Mavelikara - Narayanaya Nama

Mavelikara Sri Krishna Swami Temple is at the heart of the Mavelikara town, faces towards the east. The principal deity of this temple is Lord Sri Krishna with both hands stretching out for butter. Centuries ago, this temple had belonged to the Idaserry Family. 

A servant of the Idaserry Family, who was devoted to God once found a statue while he was clearing the land. The statue, which started bleeding as it had been struck, was brought to the Idaserry Family. As per astrological prediction, it was proved that the statue was that of Lord Krishna taking butter and that it had to be installed into a properly constructed temple. With the help from the King of Matathinkore a small temple was constructed and a temporary installation was made by Kulakkada Nampimadam Pandaram, who was an expert in tantric rituals. For thevaram, Velliyodu Potty and for kazhakam Thekkey Pisharam was appointed. The Kokkattu Family was appointed to assist them. Adichan, who discovered the idol, got the title of Kerala Adichan with tax-free land and a house from the king and his family is known as Ooralaserry. The statue of Kerala Adichan made of jack-wood and installed at Ooralaserry fills the minds of devotees with joy.

Figure: Copper-clad Namaskara Mandapa (portico for performing Namskara for Brahmins) with Sanctum Sanctorum (adjacent to these structures temple well is also seen)

Figure: Aditya-Guru sanctum

Figure: Navagraha (Nine planetary lords)

It is a historic truth that Mavelikara, which was the citadel of the Madathinkore royal family, had been a vassal of the Onattukara Kingdom. The Sri Krishna swami Temple was under the prestigious and powerful Idaserry Family of Mavelikara. The community ownership of the temple was obtained by the palace after ceding the Puthiyakavu Devi Temple to the Idaserry Family.

Figure: Elephant named 'Unnikrishnan' feasting on palm leaves inside the Aanappandhal (Elephant Portico)

Figure: Sree Budha idol

By accepting the request of the Mavelikara Palace, the old Sri Krishna Swami temple was renovated into its present form. The roof of the sanctum sanctorum is cast with copper. Anecdotal, velakulam and the compound wall are the peculiar features of the temple.

In front of the small Aanakottil, around thirty-feet height, is the pillar lamp made of bell metal. Four armed guards encircle the lamp. Legend has it that the jubilant soldiers of Marthanda Varma the king of Venadu instituted this lamp. They were happy because Marthanda Varma made Mavelikara, the capital of Madathinkore Kingdom which was then made a part of Venadu.

To the north of the temple is the banquet hall capable of accommodating a thousand people. This banquet hall was to serve the purpose of taking food and taking rest for the Brahmin scholars who used to go on foot to the Sri Padmanabhaswami Temple to take part in the ritual of Murajapam.

There was a very beautiful garden to the north of the banquet hall on the eastern side. In the past, flowers from this garden were sufficient to fulfil the requirements of all the temples under the Mavelikara Devaswom. This garden was known as the Garden of God.

The 'vakacharthu' of the Sri Guruvayur Sri Krishna swami Temple is evidently very famous. Among the temples under the Travancore Devaswom, the Sri Krishna Swami Temple at Mavelikara is the only one where Vakacharthu takes place. The custom of parading Lord Krishna on Garuda Vahana is prevalent only at the temples of Aranmula (Sri Parthasarathi temple) and Mavelikara.

In the whole of the month of Vrischikam according to the Malayalam Calendar, in connection with the Athazha Seeveli this parading of Lord Krishna is conducted. This ritual had its origin as an offering during the reign of the King Sri Moolam Thirunal.

Years ago, the holy bath of Lord Krishna was in the Achankovil River to the north of the Michel Junction. The rock on which the Lord was offered worship after his bath is still there. Now his holy bath takes place at the Kandiyur Snanaghattam. The other deities of the temple are Lord Ganapathi and the Navagrahas. There are pujas performed every day. As the holy bath (Aarattu) is on the day of Thiruvonam in the Malayalam month of Meenam, the temple also celebrates ten days of festival every year on that occasion. The main offering during the festival is the Dasavatharacharthu. The Thrikkai Vennayootu and the Garuda Vahana Parade are the main offerings of the temple.

Unnikrishnan, the elephant of this temple is one of the most splendid elephants of the Travancore temples. Srimath Bhagavatha Yajnam has been taking place in the temple for thirty-four years.

Muvattupuzha - Thiruvumplavil Sree Mahadeva Pahimam

Thiruvumplavil Mahadeva Temple is situated at Anicadu, a village near Muvattupuzha, Ernakulam district in Kerala. The temple is about 200 metres from the Muvattupuzha-Punaloor State Highway (Muvattupuzha-Thodupuzha Road). The uniqueness of this temple is the Thirukulambu (origin of holy water) and Theerthakkara (banks of the holy river) near the temple. Thousands of devotees do the Pithrutharpanam (performance of last rites for the departed) at this place during Mahashivarathri and Karkidakavavu. It is believed that the holy water flowing through the Thirukulambu is Kashi Theertham (holy water which flows from Banares/Varanasi).

According to lores, Lord Shiva with Goddess Parvathi revealed themselves to a fervent devotee at this place. It is said that at a time immemorial, two old Brahmins, on their way to Varanasi passed through Anicadu. It was a dense forest during that time. They saw a diseased cow on their way. One of the Brahmins decided to take care of the cow to recover it from the critical condition while his friend continued his journey to Varanasi to visit the famous Viswanatha temple. With his sincere and dedicated attention, the cow recovered from the disease. He was very happy and content about the fact that he could save the life of the cow, but at the same time felt sad about his incomplete pilgrimage to Varanasi. While sitting near the cow with all these thoughts, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi revealed themselves before him and said that he need not worry about his incomplete pilgrimage to Banares and he had performed a great sacrifice by saving the life of a being, for which they are very much pleased with him. In fact, it was Godess Sri Parvathi who came before him as a cow to test his devotion. The cow’s hoof(Kulambu) mark is seen over the surface of the rock and the holy water flow through the same, where he had performed this great sacrifice. They also said that holy water is river Ganges itself and he shall perform all the rituals there itself and it will be considered as good as doing it at Varanasi.

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The Theerthakkulam (Pond) at the north side of the temple contains this holy water flowing through the Thirukulambu and lot of people perform their rituals at this place. The name Thiruvumplavil is formed from 'Thirukulambai'. The Theerthakara at the north side of Thiruvumplavil Mahadeva Temple is blessed by Lord Kashi Viswanatha with the Kashi Theertham (which flows through the Thirukulambu). This is one of the rare place in Kerala where facility for Pithru Tharppanam is made available for devotees throughout the year.

At the theerthakkara, large number of pilgrims carry out the ritual of 'Pithru Bali'. 'Pithru' means ancestors and 'Bali' means a typical sacrificial offering. The rituals are meant to bring peace and eternal rest to ones ancestors. This ceremony is conducted under the guidance of a priest.

Sradham is performed for people in 'Pithruloka'. It is a privilege to get eligibility for performing Sradha Karma. Sraadha Karma are considered in Vedas as the direct and more affective ritual that can be performed by mankind. What ever Sradha Karma performed by the successors are the only feeding for the well being of the soul. As a successor one is empowered and required to perform Sradha Karma as long as possible. Performing Sraadha Karmaas is one way of feeding energy to Pithru Devathas.

Nakshatravanam is also another attraction of the temple. There are numerous references, which explain the acceptance of nature as a creative and protective power. Tree worship, which has deep-rooted historicity, is a general feature of India's socio-religious life. Conceiving this great concept, Nakshatravanam project aims to develop a garden with the plants and trees corresponding to the 27 stars. Also there will be other plants with medicinal value. Forest is being developed at the most appropriate location at the north side of the temple (Theerthakkara) where the Kashi theertham flows through Thirukulambu. Devotees can participate in this project by contributing for the preservation of their star trees.

Lord Shiva is seen in the Chathurbahu (with four arms) idol form in the main sanctum having Mrugam (deer), Parasu (axe) on two upper arms while lower arms showing abhaya and varada mudras. It is very rare to see an idol of such form as in most of the Shiva temples Shiva Linga is considered as the complete symbolic idol of Lord Shiva worship.

Goddess Shri Parvathi is seen Inside the main Sreekovil at the right hand side of Lord Shiva. Important days are Monday and the star Makam. Important offerings are Neyvilakku, Swayamvara archana and Thirumadhuram. Lord Subrahmanyan is worshiped Inside the main Sanctum near the left hand side of Lord Shiva. Important days are Shukla Shashti and Thaippooyam. Important offerings are Paalabhishekam and Panchamrutham. Lord Ganapathi, Bhuvaneswari, Rakshassu and Serpent Gods are also worshiped as sub-deities.

Mahashivarathri is the major festival of the temple when thousands throng the temple to worship Lord Viswanatha to receive his blessings.