THE TEMPLES OF KERALA

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Mangaladevi temple, Idukki

The Mangaladevi temple is an ancient shrine which is more than 2000-years-old. The temple is located 15 km from Kumily, a popular destination of Idukki. Built in the Pandya style of architecture, the temple remains closed for the entire year except for the annual Chithra Pournami festival, celebrated in the month of April- May. Hundreds of pilgrims reach the temple from Kerala and the nearby state of Tamil Nadu after making a painstaking journey through the forest. The temple has as its deity Kannaki, an epic character of the classical Tamil text Chilappadikaram written by Elankovadikal.

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Annamalai Temple:

1800-year old temple has Chola style architecture. The deity is Shiva. The ancient structure is intact despite modifications and renovations carried out later. A window with nine lattices representing Navagrahas (nine planets), and another widow with five lattices representing Pancha Bhoothas (five devil elements) deserve pointed attention. The idols and lamps are carved from stone and metal, dating back to 14th century. A stepwell always holding water (even in drought condition) is considered sacred. The temple once managed by a private trust is now under the control of Archaeological Survey of India for its historic importance. Important relics of the temple are kept in the museums of Thrissur and Kozhikode.

Sri Krishnaswamy Temple: The temple is situated on the river bank in Thodupuzha. During the travelling in the region by an ascetic he had a vision of Lord Krishna. Hearing of the event, the king of Keezhmalainad constructed a temple at the spot where the ascetic had the vision.

The annual festival called Chothiyoothu Utsavam held in Meenam (March/April) is very popular

Uravappara Temple:

The temple is located at Olamattom. It is dedicated to Subramanya Swami. The temple is also known as Malayali Palani. Palani in Tamil Nadu is famous for its Subramanya Swami temple. The legend behind Uravappara temple is that Pandavas camped here during their exile. There are three big boulders here which were supposed to be the three legs of Aduppu (stove) of their kitchen. No water was there and the Pandavas were in dire need of it. At this moment Bhima created an indentation with his foot on the rock, resulting emergence of the water. The pond thus created is known as Uravappara and is still there.

Thodupuzha Sriskrishna Swamy Temple:

Located at Thodupuzha in the northern side of Thodupuzha river. The deity is Srikrishna. Sub-deities are Bhagawathy, Ganapathy, Shiva and Nagam. The temple is owned by the famous Nedumbilly Mana of Irinjalakuda in Thrissur district. This Mana (Namboodiri/Brahmin family) has the right for conducting Thantric rites in the famous Sri Padmanabha SwamLocated at Thodupuzha in the northern side of Thodupuzha river. The deity is Srikrishna. Sub-deities are Bhagawathy, Ganapathy, Shiva and Nagam. The temple is owned by the famous Nedumbilly Mana of Irinjalakuda in Thrissur district. This Mana (Namboodiri/Brahmin family) has the right for conducting Thantric rites in the famous Sri Padmanabha Swamy temple of Thiruvananthapuram.

There is an exciting legend behind the deity. A village named Lakshmi was very rich in Vedic scholars, artists and variety of eminent personalities. A boy with abundant Vedic knowledge from an eminent Brahmin family opted for Sanyasam (monkism).This was well before the time of Sri Sankaracharya. He reportedly travelled throughout India. During his travel he reached Thodupuzha and meditated upon Lord Krishna. It is at the meditated spot the temple stands. During the meditation he visioned Lord Krishna splitting the peck of an Owl when it attempted to swallow the Lord. He opened the eyes after finishing the meditation and to his utter surprise and excitement the Lord Krishna was standing before him. Soon, the Lord disappeared. The Sanyasi (monk) lit a lamp at the place where the Lord was standing and worshipped.

During this period Keezhmalanadu King visited the place and he came to know what had happened. The King soon constructed a temple.

There are striking contrasts in the ritual practiced here. In all the temples the first action after opening the sanctum sanctorum is the removal of flower garlands of previous day. The ceremonial bathing follows. Thereafter Abhishekam and Usha Pooja followed. Here Usha Pooja is done first and Abhishekam followed thereafter.

There is a Nilapaduthara (holy platform) in front of the temple. The Nilapaduthara has great importance in the temple because the idol was received by the monk standing on this platform. The idol without any ornaments or festivities is brought to the platform during the festivals and is taken back garlanded and with percussion musics and other festivities.

Owl and Pigeon are the main offerings to the deity.

There is a 10-day long festival in the month of Meenam (March/April). On the 9th day an important ceremony called Utsav Bali takes place. Thousands of devotees from different parts of the State attend this ceremony.

The temple has central Kerala’s biggest Kalyanamandapam (wedding hall with stage). It is named Krishna Theertham.

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