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
