Mother temples in Palakkad, Kerala

November 18, 2009

Eamoor Bhagavathy: Hand symbol

Eamoor Bhagavathy (Kallekulangara or Hemambika ) temple. two kilometers

northeast of Olavakot (Malampuzha Route )Palakkad.). Situated at Kallekulangara,

8-km away from Palakkad. The deity is Bhagavathi as Hemambika. The two palms of

the hand alone are visible to the devotee. According to Sthalapurana, Lord

Parasurama consecrated the Hemambika deity at the same time as Balambika at

Kanyakumari, Lokambika at Badagara and Mookambika at Dakshina Karnataka near

Mangalore. It is also believed that the temple rituals and type of worship were

formulated by Shri Adi Shankara. Legend has it that the Goddess Bhagavathy

agreed to appear before a holy man one day, but instead of keeping it a secret,

he disclosed it to others in his excitement. When the goddess emerged from the

temple, she found many people had gathered around, and disappeared. It's

believed that devotees saw only her upraised hand, and this is what is

worshipped at the temple. Tem,ple records show that former prime Minister Smt

Indira Gandhi visited and worshipped at this temple in 1982 when she was out of

office and her choice of the election symbol ( Hand) for her party after the

Congress party had split was based on the two hands of Hemambika.

Thirualathur Rendu Murthy Temple (Mahishasura Mardhini and Annapoorani):

Thirualathur Randu Murthy Temple, Mother has taken the form of Annapoorneswary

and Mahishasuramardini in this temple which is located on the Palakkad- Chittoor

route about 5 Km from Palakkad town on the banks of the sokanasini river. This

river flows on the right (Valathu) side of the Temple and so this place is

called Thruvalthur ( Thiru = Sri, valathur= Right side).. There are Two flag

staffs in front of the Sree Kovils to indicate that there are two deities. It is

one of the oldest temples in Kerala and is said to be one of the 108 Durgalayas

consecrated by Lord Parasurama.. According to legends, Mother in her form as

Mahishasura Mardhini consumed liquor and flesh after her victory over Mahisha

and tried to enter this temple to meet her sister Annapoorani, but was prevented

from entering by the Annapurneswary aspect of Mother. This is because the

Annapurneswary aspect is a benign aspect subject to not being polluted by meat

and liquor. Hence, Mahishasura Mardhini sat out side the Annapoornesawry temple

and a separate Sannidhi and temple were built for her.

The outer walls of the Temple are believed to have been built by an army of

Devas by using stones from the nearby Nila river. However, since the walls and

Gopuram were not quite finished, at Dawn, the Devas left the place since they

did not want to be seen by Humans. Several attempts by modern day engineers to

rebuild the unfinished parts of the walls and Gopuram were not successful. Local

people point out that every-time a structure is built by the Engineers, the

rebuilt walls would collapse and so local people say that this is because Humans

cannot reproduce what has been constructed by the Devas.

One other unique feature is the fact that the Saptha mathrukas are` shown in

sculpted form with features whereas normally no form is attributed in temples to

the Saptha Mathrukas- Instead they are shown as stones without form. Scenes from

the Devi Bhagawatham and Ramayanam adorn the ceilings as murals and these are

said to be the original paintings .

The Balipeetam in front of the Mahishasuramardhini temple is the largest of any

in any temple elsewhere. It is sculpted with elaborate patterns. Obviously this

peetam is to propitiate the Goddess Mahishasuramardhini in her Ugra roopam.

The Temple Prathishta day falls in the Malayalam month of Medam ( April- May) on

Rohini star. Laksharchana and special pujas are conducted on this day. There are

10,000 ( ten thousand) oil lamps built into the inner walls of the temple and

these are lit on Prathishta day as well as other special days especially on

Krittika Nakshatram day. Similarly, Navarathri is celebrated on all the 10 days

.. Likewise, the month of Vrishikam is a very important festival month when

special pujas are performed for 10 days and Devi is taken out in procession on

caparisoned elephents to the accompaniment of instrumental music played on

Nadaswaram, Kombu, Chenda, Maddalam and other instruments.

This huge temple needs extensive maintenance work. Most of the dialy expenses

are met by neighborhood families who are mostly agriculturists. Temple Manager :

0491-2106388

..

Manappally Bhadrakali Temple:

This temple is located about two Kilometrs northwest of Olavakot in Palakkad

town near the village of Yakkara on the banks of the Sokanahini river. The

original name of the place was Yogakkara since Yagas were conducted there. Later

the name in daily use became corrupted to Yakkara. The Moolasthanam of the

temple is still in Yakkara but the Devi was moved to it's present location some

time later. The Deity is Bhadrakali but is worshipped in her Roudra Bhava

(angry form) during the Chandattam ceremony and becomes Shanta Swaroopini (

peaceful form) after the Neivedyam ( Kadina Payasa Neivedyam). The most

important festival here is called the Vela in the month of Kumbha ( March-

April). The Temple flag is hoisted ( Kodiyettam)on the first Friday of the month

of Kumbha and the Vela festival is conducted on the third Thursday of the month.

Lots of devotees from various parts of Kerala and other southern states of India

come for worshipping Bhagavathy on this auspicious day. The Vela day starts

early, with poojas to the Bhagavathy continuing with all day poojas. The

'Chaandh Abishekam', one of the important pooja during the day attracts flocks

of devotees. 'Vedikettu' (Firework) is also an important attractive element of

the festival which is organized in the evening around 9 PM and early morning by

4 AM. The Vela day is declared as Local Holiday which shows the importance of

the festival.

Manapullikavu Vela consists of small velas from other desams. Velas from West

Yakkara, Vadakkanthara, Vennakkara, Koppam are some of them. These small velas

come together to make the final show. Plenty of chariots (bull carts and other

motorised vehicles) take part in Manapullykavu Vela.

Vadakkanthara Bhagawathy : This temple is located near Chunnambu thara near

Jain Medu. The deity is Bahagawathy as Kannagi. There are many temples in Kerala

which glorify Kannagi the main character in the Sangam classic " Silappadhikaram "

of Ilango Adigal. Ilango was a prince of the Chera dynasty which ruled many

parts of present day Kerala. Bhawathy has manifested herself under a giant Fig

tree whose trunk is also enclosed in the worship shrine. Goddess appears as a

flat black face against a back drop of red. The prominent feature are the eyes

and Thilakam made in Gold and embossed on the black stone image.. " The deity is

of Durga, but in the form taken by Kannagi, who came to reside here after

widowhood. .There is an earthern lamp in a niche within the sanctum which is the

original force field of Shakthi. The deity that is worshipped is termed as "

Vaal Kannadi Bhimbam ( meaning a reflection of the power).

In addition to the main deity, there is a very beautiful Sannidhi for Mahavishnu

within the premises. The constant chanting of " Narayana " rings in your ears as

you enter the premises.

November 23, 2009

Wonderful information Ji. You have done very hard work to collate this. I admire

your patience.

With regards,

S/Y B.R.KUMAR

--- On Thu, 11/19/09, v_hari02 <v_hari02 wrote:

v_hari02 <v_hari02

Mother temples in Palakkad, Kerala

Thursday, November 19, 2009, 5:55 AM

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