Features of Kerala temples attract world-wide attention. This is mainly because of its unique architectural style and forms. Kerala temples emphasize horizontal monuments as symbolic of the path towards truth. The temple is not a mountain, although it is built around an axis. It is activated by its enshrined `engine`, a holy power in the form of a sculpture or symbol from which energy of goodness radiate. It can be said that perhaps Kerala houses the maximum number of religious buildings. The materials used for the divine buildings are natural and clearly earth-derived. The monument touches the masses in terms of earthly experience rather in the form of worldly grandeur and pomp. An important aspect of Kerala is the profuse use of wood. The divine buildings of Kerala are especially known for their accomplishments in wood. Rather it can be said that in Kerala , the medieval environment of temples in wood, stone, and tile is still alive. About the temples in Kerala can be said that geometric impact of Kerala temple structures, particularly their roofs, is unique. Other buildings in India make strongly geometrical visual statements but nowhere else is the structure as straightforward and abbreviated as in Kerala . It is as if the temple in Kerala has been distilled to its purest ingredients. The rise of temples also saw the development of culture in all its aspects. The temple became the nerve- centre of all cultural activities. Temple festivals were instituted with a view to making the Hindu religion more attractive. Festivals also gave an opportunity to people for the expression of their deepest spiritual cravings. A unique feature of Kerala temples are the classic temples. A classic temple in Kerala is also called ambalam or kshetram. The temples have the central shrine as its heart. The srikoil plan may be round, square, rectangular, or apsidal. Some of them face west and a few face south. Some even reach heights of many roofs. However, the upper levels of the srikoil are not functional; their role is to give the building an imposing appearance.
.In the classical temples of Kerala with the srikoil forming the nucleus, the other components like the open pradakshina patha, the cloistered nalambalam, the vilakkumatam affixed with a galaxy of lamps, paved outer pradakshina van and prakara or prakaras are aligned in orderly succession centering the main shrine or shrines. The, temple well which supplies water for bathing the deity and for preparing food is situated generally in the north-east corner. The kitchen or mada-palli is alsoprovided in one portion of the nalambalam. As a general rule, the srikoil is fronted by a square namaskara mandapa with a pyramidal roof. In some temples there is another pillared structure, the balikkal mandapa, in front of the valiambalam, a wing of the nalambalam, providing the main entrance to the temple proper. Facing the balikkal mandapa, which enshrines the main balipitha is the dwajastambha or flag staff that stands towering over the temple environs. There may be a deepastambha or gallery of lamps also, one or more in number, in front of the balikkal mandapa. Close by, in bigger complexes there is a large edifice, the kuttambalam meant for kuttu or Kutiyattam. Surrounding the inner structure is the paved processional path in the classical temples of Kerala . Then there is the outer prakara (enclosure wall) enclosing all these structures which is pierced at the entrance and sometimes on all four sides by gopuras with multiple roofs covered with tiles though they are not tall or imposing like those of Dravidian shrines. There is also the temple-tank as part of the structure which devotees can use and directly enter the temple after a bath. In almost all the classical temples of Kerala there are small shrines dedicated to Sasta, Lord Ganesha , etc. But more prominently, the sacred trees and snake-stones also survive inside the temple precincts as relics of early animistic devotion.
Friday, July 9, 2010
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Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Guide to Temples in Kannur
Kanhirangad Vaidyanatha
Temple ￂ
The temple is located at
Kanhirangad, 6- km from
Thaliprambu, on a hill top. The
main deity is Shiva, facing east.
Here the deity is self-incarnated
and as the name (Vaidyanatha)
implies, the deity is a celebrated
Ayurveda physician. Bhagawathy,
Ayyappan and Ganapathy are sub-
deities. Skin and eye diseases get
cured here by offering Bhajan (
singing of god-praising poems).
The main offerings are
Ksheeradhara (pouring of milk on
the idol) and Jaladhara (pouring of
water on the idol). Shivarathri is
the main festival which is in the
month of Kumbam ( February/
March). There is Aaru Nhayar (six
Sunday) ceremony here. If the 6 th
day of any Malayalam month is on
Sunday it is called Aaru Nhayar (six
Sunday) and is considered
auspicious. Thiruvathira is also
celebrated on a large scale.
Brahmin ladies are not allowed to
enter the temple.
Parassinikadavu Sree
Muthappan Temple ￂ
This temple is located at
Parassinikadavu, 20- km from
Kannur town. The deity is
Muthappan The mighty deity is
very powerful to solve the
problems of the devotees. People
intending to start new business
come here before starting it for
blessings for success and give
offerings. Large number of
devotees visits the temple. The
deity is in a hunter’s attire. A bow
and arrow are held. There are
canines as companions. ...
Ramanthali Sankaranarayana
Temple ￂ
The temple is located a t
Ramanthali, near Payyannur. The
deity is Sankaranarayana. The idol
is six-foot tall in Panchaloha. Such
a tall idol of Sankaranarayana is
seen only here. The right side of
the idol is Shiva and the left half-
side is Vishnu as body-guards.
There is a sub-deity. He is
Bhoothananda. The sanctum
sanctorum is in Gajaprishta form.
There is a 6- day long festival
which starts on the 17 th of
Meenam (31 st March) and ends on
22 nd.
Thayyil Sree Venkataramana
Temple ￂ
The temple is located at Thayyil.
The deity is Venkataramana.
Goddess Mahamaya is also present
here in a separate shrine. Prior to
the temple took its shape, there
was a Mutt known as Venkatesh
Bhat’s Mutt. The Mutt was
established in 17 th century by
Venkatesh Bhat who had migrated
from Mangalore. The temple
belongs to Gauda Saraswat
Brahmin community. The temple
has supreme divinity. ...
Subramania Temple :
Situated at Peralassery. This
temple carries historic importance.
The legend is that Rama and
Laxmana on their way to Srilanka
halted at this temple and sought
the blessings of the deity to rescue
Sita from the captivity of Ravana.
Bronze and copper idols of snakes
spotted everywhere in the temple.
A beautiful stepped up tank is
under renovation. Located 14- km
from Kannur down the NH 17.
Subramanya Temple :
Located at Payyannur, 21- km
north to Thaliparambu on NH 17.
Pavithra mothiram – sanctified ring
– made with gold and holy darbha
grass is a speciality here. The
Brahmins used to wear such rings
during rituals. The ring is made
outside on order and sanctification
is done in the temple. It is
believed, wearing this ring, evils
ward off.
Suryanarayana Temple :
At Kadiroor. 5- km from Thalassery.
A 13 th century origin. The idol is
believed to have been consecrated
by Lord Rama en-route to Srilanka.
He was on Sita’s rescue
assignment. For years together the
temple remained unattended.
Later, on orders from T H Baber
prayers were held here to invoke
help for the marching army to
annex Coorg. The battle won,
Baber helped renovate the temple
damaged by Tipu Sultan.
Sree Vithobha Temple ￂ
This temple is located at
Payyannur is of new generation.
Only 32 years of standing. What
started as a meeting place of
Gauda Saraswat community in the
year1924 became a temple of
fame in 1974. For the achievement
of this feat great efforts of the
community leaders have gone into,
especially the encouragement and
support of His Holiness Srimad
Sudheendrathirtha Swamiji. The
presiding deity is Vithobha. In 2 nd
rank goddess Rukmai is also there.
The concrete roofing of the
sanctum sanctorum has been
changed to copper sheet roofing in
1998. The divine “Shami Vriksha
Katte” is a great craze for
devotees. The worship of this tree
fulfils the wishes and remove
obstacles encountered, the
devotees testify. The Raksha
Charadu (safety thread)
worshipped at the feet of the Lord
Vithoba and goddess Rukmai
ensures solace and prosperity to
the devotees who wear it. Vaisakha
Pournami festival, Ashada
Ekadashi, Bhajana (recital of
slogans of gods’ likings), Karthika
Ekadashi Bhajana, Karthika
Panchami, Uthana Dwadasi, Sree
Varamahalaxmi Vritham (fast) are
the festivals and major ceremonies
conducted.
Thaliparambu Rajarajeswara
Temple ￂ
This shrine is situated at
Thaliparambu, 23- km away from
Kannur town, on NH 17. The deity
is Shiva. In no other temples in
Kerala Shiva is known as
Rajarajeswara . The devotees call
the Lord here in some pet names
also – Perumthrikovilappan,
Perumchellurappan , and
Thampuran
Perumthrikovilappan . The deity
Shiva here in the form of
Jyothirlingam is three time more
powerful in divinity than any other
Shiva temples. The legend for this
extra ordinary phenomenon is of
interesting read.Trichambaram Temple is situated 20 km from Kannur district of Kerala state, south India . It is near Taliparamba town, famous for its spices trade. The temple is believed to have got the name from Thiru Shambara or the holy shambara in reverence to Maharishi Shambara . The deity of the temple is Krishna . The sculptures on the walls of the sanctum sanctorum are a class by themselves. The temple also contains one of the most exquisite collection of mural paintings in south India. Trichambaram Temple has three ponds attached to it, with the temple for Durga being surrounded by water on all sides. The annual temple festival ( Utsavam ) is a colourful event. The fortnight-long festival begins on Kumbham 22 of Malayalam calendar (which generally falls on March 6) every year with the kodiyettam (hoisting of a religious flag) and comes to an end on Meenam 6 ( which generallay falls on March 20) with Koodipiriyal (Ending of this festival). In between these dates, for 11 days, thitambu nriththam (a sort of dance with the deities of Krishna and Balarama ) is held at Pookoth Nada ( 1 km from Trichambaram temple).
Temple ￂ
The temple is located at
Kanhirangad, 6- km from
Thaliprambu, on a hill top. The
main deity is Shiva, facing east.
Here the deity is self-incarnated
and as the name (Vaidyanatha)
implies, the deity is a celebrated
Ayurveda physician. Bhagawathy,
Ayyappan and Ganapathy are sub-
deities. Skin and eye diseases get
cured here by offering Bhajan (
singing of god-praising poems).
The main offerings are
Ksheeradhara (pouring of milk on
the idol) and Jaladhara (pouring of
water on the idol). Shivarathri is
the main festival which is in the
month of Kumbam ( February/
March). There is Aaru Nhayar (six
Sunday) ceremony here. If the 6 th
day of any Malayalam month is on
Sunday it is called Aaru Nhayar (six
Sunday) and is considered
auspicious. Thiruvathira is also
celebrated on a large scale.
Brahmin ladies are not allowed to
enter the temple.
Parassinikadavu Sree
Muthappan Temple ￂ
This temple is located at
Parassinikadavu, 20- km from
Kannur town. The deity is
Muthappan The mighty deity is
very powerful to solve the
problems of the devotees. People
intending to start new business
come here before starting it for
blessings for success and give
offerings. Large number of
devotees visits the temple. The
deity is in a hunter’s attire. A bow
and arrow are held. There are
canines as companions. ...
Ramanthali Sankaranarayana
Temple ￂ
The temple is located a t
Ramanthali, near Payyannur. The
deity is Sankaranarayana. The idol
is six-foot tall in Panchaloha. Such
a tall idol of Sankaranarayana is
seen only here. The right side of
the idol is Shiva and the left half-
side is Vishnu as body-guards.
There is a sub-deity. He is
Bhoothananda. The sanctum
sanctorum is in Gajaprishta form.
There is a 6- day long festival
which starts on the 17 th of
Meenam (31 st March) and ends on
22 nd.
Thayyil Sree Venkataramana
Temple ￂ
The temple is located at Thayyil.
The deity is Venkataramana.
Goddess Mahamaya is also present
here in a separate shrine. Prior to
the temple took its shape, there
was a Mutt known as Venkatesh
Bhat’s Mutt. The Mutt was
established in 17 th century by
Venkatesh Bhat who had migrated
from Mangalore. The temple
belongs to Gauda Saraswat
Brahmin community. The temple
has supreme divinity. ...
Subramania Temple :
Situated at Peralassery. This
temple carries historic importance.
The legend is that Rama and
Laxmana on their way to Srilanka
halted at this temple and sought
the blessings of the deity to rescue
Sita from the captivity of Ravana.
Bronze and copper idols of snakes
spotted everywhere in the temple.
A beautiful stepped up tank is
under renovation. Located 14- km
from Kannur down the NH 17.
Subramanya Temple :
Located at Payyannur, 21- km
north to Thaliparambu on NH 17.
Pavithra mothiram – sanctified ring
– made with gold and holy darbha
grass is a speciality here. The
Brahmins used to wear such rings
during rituals. The ring is made
outside on order and sanctification
is done in the temple. It is
believed, wearing this ring, evils
ward off.
Suryanarayana Temple :
At Kadiroor. 5- km from Thalassery.
A 13 th century origin. The idol is
believed to have been consecrated
by Lord Rama en-route to Srilanka.
He was on Sita’s rescue
assignment. For years together the
temple remained unattended.
Later, on orders from T H Baber
prayers were held here to invoke
help for the marching army to
annex Coorg. The battle won,
Baber helped renovate the temple
damaged by Tipu Sultan.
Sree Vithobha Temple ￂ
This temple is located at
Payyannur is of new generation.
Only 32 years of standing. What
started as a meeting place of
Gauda Saraswat community in the
year1924 became a temple of
fame in 1974. For the achievement
of this feat great efforts of the
community leaders have gone into,
especially the encouragement and
support of His Holiness Srimad
Sudheendrathirtha Swamiji. The
presiding deity is Vithobha. In 2 nd
rank goddess Rukmai is also there.
The concrete roofing of the
sanctum sanctorum has been
changed to copper sheet roofing in
1998. The divine “Shami Vriksha
Katte” is a great craze for
devotees. The worship of this tree
fulfils the wishes and remove
obstacles encountered, the
devotees testify. The Raksha
Charadu (safety thread)
worshipped at the feet of the Lord
Vithoba and goddess Rukmai
ensures solace and prosperity to
the devotees who wear it. Vaisakha
Pournami festival, Ashada
Ekadashi, Bhajana (recital of
slogans of gods’ likings), Karthika
Ekadashi Bhajana, Karthika
Panchami, Uthana Dwadasi, Sree
Varamahalaxmi Vritham (fast) are
the festivals and major ceremonies
conducted.
Thaliparambu Rajarajeswara
Temple ￂ
This shrine is situated at
Thaliparambu, 23- km away from
Kannur town, on NH 17. The deity
is Shiva. In no other temples in
Kerala Shiva is known as
Rajarajeswara . The devotees call
the Lord here in some pet names
also – Perumthrikovilappan,
Perumchellurappan , and
Thampuran
Perumthrikovilappan . The deity
Shiva here in the form of
Jyothirlingam is three time more
powerful in divinity than any other
Shiva temples. The legend for this
extra ordinary phenomenon is of
interesting read.Trichambaram Temple is situated 20 km from Kannur district of Kerala state, south India . It is near Taliparamba town, famous for its spices trade. The temple is believed to have got the name from Thiru Shambara or the holy shambara in reverence to Maharishi Shambara . The deity of the temple is Krishna . The sculptures on the walls of the sanctum sanctorum are a class by themselves. The temple also contains one of the most exquisite collection of mural paintings in south India. Trichambaram Temple has three ponds attached to it, with the temple for Durga being surrounded by water on all sides. The annual temple festival ( Utsavam ) is a colourful event. The fortnight-long festival begins on Kumbham 22 of Malayalam calendar (which generally falls on March 6) every year with the kodiyettam (hoisting of a religious flag) and comes to an end on Meenam 6 ( which generallay falls on March 20) with Koodipiriyal (Ending of this festival). In between these dates, for 11 days, thitambu nriththam (a sort of dance with the deities of Krishna and Balarama ) is held at Pookoth Nada ( 1 km from Trichambaram temple).
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