The temples written here by Mr Gopalakrishnan are repetitive after a year including this one. *The main deity is Adi Dhanvanthri, and this is the only temple in Kerala where it is so*. It is declared that this temple is more than 1000 years ancient. The legend is that several years ago three Namboodiri families living in the hills of Malayatoor were closely related to this temple. These families have Shiva, Bhagavathy and Vishnu as their family deities. In those days Shankaracharya happened to visit these Namboodiri families. He was not offered food or alms. This made him unhappy and so there was a curse on these families. The family was ruined and so they left the place and traveled to a place called 'Kodanad'. When they felt hungry, they prepared food in three different pots. They used bamboo as firewood for cooking. Two of them lit the bamboo turning upwards and one turned it downwards. The two Brahmins who had lighted the bamboo by keeping it upwards were able to cook the food very quickly and they continued their journey. All the places through which they travelled became their own. The other Brahmin was unable to cook the food soon because he had lighted the bamboo turning it downwards. Since he was late, he started his journey slowly therefore he did not get any property. Feeling very unhappy he reached the place where at present the temple is situated. Keeping his umbrella (Olakuda) on the ground he began preparing 'Nivedyam' for the evening Pooja. After having food, feeling mentally upset, he went to sleep and the Namboodiri heard the Divine voice of Lord Dhanwanthari telling him not to worry and that he will be able to manage with His Devotees. The place where the Namboodiri had kept his palm leaf umbrella came to be known as 'Kudappadom'. K Rajaram IRS 1825
On Fri, 1 Aug 2025 at 17:42, 'gopala krishnan' via Thatha_Patty < [email protected]> wrote: > NELLUVAI SREE DHANWANTHARI TEMPLE, THRISSUR DISTRICT, KERALA-COMPILED. > > Dear friends, > > Nelluvai Sree Dhanwanthari Temple, nestled in the peaceful village of > Nelluvai in Thrissur, Kerala, stands as a timeless sanctuary of health, > divinity, and spiritual healing. *Dedicated to Lord Dhanwanthari, the > celestial healer and incarnation 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 of events, the Ashwini Devatas are said to have bestowed > the present idol—worshipped by Vasudeva himself—during a village > procession, affirming the sacredness of the temple. This miraculous idol > now graces the sanctum sanctorum, while the originally sculpted one rests > in a shrine nearby, symbolizing the temple’s layered spiritual history. My > posting today is about this temple. > > Hope a divine reading. > > Gopalakrishnan 1-8-2025 > > introduction to Nelluvai Sree Dhanwanthari Temple > > The Nelluvai Sree Dhanwanthari Temple is a renowned Hindu temple in > Kerala, India, dedicated to Lord Dhanwanthari, the god of Ayurveda and > healing. Located in the Nelluvai village of Thrissur district, the temple > is considered an ancient and sacred place for devotees seeking well-being > and good health. It is believed that the temple's idol was installed by the > Ashwini Devas and worshipped by Vasudeva in the Dwapara Yuga, suggesting a > history of more than 5,000 years. The temple's deity is Lord Dhanwanthari, > the divine physician and God of healing. The temple is famous for its > Oushada Prasada, a prasada with Ayurvedic medicinal values, offered to > devotees. The temple draws devotees from various parts of the country > seeking blessings for good health and relief from ailments. > > Legend > > The idol that is worshipped in Nelluvai Temple is of God “Dhanvanthari”. > God Dhanvanthari who came out during Paalaazhi Madhanam stays here in this > temple with a view to protect the world from all dangers and ill-doings. > There is a story behind the Dhanvanthari Idol and Cheruthevar: > > Sri. K.M. Shankara Iyer, in his book Nelluvai Shathakam has narrated this > story in detail. Long back, as the existing idol in Nelluvai Temple got > damaged, it was decided to make a new idol, and accordingly, the idol work > was carried out from a suitable stone on a small hill at a place called > Muringaththeri. After finishing the work of this idol, a procession was > arranged involving all the devotees in the village with all the traditional > poojas and they were proceeding to the temple where the idol was supposed > to be installed. > > During their passage to the temple, the *Ashwini Devatas at once came in > front of the procession and they handed over an idol which is believed to > be offered pooja by Vasudevar, and informed the people that this idol > should be fixed in the temple,* and the Ashwini Devatas got disappeared > from the site. Accordingly, the priests installed that idol in the > Sanctum Sanctorum of Nelluvai Temple. > > The Vaishnava idol which was carved out in the Muringaththeri Hill 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 just beside the main Sanctum Sanctorum and this Vaishnava Idol was > re-fixed in this new place. The idol that is fixed in the main Sanctum > Sanctorum has a very long history. > > Temple Architecture and Layout > > The Dhanvanthari Moorthi faces west. There are Gopuras on the western and > eastern entrances of the temple, and the temple is well protected by > boundary walls. Entering through the western Gopura, one finds Nadappura, > Balikkalpura, and a large Oottupura to the north. In the northwest corner > stands the Paththaayappura. The temple also features a rock-paved > Pradakshinavazhi. In the east-south corner within the compound wall is the > Sanctum Sanctorum of Cheruthevar (Vishnu). Inside, there is an idol of Varaha > Moorthi, a stage made of rock, and a Vilakkumaadam within the > Chuttambalam, which has a stone-paved courtyard. A Kokkarani (sacred well) > is located in the northeast corner, accessible via a descending pavement. > Despite the lack of sunlight, its water is 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.* Within the Mandapam with a copper-sheeted > roof resides the *ever-glowing deity, Lord Dhanvanthari. He holds the > Amruthakalasham, Jalookam, Chakra, and Gadha, and blesses devotees with > health and well-being. * > > Elders believe that bathing in the northern pond and then seeing the deity > grants mental purity and physical health, as this pond connects with the > Kokkarani. A pathway encircles the inner boundary, where many > temple-residing creatures find shelter. The eastern entrance opens to a > wide road, 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 evening poojas05:00 pm* > > Deeparadhana 06:00 pm Athazha Pooja 07:30 pm > > *Temple closes 08:00 pm* > > Festivals, Rituals and Celebrations > > In the past, from Thulam 1st to Thulam 12 every year, a Thevar Seva was > carried out in the temple. Kuttanjeri Moos was supposed to be its > originator. During this period, Navagam and Panchagavyam were offered as > Nivedyam and a grand feast was served with the involvement of the whole > people from the society. > > The Niramala Vazhipadu was first started in Kollavarsham 1098 in Nelluvai > Temple. Sri. Kuttancheri Moos was the then President of the Niramala > Committee and he worked very hard to carry out this special pooja. > > During those days, Malavilakku, Nadasvaram, Ezhunnellippu, Thayampaka and > Panchavadyam were the important things that took place in the Niramala > Vazhipadu. > > The Niramala got resumed in the year 1962 under the leadership of a > committee headed by Messrs. Nelluvai K.N. Nambeesan, N.S. Ganapathi Iyer > with the full cooperation of the general public. > > Healing Beliefs and Spiritual Significance in Ayurveda > > The Dhanvanthari Moorthi that is worshipped in the Nelluvai Temple is > supposed to be the God of Physicians (Ayurveda). *It is believed that > they will be provided with good and favourable treatment results to their > patients if they devote completely to the Dhanvanthari Moorthi with full > Bhakthi and commitment.* > > The famous and notable physicians who performed Bhajans to the > Dhanvanthari Moorthi include Kuttancheri Moos, Vaidyarathnam P.S. Warrier, > Aryavaidyan P.V. Rama Warrier, etc., and they excelled in their profession > too with the help of the Deity. > > Even now , the Ayurvedic Physicians, before stepping into their > profession, perform Bhajans in the temple and reading Ashtamgahridaya, > which is the basic and prime book of Ayurveda.It is highly believed that > this offering will give them more knowledge and help in getting more > success in their profession. The well-knowledgeable and all-famous poet > Melpathur > Bhattathiri offered Bhajans to Lord Guruvayoorappa and wrote the famous > poem Narayaneeyam and got relieved from rheumatoid arthritis. Similarly, it > is said that the famous Astrologist and Poet Vidvan Machatt Ilayath who > performed Bhajans before the Dhanvanthari Moorthi in Nelluvai Temple and > wrote the poetry Sthrothra Panchashika got complete relief from his skin > disease. > > The poem Sthrothra Panchashika was offered to the God on the 1st of > Malayalam month Kumbham. This day is being celebrated as the Sthrothra > Panchashika Day every year. The Dhanvanthari Asthothara Namajapa and > Sthrothra Panchashika Parayana are believed to be worthwhile to the > children and elders alike for their better prosperity and to increase their > wisdom and for removing all their physical and mental illnesses. > > Temple Renovation and Administrative Changes > > The Temple Renovation Committee (Khethroddharana Samithi) was formed on > January 10, 1971. Under this Committee’s supervision and control, the > required fund had been raised and got the damages of the temple set right. > > When the Temple Authorities found it difficult to carry out the normal > activities of the temple, they approached the Kochi Devaswom Board > Authorities with a request to take over the temple. Consequently, The > Kochi Devaswom Board took over the temple administration and appointed a > Temple Trust, to carry out the routine activities of the Temple. > > Administration > > Thereafter, the Kochi Devaswom Board directly took over the temple > administration since 1st May 1979. > > Location and Cultural Harmony of Nelluvai Village > > The famous and sacred Nelluvai Dhanvanthari Temple is situated in the > Nelluvai Village in Erumappetti Panchayat under Thalappilly Taluk of > Thrissur District. The people from different castes, creeds, and > religions live in this village with complete harmony and cooperation. It > is believed that all types of diseases can be cured by worshipping Lord > Dhanwanthari. A large number of devotees visit the temple with this belief. > > Spiritual Ambiance and Temple Grounds > > The vast and ever-green paddy field in the western side of the temple > perfectly resembles the name “Nelluvai”. The small river that comes from > the Machchattumala in the southern part flows calmly with the murmurs of > Sthrothraganajapa. *On the banks of the river, there stands Anappaara, > believed to have resulted from the curse of a God to an elephant. * > > At the western entrance of the temple, two Banyan Trees stand like they > are offering namajapa to the Dhanvanthari Moorthi. Visitors can also see > two large ponds on either side. Attached to the pond on the northern side > is a Kulappura Maalika. > > A temple road from the Vadakkanchery-Kunnamkulam main road leads directly > to the temple’s main entrance beside the northern pond. > > Spiritual Link with Guruvayur Temple > > It is believed that the Nelluvai and Guruvayur temples are spiritually > connected—known respectively as Vayupuram and Guruvayupuram. Both temples > are dedicated to Lord Vishnu. *Pooja at Guruvayur is believed to have > been performed by Nandagopar, while at Nelluvai, it was done by Vasudevar*. > > > Lord Guruvayurappa faces east, whereas Nelluvai Thevar faces west. > Guruvayur is associated with relief from rheumatism, and Nelluvai with > healing of eye ailments through deep devotion. > > Legacy of Rituals and Temple Management > > The daily pooja at Nelluvai Temple has been conducted by the Annalloor > Nampoothiri family for the past 60 years. The temple’s lands yield an > annual income of 3000 para of rice as paattam. Lord Dhanvanthari is also > the Paradevatha (family deity) of all Ayurvedic physicians, especially the > Ashtavaidyas. Before starting their medical practice, families like the > Kuttancheri Moos perform year-long bhajans to the deity and offer Vazhipadu > seeking divine blessings for healing. > > Offerings > > The most significant offering to Lord Dhanvanthari is Mukkudi, a medicinal > preparation with Ayurvedic value. After it is offered as Nivedya during the > morning pooja, it is distributed as prasadam. *Consuming it with full > devotion is believed to cure digestive and gastric disorders.* > > Important Festivals > > Swargavathil Ekadashi is special here. Panchavadyam and Dhanwanthari > Sangeetolsavam also famous events here. Large number of devotees gather > here for this events. This happens during the Malayalam month of Dhanu. > Mukkudi > Nivedyam is given to devotees, which is a medicine specially prepared. > > Vennachartal (applying ghee on idol) and Palpayasam are the main > offerings of the temple > > Archna/Pushpanjali, Attayum kuzhambum, Neyvilaku, Aalrupam(Velliavayavam), > Maala, Trkaivenna, Palpayasam, Ganapathihomam, Mukkudi nivedyam, > 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 truly exceptional is the temple-run Ayurvedic hospital, > which has become a lifeline for the local community. Cochin Devaswom board > Dhanwanthari Ayurveda hospital started on November 1st 2006 in > kulappuramalika of temple as an ayurvedic dispensary service on all days. > The first phase of dhanwanthari Ayurveda research centre was inaugurated > on 28th December 2013 and its build by Kanchi Kama Kodi Jayendra > Saraswathy Swami. > > The Nelluvai Temple Dispensary has long offered affordable Ayurvedic care > under the guidance of certified Ayurvedic physicians and is headed by > Doctor Arun Kaimal. Recently, it underwent a remarkable renovation funded > by a devotee, *transforming it into a state-of-the-art healthcare > facility.* The upgraded hospital now includes modern diagnostic > equipment, improved patient wards, consultation rooms, and therapy units — > all designed to function within the Ayurvedic framework. > > Skilled practitioners offer personalized treatments based on classical > Ayurvedic methods. Emphasis is placed on identifying the root cause of > illness and restoring the body’s natural balance. > > The dispensary is particularly popular among people seeking non-invasive, > natural remedies for joint pain, skin diseases, gastrointestinal problems, > and lifestyle disorders. > > *Every Thursday, the temple hosts a free Ayurvedic medical camp, drawing > patients from nearby towns and villages.* These camps provide expert > consultations, medicines and health awareness sessions. Over time, this > initiative has become a dependable and respected community service, > blending traditional healing with compassionate care. > > Conclusion > > In an age where modern medicine often treats symptoms more than the soul, > the Nelluvai Dhanvanthari Temple and its revitalized hospital offer a rare, > holistic alternative. By integrating modern infrastructure with the > timeless wisdom of Ayurveda, this temple has become more than a place of > worship—it is a healing sanctuary for the body, mind, and spirit. A symbol > of tradition evolving with time, Nelluvai continues to uphold the sacred > promise of 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 > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/162029998.583111.1754050352661%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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