Sunday 30 December 2012

Maadayi Sree Vadukundha siva temple


Route:- Two kms north east of pazhayangaati on a hillock,the temple is connected by tarred road.
The krishnasila idol of Lord Siva is swayambhoo and has the shape of Siva-linga with the sankalpam of ParvathiParameswara.The idols of Lord Ganpathi and Lord Ayyappa are also made in sitting and squatting positions respectievely.


Time of worship The temple is kept open daily
 from 5.30 am to 11.30 am 
and from 5 to 7.30 pm Offerings Mrthyunjaya-homam,pradoosha-pooja,pushpaanjali,enna-vilakku and thrikaala-pooja are popular


The place is considered sacred as it was here many yajnas were held by great Rishis. Around 1789,Tippus forces destroyed the temple by using cannons.For about 180 years the temple complex was completely neglected.The  first stage of renovation started in 1978 and was completed in 1992. Before the punah-prathishta the Srekovil with Mukhamandapam and the other structures were completed.The idol is at the ground-level and there is no sopanam due to the peculiar position of the idol.The sub shrine of Lord Ganapathi,facing east, is a detached structure at the southern-side of the main Sreekovil.


The lake here deserve special mention The Poorolsavam associated with Maataayikkaavu is held on the pooram day of Meenam by honouring the Goddess followed by Pooram -kuli


Festival -The 8 day anual festival commences with kotiyettam on Thiruvaathira aseric in te month of Dhanu and concludes with aaraattu .Sivaraathri is also observed 

Thantri is from the Kaattumaatam illam

Saturday 29 December 2012

Sree Siva Temple Chovva


Route :- Three kms south of Kannur at Melechovva and on the side of N.H 17

DATABLE TO VERY ANCIENT PERIOD. THE TEMPLE IS BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN CONSECRATED BY THE GREAT SAGE KANVA MAHARSHI

Earlier the temple was owned by Kolaththiri Raajas and later by the Chirakkal Kovilakam.Now it is under the control of H.R &C.E department.The total extent of the temple complex is about 4 acres.

                                        
On the southern side of the main Sreekovil there is the sub shrine of Lord Ganapathi,in the Akaththe balivattam there are the sub shrines of Mahavishnu facing west and Naagar facing east.There is another shrine of Ayyappa facing east.A mandapam having 8 pillars has also been built in front of the shrine. 


MahaaVishnu sub shrine
                                   Generally Mahaavishnu is not installed in a sub shrine



Sub shrine of Sreebhadrakaali 



Timings  The temple will be kept open from 5.30am -12.00 pm in the morning and 5.30 pm -8.30 pm in the evening in all dys .
Offerings RUDRAABHISHEKAM,PUSPAANJALI,JALADHAARA are the most popular offerings
Sivaraathri is the main festival of the year  
Thantri is from Etakkaatu Mullappalli illam 

Thursday 27 December 2012

Poovaththoor Mahaavishnu Temple


Poovaththoor Mahaavishnu Temple Kumbham

Route:- In the Kannur-Mattannur/Irikkoor root Kumbham bus stop . 700 meeters
from Kumbham 
Main deity Mahaavishnu (11th century)
In 1872 then kaaranavar of Koodali thazhaththuveetu Renovated this temple Durga and Ganapathi were the other deities.A few years back a committy was formed to assist  the kaaranavar in the day to day affairs  of the temple.Then the idol of Annapoorrneswari  was consecrated recently.Last year more than 2000 women participated in the Makarappongaala on 1st Makaram (13th January) 
Subshrine of Annapoorneswari 
 Procession in connection with the Prathishtaadinam  on 28th Feb

.

Main offerings pushpaanjali,paalpaayasam,neyyipaayasam,niramaala 

Time of worship 5.30 am 8.30 am in the morning 
and 5.30 pm -8.30 pm

Anual Festival 28th February 
Temple pond
 Other important days Makaam 1st (PONKAALA)Ashtamirohini in  Chingam
Onam,Vishu
Temple on Navaraathri day

Monday 24 December 2012

Sree Kunnaavu Durgadevi Temple,Pallikkunnu


Sree Kunnaavu Durgadevi Temple,Pallikkunnu
Root:- 5 kms south-west of Kannur 2 kms west of Sree Krishnamenon women's college junction on Ambika road


The shrine of Jala Durga facing the west is at the centre of a small tank.A namaskaaramandapam built within the tank has a pyramidal roof and four pillars.

At its north-east there is aTemple complex having four deities.Of this the circular Sreekovil of Shiva with a namaskaaramandapam at its front is considered ancient as the deity here was known as Kannappan.
The main shrine of Lord Subramanya was built by a Kolaththiri king later with a namaskaaramandapam. Jaladurga temple was sanctified by the visit of Sree Naaraayanaguru

in 1908.The H.R&C.E board took over the temple from the Chirakkal kovilakam in 1958




The other sub shrines within the akaththe balivattam are of Goddess Bhadrakaali at south-east and Lord Ayyappa at north  with detached namaskaaramandapams(both hexagonal in shape)

Time of worship 6.00-10.00 am and 6.00-8.00 pm

Offerings Pushpaanjali,Sarkkarappaayasam,Jaladhaara,Rudrapooja

Festivals Sivaraathri,Thaippooyam, Navaraathri
The Thantri belngs to Mooththetathth illam and Saanthikkaaran belongs to Non hereditary Nampoothiri

Friday 21 December 2012


SUNDDRESWARA TEMPLE TALAAP KANNUR                 

Root:-6 kms from Kannur In the Kannur -Talipparamba root A.K.G Hospital stop .From here 800 meeters 

The Temple was Re- consecrated by Sree Naaraayana Guru 

In the present site ,there was a Temple dedicated to Goddess Bhadrakaali and poojas were done by sacrificing animals and cocks It was Sree Naaraayan Guru who persuaded the devotees to give up animal and cock sacrifices.
Temple pond -a lot of young ones learns swimming  from here- 

The Consecratin of the idol was done on 11th

April 1916 by Sree Naaraayana Guru Swamikalin

the presence of thousands of desciples and
devotees.

The main Offerings are 

Pushpaanjali,Sarkkarappaayasam and 

Thrumadhuram 

The temple is kept open from  5.30 am-12.00 noon 
and  from 5.00 pm-8.00 pm
Lord Siva in the form of Sundareswara, Ayyappa,GoddessPaarvathi,LordSubramnya,
Navagrahas are the dei
ties here
Guru mandiram 

 Festivals Meenamaholsavam for eight days commencing from the Pooyam asteric of Meenam

 



Sree Oorpazhachhi kaav Nataal


Root:- 14 kms. south of Kannur via Nataal on N.H 17 and thence 2 kms. east of Nataal by Panchaayaththu road
Datable to ancient period, the temple complex has three shrines ,Sree Daivaththaar,(Sree sankara naaraayana sankalpam)Sree vettakkorumakan(both facing west)and Sree bhagavathi facing north.Of these the earliest one is that of SreeDurgabhagavathi believed to have been installed by Lord Parashuraama .The Sree bhagavathi temple is within a grove of Eachil plants.Since this old shrine is in the midst of Ecchil plants,the temple was known as ooril -pazhikiya Ecchil-kaav(old temple in the midst of jungle plants)and later by usage it became oorpazhacchi kaav.

A legend Two members of Velloor and Mullappalli Illams went to BALUSSERIKKOTTA and worshipped the presiding deity  Vettakkorumakan.
They married two ladies belonging the families of Kaavullaaatan nambiar and Vennappaalan kurup and brought them to their residences near the OOrpazhacci kaav.One day they went this KAAV for plucking leaves for thaali(leaves used for cleaning the hair during head bath)When the women were plucking leaves ,milk came from the foot -stalk of the plant and blood from that of the other .They reported this matter to the elders of the family. A prasnam was then held It was revealed therein that along with the ladies Lord Daivaththaar(Siva) and Lord Vettakkorumakan had accompanied them when they came initially from their home-place at Balusseri,as they were great devotees of the Lords there.
The astrologers prescribed that separate shrines had to be built for Lord Daivaththaar and Lord Daivaththaar  near  the Goddess.Accordingly two shrine were built facing east.
.Daivaththaar is considered to be a friend of Lord Vettakkorumakan in this temple,as described in the ballads of kolam-ketti aatal.It is believed that Sree Vilwamangala swaamiyaar visitedthe temple during his journey from Ananthapura to Thiruvanthapuram in search of Lord Krishna.Thereafter the sankalpa of the idol has been changed to Lord Sankaranaaraayana and not Lord Siva.Even today the devotees consider the sand as sacred and the oil as a cure for all diseases of head and for aches.
Fearing the invasion of Tippu's forces the idols of the templ were secretly shifted to the Thevaara-matham of Akkara family of Thiruvangaat and worshipped there.All the structures were builtduring the period 1845-1895 by the earnest efforts of Kappiathth Chandu nambir 
The chuttambalam has 4 entrances from the front .
The Deepasthambham was installed in 1914
There is a small subshrine for(Melekottam) Sreesankaranaarayan at the rear of the temple, facing east.
An important ritual held on every Saturday at 11 am is VellaattThe kolam hears the grievances of the devoteesand bless them by suggesting remedies and giving them boons.At midnight Kettiyaattam of Lord Vettakkorumakan is performed
The tank is at the south-west corner of the complex.
The Naaga  idol is in the usual form of of sitting pose with raised hoods.
The temple is kept open on all days between 5.30 am to 1.pm and 5.30 pm to 8.00 pm 



Offerings Vellaatt,ligtning of lamps with oil and Sarkkarappaayasam are the main offerings.

Festivals Sivaraathri is held for nine days .Thruppuththari is held in the month of Chingam.Pattaththaanam in the avittam asteric of Kumbham,Punah-prathishta day on 14th Itavam

It is believed that the mantram and pooja system of this temple were prescribed and initiated by  Vilwamangalam swamiyaar.


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Thursday 20 December 2012

Sree Subramanyaswami Temlple Peralasseri

Sree Subramanya swami Temlple Peralasseri 
Root:-16 kms south east of Kannur at Peralasseri (Knnur-Moonnuperiya-Thalasseri)



Datable to very ancient period.Legends say that Sreerama and Lakshmana reached here on their way to Lanka in search of Sita .Seeing this place as a suitable place for consecrcaation of the idol of Lord Subramanya Sreerama directed Anjaneya to bring an idol before the auspicious time .As Hanoomaan could not bring the idol in time ,Sreerama took out his Peruvala (bracelet of outer arm )and installed it with thesankalpa of Lord subramanya. Because of this incident,the place was called PERU-VALA-CHERI later peruvalsseri and now Peralasseri. The idol which was brought late was installed at Makreri by Sree Hanoomaan.It is reported that the present idol was installed over the earlier installation of Peruvala by Sreeraama.
A legend Once there was a dual of words between Lord Brama and Lord Subramnyaregarding the meaning of OM.Lord Subramanya was not satisfied with the answer given by Lord Brama.and he directed Veerabaahu to tie downLord Brama.The captivity of Lord Brama affected his noble duty of creation.Lord Siva interfered and released Lord Brama.Greately pained of his actions Lord Subramanya took the form of Naga.Goddess Parvathi was very sad to see Lord Subramnya as Naaga. At the advice of Lord Siv,Parvathi took the Vrithamon Shashtithithhi on sukla-paksha and Subramanya regained his form.There after ,Shasti became an important day in temples dedicated to Lord Subramanya.


The temple tank is also considered sacred and it is believed that the spring of the tank is connected under ground with the watersof Kaveri river.There fore,Kaverisamkram is celebrated in this temple every year.
The hereditary trustees are appointed with the concurrence of H.R&C.E department.
Thantries are from Iruvessi and Putavoor illams
The temple is kept open all days from 4 am to 12.30 pm and from 4.15-8.30 pm
Offerings The main vazhipaatus are SARPABALI (for cure from diseases)with Saparivaarapooja (for progeny )and Eggs to Naaga (for peace of mind).
Eggs to Naaga (for peace of mind).
The Chithrakootam of Naagas is at the west of Sree Ayyappa shrine


 Altogether there are 77 items of offerings


Festival The anual festival is held for 8 days from 4th Dhanu to 11th Dhanu(19thDecember to 26th December) this year

A creditable thing to note is that programmes are confined to traditional temple arts and that modern entertainments are avoided.
on the ceiling of namaskaara mandapamwodden carvings of Navagrahams are seen,on the sreemukham of the Sreekovil Kimpurushan is carved in wood.Wodden figurines based on the themes of Kiraathaarjuneeyam at the southern valiyambalam.The Pranaalm has a very slight deviation towards north-eastThe greeva of the dwithala with a sikhira roof has 2 copper Thaazhikakkutams kept in aline.There is a beautiful peepul (arayaal) tree at the front and a banyan  (peraal)at the back.The sreekovil has two inner passages-.At the inner passage ,an idol of Lord Ganapthi is also installed facing south.At the northern naalambalam there is a room meant for conducting Sarpabali. At the south-east is a mandapam meant for Lord Rama. For Lord Subramnya there are two vaahanams pea-cock and cock


The subshrine of LordAyyappa is within a seperate enclosure It is said that this shrine predates the structural period of the Sree Subramnya swami temple.

Sunday 16 December 2012

Sree KannookkaraMaanikkaKurumbaBhagavathi (Payyamballi)Temple

Theyyam Payyamballi Chandu (Gurunadhan of Tacholi Otenakurup)
Sree  KannookkaraMaanikkaKurumbaBhagavathi
(Payyamballi)Temple

Root:-2 kms south of Kannur and half a kilometer from Thaana junction

Prathishta GoddessBhagavathi 18th century 



ValiyaBhagavathi

Pooja all days (5.30-7.30 pm)
vellaattam for Pyyamballi Gurunaathan on all Fridays and Samkramam dayas






CheriyaBhagavathi
Festival Thiramaholsavam from 12th-14thKumbham
Theyyams of Kurumbabhagavathi,kuntaatichaamundi,Kuraththi
payattu of Gurunaathan and Othenan theyyams of Payyamballichandu and Othenan



Associated with Payyamballi Chandu Gurukkal who trained Tacholi Othena Kurup


Payyamballichandu Gurunaathan and a devotee on 17th December
Offerings



Naagasthaanam

Saturday 15 December 2012

AryaalkkiizhilMuththappanmatappura Ancharakkandi

KuzhambilottumettaAryaalkkiizhilMuththappanmatappura Ancharakkandi

Root:- 16kms east of Kannur.In the Ancharakkandi-chaalode root kuzhambilottumetta stop.(aryalkkeezhil muththappankshethram stop) on the road side.

All important places where Lord Muththappan visited and annexed during his sojourn after leaving the Ayyankara illam have temples and they are known as Mudappura. In addition, the deity can be worshipped in any place where Painkutti (or Payamkutti) Pooja is done. (Painkutti is a Vazhipaat consisting of aval, sugar, boiled grams (called Panchangal), slice of coconut, baked fish in fire, liquor or tender coconut etc). Places where Painkutty and Vellaatam are regularly done take the name Potikkalam. The other conventions are that all places where three vellaattams are held can have anthithira and those places where three anthithira are conducted can have Thiruvappana. Once anthithira is held it is essential to conduct these rituals always. All locations where Thiruvappana is conducted are known as madadapura. There are several Madapuras for Lord Muthappan in northern Kerala. Some of the earliest Madapuras, other than Parassinikatav Mathappura are the Harichandrakotta mathappura on the valley of Puralimala, Nunningara matham, Vellarvalli, Valluvan Kadav Madappura and Poonthalott madappura all in the neighbourhood of Muzhakkunu, Kolavangot mathappura etc.
Prathishta LordMuththappan Renovation in1982
Pooja all days 6pm-8pm 
Monthly Samkramapooja on Samkramam days



Anual Festival Thiruvappana on 14th December
Vellaattams ,kalikkappaattu,prasaada sadya at 7.pm
on15th December



Pothi at 10 am 
Tiruvappana, Pothiyute purappaatu,Bhagavathi-theyyam on 15th December
A committy looks after the day to day affairs