Chamravattom is a river-side village located 11 km away from Tirur, the cultural centre of Malappuram District in Kerala. This serene village is on the shores of Bharathappuzha which is also known as Perar.
The name Chamravattom originates from Sambaravattom, where there was a saint called Shambara who used to meditate near Perar. It has been made famous by the presence of a temple dedicated to Lord Sastha, which is situated 100 meters inward to the river and is considered as one of the most powerful abodes of Lord Sastha. There are a lot of pilgrims during the holy season of Mandala period in Kerala.
Unlike other Hindu temples, the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, where Lord Sastha is installed, is below the ground level and the idol, which is Swayambhoo (manifested by its own), is seen on sand as if the temple was built around the idol. The idol is of a gola-type made of stone. The method of worship also differs here slightly, unlike other temples, temple bell is not used here during worship. Since the temple is situated in a small island about 100 meters inwards the river, it gets immersed in water during the monsoons. Temple will be so much waterlogged that the water level will be about 4 feet high inside the temple.
New studies point that during earlier years, Chamravattam could have been a part of the Jain settlement as a part of the Jain country ruled from Sravanabelgola and the name of the river Bharathapuzha is named after the mythical Jain king Bharata. The statues, pots and utilities made of clay found in this place, even today, may be pointing to the same fact and to the differences in pooja and the concept of Lord Sastha.
Studies also suggest that Aryabhatta, the great mathematician and astronomer from the classical age of Indian mathematics and Indian astronomy is from Chamravattam, which also may mean that Chamravattam was a part of old Jain kingdom. Anyhow, if we try to observe from so close by, these colorful places and stories become just ruins of some not so colorful events, which is at the level of decay.
The place name also suggests that it was a 'Vattam of Chamanars'. Vattam, Kutti or Kottam denote a Sramana or Jain centre of worship. Chamanar is a colloquial word representing Sramana sages of Jainism and Buddhism who did missionary work in the south even before the advent of the common era. There is also a legend that a Jain Sage callled Chamaran spent his last days here in the islet and hence the place is named after the saint (Kottam or Vattam of Chamaran). The place name including both Vattam and Chamanar (Chamanar Vattam shrinking into Chamravattam) clearly show a Sramana connection. To add to this the Brahman household in charge of this temple is called Kuttissery Mana. The word 'Kutti' in their house name also is a clear marker of Jain culture and architecture.
It is also believed that it was Perumthachan the legendary master architect of Kerala, who has done the re-consecration here. It can be also assumed here that the re-installation in Hindu Brahmanical style was performed with the help of Perumthachan under the guidance of sage Sabara in the early middle ages somewhere around the 12th or 14th century. Any way it can be imagined that the re-consecration happened after the takeover of Kadampuzha temple by Sri Sankara that happened in early 9th century. The sage Sabara could also be a disciple or follower of Adi Sankara and his conquest as well.
It is belived that by praying here, devotees can get rid of deceases. Panapaayasam and lamping are the main offerings. Tantric rights are vested on Thekkedath Perumbadappu Mana. In the monsoon season, the temple gets drowned by floods and is considered as the Aarattu (holy bath) for the deity. Like in Thanikudam temple, which I had mentioned in one of my previous posts, the river comes to the Lord in Chamravattam temple for holy bath.
Vayaskara Sastha Temple
Vayaskara Sastha Temple is an ancient temple in the middle of Kottayam and is believed to be an extension of Chamravattom Sri Sastha temple.
The presiding deity in this temple is Lord Sastha. The power of Lord Sastha was visible in a stone, which is situated in the Nadumuttam of Vayaskara Illam. In the temple Lord Sastha faces West. There are two sub deities and are Lord Shiva and Lord Dhanwanthari. The temple is owned by Vayaskara family. Vayaskara Moossu family is one of the famous Ashtavaidya families in Kerala.
According to the legends, once upon a time, the Illam was not having any successors but only a young lady remained. Then with the help of Aalathur Nambi, one of the famous Vaidyas, Thekkumkoor king solved that problem by marrying a brahmin disciple of Aalathur Nambi from Varikkuvassery family. That brahmin was an intense devotee of Chamravattom Sastha. He felt sad when he came to Vayaskara as he can no longer worship at Chamravattom. Then Lord Sastha came in his dreams and told that he too will accompany him to Vayaskara and seated in the Nadu muttam of Vayaskara Illam. The story is beautifully narrated by Kottarathil Sankunni in his famous book 'Aitihyamala'.
The main festival falls in the malayalam month of Medam and is a six-days festival.
Thamarakulangara Sastha Temple
Thamarakulangara Dharma Sastha temple located at Tripunithura, Ernakulam district is considered by the devotees as another extension of the famous Lord Sastha Temple at Chamravattom, Malappuram. According to anecdotes Lord Sastha of Chamravattom followed one of his priests from Morakkala Mana who had shifted to Tripunithura. Lord Sastha assumed the form of a lizard and came with the priest comfortably by sitting on his traditional umbrella (Olakkuda) made up of palm leaves. Besides Dharmasastha devotees also worship Lord Ganesha and Goddess Bhadrakali along with Nagaraja and Brahmasrakshass. There is a clean well maintained fresh water pond which spread over more than one third of the total area of the temple precinct. A Nadappura with a traditional flag post adds the beauty of the temple structure. Tantri of the temple is Brahmasree Puliyannur Anujan Narayanan Namboothirppad.
