THIRUVANCHIKULAMMAHADEVA TEMPLE, NEAR KODUNGALLUR, TRICHUR DISTRICT- KERALA-COMPILED
Dear friends, Today my posting is about the famous and oldest ThiruvanchikulamMahadeva Temple, situated about 6 KM from Kodungallur in the Trichur Districtof Kerala. Built and expanded by Cheraman Perumal, is one of the largesttemples in Kerala. Thetemple has sanctums for about 33 sub-deities. Following Tamilnadu style temples, it is the only temple havingPalliyara poojain Kerala during the night. It is the only Lord Siva temple in Kerala whereTamil poets have sung on the deity. Hope a divine reading. Gopalakrishnan 18-05-2025 Introduction Thiruvanchikulam Mahadeva Temple, located at Kottapuram, 6kms from Kodungallur, in Thrissur district, dates back to the 8th century. It was built during the rule of the Cheradynasty. The presiding deity Lord Mahadeva was also the family deity of the Cochin royalfamily. Legend It is believed that it the temple where Parasurama, an avatarof Vishnu, worshiped Shiva to expiate his sin for killing his mother Renuka. History This region was the capital of Chera dynasty ruled here tillthe 13th century.ThisThiruvanchikulam Mahadeva Temple is believed to be built by Cheraman Perumal, alegendary Chera king. It has the oldest reference in history in Tamil Sangamliterature. Later the temple came under Cochin royal family. Shiva is thefamily god of the Cochin Royal Family (Perumpadapu Swaroopam) after they cameto power following thedecline of Chera Empire). The national anthem of erstwhile kingdom of Travancore, Vanchi Bhumi refers to thedeity of this temple, the official deity of imperial Chera Empire from whom theformer claim lineage. The temple is associatedwith Chidambaram temple in Tamil Nadu. The capital city of the Kulasekharas, Mahodayapuram, wasbuilt around the temple; it was protected by high fortifications on all sidesand had extensive pathways and palaces. This temple was attacked anddamaged during Tipu Sultan's invasion of Kerala; the copper roofing,gold and jewels were looted. Tipu's Muslim soldiers fled the temple complexonly after the arrival of the Travancore Army of Dalawa Keshavadas Pillai. The temple was rebuilt by PaliathAchan of the Paliam Swaroopam. For centuries, this temple was an administrative centre of the kingdoms ofKochi and Zamorins of Calicut. It is at present under the administration ofCochin Devaswom Board. The traditional storiessays that the sword of Zamorin which is believed to have given to him byCheraman Perumal was burnt when the Dutch attacked the temple in 1670 CE. Two basements of the temple towersin the western side of the temple informs us that the ‘Gopurams’ was pulleddown during the attacks. There are sufficient evidences of invasion to thistemple during the period of Tippu Sultan. In the ‘Namskara Mandapa’ of the templethere is an inscription which says that the temple had been smashed by a'Sasthra Bahya' and was renovated under the leadership of Paliyath GovindanAchan (Paliyath Achans arethe traditional chief ministers of Kochi Kingdom). Architecture Built in the Kerala architectural style, the temple featuresa Namaskara Mandapam, a prayer hall with 16 pillars in front of the sanctumsanctorum. The temple has a good collection of mural paintings which depictmany scenes from Hindu mythology. The majestic gateway is decorated with carvings of elephantsand sub deities. Inside the enclosure there is a porch with carvings dedicatedto the characters of the great Hindu epic ‘Ramayana’. The temple is a protected monument by the ArchaeologicalSurvey of India The temple has entrance towers in all the four sides. Thesanctum occupies the centre portion of the temple, which is fortified. Thesanctum is approached through a flagstaff, which is axial to the entrance towerand the sanctum. The flagstaff has images of Asthavidyesavara. The presiding deity isin the form of lingam. The image of Narasimha is sculpted on the vimana. Theimages of Sundarar andCeramanperuman are maintained near the Bhagavathi temple inside. There are two temple tanks in thetemple, located in the second precinct. Chief deity The lingam here is said to have been self- incarnated. Shiva is worshipped as Mahadeva and his consort Parvathi as Umadevi. Itis one of the oldest Shiva temples in South India, where Shiva is said to livealong with his whole family.(Lord Murga, Lord Ganesha and Lord Sastha) The Linga enshrined atthat time was brought from Chidambaram in Tamil Nadu. The two storied sanctum sanctoriumis square in shape and is facing east i.e. to the river. In ancient period it is said that the riveris so close to the temple. The aspect of Siva of this temple is believed to be‘Sadasiva’. Sadasiva is the highest manifestation of Siva. The temple has thelargest number of sub gods. Worship is done five times in a day here. The lingam here is said to have been self- incarnated. Shiva is worshipped as Mahadeva and his consort Parvathi as Umadevi. Itis one of the oldest Shiva temples in South India, where Shiva is said to livealong with his whole family.(Lord Murga, Lord Ganesha and Lord Sastha) The Linga enshrined atthat time was brought from Chidambaram in Tamil Nadu. The two storied sanctum sanctoriumis square in shape and is facing east i.e. to the river. In ancient period it is said that the riveris so close to the temple. The aspect of Siva of this temple is believed to be‘Sadasiva’. Sadasiva is the highest manifestation of Siva. The temple has thelargest number of sub gods. Worship is done five times in a day here. Pallyara pooja The peculair feature of this temple is ‘Palliyara’ i.e.sleeping chamber. It is a chamber with acoat, bed and pillows. When the worshipservices of the main temple is completed around 8 PM, the God and Goddess istaken in a procession to the sleeping chamber and next morning taken back tothe temple sanctum sanctorum. Youngsters, who wish for a good spouse also participated in the Palliyara processionand worship the God and Goddess in the Palliyara at that time. On full moon days there isa heavy rush for this worship. The ‘Palliyara’ feature is not seen in any other Keralatemples. Therefore the temple worship pattern is known here as ‘PradesaSampradaya’. Palliyara Pooja can also be performed by devotees as an offering for securing peacefulmarital life and begetting children, and it attracts hundreds of people. Sub deities There are 33sub-deities in this temple, the highest number so in Kerala. Thiruvanchikulam Temple in Kerala is considered to have themost significant number of upadevathas (sub-deities) in the state. Besides LordShiva, the temple also worships other deities such as Sandhyavelakkal Sivan, PalliyaraSivan, Bhagavati, Sakthi Panchakshari, Rishabham, Nandikeshan, Unni Thevar, Ayyappan, Hanuman, andNagaraja, among others. Key upadevathas worshippedin Thiruvanchikulam Temple: Lord Ganapathy: Worshipped along with Lord Shiva. Lord Ayyappan: Another prominent deity in the temple. Cheraman Perumal: Arevered figure in the temple's history and tradition. Sundaramoorthy Nayanar: Asaint and poetassociated with the temple. Palliyara Sivan: A sub-shrine of Lord Shiva within the templecomplex. Nadakkal Sivan: Another sub-shrine of Lord Shiva. Sakthi Panchakshari: A form of Shakti worshipped in thetemple. Bhagavati: A form of Shakti worshipped in the temple. Goddess Parvathy: Worshipped as the consort of Lord Shiva. Lord Parameshwara: Another form of Lord Shiva worshipped inthe temple. Prodhosha Nrithya: Adance performed as part of the Pradosha rituals. Sapthamathrukkal/Sapthakannigas:A group of sevengoddesses worshipped in the temple. Rishabham: A form of LordShiva's vehicle, Nandi, worshipped separately. Nandikeshan: A form of Lord Shiva's attendant, Nandi,worshipped separately. Unni Thevar: A deitybelieved to be associated with the temple's history. Lord Hanuman: A deity worshipped in the temple. Nagaraja: A serpent deity worshipped in the temple. Thiruvanchikulam Temple is known for its unique structure andthe various deities worshipped within its complex, making it a significantpilgrimage site in Kerala. Poojas 5:00 am Nadathurappu 06:30 am Usha pooja 07:00 am Siveli 07:30 am Dhara 08:00 am panthirady pooja 09.30 am Shanga abhishekam 10.30 am Uchapooja 10.45 am Siveli 11:00 am Nadaadaikkal Evening 05:00 pm Nadathurappu 06:30pm Deeparadna 06:45 pm Athaza pooja 07:00pm Siveli 07:30 pm Palliyara pooja 08:00 pm Nadaadaikkal Relation withKodungallur Bhagavathi The temple seems to have some relations with the famousKodungallur Kurumbha Bhagavathy temple from ancient days. During the Bharanifestivel of Bhagavathy temple the pilgrims who came to participate that festivalare also visited this temple. It is an age old practice. Festivals Sukravaram (Friday), fortnightly rituals like pradosham, andmonthly festivals like amavasai (new moon day), kiruthigai, pournami (full moonday) and sathurthi. The annual festival of the temple takes place in theMalayalam month of Kumbham [February-March], when Shivarathri festival is celebrated with great pomp. Anayottam [elephant race] isconducted as part of the festival, and people throng to witness thiscelebration. Vaisakha Brahmotsavam is another prominent festivalcelebrated at the temple, and it usually falls in the Malayalam month ofMidhunam [May-June]. Historical importanceof Tiruvanchikulam The known Kerala history begins with Cheras. The Siva ofTiruvanchikulam temple is their tutelary deity. History of Kerala is broadlydivided into four divisions. First division among them is Vanchi Epoch. In‘sangam’ period Tiruvanchikulam is known as Vanji. Dr. S. Krishna Swamy Iyengar, K.G. Sesha Iyerand other historians located Vanchi at Tiruvanchikulam. 27 Sangam poets have sung aboutCheras, who are believed to have visited this temple and the nearby CheramanPalace in ancient days. Tamil relation The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saivacanonical work, the Thevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as theNayanmars. It is the onlytemple in Kerala to be listed in the 276 Paadal Petra Sthalams. Saint SundaramoorthyNayanar and CheramanPerumal worshipped lord Shiva leading to eternal bliss. They reached Mount Kailash by ridingon a 1000 tusked white elephant by Nayanar and on a blue horse by Perumal. Both of them have shrines in this temple. This event tookplace on Swati day in the month of Karkidakam (July/August) and special poojasare performed that time. Religious importanceand festivals The temple is believed to be the place where Sundarar andking Cheraman spent their last days and believed to have ascended to Kailasa ina white elephant. The temple priests perform the puja (rituals) duringfestivals and on a daily basis. Cheraman Perumal, the legendary king of Kerala, is believed to have visited ‘Kailasa’ with hiscompanion Saiva saint, Sundaramoorthi Nayanar from this temple premises. This event is celebrated by theTamil community on ‘Swathi’ asterism day of Malayalam month ‘Karkatakam’ inthis temple even now. According to Tamil Saiva traditions, Tiruvanchikulamtemple is the only Saiva Tirupati temple in Kerala. Thiruvathira On the day of thiruvathira (Malayalam era Dhanu) hindu ladies worship Lord parameswra and parvathy for good health, well-being of their husband and family and unmarriedladies pray to get good husband and family for their life. Holy bath and thiruthira vratha(fasting), pathirapoochoodal , thiruvathirakali also are performed on this dayand prossession is also conduceted in temple.. Here the main festival kumbha sivarathry and it is celebrated for 8days (in Feb, March month). On the first day function, flag hosting will bedone, then daily procession will be conducted. On the day of pradosha, after prossession melsanthy take idol to his foreheadand will start pradhosha nritha(dance). And on the sivarathri day the same practice is repeated. Thousands of devotees come to participate inthis holy ritual. Duringfestival time sreebhuthabali and ulsavavabali are performed every day. And on last ie. 8th day holy bath will take place at Eriyadbeach. At the time of nritha priests circumambulate temple for 7 times with a silver cupon their hands and devotees put coins and currencies in that silver cup asofferings. This representsnadarajanritham. Special offerings ofthis temple 1) Palliyarapooja(dampathy pooja,swayamvarapooja):- According to hindu rituals parvathy parameswara is the firstmodel couples at thiruvannchikkulam . Devotees worshiped the same form likesivasakthyayuktho. Every day after nightprossession (athazhaseeveli) idols of siva and parvathy are placed in apalaquin and all the drums flute and lamps are kept in front of them and thenthese idols are placed in a palliyara (sleeping chamber) and special pooja isperformed by priests. At that time devotees get blessings from Lord siva andparvathy. By participating in that function unmarried people will be blessedfor marriage and for couples they will have unity in their family life andlongevity. People will become lucky to get birth of new children. It was wellknown that blessing during the day of full moon is more effective and thisPooja must do continuously for 3 months. 2) Swayamvaraparvathypooja:- According toastrology 7th bhava is representing marriage life 7×7 weeks =49days, this poojawill be done on sakthipanchakshari idolat time of parvathyyama (before sunset).By the blessings of this poojaunmarried people get married immediately and they get good family relationship. Sakthipanchakshari idol is mainlyworshipped at thiruvanchikkulam temple. 3) Sanghabhishekam:- Oneof other importantoffering is sanghabhishekam . Devoteescan offer sanghabhishekam on every day at this temple. Lord siva is calledasabhishekapriyan. We do this pooja to get blessings from Lord siva to keepaway troubles/problems from our life. 4) Dhara:- Lord siva likesabhishakas. We do dharatotoward off illnesses. 5) Mrithyunjaya homam:-Lord siva has differentforms. One of them is mrithyunjaya Lord siva. Markkandeya escaped from Lordyamas soldiers by chatting with mruthyunjaya manthras. When we praymrinthyunjayamoorthy we can escape fromall accidents and illnesses andget longevity. Other important Offerings: Charge Pooja name Charge Pooja name Charge Pooja name 180 Navagriha pooja 150 Vavu pooja 120 Padmaittu pooja 85 Rahu pooja 120 Saneeswara pooja 120 Bhagavathseva 100 Pal payasam 180Special gheepayasam 300 Pizhinja paysam 180 Panakam 1800 Nira mala(a) 900 Nira mala (b) 240 Chandanm charthal 990 Upa devanmarku nivedhyam(33deities) 1080 only one per day Shanga abhishekam 900 Rudra abhishekam 110 Dhara 600 Maha mrithyanjaya homam 600 Mahaganapathy homam 1200 Divasathepooja 1440 Alila vilak 2525 101 kudamjala abhishekam 1800 Nira mala(palliyara) 210 Ayilya pooja 6000 Swayamparvathy pooja 2700 Palliyara pooja Prasadam available on8.30a.m & 7.30pm Facilities kalyana Mandapam and Rooms are available Please Contact 9188958033 Temple Timings Thiruvanchikulam Temple is open from 5 AM to 11 AM and from 5PM to 08:30 PM. Administration The temple is maintained and administered by theThiruvanchikulam Devaswom under the Cochin Devaswom Board. -- 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 visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/1825984740.1108198.1747553936783%40mail.yahoo.com.
