MANAPPULLY KAVU TEMPLE
The Goddess appears as a flat black face against red cloth, with metal etchings marking her features. The starkness is reminiscent of both primeval and modern sculpture. In the circling camphor flame those golden eyes leap to life with a startling suddenness. The tilakam flares into molten gold. The priest does not have to tell you that this is a Sakti peetam. You feel the power in those eyes, at once cool and burning. The image blends with its living backdrop of tree trunk folds.
"The deity is of Durga, but in the form taken by Kannagi, who came to reside here after widowhood," the priest continues. He points to an earthen lamp in a niche within the sanctum, the original force field of the temple. The deity he terms `Vaal Kannadi Bimbam' a reflection of that power within, a form for worship four times a day. The temple attracts visitors throughout the year, peaking at the annual summer festival, which includes shows of music and dance.
VADAKKANTHARA TEMPLE
This temple can be visited on your way to the Jain Temple in Jainmedu. The presiding deity here is Bhagvaty, an incarnation of Kannagi, the heroine of Tamil epic Silappadhikaram. In the evening, sharp at six, a small firework is set off as per the tradition (which can be witnessed in most of the other Keralese temples as well). The timing of the fireworks remain same all the time, so much so that the people around have no qualms in setting their clock on hearing the sound of the crackers.
THIRUVALATHOOR SIVA TEMPLE
KALPATHY TEMPLE
The Vishwanatha Swamy shrine, the oldest Shiva temple is situated 3 kms from Palakkad. The annual chariot temple is a gala event. The annual 'Ratholsavam' or Chariot Festival at Sree Viswanantha Swamy temple lasts for seven days.
On the last three days, beautifully decorated temple chariots are ceremoniously drawn through the streets by thousands of devotees whose soul stirring chants rent the air.
The festival is dominated by three magnificent chariots, bedecked with flowers and flags, each sanctified by the presence of the lord.
Teeming crowds of people and millions of hands try to reach out to be one of the privileged to have the honour of pulling the chariots, as they proceed in stately grandeur.
PUTHUR SHRI THIRPURAIKAL TEMPLE
Puthur shri thirpuraikal temple is one of the ancient and powerful temples of shakthi in the whole of Malabar. Bhadrakali is the main deity worshipped here. Along with her, the sanctum sanctorum also has the divine presence of Lord Vishnu,Durga and Lord Ganesha. This 100 year old temple which is located 2 km. away from the town of Palakkad is of much historical importance.The enthusiasm of the people of this small place called Puthur resulted in the present day shrine built some 75 yrs. back around the old banyan tree where the godess was believed to be residing earlier
It is believed that the devi fulfills all the wishes of her true devotees. A heartfelt prayer never goes unanswered here.mMany true life stories of her divine blessings from times of yore are a proof to it.With every passing year the story of her benevolence crossed the boundries of the of the dist. of palakkad further and further and today people from far and near throng the shrine for a glimpse of her divinity.
The main festival of this temple called the Puthur Vela commences in mid March and the curtain falls on the month long celebrations in mid April. The main ritual that takes place during this festival is the ‘Thol pavakutha’.it is a form of puppet show wherein the story of Ramayana is depicted .The belief goes that devi enjoys the divine story of Lord Rama every year through this form of recital.Very few temples of kerala still retain this art form. Apart from this all other temple art forms of kerala feature during the celebrations. The highlight of this month long festivity is the Music and Dance festival that has grown into one of the prestigious cultural events of the state.
EMOOR BAGAVATHY
Emoor Bhagavathy Temple also known as Hemambika Temple (or) the Kaipathi (i.e. palm of the hand in Malayalam) Ambalam (or) Kallekulangara Bhagavathy Temple - {Kshetram/Ambalam are Malayalam words meaning temple}.
The chief deity here is Goddess Hemambika, but the idol worshipped here is an “upraised hand,” behind which there is a legendary tale. The Goddess once agreed to appear before a devotee on the condition he will not disclose it to anyone. But the excited devotee, unable to hold it within himself, told everyone, and when the goddess appeared before him, seeing the small crowd that had gathered there, she vanished immediately, and all that the devotees could see were her upraised hand!
The specialty of the temple is in its unique idol and also the fact that it is surrounded by
water on three sides. The Sanctum Sanctorum (or the Garba Griha) is at the same level as the water in the pond that surrounds the temple, signifying that the deity emerged from there.
Also its believed the deity takes three forms in a day: Saraswathi in the morning, Laxmi in the noon, and as Durga in the evening.
KARNAKI TEMPLE
Kerala’s one and only Karnaki Temple where goddess Karnaki is worshiped in her full Idolic-Form and divine glory. This temple is situated at palakkad town circle – Moothanthara (New Name - Karnaki Nagar), a dwelling place of Karnaki’s own people, "Moothans" believed to be descended from the neighboring state of Tamilnadu in the historic times.
One of the main attractions of this temple is the way in which the traditional pooja rituals are performed in the goddess karnaki’s temple and the Visalakshi Sametha Shiva Temple (Siva-Parvathy Temple) worshipped in the same compound. For goddess Karnaki, Kerala form of pooja practices are done by Kerala Brahmins (Namboothiri's) and in Siva Temple Tamil Shaiva form of Pooja practices are carried out by Tamil Brahmin Priests.Devotees can feel and enjoy this cultural mix while they visit this temple and came out after their prayers. Unlike other Tamil speaking caste groups already present or has descended from neighboring states, moothan’s has accepted both cultures alike. Even though there are Tamil traces to their origin, they speak only the language Malayalam. This acceptance has induced a new cultural life style in and around palakkad. This unique cultural blend is one of the rarest found in the state of Kerala. This temple has emerged as one of the spacious and beautiful temples of palakkad where Tamil - Malayalam architecture mix beautifully.
HANUMAN TEMPLE
This temple is dedicated to Sri Rajaram Swamikal, the devotee of Saint Thyagaraja. The annual Carnatic Music Festival is held in this temple in every January, in memory of Thyagaraja Swamikal.
TEMPLES IN THRISSUR
PERINGOTTUKARA SOMASEKHARA TEMPLE
22Km Away from Thrissur Town. Its on the way to Triprayar through Cherppu. This is Shiva temple installed by Sree Naarayana Guru. There the festival will come in March.
This temple is on the way to Aratupuzha. The distance is about 12-km from the town. This is the oldest temple in the area. It was constructed by a reputed Namboodiri family, mainly to avert disasters that overtook the region. The idol here is cleaned by feathers of peacock, a custom not prevailed anywhere else.
KOODALMANIKYAM TEMPLE
Located at Irinjalakuda, 16-km away from Kudungallur and 25-km from Thrissur. The deity is Bharat, the brother of Rama. The temple is of 9th century old. The temple has many structures which were repaired by during the rule of Shaktan Tampuran. There is a 10-day long festival during Medam (April-May). The staging of Kerala’s own art forms every day is an essential part of Pooram.
During Karkidakam (July-August) Anguliangamkoothu, Ramayanamkoothu and Koodiyattam (all the three are Kerala’s own performing arts) staged hereVADAKKUMNATHAN TEMPLE
A very big temple in 10 acres, said to have been built by Parasurama, the legend creator of Kerala. Here the deity is Shiva. The famous ‘Thrissur Pooram’, fathered by Shaktan Tampuran, is celebrated in the precincts of the temple. To facilitate the Pooram he cleared teak forests of 54 acres around the temple. The temple is enclosed by 15 ft massive walls. The Gopurams, four, in carved wood and stone positioned in four directions around the temple. Bali (sacrifice)stones in brass seen everywhere. The ground is dotted with stone reliefs of prostrating men. The deities of Ayyappa and Rama, as ancillaries, are in comradeship with giant old trees. The Adi Sankaracharya is also accommodated. The exquisitely carved wood beautifies the shrines and Koothambalam (temple theater). The idols of Shiva positioned all around the main altar. The deity Shiva is in the form of a big ‘mahalingam’. Here the main offering is ghee. The devotees brought ghee pours on the ‘lingam’ The years’ offerings has concealed the lingam. At present the devotees can see only a mound of ghee. As a miracle, the ghee does not melt or emit any smell, though in summer the temperature rises upto 35 degree C. It is said, part of the ghee is more than 1000 years old. The ghee will not be removed. If and when any portion of the mount is collapsed, the same will be sold. If a collapse is taken place, it is believed as a sign of some evil about to happen in Thrissur. Seven years back there was a partial collapse of ghee prior to the Pooram and during the Pooram a fireworks accident snatched the life of three. The Kerala’s own art form, Chakyarkoothu, is staged here very often. For this there is a specifically thatched roof structure.
GURUVAYOOR SRI KRISHNA TEMPLE
Home of Sri Krishna Temple. 32 km away. The temple is very famous and the devotees come here from far away. Some days hours warrant in queue to reach the sanctum due to bulging devotees. During night thousands of oil-lamps lit around the temple and a dance form of Kerala, Krishnattom, kick-starts. The devotees believe that the presence in the precincts of the temple wards off the evils. Here there is peculiar system of offering called ‘Thulabharam’. A devotee can offer anything from banana, jaggery, sugar, coconut, flower to gold or diamond equal to his body weight. The devotee sits in one side of the balance and in the other side the offering material fills till the balance equalizes. This is Thulabharam. The solemnization of wedding is an up-keep tradition here. In some days the solemnization crosses 150 marks. The architectural beauty of the temple is commentable. Unfortunately, in Kerala, only Hindus are allowed to enter the temples. The more enlightened and forward looking demand entry for all in all temples. Hope the things will change.
Ekadassi at Sru Krishna Temple, Guruvayur: The Hindus in general consider Ekadasi a very auspicious day. Of the 24 Ekadasis in a year, the Shukla Paksha Ekadasi which falls in the Malayalam month Vrischikam (November/December) is observed as Guruvayur Ekadasi. This day is also observed as the Prathishta Dinam (installation day) of the temple. Though the temple is known as Sri Krishna temple, the idol made of Pathalanjana Sila, installed at the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum), is of Lord Mahavishnu. The idol is installed at the temple by Lord Guru and Lord Vayu on the Ekadasi day, it is believed. The name of the place, Guruvayur, is thus emerged from the Lfords Guru and Vayu. Guruvayur is considerefd the Bhooloka VaikuntaM, thre worldly abode of Lord Mahavishnu. Guruvayur Ekadasi is also known as Bhooloka Vaikunta Ekadasi and it is said that devotees who observe perfect vritham (fast) on Ekadasi day attain moksha and reach Lord Vishnu. It is believed that on this day Lord Krishna revealed the Viswaroopam to Arjuna and conveyed the Bhagvat Gita to him. So the day is also celebrated as Gita dinam here.
It was on this day that Lord Krishna performed Govardha yajna and lifted the mountain to rescue the residents of Gokulam from the anger of Lord Indra. On the Ekadasi day, it is therefore believed, Indra would come with Kamadhenu and offer his wealth to the Lord and seek his blessings. It is also believed that Adi Sankaracharya during his voyage came to the temple on Ekadasi day and scheduled the elaborate poojas of the temple. Even long before the Temple Entry Proclamation, all Hindus irrespective of caste, creed and colour, were allowed to enter the temple on Ekadasi day (prior to the Temple Entry Proclamation only upper caste Hindus were allowed to enter the temples thoughout Kerala).
The Ekadasi celebrations begin with 31 Ekadasi Vilakku. Kazhcha shivelis will be conducted with caparisoned elephants accompanied by panchavadhyam, melam, nagaswaram and vilakku pradikshan at night. During the Vilakku Pradikshan, the thidambu of the deity will be carried on top of the elephant in a procession accompanied by idakka (temple percussion instrument). The devotees light up thousands of lamps around the Naalambalam. The Vilakku is offered to the Lord by various individuals, institutions and organizations. Among the 31 vilakkukal, the Astami, Navami, Dasami and Ekadasai Vilakkukal are very auspicious. The ‘swamakolam’ of the deity will be carried on an elephant, Guruvayur Padmanabhan, during the Vilakku Ezhunnellippu. The Ekadasi vilakku and Udayashthamana poojas on Ekadasi are offered to Lord Sri Krishna (more commonly known as Sri Guruvaurappan) by the Devaswom itself.
Thousands observe Ekadasi Vridham and end the fasting by drinking thulasitheertham. The vritham concludes with the dwadasi panam samarpanam on dwadasi day. All residents of the town, irrespective of religion, join the celebrations which is an indication of the communal harmony existing here. The town is illuminated sporadicallyduring the festival. The Chembai Sangeetholsavam in memory of Chembai Vaidynatha Bhagavathar is held in connection with the Guruvayar Ekadasi in which hundreds of musicians participate. This music festival is the largest congregation of musicians in the country. The special Pancharatna Keerthalapanam is held on the Dasami day. Gajarajan Kesavan who died during an Ekadasi day is also commemorated during Ekadasi festival. On Dasami day the elephants owned by the temple pay t ribute to the statue of departed highly obedient giant elephant, Kesavan. And with this, the celebrations end.
16 km away from Thrissur. The deity is Dharma Sastha. The temple is 1500 years old. In its annual festival 41 temples participate. The deities-seated elephants representing the temples march to this temple on Pooram day. 65 to 101 caparisoned panchyderms mesmerize the event. The temple orchestra flows from hundreds of temple instruments and the rhythmic sounds electrify the atmosphere and thousands of spectators ride to the peak of amusement. This sporadic event is in the night.The leadership of the festival is bestowed on the deity of Shree Rama Temple in Triprayar, about 12-km from Aratupuzha. This Pooram is a mega event and attending it will do away the sins of a whole year, it is believed. The entire route, stretching 12-km, of Shree Rama from Triprayar to Aratupuzha get make-up by the villagers and wait thousands in excitement to see the deity passes through in the night. The full stretch of the route is also thrilled by fireworks from one end to the other end.
SHREE RAMA TEMPLE
Situated at Triprayar, in between Guruvayur and Kodungallur, with equal distance of 25-km to both the places. The deity here is Shree Rama in the form of Chaturbhuja - four arms with conch, disc, bow and garland (one item in one hand). The deity is considered as Trimurthi (three Gods) as there is a semblance of Shiva and Brahma to the idol of Rama. The leadership of the famous Arattupuzha Pooram is bestowed on this temple. Though 41 temples participate in Arattupuzha Pooram with dozens of elephants, only the deity of Shree Rama temple is given the right to carry the deity and Kolam on the elephant during Arattupuzha Pooram. The 7-day lasting Pooram in Shree Rama temple begins 5 days prior to Arattupuzha Pooram. During the 7 days the real show of festival is only on the 1st and last days. Rest of the 5 days, the deity on elephant goes out of the temple to visit his devotees in the neighbouring villages. This festival is in Meenam (March-April). Ekadashi in Vrischikam (November-December) is also celebrated here as a grand festival.
KODUNGALLUR BHAGAVATHY TEMPLE
The temple was built by Chera king, Chenguthuvan. The deity, Kannagi (also called Bhadrakali or Bhagavathi) possesses immense power, it is believed. The main festival called Bharani is celebrated in Meenam (March-April) to symbolize the killing of demon. The temple has an unusual system during its festival. During the seven-day long festivals obscenic songs are sung by the devotees to appease the deity. The intensity of the songs has come down considerably following vehement protests from various learned sections. The government is afraid of banning it, fearing backlash from some sections. Yet another unusual ritualistic custom also prevails here – butchering of chicken during the festival. There is a marked venue and Kozhikallue (chicken-stone) for this purpose.
Believe it or not, thousands of pilgrims, mostly from Kasargode and Kannur districts (north end of Kerala – Thrissur is in the middle of Kerala) with swords in hands come during the festival. With swords in hand they agitatingly dance before the temple to appease the goddess and earn her blessings for well-being.
THAYAMKULANGARA SUBRAMANYA TEMPLE
The temple is located at Cherpu, about 10-km from Thrissur town. The deity is Subramanya.
At the east side of the temple, beyond Main Road, facing west is the shrine of Hindumban who was an ardent devotee of Subramanya Swamy who is facing east. Behind Subramanya Swamy’s shrine there is a shrine for Ganapathy which too faces east.
This temple is more commonly known as Kerala Pazhani. There is a legend behind it. The sage Pooru and his friends once visited the shrine of Subramanya Swamy at Pazhani in Tamil Nadu. When he was in the shrine he felt as Subramanya Swamy telling him that all the Banyan trees near Peruvanam temple (near Thayamkulangara Subramanya temple) are Gods and that they became Banyan trees due to a curse. Subramanya wanted to make these Gods curse-free and for that he is coming to Peruvanam, implied in the vision of Pooru. Few days later a boy with a spear in hands was noticed in the north-western side of the Peruvanam temple. He caused a hole with his spear in the ground when water sprinkled out. He collected some water and sprayed on the Banyan trees. The dug hole later became wider and deep and the same is what at present the temple pond is.
Subramanya was the last word in astrology. Worshipping and giving him offerings of his liking are considered as the ultimate solution for the ill-effects pronounced in the horoscopes.
There are about 43 sub-deities which include Sri Ayyappan, Sri Ganapathy and Naga (serpent).The main offerings are Kalabhabhishekam, Shadabhishekam, Udayastamana Pooja, Appam for Ganapathy and Sashty Ootu (Anna Danam – free-meal service).The festival called Thaipooyam is celebrated in the month of Makam (January/February). The main attraction is Kavadiyattom (dance with Kavad). For this Ambalakavadi (Kavadi with multi-tiers (upto 21 tiers and about 4 meters high) and Pookavadi (Kavadi with numerous artificial flowers and without tiers) are used. caparisoned tuskers accompanied by percussion musics are also there in the festival.
THIRUVANCHIKULAM MAHADEVA TEMPLE
Located at Kodungallur, about 30-km from Thrissur. The temple is of many centuries standing and is located in a peaceful setting.The saint Sundarmoorthy Nayanar and Cheraman Perumal (both were close-friends) worshipped Lord Shiva leading to eternal bliss. They reached Kailas (the abode of Shiva) by riding on a 1000-tusked white elephant by Nayanar and on a blue horse by Perumal. Both of them have shrines in the temple. This event was taken place on Swati day in the month of Karkidakam (July/August) and special Poojas are performed in these shrines.There is yet another story winding the temple. Umamaheshwara once appeared in this place where Vasuki (serpent God and holy Nagas (serpents)) stood guard. The Lingam here is said to have been self-incarnated. It is of 4-inch length, 12 inch diameter and in semi-circle form. There is water around as synonymous to Ganga.The majestic gateway is decorated wiith carvings of elephants, gods and goddesses.Only the left side of the entrance there is a stone carving of Shiva and Parvathi as right and left respectively. Inside the enclosure there is a porch with carvings dedicated to the characters of the great Hindu epic of Ramayana. The inner santum houses a plain stone lingam.There is a scar mark on left side on the top of the head. This marking is attributed to a story. When Shiva and Parvathi appeared before Arjuna in the form of Kiratha and Kirathu (hunter and huntress) Arjuna hit on the forehead of Kiratha which caused the mark. This was due to mistaken identity.A Brahmin had taken away Vasuki who stood guard to Umamaheshwara (Uma and Maheshwara – Parvathi and Shiva) in a palm-leaf umbrella to his Mana (home) for worship with the blessings of Umamaheshwara. This Brahmin family later became rich and their Mana famed as Pampummekkatt (serving of snake) Mana. This Mana is about 6-km east of Mahadeva temple. It is very famous for serpent Gods. People from all over Kerala and beyond visit here for the solution of problems connected with serpents.The main festival in Mahadeva temple is Shivarathri day in the month of Kumbam (February/March).
THIRUVITHUVAKODE TEMPLE
This Divya Desam has been sung in a decad of 10 verses by Kulasekhara Alwar who hailed from Kerala (Chera Nadu). This temple is located at Tiruvinjikode, at a distance of 16 km from Shoranur (off of the highway) , enroute to Guruvayur. The nearest railhead is Pattambi on the Malabar railway line. This temple has a shrine to Shiva and a shrine to Vishnu.
This temple is connected with legends from the Mahabharata and has four images of Vishnu believed to have been installed by the Pandavas.
Given the four Vishnu images and the sanctum enshrining Shiva this temple is popularly known as anjumoorthy koyil.
Legend has it that Vishnu appeared in four forms here (Vyuhavataram - Pradyumna, Aniruddha, Sankharshana and Para Vasudeva) in response to worship by Ambarishan and was worshipped by the Pandavas here. Ambarishan is said to have obtained salvation here. Of the four images of Vishnu seen here, Yuddhishtra is said to have worshipped the one in the center, Bhima the one on the left, Arjuna the one on the west, and Nakula and Sahadeva the other.There is yet another temple in Karur (on the Chennai Tiruchi railroad), by name Vithuvakkodeeswaram, enshrining Abhaya Pradhana Ranganathar and Ranganayaki, also considered to be a Divya Desam by the same name. Ranganathar is enshrined in a reclining posture. This temple covers an area of about an acre and has shrines to Anjaneyar and Garudazwar.