Thirunakkara Sree Mahadevar Temple

Last updated

Thirunakkara Sree Mahadevar Temple
Thirunakkara Mahadeva temple.jpg
Thirunakkara temple
Religion
Affiliation Hinduism
District Kottayam
Deity Thirunakkara thevar
FestivalsAlpashi, Painguni and Aani
Governing body Travancore Devaswom Board
Location
Location Thirunakkara
State Kerala
CountryFlag of India.svg  India
India Kerala location map.svg
Om symbol.svg
Sree Mahadevar Temple, Thirunakkara, Kottayam, Kerala
Geographic coordinates 9°35′26″N76°31′08″E / 9.590419°N 76.518806°E / 9.590419; 76.518806
Website
thirunakkaratemple.org
Thirunakkara shiva Thirunakkara shiva.png
Thirunakkara shiva

The Thirunakkara Mahadevar Temple situated in the heart of Kottayam is one of the 108 revered Shivalayas in central Kerala, India. The temple is about 500 years old and was built by the Raja of Thekkumkur. It also preserves a number of unique sculptures and murals of various Hindu deities. A common belief is that the idol of Shiva here is installed by Parashurama. The Thekkumkur royal family considered the idol as their paradevatha (tutelary deity) in the form of "Thirunakkara thevar" [1]

Contents

History

A King of Thekkumkoor royal dynasty was a big devotee of Thrissur Vadakkumnathan. Though there was a large Shiva temple called Thalikotta Temple near his palace, where he regularly used to visit, he could not be happy without a visit to Vadakkumnathan Temple once in a month. Despite all problems faced, he used to visit Vadakkumnathan Temple throughout his life. But, as years passed, the King became aged, and he could no longer travel for long distance. Thus he was sunk in grief. Lord Shiva appeared before him and consoled him saying that he would appear in a location where his great devotee can travel easily. Thus the King was pleased.

During his return, the King also visited the famous Shiva temple at Vaikom. There he met with a poor Brahmin, named Perepparambu Namboothiri, who was conducting his bhajanam due to financial difficulties. The King told him that he would provide all necessities for getting money, and took him to his palace. That night, the King had a dream, in which Lord Shiva appeared before him, and saying that he would appear in Nakkarakkunnu - a small hill located a few miles away from the palace area - as a Swayambhoo lingam, and there would be an idol of Nandi, his vehicle in front of him, and a white ixora plant on his backside towards the left. The King became very much happy.

Nakkarakkunnu, the place where the present temple exists, was a huge forest area then. Wild animals roamed there without any problem. No one wanted to settle there, even if it was given freely. There was a monastery called Swamiyar Madom, titled Thrikkaikkattu Madom, on the north-east side of the temple. On the day after the King got the darshan of Lord Shiva, two servants from the Swamiyar Madom - Changazhissery Moothathu and Punnassery Moothathu - went to collect wood and fire for a homam (fire ritual). They saw a stone there and scraped their sickle on it, but suddenly it started bleeding. They soon realised that it was a Swayambhoo Shivalingam. The news spread like a bush fire, and it also reached the ears of the King, who could not control his emotions after hearing the news. The King came to the location where the lingam was installed, and prostrated before it. He also found that there was an idol of Nandi in front of it, and a white ixora plant on its backside towards the left. After that, he made the biggest temple in his territory for his favourite deity, with all the major components of a mahakshetra (major temple). Tharananelloor Nammbothiri became the head priest of the temple, and Perepparambu Namboothiri was installed as the senior priest. The King got blessed by visiting the temple, and lived his life happily thereafter.

Brahmarakshas

There is an interesting story behind the Brahma Rakshas. One person called Moose was a great friend of the king. The king was not known for his beauty but his friend Moose was very handsome. The queen fell in love with this friend knowing which the king ordered his servants to kill Moose. Instead of killing him, the King’s servants killed the junior priest of the temple (keezh santhi). The wife of the priest became a Brahma Rakshas and started seeking revenge. So the king built a temple for her. For a long time afterwards, women do not prefer to enter this temple. [2]

Architecture

A mural painting near Thirunakkara temple Kottayam Mural City Near Gandhi Statue, Thirunakara Maidanam.JPG
A mural painting near Thirunakkara temple
Gupurams at the entrance Thirunakkara Mahadeva temple gopurams.jpg
Gupurams at the entrance

The temple situated in the heart of Kottayam city is built in the traditional architectural styles of Kerala. The first entrance to the temple includes a small temple for lord Ganapathi which was built recently. After crossing the entrance, we could see the big ground leading to the holy steps of the temple. There is a banyan tree on steps which is considered sacred by the devotees. The Aanakottil and Kodimaram is placed close to the eastern entrance. The Kodimaram built in 1960 is only 42 feet long. To the side of Kodimaram lies the Balikkalpuras. Like that in Guruvayoor temple, one could clearly see the idol of chief deity from the main entrance itself. [3]

The whole temple complex occupies about 4 acres (1.6 ha) of land which is rich in many trees and plants. One of the largest Koothambalams in Kerala is in this temple situated in the southeast corner. The temple has shrines for various sub deities in different locations. The southeast entrance consists of the shrines of lord Ayyappa and Ganesha. Naga pratishtas are also close to these shrines. In the northwest section, there is a Chethi (Jungle flame) flower, commonly seen in many Hindu shrines across Kerala. The eastern section includes the shrines of lord Subhramaniya and Durga and the northeast section has the installation of Brahmarakshas which is according to the myths the soul of a priest assassinated inside the temple.

Sreekovil

The two storeyed square shaped sreekovil of temple is very attractive and it is adorned by a golden Finial. The sreekovil includes three separate rooms, one in the west is Garbhagriha which has the Shiva linga idol installed. An idol of Parvathi devi made up of Panchaloha is also installed next to it. This complex has a number of murals depicting the stories of Shiva and Dashavathara. Full circumambulation of the temple is not allowed because it is a Shiva shrine. It is said that Lord Shiva resides in his most peaceful form here, which is considered to be the reason for the prosperity of Kottayam.

Festival

Festival in 2023 Kottayam Thirunakkara temple 2023 festival 02.jpg
Festival in 2023

The temple hosts an annual ten-day festival ending with the aaraattu ritual of dipping an idol of a deity into a river or temple tank, which includes a procession of nine decorated elephants. [4] The festival is a celebration of Shiva's wedding to Parvati and is dedicated to Shiva. [5] During the festival, traditional Keralan dances such as Mayilattom and Velakali are performed within the temple premises in the evening. Another major attraction is the Kathakali performances during the festival.

Subordinate deities

Thirunakkara

Thirunakkara (Malayalam : തിരുനക്കര, romanized: tirunakkara) is a locality of Kottayam city in Kerala, [5] best known for the temple.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vadakkunnathan Temple</span> Ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva

The Vadakkumnathan Temple is an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva in Thrissur, in the Thrissur district of Kerala, India. The temple is a classical example of the architectural style of Kerala and has one monumental tower on each of the four sides in addition to a koothambalam. Mural paintings depicting various scenes from the Mahabharata can be seen inside the temple. The shrines and the Kuttambalam display vignettes carved in wood. The temple, along with the mural paintings, has been declared as a National Monument by India under the AMASR Act. According to popular local lore, this is the first temple built by Parashurama, the sixth avatar of Vishnu. Thekkinkadu Maidan, encircling the Vadakkumnathan Temple, is the main venue of the renowned Thrissur Pooram festival.

Azhakodi Devi Temple or Azhakodi Devi Mahakshethram is a Hindu temple located in Thiruthiyad, Kozhikode District, Kerala, South India. It is one of the famous Devi temples, situated hardly 1.5 km away from the Mofussil Bus stand and 2.5 km from the KSRTC Bus stand, the area still retains the beauty and charm of un-spoilt rural settings within the heart of the Kozhikode city. The temple and the Kalayana Mandapom are administered by the Malabar Devaswom Board.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kumaranalloor</span> Suburb in Kottayam, Kerala, India

Kumaranalloor is a suburb of Kottayam city, Kottayam taluk, Kerala, India. Kottayam city is just 5 km south of Kumaranalloor. The region was administered by the Kumaranallur grama panchayath till 2010, before the local self-governing body was merged into the Kottayam municipality. The former Panchayath office now exists as the regional administrative office for the municipality. The village is situated on the banks of Meenachil river.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vilwadrinatha Temple</span> Hindu temple in Kerala, India

The Vilwadrinatha Temple is a Hindu temple in Thiruvilwamala, a town in the city of Thrissur, Kerala, India. The principal deities are Rama, the seventh incarnation of the god Vishnu, and his brother, Lakshmana. It figures among the Abhimana Kshetrams in Vaishnavite traditions. This is one of the four major Rama temples in Kerala — the other three are in Thriprayar, Kadavallur, and Thiruvangad. The temple houses an idol of Lakshmana, which is rare in India. Vilwadrinatha Temple is located in the centre of the community of Thiruvilwamala, atop a 100-foot-high hillock. Visible from the temple is Bharathappuzha, the second-largest river in Kerala, which flows past the temple's northern side from around 3 kilometres away.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anandavalleeshwaram Sri Mahadevar Temple</span> Hindu temple in Kerala, India

Anandavalleeswaram Sri Mahadevar Temple in Kollam city is one of the ancient Hindu temples in Kerala, India. Lord Siva and Goddess Anandavally are the main deities of the temple. According to folklore, sage Parashurama has installed the idol of Lord Shiva. The temple is a part of the 108 famous Shiva temples in Kerala. It is located at Anandavalleeswaram, a major neighborhood of Kollam city, that comes to the west side of Kollam Collectorate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sreevallabha Temple</span> Hindu temple in India

The Sreevallabha Temple is a highly orthodox Hindu temple dedicated to Sreevallabha, a form of Vishnu. It is located in the city of Thiruvalla, in India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thumpamon Vadakkumnatha Temple</span> Hindu temple in Kerala, India

Thumpamon Vadakkumnatha Temple is an ancient temple near Pandalam in Pathanamthitta in Kerala, India. This temple has two Sreekovils. Both Sreekovils are round (vatta). It is an age old temple whispering several fascinating legends of the bygone eras.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vasudevapuram Tavanur</span>

Sri Vasudevapuram Temple is one of three ancient temples (Maha-Kshetram) on the Southern bank of holy river Bharathapuzha. It sits east of the other two, Maha-Shiva Temple and Brahma temple. These temples along with the famous Thirunavaya Maha-Vishnu temple across the river form the trilogy in Sanatana Dharma). Tavanur is called Muvaankara (മൂവ്വാങ്കര). Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva are the presiding deities, so it was initially known as Muvalankara, and then Muvaankara. Vasudevapuram Tavanur is situated in the middle of a wooded area resembling that of Sabarimala.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ettumanoor Mahadevar Temple</span> Hindu temple in Kerala

Ettumanoor Mahadeva temple is an ancient Shiva temple in Kottayam, Kerala, India. Temple tradition has it that the Pandavas and the sage Vyasa had worshipped at this temple. The name of the place has its origin from the word manoor, which means "the land of deer." The temple is one of the major Shiva temples in Kerala, along with Vaikom Temple, Chengannur Mahadeva Temple, Kaduthruthy Mahadeva Temple, Ernakulam Shiva Temple, Vazhappally Maha Siva Temple, Vadakkunathan temple and Sreekanteswaram Mahadeva Temple, Thiruvananthapuram.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ernakulam Shiva Temple</span> Hindu temple in Kerala, India

Ernakulam Shiva Temple, also known as Ernakulathappan Temple is one of the major temples of Kerala, located in heart of Ernakulam, Kochi,Kerala, India. The temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is considered as the city temple, with the presiding deity as the protector of the city, as per local Hindu faiths and traditions. As per the common practice in Kerala, the deity is reverently called Ernakulathappan, which means Lord of Ernakulam. The temple is located within the Durbar Hall Ground. The temple history itself has deep association with history of the city and was one of the 7 royal temples of Kochi Maharajas. The temple is now under administration of Cochin Devaswam Board. The temple in its current form was built under active patronage of Diwan Sri Edakkunni Sankara Warrier in year 1846 and raised it level of a Royal temple in the Kochi Kingdom. The temple is built on 1-acre (4,000 m2) land. The temple is one of the major Shiva temples in Kerala counted along with the Ettumanoor Mahadevar Temple, Kaduthruthy Mahadeva Temple, Vaikom Temple, Chengannur Mahadeva Temple, Vadakkunathan temple, and Sreekanteswaram Mahadeva Temple, Thiruvananthapuram.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vazhappally Maha Siva Temple</span> Shiva temple in Kerala, India

Vazhappally Maha Siva Temple is a Hindu temple located in Vazhappally near Changanassery in Kottayam district in the Indian state of Kerala. The temple is administered by the Travancore Devaswom Board. The temple is believed to be constructed by the first Chera king of Kodungallur. The legends suggest that the installation of the idol of god Mahadeva (Shiva) was performed by Parasurama himself. This temple is one among the 108 Shiva temples established by Parasurama. It is one of the few temples in Kerala where two nalambalams and two flag-masts are dedicated. The temple, a Grama Kshetra, also contains some seventeenth century wood carvings depicting figurines from epics. A Vattezhuttu inscription on the northern part of the base of the cultural shrine indicates that the repairs were completed in Kollam Era 840 (1665 CE).

Chittoor Sree Krishnaswamy Temple, located at South Chittoor in the city of Kochi, Kerala, India, is a temple dedicated to Lord Krishna. It is a major temple under the Cochin Devaswom Board. For centuries the temple was closely associated with the Kartha family of Cheranelloor Swaroopam and was later taken over by Rama Varma Maharaja of Cochin Royal Family. It is a classic example of Kerala temple architecture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thirumittakode Anchumoorthi Temple</span> Hindu temple in Kerala

Thirumittakode Anchumoorthi Temple is a Hindu temple equally associated with the deities Vishnu and Shiva. Temple is situated on the banks of the Bharathappuzha at Thirumittacode of Palakkad District in Kerala state in India. The five statues - one for Shiva and four Vishnu - are known here as Thirumattikodu five (Anchu) Moorthy Temple.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Triprangode Siva Temple</span> Hindu temple in Kerala, India

Triprangode Siva Temple is a Hindu temple located at Triprangode, near Tirur, Malappuram district, Kerala.

The Mithrananthapuram Trimurti Temple is a Hindu temple complex in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. It is a temple in where devotees get to offer worship to all the three Trimurti deities, namely,. The Temple is located on the western side of Padmanabhaswamy temple in Thiruvananthapuram.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Haripad Sree Subrahmanya Swamy Temple</span> Hindu temple in Kerala, India

The Sree Subrahmanya Swamy Temple (Perumthrikkovil), also known as Kerala Palani or Dakshina Palani (lit.'Southern Palani'), in Haripad, Kerala, is one of the oldest and largest temples in the region. According to belief, the temple predates the beginning of Kali Yuga. This temple holds the distinction of being the largest Subrahmanya Swami Temple in Kerala, and features the longest golden flagpost, known as the dhwajastambha (kodimaram in Malayalam). The temple's main deity is believed to embody not only Subrahmanya Swamy but also Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu, making it a highly revered and powerful place of worship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kandiyoor Sree Mahadeva Temple</span> Hindu temple in Kerala, India

Kandiyoor Sree Mahadeva Temple is an ancient Shiva temple situated in Kandiyoor near Mavelikkara on the banks of Achankovil river. Kandiyoor was once the capital of the Odanadu kingdom. The temple and region are related to the history of ancient Buddhism in Kerala. Mattom Sree Mahadeva Temple also known as shiva nada is 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) west of Mavelikkara town north of State Highway 6. It is spread across an area of 7.5 acres (3.0 ha).

Reflecting the religious constitution of the population, a large number of Hindu temples and Christian churches dot the townscape of Kottayam district. Some of them are the Thirunakkara Mahadeva temple, Kumaranalloor Devi temple, Thiruvarrpu Sri Krishna Temple, Thaliyil Mahadeva Temple, Pallippurathukavu Bhagavathi Temple, Elia Cathedral, Kottayam Valiya Pally, Manarcad Cathedral, Cheriya Palli, CSI Holy Trinity cathedral, Puthuppally St. George Church and Thazhathangadi Juma Masjid. All the temples of Kottayam were also built under royal patronage of Hinduism during the 2nd millennium.

Amayannoor is a village in Kottayam district in the Indian state of Kerala. Administratively, it falls under Ayarkkunnam panchayath. It is located about 1.7 km from Ayarkkunnam, 4.6 km from Manarcaud and 8.1 km from Kidangoor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ramapuram Sree Rama Temple</span> Hindu temple in Kerala, India

Sree Rama Swami Temple is an ancient Hindu temple located in Ramapuram village in Meenachil tehsil and near Pala in Kottayam district in the Indian state of Kerala. The temple is classified one among the 108 Abhimana kshetrams of Vaishnavate tradition. The temple has Lord Rama as principal deity, facing the east, who is in a four-armed form, Chathurbahu. It is managed by a trust called Ramapuram Devaswom consisting of three Nambudiri families of Amanakara mana, Kunnoor mana and Karanattu mana.

References

  1. "Thirunakkara Mahadevar Temple, Kottayam - Kerala Tourism". www.keralatourism.com. Archived from the original on 18 November 2016. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
  2. "Thirunakkara Shiva Temple - Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia". www.hindupedia.com. Archived from the original on 18 November 2016. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
  3. "Thirunakkara Mahadeva temple - Shiva temples in Kerala". www.kerala.com. Archived from the original on 18 November 2016. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
  4. "Thirunakkara Arattu at Thirunakkara Mahadeva Temple, Kottayam, Kerala". Kerala Tourism. Archived from the original on 19 March 2023. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  5. 1 2 Shetty, Sneha (14 March 2016). "Thirunakkara Arattu 2016: All you need to know about the temple festival in Kerala | India.com". www.india.com. Archived from the original on 19 March 2023. Retrieved 23 March 2022.