PUTHEN SABARIMALA
By
Ram Mohan Bala
Puthen Sabarimala literally means new Sabarimala. The temple Puthen Sabarimala is situated in Thadiyoor under Ayroor Panchayath in Pathanamthitta Dist. Thadiyoor is around 9kms away from the temple town of Thiruvalla and 5kms away from Ranni.
When one hears the name of the temple one will initially come under the impression that it is the newer carbon copy of Sabarimala temple, but it is far from that. Since it was last renovated in 1999, it was called Puthen Sabarimala, and there ends the newness of the word associated with the temple.
Puthen Sabarimala shrine is a carbon copy of Sabarimala temple in nearly all respects. Its rituals, rules and regulations, particularly the opening and closing dates are similar to Sabarimala Temple. The temple has a granite pathinettampadi finished in 'Krishna Shila' which can be ascended only with 41 days vritham and irumudi. Although it bears a striking similarity to Sabarimala temple in most aspects, it is strikingly different from Sabarimala in one aspect. Ladies of all ages are allowed entry especially through the northern gates if they cannot observe the mandatory 41 days vritham and ascend the pathinettampadi. All those devotees who have observed vritham for a lower number of days than the mandatory 41, are allowed Ayyappa darshan via the northern gates. During Makaravilakku, the symbolic makara jyoti is lit here also. Neiabhishekam is the most important offering and Aravana and Appam are the most important prasadams.
The temple is shrouded in antiquity. It is aleast 900 odd years old dating back to the time of Manikanda Muthayyan who lived sometime in the 12th century AD. Manikanda Muthayyan is none other than Sree Manikandan, and, a dustinction is to be made between Sree Manikandan and Sree Ariyan Keralan, whom we refer to as Ayyappan. To the discerning leader it is reminded that Manikandan is considered as the first avatharam of Shasta and Ariyan Keralan who lived during the 17th century is considered as the last avatharam of Dharmashasta.
The legend behind the temple is even more interesting.
At one point of time, the area where the present temple stands was part of dense forests, where hermitages of rishis existed. The story of Manikandan going in search of tigress' milk is legendary. During the course of His trek into the forests, Manikandan happened to reach the place where the present temple stands. Since it was was already dusk, and the Lord was tired He opted to stay in one of the hermitages.Soon after the Lord got darshan of Lord Shiva, who advised Him as to what was to be done.Later due to the grace and blessings of Lord Shiva Manikandan was able to successfully execute the almost impossible task undertaken by Him.The Rishis of the place realising the greatness of Manikanda Perumal built a temple at the spot where Lord Shiva gave darshanam to Manikandan, and this is the temple which we call Puthen Sabarimala.Initially padukas of Manikandan were consecrated inside the sanctum for worship.Years later this temple was gutted in a devastating fire, and another one was built in its place.Later with not many going for
worship this temple too fell into disuse and was later reduced to ruins.However this temple gained prominence in the 1940's with worshippers slowly making their way into the dilapidated temple.Finally the temple which came under the Travancore Devaswom Board was renovated with full participation of the bhaktas and cooperation from the Board, and in 1999 punapratishta to this age old shrine was done.The tantris of the temple are from Thazhamon Madom.
When one hears the name of the temple one will initially come under the impression that it is the newer carbon copy of Sabarimala temple, but it is far from that. Since it was last renovated in 1999, it was called Puthen Sabarimala, and there ends the newness of the word associated with the temple.
Puthen Sabarimala shrine is a carbon copy of Sabarimala temple in nearly all respects. Its rituals, rules and regulations, particularly the opening and closing dates are similar to Sabarimala Temple. The temple has a granite pathinettampadi finished in 'Krishna Shila' which can be ascended only with 41 days vritham and irumudi. Although it bears a striking similarity to Sabarimala temple in most aspects, it is strikingly different from Sabarimala in one aspect. Ladies of all ages are allowed entry especially through the northern gates if they cannot observe the mandatory 41 days vritham and ascend the pathinettampadi. All those devotees who have observed vritham for a lower number of days than the mandatory 41, are allowed Ayyappa darshan via the northern gates. During Makaravilakku, the symbolic makara jyoti is lit here also. Neiabhishekam is the most important offering and Aravana and Appam are the most important prasadams.
The temple is shrouded in antiquity. It is aleast 900 odd years old dating back to the time of Manikanda Muthayyan who lived sometime in the 12th century AD. Manikanda Muthayyan is none other than Sree Manikandan, and, a dustinction is to be made between Sree Manikandan and Sree Ariyan Keralan, whom we refer to as Ayyappan. To the discerning leader it is reminded that Manikandan is considered as the first avatharam of Shasta and Ariyan Keralan who lived during the 17th century is considered as the last avatharam of Dharmashasta.
The legend behind the temple is even more interesting.
At one point of time, the area where the present temple stands was part of dense forests, where hermitages of rishis existed. The story of Manikandan going in search of tigress' milk is legendary. During the course of His trek into the forests, Manikandan happened to reach the place where the present temple stands. Since it was was already dusk, and the Lord was tired He opted to stay in one of the hermitages.Soon after the Lord got darshan of Lord Shiva, who advised Him as to what was to be done.Later due to the grace and blessings of Lord Shiva Manikandan was able to successfully execute the almost impossible task undertaken by Him.The Rishis of the place realising the greatness of Manikanda Perumal built a temple at the spot where Lord Shiva gave darshanam to Manikandan, and this is the temple which we call Puthen Sabarimala.Initially padukas of Manikandan were consecrated inside the sanctum for worship.Years later this temple was gutted in a devastating fire, and another one was built in its place.Later with not many going for
worship this temple too fell into disuse and was later reduced to ruins.However this temple gained prominence in the 1940's with worshippers slowly making their way into the dilapidated temple.Finally the temple which came under the Travancore Devaswom Board was renovated with full participation of the bhaktas and cooperation from the Board, and in 1999 punapratishta to this age old shrine was done.The tantris of the temple are from Thazhamon Madom.
Sir good afternoon
ReplyDeletePlease tell us about pathen sabarimala teMple details about opening time and dates
Sir/Madam
ReplyDeletePlease tell me the contact phone number of Puthan sabari mala temple thadiyur
Temple opening time and closing time tell me
ReplyDeleteDear Sir
ReplyDeleteKindly help us to get contact number and temple opening and closing time details pl