Aryankavu - Kalyana Sundara Aryanathaya Mangalam..

Aryankavu temple is situated in the Kollam district in Kerala and is one of the prominent shrines of Lord Sastha and is one of the five important Sastha shrines which shares the list with Sabarimala, Achankovil, Kulathupuzha and Pandalam. The most important festival of this temple is the Thirukkalyana Uthsavam (Sacred Marriage Festival) of the Lord occurring in the month of Dhanu also called as Margazhi by Tamilians and is from 15th December to 15th January.

The rituals and poojas followed at Aryankavu Sastha Temple is that of Tamil tradition. The sanctum sanctorum of the temple has idols of Lord Sastha, Goddess Devi(consort of Sastha) and Lord Shiva. Sastha sits on top of an elephant (about to go for his marriage with Devi) and hence called as 'Kalyana Roopa' or an young charming man who is ready for his marriage. Devi is also seen on the left side and with Shiva linga on the right side of the main idol. In the outer prakaram, one can see the shrines of Lord Ganapathi, Serpent Gods etc. In the temple we can also see several bhootha ganas or Parivara moorthies of Lord Sastha like Indilayappa, Karupayya etc.

On that day sacred marriage of the Lord takes place with a young lady belonging to the Sowrashtra sect in a very grand manner. The family of the Travancore Maharaja would represent the bridegroom side and the people belonging to the Sowrashtra sect representing the bride.  The bride’s side would bring all the traditional gifts for the  marriage. Devi was born in one of the Sowrashtra family belonging to Madurai, finally got merged with the Lord Sastha of Aryankavu according to the legends.

In those days, the people belonging to the Sowrashtra sect settled in Tamil Nadu were mainly engaged in the business of weaving of silk clothes. Like Brahmins they too wear the sacred thread. So they were called Pattu Nool Brahmins. One such merchant of silk had a daughter who had extreme love and attachment towards Lord Sastha. Once that silk merchant embarked upon a journey to Trivandrum carrying silk clothes specially woven for the King of Travancore. Since he was traveling through the Kerala area, his daughter, too  expressed her desire to accompany him and she too joined him in the journey.

During the journey they reached a forest area where they came across the temple of Aryankavu. Both the father and daughter reached the temple and had a view of the Lord. As the merchant about to leave the temple, the girl firmly declined to continue the journey any further. Since all his pleadings with the daughter failed to change her decision, the merchant entrusted her to the safe custody of the Melsanthi of the temple and continued with his journey.

After completing the business when the merchant was returning back he was chased by a wild elephant in the forest area. A hunter suddenly appeared on the scene from nowhere. He looked at the charging mad elephant and shouted aloud. For the merchant's amazement the elephant back traced its steps within a moment and finally vanished from the scene. Pleased with the timely help of the hunter who saved his life from the wild elephant, the merchant presented the silk shawl he readily had in his hand to the hunter and said his story. The hunter queried whether the merchant will give his consent to marry his daughter. Without any second thoughts the merchant gave his consent. Hunter told that he will meet him at Aryankavu temple when the merchant reaches there.

The very next morning, the merchant reached the temple. He searched for his daughter but could not find her. When the chief priest of the temple heard about it, he rushed to the temple and opened the doors of the sanctum sanctorum. There, Lord Aryanathan, Sastha of Aryankavu, appeared as 'Kalyana Roopa' (charming bridegroom) wearing the shining silk shawl given to the hunter by the merchant. This made it very clear, beyond doubts, as to who came as the hunter on the previous day.  This also solved the mystery of the missing girl. The Lord had accepted merchant's daughter as his consort who was now seen in the form of a small idol by his side.

The temple is located amidst a dense forest about 100 ft below the Kollam - Shengottai National Highway. Aryankavu was in existence even before the Sabarimala temple was built. There even exists a belief and opinion that the services rendered by Lord Sastha as a servant of the Pandya king in the guise as Ayyappa and the incidence of  bringing the Tiger’s milk took place in the city of Madurai and not at Pandalam. It is also believed that the members of the family of the Pandya king stayed back at Pandalam when Ayyappa merged with the Sastha idol at Sabarimala and one of the Pandya king later became the ruler of Pandalam.

Surya Kaladi - at the abode of Bheeja Ganapathi of Suryopasakas..

Surya Kaladi Mana, one of the six richest focal points renowned for Ganesha worship and ‘mantra’ practitioners, situated at Nattassery, Kottayam was structured by Lord Parasurama, and is an ancient abode of Lord Ganapathi, worshipped as Bheeja Ganapathi and mythologies related with it (Surya Kaladi Bhattathiri and Yakshi) are given rather vibrantly in 'Aitihyamala' of Kottarathil Sankunni. This palatial building built as an offering by the erstwhile Travancore Maharaja Swathi Thirunal, finds frequent references in the history, literature and Vedic concepts of Kerala. Suryakaladi Mana is an age-old family and was entrusted with the responsibilities of conducting Tantric rites and Mantravada (rituals accompanied by chanting of vedic hymns). The Mana has produced highly respected Vedic and Tantric exponents.

A Mana, the abode of brahmins is usually the centre of culture, education and scale of wisdom. In Kerala these manas were said to be established by Lord Parasurama inorder to fabricate a new texture of social customs and traditions.  Namboothiri’s from north were brought by him as a part of this novel concept.

Photo: Karthaveerarjuna Havana (Yanja) conducted by Suryan Subrahmonian Bhattathirippadu for the protection of Mullaperiyar Dam. This could also be the reason the dam is still safe..

The forefathers of this family, have been stood in the limelight for their Upasanas and Poojas and it is believed that the Sun God himself appeared before them. He ratified their spiritual doubts and offered the greatest of all divine books for performing 'Mantravada' of the highest order. The member of the family who has received mantropadesa (divine instruction from the senior chief priest of the family) still follows this code of poojas advised by the Sun God. The sumptuous and ritualistic breakfast or Ganapathi Prathal offered to their family deity, Lord Maha Ganapathy is also very famous. Pratyaksha Ganapathy Homam invoking Lord Ganapathi in a live elephant is their unique speciality.

The concept of Lord Mahaganapathi here is more powerful than that elsewhere found in the whole of Kerala. It is a powerful blending of Vaishnava, Saktheya and Shaiva traditions. Surya Kaladi Mana has a shrine dedicated to Lord Mahaganapathy, the Lord who is red-hued, with ten hands, and has his consort on his lap. Goddess Lekshmi lends her presence with untold prosperity and Goddess Parvathi lends power with inexplicable skill.

Indra, Indrani etc. are believed to stand in prayers infront of the glorious Maha Ganapathi here. A strange and obscure mixing of Varaha Beeja and Ganesha Beeja, supplies immaculate powers to the Ganapathi Mantra here and hence Mahaganapathi is also called as Bheeja Ganapathi.

The Mantra and Poojas associated with the temple are unique and assumes a special significance. It is traditionally believed that the concept of Mahaganapathy worship is the most intense and beneficial. He is the presiding deity of the Mooladhara Chakra, the psychic center in the body in which the Kundalini Shakti resides.

Seated in that ultimate throne with the Trident, Rope, Club and similar weapons in all ten hands, the Maha Ganapathi of Surya Kaladi showers countless blessings upon the seeker who goes to him.

In memory of a divine design that took place centuries before, each member of this family tags the word 'Suryan' in front of his name. The Mana also rose to fame as 'Surya Kaladi Mana' henceforth, with the golden rays of the great sun God embracing a tradition of rarity. Poojas which demand spotless accuracy, great learning and uncompromising Upasanas are held here.

Blessed with the divine spark of Lord Vinayaka of Surya kaladimana, Brahmasree Shri Suryan Subrahmonian Bhattathiripad has been performing Tantric right of spiritual omnipotence for the last 25 years. Many are the fortunate devotees delivered from the brutal sorrows through the vedic and tantric poojas of Suryan Subramonian Bhattathiripad. Not a few are those liberated from the material and mental agony through the surprising karmas performed by him.For him, pooja is a mission; Tantra is a holy meditation.

Surya at Surya Kaladi 

 


Surya or the Sun God as the initial words of this Mana indicate, has a rare concept of acceptance here. A fascinating ritual is that the sun is worshiped as a female. The sun who is the focal point of all the life system shows the divine presence in the poojas conducted here. No other temple in India worships Sun deity in the disposition of a female and is an utmost rarity of this Mana. Even Sun worshiping temples are so rare in India and hence this deserves a special mention. 
Vinayaka Chathurthi Festival

It is the birthday of the great Lord. This day instills divine inspiration in 'Satvic' minds and equips one to overcome all obstacles in the pilgrimage of life.

Vinayaka Chathurthi is celebrated on the day of Shukla Paksha Chathurthi falling in the month of 'Chingam' and is observed with a variety of poojas. Every Chathurthi and every Friday is very important to Lord Maha Ganapathy. A view of the Lord during these days is expected to issue indescribable blessings to each devotee that reaches the Mana.

Balussery - Kiratha Soono Saranam Prapadye...

Balussery is a slightly bigger village near Calicut City at a distance of about 20 km and Balussery Vettakkorumakan temple is located there which is one of the rare shrines of Vettakkorumakan in Kerala. It is believed by historians that there was a fort at Balussery belonging to Kurumbranad Rajas and this temple was situated near it. Other prominent temples are at Neeleswaram, Kottakkal, Nilambur and various places in Kannur district. Vettakkorumakan is the family deity of the Rajas of Chirakkal, Neeleswaram, Kottakkal and Randu Illam Vargam Nambiars. Those families among the erst-while nobility of Malabar who have Vettakkorumakan as their family diety are connected in one way or other incidentally to either Balussery Fort or Kurumbranad. Vettakkorumaan is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi born when they assumed the disposition of hunters for blessing Pasupathasthra (the mighty arrow called Pashupatha) to Arjuna who was doing penance for it as per the instructions of Lord Krishna. The boy grew up in to a mischievous lad who not only hunted with a sword, bow and arrow for animals but became irksome to the sages who were doing penance in the forest. 

Photo depicts Lord Shiva as Kirathamoorthy (aka Sreekantala) with his consort Goddess Parvathi as Vedathi.

They complained to Lord Brahma, who expressed his helplessness as the lad was the son of Lord Shiva. But when they presented the fact to Lord Vishnu, he agreed to solve the problem through diplomacy. He himself went to the forest carrying a golden churika (a sword having spear like end and a sword like blade). The lad was very much attracted by it and wanted to have it. Lord Vishnu readily agreed to give him provided he will always hold the Churika in his hand. The lad agreed but soon realized that if he were to hold the Churika, he cannot use the bow and arrow. Lord Vishnu revealed himself to him and requested to go to Kerala, where he would be honored with worship and offerings.

Vettakorumagan with the permission of his parents chose to stay in Balussery and ever since have been blessing the people of Kerala. Most of the royal families of Malabar adopted him as their God who would protect them in war and he came to be known as a war deity. While there are a few temples for Vettakorumakan in Northern Malabar, the one at Balussery Kotta is considered as the most important among them.

The most important rituals that are performed at the temple are the performance of Vettakkorumakan pattu and Panthrantayiram Thengayeru. In the former, a very pretty design of the God is drawn on the ground and accompanied by soothing music praising the God. A Namboodiri, who himself is ornated, dances over the drawing and wipes it off completely. The other one is the breaking of 12000 coconuts on the stone meant for the purpose in the temple. The temple will be decorated with flowers and leaves, coconut and aracanut flowers and plantains on that day. The nayar who is authorized to break the coconuts starts the ritual after the final pooja of the temple at night amidst of drums and gongs which make the entire place in full reverberation. The place is also well lit with multitude of live torches.

Thekarakarathu nair takes bath, wears new cloths and then meditates on Vettakorumakan. Initially, he will take one coconut with both hands and breaks it on the stone. This is followed by continuous throwing of coconuts on the stone with each hand alternatively. The beat of the drum will then intensify. People believe that the Nayar then enters in to a trance and incessantly breaks all coconuts before midnight. The people offer sandal paste and rose water to the deity. Some people also offer Panakam (Jaggery juice) and thamboolam. There will be a feast after the ritual occasionally.

Vettakkorumakan Kalam as seen in a southern temple in Kerala

 Breaking of coconuts as seen in a southern Vettakkorumakan temple in Kerala

Vettakkorumakan Theyyam in Northern Malabar

Vettakkorumakan temple at Olassa whose legends are given at Aitihyamala by Kottarathil Sankunni and is in Kottayam district

Vettakkorumakan temple at Trivandrum where Vettakkorumakan, the war deity of Travancore Rajas is worshipped.

Vettakkorumakan temple at Nilambur

Adityapuram - Om Adityaya Namo Nama

Adithyapuram Surya Temple is one of the rarest temple in India just 4 kilometers from Kaduthuruthy in Kottayam District which enshrines Lord Surya as the principal deity. As far as I know, Sun Temple at Konark, Eramalloor Surya temple near Mavelikkara and Surya Kalady Mana Temple are the only abodes for the worship of Sun deity.

 

From the vedic times, the people of India worshipped the Sun God. But temples dedicated to the Sun God are very few in number. 'The Konark temple' of Orissa is the only Sun temple that is famous and well known to all Indians. It is also renowned for its intricate sculpture but there is no daily performance of rituals as in the Sun temple of Adityapuram in Kerala. The temple is situated in Iravimangalam village in Kottayam District, Vaikom Taluk and Kaduthuruthi Panchayath. There are no documents to prove how ancient it is but the method of construction is said to be according to that of the Thretha Yuga.

Along the Ettumanoor- Vaikom route if we start from Ettumanoor by bus we have to alight at Kurupanthara (where the famous Malliyoor Mahaganapathi temple is located) and from there we have to board a bus to Ayamkudi and travel about 4 km to reach the temple. If we start the journey from Vaikom at Kaduthuruthy we have to board the bus to Kallara and travel 3 km to reach the place. 

A little away from the temple there is a place called Kavikadu where there is the famous 'Marangat Mana', where a Brahmin family resides, are the owners of this temple. It is behind that one of the family member who lived in the ancient times was a great devotee of the Sun God. Through meditation he received the idol of the God and consecrated the idol in this temple. After performing oil bath (enna aaduka in malayalam) they also perform bathing the idol with water (jalabhishekam) and all trace of oil disappears because the idol is made of a particular type of stone that absorbs oil.

The idol faces the West and is said to be in the meditative form. There is a story behind this. At the beginning of creation the Sun God alone was visible while the other Gods & Goddesses could not be seen by all. But he had the same powers which the others had. So the Sun God was displeased and he worshipped supreme Goddess Mahamaya till she appear before him. The Devi blessed the Sun God and said that 6 hours till sun rise he will have all the powers of the other Gods and Goddesses also.

From a place called Kakkathu hill a very ancient Devi idol with broken limbs has been found out and is installed in the temple facing the East. People believe that this idol is connected to the legend of Adityapuram temple. It is said that the devi idol was installed about eight or nine decades ago. It is only after that the temple was renovated and became famous. Raktachandanam is the special prasadam of this temple. Sundays are important days. The last Sundays of the Malayalam months of 'Vrischikam' and 'Medam' when the glory of the Sun is at the highest are considered auspicious. On that day at least one person from the Marangat family has to take the 'Kavadi' for the Abhishekam. There is a huge crowd in the temple on this day. For 'Karkidaka Vavu' and 'Patham Udayam' also people from far away places visit the temple.

For curing diseases of the eyes and skin we have to perform Sun worship and keep Rakta Chandana wood at the Nada. For curing eye diseases, a mixture of ghee and black soot of the lamp burning inside the temple is given to devotees.

Thiruvegappura - At the Apex of Advaitha..!!

Thiruvegapura is a village in Ottapalam Taluka in Palakkad District. It is on the Pattambi – Valancherry Road, 5 Kms from Valancherry. Thiruvegapura is the Gateway of Palakkad District as one reaches Malappuram District on crossing the Thutha puzha river bridge which is bordering the village. 

It is a typical Valluvanadan village with beautiful landscape and vegetation on the banks of Thutha Puzha also called as Kunthi puzha, a tributary of Bharata Puzha.

Thiruvegapura Mahakshetram is considered as the crown of the village and is  on the banks of Thutha Puzha. This temple is built in the 14th century and is unique in many ways. The main deities are Lord Siva, Lord Sankaranarayana and Lord Vishnu. As per the mythologies,  the Shiva Linga was founded by Garuda, the kite of Lord Vishnu after he fell for a severe illness and it was Lord Brahma who instructed Garuda to bring two Shiva lingas from Gaya and to consecrate one at Adityapuram and the other at Thiruvegappuram. Garuda consecrated Shiva Linga on the north side of the temple near the Vishnu idol  which was consecrated by sages in time immemorial. 

Since Garuda fled off quickly after worshipping the deity, the place came to be called as Thiru-Vegam-para(vegam in malayalam refers to quickness and Para means to fly off hastily). When Garuda quickly fled off his wing hit on the Shiva Linga and got slightly slanted and is still seen in that disposition.

Later Sri Sankaracharya consecrated the Sankara Narayana idol between the Vishnu and Shiva idols as he find the temple as the best example where both Shaiva and Vaishnava cultures are interwoven. 

This is one of the few temples, where we can find in the inner prakaram, three separate Sreekovils for the three deities with three separate flag masts and three separate balikallu at the entrances. Apart from these three deities, Lord Ganapathy is worshipped inside the nalambalam on the right side of Lord Shiva. Dakshinamurthy and Nandikeswara are also worshipped inside the Nalambalam. On the north-west corner Nagaraja is also worshipped and believed to be consecrated by Garuda himself to reduce the effect of his skin disease committed by eating serpents. 

Outside the Nalambalam, on the south-west side we can see the sanctum of Lord Thripuranthaka(Lord Shiva in the manifestation of one who destroyed Tripuras) and on the south side an Ayyappa shrine is also visible.  Inside the nalambalam big homakunda built with stone, which looks like a well from outside is there. In olden days on Vaikkathashtami day Vasordhara homam (continuous pouring of ghee without break in to the homakundam with chanting of manthras) was conducted here. In the outer prakaram, the Koothambalam is there in the south – east corner which is very large with exquisite typical Kerala architecture. 

Lord Shiva is worshipped in the morning as Dakshinamurthy, in the noon as Paramashiva and in the evening as Raja Rajeswara who is sitting as the Lord of Lords with Goddess Parvathi, Ganapathi, Subrahmaniya and Bhoothaganas. Hence the Sankhabhisheka in the evening is considered very much sacred by the devotees.

Padmasree Mani Madhava Chakyar used to perform Chakyar Koothu and Koodiyattam in the Koothambalam here for decades. The main offerings are Divasa pooja, Palpayasam and Sathasathayam. Koovalamala, Neyivilakku are also offered by devotees.

 
Vaikkathashtami is celebrated in Vrischika month in this temple. Shivarathri is one of the important festivals which falls in the month of Kumbha. Festival is for eight days and is celebrated from Uthrittathi of Kumbha month. Festival ends with Aarattu on the last day on the Kunthi river.

Thrithala - Thalathilappan Sahayam..

Thrithala is a village in Ottapalam taluk and is located on the banks of Bharathapuzha and is well famed for Lord Shiva temple, probably built during the 9th and 10th century which marks the transition from the Chola to the Pandya style of architecture used in the construction of temples. 

The Pakkanar memorial, honouring the legendary saint, stands near Thrithala - Kootand Road. The legend of 'Parayi petta panthirukulam' is centred around Trithala. According to this story, a Brahmin named Vararuchi, married a lower caste woman without knowing her true identity. After the marriage, they set out on a long journey. During the course of the journey, the woman became pregnant several times, and every time she delivered a baby, the husband asked her to leave it there itself except the Vayillakunnilappan. Each of the babies was taken up by people of different castes (totally 12), thus they grew up in those castes, forming the legendary 'Panthirukulam'. They all became famous in their lives and many tales are attributed to them. The eldest was Agnihothri, a Brahmin, whose place is Mezhathur in Trithala. The others are Pakkanar (Basket weaver), Perumthachan (Master carpenter), Naranathu Bhranthan (the divine mad), Vayillakunnilappan (a child without mouth whom the mother wanted to keep with her) and so on. Their stories are mentioned in 'Aithihyamala' by Kottarathil Sankunni.

The temple is on the banks of Bhatathapuzha. Both the sanctum as well as the Shiva Linga are enormous. Lord Shiva is seen as facing East. Sub-deities are Lord Vishnu, Lord Krishna, Lord Ganapathi, Lord Ayyappa and Goddess Bhagavathi. The Thrithala temple is also one of the 108 Siva temples and is considered very sacred by the Shaivites. 

The idol of Lord Shiva in the temple is also known as Thiruthalathilappan and is said to be made with sand. According to a legend, the child Agnihotri was bathing in the river along with his mother. He heaped the sand in the form of a mound on a plate ('thalam' in Malayalam). When the mother tried to remove the sand, she found that it has solidified in the form of a Shiva Linga. Thus the deity is known as Thalathilappan, which means God in sits on a platter. It is believed that the sharp bend in the Peraar river in the area was formed due to the river changing its course on its own, to give space for the temple to be built.

Devotees offer Dhara, Paayasam and Chathussatham to Lord Shiva. An annual ten-day festival is held in the temple and the main festival of the temple is Mahashivaratri. It is celebrated very grandly and thousands of devotees from various parts of the state gather here to attend the celebrations.

Monday, Pradosham, Saturday, Ashtami rohini and Navarathri are also celebrated in full grandeur.

Thirumittakode - At the Anjumoorthy Temple

Thirumittakkode Anchumoorthy Temple is located in the Pattambi - Kunnamkulam route, three kilometers south of Koottupatha junction on the banks of Bharathappuzha in Palakkad district. Lord Shiva temple is seen in front of Lord Vishnu temple. It is believed that Yudhishtira, Bheema, Arjuna and jointly by Nakula and Sahadeva worshipped Lord Vishnu here. Each shrine is architecturally exquisite.

In pasurams of Kulasekhara Alvar, Thirumittakkod is  refered as Thiruvithuvakkodu, Lord Vishnu is referred as Lord Uyyavantha Perumal (Abhayaprada), and consort as Vithuvakkottu Valli or Padmapaani Naachiyaar. Thus five deities of equal importance are worshipped in this temple complex. This temple is also one among the 108 Shivalayas created by Lord Parasurama. Hence this is the only temple in Kerala listed in both 108 Shivalayas and 108 Vaishnavalayas. This temple signifies the unity of Vaishnava and Shaiva cultures.

It is believed that King Ambarisha did severe penance to the Lord Vishnu and as desired by the king, the Lord appeared in 4 Forms, as Vasudeva, Aniruddha, Pradyumna and Sankharshana. This temple is said to be the place of salvation of Ambarisha. When Pandavas set on their journey to atone for the sin committed by killing their relatives during Mahabharatha war, they visited this place. Hearing about the holiness of this place, they stayed here and worshipped Lord Vishnu in all the 4 forms. One idol was worshipped by Yudhistira, one by Bhima, one by Arjuna and one jointly by Nakula and Sahadeva.

It is also believed that a brahmin who was a staunch Shaivite stayed at Varanasi and offered worship to Lord Visweswara(Lord Shiva of Kashi). He was forced to leave Kashi and come to his native place  as he heard that his mother was in her last stages although was reluctant to leave his deity. Hence he prayed to Lord Shiva for guidance. Lord Shiva entered into the Olakkuda (palm-umbrella) which the brahmin used to have with him always and when he reached Thirumittakode, it was evening. As he had to perform his evening rites, he left the umbrella in the temple premises and went to have a bath.

When he returned, he found that he could not lift the umbrella and when he exerted force, the umbrella broke suddenly and a Shiva Linga emerged out of it. Lord Shiva appeared in front of the brahmin and said that henceforth he would stay there and all devotees could worship him in that place. It is believed that the temple also has the presence of holy Ganga.

The temple complex is the perfect specimen of traditional temple architecture and its walls are furnished with sculptures and mural paintings that depict the stories from various epics as well as of Hindu mythology. Ashtamirohini and Shivaratri are the special days celebrated in this temple.