Sirs,Many temples have customs, some customs are answered, some are simply
followed.These customs are simply followed.
A priest should not enter the sanctum without bath both in the morning and
evening. Priests in the thidapalli are not permitted to enter sanctum. When
deeparadhana pooja is inside sanctum and sanctum door is closed, one should not
ring the bell. Conch is to be blown only at specific times
These are all customs. I hope my answer is sufficient to clear the doubts you
raised. If you think a little you may get answer for the specialties in the
Harikanya temple.Gopalakrishnan
Gopalakrishnan
On Saturday 26 July, 2025 at 04:17:39 pm IST, Rajaram Krishnamurthy
<[email protected]> wrote:
Why these? Pl discuss1There are many specialties with this temple. Newly
married couples are not allowed into the temple. No smelling flowers are used
in the temple. For festivals only female elephants are deployed. Kings wearing
crown are not allowed in to the temple.2 One notable feature is that ruling
Rajas and tuskers are not permitted to enter the temple. Female elephants are
permitted to enter the temple premises and they alone are allowed to take the
utsava vigraha. K R IRS 26725
On Sat, 26 Jul 2025 at 14:09, 'gopala krishnan' via Thatha_Patty
<[email protected]> wrote:
HARIKANYAKATEMPLE-ARIYANNUR-TRICHUR DISTRICT-KERALA -COMPILED
Dear friends,
Today my posting is about the Harikanyaka temple nearGuruvayoor in the Trichur
District of Kerala. Here the deity is Mahavishnu in the Mohini form.Datable to
the ancient period, it is one amongst the 108 Durga temples in Kerala. One of
therarest temples in Kerala.
There are many specialties with this temple. Newlymarried couples are not
allowed into the temple. No smelling flowers are usedin the temple. For
festivals only female elephants are deployed. Kings wearingcrown are not
allowed in to the temple.
The temple is under Archaeological survey of India. Theadministration is by
Guruvayoor Devaswom board.
Hope a divine reading.
Gopalakrishnan 26-07-2025.
Introduction
Maintained by Indian Archaeological department,the AriyannurHarikanyaka Temple,
located just a short drive from Guruvayoor temple inKerala, is a serene and
historic site maintained by the Indian ArchaeologicalDepartment. Believed to
have been built by Perumthachan in the early 14th century, this temple is
dedicatedto Goddess Harikanyaka and showcases architectural carvings that
dateback centuries. The temple features intricate carvings on its walls
andceilings depicting various motifs including Dashavatharam,
Sreekrishnaleela,Devasura ganas, palaazhi-madhanam, flowers, ashta-dikpaalakars
wooden figurineson namaskaara mandapam ceiling among others.
Dating back centuries, the Harikanyaka Temple is steeped inhistory and
mythology, with its origins rooted in local legends and folklore.The temple is
known for its serene ambiance, sacred rituals, and traditionalarchitecture,
reflecting the rich cultural heritage of Kerala.
Architecturally, the Harikanyaka Temple features traditionalKerala-style design
elements, including intricate wood carvings, ornatesculptures, and colourful
murals depicting scenes from Hindu mythology. Thesanctum sanctorum houses the
divine deity Harikanyaka, adorned with floraldecorations and offerings from
devotees.
The name of the temple translates to ‘the virgin form of LordVishnu’ as it is
believed that Maha Vishnu took the avatar of Mohini, a kanyakaform. The temple
is considered to be built by Perumthachan in the early 14thcentury. It is noted
that Harikanyakapuram was the head of 32 surroundingdeshams. One of the main
attractions of the temple is the entrance thatshowcases beautiful carvings from
ancient times. Dedicated to GoddessBhagavathy, the temple organizes a special
festival for 15 days in the month ofDecember.
Temple, known locally as the Ariyannur Temple must have beenonce the centre
piece of a medieval Namboodiri dominated habitat, as evidencedby the large
number of historical relics seen around the area. Dedicated toGoddess
Bhagavathy (an incarnation of Goddess Durga), this temple was built inearly
14th century. This temple is one of the ancient Maha Kshethrams. Thecarved
entrance of the temple is a special attraction. People believe that MahaVishnu
has taken the avatharam of Kanyaka here, hence the name 'Hari Kanyaka'.
In the past, this templehad a glorious history and it was much wealthier than
Guruvayur Temple. Thistemple was the head of 32 surrounding Deshams.
This Temple is built in an elevated place and Devotees couldreach it by a
sloping ramp or steps.
History
This temple in ancient times was a maha-kshetram and wasearlier used by members
of 72 illams and later only by seven illams. As therewas conflict between the
members of these families (illakkars), TrissurThekke-Swamiyar Madom took over
its management. Later they entrusted it to twohereditary families of
Vadakkumpat mana and Otaloor mana.
During an attack on the temple by some miscreants the idolwas broken. As
revealed in deva-prashnam, the idol was covered in 1120 K.E.(1945 A.D.) by a
pancha-loha golaka.
The temple was taken over by the Cochin Royal family in 1100K.E (1935 A.D.) and
was later transferred to the Cochin Devaswam Board in 1950.It is presently
administered by Ariyannoor Devaswam Officer appointed by theGuruvayoor Deaswam
Board.
There is mention about this temple in Kerala SahityaCharitram of Ulloor S.
Parameswara Iyer (Vol.I, p.159)) and also in the famousManipravaala kavyam of
Chandrotsavam.
Architecture
The sanctum has graniteupa-peetham and adhishthaanam and laterite stone walls.
The sopanam has sixdirect steps with vyaali-face at top and niches and
decorations at sides ofbanisters. In addition Makara-simha faces are also
carved at the curve ofbanisters. The pranaalam has makara simha face at the
base, multi-faceted sunduand gomukha end.. The walls have decorations of
Gana-Bhoothas. Both at thegreeva and at the wall motifs ten elephants are
carved. The roof of eka-thalapart is made of dressed laterite stones and lime,
while that of dwi-thala istiled.
The Sreekovil has a mukha-mandapam. The namaskaara-mandapamhas 16 pillars, 4
with bigger diameter and 12 with smaller diameter. Adeepastambham is installed
in it facing the idol.
Sanctum
There are two deities within the Sreekovil, of SreeHarikanyaka and Sree
Shastha. Sree Harikanyaka is Sree Mohini, the mostenchantingly beautiful form
of a damsel assumed by Lord Vishnu for distributingamruth (nectar) among the
Devas and Asuras in the episode of Palaazhi-Madhanam.When Lord Hari assumed
theoriginal form of Sree Maha Vishnu after his mission and when Lord
Sivaexpressed his desire to see the enchanting form of Sree Mohini, Lord Vishnu
byHis maya once again took that form and attracted Lord Siva. LordSiva easily
duped by maya, but he could regain and resume His original form.(As narrated in
Sreemad Bhagavatham Puranam, Adhyayas 8 and 12 of SkandaEight). as the son of
Sree Sankara in Sree Mohini and In the Balakandha of Kambaramayanam the origin
of LordShastha is explained Lord Shastha is said to have emerged from the thigh
of thechildish damsel Sree Mohini.
Being a kanyaka born out of Lord Hari the damsel is known asHarikanyaka. Sree
Shasthasignifies the combination of jnana (knowledge) of Siva and the
Vishnu-maya(merciful charm) of Vishnu. Both these idols, Sree Harikanyaka and
Lord Shasthaare installed in the same shrine. In Brahmani-pattu, Sree
Harikanyaka Devi ispraised. It may be noted that in temple rituals whenever
the utsava vigrahaof Goddess Harikanyaka is taken out, that of Lord Shastha
also is made toaccompany Her. Deities are facing East.
The krishna-sila idol of Mohini in standing pose (height:2.15 m.) covered with
a pancha-loha golaka, has four arms with disc, ball andconch in three hands,
while the fourth one is in abhaya pose. The sankalpam of the deity is
SreeHarikanyaka or Mayamohini form of Lord Vishnu. A pancha-loha tidambu isalso
installed within the garbha-gruham with the sankalpam of Lord Shastha
asmentioned earlier.
Specialty
One notablefeature is that ruling Rajas and tuskers are not permitted to enter
the temple. Female elephants are permitted to enter the temple premisesand they
alone are allowed to take the utsava vigraha.
The temple is famous formangalya bhagyam to maidens. Swayamvara pushpanjali is
an important vazhipaduof the temple.
The Sreekovil is believed to have been built by SreePerumthachan. The uli
(chisels) used by him for constructing the Sreekovil arefixed in the kumudam
part of the adhishthaanam.
The floor of northern naalambalam produces a peculiar soundas that of walking
on a wooden floor. It may be presumed that this portion wasperhaps built by
Perumthachan meant to be a dancing-stage for the Goddess.
Sub deities
The sub-shrine for Lord Ganapati is at the southern naalambalam. The sub shrine
of Goddess Bhadrakali is locatedat southwest corner facing east.
Bothe the idols are made of sila, Lord Ganapati sitting poseand Goddess
Bhadrakali of mirror type
Within the akathe-balivattam at northwest there is a sub shrine for Sree
Vana-Bhadrakali(with aal-thara) and a well at northeast. This idol was found to
grow insize. When the devoteesstarted worshipping it many evil things happened.
Hence poojas are not performed in this shrine.The idol, at present, is within a
grove and no worship is done here. It may be noted that daily bali isoffered
here also.
There are two nadapanthals built within akathe-balivattam asprojections from
naalambalam, the southern one projecting from the thidappaliand the northern
one on the western side of the well. The entireakathe-balivattam is covered
with granite stones .
The chuttambalam has only the entrance from east. The thidappali is at
southeast.
Chuttu-vilakks are fixed on the trellis work of the outerwall of vilakkumaadam.
The valiya-balikkall is within the agra-mandapam .Thereis a deepastambham at
the front.
The gopuram is at the east. On the southern granite pillar ofthe gopuram,
muzhakkol (wooden scale) used for building the temple is engraved.The temple
tank is very extensive with well-laid steps.
Carvings andpaintings:
The temple is rich in architecture. The walls of theSreekovil (both at lower
part and greeva) have niches. In the mukha-mandapam,ten gaja-mukha motifs made
of sila are installed. On the ceiling of namaskaaramandapam, wooden figurines
of ashta-dikpaalakars are engraved in the coffers.On its sides Dashavatharam,
Sreekrishnaleela. Devasura ganas,palaazhi-madhanam, flowers and other motifs
are beautifully carved in wood.
On the ceiling of agra-mandapam also nava-graha sthanas areengraved, besides
some carvings. On the front granite pillars of naalambalam,two figurines of
rishisare engraved. Ganabhootas holding lamps are also carved on the two
pillars ofthe rear. Mural paintings exist on the walls of Sreekovil, but have
faded.
Temple timings
The temple is kept open from 5 to 9-30 a.m. and from 5 to 8p.m.
Poojas
Five poojas are held daily, Usha-pooja (6 a.m.)
Ethrithu-pooja (6-30 a.m.)Pantheeradi-pooja (8 a.m.)
Uccha-pooja (8-45 a.m.) and Athaazha-pooja (7-30 p.m.)
Besides Sandhya-deeparadhana (6-30 p.m.) and (Thrippuka (8p.m.) are also held
daily.
Offerings
Pushpanjali, Bhagavathi-seva, koottu-payasam and MahaGanapati homam are the
main vazhipadu of which pushpanjali is popular
Festivals
The Pooramahotsavam is held for 15 days. The festival period commences on
Pooramnakshatram of Meenan with offerings to Lord Ganapati. The Kodiyettam is
on the eighth day (Uthramnakshatram), of the festival period. On this day
Brahmani-pattu is performedduring daytime at the mandapam.
Utsava-bali is held from 2nd to 5th days (the days countedafter Kodiyettam).
Utsava-bali for five days is rarely done in temples. Goddess is taken during
ezhunnellath on a female elephant. Along with Devi LordShastha is also taken
around.
On the 6th day of the utsavam navorru-pattu by Mannars and onthe seventh day
navorru-pattu by Paanars is performed. On the last day aarattuis held. No
festival programswith crown on head are performed in the temple
Priests
The present thantri belongs to Puliyannoor mana of Elavalli(Chavakad taluk).
The shantikkaran is appointed from Embranthiri or Malayala Brahmins.
The other staff includes four kazhakam, three adichu-tali,one Marar and one
person each for kuzhal and ilathalam.
No loud noise bydrums or playing musical instruments isallowed in the temple
Saraswathi mandapam
There is a Saraswathy Mandapam built in the outer peripheral.Divine functions
and rituals could be conducted here and several Devotees couldbe seated at the
same time. During Saraswathi Pooja Kids are brought here andAksharabhyasam are
done here in great numbers. It is widely believed that thoseDevotees who are
willing to get married would be obliged with their Prayers ifthey come here and
Pray to Goddess Harikanyaka Devi. There is a Sub Shrine forGoddess Bhadrakali
at the rear end of the Temple in the outer peripheral.Devotees could avail the
Thulabaaram facilities in the Harikanyaka Temple.
General
The Temple has facilities to light up and illuminate GheeLamps all over its
outer wall and when this is done is a treat to watch for theDevotees since the
entire Temple looks dazzling.
The Temple has a well-maintained lawn with several plants andtrees. Devotees
who come to Guruvayur should never miss this Temple since it issaid to be more
than 1500 years old but still maintained so well.
Administration
The Harikanyaka Temple near Guruvayur is administered by theGuruvayur Devaswom
Board.
Darsan timings
5:30–10AM, 5:30–7:30PM
Location
The temple itself is 4 kms to the east of Guruvayur on the TrissurRoad, beyond
Chowalloor Temple.
The temple is a majestic structure situated on a hillockwhich provides a
majestic view of the surrounding greenery
At a distance of 21 Kms from Thrissur Railway Station & 5Kms from Guruvayoor
Temple, Harikanyaka Temple is located in Ariyannur, betweenThrissur and
Guruvayoor. Distance from Tirur to Ariyannur is 52 Kms.
Address and phonenumber of the temple
Harikanyaka Temple, Ariyannur, Guruvayur, Kerala
Temple Phone Number: 91889 58029 and Seshadri, Purohit 9947725475
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