[Guruvayur/Guruvayoor] Vaikathappan - The Benign Lord of Kerala

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Jai Sreekrishna Dear Shri Vinodji Thank you very much for this informative article. 90% of the information is new to me and I thank you once again for this article Though every year during our vacation , we make it a point to visit the shrine of Annadhana Prabhu Shri Vaikkthappan along with Shri Ettumanoorappan and Shri Kaduthuruthiappan, by the grace of God, next visit to the abode of Vaikathappan will be more graceful as I have much much more information concerning this temple Humbly Syamala"PS, Vinod K (GE Infra, Energy)" <vinod.ps wrote: !! Sri Rama Jayam !! Needless to mention that the popular Vaikom temple is dedicated to Sri Mahadevar. This temple is said to have been built by great Parasurama. The current structure

dates back to the sixteenth century.The Linga installed here is the second of the three images brought by the demon Khara (whose reference is found in Valmiki Ramayana) from Chidambaram, where Shiva manifests as the master of 'Space' element. The first image is at Vaikom (of Lord Vaikathappan), the Linga at Ettumanoor being the second one. The third Shiva Linga is at Kaduthuruthi. All these three Shiva shrines together are revered highly and devotees aspire to visit them on the same day. Shaiva Bhaavam - Vaikom Mahadevar

manifests himself as Dakshinamurthy in the 'Panthiradi' pooja in the morning. He is worshipped as Kiraata Murthy during the 'Uchcha' pooja at noon and as Satchitananda in the evening. The temple resembles the Vaikathappan shrine. A giant lamp, known as Valiya Vilakku, welcomes the devotees at the entrance. This is believed to have been brought here and lighted first by the Lord Himself. Devotees first worship this ever-burning lamp by pouring oil in it. The sanctum enshrines the two-foot-high Linga of Lord Mahadeva installed on a high pedestal. To the east of the sanctum,

Parvati is worshipped but without any idol installed. Ganapathi, Dharma Sastha and Dakshinamurthi have separate shrines on the corridor. Legend has it that Shiva appeared in front of sage Vyagrapadar under a peepul tree, south of the eastern gateway on the morning of Ashtami in the dark fortnight in the month of Scorpio. This incident is commemorated in the annual Vaikathu Ashtami festival. The Big KitchenWhat is the secret of the popularity of feasts? Once a Maharaja of Trivandrum invited all the cooks of Vaikom-- traditionally Muttas Nambudiris-to cook for a feast at his palace. The ingredients for different dishes were sup; in exactly the same proportion as at Vaikom. Yet the

taste did not match that which obtained at the temple. An enraged Maharaja questioned the head cook. The chief's reply was: "No doubt all ingredients were supplied and the cooks were also the same but there was one thing missing-the 'big kitchen' of Vaikom temple. The king understood that the kitchen at Vaikom was blessed by Vaikathappan and sent the cooks away with valuable presents. Incidentally, it is the ashes of this kitchen on the northeast corner of the nalambalam that is served as Vibhuti to devotees visiting the temple.Even the cutting of vegetables here is an art. It is a task undertaken hereditarily by a group of sixteen Nair families. Once a member of the royal family found three or four bunches

of big bananas being carried away from the temple store. Suspecting theft, he called the persons. To his surprise they were only peels left intact after removing the kernel with dexterity for making chips. The Raja was pleased at their artistic skill and gave them gifts. Once the saint Vilwamangalam came to Vaikom for darshan. He could not find Bhagawan in the sanctum. He therefore walked around and found him having his meals on the raised platform on the northern side of the garbhagriha. None other than Parvati was serving him. This spot is still hold sacred, called Manyasthanam, where a plantain leaf is laid with all dishes served during feasts and a lamp lit. The temple: The elliptical sanctum here is covered with a copper plated roof crowned with a golden kalasam. The height of the wall of the sanctum is just about a third of that of the roof. The building dates back to the 11th century, and the wooden panels and the murals date back to the 15th and 18th centuries respectively. The mukhamandapam in front of the sanctum houses the nandi. The wall of the inner prakaram is lined with columns of lamps (vilakkumaatam) on a wooden framework. The flagstaff rises to a height of 317 feet. The Uttuppura or the dining hall is on the northern side of the sanctum. There is a shrine to Pananchikkal Bhagawati in the outer prakaram. The 'Bhasma' or ashes of VaikomThe most important Prasadam of Vaikathappan is Bhasma - Vibhoothi or Ashes. It is taken from the fire place of the big Kitchen where Sri. Vaikathappan is believed to work in the disguise of a Brahmin.

The legend proclaim this Bhasma as a holy remedy for fear, poison, wounds and even Hysteria. The belief of the miraculous power of the Bhasma is testified by the devotees in plenty. So we must keep and preserve this most precious gift of the kindest of Lords - Vaikathappan. Ganga Prapatha Theertham:Parasuraman came again to worship Vyaghralayesha and found the people and animals were suffering because of the lack of water. He praised the Lord and told the sorrows. The kind Lord appeared in front of him and asked what boon he wanted. In answer Parasuraman asked "kindly make and grant a Theertham for the devotees to, who come in Kaliyuga with a lot of sins, bathe and tharpan". The most benevolent Lord made a Theertham there by allowing the Ganga from his matted hair come down. At once Devas, Kinnaras, Gandharvas came and touched

the holy pond. This is the pond which we see in the northern side of the temple compound. It is duly called 'Ganga Prapatha Theertham' or Valiyachira. Sivananda TheerthamOnce Maharshi Nidagha from Panchal Desa came to Vyaghrapada Maharshi while he was meditating the Lord Siva. He begged the Maharshi to accept him as a disciple. Vyaghrapada Maharshi taught Nidagha Shaiva Mantra Vidhya and Upasana Yoga and blessed him saying that all blessed him saying that all success and Mukti could be achieved by Siva Bhajan. Nidagha was doing Sivopasana with much devotion. On an Ashtami day Vyaghrapada Maharshi and Nidagha Maharshi were praising Sthambha Ganapathi and Siva. Pleased with their devoted shtotras the Lord of Kailas appeared in North-East Corner and performed Ananda Thandava. At that time from his matted hair a few drops of water fell down.

Siva blessed and called it 'Sivananda Theertham' and disappeared. Vyaghrapada Maharshi and Nidagha Maharshi took water from that and sprinkled on their bodies and drunk. This Theertham in the North-East Corner is now transformed to a well and its water is being used only for poojas in the temple.Arathihara TheerthamShankara & Mukunda two learned young Brahmins from Kanya Kumari well versed in Sasthras reached Vaikom on their way to Kasi. While enjoying the Bhajan and meals of Vaikathappan, Mukunda left to Kasi without Shankara. The thought of being unable to take bath bath in Ganga and loneliness made Shankara very much heart-broken and soon he fell with severe fever. One day he was in deep sleep after a sincere prayer to Lord Siva the Vyaghralayesha. Then in a dream the Lord asked him to take bath in the eastern pond and assumed the fulfillment of his desires. As per the Maheshwara's order Shankara rose in early morning and took bath in the pond

reciting mantras. Shankara's joy knew no bounds to note that he was really in the Ganga Theertham when he rose from the pond's water. He praised the Lord Siva even forgetting himself. At the same moment Vyaghrapada Maharshi arrived there and assured him that his friend will return here after eighteen months and he may return with his friend to attain Siva Sayoojyam by adoring Stanumalaya, the Suchindra Nath. The same Theertham in the east is known as Aarthi Hara Theertham or Aarthi Vinasana Theertham. It is believed that your bath and Tarpon here is as good as what is done in the Holy Ganga. The Sreekovil or Holy of HoliesThe Sreekovil is round in shape roofed with copper sheets and with two chambers. The Muktha Mandapam the first chamber is built in shaped stone and single piece woods. The walls and pillars are very strong. The Garbha Griha - the second chamber is built completely in stone including

the roof in a square shape. There is a Peedham or platform of about three foot high in the middle of it. On this Peedham the Most Holy, the most famous and the most Noble Sivalinga of Sree Vaikathappan is consecrated. It is about six feet high made of chaste black stone. The Linga is adorned with Chandrakala (crescent), three eyes, nose and four hands with Shiva abharanams in the form of anky in pure gold. (Siva Abharanams are Parasu, Mruga, Varada and Abhaya mudras). Inside the Holy of Holies Oil and ghee lamps are only lighted together with camphor. This gives a heavenly appearance to it. The hundreds of thousands of devotees attain fulfillment at the sight of this Holiest Linga reciting all kinds of Sivasthuthis. The Bhava or forms and peace of this place cannot be described but only to be experienced. The outer walls of Sreekovil are decorated nicely with paintings of puranic stories and wooden sculptures. Six Steps and their meanings:It is a very

curious and peculiar fact that we are unable to obtain the Darsana of the Supreme Shaiva Chaitanya form this Sreekovil without passing through six steps either from the Gopura or the Nada. It may be reminding us the Shad (six) Vikaras (emotions) such as Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Moha, Madha and Mathsarya or the thantrik chakras as per the thantrik Kalpana. They are the Mooladhara Chakram, Swadhishtana Chakram, Manipuraka Chakram, Anahatha Chakram, Visudhi Chakram and Jnana Chakram. Vighneswara PrathishtaIn the Agni cone (south-east corner) out side the Sreekovil is the Vighneswara Prathishta on a Peedham of stone Maha Ganapathy in the South and Shakti Ganapathy in the north are consecrated. The idols are in pancha loha. Mathrusala, Villwa Tree and the AshtadipalakasThe Mathrusala where the Belistones of the deven divine Mathas are kept is to the South Sreekovil. In the eastern part of the Mathrusala is the Thidapally where the Nivedya is

prepared. The buildings of the temple courts are built surrounding the Sreekovil. In the vayu cone of the Sreekovil we could witness a centuries old Villwa Tree with two barks, still in a flourishing condition, it is a wonderful sight. The Ashtadipalakas or Lords of the eight directions etc. are consecrated in the yard of the Sreekovil. Varuna the Lord of water finds a special place in the west. In the temple court of north we could see a very holy place called the Manya Sthana where Vaikathappan was seen eating Prathal dressed like a Brahmin, by Vilwamangalathu Swamiyar. To preserve the memory a stone is placed with ashta dala and around it the following sloka is inscribed. 'Jeeyat vyaghrapuradheesaPayat vanchinrupa prajaAnnado bhusurair bhoktaYotra sakshatkruta pura' Hara Hara Mahadeva ShambhO ! Hare Krishna Hare Rama