Thrikkunnappuzha Sree Dharmasastha temple is one of those temples in Kerala where the very charismatic charm and uniqueness of the idol takes you to the unknown realms of spirituality. The idol has in it, an effulgent divinity of some 5000 years!
Karthikappally Taluk of Alappuzha is home to this divine abode. The glory of Onattukara is already revealed in many of the previous posts such as the ones about Chettikulangara Bhagavathy temple etc. The significance of Thrikkunnappuzha SreeDharmasastha Temple in the pilgrimage realm of Kerala becomes all the more evident at the fact that it is also known as Padinjare Pathinettampadi (The 18 steps of west), where the legends are interwoven with 18 sacred steps of Sabarimala.
The captivating idol of Sree Dharmasastha is one of the most mesmerizing and the only one of its kind. The 21 inch rare Panchaloha (an alloy of five metals) idol of Dharmasastha together with the idols of his wife and son (Prabha and Satyaka) are being worshipped here (apart from the idol of a man, an idol of a woman on the right side and in between and behind the two idols, an idol of a child, having height up to the shoulder of the prominent idol, can be seen).Thrikkunnappuzha Sree Dharmasastha Temple has been the singular refuge to many a lot devotee. Even today, thousands of devotees from every nook and corner of Kerala and nearby states visit the Thrikkunnappuzha temple so as to offer their prayers. Dharmasastha is belived to be the guardian of Thrikkunnappuzha and four other adjacent villages.
A whole lot of legends are heard in relation with Thrikkunnappuzha Sree Dharmasastha Temple. One of the legends owes the creation of Thrikkunnappuzha Sree Dharmasastha temple to Sri Parasurama. It is also believed that Parasurama built 108 Sastha temples in mountains to protect Keralites after he made the ocean to retreat with his axe. Ancient scriptures too mention the existence of an amazingly sculptured temple established by Sri Parasurama. Legends say that Parasurama murdered Kshatriyas 21 times. The thought of sin began to haunt him. He traveled all over Kerala and ultimately reached Thrikkunnappuzha. The magnificence of the place got revealed which enlightened him to install the radiant idol of Sree Dharmasastha together with his wife and son at a height of 108 angulas from the ground level. 18 steps are to be mounted so as to have a glimpse of the divine idol. The measure of 108 angulas corresponds to the 108 divine names of Lord Vishnu. A wall surrounding 18 acres of land around the temple too was built.
Thrikkunnappuzha Dharmasastha is on par with Sabarimala Sree Dharmasastha in radiance. Yet another legend connotes both Parasurama and Narasimhmoorthy to the installation of Thrikkunnappuzha Sree Dharmasastha. Lord Vishnu incarnated as Narasimhamoorthy to murder a demon named Hiranyakashipu. Even after his incarnation goal, Narasimhamoorthy’s fury didn’t quell down. At this point, Parasurama transferred the spiritual glory, valor, fierceness and radiance of Narasimhamoorthy into Dharmasastha! The carvings projected on the walls of the re-built temple picturesquely depict even the minute details of the vicious fierceness of Narasimha, literally! Legends say that the post funeral karmas (Shraadha kriyas) done here for the sake of the dead purified and freed their souls. The current practice of offering ‘Pithru bali’ for the dead ones on the new moon day of the Malayalam month Karkkidakam is in fact a continuation of this ancient practice.
Thrikkunnappuzha Dharmasastha is on par with Sabarimala Sree Dharmasastha in radiance. Yet another legend connotes both Parasurama and Narasimhmoorthy to the installation of Thrikkunnappuzha Sree Dharmasastha. Lord Vishnu incarnated as Narasimhamoorthy to murder a demon named Hiranyakashipu. Even after his incarnation goal, Narasimhamoorthy’s fury didn’t quell down. At this point, Parasurama transferred the spiritual glory, valor, fierceness and radiance of Narasimhamoorthy into Dharmasastha! The carvings projected on the walls of the re-built temple picturesquely depict even the minute details of the vicious fierceness of Narasimha, literally! Legends say that the post funeral karmas (Shraadha kriyas) done here for the sake of the dead purified and freed their souls. The current practice of offering ‘Pithru bali’ for the dead ones on the new moon day of the Malayalam month Karkkidakam is in fact a continuation of this ancient practice.
The temple is believed to be the moolasthaanam of Sabarimala Ayyappa. It is believed even to this day that if
one prays or meditates whole-heartedly facing the east, standing in the
south-west direction, after circumambulating the Thrikkunnappuzha
temple, early before the sunrise during the sabarimala season, it
becomes equivalent of witnessing Sabarimala Ayyappa.
Worshippers from distant places still pay visit to Thrikkunnappuzha Dharmasastha Temple by both land and water ways. Worshippers from Idappally have a rare observance. Their offerings include fishes, shells and trident made of gold and silver. When the offerings are over, the main priest offers them paddy seeds. These devotees return to their home land and spill these seeds over the back waters. Their belief is that this will enhance the marine wealth there. This belief exists even to this day. It’s more of an experience than a belief.
Besides the main charismatic idol of Dharmasastha together with his wife and child, a whole lot of upadevathas too are installed at this temple. The small idol of Balasubrahmania (Lord Muruga is the brother of Sastha) is supposed to be 2000 years old. When offerings are made, this deity also receives equal importance as Dharmasastha. Durga, Yakshi, Bhadra, Nagaraja, Nagayakshi, Ganapathi, Shiva, Vishnu, Brahmarakshass and Parashurama as Yogeshwara are the other subordinate gods here.
The festive reign
of Sabarimala begins the next day on which the festivals of
Thrikkunnappuzha Sree Dharmasastha Temple end. The festivals are
conducted in the Malayalam month of Vrishchikam. The main festival at Thrikkunnappuzha Sree Dharmasastha temple is observed in the Malayalam month of Vrishchikam. The celebrations are devised in such a way that ‘Aaraattu’, the holy bath of the deity on the last day of the festival, usually occurs on the day of ‘Uthram’ in the month of Vrishchikam.
