Kuzhalmannam, the land of black palms, greenery of paddy fields, temples and colorful festivals, is just 12 km from Palakkad. The derivation of the name Kuzhal-mannam is based on the story that Lord Krishna played his flute softly standing at this place once upon a time (in Malayalam 'Kuzhal' means flute and 'Mannam' means slow).
Kuzhalmannam Agraharam is just 2 kilometers from Kuzhalmannam junction. The nearest bus stop is Periyapalam on the Kuzhalmannam-Kottayi road. There are 75 houses in this Agraharam consisting of three rows, 'Double street' and 'Single street'.
Tamil Brahmin who migrated from Thanjaore and other areas established a number of Agraharams in Palakkad district. One such Agraharam is Kuzhalmannam Agraharam. This Agraharam and the temples are supposed to be 300 or more years old. Formerly many of them own landed properties. There were many Vedic scholars, musicians and educationalists in this Agraharam. The economic depression after Kerala Land Legislation saw vast emigration of Brahmins from here to elsewhere in India in search of jobs to sustain themselves. Due to Land Reforms Act the Temple lands were also lost.
There are three temples in this Agraharam and are:
1. Mahaganapathy Temple
2. Lakshminarayana Swamy Temple
3. Visalakshi Visweswara Temple
These Grama devatas are the guardian deities of this
Agraharam. It is the belief of the people here that the deities in these
temples give maternal wealth, promotion in service, all around
prosperity, peace and consolation.
As one enters the Agraharam, the first on the right is Visalakshi
Sametha Sri Visweswara temple. Main deity is Lord Shiva facing East. Near the main deity, there is the
shrine of Visalakshi (Visalakshi is the consort of Lord Viswanatha (Shiva) of Varanasi Viswanatha Temple) facing south. There are also separate sanctums
for Lord Ganapathi and Lord Subrahmania. Lord Ayyappa Temple is situated on south western side with separate
compound wall. Here there is no idol. Aavahana (the tantric method of bringing the deity for worship from nature) is done on three stone
oil lamps for Poorna, Pushkala and Ayyappa. Behind the lamps, there are
stone idols of Serpents.
Rudrabhishekam and Dhara are the important offerings to Lord
Visweswara. Manjal kappu, Pattu paavada, Thali Chrathal and Swayamvara
Archana are the important offerings to Devi. Navarathri, Annabhishekam, Thiruvathira, Thaipoosam and Sivarathri are the major festivals.
Situated at the outskirts of the agraharam, the Lord Mahaganapathi temple is facing east. In front of the temple, there is a huge tank called Pillayarkulam. The Sreekovil wears an elegant look. The basement is granite. Here Vinayaka Chathurthi is celebrated every year with abhishekam and special poojas in August/September. The main offering is Modakam and Neiappam. Breaking of coconut is another offering. Every devotee has his own experience about the blessings of the lord. This Pillayar has saved many devotees from unmitigated sorrow situations. Many of the villagers who have settled in distant places use to come here to perform their offerings and they consider him as their beloved God.
Situated in the heart of the agraharam, the Lekshmi-Narayana temple is considered as the jewel for its beautiful workmanship. The entrance to the temple is through a Mukha Mantapam. The carving of GajaLakshmi, the pillars and various scroll work on the ceiling reflects an elegant look.
The principal deity is Lord Vishnu with his consort Lakshmi, the goddess of plenty and prosperity. Here Lakshmi is sitting on Lord Vishnu's left thigh. Lakshmi-Narayana Swami, the presiding deity of the agraharam, has been showering on his devotees with beautiful blessings. The floors of the Namaskara Mantapa are built in white marble. The temple Sanctum wears a decorated look with Granite flooring. The front side of the Sanctum, Sopanam and Sanctum sanctorum doors are covered with beautifully designed brass sheets. Sanctum doors are covered with Ashtalakshmi figures.
The principal deity is Lord Vishnu with his consort Lakshmi, the goddess of plenty and prosperity. Here Lakshmi is sitting on Lord Vishnu's left thigh. Lakshmi-Narayana Swami, the presiding deity of the agraharam, has been showering on his devotees with beautiful blessings. The floors of the Namaskara Mantapa are built in white marble. The temple Sanctum wears a decorated look with Granite flooring. The front side of the Sanctum, Sopanam and Sanctum sanctorum doors are covered with beautifully designed brass sheets. Sanctum doors are covered with Ashtalakshmi figures.
Navarathri, Uriyadi Ratholsavam, Vaikunta Ekadasi, Makara Sankranthi, Sri Rama Navami, and Prathishta Day are the main festival days of the temple.
The Kuzhalmannam agraharam and its temples itself has become a dynamic centre of spirituality and attracting more and more devotees.
The Kuzhalmannam agraharam and its temples itself has become a dynamic centre of spirituality and attracting more and more devotees.
