AMMATHIRUVADITEMPLE ,URAKAM, THRISSUR DISTRICT- KERALA -COMPILED Dear friends,
Today my posting is about the ancient and famous AmmathiruvadiTemple at Urakam, in the Trichur District of Kerala. It is locatedapproximately 11 kilometres from the Thrissur railway station. The temple is one of the 108 templesin Kerala dedicated to the goddess Durga. Its precise age isunclear, but it is believed to be approximately 1100 years old. Hope a divine reading. Gopalakrishnan 5-7-2025. Introduction Ammathiruvadi Temple is an ancient temple in Urakam, TrichurDistrict, Kerala, it is located approximately 11 kilometres from the Thrissurrailway station. The Valayadheeswari Temple or the more popularly known asAmmathiruvadi Temple of Urakam is the foremost of the 108 Durgaalayams (durgaTemples) of Kerala. According to the Puranas, Kerala was reclaimed by LordParasurama, the sixth avatar of Mahavishnu, from sea by throwing his Parasu(axe) from Kanyakumari to Gokarna and divided this land to 64 gramas. Herealized that for the prosperity and well-being of this Bhargava Land, it was essential to have the benignblessings of Durga and identified 108 places for the temple. The locations of thesetemples represent the scattered body parts of Sati Devi, the consort of Lord ParamaSiva, cut into pieces by Mahavishnu with his chakra to pacify Siva after theincident-filled Daksha Yaga. The temple is one of the 108 temples in Kerala dedicated tothe goddess Durga. Its precise age is unclear, but it is believed to beapproximately 1100 years old. Legend and History about the Urakam Ammathiruvadi Temple : According to the Kerala folklore, Poomulli Namboothiri (also sometimesreferred to as Thiruvalayannur Bhattathiri) founded Ammathiruvadi temple about700–1000 years ago. The temple site was once the location of the Namboothiri'shousehold. Ūrakam was then a part of the Peruvanam village (one of the 64 villagesof ancient Kerala). Legend has it that during then, due to the atrocities andcalamities happening within the Desham, elders suggested three prominentmembers from the community, viz, Valaya Bhattathiri, Kadalayil Namboothiri andthen Komarathu Menon to travel to Kancheepuram and pray to goddessKanchi Kamakshi and then please her and bring favourable solutions to ward off the evil effects happening that time. Theyall went and pleased with their prayers, happy with the devotion, Devi agreed to come with them toUrakam. Accordingly, KanchiKamakshi decided to come to Kerala on the palm leaf umbrella of Poomulli(Valayannur) Namboothiri. He reached home and placed the umbrella on the floor of his house.After a short nap, he came back and found that he was unable to take back theumbrella from the place where he kept. It was heavily grounded to the floor.Later upon further investigation it was confirmed that Kanchi Kamakshi was residing on that umbrella.The goddess came inNamboothiri's dreams that night and let him know that he was supposed to builda temple for the goddess, and leave Ūrakam towards North. She alsolet him know that he was to find an idol in a well far away and reinstate thegoddess from the umbrella onto that idol. Namboothiri did as the goddess wished. He builtthe temple, after a short period of administration of the temple matters by thePoomulli family, he left all that he owned to the temple,and gave the administration to the Maharaja of Cochin. From then on,the goddess was known as the Ammathiruvadi. Later on the templeadministration was transferred to Cochin Devaswam Board, who takes care of it even now. Stories passed on from elders tell also that in those days,the idol installed by Poomulli Namboothiri was originally the Devi idolworshiped by Sri Rama before he went to war with Ravana. There are several historic connections one gets to see inplaces nearer to Oorakam, supporting the claim that the village was part ofancient Hindu history. Due to the same connections, this village and all theadjacent villages carry a divine and prosperous aura throughout. Agriculturaland other activities always flourish here. It is also said that one family close to the temple became sodevoted to the Devi that she was pleased with their bhakti and from then on, the eldest member of this family - Vazhappilly - became the guard ofAmmathiruvadi and wherever she goes, she will be accompanied by this member.This continues even now. Since she came to Urakam on an umbrella made of palm leaf, whenever Ammathiruvadi'sidol is carried out, it will be accompanied by a person carrying an umbrellamade of palm leaf. History According to the Kerala history, Poomulli Namboothiri orThiruvalayannur Bhattathiri founded Ammathiruvadi temple about 700-1000 yearsago. Architecture Urakam Ammathiruvadi Temple is an architectural marvel withits majestic Raja gopuram (ornamental gateways), Mathilkettu (compound walls),ootupura (feeding hall), nalambalam (building immediately surrounding thesanctum sanctorum), the double storied Shrikovil (sanctum sanctorum) and theserene atmosphere maintained at the inner temple. Deities Main Deity-Goddess Durga. The idol is very unique that thisis cleaned only with peacock feathers. The legend has it that the deity is the same as of SreeKamakshi of Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu Other Deities- The presence of otherdeities like Sastha,Ganesha, Lakshmi, Durga, Saraswati, and Maheswari, along with a significantNagaraja Pratishtha, adds to the temple's spiritual significance. Name Ammathiruvadi The Urakam Ammathiruvadi Temple's name originates from thestory of Valayannur Bhattathiri, who, after surrendering his wealth to theGoddess, built the temple. The temple's name,"Ammathiruvadi," is said to have derived from the child's utteranceupon first seeing the deity, which was then adopted as the name of the Goddess. The temple is also knownas Valayadheeswari Temple, reflecting the ancient name of the place, Valayalm. Poojas The temple conducts five major poojas and three shivelisdaily. The temple opens at 4:00 am with "palli unarthal" and closesat 8:00 pm. These poojas, along with the shivelis, are integral to the temple'sdaily rituals and provide devotees with a means to connect with the divine. The daily pooja schedule includes: Palli Unarthal: This ritual marks the opening of the templeand the awakening of the deity. Five Major Poojas: These are the core daily rituals, likelyincluding Usha Pooja, Ethiruthu Pooja, Pantheeradi Pooja, Navakam, and UchaPooja. Three Sivelis: These involve carrying the deity in processionaround the temple. The Urakam Ammathiruvadi Temple in Thrissur, Kerala, is knownfor its annual festivals and special poojas, particularly during theArattupuzha Pooram festival. The rituals performedduring this festival include Suddhi Kalasam, Vastu Bali, Rakshograhomam,Chatusuddhi, Dhara, Prashictha Homam, Shanthi Homam, Panchagavyam, andTatwakalasham. Special Poojas: The temple also performs special poojas during the morningShiveli, offering prasadam to devotees. Main Offerings Pushpanjali, Otta Appam Ney Vilakku, Appam and Neipayasam Festivals : All festivities of this temple are taken care of a localcommittee with the guidance of Cochin Devaswom board. Ammathiruvadi Temple conducts five famous festivals annually.These are the Navaratri,Thrikkarthika, Pooram, Illam Nira and Vavarat. The Navaratri is a nine-day festival which iscelebrated very grandly. This temple is decorated with lights, sounds and byflowers. “Kulavazha acceptance andripening process”one of the important ceremonial ritual parts of the Maha Navami Maholsavamperformed by Vyloor Bhava Dasa Warrier. The temple premises are decorated withripened banana bunches, offered by the residents of Urakam Desham and farmersfrom nearby villages during the final days of the Navaratri. They are then kept in specially made cellsinside the Eastern gopuram of the temple and processed and prepared within twodays. Then, the Western entrance of the temple and the Saraswathi Mandapam willbe beautifully decorated on Durgashtami day. This unique and extremelybeautiful decoration, seen only at Urakam Ammathiruvadi temple, will remaintill Vijayadashami day. On this auspicious day, special poojas performed duringthe morning Seeveli, and then they will be offered as prasadam to the residentsand devotees who presented them to Ammathiruvadi. The Thrikkarthika festivalis celebrated as the birthday of Ammathiruvadi. On this occasion the goddess isdressed in silk cloths and adorns the temple jewels. The temple elephants arealso decorated and take them for procession. The important feature of this festival is the grand feastgiven to more than 15,000 people's very year whoever comes on this festivaloccasion. It is said that, no one should go out of this temple withan empty stomach. The Pooram is an important event for culturalprograms. This is a 13-day festival grandly celebrated with temple elephantsand percussions. The festival is worth to enjoy as one can see the art andculture truly with the religious sentiments of the locals. The Makeeram Porapadu is one of the great eventscelebrated at this temple. This festival is regarded as the beginning ofAmmathiruvadi's journey for the Arattupuzha Pooram celebrated at ArattupuzhaTemple. This temple plays an important role in Arattupuzha Pooram Illam Nira and Vavarat are other two festivals. Urakam Bhagavathi andAarattupuzha pooram Urakam Ammathiruvadi temple is an integral part of the 1400-year-oldArattupuzha Pooram festival. Arrattuppuzha pooram is called as Deva Mela, where all the gods andgoddesses assemble together in the presence of Thriprayar Thevar (Sri Rama),considered their head. According to the old customs continued by thefamily of Kochi Raja and then subsequently by the Kerala State, whenever, Ammathiruvadi travel outside the temple, i.e. for pooram orother festivals, she is supposed to be greeted with official "Guard ofHonour" by the police. Urakam Bhagavathi andAarattupuzha pooram Urakam Ammathiruvadi temple is an integral part of the 1400-year-oldArattupuzha Pooram festival. Arrattuppuzha pooram is called as Deva Mela, where all the gods andgoddesses assemble together in the presence of Thriprayar Thevar (Sri Rama),considered their head. According to the old customs continued by thefamily of Kochi Raja and then subsequently by the Kerala State, whenever, Ammathiruvadi travel outside the temple, i.e. for pooram orother festivals, she is supposed to be greeted with official "Guard ofHonour" by the police. Specialty The temple also has a strong connection with the KodungallurBhagavathi, believed to be present at the eastern gopuram . The temple is knownfor its ancient Durga idol and is considered a Mahakshetra among the 108Durgalayams of Kerala. How to reach thetemple By Road: Urakam is 12 km from Thrissur townand almost the same distance from Irinjalakuda town when one travel towardsThrissur. Address of the temple Ammathiruvadi Temple, Urakam, Thrissur, Kerala 680562. Phone: 0487 234 4795 Temple timings 4:30 am to 10:30 am, 5 PM –8.00 pm. How To Reach By Air: Cochin International Airport is situated 44.8 KM fromthe Temple. By Rail: Thrissur Railway Station is situated 13.3 KM fromthe Temple. By Road: Thrissur KSRTC Bus Stand is situated 13.4 KM fromthe Temple. -- 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/117848249.319428.1751696675411%40mail.yahoo.com.
