Kachankurichi temple, Kollengode

Kachankurichi temple
By
P.R.Ramachander
This is a temple situated in Kollengode, a small town near Palakkad town of Kerala.
Though this is considered as a temple of Lord Shiva, more importance is given to Lord
Vishnu’s temple within the temple complex.
The Vishnu‘s idol is made of Jack tree wood and is about 6 feet tall and faces the east.
He is sitting on Anantha (Snake) and holds in his hand Conch, wheel, and mace and
lotus flower. On both his side are his consorts, Bhoodevi and Sridevi. Since it is difficult
to see his consorts, mirrors are kept on both sides so that the devotee can see all the three
statues together. But in spite of this the God is worshipped as Rama.
It is believed that these idols were consecrated by Sage Kasyapa. This temple has been
named after this sage as “Kasaypam kurichi” , which over decades has become
Kachankurichi. Very near the temple are two sacred rivers Ikshu and Gayathri. There is
also a mountain near by called the Govinda Mountain. People believe there is a cave in
the mountain called Sitharakundam. In this cave it is believed that Lord Rama and Sita
stayed for some time. There is a stone there by the side of a stream nearby, which is
yellow. People believe that Sita used to apply turmeric from this stone.. Since this temple
was also known as Venkata desam and the God here is also referred to as Venkatesan.
Since the idol is made of wood, there is no regular Abishekam. The idol is anointed with
oil once in a year. In these parts people who are not regular in their bathing habits are
teasingly referred as Kachankurichi Perumal
It seems Sage Kasyapa did an Aswamedha sacrifice here along with Sages Athri,
Agasthya and Markandeya. The Yaga kunda(the pit where the sacrifice is done) is the
present day Temple tank. It is called as Yagna theertham. The waters are considered as
very sacred and supposed to remove all sins. The steps to this temple tank goes very
deep. Very near the main (north side) temple tank, there is another small tank, which is
referred to as “Kuthira Kulam. (Horse tank)”. It is believed that the sages tied the horse
of Aswamedha sacrifice at this spot. In the southern side also there is a tank. It seems a
king got leprosy due to his insulting Lord Shiva. According to the advice of Sage
Agasthya, he got cured of this disease, by performing Abishekams to Lord Shiva using
this water.
It seems during the invasion of Tippu sultan he wanted to plunder this temple. But
once he was told about the immense power of this lord, instead he gave many properties
to this temple.
It is interesting to note that , wherever a Yaga is performed in Kerala, The soma Latha,
the Karungali wood and the deer’s skin which are to be used in the Yaga are brought first
to this temple, kept before Perumal (Lord Vishnu) statue and pooja performed. Then only
it becomes fit to be used in the Yaga.
Inside this temple there are temples for Ayyappa, Lord Shiva and Lord Naga
Subrahamanya. Outside the temple is a Naga Prathishta
The arattu festival takes place in this temple in the month of Medam. The festival starts
in the Hastha Nakshathram and the festival goes up to the Thiruonam star.
All amavasya days are important to this temple, especially The Deepavali amavasya.
Thaipoosam also is a gala festival at this temple. On that day , devotees go to the
Govinda Mountain, bring water from a stream there . (It seems there are marks of Conch
and Vishnu Pada in the stream) and use the water to do Abhisheka to Lord Vishnu.
During all Thiruonam days, Paal payasam is offered to the God.
The temple opens at 5 Am and remains opened till 11 Am. In between several types of
worship including Seeveli and Pandheeradi Pooja are performed. It again opens at 5 Pm
and remains open till 8Pm..