Exactly the words of mine the senior reflected. In India Tiruvalla is an important arch temple and writing pooja etc reveals his routine manner of c&P KR
On Mon, 28 Jul 2025 at 13:02, APS Mani <[email protected]> wrote: > The 'author' in question has NO attributes as seen by the additional > comments given by others.. He simply wants his NAME to be seen as a > contributor thrice a day, and that gives him peace and good sleep. We have > to bear with the same! No visible extra attributes on those posts. > > It is all a work of copy-paste and NOT from reliable sources. There are at > least three repetitions of the Temple timings, the office details, or other > irrelevant details in the post if one ever reads the posts.. The 'author' > never reads the sources or checks before posting, as many matters are > repeated in the same post a few times. He is happy to see his name in the > posts in the Group, as I said earlier. With that in mind, he posts on > Temples or Quora or other imaginary subjects for all these years. > > He has no understanding of historical authenticity or the Idols > The fact is also true that none of the readers are INTERESTED in his > write-up, as has been wisely said. NO ONE can visit the Temples mentioned > at this senior age. Of course, one visits their family deity or other very > important Temples for which one need not depend on these wrong posts. > > Thus, I see no reason for any attributes to this 'author'. He can, for > his lifetime, post umpteen vague posts as there are Temples at least every > kilometer in Kerala/Tamil Nadu, apart from other regions. > > I wonder when these posts will not occupy the space of sanctity of this > Group. > > Mani > > On Mon, Jul 28, 2025 at 9:08 AM Rajaram Krishnamurthy < > [email protected]> wrote: > >> The author always gets offended if questioned; 90% of the group may not >> visit hereafter any of these temples as age is a factor; or maybe due to >> family visits can visit a few. However, my interests, over any temple, lie >> on what history IT CAN REVEAL TO US, to connect our Vedic scriptures. So >> being a filler, if research is done, may be, the author may throw >> information, on Indian History, instead, of copy and paste from, wiki and >> dinamalar. WHEN I WAS GOING THROUGH DETAILS IN THE WEB SITES , I WAS >> STUNNED BY INFORMATION THAT THE IDOL AGE IS 2998 BCE. MY IMMEDIATE QUESTION >> WAS JUST 100 YEARS AHEAD ENDED THE MAHABHARATHA WAR, IF SO ANY WRITE UP >> ABOUT IN THE BEAUTIFUL ARCHITECTURES OF THE TEMPLE? NO SIR. NO RAMAYANA NO >> MAHBHARATHAM; MEANS KERALA IS UNAWARE OF IT; OR CLASH OF DATES. But there >> are a few bloggers, untiring like RAMANATHANS who dig deep like me, and >> present a better picture about why Vallabha a north name at Kerala/; where >> do Nammalvar step in?; Where Krishna and Vyasa are seen? Thus, the idol is >> older; but not, may be, the temple built. Carbon dating do not lie; but >> there was no namboodris to find its source at all. Mere spread of Saivism >> and Vaishnavism, so we lack History, for British to make fun of us. Now >> Ramanathan blog extracts: >> >> >> >> Sreevallabha Temple (Malayalam - ശ്രീവല്ലഭ മഹാക്ഷേത്രം), a highly >> orthodox Hindu Temple dedicated to Purusha as Lord Sreevallabhan,] is one >> among the oldest and biggest Temples of Kerala and a major destination for >> devotees all over India for centuries. Located in Thiruvalla town of >> Pathanamthitta district, this ocean of orthodoxy is well known for its >> architectural grandeur and unique customs that can be found in no other >> temples. The stone-wooden carvings and fine mural paintings inside the >> temple are worth seeing. Being one among 108 Divya Desams, Sreevallabha >> temple has been glorified by Alvars and many other ancient works. It is >> considered to be the vallabha kshethram mentioned in Garuda Purana and >> Matsya Purana. Lord Vishnu appeared here as Sreevallabhan for sage >> Durvasa and Khandakarnan.Pleased by prayers of an old Brahmin lady >> Sreevallabhan incarnated as a brahmachari and killed the demon >> Thokalaasuran. Later the idol of Sreevallabhan worshipped by Lakshmi and >> Krishna has been installed in the temple in 59 BC. From then till date, >> the temple follows its own worship protocol that is known to be followed >> nowhere else yet. Sage Durvasa and Saptarishi are said to reach the >> temple every midnight for worshipping the Lord. The temple had governed one >> of the biggest educational institutions in ancient time and heavily >> contributed to the cultural and educational developments of Kerala. >> [TIME DIFFERENCE 2998 AND 59 2900 YEARS] >> >> >> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- >> >> Present Thiru Valla was once a village among 64 Namboothiri villages in >> Kerala and is one among the oldest human settlements in India. Since this >> place is situated at the mouth (vai) of Manimala River (valla river) it had >> *been >> known as ‘vallavai’ and later transformed into ‘Thiru Valla’. [why >> trevalla?]* >> >> Historical evidences point out the place had been inhabited by humans >> before 3000 BC. The Thiruvalla inscriptions say the temple for >> Sudarshana Chakra was built in 2998 BC. >> >> Another opinion is that the place was named after sreevallabha temple as >> sreevallabhapuram >> and Thiruvalla in colloquial Malayalam.The temple for Sudarshana Chakra >> was built by Sreedevi Antherjanam of Sankramangalathu Illam and it was >> elaborately rebuilt by Queen Cherumthevi in 59 BC.Sreevallabha temple >> flourished to a major spiritual and educational centre by AD 1100. The >> temple had governed a Vedic school (thiruvalla sala) with around 1500 >> students and 150 teachers. Veda, Vedanta, Tarka, Mimamsa, Jyotisha, >> Ayurveda, Kalaripayattu etc. were taught here. The temple also owned an >> ayurvedic hospital with facilities to admit and treat 100 patients at a >> time. Addressing lord Sreevallabhan by names Kolapiran, Thiruvazhmarvan and >> Sundarayan, the Tamil vaishnavite saints Nammalvar of the 5th century AD >> (2612-2622 in Divya Prabhandham) and Thirumangai Alvar of the 9th century >> AD (paasurams 1806-1817 in Divya prabhandham) had praised glory of the >> temple.Famous Sankrit poet Daṇḍin (7th century AD) of Kanchi mentioned the >> temple in his works. >> >> The first ever prose work in Malayalam is the Thiruvalla inscriptions >> dated first half of the 12th century AD,which was obtained from the temple >> during 1915. The famous Unnuneeli Sandesam of the 13th century AD >> highlighted the grandeur, beauty, serenity, fame and status of the temple >> during its time. Other works that glorified the temple are Sreevallabha >> Ksethra Mahathmyam of the 10th century AD, Sreevallabha Charitham kavyam, >> Thukalasura Vadham Kathakali, Sreevallabha Charitham Kathakali, >> Sreevallabha Vijayam Kathakali, Sreevallabha Suprabhatham, Sreevallabha >> Karnamritha Sthothram, Yajanavali Sangrham etc. >> >> From the date built, the temple was under control of thiruvalla >> pattillathil pottimar (Brahmins of ten families) till 1752-1753. >> Sreevallabha Temple emerged out as a major spiritual destination for >> devotees all over India centuries before. It had 15 major priests >> (melsanthi) and 180 sub-ordinate priests (keezhsanthi) all the time and >> another 108 for only daily noon pooja. Temple provided staying and food >> facilities for all visitors, students, teachers etc. and also used to >> conduct annadanam (serving food to the poor) daily. Naivedyam of Lord >> Sreevallabhan for a single time used to be made from 45 para (one para can >> feed appx 100 persons) rice. In all these years, temple acquired enormous >> amount of wealth that it even used to serve food in golden banana leaves >> and throw them considering as the leavings. It also had thousands of acres >> of land too which are lost now. During 1752-1753 Marthanda Varma of >> Travancore captured the temple from Pathillathil Pottimar and it is >> believed that Ramayyan Dalawa looted whole temple assets to >> Thiruvananthapuram. Up to 1968, ladies and elephants were not allowed in >> the temple. The temple used to be opened for ladies only during >> Thiruvathira of dhanu month and Vishu of medam till then. Anyhow now this >> custom is not in practise. These facts clearly say that how popular and >> wealthy the temple was in those days. >> >> >> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- >> >> Architecture of the Temple: >> >> Built in the silent and picturesque land on the banks of Manimala river, >> this icon of Kerala temple architecture, covers an area of 8.5 acres and >> ranks first among the temples of old Travancore state in terms of area >> inside the compound wall. The temple is surrounded on all sides by 12 feet, >> tall 566 feet long, 4.5 feet thick red granite compound walls with a >> two-storied gopuram (gate tower) on each side. This huge wall was built in >> 57 BC and is believed that it was completed in a single night by >> bhoothagana (servants) of The Lord. Outside eastern wall a big pond >> covering 1.5 acres is seen in north-eastern direction with a copper >> flagstaff on its southern bank. >> >> Smaller shrines for lord Ganapathy and Ayyappan and another auditorium >> are seen in south-western side. The position of kshethra palan or temple >> guard which is strictly built in all temples on northern side is found here >> just in front of Ganapathy’s shrine i.e. on southern side which also is >> another peculiarity found nowhere else. The sacred fig and mango trees >> beneath which sage Durvasa meditated is found near Ayyappan shrine. [LONG >> AFTER BUILT] Just outside the western gopuram, Sankaramangalth Illam where >> Sreedevi Antharjanam lived is seen well preserved for the initiation of any >> pooja in the temple. Northern gopuram is closed always and is opened only >> for Uthra Sreebali festival. North east to pradakshina veethi, a self >> originated pond called Jalavanthi or Khandakarna theerthem which is >> believed to contain 64 hidden idols of the Lord is seen. It is for only the >> use of priests. >> >> Spot where sage Vedavyasa and sage Durvasa disappeared is found on its >> eastern bank and resting building for the priests on southern side. North >> to the temple a roofless shrine dedicated to kurayappa swamy is seen. No >> pooja is done here, but only banana as naivedyam. The bahir bali vrutham or >> outer circle of sacrificial stones is built inner to bahir pradakshina >> veethi. The temple koothambalam (stage) was destroyed by fire in 1915. >> >> The most highlighted construction of the temple is the Garuda dhvaja >> sthambam or flagstaff of Garuda, the majestic eagle mount of lord Vishnu. >> This monolithic structure is completely built from black granite and >> elevated 53.5 feet above the ground with its lower end touching water >> table. Constructed in 57 BC, this structure was also built in a single >> night along with the outer wall. And an amazing fact is that no black >> granites can be found in an area ten miles around the temple. A 3 feet >> massive idol of Garuda is placed on the top of it facing the main sanctum. >> Since this flagstaff started slanting and reached its current position, a >> three tiered copper roofed construction has been made all around it to >> prevent further slanting. West to this, currently used golden flagstaff can >> be seen.West to the third flagstaff, balikkalpura (room of the major >> sacrificial stone) is built around a ten feet tall balipeetha (main >> sacrificial stone). Vallyambalam (building attached to naalambalam at its >> main entrance and between naalambalam and balikkalpura) is a double storied >> copper sheet roofed building standing on 16 stone pillars. These pillars >> and the roof are noted for their exquisite and minute carvings >> demonstrating the excellence of those who built it. The central corridor of >> vallyambalam leads to naalambalam (double walled building constructed >> around sanctum-sanctorum at a distance) with thidappalli or holy kitchen, >> navakappura or room for navaka pooja etc. The 150 feet long, 11 feet Broad >> square naalambalam is completely made out of black stones and supported by >> 54 stone pillars beautifully carved with the image of a Salabhanjika on >> each. Outside naalambalam, a deepasala (galaxy of bronze lamps) is built on >> teak wood. The western part of naalambalam is adorned with some murals and >> a small shrine for vadakkum thevar i.e., the idols of Vishnu, Shiva, >> Parvati, Murugan and Nrithaganapathy worshipped by Sreedevi Antherjanam. >> Two namaskara mandapam (prostration building) are built against both doors >> of Sreekovil (sanctum-sanctorum) and only Brahmins are allowed there. The >> eastern mandapam is 24 feet long square building with copper sheeted roof >> and stand on 12 wooden and 4 stone pillars. All these are well known for >> their fine carvings. The western mandapam is small and also square shaped. >> The circular, copper roofed, golden domed sreekovil is adorned with finely >> etched murals of matsya, kaaliyamardana, kurma, Dakshinamurthy, varaha, >> venu gopala, maha ganapathy, narasimha, vamana, sudarshana, parashurama, >> sree rama, Purusha sukta, balarama, sreeKrishna, lakshmi, kalki and garuda >> in clockwise manner. Sreekovil has an outer perimeter of 160 feet and has >> three concentric walls. It enshrines Lord Sreevallabhan facing east and >> Sudarshana chakra(sathrusamhaaramoorthy) facing west under the same roof. >> Sreevallabhan is portrayed as bearing a lotus in right hand, chakra in >> right upper hand, sankha in left upper hand and his left hand kept on his >> waist (kati hastham). This 7 feet tall massive idol is situated at a height >> of 10 feet in such a way that one has to bend his body to see it and its >> top and bottom cannot be seen. Along with this idol other idols of Vishnu, >> Lakshmi, Dakshinamurthy, Varaha and Sreebali bimbam or procession idol of >> Sreevallabhan are also there. Unlike usual yantra form, here Sudarsana is >> installed in eight handed human form bearing sankha (conch), chakra(disc), >> gada, padma(lotus), pasha(rope), ankusa (hook), musala(pole), and >> dhanu(bow).No other temples are known to enshrine lord Vishnu and lord >> Sudarsana under same roof. >> >> >> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- >> >> Legends: >> >> Second passage on the Western side: >> >> Legends have their own space in relation with the history of a temple, >> but they should never be mixed up. While going through the legends related >> to Sreevallabha temple it is clear that even though Sreevallabhan’s idol is >> older, it was the temple for sudarshana built first. These legends can be >> summarised as below. >> >> Ascend of Sreevallabhan’s idol to the earth: >> >> Before creation, while being in deep meditation at the origin of >> universe, Viratpurusha appeared to Brahma. Brahma understood the Lord as he >> could and later on continued worshipping Purusha in an idol created by >> Vishvakarma from energy concentrated out of extreme power and vehemence of >> Purusha. Upon request by Samudradeva (god of water) lord Brahma advised >> worship protocol of Purusha to him and handed over the idol. Later goddess >> Adi Parashakti takes birth as Samudradeva’s daughter in the name Sreedevi >> (lakshmi,shree). Sreedevi worshipped the very same idol and lord Vishnu >> promised to marry her while she comes out during churning of the milky >> ocean in Krita yuga. This eventually made Vishnu to be known as >> sreevallabhan (sree-lakshmi, vallabhan-husband) and the goddess >> incorporated her power also to the idol. Later Vishnu married Lakshmi as he >> promised. >> >> Tapasya of sage Durvasa: >> >> After the churning of milky ocean, sage Durvasa was upset due his own >> wrathful nature which led to the whole incidents. He sought advice of his >> father, lord Shiva who directed Durvasa to lord Brahma for getting the >> knowledge of Parabrahmam. Brahma advised the same as he did to Samudradeva >> and asked him to worship the Lord. Durvasa along with 63 disciples reached >> the Earth and found a suitable place and named it as Mallikavanam (forest >> of jasmines). Durvasa did tapas beneath jointly growing mango and sacred >> fig. Later in treta yuga the Lord appeared to the sage. As lord Vishnu >> appeared, water sprouts rushed out of earth and Durvasa washed the Lord’s >> feet with it. Pleased with the sage’s devotion, Vishnu promised to be >> present at the spot forever on a condition that the sage should do his >> service whenever he appear in a form that can be visualized by all. (The >> spot where Durvasa meditated is south-west to the temple and the water >> sprouts turned into a tank, Jalavanthy) >> >> Khandakarnan and his bells: >> >> In spite of being son of lord Shiva, Khandakarnan was a horrible ogre who >> used to sacrifice animals to please Shiva and never missed any chance to >> humiliate Vishnu.He had a pair of bells as ear rings so that he can hear >> only the name of Shiva what he used to chant always. As he didn’t get >> salvation even after long time, he asked Shiva for its reason. Shiva >> decided to teach him both Shiva and Vishnu are same advised him to worship >> Vishnu.Directed by Durvasa, Khandakarnan reaches Mallikavanam. There he >> took bath in Jalavanthy and threw away his ear rings and got a new pair so >> that he can hear only the name of Vishnu thereafter. During Dvapara Yuga, >> Vishnu appeared in front of him as Sreevallabhan and he got salvation. By >> this, Jalavanthy became famous by the name Khandakarna Theerthem. >> >> Journey of Sreevallabhan’s idol: >> >> Soon after the construction of Dvaraka, Samudradeva gifted many precious >> things including Sreevallabhan’s idol to Krishna. Krishna handed it over to >> his friend Satyaki saying “there is nothing in the world for Vishnu pooja >> like Sreevallabhan’s idol. Worshipping Vishnu directly and worshipping this >> idol are the same always. It has got the power to wash away even sins >> accumulated through ages”. Satyaki asked Krishna’s permission for building >> a temple and celestial architect Vishvakarma constructed the biggest temple >> in Dvārakā. Sage Vedavyasa installed the idol and Durvasa advised worship >> protocol. During end of dvapara yuga Sathyaki handed over the idol to >> Garuda and asked to keep it safe for the use of humans in Kali yuga. Garuda >> went to Ramanaka island and worshipped it there. Worship of the idol made >> Garuda free from all his curses. When the time for Garuda to leave the >> earth reached, he had hidden the idol in the Bhadra deep of *Netravati >> River (in present day Dakshina kannada dist., Karnataka)* >> >> Annihilation of Thokalasuran: >> >> Brahmins are envious: >> >> Mallikavanam became a human settlement before thousands of years and >> emerged out as a high profile spiritual and educational centre with >> enormous wealth and human power.At that time only Brahmin families were not >> less than 3000 and Sankaramangalath illam enjoyed top status among them. >> But Sankaramangalath Illam faced risk of extinction as only an old lady and >> her younger son Narayana Bhattathiri lived there. Bhattathiri married >> Sreedevi Antharjanam against dreams of others that they will get his wealth >> too by making their daughters getting married with him. Sreedevi >> Antherjanam had all good qualities but illiterate. Since literacy was a >> mandatory for Brahmins and even women were well versed in Sanskrit, being >> illiterate was a matter of humiliation and envious Brahmins never missed a >> chance to humiliate Antharjanam to which she never paid any attention.As >> the couple had no children even long after marriage, they started Ekadasi >> vrata for the same. The method adopted by Antharjanam for this was the most >> difficult one which made her to leave food and sleep also and she made her >> servant Sreedevi and her son Mukundan to follow the same.Since they were >> too wealthy Antherjanam started giving food to anyone at anytime which only >> increased the wrath of orthodox Brahmins. >> >> Humiliation of Antharjanam and miracle: >> >> As time passed, Bhattathiri died and Antherjanam was left all alone in >> the world. Since she regularly performed the Ekadasi vrata, she became a >> good devotee of Vishnu.However she was deeply troubled by the fact that she >> was unable to do ekadasi as she could not read panchangam(astrological >> calendar) and that others would humiliate her illiteracy if she were to ask >> them. But she somehow found an ekadasi day and to mark the days, she would >> keep a pebble in a pot each day so as to know when 15 days had passed. But >> many times the actual ekadasi day was either a day earlier or a day later >> than the one she thought due to the change in the appearance of the moon. >> This brought on more humiliation and people began associating all sorts of >> stubborn acts with her name. But one day, to everyone's shock, two >> astrolegers confirmed the day to be ekadasi at Sankaramangalath Illam while >> it was dasami at every other place. Astonished by this incident, people >> understood and accepted the unconditional devotion of Antherjanam and >> started calling her “Sankaramangalathamma” or “Chankrothamma” with >> respect.This lead the whole village to perform Ekadashi vrata on the same >> days Antharjanam did. >> >> Troublesome Thokalasura and Yakshi: >> >> After many years Mallikavanam was attacked by a dreadful Asura called >> Thokalaasuran who looted every one and was fond of eating young human >> flesh. At the same time a yakshi (vampire) also reached western road to the >> village attacking everyone who come by that way. This made many to leave >> the place and outsiders to avoid the place. Being too aged, Antharjanam >> couldn’t go anywhere. But it became very difficult to find a brahmachari >> (Brahmin boy who is under his deeksha after samavartanam) and thus doing >> paarana (final, most important event of ekadasi. Washing feet of >> brahmacharis and serving food to them) also became difficult. One day >> Antharjanam couldn’t find any brahmachari and she cried in front of her >> idol of Vishnu requesting not to break her custom that she had been >> following from many years. By the time a young brahmachari reached there >> and asked food. Antharjanam became glad to see him and asked him to come >> after bath since she needed to complete rituals of Ekadasi. Discarding all >> warnings given by Antharjanam, the young man stepped towards the river >> where Thokalaasuran lived. There happened a big fight between both. Finally >> the golden pole with the brahmachari turned into Sudarshana chakra and he >> killed Thokalasuran and his crew. After this, brahmachari washed his chakra >> in water and installed the Shivalinga worshipped by Thokalaasuran on a hill >> top. Reaching the northern entrance of the village, he conquered and tied >> hands of yakshi. After installing an idol of Durga on the rock with what he >> covered the well in which Yakshi was put, the Brahmachari requested Goddess >> Mahamaya to protect Mallikavanam from all other tree directions. >> >> *Installation of Sudarshana:* >> >> Later the young man with five other brahmacharis reached Sankaramangalath >> illam. Antharjanam completed all rituals and served food to them in areca >> nut leaves as the rakshasa had destroyed all banana plantains. Goddess >> Lakshmi disguised as a housewife entered the scene and served thrippuli (a >> kind of pickle) to the brahmachari. Knowing Thukalasuran had been murdered >> by the brahmachari, people came there to visit him and requested show them >> his Chakra to salute. Brahmachari installed it in human form with eight >> hands facing west on the raised land east to them and advised for its daily >> worship. Sreedevi Antharjanam decided to build a temple there and asked >> Pathillathil Pottimar to be the administrators. The gathered people paid >> their oblations to the Chakra and prostrated in front of it. Then the >> brahmachari removed his uthareeyam (dess covering his chest) showing his >> chest adorned with Sreevatsam and goddess Lakshmi residing there, for >> Antharjanam to be confirmed that he was lord Vishnu only and on showing his >> Viswaroopam, Anthajanam, her servant and servant’s son got salvation by >> merging with Him. This incident happened on 2998 BC and thereafter >> Mallikavanam became famous as Chakrapuram. Fvive brahmachari came along >> with the Lord were sage Durvasa and his desciples. The place where >> Thukalasuran lived is now known as Thukalassery, where he has been killed >> as Konnakkulangara, where brahmachari washed his Chakra as Chakrashaalana >> kadav, where he installed Durga’s idol as Thiru Erankavu and three abodes >> of Mahamaya around the area as Aalumthuruthy, Karunaattukaavu and >> Padappaad. The Sankaramangalath illam is still well preserved outside the >> temple near to its western gate and is considered as the place of origin >> of the temple. Hence any custom followed in the temple starts here only. >> >> *Installation of Sreevallabhan’s idol:* >> >> *Around 3000 years after this incident*, King Cheraman Perumal visited >> the temple and his wife Queen Cherumthevi expressed her wish to build a >> shrine for Vishnu also attached with it rebuilding the whole structure. >> They ordered a Vishnu’s idol from Tamilakam after the temple construction. >> >> One night the Queen had a dream in which Garuda disguised as a Brahmin >> informed >> her about Sreevallabhan’s idol and asked to install it there. With the help >> of Garuda and Tulu Brahmins, Cheraman Perumal brought the idol to >> Chakrapuram for installation. But during installation ceremony, the idol >> didn’t fit to its peetham or seat, the priests felt something supernatural >> and everyone came out near Jalavannthy. Then they heard celestial >> instruments being played and chanting of vedic hymns from inside. As they >> rushed and opened altar door, they saw the idol installed at right place >> with blazing light everywhere and a couple of bananas in an Areca nut palm >> leaf in front of the idol. Two celestial beings came out of the >> sanctum-sanctorum and disappeared on eastern bank of Jalavanthy and they >> were Durvasa and Vedavyasa. >> >> Thereafter Chakrapuram had been renamed as Sreevallabhapuram. The idol >> that King ordered had been installed at Sree Krishna temple, Malayinkeezhu, >> Thiruvananthapuram. Sreevallabha temple had been built by Uliyannoor >> Perumthachan, the architectural legend. The temple wall and Garuda dhwaja >> were completed in a single day in 57 BC by the crew of the Lord. >> Perumthachan had made a panchaloha idol of Garuda which is currently seen >> over Garuda dhwajam. Soon after the installation, Garuda tried to fly and >> perumthachan stopped it by cutting its one wing by throwing his axe. The >> present copper flag is built there where Garuda had fallen during this >> incident. >> >> *Ban for women:* >> >> *After an incident of a woman* getting salvation inside the shrine, >> ladies were more attracted to the temple. A series of inauspicious events >> happened after a lady who had been enchanted by beauty of the handsome idol >> entered the sanctum-sanctorum to marry the Lord and the administrators >> decided to ban women from entering the temple after an astrological >> counseling. But on request, they agreed to allow women twice a year during >> Thiruvathira of Dhanu month and Vishu in Medam when the Lord will be >> dressed up with mud, ashes, torn clothes etc. to look ugly. The ban was >> removed in 1968. >> >> Vilwamangalam and Nammalvar: >> >> One early morning, Vilwamangalam Swamiyar visited the temple while >> Kathakali was being played outside. Swamiyar was astonished for not feeling >> the presence of the Lord inside. As he reached outer aanakkottil, he saw a >> young Brahmin watching kathakali and recognised him as none other than the >> Lord. Suddenly lord Sreevallabhan disappeared into the temple saying >> Swamiyar disturbed him while He was enjoying Kathakali, his favourite. >> Thereafter >> Kathakali became an important offering and is being played regularly in the >> temple.And too, to Nammalvar, Sreevallabhan appeared as Padmanabha >> sleeping in the ocean of milk, Sree Chakrapani, Infant Krishna showing all >> worlds in his mouth and Vamana who asked three feet land to King Mahabali. >> >> >> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- >> >> Vishnu at Sreevallabha Temple is being worshipped his cosmic, original >> and transcendental form Purusha which can be understood from using >> different moola manthra/fundamental hymn for different aspects of Purusha >> contrary to the strict usage of only a single fundamental hymn in all >> temples, sanctum-sanctorum is built in such a way that the top and bottom >> of the deity can’t be seen as Viratpurusha has no origin and end, Peetha >> pooja which is mandatory in all vaidika temples is not done here as Purusha >> is devoid of origin and end, dressing up the deity only with white or >> saffron clothes contrary to popular yellow clothing used for Vishnu temples >> of vaidika sampradaya which suggests the eternity of Purusha and the >> rituals and customs followed in the temple includes all Shaiva, Vaishnava >> and Shakteya worshipping that are now in practise in vaidika sampradaya >> because Purusha being the ultimate and others being only aspects of Purusha. >> >> Generally all kerala temples follow Vaidika School of worship based on >> the book Tantrasamuchayam. But Sreevallabha Temple doesn’t follow >> Tantrasamuchayam and follows its own School called Pancharaathra Vidhaanam. >> No other temples are known to follow it but Thripunithura Sree >> Poornathrayeesa Temple follows a school of worship somewhat similar to that >> of Sreevallabha Temple.It is to be noted that the temple has never changed >> its worship protocols since 59 BC and it is doubtful that any other temple >> follows such an ancient system. >> >> >> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- >> >> The Pancharaathra Vidhaanam: >> >> This should not be confused with Pancharatra Agama of Vaishnavites which >> is completely an Āgama Sampradaya established by 11 AD whereas >> Pancharaathra Vidhanam is completely Vaidika Sampradaya of 4 BC origin.But >> base for both these is the same- five spontaneous aspects of Purusha – >> Param, Vyooham, Vibhavam, Antharyaami and Archa, but these have got >> entirely different explanations in Vedic tradition and Āgama tradition. >> Durvasa Samhitha based on Pancharaathra Vidhaanam by Sage Durvasa explains >> the rituals to be performed. The book Yajanavali, the nutshell of Durvasa >> Samhitha is being followed for worshipping lord Sreevallabhan and >> Ahirbudhnya Samhitha for Sudarshanamoorthy.Considering Srishti, Sthithi and >> Laya as the tejas of five aspects of Purusha, five pooja are performed here >> and the deity is adorned like Brahmachari, Grihastha and Sanyasi in >> different forms during these pooja.These customs are highly orthodox and >> can’t be found anywhere else.The base of every temple is the energy driven >> through Moola mantra/fundamental hymen (of the respective God), which >> should never be changed/misused and strictly used during every pooja. If >> not, it changes the chaitanya or energy of the temple and is believed to >> produce disastrous effects to both temple and the place where it is >> situated, which need to be rectified by expensive and complicated >> penitential procedures. So no temples have multiple moola manthram where as >> Sreevallabha temple uses different moola manthram for different occasions. >> This is just an example to show how unique are the customs followed here >> and from basics, whole things are entirely different. >> >> >> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- >> >> There were five Namboothiri Brahmin families and ten Tulu Brahmin >> families appointed as melsanthi or chief priests along with 180 keezhsanthi >> or sub-ordinate priests. Another 108 brahmacharins were also needed for >> daily paala namaskaaram. Thanthram (power of conducting temple rituals) is >> for three families viz. Thukalasseri Tharayil Kuzhikkattu, Thekkedathu >> Kuzhikkattu and Memena Kuzhikkattu families.Now only two melsanthi are >> there instead of 15. Any kind of pooja performed here should be done after >> doing a token worship or starting it at Sankaramangalath Illam as it is >> considered to be the moola sthaana (place of origin) of Sreevallabha temple. >> >> K RAJARAM IRS 28725 >> >> On Sun, 27 Jul 2025 at 19:57, 'gopala krishnan' via Thatha_Patty < >> [email protected]> wrote: >> >>> SRIVALLABHA TEMPLE –THIRUVALLA- PART 2 >>> >>> CONTINUED FROM PART 1 >>> >>> Worship customs >>> >>> At Sreevallabha Temple, Vishnu is worshipped in his cosmic, original and >>> transcendental form (purusha). In the sanctum sanctorum, the top and bottom >>> of the deity cannot be seen because purusha has no beginning or end. >>> Clothing the deity in white or saffron suggests the eternity of purusha. >>> Sreevallabha Temple follows the unique Pancharaathra Vidhaanam school of >>> worship, which has been unchanged since 59 BC, *DICTATED BY SAGE >>> DURVASA*. >>> >>> Pancharaathra Vidhaanam >>> >>> Pancharaathra Vidhaanam originated in 4 BC. Durvasa Samhitha (based on >>> Pancharaathra Vidhaanam) by the sage Durvasa explains the rituals >>> performed. The book Yajanavali is followed for worshipping Vishnu .Five >>> unique pujas are performed, when the deity is adorned like Brahmachari, >>> Grihastha and Sanyasi in several forms. >>> >>> Pujas >>> >>> Five pujas are performed daily. The deity is awakened and bathed with >>> holy water. This is followed by a naivedyam (offering). The idol is then >>> dressed like a brahmachari in an 18-foot-long white mundu with two flower >>> garlands. >>> >>> After the main offering, the deity is dressed in a saffron-yellow >>> mundu with a garland. >>> >>> At noon, the deity is worshipped as a grihastha (householder). In the >>> fifth (evening) puja, the deity is worshipped as Parabrahma and dressed in >>> a saffron-coloured mundu with a tulasi garland. After the sleeping >>> ceremony, the sanctum sanctorum is closed. >>> >>> Temple customs >>> >>> *Sreevallabha Temple is known for its orthodox customs. Poet and high >>> priest Vishnunarayanan Namboothiri was temporarily removed from his post in >>> 1997 after he crossed the sea to address the Millennium Conference on >>> Integration on Science and Consciousness in Britain, violating temple >>> customs.* >>> >>> The chief priest should be 50 years old and married. Every three years, >>> priests can be changed. *Devotees should never use sacred ash (vibhuti) >>> inside the temple wall.* >>> >>> Ritual walk >>> >>> Four clockwise circumambulations (Parikramas) are advised in the temple: >>> one outside and three inside. *Enter through the east gate, turn left >>> and worship Ganapathy, Shiva and Ayyappan on the southern side.* After >>> circumambulating the sacred-fig and mango trees, proceed to >>> Sankaramangalath Illam outside the western gate. Return to the temple and >>> take the northern circumambulation path. Salute Kali at the northern gate. >>> Visit Jalavanthy and salute Vedavyasa and Durvasa on its east bank. Turn >>> *right >>> and worship Garuda before entering the temple. In the sanctum, worship >>> Sreevallabha, Lakshmi, Bhudevi, Varaha and Dakshinamurthy through the >>> eastern door and Sudarshana Chakra through the western door.* >>> >>> Festivals >>> >>> The temple observes two major festivals. One, for ten days, is >>> celebrated in the month of kumbham in the Malayalam calendar >>> (February–March). Uthra Sreebali, the temple's largest festival, is >>> celebrated in the Malayalam month of minam (March–April). It is the >>> festival of three goddesses. Before their holy bath on the eighth day, the >>> goddesses proceed to Sreevallabha Temple. Ashtapadi hymns are played, >>> followed by dancing among lamps. >>> >>> Other festival observed is Vishu . >>> >>> Temple timings >>> >>> The temple opens from 4 a.m. to noon and 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Timings of >>> major events are as follows. At 4 a.m. the deity is awakened. The deity is >>> viewed at 4:30, and bathed at 5:00 a.m.] The first puja is at 6:30, and the >>> first outside procession (sreebali) is at 8:00.] The second puja is at >>> 9:00, followed by a third at 10:45 a.m. Another procession is at 11:30, >>> before the temple closes at noon. >>> >>> It reopens at 5:00 p.m. There is a fourth puja at 7:00, and a fifth at >>> 7:30. The third and final procession is at 8:00, before the temple closes. >>> >>> Offerings >>> >>> The four main daily offerings are Paala Namaskaaram, Kathakali, >>> Pantheerayiram and the Kesadipaadam garland. The popular Paala Namaskaaram, >>> part of the third puja, is the *serving of food to the deity and the >>> Brahmins in areca nut palm leaves*. Kathakali is performed each >>> evening. Pantheerayiram is the offering of 12,001 bananas in a special >>> ritual, usually made at the Pantheeradi (second) puja. The Kesaadipaadam >>> garland is a flower garland, measuring about 15 feet, which adorns the >>> deity during the third and fourth pujas. Other offerings are made during >>> specific pujas. >>> >>> Sudarsana chakra >>> >>> The Thiruvalla inscriptions say the temple for Sudarshana Chakra was >>> built in 2998 BC. The temple for Sudarshana Chakra was built by Sreedevi >>> Antherjanam of Sankramangalathu Illam and it was elaborately rebuilt by >>> Queen Cherumthevi in 59 BC. >>> >>> Temple flourishing >>> >>> Sreevallabha temple flourished to a major spiritual and educational >>> centre by AD 1100. The temple had governed a Vedic school (thiruvalla sala) >>> with around 1500 students and 150 teachers. Veda, Vedanta, Tarka, Mimamsa, >>> Jyotisha, Ayurveda, and Kalaripayattu were taught there. >>> >>> The temple also owned an Ayurveda hospital with facilities to admit >>> and treat 100 patients at a time. The first ever prose work in Malayalam is >>> the Thiruvalla inscriptions dated to the first half of the 12th century AD, >>> which was obtained from the temple during 1915. >>> >>> The Unnuneeli Sandesam of the 13th century AD highlighted the grandeur, >>> beauty, serenity, fame and status of the temple during its time. Other >>> works that glorified the temple are Sreevallabha Ksethra Mahathmyam of the >>> 10th century AD, Sreevallabha Charitham kavyam, Thukalasura Vadham >>> Kathakali, Sreevallabha Charitham Kathakali, Sreevallabha Vijayam >>> Kathakali, Sreevallabha Suprabhatham, Sreevallabha Karnamritha Sthothram, >>> Yajanavali Sangrham etc. >>> >>> >>> >>> From the date built, the temple was under control of Thiruvalla >>> Pattillathil Pottimar (Brahmins of ten families) till 1752-1753. >>> Sreevallabha Temple emerged out as a major spiritual destination for >>> devotees all over India centuries before. It had 15 major priests >>> (melsanthi) and 180 sub-ordinate priests (keezhsanthis) all the time and >>> another 108 for only daily noon pooja. Temple provided staying and food >>> facilities for all visitors, students, teachers etc. and also used to >>> conduct annadanam (serving food to the poor) daily. Naivedyam of Lord >>> Sreevallabhan for a single time used to be made from 45 para (one para can >>> feed approximately 100 persons) rice. In all these years, temple >>> acquired enormous amount of wealth, so much, that it even used to serve >>> food in golden banana leaves and throw them considering as the leavings. It >>> also had thousands of acres of land too which are lost now. >>> >>> During 1752-1753 Marthanda Varma of Travancore captured the temple from >>> Pathillathil Pottimar, and it is believed that Ramayyan Dalawa looted >>> whole temple assets to Thiruvananthapuram. >>> >>> *Up to 1968, ladies and elephants were not allowed in the temple*. The >>> temple used to be opened for ladies only during Thiruvathira of dhanu month >>> and Vishu of medam till then. *Anyhow now this custom is not in >>> practise. These facts clearly say that how popular and wealthy the temple >>> was in those days.* >>> >>> *Legends have their own space in relation with the history of a temple, >>> but they should never be mixed up. While going through the legends related >>> to Sreevallabha temple it is clear that even though Sreevallabhan’s idol is >>> older, it was the temple for Sudarshana built first.* >>> >>> How To Reach >>> >>> By Bus-Thiruvalla Market Bus Station, about 600 m away >>> >>> By Train-Thiruvalla Railway Station, about 3 km >>> >>> Administration >>> >>> The temple, administered by the Travancore Devaswom Board, is a major >>> temple in the Thiruvalla group. >>> >>> Address: >>> >>> Sree Vallabha Temple, Road, Kizhakummuri, Thiruvalla, Kerala 689102 >>> >>> >>> >>> -- >>> 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/440277951.2354749.1753626436909%40mail.yahoo.com >>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/440277951.2354749.1753626436909%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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