Vilwamangalam Swaamiyaar
Vilwamangalam Namboodiri (Swaamiyaar) was so great a believer in God that
he was said to possess the ability to actually "see" gods. He was
instrumental in setting up several famous temples in Kerala such as
Thiruvananthapuram, Thiruvaarppu, and Cherthala Kaarthiaayani.
*God's Visitations ("Seeing Gods")*
Once on a Vrischikam Kaarthika (Kaarthika star of the Malayalam month
Vrischikam) day, {click here
<https://www.namboothiri.com/articles/vaaram.htm> for "Malayalam Months"
and "The 27 Stars" in the article, "Vaaram, Thrisanddha, Othoottu and
Panchasanddha") when he went to Vadakkunnaathha temple in Thrissur, the
deity was "missing", but on his stepping out, he found the god sitting on
the south wall facing south, apparently waiting to watch Kumaaranalloor
Kaarthiaayani's arrival after her bath and fully attired. Ever since, every
year a Pooja {click here <https://www.namboothiri.com/articles/pooja.htm> for
Pooja or worship) is performed on the south wall on the Kaarthika of
Vrischikam.
On an Ashtami day (one of the 15 Thithhis - 8th day) (click here
<https://www.namboothiri.com/articles/anadhyaayam.htm> for Thithhis in
Anadhhyaaya Dinangal), he visited Vaikom temple but could not find the
deity in the sanctorum, but when he carefully searched, the lord was found
disguised as an old Braahmanan sitting and eating among a crowd of
Braahmanans enjoying a Sadya (feast), next to a pillar in the north
"Chuttambalam". Since then, during every feast in the temple, a plantain
leaf is placed near that pillar with all dishes of the feast served.
During an "Utsavam" (temple festival) day in Ambalappuzha temple,
Swaamiyaar found the missing god serving feast to the "Maaraars"
(traditional temple drummers) in the "Naatakasaala" (drama hall). Even to
this day, the Naatakasaala feast for Maaraars is given much importance
owing to the supposed divine presence.
On one of his sojourns, while approaching a forest area near Cherthala, the
Swaamiyaar came face to face with seven divine women (angels). On
approaching them, one ran away but fell into a very muddy part of a pond.
When he extricated her, her hair was full of mud, and that was the reason
for the place to get the name "Cherthala", and the deity Cherthala
Kaarthiaayani.
If these legends are to be believed, there must have been more than one
Vilwamangalam Swaamiyaar, since historically these events must have
occurred in different periods. Ulloor S Parameswara Iyer (the famous poet)
believes that there were at least three Swaamiyaars.
*"Sreekrishna Karnaamritham"*
Vilwamangalam Swaamiyaar had a local "Ambalavaasi" for wife ("Sambandhham")
whom he loved dearly. He would visit his wife across the river every night,
whatever be the obstacles. On a very stormy night, he took off with a torch
("Choottu", lighted bunched palm leaves) and somehow managed to cross the
river using what appeared to be a log with a rope at one end. After
crossing the river, he tied the log to a tree using the rope. Hearing about
the trouble he had taken to visit her every night, she told him that he
would have obtained "Moksham" or "Saayoojyam" (salvation), had he diverted
all that energy and single-mindedness to pray to (please) God.
These words of his wife really shook him and there was a revelation in him,
which led him to create his devotional masterpiece, "Sreekrishna
Karnaamritham", which he wrote under an assumed name "Leelaasukan". Next
morning he left his wife telling her that she was henceforth his mother and
teacher. At the river-bank he found that the log he had used the previous
night was actually the dead body of a man, and the rope, a dead python.
After reaching home and taking bath, he arranged for "Punyaaham" {click here
<https://www.namboothiri.com/articles/punyaham.htm>) to be performed on
him, and soon thereafter he sought "Samnyaasam" and became the well-known
"Vilwamangalath Swaamiyaar". His mother was Neeli and father Damodaran.
*"Anantha-Sayanam"*
After making his presence before the Swaamiyaar, Lord Sreekrishnan used to
take the form of a boy and tease him during "Thevaaran"
("Sandhyaa-Vandanam" and other daily rites). One day when the boy became
too naughty, Swaamiyaar pushed him away with the back of his palm and
scolded him. The lord was a bit offended and disappeared saying that if he
wished to see him again, he will be at "Ananthankaad".
Disturbed by this, Swaamiyaar started searching far and wide and finally
found him in "Ananthasayanam" pose with "Bhoolakshmis" near his head and
feet. The "Bhagavaan" (Lord) was happy to see him and said he was hungry.
Whereupon the Swaamiyaar gathered some tender fallen mangos, crushed them
with a stone and served in a coconut shell, and the Lord was happy.
When the Swaamiyaar told the Travancore Mahaaraaja that he had seen the
Lord in the Ananthasayanam pose, the king had the trees cut, a temple built
and the deified at the spot. But neither was the king willing to release
the Swaamiyaar, nor was the Swaamiyaar willing to leave the Lord. The king
therefore built a house (Mattham) west of the temple and decided that the
Swaamiyaar shall perform "Pushpaanjali" (offering of flowers) to the Lord
uninterrupted and this is continued this day by Thrissur Thekke Mattham
Swaamiyaar.
During "Navaraathri Vaakyaarthha Sadass", a scholar from "Choladesam" was
defeated by the Swaamiyaar who put forth the answers by communicating with
the Lord. The "Saasthrikal" declared : "Thiruvaayakku Ethirvaayilla" (One
cannot contest the divinely spoken words.), prostrated and left.
Though a Keralite, his fame as a poet had spread through the entire
country. Bengalis believe that the Swaamiyaar was born in Bengal. Oriyas
believe he was born in Orissa. However, the fact remains that he belongs to
the Panniyoor Graamam of Kerala State.
*Vilwamangalam Illam*
There are several versions as to where "Vilwamangalam" is located -
Thavanur, Puthanchira, Kasaragod and other places have stated claims.
1. THAVANUR : One version claims that Vilwamangalam is the same as
"Vella" Illam of Thavanur (from "Thapanoor", the village of the "Thapaswi",
the sainty). The compound and basement remnant of this Illam exist nearby
even today. Also in the vicinity on the south bank of Bharaathapuzha is
"Vasudevapuram" temple apparently built for Swaamiyaar's mother to pray to
Vishnu during her old age. Even today, on the Vella Illam basement,
"Yogeeswara Pooja" is performed in a grand way on the Sraadhham day (death
anniversary) of the Swaamiyaar, adding to the belief that Vilwamangalam is
here. The Swaamiyaar's writings about Mookkuthala Bhagavathy, Sukapuram
Dakshinaamoorthy and Thriprangottappan appear to substantiate this view.
Ulloor suggests the original Sanskrit name would have been
"Kodandamangalam" which translates to "Villumangalam" and changed to
Vilwamangalam and hence to Vella.
2. PUTHANCHIRA : Some believe that his "Poorvaasramam" (pre-Samnyaasam
home) was in Puthanchira, between Kodungallur and Mala in Mukundapuram
Taluk of Thrissur distrct. He is said to belong to one branch of the Vella
family of Panniyoor which settled there, and later this family as well as
their property got merged into Mechery Mana of Paravur. The Paaramel
Thrikkovil temple of Puthanchira is said to be that of Sreekrishnan,
Vilwamangalam's "Paradevatha". A homestead of 57 cents near Anappara was
set apart as Vilwamangalam's, which continues to have rituals. The paddy
fields there are still known as Vilwamangalam "Paadam".
3. KASARAGOD : The people of Brahmapuram Desam of Kasaragod district are
of the opinion that Vilwamangalam belongs to that place. They believe that
it was in their Ananthapuram temple that Sreekrishnan chided the Swaamiyaar
to meet again in Ananthan forest. They also claim some connection between
the Swaamiyaar and a temple near Kaithapram, and that the spring in the
sacred temple pond ("Theerthham") was generated by him.
4. OTHER CLAIMS : During his stay in the Mattham at Trichambaram, after
gifting Vadakke Mattham and properties to Othanmaar Mattham, Vilwamangalam
reached Vishnumangalam temple near Edaneer Mattham, before starting off to
Banares (Kaasi). He stayed in Edaneer Mattham as requested by the Yaadava
families of Trichambaram, and under the care of those local families who
later took up Samnyaasam, apparently from Vilwamangalam Swaamiyaar.
These events took place around 500 years ago. There have been twelve
Swaamiyaars there and ten given for adoption to Perumpadappu. Ulloor and
others state that there have been three from Vilwamangalam family who had
become Swaamiyaars, and that one of them might have offered the
afore-mentioned Samnyaasam.
There is one Vilwamangalam family listed among the Saagara Dwijans {click
here <https://www.namboothiri.com/articles/saagaradwijans.htm>). It is
likely that his disciples might have stayed with him and perhaps later they
began to be referred to as Vilwamangalam.
*His Teachers*
One of Vilwamangalam Swaamiyaar's teachers was named Eesaana Devan.
Somagiri an expert in Thaanthrik traditions may also be considered
Leelaasukan's Guru (teacher). Ramachandra Budhendran and Paapaayallaya
Soori, both from Andhra Pradesh, were his commentators.
*His Period*
It may be conjectured that the first Vilwamangalam was around the ninth
century, and the later ones were around the 13th and the 17th centuries,
AD, and that they were Swaamiyaars of Thekke Mattham.
*His Works*
1. Sreekrishna Karnaamritham,
2. Sreechinham,
3. Purushakaaram,
4. Abhinava-Kausthubha-Maala,
5. Dakshinaamoorthy-Sthavam,
6. Kaalavadha Kaavyam,
7. Durgaasthuthi,
8. Baalakrishna Sthothram,
9. Baalagopaala Sthuthy,
10. Sreekrishna Varadaashtakam,
11. Vrindaavana Sthothram,
12. Bhaavanaamukuram,
13. Raamachandraashtakam,
14. Ganapathy Sthothram,
15. Anubhavaashtakam,
16. Mahaakaalaashtakam,
17. Kaarkotakaashtakam,
18. Krishnaleelaa-Vinodam,
19. Sankara-Hridayamgamaa,
20. Subanda-Saamraajyam,
21. Thinganda-Saamraajyam, and
22. Kramadeepika
A grand total of 22 works. K R IRS 5724 In next we will see
VILWAMANGALAM PRASNAM FAMOUS IN KERALA. KR IRS 5724
On Fri, 5 Jul 2024 at 01:12, 'gopala krishnan' via iyer123 <
[email protected]> wrote:
> SREE KARTHYAYANI DEVI TEMPLE, CHERTHALA-COMPILED.
>
> Dear friends,
>
> My co-brother is from Maruthurvattam near Cherthala. During most of the
> visits to him, I visited the Karthyayani temple near Cherthala Bus stand
> and Dhanwanthari temple at Maruthurvattam.
>
> During one of the earliest visits, my father desired to get THATI
> offering from the temple. Early booking is necessary for this offering. I
> made the offering and got it and gave to father. It is a special offering
> in this temple.
>
> Another offering is FLYING ROOSTER in the temples like Cherthala,
> Kodungallur etc. I have made this offering two years back at Cherthala
> temple. At Cherthala one has to bring a young rooster. In Kodungallur
> roosters are made available near administrative office.
>
> On account of this offering one can see a number of roosters in these
> temples; it is advised not to harm them.
>
> Cherthala is 22 KM North of Alleppy in the National Highway. It is 37 KM
> South of Ernakulum in the NH.
>
> Cherthala is sandy area, close to sea; at one time all homes had ponds for
> bathing, cleaning of vessels etc. Now most of them are closed and bathrooms
> constructed in homes. Cherthala is famous for the coir and coir products
> companies.
>
> Hope a divine reading in the morning.
>
> Gopalakrishnan 05-07-2024
>
> 1 Legend
>
> Legend has it that while Vilwamangalam Swamiyar was returning to
> Guruvayur after consecrating the Ananthapadmanabha temple in
> Thiruvananthapuram, he stopped to take rest below a Thambaka tree. He
> noticed several swans swimming in several ponds in the place. Suddenly he
> saw a divine lady swinging in a swing, tied to the Thambaka tree. He
> recognized her as Goddess Karthyayani and approached her whereupon she
> jumped into a nearby pond. Though Swamiyar searched for her in the pond, he
> could not locate her.
>
> The next day also he saw her in the same place and this time she jumped
> into a second pond. This continued for six days.
>
> On the seventh day, Swamiyar managed to catch hold of the hair of the
> Goddess and pulled her up before she could submerge. He could only pull up
> her head (thala) exposing her neck. Also, several strands of her hair got
> uprooted in the process. Swamiyar is said to have got angry trying to catch
> the Goddess in vain.
>
> The Pooram festival commemorates this and people playfully abuse the
> Goddess during the festival.
>
> 2 History
>
> Believed to be constructed in the 7th century by Azhvanchery Thamprakkal.
> Temple is very beautiful built in traditional Kerala style.
>
> 3 Deities
>
> The main deity is Karthyayani Devi.
>
> *Since the seventh tank was full of slushy mud called Cher in Malayalam.
> Because of this incident the place was called Cherthalai.*
>
> The present statue has only the head visible. You can see these holes from
> which hairs have been pulled out. So after Abhisheka, this part is the
> water is mopped out by using a cloth. Also while doing flower offering to
> the Goddess, these parts are covered with cloth.
>
> It seems the swamiyar got angry with her because he Goddess in the sanctum
> sanctorum is below the surface level. Speciality of the Deity-Cherthala
> Karthyayani Devi is famous as Mangalya Dayani, the one who bestows
> welfare and prosperity on her devotees and helps to remove obstacles in
> marriage.
>
> 4 Other deities
>
> The main sub deity 'Dharma Sastha' who is Ayyappan is also having
> importance in this temple. There are numerous sub-deities like Shiva,
> Vishnu, Ganapathi, Dharmasastha, Snake deities, etc. Among these deities,
> Dharmasastha, who is known as Kavudayon in this temple has more importance.
>
> 4A Dharma sastha- Kavudayon
>
> It seems a gandharva was giving lot of trouble to the people around this
> temple. So the goddess requested Shastha to teach the gandharva a lesson.
> Lord Sastha went outside and killed the Gandharva. When he was returning to
> the temple, the Goddess asked him to stay outside itself so that he can
> protect the people. A separate temple was built there.
>
> The Sastha in this temple is called Kavu udayon (he who has job of
> security or He who has a Kavu). He holds a mace in his hand. People who are
> in fear or are attacked by evil spirits make a mace of wood, colour it and
> give it as offering to Kavu udayon.
>
> The presence of wooden mace as an offering signifies Bhootanathaswamy an
> amsa of Shasta, though not Shasta technically,who is more familiar in
> southern Tamil Nadu especially at Shasta Preethis than in Kerala.
>
> He is given a special offering named Thadi here.
>
> 5 Poojas and offerings
>
> The etiquette and rituals followed at the temple differs a lot from those
> at other temples in Kerala.
>
> The temple follows many rituals and customs to worship the deity. There
> are many festivals celebrated in the temple but the annual festival is
> known as Aarrattu and the Karthika Star is widely celebrated.
>
> Morning Pooja 5.30 am
>
> Afternoon Pooja 12.00 Noon
>
> Evening Pooja 6.30 pm
>
> 6 Offerings:
>
> Archana Rakta Pushpanjali(Flower offerings)
>
> Swayamvara Pushpanjali
>
> Muzhukappu(adorning the deity with sandalwood paste)
>
> Iratti, thati, kalabham and Flying rooster
>
> Offerings
>
> Archana, Rakta Pushpanjali (flower offerings), Swayamvara Pushpanjali,
> Muzhukappu (adorning the deity with sandalwood paste),and so on for the
> Devi. For Lord Sastha 'Neerajanam' and a special offering known as
> 'Aalthadi' is performed. The 'vazhipadu' (offering) 'Aalthadi' is offered
> by the devotees in the belief that their physical ailments will be removed.
> 'Thalappoli' is also an important offering here: a lighted oil lamp is
> placed on a flower decorated plate and women carry them accompanying Devi's
> processions etc.
>
> The devotees hand over cock as an offering to the goddess Karthyayani .So
> you can find several cocks at this temple.
>
> 6A Iratti and thati
>
> There are two very special and peculiar offerings at this temple. They are
> called Iratti and Thadi. Iratti is nothing but the Ghee Payasam with the
> double the quantity of jaggery
>
> .Thadi is made by the following method:-
>
> Mix rice flour, Jaggery, and coconut along with powdered dry ginger and
> other spices.This is made in to a paste form tied in the sheath of areca
> nut and tied at both ends. Then the sand is heated by burning sticks. A
> small depression is made. The above bundle is put inside and covered with
> hot sand. Again fuels such as coconut shells are burnt over it. This
> offering is made only if devotees desire for it.
>
> 7 Festivals
>
> 7A Pooram festival
>
> It is conducted annually in the month of May-June (Edavam) For 8 Days.
> Cherthala pooram is the second famous pooram in Kerala.
>
> Events/programs-Kodiyettam, Aarattu ,Thalappoli ,Vela Thullal,Padayani
>
> Description -Cherthala Pooram starts virtually two days prior to the
> Kodiyettam or flag hoisting. On these two days Thalappoli (plates decorated
> with oil lamps and flowers) is carried by women and girls and offered to
> the Goddess. The Aarattu ritual is held twice every day during the
> festival. The ritual is performed in seven different ponds unlike in
> other temples. The temple is beautifully decorated and special ritualistic
> prayers are held. Hundreds of devotees throng the temple premises during
> the festival days.
>
> The arattu (bath in tank) festival is celebrated in the month of Edavam
> (May-June) for eight days. Each day Goddess is dipped in a different pond
> and on the eighth day she is brought back to the temple along with Lord
> Vishnu and Lord Shiva.
>
> Karthika Star day in the Malayalam month of Vrichikam is also well
> celebrated.
>
> 8 Temple times
>
> 5 am–12 pm, 5–8 pm
>
> 9 How to reach the temple
>
> From Cherthala KSRTC Bus Stand - 50 m
>
> From Cherthala Railway Station - 3 Km towards North.
>
> From Cochin International Airport - 63 Km towards south in the NH.
>
> 10 Address of the temple
>
> Sree Karthyayani Devi Temple
>
> Near Cherthala Bus stand, Kodathikavala, Cherthala – 688524
>
> 11Misc information
>
> This temple was the venue for one of the speeches given by Gandhiji, on
> January 18, in the year 1937.
>
> Brahmana samooham in the NH is somewhat rich, constructed a number of
> shops in the front side, and community hall, prayer room etc. behind it.
> Though there are a lot of Brahmins, those who are permanent resident only
> can be the members of the sanooham. Hence only 8-10 families are only
> members.
>
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