The Navagraha pratishta (consecration) at Sabarimala, which occurred on July 13th, 2025, was a significant event marking the establishment of a new temple dedicated to the nine planets within the larger Sabarimala complex, specifically at Malikappuram. The pratishta was performed according to traditional Kerala architectural methods and included the installation of the nine Navagraha idols, followed by the Kumbabhishekam (consecration) of the temple's Thazhikakkudam. The Navagraha temple at Sabarimala was built following the advice of renowned astrologers who conducted a Devaprasnam, a form of astrological divination, according to the Sri Ayyappan Temple website. The temple's design and construction were also guided by the principles of Vasstu, ensuring a traditional and auspicious layout. The Navagraha pratishta at Sabarimala is significant for several reasons:
- *Spiritual Significance:* The Navagrahas, or nine celestial bodies, are believed to influence human lives and destinies. Worshipping them is thought to alleviate negative planetary influences and bring about positive outcomes in various aspects of life, including mental peace, prosperity, and spiritual growth. - *Alignment with Ayyappan's Philosophy:* The installation of the Navagraha temple aligns with the broader spiritual and philosophical principles of Sabarimala, which emphasizes the interconnectedness of all beings and the universe. - *Fulfillment of Devotee Wishes:* The construction and consecration of the Navagraha temple are seen as a fulfillment of the desires of many devotees who sought a space to worship the Navagrahas within the Sabarimala complex. - *Addition to Sabarimala's Heritage:* The new temple adds another layer to the rich heritage and spiritual landscape of Sabarimala, providing another avenue for devotees to connect with the divine. - K Rajaram IRS 26725 On Fri, 25 Jul 2025 at 17:40, 'gopala krishnan' via Thatha_Patty < [email protected]> wrote: > SREE DHARMA SASTHA TEMPLE, THYCAUD , THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-KERALA STATE- > COMPILED. > > Dear friends, > > Sree Dharma Sastha Temple, Thycaud, Trivandrum is a centuries-old shrine > located at Thycaud in Kerala's capital city of Thiruvananthapuram. > > This temple is one among the three temples in Thiruvananthapuram > functioning under the auspices of the NSS Thiruvananthapuram Taluk > Karayoga Union. Here Sastha is Grihastha with his wives Poorna and > Pushkala and holding a blue lotus in his hand. > > Hope a divine reading. > > Gopalakrishnan 25-07-2025. > > Introduction > > Thycaud Sree Dharma Sastha Temple in Thiruvananthapuram is a renowned > place of worship with a rich history spanning over 500 years. As the > Mandalakalam season begins, the temple sees a significant surge in > devotees. The temple’s presiding deity is Lord Sree Dharma Sastha. Other > deities worshipped here include Lord Ganesha, Lord Shiva, Lord Maha Vishnu, > Goddess Durga, Lord Subramanya, Lord Hanuman, the Navagrahas, serpent gods, > and Brahmarakshas. > > > > Legends > > The place where the temple stands today was previously a dense forest. The > very name Thaikadu indicates that there was a forest here. > > Many tribals lived in this forest. Their idol was the Shasta. One day, > the Venad king, who ruled the area at that time, came to this area for > hunting. Then, he came to this area to see a cow on the way , mistook it > for a wild animal and killed it with an arrow. The king, saddened by this > information, apologized to the tribals, the owners of the cow, and asked for > atonement. The tribals demanded that a temple be built for their idol, > Shasta, with all the tantric rituals. Accordingly, the king summoned the > famous Tantrivaryas and temple builders of the area, initiated the > construction of the temple and enshrined Shasta in a form of a blue lotus > and accompanied by his wives. Thus, the Thycaud Dharmashasta Temple came > into existence. > > Centuries ago, when Murajapam was first performed at the Sree Padmanabha > Temple, many Brahmin families from different parts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu > had arrived in the capital for the ceremony. *Legend has it that a > Brahmin nobleman of Paduthol Mana, also known as 'Valiya Thycaud', arrived > from Mukundapuram and built the temple, with the help of the Travancore > royal family.* > > History > > At a later period Krishnan Namboodiripad, son of Jatavedan Namboodiripad > of Pduthol Mana, *legally handed over the temple to the NSS Karayoga > Union, Thiruvananthapuram, *when the Brahmin nobles could not afford the > daily affairs of running the temple. This was due to their confidence in > the Karayoga Union’s ability in running the temple affairs in an orderly > manner. Development Work > > The financial condition of the temple was at a low when the Union acquired > ownership. The N S S Union then prepared a plan for development work as > per the Tantric rules. To enhance the divine spirit, a number of > architectural developments have been carried out in front of the temple. > They include the elephant enclosures and the pradakshina paths. > > It is believed that artisans who came to renovate the iconic Sree > Padmanabhaswamy Temple resided near Thycaud, leaving behind a legacy of > stunning craftsmanship in the temple’s architecture. > > Architecture > > If you enter through the eastern gopuram, you will first come to the large > elephant enclosure. In this enclosure, where up to three elephants can be > paraded at a time, ceremonies such as chorunu , marriage , thulabharam , > and bhajana are held. This is also where Sabarimala pilgrims choose to > garland and tie their garlands. Here, you can find the temple's offerings, > cowries, and a bookstore. > > Beyond the elephant enclosure, there is a flagpole carrying the horse, > the vehicle of the Lord , on its head. The flagpole was installed here in > 2008. Beyond this flagpole, which is about 40 feet tall, a sacrificial > pit has been built. The main sacrificial stone of the temple is located > here. Since the sacrificial stone here is very low, the idol can be seen > even from the outside. > > Two shrines can be seen on either side of the gopuram, facing west. In > these, the southern shrine is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and the northern > shrine is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Both are enshrined in a posture of > looking at their son Shasta. > > Shrine > > It is housed in a very small rectangular shrine. The roof of this shrine, > made of black stone, is covered with copper. The rest of the parts are > covered with gold. There are three rooms inside the shrine. The western > end of them is the garbhagriha where the idol is installed. The stone idol > of Shasta, which is about three feet tall, is installed facing east. Shasta > is depicted here with his left leg folded, wearing a blue lotus in his > right hand, and his left hand placed next to his left leg. Since the blue > lotus is used as a medicine, the concept of Dhanvantarimurthy is also > present here. *It is believed that the consorts of Purna-Pushkala Devi > reside eternally with the Lord.* Invoking the entire essence of the > universe, the sage of Dharma, in full bloom, reigns over the Thai forest > with the spirit of Dhanvantarimurthy. > > There are no murals or wooden sculptures on the outer walls of the shrine. > However, to make up for their lack, beautiful figures have been carved in > stone. The story of Ayyappa is inscribed here. From the churning of the > Palazhi to the figure of Ayyappa reigning in the Chinmudra on the > eighteenth step of Sabarimala, one can see here. Now all these figures > are gold-plated, which gives them a good shine. On the north side, a pond > has been built to drain the Abhishekathirtha. There is a very small pond > here. The water from this is considered by some to be the holy water. > > The idol of Sree Dharma Sastha, who dwells in the form of Dhanwanthari > holding the auspicious Neelathamara(BLUE LOTUS) in his right hand, is > believed to be an extraordinary deity who showers blessings on devotees. > > Offerings for Sastha > > These include Ganapathi Homam, Archana, Muzhukappu, Pushpanjali, Aravana > Payasam, Panchamritham, Paalpayasam. Neerajanam is an important offering in > this temple and on all Saturdays, there is a heavy rush for this offering. > A large number of worshipers perform 'Navagraha Pooja'. Other offerings > to the deity here are sesame seed payasam, neelapattu charthal, and archana > with blue conch flower. > > Sub deities and offerings > > The shrine of Lord Vishnu is larger. The idol, which is about four feet > tall, is in a standing position. The form of the Lord, which is adorned > with conch, chakra, mace and lotus in its four hands, is very beautiful. > > The main offerings to Lord Vishnu are milk payasam, tulsi mala, sandalwood > charthal, and sahasranamarchana. > > In the shrine of Lord Shiva, a small Shivalinga, which is only one foot > tall, is enshrined. A silver-made Thirumukha is enshrined in it. > > Dhara is performed daily in the morning in this temple. Apart from that, > there are many other offerings here like pinvilakku, koovalamala, > rudrabhishekam etc. > > Apart from these, in another small shrine just to the south of the Shiva > shrine, you can also see the idol of Hanuman Swami. The idol, which is > about three feet tall, is in the form of a devotee Hanuman. Hanuman, who > stands with both hands folded, has a vadamala, betel garland, avil > nivedyam, butter charthal etc. which are very special. This is probably > the only Shastakshetra where Hanuman is enshrined as a sub-deity in Kerala. > > The serpent and the Subrahmanya idol > > . A beautiful serpent grove has been built on the southwest side of the > temple. It is amazing to see such a beautiful serpent grove within the > limits of the city of Thiruvananthapuram. The concept here is that *Vasuki > , the Naga king , is standing on a pedestal decorated with many trees and > creepers, along with his wife Nagayakshi , his daughter Nagachamundi and > other retinue*. Special poojas are performed for them on the day of > Ayilyam every month and a snake sacrifice is performed on the day of > Ayilyam in the month of Kanni . > > The deity of Brahmarakshas is also located near the serpent gods. As > usual, the deity of Brahmarakshas is in the form of a Shivalinga. *There > are no other offerings here other than the daily lighting of lamps and milk > porridge*. > > There is also a special shrine in the northwest corner, facing east, where > there is an idol of Subrahmanya Swamy. The idol, which is about three > feet tall, is in the form of Balasubrahmanya. The Shashtivratham is very > special in the temple of Subrahmanya, who wears a veil in his left hand and > blesses with his right hand . Here, a peacock figure is also carved in > front of the temple . All these are remarkable sights. > > Navagraha Prathishtha-A stage has been built for the temple at the > northeast corner. This is where artistic performances, chanting of names, > lectures, etc. are held in the temple. Near this, you can see the shrine > with the deities of the nine planets. The nine planets of Indian astrology > , namely the Sun , Moon , Mars , Mercury , Jupiter , Venus , Saturn , Rahu > and Ketu , are installed on a single stone made in a circular shape, facing > different directions. The Sun, Mercury and Venus face the east, the Moon > and Saturn face the west, Mars, Rahu and Ketu face the south, and only > Jupiter faces the north. There are stone idols about two feet tall here. > > Navagraha Pooja and Navadhanya Samaparpanam are performed here daily to > cleanse the planetary faults. > > Since it is a sastha temple, *Shani has special significance* here. > Shani Puja, which is performed on Saturdays, is celebrated here with great > devotion. Many devotees come here for this purpose. > > As usual, a thidappally has been built in the southeast corner ; a well is > also in the northeast corner . > > In a specially made room in the southwest corner, there is an idol of Lord > Ganapati facing east. The idol, which is about three feet tall, is of > Lord Valambiri. The Lord holds an axe in his back right hand , a rope in > his back left hand, and a modakam in his front left hand , and blesses with > his front right hand. Ganapati Homam is performed in the temple every > morning to please Ganapati. Apart from this, appam, modakam, narangamala, > karukamala etc. are also important offerings. > > In another similar room in the northwest corner, there is an idol of > Goddess Durga facing east. Here the Goddess has a very small idol in the > form of a tail mirror . It is only one foot high. Bhagavatiseva is > performed here every evening to please the Goddess. Apart from this, > Neypayayasam, Lalithasahasranamarachana, Kungkumarchana etc. are also > important. > > The inner sacrificial wall is being built around the shrine. > Ashtadikpalakar (East - Indra , Southeast - Agni , South - Yama , > Southwest - Niriti , West - Varuna , Northwest - Vayu , North - Kubera , > Northeast - Ishanan in that order), Sapta Matrikkal (in a single stone on > the south side - Brahmi , Maheshwari , Kaumari , Vaishnavi , Varahi , > Indrani , Chamundi in that order from the east), Veerabhadra (with Sapta > Matrikkal - East side), Ganapati (with Sapta Matrikkal - West side), > Brahma (between the northeast and east), Anantha (between the southwest > and west), Shasta (between the south and southwest), Subrahmanya (between > the west and northwest), Sacrificial stones representing Goddess Durga > (between the northwest and north) and Nirmalyadhari (between the north and > northeast in the form of a Shivalinga - here Ghosavati ) can be seen here. > All of these are now gold-plated. Sacrifices are made here during Shivali. > Sacrificial stones are believed to be the emotions of the god/goddess. > Therefore, stepping on them or touching them with the head is prohibited. > > > > Pooja Timings > > Morning > > Palli Unarthal: 4 am Nada Thurakal 4.30 am > > NirmalyaDarshanam4.35am Deeparadhana 5.30 am Ushapooja 7 am > Sree Bali 7.15 am > > Uchha pooja 10.30 am Uchcha Sree Bali 10.45 am > > Nada Adaykkal 11 am > > Evening > > Nada Thurakkal 5 pm Deeparadhana 6.30 pm > > Aththazha Pooja 8 pmSree Bali 8.15 pm > > Nada Adaykkal 8.30 pm > > Saturdays > > Nada Adaykkal (Morning) 11.30 am > > Nada Thurakal (Evening) 4.30 pm > > Nada Adaykkal 8.45 pm > > All ceremonies and offerings, including the Nityaseeveli, as in the > Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple, are regularly performed . Monthly > auspicious days like Pradosham, Shashti and Ayilyam are observed here. > Saneeswara Puja is held on the evening of the first Saturday of every month. > > The above are the rituals for ordinary days. These will change on special > days (e.g., Kodiyettutsavam, Panchuni Utram, Mandalakalam) , on days when > there is Udayasthamana Puja , and on days when there is an eclipse. There > will be eighteen pujas on days when there is Udayasthamana Puja. When the > pujas are completed on that day and the temple is closed, it will be ten > o'clock at night. On days when there is an eclipse, the temple is closed > half an hour before it begins, and only after that, the purification > rituals are performed. > > Festivals > > Festivals like Pradosham, Shashti and Ayilyam are celebrated every month. > On the evenings of the first Saturday of every month, the Saneeswara Pooja > is a special occasion. *This is one of the rare temples in > Thiruvananthapuram that houses the auspicious Navagrahas.* > > During Mandalakalam, many devotees begin their pilgrimage to Sabarimala > from this temple. The five-day Kodiyettu festival, culminating with the > Aarattu ceremony, is a major attraction during this period. The Panguni > Uthram festival in the month of Meenam is another significant event > celebrated at the temple. > > *My note- It is worthy to make a note that **about a week back only > **navagraprathisha > has been done at Sabarimala temple according to Deva prasna.* > > Mandala-Makaravilakku are the main festivals in this temple. Shivarathri, > Navarathri, Thypooyam, Ashtami Rohini, Hanuman Jayanthi etc. are all > celebrated. > > Specialties > > The shrine is one among the 108 Ayyappan Kavukal mentioned in Thottam > Pattu. It was known as Thycaud Kavu. > > The Sastha worshipped in the temple is along with spouse and son. > > The sreekovil is square in shape and the deity faces east. The temple has > gopuram, anapanthal, flag post, nalambalam and balikkalukal. The main > balikkal is at a very low height in contradiction to other temples. > > The murti of Sree Dharma Sastha has the sankalpam of Dhanwanthari holding > the auspicious Neelathamara in his right hand. This is a very rare form of > Dharmasastha. > > Annadanam Mahadanam > > The adjacent land in front of the temple was acquired and a three-storey > Oottupura complex built there at a cost of Rs 1 crore. The Oottupura has > been serving daily meals to devotees based on the principle of "Annadanam > Mahadanam". The Thycaud Sree Dharma Sastha Temple has been elevated as one > of the few temples in Thiruvananthapuram that provides daily food to the > needy. Rituals & Ceremonies > > Address > > Dharma Sastha temple, Near Government Arts College, Radhakrishnan Road, > Thycaud-695014 > Phone-04712324560 > > Administration > > At present, there are three temples in Thiruvananthapuram functioning > under the *auspices of the NSS Thiruvananthapuram Taluk Karayoga Union*. > Prominent among them is the Sree Dharma Sastha Temple, a centuries-old > shrine located at Thycaud in the capital city of Kerala. > > Location > > The distance from the temple to Thiruvananthapuram International Airport > is 8 km and to the Central Railway Station and Bus Station is 1.5 km. > > Temple Opening hours: > > 4:00 AM-11:00 AM, 5:00 PM-8:30 PM > > Address: > > Ward No 28, 199 MG Radhakrishnan Road Near Government Arts College Sastha > Garden, Thycaud, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695014, > > > > -- > 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/18997464.2101387.1753445407112%40mail.yahoo.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/18997464.2101387.1753445407112%40mail.yahoo.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. 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