Thrikkakara Vamanamoorthy Temple, Ernakulam

Compiled by

P.R.Ramachander

Thrikkakara Vamanamoorthy Temple is one of the few Hindu temples in India dedicated to Lord Vamana/Vishnu. It is situated in Thrikkakara, Kochi in the state of Kerala, India.

The main temple festival is during the Onam season, which falls on the month of August or September and is the most important event of the religious calendar here. The Onasadya or the Onam feast is held in a grand manner in the temple with people of various religions participating in it.

Thrikkakara Vamanamoorthy Temple festivals

Onam festival

Thrikkakara temple is considered to be a centre of Onam celebrations, as Thrikkakara is considered to have been the abode of the King Mahabali.The celebration of the Onam festival is the main event in the temple. The festival is celebrated over a period of ten days in the Malayalam month of Chingam. The temple houses the main deity Lord Vamana.During the Onam celebration period, a pyramidal statue idolising Maveli and Vamanan is installed as a symbol of honour at all other sites of the celebration, and named Thrikkakara-appan. The temple is the site at which the king Mahabali is said to have been sent to the netherworld Patala by Vamana with his foot, hence marking the genesis of the Onam festival.

Address: 28PH+5QQ, Edappally - Pukkattupady Rd, Vidya Nagar Colony, Thrikkakara, Edappally, Kochi, Kerala 682021

Dress Code

Women should wear a long skirt, dress or long pants. Men should wear business-casual clothing, such as slacks and a button-down shirt. Presenting offerings to the temple deities is a form of respect.

Ochira Kali

  Ochira Kali

By

Nagarajan Subramonian
 

Ochira Kali is a vibrant, traditional martial arts festival celebrated in Kerala, commemorating the historic 1742 battle between the kingdoms of Kayamkulam and Travancore. Held annually on the first two days of the Malayalam month of Midhunam - Aani in Tamil - participants gather at the padanilam (waterlogged battlefield) near the Ochira Parabrahma Temple in the Kollam district to stage a symbolic, energetic mock battle.

Participants—from young boys to older men—dress as warriors and engage in a playful combat using sticks instead of swords, accompanied by the energetic, rhythmic beat of drums.

The mock battle occurs in the waterlogged fields (padanilam) adjacent to the Ochira Parabrahma Temple.

It is a stylized re-enactment of the heroic struggle where the vastly outnumbered forces of Kayamkulam fought against the army of Travancore's Maharaja Marthanda Varma.

The temple itself is remarkably unique. It has no covered structures, idols, or fixed layout, and worshippers focus on the supreme force of Nature or the universal consciousness (Parabrahma).

Manikkavu Shiva temple, (Wayanad)

Manikkavu Shiva temple, (Wayanad)

Compiled  by

P.R.Ramachander

 

This temple is a distance of 16 km from Sulthan Bathery and 19 km from Kalpetta, Manikavu Temple is a More than 5000  year old Hindu temple located at Choothupara vilage near Meenangadi in Wayanad district of Kerala. Manikavu Temple is one of the most visited temple in Kerala and also one of the popular places of pilgrimage in Wayanad.

The presiding deity of this temple is Lord Shiva in the form of Shiva Linga. The Shiva Linga at this temple is believed to be Swayambu.The Linga is always   covered with water  from a stream, which never stops .Even in rainy season this water  is clear. After  doing  abhisheka   to lord Shiva  , the water goes out and is used by  cultivators for farming.A huge forest  with lot of swamps is attached  to the temple.It seems no one   visits the forest

 There is a story that some great sages did great penance  in the forest and Lord Shiva came along with  Gances  in the middle  of the forest.The sages  built a temple around it. It seems it was   earlier known as Maha Muni temple  and slowly changed to Manikkavu
Timing: 6 AM - 11. 30 AM & 4.30 PM - 8.30 PM

Pulpalli Sita devi , lava, kusha temple , Wayanad

 

Pulpalli  Sita  devi , lava, kusha temple  , Wayanad

Compiled by

P.R.Ramachander

The Sree Seetha Devi Lava Kusa Temple at Pulpally in Wayanad district has a unique position among the temples of Kerala, and it is also among the rarest temples in India, for it is one of the only known temples to have installed deities of Lava and Kusha, children of Sree Rama and Seetha Devi, with active worship continuing. The legend of Sita, and her children Lava and Kusa is closely linked to this temple. It is believed that even the name Pulpally is connected to the bed of grass (Dharbha) on which Lava is believed to have played as a child.

The temple pond is one of the largest in Wayanad. The etymological meaning of "Seetha" denotes soil or earth. This place and the surrounding areas are believed to be the key places in the Hindu epic Ramayana. It is believed that when Seetha was abandoned by Rama, she reached Pulpally and was given shelter by the great Sage Valmiki. The place in Pulpally where Sita gave birth to Lava and Kusa, is called Valmiki Ashramam. Chedattinkavu or the Sree Chedattinkaavilamma Seethadevi Temple, is the original temple or 'moolasthanam' of Pulpally Temple. These two sites are also open for the public to visit. The Valmiki Ashramam, is to this day maintained in its original ashramam like appearance.

According to the legend Lava and Kusa the two sons of Seetha Devi stopped and caught the horse sent by Rama as part of the Ashwamedha. When Rama came to free the horse, he saw Seetha and immediately she disappeared in the earth, her mother.

While going down, her hair was caught by Rama and thus the name Chedattinkavu or Jadayattakavu to the spot. Chedattilamma (Seetha Devi) is the presiding deity of this temple along with Sapthamathrukkal. This temple is only 1km away from the present Sita Temple. Nei (ghee) vilakku is a main offering here.

The Seetha Devi temple of Pulpally was constructed by Sri Pazhassi Raja in the 18th century. He managed the temple for many years. The meetings and discussions with his army chieftains were held in the courtyard of this temple. Later the management of this temple came in the hands of the Kuppathode family and the renowned Nair family in Wayanad. At that time most of the important temples in Wayanad were managed by different Nair families. The moopil nair (the chief) of Kuppathod family stayed at Nellaratt edom the headquarters of the family. Even now, a member of this family is designated as the trustee for the management of the temple.

During the military assault, Tipu sultan of Mysore planned to destroy this temple. But it is believed that he had to retreat because of the darkness created at noon by the supreme power of Goddess Seetha.

Another remarkable thing about this temple is that leeches, that are very common in most parts of Wayanad are not found in the area surrounding this temple. According to the legend, goddess Seetha cursed the leeches that bit Lava and Kusa and banished them from Pulpally. Another significant thing about this place is that a large number of termite mounds (valmeekam) can be seen at different spots. This is associated with the sage Valmiki, who authored the Ramayana. The temple festival, celebrated in the first week of January, also considered to be the regional festival, is attended by a large number of people belonging to different castes and creed.

 

Best time to visit Seetha Devi Temple
The temple festival takes place in January and is the best time to visit the shrine. January-February is also the best seasons to visit since the temperatures are mild. Summers from March-June can be scorching, whereas, Kerala experiences heavy rainfall during its monsoon season from July-Septemb

 

 

Getting there:
Nearest Airport: Calicut International Airport, about 111 km
Nearest Railway Station: Kozhikode Railway Station, about 102 km
Nearest Bus Station: Pulpally Bus Station, about 280 m

 

Chelakkara Sri Narasimha swami  Temple     

 

 

Compiled from various  sources

By

P.R.Ramachander 

 

Chelakkara is a small town in Thalapilly  Thaluk (granary of kerala)  of Trichur Disrtict, inside  the valley  of Machattu mala .

There  ia an agraharam of nearly  120 houses(now about  15 ) in this  Village  . This agraharam was built around one  of the ancient temple of Narasimha  Murthy , which appears like  a golden thilaka  to the agraharam.

People believe  that this temple  is about 1000  years old.Lord Narasimha murthy faces east  .

  There  is a  story about  this temple .It seems Sri Padmananbhacharya(originally  a Nambudiri) , who was a important Sishya of Adhi Sankara (some people say it was only a great sage)  went  to the forest  near  here to do Thapas(penance) and there he saw a  hunter who asked him why he was  visiting this dark  forest. Then the acharya told him , that he  came in search of an animal, which had lion’s  head , human body and had hairs  and nail like  a lion. He also said that he would not return from forest  unless  he  finds this  animal.The hunter took an oath that  he will find that animal  , tie it and bring it to him.The hunter without food and sleep started  searching for  that animal.Lord Narasimha took pity on him and appeared  to him.The hunter took wild climbers  in the forest , tied that animal  and brought  before Padmanabhacharya .But the acharya saw only wild climbers but  not the animal. Then the hunter  took him to  the place where he caught  the animal.There the acharya could see  Lord Narasimha murthy  in his mind.He immediately built a temple  for Narasimha  Murthy there and started worshipping him. This temple was given for management  for  “Palakattu perada mana”  and palakkattu mana”.Later it came under the management  of “manithara mana”  and Kaippancheri mana” .The king of Cochin by a  record gave this temple  to these manas,in Malayalam year 971  in the month of vrischikam (approximately 220 years back)

 

The pretty form of Lord Vishnu with four hands was consecrated in this temple., the temple also  has sub temples  ofLord  Ganesa (who grants all wishes of Devotees) and Lord Sastha who pardons all sins by devotees  worshipping him.The  temple was managed  under kerala  thanthric system  and for several years  the Priest  was an Embrandiri. There  is a strong belief   that  Elephants should  not visit  this temple  and if they enter  they will die.

 

  There is a belief that Tipu sultan  during  his invasion of Malabar  attacked  this temple.

 Though  the temple is nearly  1000 years old ,, The tamil Brahmins  built an agraharam(otha madam) and settled  down possibly  300  years  back .Some time afterwards  they started managing the temple

 

They  introduced  a small chariot  function in this  temple  during Thiruvadira.Many Brahmin families   Started  giving OOttu(feast   for  Brahmins here).They also started  Ganapathi homams in this temple. They celebrated Swarga vatthil ekadasi, Thai poosam  and Rama NavamiThey  celebrated  their  festivals  in side  the temple.

They built  a hall called  (Samooha  Madam)  for doing  religious  functions  and called it  Samooha Madam

 

 The major celebration of the temple is the 'navarathri' festival extending up to

 dwadasi day, ie. 12 days of festivities. As per the traditions followed by earlier generations, groups of families who were/are residing in chelakkara gramam conduc the functions in a fitting manner. 11 days are celebrated by the groups and the 12th day is known as 'dwadashi vilakku' or 'kuttikal vilakku' is the most famous of 

the 12 days.All families having roots in chelakkara, wherever they are attend this festival.

In the year 1972, Swami Jayendra saraswathi  of Kanchi Mutt visited  this temple  and requested  to repair  the temple and conduct  Kumbabhishekam ,From then on the Brahmins make it a point to repair  the temple and conduct a kubhbhishekam  based on deva prasnam and conduct Kumbabhishekam almost once  in 10-12  years,Kumbhabhishekams have been conducted earlier in 1972, 1996 and 2010.

This year the Kumbhabhishekam  is going to be conducted on grand scaleon 20-5-2024

 

The Pin Code  of Chelakkara is 680586.It is 12km  from Shoranur Jn

 

Temple worshipping hours Morning Normal days :

Morning 5.30  AM to ( Am

Evening  5.45 PM to 7.45 pm

 

Howver on  festival days temple will be kept open from 5 Am to 10 Am  and 5.30 PM to 8.45  pm

 

On Mahaganapathy homam days: 3.00 - 9.15 am

Evening

5.00 pm - 7.45 pm

 

How to reach:-

 

By train

step down in Shoranur junction (14 km) or Wadakkanchery (15 km)or Thrissur(34km)

By bus

From thrissur: Thrissur - thiruvillwamala busThrissur - elanadu busThrissur - mayannur bus

From shoranur:Shoranur - chelakkara via painkulam Shoranur - chelakkara via panjal

From wadakkanchery:Thrissur - thiruvillwamala busThrissur - elanadu busThrissur - mayannur bus

from palakkad:palakkad - alathur - pazhayannur -chelakkarapalakkad - lakkidi koottupatha-thiruvillwamala-chelakkara

 

 

 

 

 

Thiruvimbilappan temple, Venganallur , Chelakkara

Thiruvimbilappan temple, Venganallur  , Chelakkara

 

Compiled by

P.R.Ramachander

 

This temple is located  in Venganallur , a village adjoining Chelakkara  , a small  town of Trichur district

Thiruvimbilappan is Lord Shiva   and it is believed it was  consecrated  originally by  Saint Parasurama.The God is suppose d to be fierce and is described as “Maha Kala Roopam) ,

The temple has also upadevathas of Parvathi , Ganapathi, Dakshinamurthy , Subrahmanya , Ayyappan, Anthimahakalan, Bhadra kali and Naga  devathas.The temple is believed to be built in  11^th centuary

 

 story of origin of temple

  There was a Namubudiri in Vezhanezhi mana of Chelakkara  who used to be a great devotee of Vadakkunathan of Trichur.Due to old age, when he could not go, God shiva assured him that he will come to Chelakkara.

There  was a place  in chelakkara   surrounded by  Veembu(വീമ്പ് (kydia calycina) trees, It seems one lady who used  to grass daily    wanted to sharpen his knife chose a stone to rub and when he  did blood came out. He Informed informed this Namudiri  who built a small temple which developed in to a huge temple over time

 story

   The sanctum is round in shape and in the eastern gate there  is a huge gopura.It seems recently the sanctum was roofed  with copper plates. And has Golden pot like structure on top.

The temple is  surrounded by a huge  wall,There is a small Krishna temple facing this temple called  Edathara  Krishna  temple,While shiva of the huge temple is facing east , the Krishna of this small temple is facing west.In between the temples is a temple tank.It is believed that  tank was constructed to reduce fierceness  of Lord Shiva and Lord Krishna

       The temple opens at 5 am and there are  five poojas   at thuis temple and three seevelis.Early morning there  is nirmalya darsanam  and after  abhishekam , the temple is closed for pooja , seven Am seeveli,From 8.30 Navaka pooja , nine am Dhara .(.15 Am ucha pooja, 9.30 Am another seeveli,Ten am temple closes for morning session,it again opens at 5 PM , athazha pooja at 7.30 Pm followed by Seveli, 7.50 AM  tripuka   and temple closes at 8 pm

  

 The important festivals of temple are Vaikathu ashtami   and Shiva Rathri

 

The temple is less than one km from Chelakkara junction which can be reached  bus services from various places including Trichur .The nearest  railway station may be Wadakkanchery 

 

The telephone contact  09495881631

Kottarakkara Ganapathi temple

Kottarakkara  Ganapathi temple

 

Compiled by

P.R.Ramachander

 

   This is one of the greatest Ganapathi temples  of Kerala. Though called Ganapathi temple , it is really a part of the Kizhkkekara(eastern) Shiva temple

 The story of origin goes like this. The legendary  Perum THachan Who was helping to build the Padijattinkara (western) Shiva temple , one day started chiseling  a piece of Jack wood while standing outside this temple and without his realizing he made a  child Ganapathi idol (unni ganapathi) .He requested the poojari  of the temple to consecrate  this ganapathi also in the temple.The thanthri refused saying it was a shiva temple. Greatly disappointed  the THachan took  the  statute to Kizhakke kara  temple and the thanthri there agreed to consecrate the Ganapathy statue there

The priest agreed. Perumthachan viewed the place- Siva facing east, in front of that it is Ganga, Parvathy turned towards the west. Southwest there is Sastha and northwest Subrahmanya. If Ganapathy too is installed, Siva family will be complete. The place will be none other than Kailas itself. Thus Ganapathy was installed southeast by Perumthachan.

After consecrating The priest m, Perum thachan told the priest   that the unni ganapathi must be hungry  and what the priest  has to offer him.The priest replied , he has prepared  , Unniapam, ab nd he agreed  to offer that to the new Unni Ganapathi. ,The priest stringed 6 or 7 unniapam and placed them on a leaf and gave it to thachan,It was later known as Kootaapam(collection of unni appam).After offering it Perum thachan told the priest that though  the  temple belongs to his father , in future, it would be known as his temple

It becae a practice in this temple to prepare the unni appam in front of the Ganapathi, after  the sanctum is opened,It is made of raw rice, jaggery and Kadalai pazham(variety of Banana) , along with ghee and sugar.This is made till the cloasure of temple  and is termed as Udhayayasthamana pooja.These are freely distributed to the devotees.

It seems  the lord of Kotaakkara, Kottarakkra thampuran, did not have issues, offered it to God and he was blessed with a baby.

It is believed by offering this udhayasthamana pooja all our wishes would be fulfilled.

Like most other Vinayaka temples, here also Ashtadravya Ganapathyhomam acquires a prominent place. Other important offerings includes, breaking of coconuts, Thulabharam, Chathussatham, Thrimadhuram, Archana and Pushpanjali. Udayasthamaya pooja and Ashtadravya Ganapathyhomam can be performed through advanced booking.

Festivals

Vinayaka Chathurthy

Vinayaka Chathurthi Lord Vinayaka’s birthday falls on the chathurthi day of the bright half of the Malayalam month ‘chingam’. This particular day is marked with great Mahaganapathy Homam, using 1008 coconuts. Besides Unniyappam, Modhakam is also offered to Ganapathy. The other major ceremonies includes Sarvaiswarya pooja, Gajapooja, Annadanam etc.

Medathiruvathira

This is the famous day of Thirvarattu. The large scale festival celebrations of eleven days come to an end on this day. Kettukazhcha is a major attraction of the day.

Mandalachirappu

Kottarakara temple is an edathavalam (resting place) for the sabarimala pilgrims. Special bhajana and poojas are being performed in the Dharmasastha nada.

Sivarathri

The festival during the month of Kumbham,is marked by special poojas for Lord Siva.

Ayilyam-Makam

Special poojas for the Nagadaivanjal. The Nagaprathishta was done by Pambummekkattu Thanthrikal.

Navarathri

Every year grand Navarathri celebrations will be held at the Devitemple. Thousands throng to the temple to perform the Vidyarambham of their little ones.

Prathishtadinam(Cosecration day)

This falls on the Uthrittathy nakshatra of Makara masa. Bhagavatha Sapthaham, Devibhaghavatha Navaham,Annadhanam are the major events.

Thyppooyam

Kavdiyattam and other rituals are being performed in the Muruga temple.

Vishu

Vishu is a Hindu festival primarily celebrated in the Indian state of Kerala, which marks the beginning of the new year. For malayalees this is a very special day which marks a prosperous beginning. People from every nook and corners of the area come here to seek the blessings of Lord Ganapathy.

Timings

Morning
04:00 AM Palliyunarthal
04:30 AM Nadathurappu
04.40 AM Nirmalyam
04:50 AM Abhishekam
05.30 AM Ashtadravya Ganapathihomam
06.00 AM Usha Pooja
07.00 AM Ethritheu Pooja
07.15 AM Sreebali
09.00 AM Pantheeradi Pooja
10:00 AM Navaka Pooja
10.30 AM Ucha Pooja
11:00 AM Uchasreebali
11:30 AM Nadayadappu

 

Evening

Evening
5:00 PM Nadathurakkal
6:30 PM Deeparadhana
7:30 PM Athazha Pooja
7:45 PM Athazha Sreebali
8:00 PM Nadayadappu

How to reach Kottarakkara Ganapathy Temple?

By Road: Buses and Taxis can be boarded from Kottarakkara, Kollam, Trivandrum and Kottayam that takes the passengers directly to the Kottarakkara Sree Maha Ganapathy Temple.

By Rail: The Nearest Railway station is Kottarakkara station. Board a train passing through Kottarakkara, Kollam and Trivandrum railway stations to reach the temple. Kollam station is at a distance of  28 Km and Trivandrum at a distance of 70 Km.

By Air: The Nearest Airport is Trivandrum Airport that is 70 Km from the temple. Kochi Airport is at a distance of 191 Km.

Where to stay near Kottarakkara Ganapathy Temple?

There are many hotels as well as guest rooms near the hotel. The rooms are well equipped with all the basic amenities.

Ambalakkara Regency Hotel Contact: Pulamon Junction, Kottarakkara

Harisree Residency Contact: Kottiyam Kundara Road, Perumpuzha, Kottamkara

Hotel Indraprastha Pattazhy Contact: Market Junction, Pattazhy P.O., Kollam

Hotel Midhuna International Contact: Enathu, Kottarakara – Adoor Road

Park Residency Contact: Paracode, Kayamkulam Pathanapuram Highway

Hotel Vrindhavanam Inn Contact: Near KSRTC Bus Station, Punalur