Temple for Duryodhana in malanada , Kerala

Temple for Duryodhana in malanada , Kerala

Compiled by

P.R.Ramachander

The temple of Duryodhana(  the only temple in South india)   is located  in Peruviruthy Malanada or Malanada This place The is located equidistant from Adoor(M C Road) on the Northeast and Sasthamcottah on the Southeast. It is also reachable from Kayamkulam and Karunagappally on the N H 47 and Kottarakkara (via Puthoor or Enathu) on the M C road (approximately 25 KMs. From each centre)

    Duryodhana is not represented by an idol here, It is a mandapam(stage below an Althara(the  bottom of a banyan tree)  and devotees  mentally worship the  spiritual power   which is located there .People believe  that the power there is the power of Duryodhana(the eldest of the Kauravas)   who was killed by Bhima in  Mahabharatha   war. It seems when Pandavas were  in Ajatha Vasa  Duryodhana came to this place in search of them.(  a temple for him  is there  in OSla   in Garhwal, where  again he reached  searching for Pandavas)   By the time he reached Malanada  he was greatly tired  .” and went to a nearby house on the north west of Malanada and asked for drinking water. It was Kaduthamsserry Kottaram, where Malanada Appoppan, the priest and ruler of the land was staying. An elderly woman gave him toddy which was customary at that time as a mark of respect. The king enjoyed the drink, but realized after seeing the ‘Kurathali’ worn by the woman that she belonged to an untouchable lower cast by name ‘Kurava’. The king consoled himself and appreciated the divinity of the place and its people who possessed supernatural powers (Siddha). Thereafter, in furtherance of his ‘Rajadharma’, the king sat on the hill and worshipped Lord Siva, praying for the welfare of his people (the prajas). As an act of charity he gave away 100s of acres of agricultural land and paddy fields as freehold to the ‘Devasthanam’. Even now the land tax of the above property is being levied in the name of ‘Duryodhanan’.

The king also ensured that Gandhari, the Royal Mother, Dussala,his sister, Karnan, his close associate and ‘Angarajan’, Dronar, his ‘Guru’ and the other members of his family were properly and adequately aboded and worshipped in the nearby places and members of the ‘Kurava’ caste are poojaris in all such places.

The temple administration at Malanada is vested in a committee elected by members of 7 ‘Karas’, supposed having Malanada Appoopan’s territorial jurisdiction. Kunnathoor Taluk N S S Union and S N D P Union have their representatives in the committee by having 2 members each. ‘Kaduthamsserry Kudumbayogam among Kurava caste and ‘Kettungal Kudumabayogam’ among Ezhava caste enjoying special status in the administration of the temple.”

     IN this there is an important festival called  Malakkuda.meaning umbrella  of the mountains.   It is celebrated every year in the   second half of the   month of march. The arrival of the festival is proclaimed by "Kodiyettu" (the temple flag hoisting ceremony by Oorali after due observance) on the first Friday of Meenam. Presently, although there is festivity for 8 days from Kodiyettu to Malakkuda, there is no change in the rituals connected therewith.

On the festival day afternoon Oorali accompanied by his aids visits "Gurukkalssery Bhagavathy Temple" and invites Devi to Malanada. Bhagavathy arrives Malanada in a procession and occupies her reserved seat (Mandapam in front of Malanada Temple). Thereafter Oorali goes to his abode at Kaduthamsserry Kottaram and gets ready with "Kachakettu" (wearing his priestly attire) with the help of his aidis, viz. "Thalikkaran" & Kalassakkaran" and "Naluveedar". The team led by Oorali first worships at Malanada and thereafter proceed to "Muravukandam" via "Adaipad" to witness and bless the most spectacular and colourful event of the day known as the "Kettukazhcha".

Kettukazhcha is a pageantry. It is the most splendid part of the Maha Malakkuda Maholsavam. It involves a spectacular display of craftsmanship in the form of "Edupu kala" and "Edupu kuthira". The orderly display of hundreds of such pieces, big and small, either as offering by believers for favours received or to be received or as customary by the 7 Karakal (7 divisions of Malanada Appooppan's territorial jurisdiction) in the vast stretch of the dry paddy fields surrounded by thousands of spectators viewing from far and near in the descending sun, renders a panoramic view. This is the essence of the festival. Oorali after having an overall view of the scene from his designated spot, visits and blesses each and every such display item. By around sunset the "Kettukazhcha" one by one moves up the Malanada hill, rounds the temple 3 times and thereafter returns or parks on the hill for the night. There will be cultural programmes during night. Kathakali based on the story "Nizhalkuthu" is customary. Poruvazhy Peruviruthy Malanada Devaswom very proudly keeps under lock & key a Gold Flag(Swarnakkodi). It is the status symbol of Malanada Appooppan, the symbol of power and authority. It is the privilege of the Mannan – The Ruler, The King to own such a flag! Made in pure gold, it is a precious show piece of excellent workmanship.

Public ‘Darshan’ of Swarnakkodi is permitted only on auspicious days like ‘Kodiyettu Day’, ‘Malakkuda Maholsavam Day’, etc. It is believed that the ‘Darshan’ of the Swarnakkodi brings home goodness and prosperity.

Then a ritual called  Pallipana  is performed once in 12 years.  There is a story behind this . It is believed that Lord Mahavishnu with the help of Lord Subramanian found that he was afflicted by ‘Asura Dosha’. People belonging to ‘Velan’ community are the right ones to perform the corrective rituals to get rid of the ‘Dosha’ which was inflicted by practicing witchcraft against the Lord. ‘Velan’ community could not be found anywhere in the three worlds. At last Shri Parameswaran, who knows everything, appeared as ‘Velan’, Shri Parvathy as ‘Velathy’, Shri Mahaganapathy and Shri Subramanian as ‘Bhoothaganangal’. They came over to Palazhy and performed the ‘Mahakarma’ which is known as ‘Pallippana’ and relieved Bhagavan of his evil afflictions. It was the first ‘Pallippana’ ever heard in the history of mankind.

‘Pallippana’ is thus believed as a ritual capable of eliminating the evil spirits afflicting a deity and its land and people. At Malanada this ritual is performed without fail once in 12 years. It is believed that this observance elates the divine power of ‘Malanada Appooppan’ and makes the people of the seven ‘Karas’ rich and prosperous.

About 50 members of the ‘Velan’ Community as performers and an equal number of “Purangadi’ community members as antiperformers take part in this function. It lasts for 11 days to complete 18 ‘Mahathkarmangal’. The conduct of the function is very costly. The main ‘Karmas’ performed are Kappukettu, Idupanabali, Kuzhibali, Pattadabali, Ninabali, Panchabhoothabali, Aazhibali, Kidangubali, Marukubali, Peed’abali, Dikbali, and Koombubali.

   There are several small temples   attached to this temple

1.Kadujthamassery  Kottaram-  Valiya appoppan is the  spiritual force here

2.Kizhakke Bagathu  Appoppan kshetram.  .This Appoppan is the nephew of Malanada Appoppan

3.Menaka ssery kottaram  .Is the place of Menakassery Appoppan    who first ruled over Malanada ,It is believed 101   Swaroopangal(forms)    are living there

4.THekke purathu kshethram .It seems one Pandi Nattan THampuran lived here  and jhewas an expert in treating   stomach disorders.Devotees with this problems come here.

5,Vadakkepurathu Kshethram .Here it seems one Thampuran specialised in treating eye problems used to live. People with eye  problems come here.

6.Chempitta kottaram(Palace with copper roof) . The moorthy is a Sidha specialised  in treating mental disorders

7.Guru kalaserriyil kottaram  - Martial arts    used  to be taught here.

8.Vallyathu  kottaram the administrator of the temple  is the sankalpa moorthy here

9.Puliserriyil kottaram  . Pooliseriyil Ammomma   used to live here .It is considered as a  prayer home for fertility

10, Manankaravila  kshethram  . Here  the SAnkalpa murthy is a tamilian Sidh doing meditation

11.Muthuruthy Kavu  .Two days in a year   the murthy is worshipped

12. Kettungal devi temple   This is a temple  of Gddess  Durga

13.Ummasery Kavu . Ummaserry Kavilamma is the sankalpa murthy

14.Deva Kunnu mala .Here pooja is done by Pulaya community. It is believed that  Duryodhana   came here  first.From there he saw light in Malanada hill and went there

Interesting facts

1.There is a temple built  in Puliyur by BHeema  and so the people of that village are banned   from visiting this temple.

2.Two   groups of people from Sakuni temple at Pavithreswaram   called OOralis and  Piniyalis hava a special role in the Malakkuda festival here. It is believed that before Mahabharatha war the Kauravas  came here   and divided their weapons.

https://www.malanada.com/malakkuda

Madapalli Kavu Bhagwathi

Madapalli Kavu Bhagwathi

By

P.R.Ramachander

(Please   see  the temple  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dhjqq3cYGYw)

         Madapalli kavu (also called as Manapalli kavu)  is a famous Bhagavathy temple   situated very near Palakkad town. Though the temple was owned by a private family   now  it is managed by the  devaswom board.

   The presiding Goddess  is   supposed to fulfil all    the wishes of her   true devotees.   It is believed   that there was a village on the shores of the Soka nasini river (BHaratha puzha)  where  several  fire sacrifices were held .It was in ancient times  called Yagakkara  and now it is called Yakkara ,It seems the original founder of the temple used   to  worship this BHagwathi in the kitchen(Madapalli) and originally  the temple was in  west Yakkara.(Moola sthanam still exists there) Later the temple was built in east Yakkara   and it was called  Madapalli(Kitchen) temple .Over time this name    got changed in to Manapalli or Manapulli.

    There is an  interesting story about this temple. It seems there  was a Rakshasa  called Neelan  who was troubling people who   were settled her,  .When approached by the people, it seems  Lord Parasurama approached Lord Shiva   and he sent  Bhadrakali  to kill  that asura ,She was black in colour with three  eyes armed with Soolam (trident) , Gadkam(sword)  and kedakam(the protective shield)   and in her fourth hand she   was holding  a skull,. She had two protruding teeth called Dhamshtram   and was dressed in silk, After she defeated and killed  Neela  , she preferred   to stay here.” It is believed that the sword used by Mother Bhagavathi to defeat and destroy the demons is still the float tank..

  And as such  Mother Manapulli Bhagavathi is  with Her dark complexion is facing north. She is holding trident, skull, sword and armour in Her four hands. She is in her best attire wearing jewels. She has the third eye on the forehead as Lord Shiva and four sharp long teeth. Those subjected to injustice pray to Her for relief. It is said that Her long teeth represent four Vedas. The temple is situated in a calm and serene place, has a beautiful pond on the south side. Separate sannadhies are there for Lord Ayyappa, Kala Bairavar on the out side of the main shrine. Inside the shrine there are sannadhies for Lord Ganesha, Lord Muruga etc.

   There   is another story.  It seems  BHadra Kali was born out of the matted hair(Jada)  of  the angry Lord Shiva   during the daksha   yaga and because of this she is very fierce more so when “Chandattam”  is done in the temple   but once the Very sweet Nei Payasam(Kadu madhura payasam)  is offered to her   she becomes very peaceful.

  All the farmers around the temple believe   that  Goddess  protects their paddy crop . In the third Friday  of the Malayalam month  Vruschigam  , the farmers carrying their freshly harvested produce reach the Muniyappan temple   which is situated  in the southern side of the temple. From there a big procession is taken out  to the temple. This procession is called  the Kathir festival as they carry Paddy bunches made in to a ball. After this the important festival call  Manapalli Kavu Vela starts,.

“The Vela is celebrated between last week of February and first week of March based on the Malayalam Calendar year. ‘Kanyar’ is conducted on the Ist Friday of the Malayalam month ‘Kumbam’ and the Vela is invariably conducted on the 14th day after ‘Kanyar’ (Kodiyettam). A Vela Committee is constituted for the proper conduct of the Vela Festival. The entire expenditure for the festival is met from donations received from the devotees. After the Kodiyettam, many cultural events are organised in the evenings for 14 days culminating on the day of Vela, by renowned folk/cultural artists of the state which attract huge crowds. Lot of devotees from various places come and worship Bhagavathy on Vela day. The Vela day starts early with special poojas and in the afternoon, Bhagavathy starts her vela procession. It is considered that on the invitation extended by the ‘Desakkar’ (locals) with ‘Upacharam Chollal’, Bhagavathy comes out of the ‘Sanctum Sanctorum’ for the ‘Vela Procession’, mixing up with her devotees for uniting her ‘Thattakam’ and eliminating all the evils. It is noted that on Vela day, neither the usual ‘Deeparadhana’ nor the ‘Athazhapuja’ is performed, as Bhagavathy is celebrating Vela with the ‘Desakkar’. The ‘Deeparadhana and ‘Athazhapuja’ of Vela day will be performed on the next day after ‘Sudhi’ (cleansing ceremony). The ‘Chaandh Abishekam’, one of the important pooja during the Vela day, attracts flocks of devotees. ‘Vedikettu’ (Fireworks) is also an important attractive element of the festival which takes place in the late evening when the Vela procession reaches back to the temple from Fort Maidan and also in the early morning. Bhagavathy is very fond of fire works as she is considered to be born from the Jada of Paramasiva with fire and thunder. On the Vela day the ‘nada’ is opened only after Karimarunnu (fireworks) is lit in front of Bhagavathy’. Annadanam’ (offering of food) is conducted in which thousands of devotees take part. The day of Vela is declared as a local holiday by the government which shows the importance of the festival.

Other significant features of the Vela is the other Velas from other desams (areas) such as West Yakkara, Vadakkanthara, Vennakkara, and Koppam which also congregate at the Fort Maidan. While the East Yakkara Manappullikavu Vela remains separate at the fort entrance gate when the ‘Panchavadyam’ is in full swing. The East Yakkara Manappulli Bhaghavathy Vela consisting of the famous caparisoned Elephants, folk arts, Panchavadyam etc., reach back to the temple. Plenty of chariots (Bullock carts and other motorised vehicles) also form part of the Vela procession. When the Vela return to the temple, the ‘Panchavadyam’ reaches its mesmerising peak making the people literally dance and jump. After this, the spectacular fireworks starts, leaving the huge crowd spellbound. A vast sea of humanity assembles at the temple premises to witness this spectacular show.

      During the Vela festival, an event of Mother Bhagavathi taking out the sword from the Tank called Velichapadu is celebrated. A devotee possessed with the influence of Mother Bhagavathi dives into the tank, bring the sword and place it in the shrine of Mother for pujas. Feeding of the devotees also takes place on this day called Vela Oottu. During this festival, 15 elephants stand in a line with playing of Pancha Vadyam, Pandi and Panjari Melas

After the Fireworks, the renowned ‘Pandimelam’ performed by hundreds of eminent artists begins. At midnight stage programmes will be performed. Early morning, the ‘Raavela’ starts. The highlight of ‘Raavela’ is lighting of ‘Kambam’. ‘Kambam’ is considered as ‘Paramasivas’ Jada and lighting it with ‘Karimarunnu’ makes symbolic representation of Bhadrakalis’ ulpathi. After this, Bhagavathy enters the Temple. The ‘Kanyar’ pole is plucked by Elephant to mark the end of the festival. Sudhi is performed as Bhagavathy was outside the shrine with the devotees to celebrate her Vela. ‘Eeduvedi’ announces the conclusion of Vela.

It is believed that after the evening Aarthi Bhagawathy goes to the Moolasthanam which is behind the present main temple (2 km) and returns to the Main Temple in the Morning.”(From Wiki pedia)

              Manappalli Bhagawathy is the family deity  of very many families and  all her  followers perform the Pooja and do an offering before starting any function  in their homesa such as marriage; after the marriage the newlyweds go to the temple and take the blessings of the Goddess  without fail 

The telephone  number of the temple   is  o491-678013

Manapullikavu Temple Morning Pooja Timings

5:30 AM to 12:00 PM

Manappully Bhagavathy Temple Evening Darshan Timings

5:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Deeparadhana will be between 6:30 PM and 7:00 PM