SREECHANDRASEKHARAPURAM SIVA TEMPLE , MUPPATHADOM, ALUVA , ERNAKULAM DISTRICT-KERALA- COMPILED
Dear friends, Sree Chandrasekharapuram Siva temple is located atMuppathadom, the bank of holy river Periyar, also known as Dakshina Ganga,about 7 kms from the famous city Aluva. Very rarely seen in Kerala, this templehas a Sadasiva Banalingadeity in the dhyana posture facing the west. Thus being a templewith Swayambhoo Bana Lingam from the Himalayas, the abode of Kailasanathan,Sree Chandrasekharapuram Siva temple is known as Dakshina Kailasam among devotees. The temple belonged to the famous Kunnamparambath mana, butas the present generation of owners decided to have involvement of localdevotees in the management and development of the temple, they formed andregistered the “Sree Chandra sekharapuram Siva kshethra Trust” consisting oflocal devotees from all walks of life, irrespective of religion, caste, creed or any otherconsideration. Today my posting is about this temple. Hope a divinereading. Gopalakrishnan 31-08-2025. Origin & History The powerful deity was received for the first time in theMalayalam year 1057 (more than 125 years ago) on the second Monday in the monthof Mesha, by the Pandalam temple priest Kunnamparambath Raman Namboothiri. Onthat auspicious and historical day, he had just finished breakfast with thethen King of Panthalam at the palace. The King and the priest were more thanintimate friends and their discussion touched many topics. The King’s attentionthen fell on the little Siva lingam the priest used to always carry with him. His majesty was inspecting the Siva lingam when an attendeearrived announcing that a Gosai, a travelling trader from North India, waswaiting to see the King. He was permitted to come in and after exchanging greetings, the Gosai took out two Siva lingams fromhis bundle and requested the King to buy one of them. The Kingselected one of the lingams and paid the Gosai. He was just leaving when theKing smilingly looked at the priest who seemed most attracted to the other Sivalingam. Knowing his friend’s desire, the King ordered Gosai to hand over theother lingam to the priest, which he did with utmost joy and reverence. TheGosai also explained to them the special and auspicious nature of these Sivalingams. The Gosai affirmed to the priest that to have such a special lingamwas a good fortune and will bring all prosperities to him and his family. Pandalam Temple The King constructed a sanctum sanctorum for the new Sivalingam near the Vishnu temple at Panthalam. Hundreds of thousands of Sabarimalapilgrims passing by Panthalam every year make it a point to regularly visitthis Siva temple and offer their prayers. My note- This temple close to my native home has beenrenovated in the last year. During by younger days this temple was famous forPradosha Pooja. This temple premises was permitted for cooking allrequirements for the sastha Preethi ofthe Pandalam Brahmana Samooham. Kunnamparambath Raman Namboothiri carried his new possessionback to Muppathadom, his family house of Kunnam Parambath and placed it withthe other small deities used by the family for regular prayers. However, it so happened that the part of the family housewhere the deities were kept, caught fire one day and the deities were transferred to a saferplace. On consulting thefamous astrologer Thalakkulath Bhattathiri, it was revealed that this Baana lingam needs to be placed not in the house, but in a propertemple. The astrologer also confirmed that there was nothing toworry about the gutted mana which will soon be reconstructed in a better shape,and also that a proper temple will take shape for Lord Siva very soon. Accordingly Raman Namboothiri and his elder brother Parameswaran Namboothiri jointlydecided to safe keep the Siva lingam at the nearby Kainikkara temple. So thedeity was shifted to a temporary shed at Kainikkara temple and regularofferings of dhaara, pooja, pushpanjali etc. were made. However, it so happenedthat this temporary shedalso caught fire and the priest rushed in to the fire and saved thelingam. Later for some time it was kept in Thrikkazhikkattu madam until a proper templeis constructed. ChandrasekharapuramTemple After about six months a rich family of Edappally, known asKrishnath Puthanveedu visited the famous astrologer Thalakkulath Bhattathiri,seeking remedy for a family problem. The astrologer explained that the familyshould construct a Siva temple in order to find solutions to their problem; healso informed them of the deity at Muppathadom waiting for such a temple. The rich family immediately visitedKunnamparambath and offered to construct the temple. In no time, aproper temple was constructed and the Siva lingam was installed in it. Afterthat the holy presence of Kailasapathi, Sadasivamoorthy Lord Siva at the templeused to be known as Sri Chandrasekharapurathappan and later the temple as Dakshinakailasam. The ancient temple was reconstructed in the month of May 1970under the leadership of Sri Ambatt Ramakrishnan Nair of Sri Chinmaya Mission.The temple trust manages the temple activities now and devotees from all walksof life visit the temple regularly and offer their prayers. 2010 onwards, the annual festival of the temple is beingstarted on the thiruvaathira star of Dhanu. Chief deity SadasivaBana lingam The SadaSiva Bana lingams are believed to be Swayambhoo(spontaneously formed) deities. The holy river Chipra in Nepal originates fromthe supreme abode of Lord Siva, the Himalayas. These Sivalingams are formed in river Chipra and the famous devotee of Siva, Banaasura(or the demon Bana) had used such a lingam for his rituals, hence these lingamscame to be known as Bana lingams. They are very special and hold the endless power of Lord Sivain them, by virtue of their natural, spontaneous formation. Worshipping onebana-linga gets the benefits that can be procured by worshipping a crore ofother lingas. Many believethat offering prayers to such Banalingams attract immediate and full blessingsof the Lord, who fulfils all their wishes without fail and delay.Thus being a temple with Swayambhoo Bana Lingam from the Himalayas(Kailasanathan’s base) Sree Chandrasekharapuram Siva temple is known asDakshina kailasam among devotees. Upadevathas Bhuvaneswari-The Bhagawathy of this temple is Durga Devi withsankh and varam on the right hand and chakram and abhayam on the left hand. Thedeity is seated facing the west. Bhuvanam means Universe and Easwari is Ruler.Goddess Bhuvaneswari is the Universal Mother and Ruler of the Universe. The popular form ofworship of Goddess Durga is that of lighting the Lamp of lime on Tuesdays andFridays during Rahu kaalam. Thekind-hearted mother will bless her devotees with happiness and prosperity. Kumkumam Aadal, Pattu Charthal and Archana are the mainofferings to the Bhagawathy. Bhagawathy seva is done for obtaining theBlessings of Devi for removal of obstacles, gaining success and prosperity. Ayyappa Sastha or Ayyappa is believed to be the son of LordShiva and Lord Vishnu. The deity is positioned on the north eastern side facingthe west and here the lord is believed to be Vana Sastha on his pulivahanam. During the Mandala season the Ayyappa devotees arrive at thetemple for wearing the ceremonial Mala (malayidal) and Kettu-nira. Neeranjanam, Elluthiri, Archana,Ney-vilakku, Ney-payasam and Ellu-payasam are the main offerings to Ayappa. Lord Ayyappa is the presiding deity of Sani Graha. Worshiping loadAyyappa is believed to be the best practice for removing sanidosha and attainpeace and prosperity. Nagaraja andNagayakshi Puranas recite that Kerala which was the abode ofNagadevathas was granted to Parashurama by the Naga Devathas who in turn gaveit to brahmins who were persecuted in other lands. For this reason Nagaraja andNaga devathas are placed at a special position in all temples in Kerala.Nagaraja is King of Snakes and Nagayakshi is the divine consort of LordNagaraja. Manjalppodi Aadal, Neerum Paalum, Pattu Charthal,Paalabhishekam, and Palppayasam are the offerings to Nagaraja and Nagayakshi. Pooja Schedule Morning Temple opens : 5.00 am Nirmalyam : 5.10 am Abhishekam : 6.00 am Ganapathihomam : 7.00 am Mrithyunjayahomam : 7.15 am Dhara/ Ksheeradhara : 8.00 am Nivedyam : 8.30 am Prasannapooja : 9.00 am Temple closes : 9.30 am Evening Temple opens : 6.00 pm Nivedyam : 7.00 pm Temple closes : 7.30 pm Main Offerings Om Tryambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushti - vardhanam / Urva - rukamiva Bandhanath Mrtyor - muksheeya Ma - amritat // We worship TheThree-Eyed Lord Shiva who is naturally fragrant, immensely merciful and who isthe Protector of the devotees. Worshipping him may we be liberated from deathfor the sake of immortality just as the ripe cucumber easily separates itselffrom the binding stalk. By your Grace, Let me be in the state of salvation(Moksha) and be saved from the clutches of fearful death. The Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra is verymuch a protector from accidents, mishaps and daily calamities in the modernbusy life.] Special offerings to the bountiful Lord atChandrasekharapuram temple grant all wishes and provide solace from illness andfear. 1008 Kutam Dhara Holy water from the temple well taken in copper pot is pouredon the Bana linga 1008 times, simultaneously chanting mantras accompanied byconventional musical instruments. As this pooja is a time-consuming processonly one number can be performed in a day and prior registration is needed toperform this pooja by devotees. The performing date will be intimated to themas and when the dates are allotted by thanthri. While performing this pooja the presence of the devotees isa must . Praying the lord Sadasiva to confer grace on him to overcomeall hindrance. 108 Kutam Dhara Holy water from the temple well taken in copper pot is pouredon the Bana linga 108 times, simultaneously chanting mantras accompanied byconventional musical instruments. Kalabham Kalabhaabhishekam (Sandal woodPaste) is an important ritual that involves bathing the deity with allcustomary chanting of mantras. The remains of Abhishekam are distributed amongdevotees as theertham. By performing Abhishekam the devoteesget liberated from their past sins. Koottu Mrithyunjaya Homam The object of worship of this homam is Lord Shiva and itprotects the person suffering from the ailments and untimely death. Lord Shivarepresents the aspect of the Supreme Being and is considered to be thedestroyer of evil and sorrow. This homa alleviates Mrityu dosha and grantslongevity to the devotee. It is performed on birthdays of the devotee. Mrithyunjayahomam-Mruthyunjaya Homam is performed to achieveJayam or Victory over Mrithyu or death. It is performed for cure for chronicillness and healthy life. The hymns are devoted to Mrityu, another name of LordShiva, the God of death, praying for long life. it is believed that this homambestows longevity on the performer. Location Chandrasekharapuram temple resides on a hillock atMuppathadom village on the bank of Periyar river, commonly referred to asDakshina Ganga or the Ganges of the South and the deity faces west, which isalso not very common. By virtue of it being on a hill and having a Baanalingamconsidered to be a piece of the real Kailasam itself, this temple used to beknown as Dakshina Kailasam (or the Kailasam of the South) and it is now morefamous for its monthly ritual Shadthrimsa pradakshinam (or 36 pradakshinas)which is a very special and divine way of Sivaradhana. Hundreds of devotees have been doing 36 Pradakshinams withpanchakshara (namasivaya) chanting on every 1st of Malayalam month in themorning and evening at 6 am and 6 pm respectively. It is now believed by devotees that doing such 36 pradakshinais equal to doing a pradakshina of Kailasam with Lord Siva meditating on it,and apparently the Lord is as happy with this offering as He is with ParvathiDevi doing such a pradakshina along with her bhootha gana. The result of thisoffering also has become varied – removal of sins from earlier lives, cure fordiseases, long life, marriage alliance, long married life, achievements inlife, prosperity etc. are assured by offering 36 pradakshina. This belief isbecoming more and more firm by experiences of devotees over the years. People from all walks of life irrespective of caste, religion or region take part in hundreds for thisvery rare submission to God which is believed to be equivalent to theKailasaparikrama. Festival Days The annual festival (Aandu visesham, utsavam ) of Sri Chandrasekharapurathappan is celebrated in the Dhanu month(Dec-Jan) of Malayalam era. The festival begins with Kodiyettu on the starThiruvathira of the month. The Cheriyavilakku and Valiyavilakku are celebratedon the Aayilyam and Makam stars respectively. The festival ends on Pooram starwith Aaraattu. Thiruvathira-Lord Siva’sthirunaal is celebrated in the temple on the Thiruvathira star of Dhanu month with usual rituals likethiruvathirakkali and other special functions under the leadership of VanithaCommittee. On all thiruvathira stars of other months there is specialpalpayasam offering and Sivapurana parayanam (recitation). Sivarathri-According toPuranas, worshipping Lord Siva on Maha Sivaratri cleanse one of all his or her sins. Mahasivarathri iscelebrated in this temple with Akhanda namajapam (namassivaya chanting withoutbreak) and special Ekadasarudram Dhara and Ksheera Dhara. We are conducting aNamasivaya writing competition for children on the same day. Ayilyam Sarpa Pooja-The star Ayilyam is supposed to be avery auspicious one for naagadevathaas. On all ayillyam stars of everyMalayalam month, special Sarpa pooja ( neerum paalum ) is carried out for NagaRaja & Nagayakshi of the temple. Temple Customs Devotees who believe in Lord Siva irrespective of caste orreligion and who are ready to oblige temple customs are allowed to enter thetemple compound. Do not enter the temple wearing shirt, banyan, lungi,chappals etc. Do not take camera, video camera, mobile phone, recorders ,players etc. inside the Nalambalam. Do not touch on the Balikkallu by foot or cross the balikallu. How to Reach Temple Aluva To Temple : 9 Km Eranakulam To Temple : 17 Km Netumbasseri Airport To Temple :15 Km Kalamassery To Temple : 4 Km Address of the temple Sree Chandra sekharapuram Siva Kshethra Trust. Muppathadom (PO), Aluva, Ernakulam District, Kerala,India. PIN: 683 110 Phone: Temple - 0484 2555556, 9995857287, President - 91-9846005092, Secretary-91 - 9446687487, -- 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/1818771622.430802.1756612880690%40mail.yahoo.com.
