The Thiruvambady Temple and Thrissur Pooram festival are today almost synonymous to the general public. However the latter is the climax to the sustained round the year activities of divine worship aimed at providing a spiritual avenue for peace, tranquility and mental uplift of thousands of devotees far and near.
The temple is located 1 km north of the Vadakkunnathan Temple and 800 m from Swaraj Round, on the Shornur Road. It is only 10mts drive from Thrissur Railway Station and Bus stand. The Punkunnam Railway station, is only 250 m from the temple. In physical appearance the temple is a small one; but in quality and immensity of rites of worship, it stands on a par with the big temples of Kerala.
The main deity at Thiruvambady is Unnikrishna (Lord Krishna in infant form). Goddess Bhagavathy is consecrated in a shrine just on the left of Lord Krishna and worshipped with equal ardour. Lord Ganesha, Dharmasastha and the founders of the temple are worshipped in separate shrines outside the Nalambalam. Deities known by Dravidian names – Kukshi Ayyapa, Manikanda, Ghandakarna, Raktheswari and Bhairava are also enshrined here, just outside the walls of the temple.
The idol of Krishna, now worshipped here, was originally the Parthasarathy idol in a temple at Edakkalathur, a sleepy hamlet, about 15km from Thrissur. The temple had the same name – Thiruvambady – and there were many shrines too, for Bhagavathy, Sastha etc. Some four centuries ago, when life and property in the village were threatened by communal conflagration, some villagers under the cover of darkness, surreptitiously carried the idol to Thrissur and entrusted the same to a pious Namboodiri couple at Kachanappilly Illam, 200mtrs from the present Thiruvambady temple. The childless couple considered it a blessing in disguise from the Almighty and as they fostered the idol for worship, they felt it was their own unborn child. The benevolent Lord who appears before a devotee in the form he wants, opted to cast aside Partha Sarathy’s whip and to pick up the flute in one hand and extended the other to receive the butter of devotion from the ‘foster parents’. A small temple in the form of a ‘sala’ was erected 200mtrs, South of Kachanappally Illam and ‘Unnikrishna’ was enshrined.
The saga of Devi is no less enchanting. The Kachanappally couples were ardent devotees of Kodungallur Devi and the male used to foot a distance of 40km, up and down, every month, to have a darshan of the Devi at Kodungallur. With the passage of time and deteriorating health conditions, per force, he had to bid farewell to the Deity and plod homeward with a broken heart. However, just like a human mother, the Devi could not bear the pangs of separation from her dedicated devotee; her ‘Chaitanya’ followed the Bhaktha to his abode and consequently got enshrined on a granite pillar in the central courtyard within the Nalukettu. It is this consecrated pillar with the Devi ‘Chaitanya’ which is installed in the Sanctum to the left of Unnikrishna and worshipped as the compassionate Balabhadrakali (Kali as a child).
The aura of the divine duo - Unni and Devi – makes Thiruvambady a spiritual beacon of beatitude, like Brindavan, providing solace and succour to thousands of devotees from far and near.
The poojas and other thanthric rites are performed, as envisaged in Thanthra samuchaya, with meticulous care, and this has upgraded the small temple qualitatively to the stature of a big temple.
The number of festivals and auspicious days celebrated or observed at Thiruvambady Temple is the highest, when compared with other Temples, in Thrissur.
Sree Krishna Jayanthi
Birthday of Sri Krishna is celebrated in the month of Chingom (August -September). The temple opens at 3.30 am and the last pooja suffixed by Siveli is conducted late in the night. The temple closes at about 1.20 am the next day. Apart from the usual festivities of floral and lamp decorations, between 8.30 am and 11.30 am, there is the Ushassiveli parading 5 decorated elephants and accompanied by Panchari Melam.
Navaratri
Navarathri (Dasra) is celebrated for 10 days in the month of Kanni (September. - October) with music concerts, bhajans, dances etc. staged in the evenings. Goddess Saraswathy is worshipped in a temporary sanctum for 3 days. Students and devotees bring their books to be placed for the Pooja and propitiate the Goddess of learning. Initiations of children to writing, known as Vidyarambham, is conducted on the morning of the 10th day (Vijayadasami).
Kalampattu
From Ist day of Vrischigom (mid November), for 50 to 55 days, Kalampattu forms an integral part of the daily rituals. Goddess Bhagavathy is depicted, on the floor within the nalambalam, using herbal powders of different colours, the temple oracle dances around the depiction and then blesses the devotees. The culmination of the Kalampattu is called Vela. The Vela procession of the deity with seven fully caparisoned elephants is conducted between 9 pm and 3 am The procession proceeds with 3 elephants and Panchavadyam ensemble towards the Vadakkunnathan Temple. As the procession reaches the fringes of the Temple maidan, the number of elephants is increased to 7 and Panchavadyam is replaced by Pandimelom, a drum concert. After the concert, the deity returns to the temple. Vela is celebrated in early January every year.
Vaikunda Ekadasi
The Ekadasi day in the Sukla Paksha of the month of Dhanu (December 15 - January 15) is celebrated on a grand scale. Elephant processions, circumambulating the temple, art performances, Oil lamp illuminations, panchavadyam, drum concert etc. mark the day. 10 days long Sangeethothsava (Festival of classical Music) precedes the Ekadasi Festival. Special Poojas sponsored by individuals and organizations start 13 days ahead of Ekadasi; These are called ‘Vilakku rites’.
Thiru Utsavam
8 days festival to propitiate Lord Unnikrishna begins on the Pooyam aster of Kumbham (February- March), as the temple flag goes up on the gold covered flag mast. During the last two days the deity is taken out on elephant, with more elephants flanking the idol bearer, to the accompaniment of percussion ensembles. These two days are called Pallivetta & Aarattu.
Sahasrakalasam
The Thiru Utsava is preceded by purificatory rites known as ‘Dravya - Sahasra Kalasa’. The kalasa rites last for a week.
Prathishta Day
The day of consecration of the idol in the sanctum is also celebrated on a grand scale. This day is now on the Punartham aster in the month of Meenam (March - April). The Prathista day will change after every Naveekarana Kalasa, which is prescribed to be conducted once in every 12 years.
Thrissur Pooram
The most important festival is Thrissur Pooram.
Rigveda Archana
Worshiping the Lord using Rigveda manthras and floral tributes, is a 8 day long yagna at the temple every year. Rigveda archana, usually precedes or succeeds Srikrishna Jayanthi, without clashing with Onam.
Lakshaarchana
Worshipping Krishna and the Devi, chanting the names of the deity one lakh times, is conducted on the last Saturday and Sunday of the month of Thulam (October - November).
Illamnira
Illamnira is the harvest festival celebrated on the first Sunday after the New Moon day in the Month of Karkitakam (July - August). The newly harvested paddy stems are brought in great reverence, to the temple, placed on a special pedestal and Lakshmi-Pooja conducted praying for prosperity to all. The sanctified paddy stems are distributed among the devotees for taking them to their houses as ‘Prasad’ and keeping them at their households.
Krishnanattom
Sampoorna Krishnanattam is staged at the temple every year. It is a 9 day programme. The days are fixed every year, as per convenience of the performers from Guruvayoor.
Bhagavatha Sapthaham
Two Bhagavatha Sapthahams are conducted under the auspices of the Devasthanam - one in connection with Navarathri and the second in connection with Vaisakhamaasa observance.
More Bhagavatha Sapthahams, Narayaneeya Sapthahams, Devi Bhagavatha Navahams etc. are conducted when sponsors come forward with such programmes as their offerings unto the Lord.
Ramayana
The Ramayana discourses are conducted for 30 consecutive evenings in the month Karkitakam (July - August).
Annadanam
Annadanam for 50 persons is a daily routine in the temple. The cost of one day’s Annadanam is Rs.1000.
Large Scale annadanams are conducted on
(1) Sri Krishna Jayanthi
(2) Vaikunda Ekadasi
(3) Vela
(4) 8 days of Thiru Utsavam
(5) Prathishta day and
(6) Thrissur Pooram.
Annadanam is considered to be one of the most sacred offering to propitiate the Lord. The Devaswom would like to make Annadanam a bigger daily routine, once necessary infrastructures are available.
Devotees are free to partly or fully sponsor daily Annadanam or Annadanam on special occasions.
Kuchela Dinam
The first Wednesday in the month of Dhanu (this would be a day between December 15/16 and 21/22) is observed as Kuchela Dinam. This is a day of remembrance of Sudama’s visit to Sreekrishna, with a little beaten rice. The moment Krishna ate a part of that, Sudama got endowed with all prosperity. Well cooked sweetened beaten rice, in very large quantity, is offered to the Lord at a special Pooja at 3 p.m. and ‘Prasad’ distributed to devotees. Partaking in this offering is supposed to save the devotee from pangs of poverty.
The saga of Devi is no less enchanting. The Kachanappally couples were ardent devotees of Kodungallur Devi and the male used to foot a distance of 40km, up and down, every month, to have a darshan of the Devi at Kodungallur. With the passage of time and deteriorating health conditions, per force, he had to bid farewell to the Deity and plod homeward with a broken heart. However, just like a human mother, the Devi could not bear the pangs of separation from her dedicated devotee; her ‘Chaitanya’ followed the Bhaktha to his abode and consequently got enshrined on a granite pillar in the central courtyard within the Nalukettu. It is this consecrated pillar with the Devi ‘Chaitanya’ which is installed in the Sanctum to the left of Unnikrishna and worshipped as the compassionate Balabhadrakali (Kali as a child).
The aura of the divine duo - Unni and Devi – makes Thiruvambady a spiritual beacon of beatitude, like Brindavan, providing solace and succour to thousands of devotees from far and near.
The poojas and other thanthric rites are performed, as envisaged in Thanthra samuchaya, with meticulous care, and this has upgraded the small temple qualitatively to the stature of a big temple.
The number of festivals and auspicious days celebrated or observed at Thiruvambady Temple is the highest, when compared with other Temples, in Thrissur.
Sree Krishna Jayanthi
Birthday of Sri Krishna is celebrated in the month of Chingom (August -September). The temple opens at 3.30 am and the last pooja suffixed by Siveli is conducted late in the night. The temple closes at about 1.20 am the next day. Apart from the usual festivities of floral and lamp decorations, between 8.30 am and 11.30 am, there is the Ushassiveli parading 5 decorated elephants and accompanied by Panchari Melam.
Navaratri
Navarathri (Dasra) is celebrated for 10 days in the month of Kanni (September. - October) with music concerts, bhajans, dances etc. staged in the evenings. Goddess Saraswathy is worshipped in a temporary sanctum for 3 days. Students and devotees bring their books to be placed for the Pooja and propitiate the Goddess of learning. Initiations of children to writing, known as Vidyarambham, is conducted on the morning of the 10th day (Vijayadasami).
Kalampattu
From Ist day of Vrischigom (mid November), for 50 to 55 days, Kalampattu forms an integral part of the daily rituals. Goddess Bhagavathy is depicted, on the floor within the nalambalam, using herbal powders of different colours, the temple oracle dances around the depiction and then blesses the devotees. The culmination of the Kalampattu is called Vela. The Vela procession of the deity with seven fully caparisoned elephants is conducted between 9 pm and 3 am The procession proceeds with 3 elephants and Panchavadyam ensemble towards the Vadakkunnathan Temple. As the procession reaches the fringes of the Temple maidan, the number of elephants is increased to 7 and Panchavadyam is replaced by Pandimelom, a drum concert. After the concert, the deity returns to the temple. Vela is celebrated in early January every year.
Vaikunda Ekadasi
The Ekadasi day in the Sukla Paksha of the month of Dhanu (December 15 - January 15) is celebrated on a grand scale. Elephant processions, circumambulating the temple, art performances, Oil lamp illuminations, panchavadyam, drum concert etc. mark the day. 10 days long Sangeethothsava (Festival of classical Music) precedes the Ekadasi Festival. Special Poojas sponsored by individuals and organizations start 13 days ahead of Ekadasi; These are called ‘Vilakku rites’.
Thiru Utsavam
8 days festival to propitiate Lord Unnikrishna begins on the Pooyam aster of Kumbham (February- March), as the temple flag goes up on the gold covered flag mast. During the last two days the deity is taken out on elephant, with more elephants flanking the idol bearer, to the accompaniment of percussion ensembles. These two days are called Pallivetta & Aarattu.
Sahasrakalasam
The Thiru Utsava is preceded by purificatory rites known as ‘Dravya - Sahasra Kalasa’. The kalasa rites last for a week.
Prathishta Day
The day of consecration of the idol in the sanctum is also celebrated on a grand scale. This day is now on the Punartham aster in the month of Meenam (March - April). The Prathista day will change after every Naveekarana Kalasa, which is prescribed to be conducted once in every 12 years.
Thrissur Pooram
The most important festival is Thrissur Pooram.
Rigveda Archana
Worshiping the Lord using Rigveda manthras and floral tributes, is a 8 day long yagna at the temple every year. Rigveda archana, usually precedes or succeeds Srikrishna Jayanthi, without clashing with Onam.
Lakshaarchana
Worshipping Krishna and the Devi, chanting the names of the deity one lakh times, is conducted on the last Saturday and Sunday of the month of Thulam (October - November).
Illamnira
Illamnira is the harvest festival celebrated on the first Sunday after the New Moon day in the Month of Karkitakam (July - August). The newly harvested paddy stems are brought in great reverence, to the temple, placed on a special pedestal and Lakshmi-Pooja conducted praying for prosperity to all. The sanctified paddy stems are distributed among the devotees for taking them to their houses as ‘Prasad’ and keeping them at their households.
Krishnanattom
Sampoorna Krishnanattam is staged at the temple every year. It is a 9 day programme. The days are fixed every year, as per convenience of the performers from Guruvayoor.
Bhagavatha Sapthaham
Two Bhagavatha Sapthahams are conducted under the auspices of the Devasthanam - one in connection with Navarathri and the second in connection with Vaisakhamaasa observance.
More Bhagavatha Sapthahams, Narayaneeya Sapthahams, Devi Bhagavatha Navahams etc. are conducted when sponsors come forward with such programmes as their offerings unto the Lord.
Ramayana
The Ramayana discourses are conducted for 30 consecutive evenings in the month Karkitakam (July - August).
Annadanam
Annadanam for 50 persons is a daily routine in the temple. The cost of one day’s Annadanam is Rs.1000.
Large Scale annadanams are conducted on
(1) Sri Krishna Jayanthi
(2) Vaikunda Ekadasi
(3) Vela
(4) 8 days of Thiru Utsavam
(5) Prathishta day and
(6) Thrissur Pooram.
Annadanam is considered to be one of the most sacred offering to propitiate the Lord. The Devaswom would like to make Annadanam a bigger daily routine, once necessary infrastructures are available.
Devotees are free to partly or fully sponsor daily Annadanam or Annadanam on special occasions.
Kuchela Dinam
The first Wednesday in the month of Dhanu (this would be a day between December 15/16 and 21/22) is observed as Kuchela Dinam. This is a day of remembrance of Sudama’s visit to Sreekrishna, with a little beaten rice. The moment Krishna ate a part of that, Sudama got endowed with all prosperity. Well cooked sweetened beaten rice, in very large quantity, is offered to the Lord at a special Pooja at 3 p.m. and ‘Prasad’ distributed to devotees. Partaking in this offering is supposed to save the devotee from pangs of poverty.
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