On the banks of a rhapsodizing river in the Thrissur district, a big temple dedicated to Lord Rama could be seen, where fusion of legend and architecture creates devotional ecstasy. In the dim past, this river is believed to have skirted the temple on three sides and hence the sacred place is called as Thirupuraiyar or most popularly as Triprayar.
The main idol of Sri Rama which is installed and worshipped at this temple is believed to have been originally worshipped by Sri Krishna at Dwaraka. When Dwaraka was submerged, the idol of Sri Rama was lying in the bottom of the sea along with the idols of Lakshmana, Bharata and Shatrughna.
After many centuries, when some fishermen went out into the sea for fishing, the idol of Sri Rama, along with the other idols got entangled in their fishing nets. They brought them ashore and handed over to the local chieftain Vikkal Kaimal. He consulted the astrologers and came to know about the previous history of these idols. At that time, there was a divine voice from the sky which informed him that the idol of Sri Rama should be installed at a place where a peacock would be visible in the sky.
It is said that when the image of Rama was discovered and was about to
be consecrated, it was divinely ordained that a peacock would appear and
mark the exact time for installation. Kaimal and his men waited for a
long time for the peacock but it didn't appeared. Apparently the Tanthri
(chief priest) installed the idol when a devotee bearing peacock
feathers appeared. Soon after the installation the peacock appeared in
front of the Sreekovil. It is said that the priests and Kaimal regretted
their decision later and to make up for this deficiency the sacrificial
stone or the valiya balikkallu was installed at the spot marked by the
peacock. Hence the balikkal is said to have the same importance as the
deity itself. But this sacrificial stone showed a tendency to spin on
its axis. It was Naranathu Branthan (the holy mad) who fixed it at the spot by hammering a nail through it amidst the
chanting of mantras. A mark of a nail can still be seen gives credence
to this belief.
The idol of Bharata was installed at Koodalmanickam Temple in Irinjalakkuda. Lakshmana's idol was installed at Moozhikkulam village 10 Kms away from Triprayar. Similarly the idol of Shatrughna was installed at an adjacent place called Payammel. The chieftain is said to have constructed the original shrines at all these places for the respective idols. Among all these, the shrine of Bharatha at Irinajalakuda became the most popular as that was the only temple built separately for Bharata in the entire region.
The majestic idol, although is worshipped as Sri Rama, is having the attributes of Lord Vishnu.
He holds in his two hands the bow(kodanda) and the garland. The other two hands hold the discus and conch. The chest is adorned with Srivatsam and Kaustubham. Some time later, idols of Lekshmi Devi and Bhoomi Devi were also consecrated on the right and left side of Lord Vishnu. It is believed that the deity worshipped here possesses some of the
aspects of Shiva too. It was after killing the asura, Khara that Sri
Rama got both the Shaiva and Vaishnava aspects. Thus Triprayar Thevar
is also called "Khara Samhara Moorthy". It is also believed that the
portrayal of Rama with a garland held in the image's hand is also
suggestive of aspects of Bhrahma and hence the deity is said to be a
manifestation of the "Trimoorthis".
An outstanding peculiarity of the sanctum sanctorum is that there are idols of Dakshinamurthy, Ganapathi and a lamp at the back of the deity. The local devotees worship here as the abode of Trinity as it is supposed to represent Brahma also.
Hanuman is said to be present at the Namaskara Mandapa although there is no separate idol for him. Devotees possessed with evil spirits throng the place and the cure is miraculous due to the presence of Hanuman.
Hanuman is said to be present at the Namaskara Mandapa although there is no separate idol for him. Devotees possessed with evil spirits throng the place and the cure is miraculous due to the presence of Hanuman.
There is no flagstaff in this temple. Devotees offer prayer first at the Namaskara Mandapa before worshipping Sri Rama.
The garbhagriha is square in plan, on a massive base, and includes several tiers sending in a conical roof. According to an inscription, historically, the temple is ascribed to the 11th century. The Namaskara Mandapa is a treasure of carvings in wood. Mural paintings are found on the walls. The panels have fine carvings depicting the Navagrahas. Around the Srikovil are carved episodes of Ramayana in the style of sculpture that blend with the architecture of the shrine.
About 3 Kms to the north-east of Triprayar, there is a place where a bund was supposed to have been erected on the river similar to the Sethu Bandhana at Dhanushkodi. In the month of Kanni on the Thiruvonam star, the deity is taken to that place every year. This place is known as Raman Chira or the bund of Sri Rama.
The ‘Aarattu' of the deity is celebrated in the Arattu Kadavu, known as Mandarathi Kadavu. An important feature observed here is a kind of drama acting with a single person, known as ‘Koothu'. The festival lasts for twelve days. The theme is usually episodes from Ramayana such as Hanuman locating Sita in Asokavani, presentation of Choodamani to Sri Rama etc. Major part of the presentation is the conversation between Hanuman and Sita.
According to history, when Parasurama created Kerala and brought the Brahmins to inherit the area, they complained about the absence of a sacred river for bathing purposes. Thereupon, Parasurama prayed to Brahma for the grant of the sacred River, who sent the seven ‘Kanyas', Ganga, Yamuna, Sindhu, Godavari, Saraswati, Narmada and Kauveri to flow here as river Triprayar. It is believed that these seven divine kanyas come to this river every year on a peculiar day.
Triprayar Ekadasi in ‘Vrischika Krishna Panchami' is a very auspicious day at this temple. Thousands of pilgrims and devotees flock to this temple to participate in the celebrations.
Aarattupuzha Pooram
Another important festival is Arattupuzha Pooram, held in March-April attracts a large crowd to witness the fireworks and the elephant procession. Till a generation ago, more than a hundred elephants decorated with glittering garments, umbrellas and ornaments used to take part in the procession. Thriprayar Thevar is the presiding deity of the style="color: lime;">Arattupuzha Pooram.
The seven day long pooram festival is celebrated in the malayalam month of
Meenam (March-April). There is
no flag-hoisting ceremony here and in fact there is no flag-staff to
herald the annual festival. That means the festival is not "Dwajadi" but is
"Padahadi". The procession called "Makayiram Purappadu" is an auspicious one. Every day,
for seven days, the procession starts from Triprayar for a certain place
where the "aarattu" (holy bath) is held, giving opportunity to thousands to worship the deity. On the day of Arattupuzha
pooram, Triparayarappan goes to Aarattupuzha Paadam(field) accompanying 21 elephants to preside over the
pooram festival. It is believed that in order to witness this 'Deva Mela' (congression of deities) all the heavenly ones, including demi gods and saints, present themselves at
Arattupuzha. The entire route, stretching
12 km, from Triprayar temple to Aaratupuzha, will be well furnished and ornamented by native
villagers and thousands wait in excitement to see the deity passes
through in the night. The full stretch of the route is also trembled with incessant
fireworks from one end to the other. On Pooram day, in the famous "
Koottiezhunnalliippu", Triprayar Thevar will be
accompanied by Goddesses Oorakathamma and Cherppu Bhagavathy (Cherpilamma) on either
side. These Goddesses represent Sree Devi and Bhumi Devi respectively.
In the past, according to the Hindu mythology, 108 gods and goddesses
participate at the pooram. In the old palm-leaf records there are
certain references which tell us that the pooram festival was started
even before 583 B.C. Triprayar is only at a distance of 24 Kms from Thrissur railway station.
Deities which participate in Arattupuzha Pooram are:
1. Aarattupuzha Sastha
2. Triprayar Srirama
3. Urakathamma
4. Cherppu Bhagavathy
6. Thaikattusseri Bhagavathy
7. Nankulam Sastha
8. Pisharikkal Bhagavathy
9. Thottippal Bhagavathy
10. Mattil Sastha
11. Kaduvassery Bhagavathy
12. Anthikad Bhagavathy
13. Choorakkode Bhagavathy
14. Narukulangara Balarama
15. Thiruvullakavu Sastha
16. Chittichathakudam Sastha
17. Edakunni Bhagavathy
18. Medamkulam Sastha
19. Kalleli Sastha
20. Chakkamkulam Sastha
21. Nettisseri Sastha
22. Kodanoor Sastha
23. Ayakunnu Bhagavathy
24. Kaattupisharikkal Bhagavathy
25. Poonilarkavu Bhagavathy
Thus Aarattupuzha Pooram is one of the greatest festivals celebrated in central Kerala.
