HARIPADSRI SUBRAHMANYA SWAMY TEMPLE,ALLEPPY DISTRICT-KERALA STATE- COMPILED
Dear friends, The Haripad Sree Subrahmanya Swamy Temple, also known as theHaripad Murugan Temple, is a prominent Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Murugan(Subrahmanya) in Haripad, Kerala. It's one of the oldest and largest temples in Kerala, with a historydating back 3,500 years and believed to have been established by LordParashurama. The temple is renowned for its unique four-armed formof Lord Murugan and the longestdhwajastambham (flag mast) among Kerala temples. Today my posting isabout this temple. Hope a divine reading. Gopalakrishnan 21-07-2025 Key Features about thetemple : Age and History: Considered one of the oldest temples in Kerala, with ahistory spanning 3,500 years. Deity: The temple is dedicated to Lord Subrahmanya (Murugan) in afour-armed form. Unique Features: It houses the largest dhwajastambham (flag mast) in Keralaand is known as "Dakshina Palani" (Palani of Kerala). Architecture: Built in traditional Kerala architectural style with fourgopurams (ornate gateways). Other Deities: Besides Lord Murugan, the temple also houses deities likeDakshinamurthy, Ganapathi, and Sastha. Legends and Beliefs: A tragic story isassociated with the temple's western gate, which is kept permanently locked. Introduction The Sree Subrahmanya Swamy Temple (Perumthrikkovil), alsoknown as Kerala Palani orDakshina Palani (lit. 'Southern Palani'), in Haripad, Kerala, is oneof the oldest and largest temples in the region. According to belief, thetemple predates the beginning of Kali Yuga. This temple holds the distinction of being the largestSubrahmanya Swami Temple in Kerala, and features the longest golden flag post,known as the dhwajastambha (kotimaram in Malayalam). The temple's main deity is believed to embody not onlySubrahmanya Swamy but also Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu, making it a highlyrevered and powerful place of worship. Early history Legend has it that the idol of the temple was previously usedby Parasurama for pooja and was later discovered in the Govindamuttombackwaters of Kandanalloor. It is said that all the landlords of Eakachakra(then Haripad) simultaneously had visions of the idol, leading them to find itin Kayamkulam Lake. The idol was brought ashore at Nelpurakadavu. Tocommemorate its retrieval, the Vigraha Labdhi Jalolsavam festival is conducted in the Payippad River forthree days after Thiruvonam. According to legend, the idol was temporarily placed forpublic viewing for half an hour under a banyan tree belonging to a Christianfamily, Tharakanmar. There is a small temple at that location known as"Ara Nazhika Ambalam". The temple was consecrated on the Pushya nakshtra(constellation) of Makara Masa, which is annually celebrated as the foundingday of the temple. It isbelieved that Lord Vishnu appeared as a saint to consecrate the temple, whichled to the name "Harigeethapuram" for the present-day Haripad. In the Malayalam year 1096, the temple suffered a fire, butthe golden flag mast and the Koothambalam were fortunately saved. During the reign of King SreeChithira Thirunal Rama Varma, the temple was rebuilt, and the golden flag mastwas reinstalled. Architecture The temple features four gopurams (ornate entrance towers). Adhwajastambha (golden flag mast) adorns the eastern side of the temple. Thesanctum sanctorum is round in shape. Additionally, the temple compound houses aKoothambalam, which isthe third largest of its kind among Kerala temples. The temple premises serve as a sanctuary for peacocks,the vahana (animal mount) of Murugan. Notably, the temple pond, known as "Perumkulam", isone of the largest temple ponds in Kerala, covering approximately five acres. Primary deity The presiding deity of the temple is Karthikeya in hisfour-armed form. The idol holds the divine spear Vel inone hand and a Vajrayudha (thunderbolt) in another, with one hand bestowingblessings and the other touching its thighs. Accordingto belief, the idol embodies the presence of Vishnu, Shiva, and Brahma.The idol stands at approximately six feet in height and in installed facingtowards the east. Other deities Beside the main deity, there are many other deities, whichinclude Lord Dakshinamoorthy, Lord Ganesh, Thiruvambadi Kannan, Nāga devatas,Shasta, and Keezhthrikkovil Subrahmanyan. Poojas As in other Murugan temples in Kerala. Festivals The Sree Subrahmanya Swamy Temple has some unique featuresthat distinguish it from other temples. One notable aspect is theobservance of three kodiyettu (hoisting the dhvaja (flag) on the dhwajastambha) utsavas in a calendar year. These festivals follow the Tamil calendar. The Utsava Trayam comprises the Avani Utsavam in Chingom,Markazhi Utsavam in Dhanu, and Chithira Utsavam in Medom. Each of thesefestivals is dedicated to a different deity, with Lord Vishnu being worshippedin Avani, Lord Shiva in Markazhi, and Lord Subrahmanya in Chithira. Among these celebrations, theannual Chithira Thiruvulsavam festival holds particular significance. My note- I had theoccasion to attend the chithira thiru utsavam in one of my temple trips after retirement.My late cousin periamma was native of Haripad. Apart from the Utsava Trayam, the temple also observes otherimportant festivals, such as Thrikkarthika in Vrischikam, Prathishta day inIdavam, Skanda Ashtami in Thulam, Navaratri in Kanni, and Thaipusam in Makaram. Offerings The Haripad Subrahmanya Swamy Temple offers various Vazhipadu(offerings and rituals) for devotees. These include Abhishekam, Archana,Payasam (sweet dish), Homam, and other special offerings like Pattu Charthu.Specific offerings like Abhishekam Muthalkoottu, re also available. Details and Some more CommonVazhipadu: Abhishekam: Offered with various items like milk, water, andother holy liquids. Archana: This involves chanting prayers and offering flowersto the deity. Payasam: A sweet pudding-like offering made with rice, milk,and sugar, often offered as Katum Payasam or Paal Payasam. Homam: A fire ritual performed for specific purposes. Nivedhyam: Offering food items to the deity. Chuttuvilakku: Lighting lamps around the temple. Pattu Charthal: Offering silk cloth to the deity. Other offerings: Aikyamathya Sooktha Archana: For harmony and unity. Akhora Manthra Archana: For protection and overcomingobstacles. Angaranga Shanthi Manthram: For specific astrologicalremedies. Arunazhi Payasam: A special payasam offering. Ashtadravya Ganapathy Homam Muthalkoottu: A homam dedicatedto Lord Ganesha. Bhagyasooktha Archana: For prosperity and good luck. Chilavum Vilakkum: Lighting lamps and making donations. Dhanwanthari Manthra Archana: For health and well-being. Jala Dhara: Offering water to the deity. Kaavadi Abhishekam: A special offering involving carrying adecorated pot. Kumara Sooktha Archana: For the blessings of Lord Subramanya. Kumkuma Archana: Offering vermillion to the goddess. Mothakam Vazhipadu: Offering a sweet dumpling. Mrithyunjaya Archana: For warding off death and promotinglongevity. Muzhudina Pooja: A complete day's worship. Ney Vilakku: Lighting a lamp with ghee. Nilavilakku Samarppanam: Offering a lamp. Panakam: A sweet and tangy drink offering. Panchamritha Abhishekam: A special abhishekam with fivenectars. Pithru Pooja: Offering prayers for ancestors. Puraku Vilakku: Lighting a lamp behind the deity. Purusha Sooktha Archana: For overall well-being. Rinamochana Manthra Archana: For relief from debts. Rudrasooktha Archana: For protection and strength. Sahasra Nama Archana: Chanting the thousand names of thedeity. Samvadhasooktha Archana: For improved communication andunderstanding. Shankabhishekam: Abhishekam with conch shells. Shan Manthrarchana: Offering prayers with specific mantras. Shashti Nivedhyam: Offering food on the day of Shashti. Subramanya Pooja: General worship of Lord Subramanya. Swayamvara Archana: For those seeking marriage. Temple timings Haripad Sree Subrahmanya Swamy Temple is open from 5 AM to 12noon. From 5 PM to 8 PM. Inscriptions There were several inscriptions in this temple in Tamil language.Most of them destroyed in the fire, except one about the construction ofKoothambalam in 1769 AD. Story behind thewestern gate is closed There is a story that a rich Brahmin who was a great devoteeof Lord Subrahmanya was not blessed withany children. He transferredall his properties to the temple and went outside the temple by the westerngate and committed suicide. From that day, the western gate is keptlocked. To atone this, a templehas been built in Karu Nattu Illam and every year the God’s procession passesby its front. But assoon as the procession comes near the house, all music is stopped and only the sound of conch accompanies theprocession. Keez thirukovil Outside the main temple, there is an original temple. Herethe God is Velayudha with two hands. This temple is called The Temple which isbelow (keezh thiru koil). Administration The temple was initially under the control of Odanad(Kayamkulam) royal family. Later when Kayamkulam was merged with Travancore in1734, the temple came under the control of Travancore Devaswom Board. Address of the templeand phone number Haripad Murugan Temple Rd, Danapadi, Haripad, Kerala 690514,Phone-0479-2410690 Location 1 KM from HaripadBus stand and Railway station.114 KM from Cochin internationalairport. The temple is onthe way to Mannarsala Naga temple. -- 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]. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/1349431603.610945.1753079290983%40mail.yahoo.com.
