I wrote a few months back on Kerala temples where in Kerala history these nurani villages were covered; apart from these, I wrote yesterday about the great sastha historian who described vividly about these sasthas; Garuda gamanam is also analysed there by that research author. About Nurani (in Tamil a hundred in a group vix nambudiris displaced Tamil settled in Nurtani running Veda institution
Nurani is famous for its culture and religious fervour. About five centuries ago, Brahmins – mostly scholars, pandits, vaidikas, priests and cooks – from Thiruvannamalai in North Arcot district and other parts of Tamil Nadu came to Nurani in search of new pastures and established their dwelling in the present Agraharam (village). They brought in their Tamil culture and over years, became part and parcel of Palakkad population and their identity got merged in the new culture. Their Tamil accent and cultural milieu, in the present generation of people, can be seen distinctly different from that of the people of Tamil Nadu. These Brahmins were held in high esteem for their expertise in Sastras, Puranas and Vedas. Many ventured on commerce, trade and agriculture and prospered. They became property owners and great businessmen. There is also a saying that Noorunnies (hundreds of Namboodhiri boys) were brought up in the mana (house of a Namboodhiri) nearby and hence the village got the name Nurani (a derivation from Noorunni). Nurani graamam (another name for agraharam or village) consists of several theruvus (or streets). Pudu theruvu (New Street), Ottra theruvu (Single street), Retta theruvu (Double street), Ranganathapuram (Neyyandi), Varadharajapuram (Yekkandi), Paadathu theruvu, Sivan Kovil theruvu, Panchagramam are the main inroads. Sathapankthipuram is an extension at the corner of Retta theruvu and Panchagramam and goes towards Maithry Nagar. Oor Kovil (Vishnu temple) at the corner of Pudu theruvu and Retta theruvu, Sivan Kovil and Ganapathiyan Kovil are the main temples. The first two temples have a kulam or pond next to them. Nurani Grama Samudayam (NGS) is the community body that takes care of many development initiatives and festivals. Sarada Sankara Kalyana Mandapam (SSKM), next to Ganapathiyan Kovil is a common venue of many functions. Thankam food products is a popular brand store from Nurani. Thondikulam (also another graamam), Aishwarya Nagar, Vennakkara, Hira Nagar, Puduppalli Theruvu are some of the areas surrounding Nurani gramam. K Rajaram IRS 151124 ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: 'gopala krishnan' via iyer123 <[email protected]> Date: Fri, 15 Nov 2024 at 12:16 Subject: [iyer123] NURANI SASTHAPREETHI-FORWARD To: Iyer <[email protected]> NURANI SASTHAPREETHI-FORWARD Respected friends, Today Sabarimamali Dharmasastha temple has opened for Mandalam Pooja. I was curious to know how the famous Nurani sasthapreethi has started since the origin of Palghat Brahmins is from Mayavaram. Southern Kerala, which area I belong to, most Brahmins are settled long back, coming from Tirunelveli side. During sasthapreethi, sastha varavu in our samoohams starts with- Vararitho, ayyan vararitho, Bhoothathan muthalana bhoothangal kootiyae, Pulikal kuttikalai pidithhu vilayadiyae, Vararitho, THENKULATHUR ayyan vararitho… Having worked in Tirunelveli I knew Ayyan is the most respective word in that area. Very late I read Thenkulathur is a village near Ambasamudram in Tirunelveli district. The following is what I read is from Kerala tourisam about Palghat and Noorni sasthapreethi. This article gave me a clear picture how the famous Nurani sasthapreethi started. Hope the reading will be generally interesting to all. Gopalakrishnan 13-11-2024 Nurani is a renowned village in Palakkad district of Kerala State and is famous for its culture and religious fervor. According to legends, this area belonged to Kurur Mana and Neelakanta Nambooridipad was the head. He as a harden Bhaktha of Lord Dharma Sastha was a regular visitor of Aryankavu for Darshan of Lord. Due to old age, he could not visit Aryankavu and was lamenting. As per the advice of Ayyappa (who came in his dream), he built a temple in his courtyard, installed the above idols seated on the elephant, worshipped them and got solace. About five centuries ago Brahmins – mostly Scholars, Pandits,Vaidikas, Priests and Cooks – from Thiruvannamalai in North Arcot district and other parts of Tamilnadu came here in search of pastures new and established their dwelling in the present Agraharam (village). These Brahmins engaged the Aadhivasi, who were inhabitants of a nearby colony, for cultivation. Once when the Aadhivasis were working to clear bushes in a hillock, they heard the sound of bells and experienced a fragrance and strange phenomena. On hearing this, the Brahmins ordered further excavation and, to their astonishment, found three cylindrical vigrahas, a small granite elephant another flat vigraha buried under the hillock. On conducting Ashtamangalya deva prasna by eminent Astrologer and Pandits, it was found that The cylindrical Vigrahas are of Hariharaputhra (Sastha ), Poorna and pushkala (the two consorts of Hariharaputhra) and the flat one of Ilaya Bhagavathy (Malikapurathamma). On hearing this, the Brahmins rejoiced and decided that the idols should be installed in a suitable temple and daily poojas should be conducted as prescribed by Agama Sastras for the prosperity of the village. They built the temple at the North Western end, facing the entrance of the village and installed the three cylindrical vigrahas with the granite elephantAs Siva Dhrishti (sight of Siva) is said to be Ugra (harsh), to protect the residents of the street facing the Siva temple, a Bala Maha Ganapathy temple was erected directly facing the Siva Temple. A Rajagopuram constructed by the present generation in front of Ganapathy Temple is an added attraction. Certain family members and individuals were kind enough to sponsor major combination for the construction of all three temples of the village. Daily Thrikala Poojas are being conducted in all the temples, as prescribed by Agama Sastras. As the idols were found by Aadhivasis during the excavation, they were also given a share by installing the flat vigraha (Malikapurathamma) in their colony, whom they worship in their own style. Soon after the Sasthapreethi functions, villagers visit here with Narthakas and exchange view each other. EVENTS/PROGRAMS Mandala Abhishekam Sastha Pattu Kanakku (Nivedyam) Mahanyasam Rudra abhishekam Upanishad Parayanam Yajur Veda Krama Parayanam Sandhya Deeparadhana Vaara Japam Vigneswara Pooja Kumba abhishekam Aradhana Pooja Changalavatta Nattai Thodayamangalam DESCRIPTION (How festival is celebrated) Nurani Sasthapreethi is the most auspicious festival among all the 18 agraharams at Palakkad. Ayyappa Pooja is conducted in every nook and corner of the country during Mandalam to Kaliyuga varadhan Sri Dharma Sastha. This festival is celebrated at Nurani Village for more than 300 years now. Nurani Sasthapreethi festival starts from the commencement of Mandalam mostly on 16th November (vrichikam or Karthikai 1st) every year. Mandala Abhishekam, Sasth Pattu and Kanakku (Nivedyam) lasts for 42 days. During mandalam, every morning Mahanyasam and Rudra abhishekam by chanting Sree Rudram 11 times at Sastha Sannidhi and abhishekam to Mahavishnu by chanting Purusha Suktha 16 times is performed throughout mandalam. Daily at Vishnu Sannidhi, Upanishad Parayanam is performed. After Sayam Sandhya Deeparadhana, Yajur Veda Krama Parayanam and Vaara Japam is conducted. Vaidhikas are served a sumptuous meal. Daily poojas conducted are Vigneswara Pooja, Sankalpam, Maahanyasan, Rudra Japam, Kumba abhishekam and Deeparadhana. At night, after Aradhana Pooja, Nurani Sastha songs in traditional style are sung. At night around 9 p.m. all devotees assemble in the temple for Ardhayama Pooja and sing Bhajans in conventional style peculiar to Nurani. Changalavatta (oil lamp) is lighted after breaking coconut in the Sastha Sannidhi and three pradhakshinams with the accompaniment of Nadaswaram, all devotees sit in two opposite lines facing each other at Sastha Sannidhi. Destined Bhagavathar with the permission of the elders commences the song as per the Paddathi giving importance to Sastha songs. Nattai, Thodayamangalam, viruthams,keerthanams and deeparadhana is performed. After deeparadhana and distribution of Prasadam concluding poojas and songs continue. Mantra pushpam,Swarna Pushpam, Chaturveda Parayanam and Ashirvadam,one stanza from Siva Ashtakam, Ashtapadi and keerthanam followed by Thevaramm, virutham, Pathyam, venpa, Kalithurai, Nalanku, kummi, Choomikai, Onjal, Nadai chutthal Vazhthu follow. Preceeding Wednesday before Sasthapreethi, Sastha savarna Sahasranama Archana to Sastha and on Thursday 1008 Sanku Pooja and Abhishekam to Lord Maha Vishnu are performed. Further Poorna Dravya abhishekam to Sastha and Kalabhabhishekam to Vishnu are also performed. On the first auspicious Saturday after Mandalam, Sastha Preethi is scheduled on a day in which Oil Bath can be taken (except on the following this : Sukla Shasti, Ekadashi, Amavasya, Pournami) and Thulasi Amman Pooja (BrindaLakshmi Pooja) is conducted on the previous day i.e. Friday. On the Sasthapreethi day Usha Pooja, Upanishad parayanam, Prathyaksha Ganapathy Homam, Poornabhishekam to Sastha and Maha Vishnu and Maha Deeparadhana is performed. On this day also, Lord Ayyappa is taken on procession (Ezhunallippu) with caparisoned elephants accompanied by Sastha Pattu and Nadaswaram in the morning through the streets of village and also Ganapathy Temple and Shiva Temple. After return of the procession, Maha Deeparadhana is performed at about 1.30 / 2.00 pm after the return of the procession. During Deeparadhana time, Garudan is seen flying high in the sky around the vicinity of the temple. It is said that the same Garudan accompanying the Thiruvabharanam from Pandalam to Sabarimalai is seen at Nurani village at the same time of Neivedyam and Deeparadhana. It is also said that the Garudan goes to Sabarimalai after Nurani festival. -- To go to your groups page on the web, login to your gmail account and then click on https://groups.google.com/ --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "iyer123" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. 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