TIRUNELLIMAHAVISHNU TEMPLE -2 FORWARD Continuedfrom part 1
10 Importance Thirunelli is a unique place where one would experiencecommunion of nature with the divine forces. Thus it becomes an ideal spot forpilgrimage as well as an idyllic location for enjoying the nature’s bounties.Sunrise on the Brahamagiri at the back drop of Thirunelli temple is anenthralling sight. Papanasini, Pinnappara, Panchatheertham and Gunnika Templeare the other places of importance for the pilgrims who come with ardour anddevotion. 11 Papanasini It is a wild stream that originates from the Brahmagiri Hillswhich later joins River Kalindi. It is almost 400 mtrs away from the temple, onits western side. Literally it means, extinguisher of sins. It is believed that River Ganga andRiver Saraswathi join in Papanasini. Therefore Papanasini is called the Southern Kashi. A ritualdip in Papanasini is believed to wash one away, of all worldly sins committedin a life time. If we immerse the ashes of the dead in Papanasini, it isequivalent to that of doing Karmas(Rituals ) in Gaya. My note- Now a separate area is earmarkedfor immersing holy ashes in Papanasini. Not the place where Balikarma isperformed. At Papanasini there is a sacred rock called Pinnappara where ritualofferings to the spirits of the departed are made (known as bali). Peoplebelieve that Parasurama, the famous incarnation of Lord Vishnu visitedThirunelli and performed last rites at the death of his father sage Jamadagni.He also took immersion in the Papanasini to wipe away sins committed owing tothe annihilation of Kshatriyas. The ashes of Rajiv Gandhi was immersed in Papanasini in 1991.Papanasini (destroyer of sins) has an interesting story to reveal. When Brahma was consecrating Vishnu’s idol Garuda (thecarrier of Vishnu) reached over the sky, above the installation venue with theAmrit Kumbha (pot of nectar). During Garuda’s circling over, a drop of Amritfell on the stream, which provided purifying power to the water in the stream.After that incident the stream came to be called Papanasini. Papanasini later joins in RiverKalindi which is a tributary of River Kabani which later joins in River Kaveri. 12 Pinnappara This rock is supposed to be the bone of an asuran (demon)named Pazhana-bhedi, who was killed by Vishnu. At the time of his death heprayed to Vishnu that his bodybe converted into a rock extending from Thirunelli to Gaya and divided intothree parts fit for the performance of offerings for the departed, at (1)Thiurnelli representing his foot, (2)Godavari representingthe middle part, and (3)Gaya representing the head. Offerings at any of these three places are supposed to havespecial benefits in producing happiness and in the propitiation of the spirits. In Thirunelli ritual offerings to the spirits are made atPinnappara, especially on the New Moon days of the Malayalam monthsKarkkidakom, Thulam and Kumbham. It is believed that Sri Rama and his brother Lakshmanaperformed the ‘pithrukarma’ of their father King Dasaratha, standing on thisrock. 13 Panchatheertham The steps at the back of the temple actually leads to thetank Panchteertham. It is believed that Panchteertham, at one point of time wasa meeting point of five rivers. Hence its sacred importance was immense. Buttoday most of the water has dried up and the only remaining attraction is the footsteps of Vishnu, Vishnupad.It is the image of a footprint on a boulder in the middle of the tank. 14 Gunnika Temple As you walk from Thirunelly temple to Papanasini along theriverbank , somewhere midway on your left, a small bridge appears. Cross thisto go to a cave temple called Gunnika temple dedicated to lord Siva. Legend isthat a fruit ( again Nelli fruit ) plucked by a pilgrim was turned into aPhallus (Shiva linga), as he was finishing bath in the Papanashini. Rituals and offerings 15 Procedure forpithrubali The flow of the pilgrims to Thirunelli Temple is not only tooffer prayers but also to perform the ancestral rites called Bali. Those who dothe rites have to observe penance. In Kerala it is in Thirunelli Temple, thelargest number of ‘bali tharpana’ is being performed every day. It is desirable that those who come for ancestral rites mayreach the temple on the eve itself, so that they can conveniently pay the feeat the Devaswam Counter and get the receipt. The fee is to be paid in the name of the performer andnot in the name of the deceased. When one person alone is performing the rites, it is called“oraalpindam”. But one who has remitted the fee for “oraalpindam” can do theobsequies for all the dead ancestors of the ‘tharavaad’ whom he knows and notknows. The fee for “oraalpindam” is Rs 43. This include Rs.35, the share toThirunelli Temple and Rs.8, the share to Thrissilery Temple (for vilakkumaala).There is facility for the related family members also to sit together and dothe rites along with the main performer. This is called “koottupindam”. For this the main performer(the Kaaranavar of the tharavaad) has to remit Rs.43 and each member Rs.30each. After getting the receipt, the performers have to stand atthe temple step, taking bath. Immediately after “deepaaraadhana’ the“Vaadhayaar” (the Priest) will dictate the prayer for all those who haveassembled on the step. The performers have to recite this prayer. After theprayer, they have to do “dandanamaskaara”(to prostrate, by falling down at fulllength) before Thirunelli Perumaal and pay the “kaanikka” (offering). With theabove, the rituals to be done on the eve of ancestral rites, come to a close. Next day withouttaking bath, between 6 am and 11 am, the performers have to reach thetemple and collect the “bali materials” and “dharbha grass” from the specialcounter arranged on the northern side of the temple, showing the receipt. After this, they head to the pond, in the sacred streamcalled Papanashini, located about half a kilometer away, in the forest. There,it will be waist deep water. Now take the first dip in the water, before theactual ritual starts. On the bank of the pond stands the “Vaadhyaar” (the priest)who administers the ritual. Pilgrims line in the stream with almost ankle-deepflowing water. The ritual material collected from the temple is placed on theboulder in front, and the priest directs and administers the rituals insequence. Then they have to return to main temple after praying to LordShiva in the “Gunnika Temple”. The rituals come to a close with the reverentialcircumambulation around the main Temple, worship of the “Perumaal” there and receiptof the “thirmadhura Nivedyam” “theertham” and “Prasaadam”. Those who have thestatues with them have to return the same in the counter. Even if one fails to reach thetemple on the eve, can perform the rites, the same day, provided they arrivethe temple before 11 am. My note- Though all communities can performBali, most attend are Non Brahmins as I saw in the video, like the one atTiruvallam. 16 Thrissilery temple Thirunelli and Thrissilery temples are closely connected. Thetraditional ritual is that those who perform the ancestral rites at ThirunelliTemple have to worship Lord Shiva in Thrissilery Temple and make the“Vilakkumaala Vazhipaad” there. But to everybody it is not possible. So thereis facility to pay in Thirunelli Temple itself, the fee required for the above“Vazhipaad” at Thrissilery. My note- No bus service toThrissilery temple. Trisillery temple - It is inextricably linked with legendsand folklore to Thirunelli temple. The belief is that the Pinnappara atThirunelli is a continuous stretch upto Thrissilery. Therefore it has been apractice that those who come to do the ancestral rites at Thirunelli, first visit Thrissilery and make aVilakkumaala offering there. This temple has been well described in the prose and poeticpassages of Unniyachi Charitham. In the 41st stanza of Kokila Sandesham alsothere is description of Thrissilery. 17. Kottiyur Temple There are numerous rituals and beliefs that link Kottiyur andThirunelli temples. If one treks 10 kms along the thick forest in the Brahmagiri valley in thenorth-west direction, he can reach Kottiyur. Now the pilgrims take theMananthavady-Boys Town route to reach Kottiyur. Earlier, it was from Thirunelli that rice was brought toKottiyur to meet the expenses in connection with the festival there.After the festival, the same was returned to Thirunelli Temple. Now separate celebrations are observed at Thirunelli andKottiyur to commemorate the old customs. 17 Accommodation 1) Panchatheertham Vishrama Mandiram This is a lodge owned by Thirunelli Devaswam. There are 54double rooms 3 suite rooms and a dormitory. For double rooms the tariff is Rs.195 and for suite roomsRs.750. Contact No: 04935 210055 Web: www.thirunellitemple.com. Room Type Tariff AC Room Rs. 500 Double Room Rs. 300 Suite Room Rs. 1200 Dormitory Rs.25 Per person 2) Himagiri Homes This is a service Villa 950 mts away from the temple, on theopposite side of Agraharam Resorts. In Himagiri Homes there are four suiterooms and a twin suite room. Phone: 09605 005020. Optional Number: 09605 005021. Email: [email protected] Web: www.himagirihomes.com Tariff are above 2000-00 per day per suite. All enquires to ThirunelliTemple Office:-8547 336201, 8547 244055, 04935 210201.THIRUNELLITEMPLE.COM -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/1580632226.312584.1717210465267%40mail.yahoo.com.
