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

 

 

Harikanyaka Temple of ariyannur

 

Harikanyaka Temple of ariyannur

Here is a great temple of Mohini avatharam  of Lord Vishnu, just  4 km from Guruvayur.

Humble request to all pilgrims to Guruvayur.PLese  visit this temple

 

(Copied  from https://kshetradanam.org/sree-harikanyaka-ariyanoor-temple-cherukkunu  )

Brief history and temple administration:

Datable to the ancient period, it is one amongst the  108 Durga temples in kerala. 

There are two pradishtas within the Sreekovil, of Sree Harikanyaka and Sree Shastha. Sree Harikanyaka is Sree Mohini, the most enchantingly beautiful form of a damsel assumed by Lord Vishnu for distributing amruth (nectar) among the Devas and Asuras in the episode of Palaazhi-Madhanam. When Lord Hari assumed the original form of Sree Maha Vishnu after his mission and when Lord Siva expressed his desire to see the enchanting form of Sree Mohini, Lord Vishnu by His maya once again took that form and attracted Lord Siva. Lord Siva easily duped by maya, but He could regain and resume His original form. (As narrated in Sreemad Bhagavatham Puranam, Adhyayas 8 and 12 of Skanda Eight). In the Balakandha of Kambaramayanam the origin of Lord Shastha is explained as the son of Sree Sankara in Sree Mohini and Lord Shastha is said to have emerged from the thigh of the childish damsel Sree Mohini. Being a kanyaka born out of Lord Hari the damsel is known as Harikanyaka. Sree Shastha signifies the combination of jnana (knowledge) of Siva and the Vishnu-maya (merciful charm) of Vishnu. Both these idols, Sree Harikanyaka and Lord Shastha are installed in the same shrine. In Brahmani-pattu, Sree Harikanyaka Devi is praised. It may be reported that in temple rituals whenever the utsava vigraha of Goddess Harikanyaka is taken out, that of Lord Shastha also is made to accompany Her. 

Another notable feature is that ruling Rajas and tuskers are not permitted to enter the temple. Female elephants are permitted to enter the temple premises and they alone are allowed to take the utsava vigraha. An interesting thing noticed in the temple is the head portion of a sila at the northwest corner (outside the naalambalam). It is said that this sila grows in size.

The temple is famous for mangalya bhagyam to maidens. Swayamvara pushpanjali is an important vazhipadu of the temple.

The Sreekovil is believed to have been built by Sree Perumthachan. The uli (chisel) used by him for constructing the Sreekovil are fixed in the kumudam part of the adhishthaanam. 

The floor of northern naalambalam produces a peculiar sound as that of walking on a wooden floor. It may be presumed that this portion was perhaps built by Perumthachan meant to be a dancing-stage for the Goddess.

This temple in ancient times was a maha-kshetram and was earlier used by members of 72 illams and later only by seven illams. As there was conflict between the members of these families (illakkars), Trissur Thekke-Swamiyar Madom took over its management. Later they entrusted it to two hereditary families of Vadakkumpat mana and Otaloor mana.

During an attack on the temple by some miscreants the idol was broken. As revealed in deva-prashnam, the idol was covered in 1120 K.E. (1945 A.D.) by a pancha-loha golaka. 

The temple was taken over by the Cochin Royal family in 1100 K.E (1935 A.D.) and was later transferred to the Cochin Devaswam Board in 1950. It is presently administered by Ariyannoor Devaswam Officer appointed by the Board. 

There is mention about this temple in Kerala Sahitya Charitram of Ulloor S. Parameswara Iyer (Vol.I, p.159)) and also in the famous Manipravaala kavyam of Chandrotsavam.

Architecture / Structure:

 At one time the properties of the temple extended over an area of about 20 sq. km. It reached up to the Guruvayoor temple. But now it has only an extent of 1.25 acres. The temple has all five prakaram (akathe-balivattam, chuttambalam, vilakkumaadam, bahya-hara and maryaada). The structures thereon are Sreekovil with mukha-mandapam, sub-shrines, namaskaara-mandapam, chuttambalam with agra-mandapam, vilakkumaadam, valiya-balikkall, deepastambhams, gopuram, maryaada, well and Pond.

The square dwi-thala Sreekovil of sandhaara type and facing east has granite upa-peetham and adhishthaanam and laterite stone walls. The mouldings of upa-peetham are jagathi, kumudam and padi, while those of adhishthaanam are paadukam, jagathi, Vrutha kumudam, kumuda padi, kampam, galam, gala-padi with Vaajana motif, galam, utharam, kampam, kapotham, kampam, galam with flower motif, gala-padi, valaru and padi. Vyaali-mukham are seen carved on kumuda-padi. The sopanam has six direct steps with vyaali-face at top and niches and decorations at sides of banisters. In addition Makara-simha faces are also carved at the curve of banisters. The pranaalam has makara simha face at the base, multi-faceted sundu and gomukha end. The pranaalam starts from the outer wall of the garbha gruham and is a single piece with provision to drain lustral water through a hole made at its middle. The walls have decorations of Gana-Bhoothas. Both at the greeva and at the wall motifs ten elephants are carved. The roof of eka-thala part is made of dressed laterite stones and lime, while that of dwi-thala is tiled. The Sreekovil has a mukha-mandapam. The namaskaara-mandapam has 16 pillars, 4 with bigger diameter and 12 with smaller diameter. A deepastambham is installed in it facing the idol. Within the akathe-balivattam at northwest there is a sub shrine for Sree Vana-Bhadrakali (with aal-thara) and a well at northeast. This idol was found to grow in size. When the devotees started worshipping it many evil things happened. Hence poojas are not performed in this shrine. The idol, at present, is within a grove and no worship is done here. It may be noted that daily bali is offered in this well also. There are two nadapanthals built within akathe-balivattam as projections from naalambalam, the southern one projecting from the thidappali and the northern one on the western side of the well. The entire akathe-balivattam is covered with granite stones 

The chuttambalam has only the entrance from east. The thidappali is at southeast. The sub-shrine for Lord Ganapati is at the southern naalambalam. Chuttu-vilakks are fixed on the trellis work of the outer wall of vilakkumaadam. The valiya-balikkall is within the agra-mandapam .There is a deepastambham at the front. The sub shrine of Goddess Bhadrakali is located at southwest corner facing east. A sila deepastambham is installed at its front. The maryaada is made of laterite stones. The gopuram is at the east. On the southern granite pillar of the gopuram, muzhakkol (wooden scale) used for building the temple is engraved. The temple tank is very extensive with well-laid steps.

Carvings and paintings:

The temple is rich in architecture. The walls of the Sreekovil (both at lower part and greeva) have niches. In the mukha-mandapam, ten gaja-mukha motifs made of sila are installed. On the ceiling of namaskaara mandapam, wooden figurines of ashta-dikpaalakars are engraved in the coffers. On its sides Dashavatharam, Sreekrishnaleela. Devasura ganas, palaazhi-madhanam, flowers and other motifs are beautifully carved in wood. On the ceiling of agra-mandapam also nava-graha sthanas are engraved, besides some carvings. On the front granite pillars of naalambalam, two figurines of rishis are engraved. Ganabhootas holding lamps are also carved on the two pillars of the rear. Mural paintings exist on the walls of Sreekovil, but have faded.

Deities:

The krishna-sila idol of standing pose (height: 2.15 m.) covered with a pancha-loha golaka, has four arms with disc, ball and conch in three hands, while the fourth one is in abhaya pose. The sankalpam of the deity is Sree Harikanyaka or Mayamohini form of Lord Vishnu. A pancha-loha tidambu is also installed within the garbha-gruham with the sankalpam of Lord Shastha as mentioned earlier. The other two idols are made of sila, Lord Ganapati sitting pose and Goddess Bhadrakali of mirror type

 

Pooja Timings:

The temple is kept open from 5 to 9-30 a.m. and from 5 to 8 p.m.

Five poojas are held daily,

Usha-pooja (6 a.m.)

Ethrithu-pooja (6-30 a.m.)

Pantheeradi-pooja (8 a.m.)

Uccha-pooja (8-45 a.m.) and

Athaazha-pooja (7-30 p.m.)

besides Sandhya-deeparadhana (6-30 p.m.) and (Thrippuka (8 p.m.) are also held daily.

Vazhipadu / Offerings:

Pushpanjali, Bhagavathi-seva, koottu-payasam and Maha Ganapati homam are the main vazhipadu of which pushpanjali is popular.

Ulsavam / Important Days:

The Pooramahotsavam is held for 15 days. The festival period commences on Pooram nakshatram of Meenam with offerings to Lord Ganapati. The Kodiyettam is on the eighth day (Uthram nakshatram), of the festival period. On this day Brahmani-pattu is performed during daytime at the mandapam. Utsava-bali is held from 2nd to 5th days (the days counted after Kodiyettam). Utsava-bali for five days is rarely done in temples. Goddess is taken during ezhunnellath on a female elephant. Along with Devi Lord Shastha is also taken around. On the 6th day of the utsavam navorru-pattu by Mannars and on the seventh day navorru-pattu by Paanars is performed. On the last day aarattu is held. Thullal and modern entertainments are held on festival days.

Priesthood and temple staff:

Details of the thantri who installed the idol are not known. The present thantri belongs to Puliyannoor mana of Elavalli (Chavakad taluk). The shantikkaran is appointed from Embranthiri or Malayala Brahmins. The other staff includes four kazhakam, three adichu-tali, one Marar and one person each for kuzhal and ilathalam.

Location:

Situated four km. northeast of Guruvayoor at Ariyannoor and thence 200 m. east at Cherukunnu, the temple is connected by tarred road. Facilities for stay are available at Guruvayoor.

More about it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDEpgw-eMC4&ab_channel=TatwamayiNews 

 

Chowallore Shiva temple

 Chowallore  Shiva  temple

 

Compiled by

P.R.Ramachander

 

This  famous Shiva  Temple  which is 1000  years old is  , 3 Km from the famous Guruvayur temple

 

The lord Presiding the temple is Lord Shiva   who faces the west,It is believed  that  it was consecrated by  Saint Parasurama.The scenes from Maha bharatha are drawn  on the walls of the sanctum  sanctorum. The bali peedam  opposite God Shiva is 10 feet tall and so this God is not visible from outside

 

There is a separate  temple for Goddess  Parvathi here,In 2001 a small temple for Lord Subrahmanya  was also built inside the temple

The  Story of the temple says that one man used to daily walk from this place to Trichur to have darshan of Vadakkunathan. When he became aged   and not able to walk , It seems God came To chowallore , so that his devotee  can see him daily

 

There are  festivals in this temple  during Shiva rathri as well  as thiruvathira

People whose marriage is in trouble visit this temple and present Mangalya and silk dres  to Goddess  Parvathi.Devotees believe that their life becomes all right

 

There are buses from Guruvayur to this place    and auto is also available.

The timings of temple are

 

4.30  to 11 Am and

5 pm to 8 pm

 

The temple can be  contacted by phone 04885 238 166

And the various poojas during this time are

 

4.30 AM Temple Open
4.40 AM Nirmalya Darshanam
4.50 AM Abhishekam
5.00 AM Malar Nivedhyam
5.30 AM Usha Nivedhyam
5.45 AM Ganapathy Homam
6.30 AM Nivedhyam for Sree paarvathy, Pooja
6.45 AM Nivedhyam for Sree Mahadevan, Ethiretta Pooja
7.30 AM to 8.00 AM Pooja for Upadevas (Maha Ganapathy, Ayyappan, Subhrahmanian
8.15 AM Navaka Pooja
8.30 AM Dhara for Mahadevan
8.45 AM Pandheeradi Pooja
10.00 AM Ucha Pooja of Sree Parvathy
10.30 AM Navakaabhishekam
11.00 AM Ucha Pooja of Sree Mahadvan
11.30 AM Temple Closed
5.00 PM Temple Open
Evening – Deeparadhana for Mahadevan, Sree Parvathy and Hanuman
7.30 PM Sree Parvathy Devi’s Athazha Pooja
7.45 PM Athazha Pooja for Mahadevan
8.00 PM Thrupuka

 

 

 

 

 

Read about all these temples

 Read about all these temples

https://www.hindupedia.com/en/File:Particulars_of_some_temples_of_Kerala.pdf

THirumoozhikulam Lakshmana temple

THirumoozhikulam  Lakshmana temple

 

Compiled  by

P.R.Ramachander

 

Namaazhvar and thirumangai azhvar  have visted  and sung anbout this temple and hence  it is classified as a Dhivya  desam

Stories  of its origin

1,In Ramayana BHaratha  after performing the  funeral ceremonies  of his father , goes to forest to invite  Rama to be the king.He  takes with him the huge army  .Hearing the sound  of army , Lakshmana  thinks that  Bharatha has  come  to kill Rama  and shouts harsh words.Later  when he come to know  that Bharatha  has come  with good intentions, Both of them offered  worship in Thirumoozhikulam (thiru mozhi kalam-the place  where  divine words were  uttered).and hence the place   was called  Thirumoozhikulam,

2.Another story is that  one sage Haritha did thapas to lord Vishnu in the banks  of Chalakkudy river(Poorna river.Lord Vishnu appeared  before him and adviced  him divine words(Thiru mozhi) to get over  problems of Kali yuga.This thiru mozhi later  became Thirumoozhi Kalam

  3. Yet another story is that the  Rama, Lakdshmana, Bharatha , and Sathrugna idols were  worshipped by Lord Krishna in dwaraka   and when sea swallowed the city, the idols reached  this place by sea. Some fishermen fished them out and gave it the ruler of the place  called one Kaimal who was told by a mysterious person to build foy ur temples  for them .The temple for Lakshmana was  constructed here

 

Architecture

  The temple has been built  in Kerala Architecture, with no gopurams  and Vimanams  .There is a flagpole(KOdi maram) at entrance and once t you cross the gate , you reach the  Namaskara  mandampam and then the garbha  Griham(sanctum sanctorum) housing the temple  of Lord Lakshmana  .Besides the main temple, there are sub temples for Shiva, dakshinamurthy, Krishna  , Bhagawathy and Ayyappa

It is believed that during invasion of Tipu Sultan, the temple   was set on fire and it was renovated   the  Travancore kings   Sri Moolam Thirunal   and Sri Chithirai thirunal

 

Timings

  The temple  is open  between 4 Am to 10 Am   and 4 PM to 8 Pm

The following are  timings of individual pooja

Abhishekam  5.00 AM , usha pooja 7.00 AM, usha  sreeveli  7.30 AM, Ucha pooja  10.30 AM  Ucha  Sheeveli 10.30 AM Deparadhana 6.30 Pm   , Athazha  pooja 7.30 PM  , Athazha  sheeveli   7.30 Pm

Festivals

Vaikunta ekadasi and thiruonam are the two  festivals celebrated  in this temple,During thironam festival devotees desiring tohave child perform special pooja  and this has to be booked one year in advance 

 

Phone  +91 4842473996

 

Approach

The temple is located about 25 km from Ernakulam. The nearest railway stations are Aluva and Angamaly; the nearest airports are Cochin International Airport, and Nedumbassery Airport. The temple is in fact located less than 12 km from Nedumbassery airport. For travelling pilgrims, it is recommended that they stay at Angamaly or Nedumbassery and commute to the temple for Perumal Darshan, as the place has limited facilities for stay.

 

More information

 

The temple is under the administration of the Travancore Devaswom Board. Lakshmana Perumal temple is revered in Nalayira Divya Prabhandam, the 7th–9th century Vaishnava canon, by Nammalvar and Thirumangai Alvar. The temple is classified as a Dhivya Desam, one of the 108 Vishnu temples that are mentioned in the book. During the 18th and 19th centuries, the temple finds mention in several works like 108 Tirupathi Anthathi by Divya Kavi Pillai Perumal Aiyangar.

 

Hymns in dhivya  prabandham

The following two hymns written by the Alvars are associated with this site:

தகவன்று என்று உரையீர்கள் தடம் புனல் வாயிரை தேர்ந்து
மிகவின்பம் படமேவும் மென்னடைய வன்னங்காள்
மிகமேனி மெலிவெய்தி மேகலையும் ஈடழிந்து என்
அகமேனி யொழியாமே திரு மூழிக் களத்தார்க்கே 9-7-10 Tiruvaymoli (Nammalvar)

Slow moving Swans, who search of happy meal in wide water sources, I have thinned in his (Thirumoozhikalam Lord) thought that my clothes no more fit me and fall down while the soul still dwells in body. Tell my lord of Thirumoozhikalam that it is not fair to desert me without moksha.

பொன்னானாய் பொழிலேழும் காவல் பூண்ட புகழானாய் இகழ்வாய தொண்ட னேன்நான்,
என்னானாய்? என்னானாய்? என்னல் அல்லால் என்னறிவ னேழையேன், உலக மேத்தும்
தென்னானாய் வடவானாய் குடபா லானாய் குணபால மத யானாய் இமையோர்க் கென்றும்
முன்னானாய் பின்னானார் வணங்கும் சோதி திருமூழிக் களத்தானாய் முதலா னாயே 2061 - (Tirumangai Alvar)

O First Lord! O Golden Lord, sentinel of the seven worlds! Other than exclaiming, "What happened to you? Where are you?", this despicable lowly devotee-self knows nothing. O Lord of the South, Lord of the North, Lord of East and west! O Rutted elephant! O First Lord of the celestials! You are the radiant Lord of Tirumoozhikalam, where later generations will worship you forever.