The main deity is “devi” (vaishnavy – among sapthamathrukal). As per legend, devi came with “Kuruppal” (head of an aristocratic Nair family) from Thirumadhamkunnu , on his umbrella. There is a “mekkavu” in this temple in which is the “Kodungallore bagavathy“.Paramekkavu Bhagavathy Temple in Thrissur, Kerala, is a prominent deity temple with a history deeply intertwined with the annual Thrissur Pooram festival. It is one of the two major Bhagavathy temples that participate in the festival, along with the Thiruvambady Temple. The temple's origins are linked to the consecration of the deity below a Paro tree after the consecration of the Vadakkunatha Temple. A Devaprasnam ( an astrological ritual carried out by the Namboodiris to interpret the will of the gods) suggested the presence of divinity, presumably Goddess Bhagavathy in the umbrella. The Nair family member - Karanavar decided to worship the Goddess there itself. It is believed that after the consecration of Vadakkunatha temple, the divine power - Chaithanya of the Goddess was transformed to the present location below a Paro tree. After consecration, the deity came to be known as Parokkavu Bhagavathy . Later the temple was known by the name of Paramekkavu Bhagavathy. The tradition has been that as the primary seat of the goddess was under the Illanhi tree at the Vadakkunatha temple, the very first lighting of the temple lamp is shown in the direction of Illanhi tree every day. The famous Illanhi Thara Melam is an integral part of the Thrissur Pooram, a way of paying obeisance to the divine presence of goddess Bhagavathy. The idol of the Goddess Paramekkavu Bhagavathy was a wooden one (daru silpa). The newly carved daru silpa -wooden idol of Goddess with eight arms and in sitting posture was consecrated in 1997. There are shrines dedicated to Lord Ganapathy, Lord Veerabhadra (Lord Siva) are the other deities. As in many temples of Kerala, the idols of Brahmarakshas and Nagas are also installed and worshipped in the temple. K Rajaram IRS 22525
On Wed, 21 May 2025 at 14:09, 'gopala krishnan' via Thatha_Patty < [email protected]> wrote: > SRI KULASEKHANALLUR SIVA TEMPLE AND PARAMEKKAVU BHAGAVATHI TEMPLE, TRICHUR > KERALA-COMPILED > > Dear friends, > > Today my posting is about two famous temples in the Trichur District-viz- > Kulasekharanallur Siva temple and Paramekkavu Bhagavathi temple. > > Hope a divine reading. > > Gopalakrishnan 21-5-2025 > > SREE KULASEKHARANALLUR SHIVA TEMPLE > > Introduction > > The Sree Kulasekharanallur Shiva Temple, located in Nedumpura, Thrissur, > is a Shiva temple that is part of the 108 Shiva temples in Kerala. The > temple's sanctum sanctorum is uniquely shaped like the back of an elephant > (Gajaprishtam). *It is located about 2 kilometers west of Cheruthuruthy > School*. The main deity is Lord Shiva. > > The temple is very large and best example of Kerala’s wooden architecture. > > Legend > > Lord Siva in this temple is ugramoorthy- Furious Lord Siva after Daksha > yaga and immolation of Sati,the first wife of lord Siva. To reduce the > power, Lord Krishna is also installed in this temple. The main deity > worshipped > in the temple is Shiva in the form of a swayambhu shivlingam. > > History > > It is difficult to date the different shrines in this complex precisely > because of a lack of inscriptions within the complex and because the entire > complex has been restored and modified in the 20th-century. However, > secondary 12th century inscriptions found in nearby villages refer to this > temple, which suggest that this is a pre-12th century temple complex. *The > temple was attacked by Tippu sultan, but he could not succeed because of > the bees in the temple.* > > *Now too a lot of bees in the temple premises and there is no incidence of > stinging devotees.* > > Architecture > > The temple is noted for its wooden architecture. The wooden designs and > sculptures in the temple is classic example of the dexterity and ability of > ancient carpenters. > > The main temple is a sandhara-style Hindu temple that faces east. Like > many Kerala temple, the adhisthana is made of granite and the wall are of > laterite blocks. The adhisthana includes upana, jagati, vritta kumuda, > kampa, kantha and pattika – architectural elements per Sanskrit Hindu texts > on temple architecture. > > Above the adhisthana is the vedi with floral designs and padas. In front > of the apsidal vimana is a namaskara mandapam, roofs of both are built with > a wooden frame and then copper clad. > > Inside the vimana is a small square mandapam and apsidal garbhagriyam – > around and co-axial with both is a circumambulation passage. > > *The square shrines in the complex are smaller*. The entire complex has a > nalambalam surrounding it. > > Sanctum > > The style of architecture of the sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) is uniquely > shaped as Gajaprishtam (back of an elephant). Three sides are square shaped > and the back side is like the back of an elephant. The sreekovil is > two-tiered and the roof is covered with copper plates. Main deity is Lord > Siva in the form of lingam. > > Sub deities > > Bhagavathi, Krishna,Ganesha and Sastha are the sub deities in this temple. > > There is a temple in the northern side of the shrine. The temple is > associated with the ancient Kulasekara kingdom. > > Poojas > > Three times poojas are conducted in the temple. Unlike other temples, > there are two thanthries in this temple. If one thanthri has any > inconvenience due to death in the family, the other will be to give > instructions to Melsaanthi. > > Jayabali > > During ancient times Jaya Bali was held in the temple. Nearly 36 Para > unakalari choru naivedya was used for the ritual. This was one rare temple > even in ancient times where the ritual was observed. The raw rice was half > cooked for this offering. > > Festivals > > Since the temple having ugramoorthy there is no flag hoisting or annual > festival. > > The most important festival held in the temple is Mahashivratri. > > Mrityunjayahomam > > *The temple is famous for conducting mirtyunjahomam.* A permanent > homakunda is provided for this purpose. > > Appam offering > > The temple is also famous for the offering of Appam for lord Ganesha. > > Other normal offerings in Krishna temple like Palpayasam, Devi temple like > Niramala, Ganesha temple with appam offering are there. For Lord Siva Dhara > is done. > > Administration > > The temple is a private temple owned by Nampoothiries with an > administrator. > > Location > > This temple is located at Nedumpura near Vallathol nagar in Thrissur > district. > > *PARAMEKKAVU BAGAVATHI TEMPLE* > > Introduction > > Paramekkavu Bagavathi Temple is one of the largest Bagavathi temples in > Kerala located in Thrissur City. Sakthan Thampuran ordained the temples > into two groups, namely "Paramekkavu side" and "Thiruvambady side" for > *Thrissur > Pooram* which is the biggest festival in South India and Kerala. > > These two groups are headed by the principal participants, Paramekkavu > Bagavathi Temple at Thrissur Swaraj Round and Thiruvambadi Sri Krishna > Temple at Shoranur road. *The two temples are hardly 500 metres apart.* > > Paramekkavu Bhagavathy Temple, situated near the Vadakkumnathan Temple in > Thrissur, is one of the largest and most revered Devi temples in Kerala. > This temple plays a pivotal role in the renowned Thrissur Pooram, one of > the grandest temple festivals in the state. Bhagavathy temple is situated > near the Vadakkumnathan Temple. It is situated on the outskirts of the > Vadakkumnathan temple. > > History > > One of the largest and ancient temples in Kerala, Paramekavu Bhagavathy > Temple is said to be existent 1000 years ago, during the 10th century. > > Legend > > A popular legend says that once a head of the Nair family, who used to > visit the Tirumannamkunnu Bhagavathi daily, due to his old age decided > to quit the temple visits. > > On his final visit to the Devi, after seeking blessings from the Devi, he > retired on his way to take some rest on his way back from the temple. After > taking rest as he lifted his umbrella to resume his journey back home, he > realized that the umbrella had got stuck to the ground. A sage passing by > told him that the Devi had shifted to reside in his umbrella. > > A Devaprasnam ( an astrological ritual carried out by the Namboodiris to > interpret the will of the gods) suggested the presence of divinity, > presumably Goddess Bhagavathy in the umbrella. The Nair family member - > Karanavar decided to worship the Goddess there itself. It is believed that > after the consecration of Vadakkunatha temple, the divine power - > Chaithanya of the Goddess was transformed to the present location . > > Tradition has been that as the primary seat of the goddess was under the > Illanhi tree at the Vadakkunatha temple, the very first lighting of the > temple lamp is shown in the direction of Illanhi tree every day. > > *To mark this incident, the Paramekavu Bhagavathy temple was erected.* > > Deity > > Paramekkavu Bhagavathy Temple in Thrissur, Kerala, is a significant Hindu > temple dedicated to Devi Vaishnavi, an incarnation of Goddess Durga. > > The temple complex is made of two shrines: Paramekkavu and Melekkavu. > > Paramekkavau Bhagavathy is the most significant among the nine deities > participated in the pooram festival. > > The Devi was established as the daru silpa or a wooden idol. In 1997, the > daru silpa was realized to incur damage and hence was replaced with another > wooden idol of the Devi having eight arms in a seated position. Rituals > at Paramekkavu Bhagavathy Temple > > Several daily rituals are performed at the Paramekkavu Bhagavathy Temple. > Here’s a general overview: > > Nirmalyam: This is the cleaning ritual performed in the morning. The idol > of the Goddess is adorned with flowers the previous day, and these floral > offerings are removed during Nirmalyam. > > Abhishekam: This is a holy bath ceremony where the idol is anointed with > various substances like milk,sandalwood paste, and panchamritha (a mixture > of five ingredients). > > Ushant: This refers to offerings made to the Goddess, which can include > food items, flowers, and prayers. > > Deeparadhana: This is the aarti ceremony, where lamps with oil and wicks > are offered before the deity. > > Seeveli: This is the elaborate procession that circles the Paramekkavu > Bhagavathi Temple premises as part of the worship rituals. > > Common Offerings: > > Nirapara: Offering of sacred water. > > Pushpanjali: Offering of flowers. > > Deeparadhana: Offering of lamps with oil or ghee. > > Archanas: Chanting of mantras dedicated to the deity. > > Prasadam: Offering of food, later distributed as blessings. > > Specific Pujas (may require booking in advance): > > Aayush Homam: For longevity and well-being. > > Ashta Aiswarya Homam: For attaining the eight forms of wealth. > > Bhadrakali Sahasra Nama Archana: Chanting 1000 names of Bhadrakali, a > fierce aspect of Bhagavathy. > > Chuttu Vilakku Deeparadhana: Lighting of special lamps around the sanctum. > > Dhanwanthari Sooktharchana: Chanting hymns to Dhanwanthari, the god of > Ayurveda, for good health. > > Guruthi Puja: Offered to departed ancestors. > > Kadum Payasam: Offering of sweet porridge made with rice and jaggery. > > Lalitha Sahasra Nama Archana: Chanting 1000 names of Lalitha, another form > of Durga. > > Mrithyunjaya Homam: For appeasing Lord Shiva and seeking blessings for > good health. > > Festival Offerings: > > During Thrissur Pooram, specific elaborate pujas and offerings are made > related to the festival rituals. > > Festivals > > The most important festival celebrated here is the Thrissur Pooram. Pooram > is the biggest festival celebrated by the locales. > > A common belief is that the Goddess from the Paramekavu Bhagavathy temple > went to meet the Lord Shiva in the Vadakkunatha Temple. > > Other important festivals celebrated here include Navarathry, Makara > Chowa, and Sivarathri. > > The Festival Rivalry > > The Paramekavu Bhagavathy Temple participates in what is known as the “the > friendly rivalry,” along with the Thiruvambady temple in Trichur pooram. > > The procession commences with the fifteen elephants from both the rival > temples and proceeds towards the premises of the Vadakkumnathan temple. > > Both these temples stand facing to each other and compete with each other > during the Thrissur Pooram to present themselves as the best in every > possible manner; from the decoration to the lighting, and the display of > umbrellas and peacock quill on the participating elephants. > > The famous Illanhi Thara Melam is an integral part of the Thrissur > Pooram, a way of paying obeisance to the divine presence of goddess > Bhagavathy. > > This is considered as one of the largest Devi temples in Kerala and is > also one of the participating temples of the famous Thrissur Pooram > festival. > > Paro to Paramekkavu: Because of the initial consecration under the Paro > tree (Paro kavu in Malayalam), the Bhagavathy came to be known as Parokkavu > Bhagavathy, eventually transforming into Paramekkavu Bhagavathy over time. > > Religious Importance: > > It serves as a major pilgrimage site for devotees seeking blessings and > participating in rituals. > > Architectural Style: The temple’s architecture itself is a point of > interest, with traditional Kerala features. > > Historical Legacy: > > Ancient Origins: Believed to be over 1000 years old, the Paramekkavu > Bhagavathi Temple is interwoven with the history of Thrissur and Kerala. > > Kodungallor Bhagavathy Connection: > > Another legend suggests the presence of a *“mekkavu”* (sacred grove) > within the Paramekkavu Bhagavathi Temple grounds, enshrining the > Kodungallor Bhagavathy. This hints at a possible connection to another > powerful Bhagavathy deity, but details are scarce. > > Address: > > Paramekkavu Devaswom Building, Round East, Thrissur, Kerala 680001 Phone: > 0487 233 1273 > > E-mail : [email protected] > > Opening time > > 5 am to 11:15 am ⋅ Reopens 4 pm-8 PM > > Institutions > > The Paramekkavu temple devaswom have a school known as Paramekkavu Vidya > Mandir at MLA road near Kutoor and one KG section near to the temple itself. > > How to Reach Paramekavu Bhagavathy Temple > > Nearest Railway Station – Thrissur Railway Station which is only about 2 > kilometers from the Paramekavu Bhagavathy temple. From the railway station, > one has to move in the north on the Kodungallur-Shornur Road to reach the > temple > > Nearest Airport: Nedumbassery International Airport at Kochi which is 52 > kilometers distant from the Paramekavu Bhagavathy Temple, is the nearest. > > > > -- > 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/2060725561.1965409.1747816753114%40mail.yahoo.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/2060725561.1965409.1747816753114%40mail.yahoo.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > -- 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]. 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