Valiya Panayannarkavu Bhagavathi Temple

August 11, 2005

Dear Rajarajeshwari Priyasodaras and sodaris,

This posting members better acquainted with the history and legend about the centuries old famous “Valiya Panayannarkavu Bhagavathi Temple”. Situated at the banks of tha river pamba at parumala, a small island formed in the middle of the river

Surrounded by the thick splendid and spacious woods- “kavu”- containing the idols of Nagaraja and Nagayakshi at the five corners with in the temple presents a quite sanctuarious look. Anyone approaching the shrine can experience a divine peace which makes him forget everything else around.

Crossing the doors of the “chuttambalam”,we are in front of the sanctum sanctorum, with the presiding deities ,Sree Bhadrakali facing east , Sree Mahadeva west and Bhagavathi facing north. Behind the idol of the Bhagavathi bathed in chandu are the idols of Saptamatha, Ganapathi and Veerabhadra , a rare sight in our temples.

Again to the left, Shulini is seen in the center of the Trishul.legend says that the “Bhadrakali” here is the embodiment of all the different forms of “tridevis” and “bhoodevi, that is Parashakthi and Shivsakti and hence she is rightfully called Rajarajeshwari devi.

It is said that Devi Parvathi called Devarshi Narada and Maharshi Durvasa and expressed her desire to get seated along with ganapathi, veerabhadra and saptamatha, beside lord shiva. Unable to find a fitting place in spite of a long search Rishi durvasa plucked out a hill out of anger and threw it into the river pamba splitting into two. The two branches flowing around joined together on the other side creating a “Triveni”

Devarshi narada danced with joy. Rishi Durvasa made Sree Parasurama appear. Shiv Linga was erected by him and the rest by Narada and Durvasa.

(Durvasa)

Then they erected the idols of Nagaraja and Nagayakshi in the kavu around. Narada started pooja. It is said that narabali – human sacrifice – was done here once in an year.

Later according to the commands of devi herself it was stopped and the main door in front of Bhadrakali facing east was closed not to be opened there after.it remains as such even today.

The poojas and governs of the temple handed over to a group of poojaris brought for the purpose.

The most important ‘vazhipadu’ are Kuthiyottam, Valiyaguruthi, and Kumbhakalasam

VAZHIPAADU LIST

Ganapathy homam

Bhagavathy seva

Dhara

Abhishekam

Archana

Pushpaanjali

Kadum payasam

Paal payasam

Rakthapushpaanjali

Vellanivedyam

Pithrupooja

Varanivedyam

Kadhinavara

Thrimadhuram

Appanivedyam

Ennavilakku

Neyvilakku

Durgapooja

Yakshipooja

Chorunu

Thulaabhaaram

Adimakidathal

Noorum paalum

Chaanthattam

Kumbhakalasam

Valiyaguruthy

Marathumchuvattil guruthy

Kshetrapaalanu vellam kudy

Udayada chaarthal (nadavaravu)

Pidippanam

Chandanam Chaarthu

Astaabhishekam

Udayasthamaya pooja

Maala

Vedi

Bhasmaabhishekam

Paraashakti pooja

Swayamvara pushpaanjali

Mrityunjaya pooja

Kaivattaka guruthy

Aikyamatyasookta pushpaanjaly

Shatrusamhaara pooja

Bhagyasooktha pooja

Shoolina mantra pushpaanjali

Sahasranaamarchana

Muzhukaapu

Vadakke nadayil Trivaathil darshanam

Shatru samhaaram pooja

Krttyvithaana guruthy.

The important festivals Vijayadashami in October, Nagaraja pooja , Ayiliam in November and the Mandalapooja in the month of December, Shivratri is celebrated in the month of march and Vishu sankramanam in April

The walls of both of the sreekovils are decorated with beautiful paintings of the events from the scriptures, the devi bhagavathi, the bhagavatha and the Ramayana.

Chengannur