Bhaktisandesam

June 23, 2009

Hai=Om

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Some Famous Temples Of Kerala .

The only temple in Kerala dedicated to Garuda, Lord Krishna's celestial vehicle is at Garudankavu, in Malppuram district. This place near Tirur City is also famous for the Triprangode Siva temple. This is where Markandeya, an ardent devotee of Mahavishnu was saved from the claws of death.

The story goes that Markendeya who had to care for his sick parents was destined to die at a very young age. When Yamadeva approached to take his life at the pre-destined time Markendeya approaches Mahavishnu and begs him to save his life. Mahavishnu feels helpless and directs Markandeya to Siva. Markandeya embraces the Sivlingam and pleads for protection. Mahadeva takes pity on him and orders Yamadeva to set Markandeya free but Yama refusses saying that he was doing his duty. Siva gets furious and takes three steps toward Yama and kills him. Even after that Siva's anger does not subside. At last the sages had to plead to Parvathy, Siva's consort to appear naked sans the jewelry and ornments in front of Siva to cool his temper.

This takes place at the Triprangode temple.

There are five shivalingams in this temple. The first one is that which Markandeyan embraced. The next three represent the three steps Lord Siva took to approach Yama before killing him. The fifth and last sivalingam is Siva himself in the final angry mood after killing Yama.

Not far from Triprangode is Hanumankavu where Hanuman is the main deity.

This is the place where Sree Rama accepts Hanuman's request to beallowed to proceed to Lanka to look for Sita and Rama gives a description of Sita and hands Hanuman his ring as proof that Hanuman is really Ram'a's messenger. Hanuman takes off from Hanumankavu directly to Lanka in search of Sita.

jai shree krishna !

Achuthan Nair