SRIKULASEKHANALLUR SIVA TEMPLE AND PARAMEKKAVU BHAGAVATHI TEMPLE, TRICHUR KERALA-COMPILED
Dear friends, Today my posting is about two famous temples in the TrichurDistrict-viz- Kulasekharanallur Siva temple and Paramekkavu Bhagavathi temple. Hope a divine reading. Gopalakrishnan 21-5-2025 SREEKULASEKHARANALLUR SHIVA TEMPLE Introduction The Sree Kulasekharanallur Shiva Temple, located inNedumpura, Thrissur, is a Shiva temple that is part of the 108 Shiva temples inKerala. The temple's sanctum sanctorum is uniquely shaped like the back of anelephant (Gajaprishtam). Itis located about 2 kilometers west of Cheruthuruthy School. The maindeity is Lord Shiva. The temple is very large and best example of Kerala’s woodenarchitecture. Legend Lord Siva in this temple is ugramoorthy- Furious Lord Sivaafter Daksha yaga and immolation of Sati,the first wife of lord Siva. To reducethe power, Lord Krishna is also installed in this temple. The main deity worshipped in the temple is Shiva in the formof a swayambhu shivlingam. History It is difficult to date the different shrines in this complexprecisely because of a lack of inscriptions within the complex and because theentire complex has been restored and modified in the 20th-century. However, secondary 12thcentury inscriptions found in nearby villages refer to this temple, whichsuggest that this is a pre-12th century temple complex. The temple was attacked byTippu sultan, but he could not succeed because of the bees in the temple. Now too a lot of bees inthe temple premises and there is no incidence of stinging devotees. Architecture The temple is noted for its wooden architecture. The woodendesigns and sculptures in the temple is classic example of the dexterity andability of ancient carpenters. The main temple is a sandhara-style Hindu temple that faceseast. Like many Kerala temple, the adhisthana is made of granite and the wallare of laterite blocks. The adhisthana includes upana, jagati, vritta kumuda,kampa, kantha and pattika – architectural elements per Sanskrit Hindu texts ontemple architecture. Above the adhisthanais the vedi with floral designs and padas. In front of the apsidal vimana is anamaskara mandapam, roofs of both are built with a wooden frame and then copperclad. Inside the vimana is a small square mandapam and apsidalgarbhagriyam – around and co-axial with both is a circumambulation passage. The square shrines in thecomplex are smaller.The entire complex has a nalambalam surrounding it. Sanctum The style of architecture of the sreekovil (sanctumsanctorum) is uniquely shaped as Gajaprishtam (back of an elephant). Threesides are square shaped and the back side is like the back of an elephant. Thesreekovil is two-tiered and the roof is covered with copper plates. Main deityis Lord Siva in the form of lingam. Sub deities Bhagavathi, Krishna,Ganesha and Sastha are the sub deities inthis temple. There is a temple in the northern side of the shrine. Thetemple is associated with the ancient Kulasekara kingdom. Poojas Three times poojas are conducted in the temple. Unlike othertemples, there are two thanthries in this temple. If one thanthri has anyinconvenience due to death in the family, the other will be to giveinstructions to Melsaanthi. Jayabali During ancient times Jaya Bali was held in the temple. Nearly36 Para unakalari choru naivedya was used for the ritual. This was one raretemple even in ancient times where the ritual was observed. The raw rice washalf cooked for this offering. Festivals Since the temple having ugramoorthy there is no flag hoistingor annual festival. The most important festival held in the temple is Mahashivratri. Mrityunjayahomam The temple is famous forconducting mirtyunjahomam. A permanent homakunda is provided for this purpose. Appam offering The temple is also famous for the offering of Appam for lordGanesha. Other normal offerings in Krishna temple like Palpayasam,Devi temple like Niramala, Ganesha temple with appam offering are there. ForLord Siva Dhara is done. Administration The temple is a private temple owned by Nampoothiries with anadministrator. Location This temple is located at Nedumpura near Vallathol nagar inThrissur district. PARAMEKKAVUBAGAVATHI TEMPLE Introduction Paramekkavu Bagavathi Temple is one of the largest Bagavathitemples in Kerala located in Thrissur City. Sakthan Thampuran ordained thetemples into two groups, namely "Paramekkavu side" and"Thiruvambady side" for Thrissur Pooram which is the biggest festival in South India andKerala. These two groups are headed by the principal participants,Paramekkavu Bagavathi Temple at Thrissur Swaraj Round and Thiruvambadi SriKrishna Temple at Shoranur road. The two temples are hardly 500 metres apart. Paramekkavu Bhagavathy Temple, situated near theVadakkumnathan Temple in Thrissur, is one of the largest and most revered Devitemples in Kerala. This temple plays a pivotal role in the renowned ThrissurPooram, one of the grandest temple festivals in the state. Bhagavathy temple issituated near the Vadakkumnathan Temple. It is situated on the outskirts of theVadakkumnathan temple. History One of the largest and ancient temples in Kerala, ParamekavuBhagavathy Temple is said to be existent 1000 years ago, during the 10thcentury. Legend A popular legend says that once a head of the Nair family,who used to visit the Tirumannamkunnu Bhagavathi daily, due to his oldage decided to quit the temple visits. On his final visit to the Devi, after seeking blessings fromthe Devi, he retired on his way to take some rest on his way back from thetemple. After taking rest as he lifted his umbrella to resume his journey backhome, he realized that the umbrella had got stuck to the ground. A sage passingby told him that the Devi had shifted to reside in his umbrella. A Devaprasnam ( an astrological ritual carried out by theNamboodiris to interpret the will of the gods) suggested the presence ofdivinity, presumably Goddess Bhagavathy in the umbrella. The Nair family member- Karanavar decided to worship the Goddess there itself. It is believed thatafter the consecration of Vadakkunatha temple, the divine power - Chaithanya ofthe Goddess was transformed to the present location . Tradition has been that as the primary seat of the goddesswas under the Illanhi tree at the Vadakkunatha temple, the very first lightingof the temple lamp is shown in the direction of Illanhi tree every day. To mark this incident, theParamekavu Bhagavathy temple was erected. Deity Paramekkavu Bhagavathy Temple in Thrissur, Kerala, is asignificant Hindu temple dedicated to Devi Vaishnavi, an incarnation of GoddessDurga. The temple complex ismade of two shrines: Paramekkavuand Melekkavu. Paramekkavau Bhagavathy is the most significant among thenine deities participated in the pooram festival. The Devi was established as the daru silpa or a wooden idol.In 1997, the daru silpa was realized to incur damage and hence was replacedwith another wooden idol of the Devi having eight arms in a seated position. Rituals at ParamekkavuBhagavathy Temple Several daily rituals are performed at the ParamekkavuBhagavathy Temple. Here’s a general overview: Nirmalyam: This is the cleaning ritual performed in themorning. The idol of the Goddess is adorned with flowers the previous day, andthese floral offerings are removed during Nirmalyam. Abhishekam: This is a holy bath ceremony where the idol isanointed with various substances like milk,sandalwood paste, and panchamritha(a mixture of five ingredients). Ushant: This refers to offerings made to the Goddess, whichcan include food items, flowers, and prayers. Deeparadhana: This is the aarti ceremony, where lamps withoil and wicks are offered before the deity. Seeveli: This is the elaborate procession that circles theParamekkavu Bhagavathi Temple premises as part of the worship rituals. Common Offerings: Nirapara: Offering of sacred water. Pushpanjali: Offering of flowers. Deeparadhana: Offering of lamps with oil or ghee. Archanas: Chanting of mantras dedicated to the deity. Prasadam: Offering of food, later distributed as blessings. Specific Pujas (mayrequire booking in advance): Aayush Homam: For longevity and well-being. Ashta Aiswarya Homam: For attaining the eight forms ofwealth. Bhadrakali Sahasra Nama Archana: Chanting 1000 names ofBhadrakali, a fierce aspect of Bhagavathy. Chuttu Vilakku Deeparadhana: Lighting of special lamps aroundthe sanctum. Dhanwanthari Sooktharchana: Chanting hymns to Dhanwanthari,the god of Ayurveda, for good health. Guruthi Puja: Offered to departed ancestors. Kadum Payasam: Offering of sweet porridge made with rice andjaggery. Lalitha Sahasra Nama Archana: Chanting 1000 names of Lalitha,another form of Durga. Mrithyunjaya Homam: For appeasing Lord Shiva and seekingblessings for good health. Festival Offerings: During Thrissur Pooram, specific elaborate pujas andofferings are made related to the festival rituals. Festivals The most important festival celebrated here is the ThrissurPooram. Pooram is the biggest festival celebrated by the locales. A common belief is that the Goddess from the ParamekavuBhagavathy temple went to meet the Lord Shiva in the Vadakkunatha Temple. Other important festivals celebrated here include Navarathry,Makara Chowa, and Sivarathri. The Festival Rivalry The Paramekavu Bhagavathy Temple participates in what isknown as the “the friendly rivalry,” along with the Thiruvambady temple inTrichur pooram. The procession commences with the fifteen elephants from boththe rival temples and proceeds towards the premises of the Vadakkumnathantemple. Both these temples stand facing to each other and competewith each other during the Thrissur Pooram to present themselves as the best inevery possible manner; from the decoration to the lighting, and the display ofumbrellas and peacock quill on the participating elephants. The famous Illanhi TharaMelam is an integral part of the Thrissur Pooram, a way of paying obeisance to the divine presence ofgoddess Bhagavathy. This is considered as oneof the largest Devi temples in Kerala and is also one of the participating temples of the famousThrissur Pooram festival. Paro to Paramekkavu: Because of the initial consecrationunder the Paro tree (Paro kavu in Malayalam), the Bhagavathy came to be knownas Parokkavu Bhagavathy, eventually transforming into Paramekkavu Bhagavathyover time. Religious Importance: It serves as a majorpilgrimage site for devotees seeking blessings and participating in rituals. Architectural Style: The temple’s architecture itself is a pointof interest, with traditional Kerala features. Historical Legacy: Ancient Origins: Believed to be over 1000 years old, theParamekkavu Bhagavathi Temple is interwoven with the history of Thrissur andKerala. Kodungallor BhagavathyConnection: Another legend suggests the presence of a “mekkavu” (sacred grove)within the Paramekkavu Bhagavathi Temple grounds, enshrining the KodungallorBhagavathy. This hints at a possible connection to another powerful Bhagavathydeity, but details are scarce. Address: Paramekkavu Devaswom Building, Round East, Thrissur, Kerala680001 Phone: 0487 233 1273 E-mail : [email protected] Opening time 5 am to 11:15 am ⋅Reopens 4 pm-8 PM Institutions The Paramekkavu temple devaswom have a school known asParamekkavu Vidya Mandir at MLA road near Kutoor and one KG section near to thetemple itself. How to ReachParamekavu Bhagavathy Temple Nearest Railway Station –Thrissur Railway Stationwhich is only about 2 kilometers from the Paramekavu Bhagavathy temple. Fromthe railway station, one has to move in the north on the Kodungallur-ShornurRoad to reach the temple Nearest Airport:Nedumbassery International Airport at Kochi which is 52 kilometers distant from the ParamekavuBhagavathy Temple, is the nearest. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. 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