Vellamaserry Garudan
kavu. Alathiyur
Compiled by
P.R.Ramachander
This is
perhaps the only temple for Garuda in
Kerala and is situated near Alathiyur
of Malappuram district .This is again one of those temples where people with Sarpa dosha worship in
Kerala. It has got a very interesting
story behind it.
It seems a great
sage did Thapas addressed to Lord Vishnu
in this spot and when Lord Vishnu came, he wanted to know the ways and means of
getting salvation from human birth. Lord
Garuda flew to this spot and sat there to hear the elucidation given by Lord Vishnu.
Later temples were built for Lord Vishnu and Lord Garuda at this spot.
There is also another interesting story abut its origin.
It seems once the famous Perum thachan made an idol of Garuda which was almost
throbbing with life.The B Vettathu Nadu king very much desired to see it
alive.Perumthachan it seems replied that , the Garuda would become alive if a very virtuous wife touches it,When Raja
doubted it Perum Thachan’s wife came and touched the statue and it came to life.It flew and
landed near the Lord Krishna temple at
this spot Which had Lord Vishnu in Koormavathara. There the temple was built to
Lord Garuda facing the west .The name of
the place became Vella Aama Sery (The place
of white Tortoise) ,
“The temple complex grew later substantially. Sankara
Narayana and Shiva prathisthas facing the east came up. On the left of Lord
Garuda, one can worship today Veettekkaran and Kartha Veeryarjunan. Vishnu and
Sankara Narayanan have Namaskara Mandapa. Vishnu has a balippura on the south
as well. At west one can pray Sastha, Bhagavathy, Ganapthy and Bhadra Kali.
There is a gopuram at the west and a deepasthambham inside. The large and
serene temple pond on the south adds to the pride of this temple. There is also
daily pooja in the temple.”
Special
offerings at this temple are made for
getting rid of skin diseases, Breathing difficulties , Leucoderma besides snake
bite . Farmers also pray Lord Garuda to prevent
damage to their crops due to birds.Normally friuits with tender
coconuts are offered to Lord Garuda. A
special offering is the Manja Payasam All Sundays are important at the
temple especially the Mandala
Kalam of Lord ayyappa.
The address and phone number of the temple is given below
:-
Vellamassery Devaswom - Shri Garudan Kavu Kshethram,
P.O Allathiyur, Pin - 676 102
P.O Allathiyur, Pin - 676 102
Call Us
Phone: 0494 - 2426181 (Office)
Mob: +91 - 9388818948 (Trustee Chairman), +91
9496129246 (Manager)
