NELLUVAISREE DHANWANTHARI TEMPLE, THRISSUR DISTRICT, KERALA-COMPILED. Dear friends,
Nelluvai Sree Dhanwanthari Temple, nestled in the peacefulvillage of Nelluvai in Thrissur, Kerala, stands as a timeless sanctuary ofhealth, divinity, and spiritual healing. Dedicated to Lord Dhanwanthari, the celestial healer andincarnation of Lord Vishnu, the temple is believed to be over 5,000 years old,rooted in legends from the Paalaazhi Madhanam. In a divine turn ofevents, the Ashwini Devatas are said to have bestowed the presentidol—worshipped by Vasudeva himself—during a village procession, affirming thesacredness of the temple. This miraculous idol now graces the sanctumsanctorum, while the originally sculpted one rests in a shrine nearby,symbolizing the temple’s layered spiritual history. My posting today is aboutthis temple. Hope a divine reading. Gopalakrishnan 1-8-2025 introduction toNelluvai Sree Dhanwanthari Temple The Nelluvai Sree Dhanwanthari Temple is a renowned Hindutemple in Kerala, India, dedicated to Lord Dhanwanthari, the god of Ayurvedaand healing. Located in the Nelluvai village of Thrissur district, the templeis considered an ancient and sacred place for devotees seeking well-being andgood health. It is believed that the temple's idol was installed by the AshwiniDevas and worshipped by Vasudeva in the Dwapara Yuga, suggesting a history ofmore than 5,000 years. The temple's deity is Lord Dhanwanthari, the divinephysician and God of healing. The temple is famous for its Oushada Prasada, aprasada with Ayurvedic medicinal values, offered to devotees. The temple drawsdevotees from various parts of the country seeking blessings for good healthand relief from ailments. Legend The idol that is worshipped in Nelluvai Temple is of God“Dhanvanthari”. God Dhanvanthari who came out during Paalaazhi Madhanam stayshere in this temple with a view to protect the world from all dangers andill-doings. There is a story behind the Dhanvanthari Idol and Cheruthevar: Sri. K.M. Shankara Iyer, in his book Nelluvai Shathakam hasnarrated this story in detail. Long back, as the existing idol in NelluvaiTemple got damaged, it was decided to make a new idol, and accordingly, theidol work was carried out from a suitable stone on a small hill at a placecalled Muringaththeri. After finishing the work of this idol, a procession wasarranged involving all the devotees in the village with all the traditionalpoojas and they were proceeding to the temple where the idol was supposed to beinstalled. During their passage to the temple, the Ashwini Devatas at once came infront of the procession and they handed over an idol which is believed to beoffered pooja by Vasudevar, and informed the people that this idol should befixed in the temple, and the Ashwini Devatas got disappeared fromthe site. Accordingly, the priests installed that idol in the Sanctum Sanctorum of NelluvaiTemple. The Vaishnava idol which was carved out in the MuringaththeriHill was fixed in a newly arranged small temple in a nearby village called Cheruthevar Parambu.Later on, a small temple was constructed in the Nelluvai Temple itself justbeside the main Sanctum Sanctorum and this Vaishnava Idol was re-fixed in thisnew place. The idol that is fixed in the main Sanctum Sanctorumhas a very long history. Temple Architectureand Layout The Dhanvanthari Moorthi faces west. There are Gopuras on thewestern and eastern entrances of the temple, and the temple is well protectedby boundary walls. Entering through the western Gopura, one finds Nadappura,Balikkalpura, and a large Oottupura to the north. In the northwest cornerstands the Paththaayappura. The temple also features a rock-pavedPradakshinavazhi. In the east-south corner within the compound wall is theSanctum Sanctorum of Cheruthevar (Vishnu). Inside, there is an idol of Varaha Moorthi, a stage madeof rock, and a Vilakkumaadam within the Chuttambalam, which has a stone-pavedcourtyard. A Kokkarani (sacred well) is located in the northeast corner,accessible via a descending pavement. Despite the lack of sunlight, its wateris pure and health-giving. Sanctum Sanctorum and Deities In the southwest corner of the compound, there are idols of Lord Ayyappa, Ganapathi, and Shiva,all facing east. Additionally, there is a Vishnu idol and a sacred Salagrama. Withinthe Mandapam with a copper-sheeted roof resides the ever-glowing deity, Lord Dhanvanthari. He holds theAmruthakalasham, Jalookam, Chakra, and Gadha, and blesses devotees with healthand well-being. Elders believe that bathing in the northern pond and thenseeing the deity grants mental purity and physical health, as this pondconnects with the Kokkarani. A pathway encircles the inner boundary, where manytemple-residing creatures find shelter. The eastern entrance opens to a wideroad, while the western side is bordered by green paddy fields. Poojas Temple opens05:00 am Ushapoojam06:00 am Pandeeradi Pooja08:00 am Uchapooja10:30 am Temple closed between11:00 am to 5:00 pm Temple opens for eveningpoojas05:00 pm Deeparadhana 06:00 pm Athazha Pooja 07:30 pm Temple closes 08:00 pm Festivals, Rituals andCelebrations In the past, from Thulam 1st to Thulam 12 every year, a Thevar Seva was carried outin the temple. Kuttanjeri Moos was supposed to be its originator. During thisperiod, Navagam andPanchagavyam were offered as Nivedyam and a grand feast was served withthe involvement of the whole people from the society. The NiramalaVazhipadu was first started in Kollavarsham 1098 in Nelluvai Temple.Sri. Kuttancheri Moos was the then President of the Niramala Committee and heworked very hard to carry out this special pooja. During those days,Malavilakku, Nadasvaram, Ezhunnellippu, Thayampaka and Panchavadyam were theimportant things that took place in the Niramala Vazhipadu. The Niramala got resumed in the year 1962 under theleadership of a committee headed by Messrs. Nelluvai K.N. Nambeesan, N.S.Ganapathi Iyer with the full cooperation of the general public. Healing Beliefs andSpiritual Significance in Ayurveda The Dhanvanthari Moorthi that is worshipped in the NelluvaiTemple is supposed to be the God of Physicians (Ayurveda). It is believed that they will be provided with good and favourabletreatment results to their patients if they devote completely to theDhanvanthari Moorthi with full Bhakthi and commitment. The famous and notable physicians who performed Bhajans tothe Dhanvanthari Moorthi include Kuttancheri Moos, Vaidyarathnam P.S. Warrier,Aryavaidyan P.V. Rama Warrier, etc., and they excelled in their profession toowith the help of the Deity. Even now , the Ayurvedic Physicians, before stepping intotheir profession, perform Bhajans in the temple and reading Ashtamgahridaya,which is the basic and prime book of Ayurveda.It is highly believed that thisoffering will give them more knowledge and help in getting more success intheir profession. The well-knowledgeable and all-famous poet Melpathur Bhattathiri offeredBhajans to Lord Guruvayoorappaand wrote the famous poem Narayaneeyam and got relieved from rheumatoidarthritis. Similarly, it is said that the famous Astrologist andPoet Vidvan Machatt Ilayath who performed Bhajans before the DhanvanthariMoorthi in Nelluvai Temple and wrote the poetry Sthrothra Panchashika gotcomplete relief from his skin disease. The poem Sthrothra Panchashika was offered to the God on the1st of Malayalam month Kumbham. This day is being celebrated as the SthrothraPanchashika Day every year. The Dhanvanthari Asthothara Namajapa and SthrothraPanchashika Parayana are believed to be worthwhile to the children and eldersalike for their better prosperity and to increase their wisdom and for removingall their physical and mental illnesses. Temple Renovation andAdministrative Changes The Temple Renovation Committee (Khethroddharana Samithi) wasformed on January 10, 1971. Under this Committee’s supervision and control, therequired fund had been raised and got the damages of the temple set right. When the Temple Authorities found it difficult to carry outthe normal activities of the temple, they approached the Kochi Devaswom Board Authorities with a request totake over the temple. Consequently, The Kochi Devaswom Board took overthe temple administration and appointed a Temple Trust, to carry out theroutine activities of the Temple. Administration Thereafter, the Kochi Devaswom Board directly took over thetemple administration since 1st May 1979. Location and CulturalHarmony of Nelluvai Village The famous and sacred Nelluvai Dhanvanthari Temple issituated in the Nelluvai Village in Erumappetti Panchayat under ThalappillyTaluk of Thrissur District. The people from different castes,creeds, and religions live in this village with complete harmony andcooperation. It is believed that all types of diseases can be cured byworshipping Lord Dhanwanthari. A large number of devotees visit the temple withthis belief. Spiritual Ambiance andTemple Grounds The vast and ever-green paddy field in the western side ofthe temple perfectly resembles the name “Nelluvai”. The small river that comesfrom the Machchattumala in the southern part flows calmly with the murmurs ofSthrothraganajapa. Onthe banks of the river, there stands Anappaara, believed to have resulted fromthe curse of a God to an elephant. At the western entrance of the temple, two Banyan Trees standlike they are offering namajapa to the Dhanvanthari Moorthi. Visitors can alsosee two large ponds on either side. Attached to the pond on the northern sideis a Kulappura Maalika. A temple road from the Vadakkanchery-Kunnamkulam main roadleads directly to the temple’s main entrance beside the northern pond. Spiritual Link withGuruvayur Temple It is believed that the Nelluvai and Guruvayur temples arespiritually connected—known respectively as Vayupuram and Guruvayupuram. Bothtemples are dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Pooja at Guruvayur is believed to have been performed byNandagopar, while at Nelluvai, it was done by Vasudevar. Lord Guruvayurappa faceseast, whereas Nelluvai Thevar faces west. Guruvayur is associated with relief from rheumatism, andNelluvai with healing of eye ailments through deep devotion. Legacy of Rituals and TempleManagement The daily pooja at Nelluvai Temple has been conducted by theAnnalloor Nampoothiri family for the past 60 years. The temple’s lands yield anannual income of 3000 para of rice as paattam. Lord Dhanvanthari is also the Paradevatha (family deity) ofall Ayurvedic physicians, especially the Ashtavaidyas. Before startingtheir medical practice, families like the Kuttancheri Moos perform year-longbhajans to the deity and offer Vazhipadu seeking divine blessings for healing. Offerings The most significant offering to Lord Dhanvanthari isMukkudi, a medicinal preparation with Ayurvedic value. After it is offered asNivedya during the morning pooja, it is distributed as prasadam. Consuming it with full devotion isbelieved to cure digestive and gastric disorders. Important Festivals Swargavathil Ekadashi is special here. Panchavadyam andDhanwanthari Sangeetolsavam also famous events here. Large number of devoteesgather here for this events. This happens during the Malayalam month of Dhanu. Mukkudi Nivedyam is given todevotees, which is a medicine specially prepared. Vennachartal (applyingghee on idol) andPalpayasam are the main offerings of the temple Archna/Pushpanjali, Attayum kuzhambum, Neyvilaku,Aalrupam(Velliavayavam), Maala, Trkaivenna, Palpayasam, Ganapathihomam, Mukkudinivedyam, Mrthyunjayahomam, Dhanwantharihomam, Bhrahmarakshassu pooja,Dhanwantharipooja(1 daypooja), Malapooja, 1 kudam palpayasam, Bajanam,Udhayasthamana pooja, Vellanevedhyam, Vennacharthu(2015), Chandanamcharthu, Niramala,Appam, Chuttuvelaku valuthu, Ottayappam, Dhanwanthari anna, Bhagyasukthapushpanjali,Thiruvona uuttu(Full), Ennayattam, Thiruvona uuttu (One), Vishnusahasranamarchana,Ashttadrvyaganapathihomam etc are other offerings. Dhanvantari Hospital. What makes it trulyexceptional is the temple-run Ayurvedic hospital, which has become a lifelinefor the local community. Cochin Devaswom board Dhanwanthari Ayurveda hospitalstarted on November 1st2006 in kulappuramalika of temple as an ayurvedic dispensary service onall days. The first phase of dhanwanthari Ayurveda research centre was inaugurated on 28th December2013 and its build by Kanchi Kama Kodi Jayendra Saraswathy Swami. The Nelluvai Temple Dispensary has long offered affordableAyurvedic care under the guidance of certified Ayurvedic physicians and isheaded by Doctor Arun Kaimal. Recently, it underwent a remarkable renovationfunded by a devotee, transformingit into a state-of-the-art healthcare facility. The upgradedhospital now includes modern diagnostic equipment, improved patient wards,consultation rooms, and therapy units — all designed to function within theAyurvedic framework. Skilled practitioners offer personalized treatments based onclassical Ayurvedic methods. Emphasis is placed on identifying the root causeof illness and restoring the body’s natural balance. The dispensary is particularly popular among people seekingnon-invasive, natural remedies for joint pain, skin diseases, gastrointestinalproblems, and lifestyle disorders. Every Thursday, the templehosts a free Ayurvedic medical camp, drawing patients from nearby towns andvillages. Thesecamps provide expert consultations, medicines and health awareness sessions.Over time, this initiative has become a dependable and respected communityservice, blending traditional healing with compassionate care. Conclusion In an age where modern medicine often treats symptoms morethan the soul, the Nelluvai Dhanvanthari Temple and its revitalized hospitaloffer a rare, holistic alternative. By integrating modern infrastructure withthe timeless wisdom of Ayurveda, this temple has become more than a place ofworship—it is a healing sanctuary for the body, mind, and spirit. A symbol oftradition evolving with time, Nelluvai continues to uphold the sacred promiseof Lord Dhanvanthari: to heal, to serve, and to uplift humanity. Send Email Address of the temple Nelluvai Dhanwanthari Temple, Nelluvai (P.O), Erumapetty(Via), Thrissur - 680584 admin@nelluvaidhanwanthari temple.org Phone Number04885-264269 -- 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/162029998.583111.1754050352661%40mail.yahoo.com.
