Mukkal Vettom Lord Sastha temple is situated at Muhamma in Cherthala thaluk of Alleppey District. Cheerappanchira family and their Kalari, are as old as the mythology of Lord Ayyappa and his abode at Sabarimala.
It is believed that Lord Ayyappa studied martial arts in this ancient Kalari, remnants of which still exists. This temple is built in the same pattern of the famous Sabarimala Temple.
The importance of the relation of these two ancient temples is evidenced by the “Thirupattaya Charthu” (the royal decree) of the Pandalam King, by which the right to conduct the firework offerings at Sabarimala was given to Cheerappanchira family.
In the year 2001, as instructed by the Ashtamangala Deva Prasnam, (the astrological findings) held at Sabarimala, Sabarimala temple authorities conducted special poojas and offerings as penance at this temple. Till this date, people of old age and women who cannot undertake pilgrimage to Sabarimala come to this temple to offer their prayers on the belief that, by the worship at Mukkal vettom, Lord Ayyappa will shower the same blessings as the worship at Sabarimala.
Cheerappanchira, the famous Kalari (martial arts study centre) exponents of Lord Ayyappa's times, taught this only to the people of Karappuram area (places around Muhamma). Ayyappa, the then crowned prince of Pandalam Kingdom, approached the Mooppan (senior most member of the family) who was the Guru, to learn Kalarippayattu. Having mastered this technique, Lord Ayyappa, rushed to Pandalam on hearing the sudden attack on his kingdom, virtually disaapearing from Cheerappanchira. Before his departure he left behind his royal belongings to reveal his identity to his guru. His quarters at cheerappanchira is maintained till date as Swami Mattom.
On realizing the divine identity of Lord Ayyappa, Guru started his annual pilgrimage to Sabarimala temple. On becoming old, when he was not able to make his annual pilgrimage to Sabarimala temple, Lord Ayyappa apeeared in the dream of Guru and consoled him for his inability to take the annual pilgrimage. Lord Ayyappa also instructed Guru to construct a temple at Cheerappanchira, where he will reside with his full powers for 3 quarters of the year which in Malayalam is Mukkaal or Mukkal Vettom of the year, and hence the place got the name. He also informed that a log of sandalwood would appear against the flow of the waters at Vembanattu Lake the next day, which should be used for constructing the temple. The log of sandalwood appeared in the waters the next day and with which the Mukkal Vettam temple had been built.
In the early days of the temple, poojas were conducted on every sankrama day of each Malayalam month. At present poojas are held on every Wednesdays and Saturdays. Poojas are also held on every day of Malayalam month Karkidaka (the Ramayana Month). During the 41 days of Mandala vrutham(from first of Vrichikam to 11th Of Dhanu), poojas and special offerings are held on everyday. During the Makara sankrama day (Makara villakku day) the temple is closed, as it is believed that Lord Ayyappa with his full powers resides at Sabarimala.
The temple also has Lord Shiva and Parvathy, Goddess Annapoorneswary, Goddess Malikappuram, Ganapathi, Serpent Gods as other deities.
Payasam, Aravana, Neeranjanama, Appam, Ghee abhishekam, and Anna danam are the main offerings in this temple. Just like in Sabarimala, Sahasranama archana, Pushpanjali, Ashtothara japa etc. are also conducted here. For people with Sani Dosha, these offerings are believed to give immediate relief.
During the month of Karkidakam, medicinal porridge is distributed by the temple authorities, which is a speciality of this temple. This porridge, the sacred medicine, believed to have been prepared for the martial arts exponents, is prepared strictly based on the secret recipe, which has been handed over by generations of this ancient family.
Cheerappanchira, the famous Kalari (martial arts study centre) exponents of Lord Ayyappa's times, taught this only to the people of Karappuram area (places around Muhamma). Ayyappa, the then crowned prince of Pandalam Kingdom, approached the Mooppan (senior most member of the family) who was the Guru, to learn Kalarippayattu. Having mastered this technique, Lord Ayyappa, rushed to Pandalam on hearing the sudden attack on his kingdom, virtually disaapearing from Cheerappanchira. Before his departure he left behind his royal belongings to reveal his identity to his guru. His quarters at cheerappanchira is maintained till date as Swami Mattom.
On realizing the divine identity of Lord Ayyappa, Guru started his annual pilgrimage to Sabarimala temple. On becoming old, when he was not able to make his annual pilgrimage to Sabarimala temple, Lord Ayyappa apeeared in the dream of Guru and consoled him for his inability to take the annual pilgrimage. Lord Ayyappa also instructed Guru to construct a temple at Cheerappanchira, where he will reside with his full powers for 3 quarters of the year which in Malayalam is Mukkaal or Mukkal Vettom of the year, and hence the place got the name. He also informed that a log of sandalwood would appear against the flow of the waters at Vembanattu Lake the next day, which should be used for constructing the temple. The log of sandalwood appeared in the waters the next day and with which the Mukkal Vettam temple had been built.
In the early days of the temple, poojas were conducted on every sankrama day of each Malayalam month. At present poojas are held on every Wednesdays and Saturdays. Poojas are also held on every day of Malayalam month Karkidaka (the Ramayana Month). During the 41 days of Mandala vrutham(from first of Vrichikam to 11th Of Dhanu), poojas and special offerings are held on everyday. During the Makara sankrama day (Makara villakku day) the temple is closed, as it is believed that Lord Ayyappa with his full powers resides at Sabarimala.
The temple also has Lord Shiva and Parvathy, Goddess Annapoorneswary, Goddess Malikappuram, Ganapathi, Serpent Gods as other deities.
Payasam, Aravana, Neeranjanama, Appam, Ghee abhishekam, and Anna danam are the main offerings in this temple. Just like in Sabarimala, Sahasranama archana, Pushpanjali, Ashtothara japa etc. are also conducted here. For people with Sani Dosha, these offerings are believed to give immediate relief.
During the month of Karkidakam, medicinal porridge is distributed by the temple authorities, which is a speciality of this temple. This porridge, the sacred medicine, believed to have been prepared for the martial arts exponents, is prepared strictly based on the secret recipe, which has been handed over by generations of this ancient family.
