THIRUVANGADSREE RAMA TEMPLE,THALASSERY KANNURDISTRICT-KERALA STATE
Dear friends, Today my second posting is about the Thiruvangadu Sree RamaTemple at Thalassery in the Kannur District of Kerala. It is one of the four Sree Rama temples in Keralawhich is two Kilometres away from Railway station, Thalassery. Thiruvangad SreeRamaswami Temple is a temple located in the eastern part of Thalassery. This temple is unique due to its historical and legendaryimportance. The all-benevolent deity Sree Ramaswamy is known as Thiruvangad Perumal who isthe supreme force of southern 'Thattakam' among the five deities of Kolath Nadu. Devotees fervently call the deity 'Ente Thiruvangadu Perumale' in their dire needs. I have heard about this temple while working as DivisionalEngineer, Telecom, from my colleague Mr. C. Chandra Sekhara Pillai at Calicut and Trivandrum, who studied in Brunn’sCollege, Thalassery. Hope a divine reading Gopalakrishnan 16-6-2025 Introduction Thiruvangad Sree Ramaswamy Temple, Thalassery is one among the five temples dedicated to LordRama in Kerala, the Thiruvangad Sree Ramaswamy Temple is unique inevery aspect. Known as ‘BrassPagoda’ due to the brass sheetingof its roof, the temple holds many intriguing sculptures and lithicrecords. Legends According to KeralaMahatmyam, this temple was consecrated by Lord Parasurama one of the incarnations ofLord Vishnu . Evidences point out that this temple is about 2000 years old. Legend has it that Agasthya Muni on his way to Kaveri riverwas confronted by two hunters, namely Neela and Swetha. The Muni cursed them,but on feeling repentant, he advised them to do penance. They obeyed his wordsand did penance at Thiruvan kattu [sacred forest], which later becameThiruvangad. The temple was installed by Swetha Muni, the disciple ofAgasthya Muni. The Sanskrit translationof Thiruvangad is 'Swetharanya puram' which originated from the name ofSwethamuni. Another legend is thatSwetha kethu, the great Shaiva Upanishad guru is the Swetha Muni in thelegends. History This temple is more than 2000 years old and is associatedwith several historical tales and legends. A part of the temple was damaged by Tipu Sultan's troops in the 18th century,but the temple is believed to have been saved from destruction. It was one of the outposts of the Thalassery fort in the 18thcentury. Conferences between the officials of the East India Company and local leadersin its precincts, at which political treaties and agreements were signed. Importance This temple has a unique place in the socio political historyof north Kerala. The temple was a meetingpoint of the rulers of Kolathiri Kottayam and Kadathanadu. It was here these rulers madeagreements with the British East India Company. This temple had close friendship with the rulers ofKottayam and Pazhassiraja. It was the British ruler TH Babar who led the Pazhassikilling built the templewall in 1815. Theinscriptions on the temple wall is a testimony to this fact. There are two Shiva temples stand face to face with the SreeRama temple as models of Shaiva Vishnava unification of southern ' thattakam'. Architecture The brass plate tiledSree Kovil, the sanctum sanctorum and adjoining areas are best examples of Keralatemple architectural arts also known as 'Vaastu kala'. The temple structure isrich in traditional classic wood works and mural paintings. These wood craftsare based on poetic imageries of the epic Ramayana. These wood crafts are bestexample of Kerala wood craft traditions. The temple structure which consists of wooden decoratedtemple body, the walls decorated by mural paintings ,the Sree Kovil with'Swarna Thazhika Kutam' etc are renovated now. Approximately 2000 years old, the temple is an architecturalmarvel, with bygone sculptures and mural paintings that depict stories andscenes from various epics and legends. Many other lithic records can also befound here. The temple is a specimen of aesthetic brilliance owing to itssophisticated engravings on wood and many terracotta artworks. The engravingsare estimated to be about 400 years old, portraying animals, gods, goddessesand scenes from epics like the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Deities Thiruvangad Sri Ramaswamy is believed to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The idol is consecrated in Rama Narayana concept with smiling face as'Chathur Bhahu'. The presiding deity is Lord Vishnu and the idol here is carvedout in Krishna Shila (Black Stone ). Lord Vishnu with themace held upside down in one hand and Abhaya mudra (sign of blessing andMoksha) in the other. It is believed that Sree Rama in 'Poorna Roopa' isdepicted in the mood immediately after the killing of Khara, Thrisiras andDooshana along with their fourteen thousand soldiers. Sri Hanuman stands near to the Sree Rama deity. Sree Hanumanis consecrated in front, slightly towards the left of Sree Rama; the devotees give equal importance to Sree Hanuman. Theidol of Ramadasa Hanuman is made of Metal. Porkali also known as Vagishwari,the deity of Kottayam rulers is also consecrated here in Bhagavathi concept. The other deities, are Dhakshinamurthy, Ganapathi, Subramanyan and Vanasasthavu. Sree Porkali Devi in the Namaskara Mandapam, Sree Subramanyannear Thidappally facing West, Sree Ganapathy and Sree Dakshinamoorty in the South Nada, Sree VanaSastavu in the Pichakathara, Sree Guruvayurappan on the north side facing East. For every devotee, heartfelt prayers are heard by ThiruvangadPerumal. Anjaneya Swami is all benevolent at the same he punishes also forwrong doings. All devatas are there to attend to the calls of devotees. Diversetraditions add to the glory of this temple. Pooja Timings 1 Kootamani 04.00 AM (Not blowing Conch) 2 Nada Thurakkal (Malar Nivedyam, Alamkaram Charthal) 05.00 AM 3 Usha Pooja inbetween 6.00 AM - 6.30 AM 4 Usha Seeveli in between 7.00 AM - 7.30 AM 5 Navakam 09.00 AM 6 UchaPooja 11.00 AM 7 Seeveli 11.30 AM 8 Closing OfSreekovil 12.00 PM 9 2nd Openingthe Sreekovil 05.30 PM 10 Deeparadhana 06.30 PM 11 Athazha Pooja inbetween 8.00 PM - 8.15 PM 12 Athazha Seeveli inbetween 8.00PM - 8.15 PM 13 Closing TheSreekovil 08.30 PM Festivals The recently renovated large clear blue temple pond reflectsthe beautiful temple structures. The Vishu Mahotsav is a grand event for the devotees. The annualfestival of the temple begins on Vishu day (Kerala New Year) in Medam(mid-April – mid-May) and lasts for seven days .Thiruvangad temple festival isunique due to the number of elephants paraded and performance of differentinstruments. Sree Rama Navami iscelebrated with pomp in this temple. Chakyar Koothu is performed in the temple as a part ofrituals. Mani Chakyar family traditionally hold the right to perform on templegrounds. Offerings Age old items of Naivedyams (offerings) for Sree Rama areNeyyamruthu, Ney Vilakku, Payasam, Pushpanjali, Garland etc. and Avil (beatenrice) sweetened with sugar, banana and coconut scrapings for Hanuman. Special offerings are Kalabha Charthu and Niramala with additional illuminationand decorations. Art lovers are bound to find much to appreciate about thetemple. Chakyarkoothu, a performing art, is also conducted at the templegrounds as a part of rituals there. The privilege to do so has traditionallybeen accorded to the Mani Chakyar family. Connection with SitaDevi It is also the belief that Seetha Devi was hidden in a nearbycave during the fight with Khara and others under Lakshmana's surveillance,which cave came to be known as Pokkinassery, since the luggage (Pokkinam) ofSree Rama, Lakshmana and Seetha were safe deposited there. Temple timings The Temple is open from 5:30 AM to 12:00 A/N and again from5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Administration andcontact person The temple is under Malabar Devaswam board; ExecutiveOfficer, Thiruvangad Sree Rama swamy Temple-0490 2322599, Address: Thiruvangad,Illathaazha, Thalassery, Kerala 670103 Phone :0490 2322599. How to Reach thetemple By Road-Thalassery Bus Stand, about 2 km By Rail-Thalassery Railway Station, about 2 km By Air-Kannur International Airport, about 26 km -- 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 thatha_patty+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. 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