol is entirely cast in gold except for the face and chest. Katu sarkara yogam was used to ward off invasion of the temple by the Muslim rulers. The crown of the Lord sporting kundalams in the ears, the huge salagrama mala adorning the chest and the finely chiseled poonal are in gold. The various ornaments covering the chest and the right hand sporting a huge kankanam shielding Lord Siva, the left hand holding a Kamalam are in gold. The stalk of the kamalam rising out of the nabhi is also in splendid gold. The entire length of the Lord's legs is again cast in gold.

The katu sarkara yogam was obviously an ingeniously conceived plan to avoid the prying eyes of the invaders who attacked the city.[citation needed]

The approach road to Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple

[edit] Legend

There are many legends regarding the origin of the temple. One such legend says that the Sage Divakara prayed to Krishna for his darshan. Krishna came in disguise as a small, mischievous boy. The boy swallowed the Saligrama which was kept in Puja. The Sage became enraged at this and chased the boy until the boy hid himself behind a tree. The tree fell down and became Vishnu in Sayana Kolam (lying posture)--but when he did so, he was of an extraordinarily large size. The Sage, recognizing that the tree was Vishnu, in despair prayed that he could not pray to Vishnu fully as his form was so large. Immediately, the Vishnu shrunk himself, and told the sage that he should be worshipped through three doors. These doors are now the doors in the temple through which the idol may be viewed. Through the first door, the worship is offered to Shiva; through the second entrance Brahma prays to Vishnu from his lotus navel, and through the third is Vishnu's feet, which are said to lead to salvation.[citation needed]

Another legend suggests that the original Murti which was made of the wood of that tree got burned during a fire that engulfed the temple complex, was a sign of the unhappiness of the lord with the king.[citation needed]

[edit] Mythology

Padmanabhaswamy Temple stands at a place considered as one of the seven Parasurama Kshetras; texts including the Puranas, particularly the Skanda Purana and Padma Purana, have references for this shrine. Tradition states that in this place, the Hindu deity Lord Vishnu gave darshan to Indian sages like Divakarmuni and Vilvamangalam Swami.[1] Another story tells of a pulaya couple seeing Vishnu in the form of a child. The child took morsels of rice from the hands of the couple. Also it is believed that Divakaramuni, when he saw the deity he took the first food item he saw which was an Unripe Mango and a coconut shell as an offering plate and performed primary pooja. In memory of this legend, naivedyam or offering prepared from rice is offered to the deity here in a coconut shell. Link [1]

Entrance of Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple

[edit] Sri Padmanabha Swamy Mahatyam - History

The idol is made up of 10008 salagramams that compose the reclining lord. They are special because they are from Nepal, from the banks of river Gandhaki and they were brought to the temple with all pomp and gaiety on elephant top. On top of them "katusarkara yogam",navaratnams, a special ayurvedic mix, was used to give a plaster. Followers believe that the Lord has personally come in disguise and had saved many times the Travancore Kingdom from the clutches of enemies.

[edit] Prasadam

Rice offered to the deity in coconut shell. Paal Payasam (Milk Kher) is very famous. During Thursday, Panakam is offered to Lord Narasimha. Unni Appam, Aval with sugar is also offered to Lord.[citation needed]

[edit] Darshan, Sevas and Festivals

NarasimhaSwamy & PadmanabhaSwamy after coming from Shankumuka Beach during Aarat Festival

There are many festivals related to this temple. The major festivals are bi-annual. The Alpashy festival which is in October/November and the Painkuni festival which is in March/April, lasts for 10 days each. These festivals culminate with the Aarat (holy bath) procession to the Shankumugham Beach. The word Aarat refers to the purificatory immersion of the deities of the temple in sea. This event takes place in the evening. The King of Travancore escorts the Aarat procession by foot. The idols of Sri Padmanabhaswamy, Krishna and Narasimha are given a ritual bathe in the sea, after the prescribed poojas. After this ceremony, the idols are taken back to the temple as a procession in the light of traditional torches, marking the conclusion of the festival.

Sri Krishna after coming from Shankumuka Beach during Aarat Festival

A major annual festival related to Padmanabha temple is the Navaratri festival. The idols of Saraswathi, Durga, and Murukan are brought to the kuthira malika palace in front of Padmanabha temple as a procession. This festival lasts for 9 days. The famous Swathi music festival is held every year during this festival.

Big Idol of Pandavas displayed during Painkuni festival

The biggest festival in this temple is laksha deepam, which means hundred thousand (or one lakh) lamps. This festival is unique and commences once in 6 years. Prior to this festival, chanting of prayers and recitation of three vedas is done for 56 days. On the festival time, hundred thousand oil lamps are lit in and around the temple premises. The next laksha deepam is slated on January 2014

Temple Tower during LakshaDeepam Festival

Darshan times are (before noon) 3.30-4.45, 6.30-7.00, 8.30-10.00, 10.30-11.00, 11.45-12.00; (after noon) 5.00-6.15 and 6.45-7.20. Only Hindus are permitted inside the temple. Devotees have to strictly follow the dress code. Men should remove clothes above waist and deposit in the locker room. No one is permitted to wear dress that displays both legs separately. This means no pants for men or churidhar for women. Dhotis can be borrowed at the locker room for Rs. 15. Dhotis can be worn over pants or churidhar. No cell phones or cameras are permitted inside the temple. Cell phones must be deposited in the locker room after taking it out of the bag for Rs. 15 a piece. Hand bags are permitted inside.

[edit] Compositions

Nammalvar had sung in praise of Lord Padmanabha Swamy. Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma wrote many songs on Sri Padmanabha. Most of these songs have the word Padmanabha in it.

[edit] References

   1. ^ a b Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple — Aswathi Thirunal Gouri Lakshmi Bayi, ISBN 1-127-36587-8

   2. ^ a b Temples of Kerala - Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple - Temples of India @ New Kerala .Com

   3. ^ Padmanabhaswamy Temple Thiruvananthapuram Kerala

Vayalil Thrikkovil Mahavishnu Temple

Vayalil Thrikkovil Mahavishnu Temple is an ancient temple placed in Ilamkulam, Kalluvathukkal. It is located 2 km away from NH 47. The temple is placed in a very beautiful place. A very odd pooja named "Laskhmi Narayana Pooja" conducting twice in each month. Ashtami Rohini Maholsavam and Bhagavatha Sapthaham are the famous festivals performed here. The temple is owned by Pisharikkal Mana in Kodungalloor. But the functioning of temple is managed by the forum of local peoples.

Thumpamon Vadakkumnatha Temple

This is an ancient temple in Pathanamthitta District,Kerala,India. This temple consists two Sreekovils(Sanctum Sanctorum) .Both Sreekovils are round(vatta)in shape. The worshipers believe that the Deity in One Sreekovil is Balamuruga worshiped by SakthiBhadra the author of Acharya Chudamani (A drama for Koodiyatta). This deity is called ThekkumNathan. The Other Deity in the Second Sreekovil is Vdakkumnatha. Some worshipers believe that it is Shiva, some other Muruga and another opinion is that it is Vishnu. But the Deity resembles like Sree Bhudha.

Thazhoor Bhagavathy Kshetram

hazhoor Bhagavathy Kshetram, (Malayalam: താഴൂര്‍ ഭഗവതി ക്ഷേത്രം) is a 300 years old Hindu temple situated on the banks of the Achankovil river in Vazhamuttom, Pathanamthitta district in Kerala. The Devi(goddess) is the main deity here.

Thazhoor Bhagavathy Temple - View from Thazhoor bridge

Padyani - At Thazhoor Bhagavathy Temple at Vazhamuttom near Pathanamthitta

Padayani - At Thazhoor Bhagavathy Temple

Another Photograph of Thazhoor Padayani

The Padayani held in the month of Kumbham is very famous. "Padayani" performances are held at the temple annually. Padayani songs are very ancient folk-lore of Kerala. the padayani folk-dances are traditionally preserved in this part of Kerala.

A Paraezhunnellippu is held in the malayalam month of Kumbham that ends on the Vishu day in the month of Medam. The Paraezhunnellippu is spread all over Vazhamuttom east, Vazhamuttom, Pramadam, Mullanikadu and Vallicode . The Parazhumallippu will cover every Hindu family in the above mentioned localities. The devotees have this occasion to present as offerings, tender coconuts & seeds.

The temple is also famous for the folk arts and the "Kettukaazhcha" procession with Kaala (bull motif) and Kuthira vela (horse motif).

Kumbha Pongala The Pongala celebration commences on the morning of Kumbham 1. The women, dressed in traditional clean costumes for the occasion offer Naivedyam to the goddess with their bare hands. The Goddess (Amma) accepts the offerings from thousands of devotees. It is believed that viewing Amma in all her glory at this time will free one from all sins and evils.

Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna Temple

Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna Temple, Malayalam അംബലപ്പുഴ ശ്രീകൃഷ്ണ ക്ഷേത്രം, is a Hindu temple in Ambalappuzha, Alapuzha district of Kerala, in south India.

The Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna Temple is believed to have been built in the in the year AD 790 by the local ruler Chembakasserry Pooradam Thirunal-Devanarayanan Thampuran.

This temple is directly associated to the Guruvayoor Sri Krishna Temple. During the raids of Tipu Sultan in 1789, the idol of Sri Krishna from the Guruvayoor Temple was brought to the Ambalappuzha Temple for safe keeping.

The payasam served in the Ambalappuzha Temple is famous among Hindu devotees. This sweet pudding made of rice and milk has an interesting mythological legend behind it.

[edit] Legend of the Ambalappuzha Paal Payasam

According to the legend, Lord Krishna once appeared in the form of a sage in the court of the king who ruled the region and challenged him for a game of chess (or chaturanga). The king being a chess enthusiast himself gladly accepted the invitation. The prize had to be decided before the game and the king asked the sage to choose his prize in case he won. The sage told the king that he had a very modest claim and being a man of few material needs, all he wished was a few grains of rice. The amount of rice itself shall be determined using the chess-board in the following manner. One grain of rice shall be placed in the first square, two grains in the second square, four in the third square, eight in the fourth square and so on. Every square will have double the number of grains of its predecessor.

Upon hearing the demand, the king was unhappy since the sage requested only a few grains of rice instead of other riches from the kingdom which the king would have been happy to donate. He requested the sage to add other items to his prize but the sage declined.

So the game of chess started and needless to say the king lost the game. It was time to pay the sage his agreed-upon prize. As he started adding grains of rice to the chess board, the king soon realised the true nature of the sage's demands. By the 20th square, the number had reached one million grains of rice and by the 40th square, it became one million million. The royal grainery soon ran out of grains of rice. The king realised that even if he provides all the rice in his kingdom and his adjacent kingdoms, he will never be able to fulfill the promised reward. The number of grains was increasing as a geometric progression and the total amount of rice required to fill a 64-squared chess board is ((2^64) - 1) which is equal to the number 18,446,744,073,709,551,615 translating to trillions of tons of rice. This amount of rice would roughly cover the surface area of India to a depth of 40 cm!

Upon seeing the dilemma, the sage appeared to the king in his true-form, that of lord Krishna. He told the King that he did not have to pay the debt immediately but could pay him over time. The king would serve paal-payasam (made of rice) in the temple freely to the pilgrims every day until the debt was paid off.

[edit] External links

    * Ambalapuzha Sree Krishna Temple

    * Ambalapuzha Temple from the book: Temples and Legends of Kerala

    * Ambalappuzha temple in Google Maps

Kottamkulangara

KottamKulangara is a small place in the Alappuzha District of Kerala, India. This place got its name from a pond called kottamkulam. There is a temple complex in Kottamkulangara having two main dieties, namely Sri Maha Vishnu and Sri Bhadrakali. This complex have some speciality like the two deities having separate flag masts, having two separate festive season, that too inside the same compound wall.

Sri. Maha Vishnu temple in KottamKulangara is one of the oldest temple in Alappuzha district(Or even in south Kerala). The deity was worshiped in Ancient times and was under the ruins. Later on 12th century Sri Vilwa Mangalam Swamiyar found the four handed Icon from the big Pond.

The Devi Temple (Bhadrakali) is relatively new here. The temple was built around 1799 AD, after the outbreak of a contagious decease. The icon was kept at Avaloor Madam and later brought to the current place on the left of Sri Maha Vishnu Temple.

Kavinpuram Devi Temple

Kavinpuram Devi Temple is located in the South Indian state of Kerala, near the towns of Pala and Ramapuram in Kottayam district. It is unique among the temples of India as its main idol features both Lord Shiva and his wife Parvati. Typically, a Hindu temple has individual idols for Shiva and Parvati located separately within it. The joint idol of Kavinpuram makes it a rarity in India.

[edit] History

According to the great Hindu epic Mahabharatha, Arjuna, third among the five Pandava princes, was once passing through a forest. Arjuna's feats as an archer and a warrior had made him famous, which inflated his ego. Lord Shiva and Parvati decided to humiliate Arjuna so as to make him humble again. They disguised themselves as "Kiratha" and "Kirathi", primitive hunters living in the forest, and challenged him to a fight. Arjuna, not knowing who they were, proceeded to fight them with contempt, only to suffer a humiliating defeat. In his devastation over the loss, Arjuna realized that his opponents must be Lord Shiva and Parvati. Humbled, Arjuna asked for forgiveness, and in return Shiva and Parvati blessed him. The main idol of Kavinpuram Temple depicts their blessing posture in this context.

The actual age of the Temple has not been determined. Since time immemorial, its site has contained the ruins of an ancient temple with several idols in it. Recently, with the efforts of the local community, the Temple has been fully renovated and restored back to its full glory. Now it has become an important Hindu worshipping centre of the region, with devotees coming from far and near. In addition to the main Shiva-Parvati idol, the Temple's inner courtyard features sub-temples for Lord Ganesha and Lord Sastha. Other sub-temples for Naga Raja, Naga Yakshi, Naga Kanyaka and Rakshas are also located within the main compound.

[edit] Festivals

The revival of the Temple has also brought back to life its myriad festivals and rituals. The main festival is celebrated on the 12th and 13th days of the month "Dhanu" in the native calendar (usually during the last week of December). The principal attraction at this festival is the "Kavinpuram Thalappoli", which is a long procession of people carrying oil-lit lamps at night. People from all over the region come to the Temple to participate in this event. Other famous festivals are "Pongala" and "Naranga Vilakku", which are held during the month of "Vrischikom".

Fitting for a temple of its stature and prominence, Kavinpuram Temple offers a wide variety of "poojas", or rituals on a daily basis. Some of the most important ones are "Aranaazhipayasam", "Niramala" and "Pushpanjali". Others include cracking coconut for Lord Ganesha, "Neerajanam" for Lord Sastha, "Palpayasam" for Rakshas, and "Thalichukoda" and "Ayilyapooja" for Sarpam. Due to its unique joint Shiva-Parvati idol, the Temple puts special emphasis on poojas that are meant to confer happiness and longevity to the married life of the devotees. One such notable ritual is the "Swayamvara Pushpanjali" pooja, which is conducted on seven consecutive Mondays, culminating with the "Uma-Maheswara" pooja on the evening of the final Monday.

[edit] External links

    * Kavinpuram Devi Temple website

    * Video of Kavinpuram Pongala on YouTube

    * Videos of Thiruvathirakali at Kavinpuram Temple on YouTube: Video 1, Video 2, Video 3.

Thrikodithanam Mahavishnu Temple

The Mahavishnu Kshetram (temple) at Thrikodithanam is one of the five Vishnu temples associated with the five Pandava brothers, the principal characters of the Mahabharata. It is believed that Sahadeva, one of the brothers, performed penance at this site. This temple is also counted among the 108 Temples & Celestial Abodes of Vishnu, which make a Vaishnavite's pilgrimage itinerary, in India. [1]

Earliest references to this temple appear in the poems and hymns composed by the greatest of Alvar saints - Nammalvar, in circa 800 AD. Stone inscriptions in the temple date it back to the Second Chera Empire (800 - 1102 AD).[2]

Thrikodithanam Mahavishnu Kshetram is administered by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), an autonomous body under Government of Kerala. TDB has classified this shrine among 224 "Major Temples" of Kerala.[3]

Thrikodithanam is located is located 2.5 KM from Changanassery town, in Kottayam district, Kerala, India.

[edit] Notes

   1. ^ "108 Sri Vishnu Temples". 108 Sri Vishnu Temples. Divyadesomonline. http://www.divyadesamonline.com/hindu-temples.asp. Retrieved on 2006-11-01.

   2. ^ Temples of Kerala. S. Jayashanker, Directorate of Census Operations, Kerala (Census of India, Special Studies) (May 1997). Temples of Kerala, page 304-305.

   3. ^ "Major Temples of Kerala". Major Temples of Kerala. Travancore Devaswom Board. http://www.travancoredevaswom.org/majortemples.html. Retrieved on 2006-11-01.

Eravikulangara temple

Eravikulangara Bhagavathy Temple is an ancient Hindu temple in the Ernakulam district of Kerala, India, dedicated to Bhagavan Sivan and Bhagavan Ayyappan[1].

Contents

[hide]

    * 1 Location

    * 2 Prathistha (Origin)

    * 3 Aitihya (Legends)

    * 4 References

[edit] Location

The temple is situated in the village of Akaparambu, between Kalady (the birth place of Adi Sankara) and Aluva. The temple is almost a kilometer away from the Nedumbassery International Airport and 500 meters away from the Kariyad Junction at NH47.

[edit] Prathistha (Origin)

The Ashtamangalya prasna conducted here has revealed that the temple is around 1600 years old. It is also understood from the prasna that ages back the temple was amidst a dense forest and presence of Devi was found here. Vilwamangalam Swamiyar had 'The Darshan of Devi' (the sight of the divine) at this place, hence the hillock where the temple is situated is also called Thiruviluam Kunnu.

The presence of Lord Shiva and Sastha (Ayyappan) were also found later on and devotees started to worship them too. A Thambula Prasna was conducted in the year 2007. It has emphasized the need of Prathishta of Brahma Rakshas and [Naga]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N%C4%81ga (Sarppam) in the temple premises and it is done with thanthric rituals in October 2008

[edit] Aitihya (Legends)

There are various aitihya told about this temple.

    * A Brahmachari Brahman scholar in the nearby Padappa Mana, known as Sankara Sarma, was worshiping Bhadrakali in his Illam. When he wanted to go for Sanyasa, he performed prathishta of Bhadrakali in this temple and left for Kasi. The goddess has become so powerful due to the prana prathishta done by this Acharya.

    * Old timers have been reminiscing many legendary events about this sacred temple. One of them is about a ‘Divine light’ that was seen in the dense forest on the bank of the lake by the villagers who went to graze their cattle. The news had spread “ Aa parambil adbhudam!!!”. This land was later known as Akapparambu. People started worshiping the divine presence there, which later on transformed as this temple.

    * Once two youths were enacting as Bhadrakali and Darika. During the play both of them had the presence of Devi and Asura in them. The play went on and Devi chopped the head of Darika. His body and head had become two rocks and these rocks still exist near the temple. These are called as “Darika Para”.

    * One more story is told about these rocks. There was a washerwoman (Velathy) who used to wash clothes regularly in the lake. One day when she had more clothes to wash, she was worried since it was about to be dusk. She took a twig and stuck it in the ground and prayed that sun should not cross the stick before she completed her washing. When Lord Soorya became still, Devi realized it. Devi cursed that woman and she along with her cloth bundle became two rocks. Hence the same rocks are also called as “Velathy Kallu”. The big lake, which is at the south side of the temple, has good significance as per the aitihya and is maintained as it was.

[edit] References

   1. ^ Eravikulangara Temple Website

·        Kerala Temples - Gateway to Kerala Temples

Sree Bhavaneeswara Temple

Sree Bhavaneeswara Temple in Palluruthy, Kochi established by the great saint, sage and social reformer of India, Sree Narayana Guru on 8 March 1916. The temple is managed by Sree Dharma Paripalana Yogam which was founded in 1904 with the guidance and blessings of Sree Narayana Guru.

Contents

[hide]

    * 1 Festivals

    * 2 Other Poojas

    * 3 See also

    * 4 External links

[edit] Festivals

The main celebration at the temple is the Mahotsavam(Grand Festival), for 11 days during February-March, every year. Sri Narayana Jayanthi (Birth Day) and Sree Narayana Guru Samadhi day are two important days at the temple.

[edit] Other Poojas

Swarna Dwaja Pratista Day is being observed every year on the day immediately preceding the Mahotsavam celebrations. Nava Graha Homam is being performed on all Sundays. Annadhanam and Sampoorna Niramala is being sponsored by devotees on all Saturdays.

Blandevar

Blandevar - North Mazhuvannoor (Malayalam: ബ്ലാന്തേവര്‍ - വടക്കേ മഴുവന്നൂര്‍) is a small, green, beautiful village in N. Mazhuvannoor area in Ernakulam district. The proposed Rubber Park is coming up in this village. The famous Blandevar Mahavishnu Temple is located here. The people are mainly agricultarists and the main cultivations are paddy,coconut,rubber and pineapple. Mazhuvannoor panchayathu and village offices are situated at Irapuram.

The nearest railway stations are 25 km away at Aluva or 30 km away Ernakulam, and the nearest Airport is Cochin Airport (Nedumbasserry) about 24 km away. Blandevar is 6 km near to the Thiruvananthapuram - Angamaly state highway at north side and 6km near to Ernakulam - Madurai National highway at south side.

Contents

[hide]

    * 1 Educational institutions

    * 2 Cultural centers

    * 3 Religious places

          o 3.1 Blandevar Mahavishnu Temple

          o 3.2 Irapuram Bhagavathi Temple

          o 3.3 Kavipallathu Siva Temple

          o 3.4 Thattamugal St. Mary's Jacobite Syrian Chappel

    * 4 Hospitals

    * 5 Nearest places

    * 6 External links

[edit] Educational institutions

    * Govt UP School N. Mazhuvannoor

    * Govt LP School Irapuram

    * Sree Narayana Engineering college, Kadayirippu - 6km

    * MOSC medical college, Kolenchery - 7km

    * Sree Sankara ARTS college, Irapuram - 4km

[edit] Cultural centers

    * Gramadeepam Library

    * GDM arts and sports club

    * Kilimugal arts and sports club

[edit] Religious places

[edit] Blandevar Mahavishnu Temple

Blandevar Temple

Big banyan tree in front of Blandevar Temple

Blandevar Mahavishnu is very powerful god. Here the yearly festival starts in the "atham" in "kumbham" malayalam month. The six day festival is celebarated by all the villagers with out any caste difference. The name 'blandevar' is derived from incident that the idol of blandevar temple was found from inside a Jackfruit tree (പ്ലാവ്). Myth about this temple is previously it was a big temple owned by the entire village.

[edit] Irapuram Bhagavathi Temple

Irapuram Bhagavathi Temple

Garudan Thookkam

Irapuram Bhagavathi Temple is very ancient temple, which attracts lots of devotees in every year. Here the main festval is in the bharani day of meenam malayalam month. The main adoration here is Garudan Thookkam. Everu year more than 100 garudan thookkam will be presented by devotees. The second main festival here is pathamudayam. Which reminds the fight between Kali and Darikan in purana.

[edit] Kavipallathu Siva Temple

Kavipallathu Siva Temple

Kavipallathu Siva Temple is very ancient temple, which has been renovated around five years back. This is the main siva temple in North Mazhuvannoor area situated near to Kilikulam junction.

[edit] Thattamugal St. Mary's Jacobite Syrian Chappel

St. Mary's Jacobite Syrian Chapel is the main christian tabernacle in North Mazhuvannoor area. It attracts lots of devotees every year. Here the feast have been celebrated with out caste difference.

Mammiyoor Temple

Mammiyoor temple or Mammiyur Mahadeva Kshetram is a Shiva temple near Guruvayoor temple, Kerala, south India. Every devotee who goes to Guruvayoor is supposed to go to Mammiyoor also, as the ritual goes. Only Hindus are allowed inside the temple premises.

[edit] Legends

Bhagwan Vishnu himself worshipped idol at Guruvayoor made out of Pathala Anjanam. Vishnu gave the idol to Brahma. Prajapati Sutapa and his wife Prsni did penance to Brahma, and pleased with their devotion Brahma gave them this idol. Sutapa and his wife Prsni worshipped the idol with such devotion that Mahavishnu himself appeared before them for granting boon. In their over enthusiasm they asked thrice "We need a son equivalent to you". Mahavishnu told that them he himself will be born as their son in three different janmas (birth) and in all the three janmas you will get the vigraha given to you by Brahma.

In the first janma in Satya yuga, Mahavishnu was born as Prsnigarba, as son of Sutapa and Prsni. Psrigarba instructed the world the importance of Brahmacharya to the world.

In the second janma, Sutapa and his wife Prsni were born as Kashayap and Aditi and Mahavishnu was born as Vamana, their son in Treta yuga.

In Dwapara yuga, Lord Krishna' was born as son of Vasudeva and Devaki.

The idol was given to them by Daumya for worship. Sri Krishna established a big temple at Dwaraka and installed this idol. At the time of swargaarohana Lord Krishna instructed his devotee Udhava to install the idol at a sacred place with the help of Brihaspathi, the guru of the Devas and Vayu, the wind God. They (Guru and Vayu) took the idol and came down to a place down south and installed it. This is why the place got its name Guruvayoor, where oor means place. It is also said that Lord Shiva and his Wife Parvathy were present at the auspicious moment and because there was a lack of space in the temple premises, Shiva moved a little further away, and gives his blessings from Mammiyoor Temple, which is a ten minute walk from the Guruvayoor Temple.

[edit] Location

The temple is located at about 1 km from Guruvayur enroute to Punnathurkotta near Kottapadi.

Nearest Towns: Guruvayur, Kunnamkulam, Chavakkad

Vadakkunnathan Temple

Vadakkunnathan Temple, also known as Thenkailasam and Vrishabhachalam, is one of the largest and ancient Shiva temples in Kerala and India. It is located in the heart of Thrissur city. This temple is a classic example of the Kerala style of architecture with beautiful murals delineating graphically, various episodes from the Mahabharata. The shrines and the Koothambalam display exquisite vignettes carved in wood. According to popular lore, the temple was built by Parasurama. The sprawling Thekkinkadu maidan, encircling the Vadakumnathan temple, is the main venue of the Thrissur Pooram.

Contents

[hide]

    * 1 Temple Structure

    * 2 Architecture

    * 3 References

    * 4 External links

[edit] Temple Structure

Temple gate.

Vadakkunnathan temple is surrounded by a massive stone wall enclosing an area of nearly 9 acres (36,000 m2). Inside this fortification, there are four gopurams each facing north, south, east and west directions. Apart from these four gopurams, there is a multi-shrined complex in the center with three principal shrines dedicated to Shiva or Vadakkunnathan, Shankaranarayana and Rama.

In the northern side, there is a circular structure with the deity facing west. The figure of Shiva-Parvati faces east and is just behind Shiva in the same shrine. The two-storied shrine of Sri Rama facing west is located in the south. Between these two srikovils stands a third one, circular and double-storied in shape, which is dedicated to Sankaranarayana and facing west. There are mukhamandapams in front of all the three central shrines.[1]

[edit] Architecture

Wood carving in the gate of Vadakumnathan Temple.

Vadakkunnathan temple is one of the oldest in South India. According to legends, it was founded by Lord Parasurama and enshrines Lord Shiva as the principal deity. The statue of Shiva, which is not visible, is covered under a mount of ghee, formed by the daily abhishekam (ablution) with ghee over the years. A devotee looking into the sanctum can now see only a sixteen-foot high mount of ghee embellished with thirteen cascading crescents of gold and three serpent hoods at top. According to traditional belief, this represents the snow-clad Mount Kailas, the abode of Parvathy and Parameswara. Shiva here is more popularly known as Vadakkunnathan (Sanskrit Vrishabhachala -Tamil Vidaikunrunathan Vidai - Vrishabha, kunru - chala ). Apart from Lord Shiva, Sree Parvathy, Sree Ganapathi, Lord Sankaranarayana and Sree Rama are enshrined within the nalambalam of the temple. Lord Vettekkaran (Siva in a hunter form) is also worshipped within the nalambalam enclosure.[citation needed]

Outside the nalambalam, there are shrines of Lord Krishna, Vrishabha, Parasurama, Simhodara, Dharmasastha and Adi Sankaracharya. Adi Sankara is believed to have been born to the Shivaguru-Aryamba couple of Kalady in answer to their prayers before Vadakkunnathan, as amsavatara of the Lord. Legend has it that Shiva appeared to both husband and wife in their dreams and offered them a choice. They could have either a mediocre son who would live a long life or an extraordinary son who would die early. Both Shivaguru and Aryamba chose the second option. In honour of Shiva, they named the son Shankara.[citation needed]

The murals in the temple are known for its rarity and two of them - Vasukisayana and Nrithanatha - are even worshipped regularly. A fairly large white bullock on the verandah of the Nalambalam is worshipped as Nandikeswara. In the temple quadrangle, there are specified spots at which the devotees can offer their salutations to Lord Shiva of Kasi and Lord Chidambaranatha of Chidambaram, Lord of Shiva of Rameswaram, Sree Kali of Kodungallur, Urakam Ammathiruvadi, Lord Bharatha (Koodalmanickam) at Irinjalakuda, Sree Vyasa, Sree Hanuman and the serpent gods.[citation needed]

The temple theatre, known as koothambalam, has no parallel to cite anywhere else in the world. The four magnificent gateways called gopurams and the lofty masonry wall around the temple quadrangle are also imposing pieces of craftsmanship and skill. Ganapathi shrine is positioned facing the temple kitchen and offering of Appam (sweetened rice cake fried in ghee) to Mahaganapathy is one of the most important offerings at the temple. Propitiating Ganapathy here is believed to be a path to prosperity and wealth.

The devotees refer to elephants as Lord Ganesh's incarnation. It has been the regular annual practice at the Vadakkunnathan Temple for the last 20 years to conduct a large-scale Ashta Dravya Maha Ganapathy Havana and Aanayoottu on the first day of the Karkidakom month of the malayalam calendar. Gajapooja also is conducted once every four years.[2]

[edit] References

   1. ^ [1] Kerala-History

Koodalmanikyam Temple

Koodalmanikyam Temple or Kudal Manikkam Temple is an ancient Hindu temple in Irinjalakuda, a small town in Trissur district, Kerala, India. Koodalmanikyam Temple has two unique features: the temple holds the image of only one deity even though most large temples in India have several; and it is also the only temple in India dedicated to the worship of Bharata (Lord Sangameshwara), the brother of Lord Rama. Thachudaya kaimal is the caretaker of the temple.

The temple is one of four in Kerala that form a set called Nalambalam, with each temple dedicated to one of the four brothers in the Ramayana epic: Rama, Bharata, Lakshmana and Shatrughna.

Contents

[hide]

    * 1 Ponds

    * 2 Annual festival

    * 3 Travel to Koodalmanikyam Temple

    * 4 See also

    * 5 External links

[edit] Ponds

Four vast ponds surround the temple. The two largest are Kuttan Kulam, located outside the compound on the eastern side, and Kulipini Theertham, located inside the compound. Kulipini Theertham is believed to be sanctified by the sage Kulipini Maharshi, who held a great ritual sacrifice, a yajna, at the spot.

[edit] Annual festival

The temple holds its chief annual festival for ten days each year in the month of Medam (April/May). The first day of the festival is calculated by the appearance of the Uthram asterism, and signified by hoisting a ceremonial flag. (The start day falls one day after the famous Thrissur Pooram festival in nearby Thrissur.)

Each day of the festival, a seeveli (procession of caparisoned temple elephants) is held twice, one in the morning and once at night, to the accompaniment of Panchari melam (sacred music). Seventeen elephants take part. Two features of the seeveli are unique to the Koodalmanikyam Temple: first that two baby elephants are included in the procession, one standing on each side of the elephant carrying the deity. Second, while the headdresses ('Netti pattam' in Malayalam) of seven elephants are made of pure gold, the rest are made of pure silver.

The last two days of the festival feature Panchavadyam (sacred music from an orchestra of five instruments), and the festival ends at the Thiruvonam asterism.

[edit] Travel to Koodalmanikyam Temple

    * Nearest local railway station - Irinjalakuda 10 km

    * Nearest main railway station - Thrissur 21 km

    * Nearest city - Thrissur - 21 km

    * Nearest airport - Cochin International Airport - 40 km

Ammathiruvadi Temple

Ammathiruvadi Temple is located about 12 km away from Thrissur town in Kerala state, south India, in the village of Ūrakam. It is regarded as one of the great 108 Durga temples.

Contents

[hide]

    * 1 Folklore

    * 2 History

    * 3 Architecture

    * 4 Events

    * 5 References

[edit] Folklore

According to the Kerala folklore, Poomulli Namboothiri (also sometimes referred to as Thiruvalayannur Bhattathiri) founded Ammathiruvadi temple about 700-1000 years ago. The temple site was once the location of the Namboothiri's household. Ūrakam was then a part of the Peruvanam village (one of the 64 villages of ancient Kerala). Legend has it that Namboothiri went to Kanchipuram to visit the Kamakshi Amman Temple, and, happy with the devotion of the Namboothiri, Kanchi Kamakshi decided to come to Kerala on his palm leaf umbrella. He reached home and placed the umbrella on the floor of his house. When he came back later he was unable to take back the umbrella. It was heavily grounded to the floor. Later upon further investigation it was revealed that Kanchi Kamakshi was residing on that umbrella. The goddess came in Namboothiri’s dreams that night and let him know that he was supposed to build a temple for the goddess, and leave Ūrakam. She also let him know that he was to find an idol in a well far away and reinstate the goddess from the umbrella onto that idol. Namboothiri did as the goddess wished. He built the temple, left all that he owned to the temple, and gave the administration to the Kingdom of Kochi. From then on the goddess was known as the Ammathiruvadi.

[edit] History

[edit] Architecture

The temple consists of the two majestic and lofty Gopurams (ornamental gateways), the Mathilkettu (compound walls), Ootupura (feeding hall), Naalambalam (building immediately surrounding the sanctum sanctorum) and the double storied Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum).

[edit] Events

        This section may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. Please improve this section if you can. (April 2007)

The Makeeram Porapādu is one of the grand events of the Temple. It is regarded as the beginning of Ammathiruvadi’s journey for the Ārāttupuzha Pooram. Ammathiruvadi plays an important role in the pooram. Ammathiruvadi returns only after days of festivities.

Pariyanempatta Bhagavathi Temple

The Pariyanempatta Bhagavathi Temple is one of the famous temples of Kerala, dedicated to Bhagavathy. This is one of the largest Devi temples of Valluvanad Desam in Palghat district.

Presiding deity is known as the Goddess of 14 Desams. The temple and its precincts have much resemblance to that of Mookambika temple Kollur.

Pooramaholsavam is the famous festival of the temple comes on Kumbham 1-7, attracts a large number of devotees. ‘Moorthiyaatom’ on the eve of Pooram (Valiyaarattu) is the unique feature of this temple. Vela is before the star Pooram in the month of Makara. Pooram starts on 1st Kumbha with the hoisting of the temple flag. Vishuvilakku is celebrated on 1st of Medom. Laksharchana is performed permanently in the month of Karkitaka. Karthika Vilakku is celebrated in the month of Vrichika during the star Karthika, with various programmes 17 km away from Ottapalam on Ottapalam–Mannarkad route and 30 km away from Palghat on Palghat-Cherpulachery route, this famous temple is located.

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Vayilyamkunnu Bhagavathi Temple

Vayilam Kunnu Bhagavathi Temple is located at Katampazhipuram, Kerala, 24 km (15 mi) away from Palakkad on the way to Cherpulassery. The temple is dedicated to Thirumanthakunnu Bhagavathy (like one at Angadipuram and Kongad). The spectacular annual festival of this temple is celebrated during the month of March with much gaity and splendour.

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Killikkurussimangalam

Killikkurussimangalam (also known as Lakkidi) is a village around eight km from nearby town Ottappalam in Palakkad district of Kerala, south India. The river Nila (Bharatapuzha) flows through the southern border of Lakkidi.

The village got its name from the famous Lord Shiva temple- Sri Killikkurussi Mahadeva Kshetram situated in the village. The temple is very old and legends say it has been founded by the sage Sree Suka Brahma Hrishi.

The village is the birth place of famous Malayalam satire poet and founder of the Ottamthullal art form, Kunchan Nambiar (Rama panivada). The house, where Kunchan Nambiar was born- Kalakkathu Bhavanam, is now a cultural central, under taken by Department of Culture of Kerala State Government. There is also a library situated here in memory of Kunchan Nambiar called Kunchan Smaraka Vayanasala- Kunchan Memorial Library.

Legendary Koodiyattam and Chakyar koothu artist and noted Natyashasthra scholar Nātyāchārya Vidūshakaratnam Padma Shri Guru Mani Madhava Chakyar, who was the authority of Abhinaya (acting) was also lived here. His home is near to the Killikkurussi Mahadeva temple. It is also the hometown of one of Chakyar's prominent disciples, Guru Kelu Nair.

Famous Sanskrit scholar Koppattu Achutha Pothuval was also lived near the temple.

Sree Sankara Oriental High School- previously known as Balakollasini Samskritha Pathasala, is the oldest high school in this area, and stays for the education of the poor. It was started by the great Sanskrit scholar and teacher Panditaratnam Pazhedathu Sankaran Nampoothiripad. This is one of the six schools in Kerala where Sanskrit is the Major Language.

There is a sacred temple-pond (Ambalakkulam) near to Sri Killikkurussi Mahadeva Temple, where pilgrims and visitors bathe.

Pin code of the village is 679 301.

Brahmeeswaran Temple, Palakkad

Brahmeeswaran Temple is a Hindu temple in the Palakkad district of Kerala state, south India. It is situated in Karimpuzha village, 25 km from Palakkad town.

The old temple was in an abandoned state for quite some time, till late 2001. A Nair family called "Chalapurathu" whose tharavadu (House) is situated in Karimpuzha came with an offering to Lord Shiva. The Chalapurathu family had renovated the temple, which took almost three years to complete. Businessman Mr B G Menon and famous Malayalam cine artist Mr Ravi Menon, who are members of Chalapurathu family took the lead role in getting the renovation completed.

Mangottu Kavu Temple

Mangottu Kavu is a Hindu temple located in Athipotta, a small village in the Palakkad district of Kerala, India.

The presiding deity is Mangottu Bhagavathy. Every year the annual festival (vela) is conducted on the second Sunday after Vishu (in April), the starting of the Malayalam new year.

The Mangottu Kavu vela is preceded by a host of festivities starting exactly a week before the actual festival. On the first Sunday after vishu the Kodiyattum (Flag raising) ceremony is performed. On Monday there is a kari-kali dance festival, wherein members of the Nair And "Manadiayar community visit all the Hindu homes in the locality and dance and sing the deities devotional songs. On Tuesday chamanu-kali follows. Here too members of the Nair & Manadiyar community sing devotional songs visiting each Hindu home in the locality.

Wednesday there is Kumati festival. There are other cultural events like chakiyaar kutt, pavva kutt and so on during this festival period. A host of devotees arrive for the main vela festival.

The information provided above is not complete and fully correct.

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Thirumanthamkunnu Temple

Thirumanthamkunnu Temple in Angadipuram is located about 1.5 km west of Perinthalmanna in the Malappuram district of Kerala state, south India (Phone -04933 258555/04933 258820). It was erected after the Angadipuram Temple.[1] The temple courtyards are on a hilltop that provides a lovely view of the countryside spread out below.

The temple is an important pilgrim centre in Malappuram, especially for the annual eleven-day Pooram festival celebrated in March and April. Mangalya pooja, Rigveda laksharchana, Chandattam and Kalampattu are the important poojas here.[2] The temple is dedicated to Goddess Durga.[3] There are ceremonies and rituals specific to this temple that are not carried out at others.[4]

A memorial for the martyrs of Mamankam is preserved near the Thirumandhamkunnu temple.[5]

[edit] Legend

Mandhata of Surya Vamsam, ruler of Ayodhya at the time, selected the site of the temple as a place to do lifelong penance, attracted by the beauty and wildness of the location, according to one legend.[6]

[edit] References

   1. ^ "Angadipuram Temple". http://www.hinduweb.org/home/temples_yatra_organizations/mckraja/myths.htm. Retrieved on 2006-10-13.

   2. ^ "Thirumandhamkunnu temple, Angadipuram". Official Website Kerala Tourism. http://www.keralatourism.org/index.php?source=desti&destid=69&zone=1. Retrieved on 2006-10-13.

   3. ^ "Thirumandhamkunnu temple, Angadipuram". kerlatourism.org. http://www.keralatourism.org/index.php?source=desti&destid=69&zone=1. Retrieved on 2006-10-13.

   4. ^ "Vallabha Vamsam III". varma.net. http://www.varma.net/articles/valluvan3.php. Retrieved on 2006-10-13.

   5. ^ "Malappuram". malappuram.net. http://www.malappuram.net/html/touristattractions1.htm. Retrieved on 2006-10-13.

   6. ^ "Legends and folktales about Thirumanthamkunna Temple". varma.net. http://www.varma.net/articles/valluvan2.php. Retrieved on 2006-10-13.

[edit] External links

    * Thirumanthamkunnu Temple

    * Malappuram

    * Article about this Temple

    * Thirumandhamkunnu temple

Alathiyur Hanuman Temple

The Hanuman Temple is located at Alathiyur near Tirur in the Malappuram district of Kerala. According to legend, the Purumthrikkovil idol of Hanuman was consecrated by Sage Vasastha 3000 years ago in 1000 BC. Over the years the custodians of the temple were Alathiur Grama Namboodiri, Sri Vittath Raja, and the Zamorin Raja of Korikode.[1]

Contents

[hide]

    * 1 Legend related to Alathur Hanuman Temple

    * 2 Present State of the Temple

    * 3 References

    * 4 External links

[edit] Legend related to Alathur Hanuman Temple

Even though the main deity of the temple is Sri Rama this temple is famous and known as a Hanuman temple. Sage Vasatha installed the temple at the place where Sri Rama gives instructions to Sri Hanuman before his going to Lanka in search of Sita. The idol of Hanuman is adjacent to the main temple of Sree Rama. Sree Hanuman stands leaning forward as if to hear his master’s words with a club in his hand. The temple of Sri Lakshmanan is situated a few metres outside the main temple. It is believed Sri Lakshmanan was keeping away allowing Sri Rama and Hanuman to talk confidentially. Here there is a platform commemorating Sri Hanuman’s jump over to Lanka over the sea. In one end of the platform there is a Long Granite stone (Symbolizes the Sea) where devotees run on the platform and jump over the long Granite Stone. It is said that doing this jump in this temple brings great luck, health, long life, and wealth to all who perform this jump. Sri Hanuman of Alathiyur not only eliminates all mental agonies and fear of his devotees but fulfils all their desires.

[edit] Present State of the Temple

The Indian Government nationalized all Hindu temples. Years of neglect by the Indian government have resulted in extensive damage and presently the Temple needs to be renovated. The local population and the devotees have now embarked on a renovation program under the guidance of the temple manager.

[edit] References

1.   ^ "Sri Lankan PM arrives on a day's visit to Kerala.". The Press Trust of India. August 22, 2003. http://www.accessmylibrary.com/premium/0286/0286-4472380.html.

Thrikkavu Temple

Thrikkavu Sri Durga Bhagavathy Temple is an ancient Temple situated in Ponnani, Malapuram District, Kerala State, India. Goddess Durga is the main deity of this centuries old temple. Even though authentic details are not available about the age of the temple, it is considered as one of the 108 Durga temples consecrated by Lord Parasurama in kerala. It is believed that the name Thrikkavu originated from "Thrikkani Kaadu ".

Contents

[hide]

    * 1 Deity

    * 2 References

    * 3 Navarathri

    * 4 External links

[edit] Deity

The Devi is here in her Chathurbhaahu (four arms) form with Chakra (disc), Sankha (conch), Varada (in a boon-conferring pose) and katibadha (arm rest in the hip). Thrikkavu Bhagavathy is believed to be “Sarvabeeshtapradhayini” (one who grants all wishes) and numerous bhakthas have stories legion to tell of her supreme benevolence. The Bhagavathy is worshipped in two different forms Durga and Saraswathi. Apart from the main deity, the temple complex consists of Krishna temple and Upa-Devatha temples for Mahaganapathi, Sasthavu, Sidhi Vinayakan, Hanuman and Brahma Rakshass. There is Moola Ganapathy Temple near the pond (Kshetrakulam) along with Naga Raja, Naga Yakshi and Naga pratishtas

[edit] References

Reference from the article "Religious Intolerance of Tippu Sultan" by LATE P.C.N. RAJA-"After dismantling and destroying the idol, Tipu converted the Thrikkavu Temple into an ammunition depot in Ponnani (Malabar Manual of William Logan). It was the Zamorin who repaired the temple later."

[edit] Navarathri

Navarathri Mahotsavam is the main festival, which attracts large number of devotees. Vidyarambham (beginning of formal education)is conducted on the Vijayadasami day of Navarathri utsavam. Thousands of children throng this temple on that day. The Vrishchicka Mandala mahotsavam (festival) is celebrated during the entire period of mandalam season.

[edit] External links

    * [1] Thrikkavu Temple

    * [2]Thrikkavu Devi Sthuthi

    * Kerala Temples - Gateway to Kerala Temples

    * Thrikkavu Durga Temple

Thirunavaya Temple

hirunavaya Temple is a very ancient temple on the banks of the Bharathapuzha River dedicated to Navamukundan Vishnu with the other deities like Lord Ganapathy, and Goddess Lakshmi.[1] It is located near the pilgrimage centre of Thirunavaya, a small village 8 km south of Tirur near Ponnani in the Malappuram district of Kerala, South India.

According to the Puranas, Goddess Lakshmi and Gajendran, the King of the elephants, worshipped Lord Vishnu here with lotus flowers from a lake nearby; with the two devotees using flowers from the same source, its supply dwindled, and Gajendran appealed to Vishnu, who took Lakshmi by his side on the same throne and accepted worship offered by Gajendran.[2]

There is another legend associated with the Temple. The deity is called Nava Mukundan as it is believed that the idol was the ninth one to be installed in the shrine by a group of Rishis known as the Navayogis. The first eight idols disappeared as soon as they were placed there and the ninth sank to its knees before it was forcibly stopped.[3] It is interesting that the image of Lord Navamukundan is portrayed only from above the knee, the rest of the image being concealed within the ground. There are interesting legends associated with this state of the image. There is believed to be a bottomless unexplored pit behind the image in the sanctum.[4]

The temple was the traditional venue for the ritual of the Mamankam festival, an enactment of traditional martial arts by suicide squades.[5]

Devi Temple, Kadampuzha

Devi Temple, Kadampuzha is a famous Hindu pilgrim centre in Malappuram District, Kerala. It is dedicated to Vana Durga.The "POOMOODAL" is the highest pooja that can be done here.It is already booked for the next 25 years.Another offering to the deity is the "MUTTARUKKAL".It is done by breaking coconuts before the deity for any specific reasons as wished by the devotees.The word itself means "Keeping away Obstacles". The temple is owned by a native Warrier family and is run by a trust consisting of the family members. (Tel-0494 2 615790) Weekends are very crowded and conducting Poojas & Sevas is a time consuming affair.Best is to visit the temple mid week. "KARTHIKA" Day in Mlayalam month "Vrishchikam" (November-December)is considered as a special day and celebrated here in a grand manner. The deity is considered more powerful on Tuesdays,Fridays & Sundays. Anna daanam or food offering is made daily at the temple premises.

Contents

[hide]

    * 1 The Legend

    * 2 Location

    * 3 History of the Madambiyar Kavu

    * 4 Accommodation

    * 5 External links

[edit] The Legend

Legend says that it was here that the Pandava Prince , Arjuna ,fought with Lord Paramasiva in his "Kirata" incarnation (who was accompanied by Devi Parvathy in her "Vanadurga" incarnation).Both Arjuna and the Kirata send their arrows to kill a wild boar and both claimed that his arrows had killed the animal . They argued and finally agreed to fight a battle with bow and arrows and that the victor would be decided as the one who killed the animal . The ensuing battle was fierce but Arjuna was amazed that whatever "Astras"(Arrows)that he send towards the Kirata,all transformed into garlands made of flowers and fell on the Kiratas neck. Only then did Arjuna realise that he was fighting with Lord Maheswara . He sought pardon for fighting against Maheswara. The lord was pleased and awarded Arjuna with the "Pasupathastra" (Arrow named"PASUPATHAM"). The Lord in his Kirata Incarnation gives darsan to devotees at The "Sri Madambiyar Kavu " and Devi Parvathy as Vanadurga at "Kadampuzha Devi Temple" .

[edit] Location

Kadampuzha is 2 km east from the Vettichira Junction situated in National Highway-17, between Valancheri and Kottakkal.Pilgrims can alight at Vettichira and take an Autorikshaw or Jeep or local bus to Kadampuzha. The shortest route is toPerinthalmanna (through Pang-Padapparamb-Puzhakkattiri), though bus services are very less in this route. Nearest airport: Kozhikode Airport, 30 km

Nearest railway stations: Tirur, 16 km & Kuttippuram,22 km

[edit] History of the Madambiyar Kavu

The whole town of Kadampuzha was once in the hands of the famous & powerful "Thekkencheri" Nair Family. but in the 1860s, most of the land was lost.The Madambiyar Kavu(Temple) is a sub temple situated about two furlongs away from the main temple and was constructed and maintained by this family. The "pratishta"(Idol) of the temple is Lord Shiva in his "KIRATA"incarnation.The temple is open on every Saturday and on all days during the Sabarimala Mandalam Period.It opens for the Poojas on such days at 6.00 pm and closes at 8.30 pm.It is a must for the pilgrims visiting Kadampuzha Temple to also visit and pray at the "Madambiyar Kavu" if the Kavu is open for prayers .The Idol at the Kavu is said to be Lord Siva (The Husband) and the devi at Kadampuzha is Parvathi(The wife).While the best Puja offering for the Devi at Kadampuzha is the "POOMOODAL",where the idol is covered with fresh flower petals it is the "VILLU CHARTHAL" or offering a bow & arrow to the deity at Madambiyar Kavu.The Kavu which as per available records was renovated 250 years ago was again recently renovated by the Thekkencherry family under the leadership of their Karanavar(Head of family)-Sri Balachandran Unni.Bookings for Offerings and Vazhipadu etc . can be made by phone at Tel:04942617415 or Mob:9745933722 . It is a must for Pilgrims visiting Kadampuzha to also visit and offer prayers at "Sri Madambiyara Kavu" if the Kavu is open .

[edit] Accommodation

Accommodation at reasonable rates can be had at the Temple guest House(Tel:0494 2 618000) or the Hotels KR Residency and Prana , both nearby the Kadampuzha Temple .

[edit] External links

    * About the temple

    * Kadampuzha Bhagavathy Temple

    * Kerala Temples - Gateway to Kerala Temples

Lokanarkavu Temple

Lokanarkavu Temple is situated in Memunda 5 km from Vatakara, a in Kerala state of south India. Lokanarkavu is a short form of Lokamalayarkavu which means lokam (world) made of mala (mountain), aaru (river) and kavu (grove). It is the official family temple of the five hundres [Aryan] Nagariks who had migrated to kerala and their successors. temple can be reached by train by getting down at vadakara,which is 4km from temple. By air the nearest airport is calicut airport which is 87kilometers away. pooram is the important festival here and it is conducted with great pompo and show. The week-long festival begins with Kodiyettam (flag hoisting) and concludes with Arattu. The temple dedicated to goddess Durga has great historical importance as Thacholi Othenan, the legendary martial hero of Kerala, used to worship here every day.

[edit] Lokanarkavu and Kalarippayattu

Forty-one day Mandala Utsavam is the annual festival at the Lokanarkavu Bhagavathy Temple. This is the only temple where a peculiar folk dance called Poorakkali is presented during festivals. The dance, performed during the festival resembles the martial art Kalarippayattu. Even today, all Kalaripayattu artists seek the blessings of the deity before their debut due to the association of lokanarkavu temple with legendary hero thacholi othenan.

[edit] History of Durga temple

The Durga temple was built by Aryans Brahmins who migrated to this place some 500 years back. They were Brahmins who took up trade as their main occupation. The Aryan successors of these temple still are of prime importance in the temple. They gradually began to accept some of the traditions of local Nairs and made martial relationship with them. But on close examination their customs and beliefs are evidently different from local Nair community. It is believed that the goddess travelled with them to Lokanarkavu in the form of a lady who followed the five hundred Aryans. The successors still see this goddess as their mother and not as goddess. Often the name of Thacholi Othenan is misquoted with the origin of temple. Othenan was a great devotee,but never had any holding rights or anything to do with the establishment of Durga temple. It is evident from the fact that the goddess is Durga at Lokanarkavu and not the Kali form. The heroes of Vadakkan Pattukal had their ancestral goddesses as Kali form and not Durga form. The same applies to the local rulers who later claimed Lokanarkavu as their family goddess. All the rulers of Kerala had Goddesses with Thamasa pooja or shakteya pooja; ie poojas in which either man or animal was sacrificed. It was a more local tradition and most family temples of Kerala kings and locals had followed such tradition until it was modified. Later due to Aryanisation of temples, modifications were made by replacing human sacrifice with cutting plantain or performing poojas with tender coconut and cereals meant to replace liquor and meat. Unlike this local tradition Lokanarkavu durga temple do not have any such traditions and never had such practices as it was established by Aryans itself.

It is said that most other goddess temples in kerala are in Madhyama and rarely in Uthama state. But this temple is said to be in Athyuthama state. The Aryans though manifested as locals they strongly upheld their ethical roots through a complex of differences from rest of the people. The race spirit was so high at older times that it is said that they refused to pay taxes to the local kings of Kkerala, as none of them was an Aryan. But at the same time or say at a later period they began to ignore the cast restrictions and even seemed to threaten the cast equations. But slowly they became adjusted and more reclusive and settles around the temple areas and withdrew from all other matters of Local people. Among the mandala vilakku festival, the successors of these Aryan Brahmins migrants conduct the 16th vilakku, that occurs on 16th day and is of prime importance. As we enter the temple we must pray to the stage kept in memory of these Aryan Brahmin Ancestors who built the temple. The stage is at right side to the main entrance and all devotees must seek their permission and pray to them to see the goddess inside. This is to show that the Lokanarkavu Durga holds these people to the highest esteem and she had followed them wherever they went and their happiness is her prime importance. It is said that the prayers done without praying to these ancestors goes much unheard. the aryan successors are called Nagariks and they form a formidable cast with just malayala brahmins above them in cast equations.

 Sree Valayanad Devi Temple  

       

       

kerala temples

       

       

sree valayanad devi

Devi Mantra

  "Sarva Mangala Mangalye

  Shive Sarvaathra sadhake

  SharanyeTrayambakeGauri

  Narayani Namasthute"

Kerala temples are well renowned for it architechtural beauty. Sree Valayanadu Bhagavathy Temple, Govindapuram, Calicut, Kerala is one of them. The temple is located 6kms away from Calicut city with its unique architecture, and it is in harmony with the natural resources and the climatic conditions of the region. The above picture depicts the front view of the Temple. The holy place is very quite and unique... more

The Southern State of Kerala has much to offer in terms of its hoary temple tradition. Kerala temple architecture is unique. Elephants are an integral part of several of the festivities.

This Devi temple at Valayanad has its own distinct identity and is different in several respects from other Devi temples in this country.  Sree Valayanad Devi Temple in Kozhikode one of the rate “Saktheya Temples” where pooja is performed in accordence with practice of “Rurujit” worship.  The presiding diety of this temple is the goddess from Kashmir, known as “Chandika” which is also called “Mahartham” and ‘Kalasarppini’.  The priests of this temple who perform pooja according to “Saktheya” injunctions in this temple are Moosads who follow Kashimiri way of worshipping.  Another peculiar aspect of this temple is that the “Sreechakra” designed by the great Sivayogi Thayyavur Sivasankar remains in the sanctum.  Sumctorum where the presence of the goddess believed to be ever present.  Those who worship this powerful goddess are sure to realise their desires and the extermination of their foes is also certain.  Another particular feature obtaining in this temple is that there is Saptha School of architure.  Idols of Siva, Bhagavathi, Lord Ayyappa, Vigneswara also remain consecreated in this temple.  An important ritual conducted from this temple is the “Guruthy Tharpanam” done from the path way of “Kshethrapalan”.

Annual temple festival commence every year on the day of Karthika of Makaram and continues for seven days.  There will be “Kalamezhuthupattu” from 1st Vrichikam for forty one days during the Mandala season.

Thirunelli Temple

Thirunelli Temple (also Tirunelli) is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu on the side of Brahmagiri hill in Kerala. Inscriptions in this temple date back to the period of Bhaskara Ravi Varma I (962–1019 CE). Thirunelli temple located in what is now the Wayanad district of Kerala, near the Papanasini River. The name Thirunelli derives from the nelli, the Malayalam word for Indian gooseberry of the Amla tree.

[edit] Legends

According to tradition, Lord Brahma was travelling by the Earth upon the Hamsa, when he became attracted by the beauty of the area now known as Brahmagiri Hill. Descending upon that spot, Brahma noticed an idol set in an Amla tree. Brahma recognized the idol as Lord Vishnu Himself and the place as Vishnuloka. [1][2] With the help of the Devas, Brahma installed the idol and called it Sahyamalak Kshetra. At Brahma’s request Vishnu promised that the waters of the area would wash away all sins. (Thus, the spring and river near the temple is called Papanasini—“washes away all sins”).

Mazhuvannur Maha Siva Kshethram

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Mazhuvannur

Front vew of temple

Front vew of temple

Map of Kerala showing location of Mazhuvannur

Map of India showing location of Kerala

Location of Mazhuvannur

Mazhuvannur

Location of Mazhuvannur

in Kerala and India

Country      India

State         Kerala

Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)

Codes[show]

• Pincode   • 670732

Coordinates: [show location on an interactive map] 11°26′07″N 75°35′29″E / 11.4352°N 75.5915°E / 11.4352; 75.5915

Mazhuvannur Maha Siva Kshethram is an ancient Hindu Temple in Wayanad district of Kerala state in south India. This Temple is only 10 km from Mananthavady town. Mazhuvannur Maha Siva Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is an important place of worship for the Embranthiri communities in Wayanad.

Contents

[hide]

    * 1 Festival

    * 2 How to reach Mazhuvannur

    * 3 Distance of various places from Mazhuvannur

    * 4 See also

[edit] Festival

The annual festival is in April and is the most grand of all festivals in the district. This temple is very near to a place called Tharuvana.

[edit] How to reach Mazhuvannur

From the Kozhikode Railway Station any one can reach Mazhuvannur in Private vehicle by just Two and Half Hours. Through the Bus it will take around Three and half hours to reach Mazhuvannur. The important routes to Mazhuvannur are : 1. Kozhikode to Mananthavady ( Coming through Kalpetta, Panamaram) take diversion to left from 4th Mle junction. 2. Kozhikode to Mananthavady ( Coming through Vythiri, Padinjarathara )can reach directly in Tharuvana 3. Kuttiady to Mananthavady reaching Tharuvana directly.

[edit] Distance of various places from Mazhuvannur

    * Kozhikode - 100 km

    * Kannur - 105 km

    * Kuttiady - 35 km

    * Kalpetta - 30 km

    * Mysore - 103 km

Muthappan temple

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Muthappan Temple

Muthappan Theyyam as Lord Vishnu

Muthappan Temple is located in the Kannur District of north Kerala state, South India, on the banks of the Valapattam river. It is dedicated to Sree Muthappan, the most popular local deity.

Contents

[hide]

    * 1 A Story of Muthappan Relating to the Temple

    * 2 The Story of Sree Muthappan Madappura Nileshwar

    * 3 Main Festivals of Parassinikkadavu Madappura

    * 4 Popular Offerings

    * 5 Transportation

    * 6 See also

    * 7 External links

[edit] A Story of Muthappan Relating to the Temple

As a boy, Muthappan was rebellious. He was a great hunter and would skin the animals that he killed and wear their skins as clothes. One day, He came across a coconut tree that was being tapped for toddy. He climbed the tree and emptied the jar that was holding the toddy. When the toddy tapper returned and saw Muthappan, he immediately challenged his behavior. Muthappan turned the man to stone for daring to address such a powerful deity in that manner. During performances of the Muthappan theyyam, the performer consumes the toddy liquor and passes it around to the spectators. Hence, Muthappan "breaks" the rules by allowing alcohol onto temple grounds.

[edit] The Story of Sree Muthappan Madappura Nileshwar

Several Muthappan Temples may be found in Kannur and Kasaragod districts, indicating how popular the deity is in this area. Each madappura has its own tradition. There is an interesting story of how Sree Muthappan Temple came to be built. An elder member of the Koroth family (a famous scholar who was known as "Ezhuthachan" for his commendable achievement as a teacher) regularly visited the place now known as the Muthappan temple and drank madhu, a type of liquor. As he was a devotee, before drinking the madhu he would pour some drops of it on the nearby jackfruit tree for an offering. He regularly repeated the practice. Several years after his death, the villagers began having serious problems[specify], so they tried to determine the cause of their woes with the assistance of an astrologer. He determined that, as a result of the old man's offerings, the deity had taken up residence there. After the man's death, Muthappan didn't get any more madhu. His anger was creating the disturbances. To appease him, the villagers erected a temple in his honor. The Koroth family got the right of Koymma (patronage) for the temple.

In modern times, a committee was formed to promote the temple. As a result, it is now visited daily by hundreds of people. They believe that the deity can cure all diseases and bring prosperity to his devotees.

[edit] Main Festivals of Parassinikkadavu Madappura

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Inside Muthapan Temple

    * Thiruvappana and Vellattam are performed daily in the early morning and in the evening.

    * Puthari Thiruvappana, (puthari means the ceremonial feast) the first Thiruvappana of the year from the new crop is on Vrichikam 16th. The last Thiruvappana is on Kanni 30th every year.

    * Thiruvappana is not performed on the following days.

1. Thulam 1st to Vrischikam 15th every year.

2. Amaavasi (new moon) day of Karkkitakam and Thulam.

3. "Nira" day of the temple.

4. When there is a death in the Madappura family.

[edit] Popular Offerings

The offerings made to Sree Muthappan by devotees are Paimkutty, Vellattam and Thiruvappana. The offerings by the Matayan are Vecheringat (a boiled mixture of banana, pepper, turmeric powder and salt.), Neerkari (a mixture of raw rice powder, salt, turmeric powder and pepper), boiled gram, or coconut slices. Toddy and burnt dry fish are also used as offerings.

[edit] Transportation

    * Nearest railway station : Kannur, about 16 km

    * Nearest airport : Karipur International Airport, Kozhikode, about 110 km from Kannur.

Bus and taxi services are readily available.

Rajarajeshwara Temple

The Rajarajeswara temple is a beautiful Shiva temple located at Taliparamba in the Kannur district of Kerala, South India.

The temple is regarded as one of the 108 ancient Shiva temples of Kerala. It has a prominent place amongst the numerous Shiva temples in South India. If any problem is encountered in the other temples of South India, the devotees seek a solution in this Temple through a prasna, a traditional method of astrological decision making. The prasna is conducted on a peedha (a raised platform) situated outside the temple.

The rajarajeshwara temple was built by 'Rajaraja Chola' and the architect was 'Kunjaramallan Rajaraja Perunthachchan.'

The quadrangular sanctum has a two tiered pyramidal roof. In front of the sanctum is the namaskara mandapam. The temple has no kodi maram (flagstaff), unlike other temples in Kerala.

Contents

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    * 1 Legend of Rajarajeswara Temple

    * 2 Religious customs and rites

    * 3 See also

    * 4 External links

[edit] Legend of Rajarajeswara Temple

“       Taliparamba is regarded as one of the ancient Shakti Peethams. Legend has it that the head of Sati fell here after Shiva's tandavam following Sati's self-immolation.

The Shiva linga here is believed to be thousands of years old. Legend has it that Siva gave three sacred Siva lingas to Parvati for worship. Once sage, Maandhata, propitiated Lord Siva with intense prayers. Siva was so pleased that he presented one of the Siva lingas to him with the injunction that it should be installed only at a place where there was no cremation ground. The sage, after searching all over, found Taliparamba the most sacred spot where he installed the linga.

After his death, the linga however disappeared into the earth. Then his son Muchukunda offered similar prayers to Siva and got a second linga, which too disappeared in course of time. Centuries passed. The third Shivalinga was handed down to Satasoman, a king of Mushaka (Kolathunad) dynasty who then ruled the region. He was an ardent devotee of Siva. On the advice of sage Agastya he prayed to Lord Siva who granted him the Shiva linga. The king installed it in the present temple built by him.

It is believed that Sri Rama during his victorious return from Lanka, stopped here to offer worship to Lord Shiva. In honor of his presence, devotees are not allowed into the namaskara mandapam even today.

        ”

[citation needed]

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[edit] Religious customs and rites

Guru Mani Madhava Chakyar performing Chakyar Koothu. He received the Vīrasringhala (1923) and the title "Vidūshakaratna" (1954) from Rajarajeshwara Temple for his excellence and scholarship.

The place is considered as most sacred for performing Koodiyattam and Chakyar Koothu. Whenever a new Koodiyattam is being directed, it is first performed at this temple. Only the "Mani (Māni)" family of Chakyars solely possess the right of performing Koodiyattam here. Legendary Koodiyattam & Chakyar koothu maestro, Nātyāchārya Vidūshakaratnam Padma Shri Māni Mādhava Chākyār had performed here for many decades. The title "Vidūshakaratnam" was awarded to him from this temple.

One of the greatest appreciation or award that an artist/scholar can get is the "Veerashringhala" (Vīrasringhala)- Golden Bracelet, from the temple, given by the unanimous approval of the scholar body of the temple. Guru Mani Madhava Chakyar is the youngest and last person to get the Vīrasringhala from here.

Ghee in small pots are offered to the presiding deity Shiva and are placed on steps leading to the sanctum. These are called Neyyamrithu in Malayalam language.

Men are allowed to enter the shrine at any time, but woman are allowed only after 8 PM.

Though it is not practised as widely as it was in the earlier days, it is still a religious custom among many local Hindu women to visit three prominent temples in Taliparamba when they are pregnant. Apart from Rajarajeshwara temple, the other two temples are Sri Krishna at Trichambaram and another Shiva (Vaidyanatha) at Kanjirangad, about 6 km from Taliparamba. It is believed that Shiva at Rajarajeshwara temple assures the child a high status, Sri Krishna of Trichambaram bestows it with good nature and mental qualities and the deity at Kanjirangad temple gives the child long life.

Ananthapura Lake Temple

Ananthapura Lake Temple is a Hindu temple located in the middle of a lake in the Kasargod District of Kerala, South India, 5 km from Kumbala. This is the only lake temple in Kerala and the original seat (Moolasthana) of Ananthapadmanabha Swami (Padmanabhaswamy temple) Thiruvananthapuram. Legend has it that this is the original site where Ananthapadmanabha settled down.[1][2] The temple's lake is also home to a crocodile, which is supposed to be the guard of the temple. When one dies, another mysteriously takes its place. Kumbala can easily be reached from Mangalore or from Kannur via a number of bus routes, as well as by train and taxi.