Thrippallavur temple is situated in Pallassena Panchayat, Chittur Taluk, Palakkad district and is 20 km away from Palakkad town, on the way to Nemmara. This place is not only famous for its Shiva Temple but also for the traditional keralite percussion maestros, late Pallavur Trio, who were synonymous to the symphony of Kerala, the Panchavadyam.
Identical to the three famous and important Lord Shiva temples of Central Kerala, which are Vaikom, Kaduthuruthi and Ettumanoor, there are three temples in North Kerala also, which are Pallavur, Ayalur and Thripallur. The similarities and importance are due to multiple factors like the installation of the Shiva Lingas, the method of worship and the uniqueness of combining the worship in these three temples on the same day.
The legend behind Pallavur temple is that Demon Khara, brother of Thadaka, did the installation of the Lord here, as ordained by Lord Shiva himself. It is believed that Khara installed the Shiva Linga with his teeth similar to the installation at Kaduthuruthi ('Pallu' means teeth in malayalam). Hence the deity is called Pallavurappan and the place, Pallavur. Subsequently, Khara also consecrated Shiva Linga at Ayalur with his hands. Thereafter, he consecrated the prathista of Lord Shiva at the adjoining place, Thrippalur, with his legs whose original name was Trippadaoor (place of holy feet) which with colloquial use later became Trippalur. Some also said that it is the Shiva Linga in Khara's right hand is seen at Thrippallavur, in left hand at Ayalur and one he held in the mouth at Thrippallur.
The legend behind Pallavur temple is that Demon Khara, brother of Thadaka, did the installation of the Lord here, as ordained by Lord Shiva himself. It is believed that Khara installed the Shiva Linga with his teeth similar to the installation at Kaduthuruthi ('Pallu' means teeth in malayalam). Hence the deity is called Pallavurappan and the place, Pallavur. Subsequently, Khara also consecrated Shiva Linga at Ayalur with his hands. Thereafter, he consecrated the prathista of Lord Shiva at the adjoining place, Thrippalur, with his legs whose original name was Trippadaoor (place of holy feet) which with colloquial use later became Trippalur. Some also said that it is the Shiva Linga in Khara's right hand is seen at Thrippallavur, in left hand at Ayalur and one he held in the mouth at Thrippallur.
It is one of the few Shiva temples with 'Saparivaara Prathishta' (Shiva with all members of family) in Kerala. It is rare to see temples with Lord Siva with his family – Parvathi, Ganapathi, Subrahmania and Ayyappa. The temple has a history of over 200 years. It is known to be built by Palakkattachans, erstwhile rulers of Palakkad. The temple now comes under HR&CEB (Hindu Religious and Cultural Establishments Board).
The tantric rights are bestowed with Panavur Mana. The temple has daily poojas – Usha Pooja (Early Morning), Pantheeradi Pooja, Uchcha Pooja, Asthamaya Pooja (Sandhya Vela), and Athaazha Pooja. The day starts with Nirmalyam at 4.30 am with 7 conch-horns followed by the divine bath (abhishekam).
Lord Thrippallavurappan faces west and Goddess Parvathi faces east. The myth behind these postures is because of Goddess Parvathi's disapproval of Shiva's love for Ganga. The temple premise is guarded by a huge four sided stone wall approximately 20 ft high which is kept unfinished in the southern side. This wall is known as 'Aana Mathil' (Jumbo Wall). It is believed that the 'Pancha Bhoothas' (Lord Shiva's bhoothaganas) built this wall over night, but couldn't finish it off before the sunrise as they were accidently visible to an old lady who started cleaning the temple premises early morning.
The tantric rights are bestowed with Panavur Mana. The temple has daily poojas – Usha Pooja (Early Morning), Pantheeradi Pooja, Uchcha Pooja, Asthamaya Pooja (Sandhya Vela), and Athaazha Pooja. The day starts with Nirmalyam at 4.30 am with 7 conch-horns followed by the divine bath (abhishekam).
Lord Thrippallavurappan faces west and Goddess Parvathi faces east. The myth behind these postures is because of Goddess Parvathi's disapproval of Shiva's love for Ganga. The temple premise is guarded by a huge four sided stone wall approximately 20 ft high which is kept unfinished in the southern side. This wall is known as 'Aana Mathil' (Jumbo Wall). It is believed that the 'Pancha Bhoothas' (Lord Shiva's bhoothaganas) built this wall over night, but couldn't finish it off before the sunrise as they were accidently visible to an old lady who started cleaning the temple premises early morning.
The Pradakshinavazhi(path to make pradakshinas) around the Naalamabalam (main temple complex) is fully made with stone blocks.
Navarathri Poojas starts with Ullattil Vilakku and ends with Jana Vilakku. All these days the temple will be decorated with flowers and lamps and various programmes are staged. The Thayambaka forms an inevitable part of every vilakku. The Seventh Day of the festival is the most important and draws people from far off places. The responsibility to conduct the 7th day festival is with the three Brahmin sects; Vadamal, Brihacharanam and Ashtasahasram. From several decades till this day, the 7th day festival is known for bringing famous and gigantic elephants from around Kerala and for the Panchavadyam performed on the particular day by percussionists continuing the foundation laid by the late Pallavur trio, Late Sri Pallavur Appu Marar, Late Sri Pallavur Manian Marar and Late Sri Pallavur Kunjukuttan Marar. This is also substantiated by the fact the school known as 'Kerala Kala Vadya' owes its origin to Pallavur and that the sons of the late Pallavur trio are continuing the legendary Panchavadyam.
The main festival happens in the month of Medam (April–May) every year. It starts with 'Kodiyettam' and ends with 'Aaraattu'. The most important days of 9 day Utsavam festival are Kodiyettam day, Ulsavabali day, Pallivetta day and Aaraattu day. Valiyaaraattu comes once in 12 years. Lord Thrippallavurappan goes to meet his daughter Pookulangara Bhagavathy and takes her to his home. The people from Kunissery comes to Pallavur and they are fed a feast and go back with handful of gifts.
It is experienced by many devotees that if they could worship in all these three temples on the same day, it will bring them prosperity and if they could do so on a Pradosha day, it will give them liberation from the sorrows of this life.
Pookulangara Bhagawathi Temple in Kunissery, Palakkad district lies immersed in legend and history. It is believed that once the Zamorin King had invaded the Kunissery and in the battle that followed all the male members of the village were killed. The helpless womenfolk had prayed to the Pookulangara Bhagawathy who in turn retaliated fiercely and saved her devotees from disgrace. On learning about the powerful act of the Bhagawathi, the King himself had surrendered before the Bhagawathi and deidcated all his honours and achievements to the Bhagawathi.
The deities like Lord Ganapathi, Lord Subrahmania, Lord Ayyappa and Serpent Gods conjoins the Pookulangara Bhagawathy in the temple compound. Navaratri and Dashami are the chief celebrations of this place of worship. The Kummati festival is a famous festival of the Pookulangara Bhagavathy Temple. Pookulangara Bhagawathi also participates in the Valiya aarattu held once in 12 years.
Pookulangara Bhagawathi Temple in Kunissery, Palakkad district lies immersed in legend and history. It is believed that once the Zamorin King had invaded the Kunissery and in the battle that followed all the male members of the village were killed. The helpless womenfolk had prayed to the Pookulangara Bhagawathy who in turn retaliated fiercely and saved her devotees from disgrace. On learning about the powerful act of the Bhagawathi, the King himself had surrendered before the Bhagawathi and deidcated all his honours and achievements to the Bhagawathi.
The deities like Lord Ganapathi, Lord Subrahmania, Lord Ayyappa and Serpent Gods conjoins the Pookulangara Bhagawathy in the temple compound. Navaratri and Dashami are the chief celebrations of this place of worship. The Kummati festival is a famous festival of the Pookulangara Bhagavathy Temple. Pookulangara Bhagawathi also participates in the Valiya aarattu held once in 12 years.
