Kadampuzha Sree Parvathy Temple
Kadampuzha Sree Parvathy Temple poomoodal important two kilometers
south of Kottackal, East of NH. moderate accommodations are available
there.
The Temple for Sreeparvathi at Kadampuzha, dedicated to Goddess
Vana Durga, is one of the most prominent Devi temples in Kerala. The
term 'puzha' which in Malayalam denotes river is a misnomer here since
the otherwise sylvan surroundings and verdant greenery around the
location has no river skirting it. The idol in the Sanctum Sanctorum
is abstract in shape but it is 'Swayambhoo' or natural manifestation.
The temple is very simple in architecture without any imposing edifices
or a gold-plated flagmast. There are no festival processions or drum
concerts. But the multitude of birds nestling on the verge of the
green belt provide a natural ambience with their non-stop chirping
and it is fully in tune with Kerala's temple culture; Kavu as it was
known in ancient times, an epitome of preservation of ecological balance
Kadampuzha in Malappuram District of Kerala is far from the bustle
of city life, just about two kilometres east of Vettichira between
Valanchery and Kottakkal on N .H.17. Those who prefer train journey
can alight at Kuttipuram or Tirur Railway Station from where there
are buses to the temple (Distance 19 kms).
Legend about the origin of the temple is associated with the popular
episode in the Mahabharatha where Arjuna does penance to appease Lord
Siva to obtain the divine weapon Passupathastra. Lord Siva approaches
Arjuna as a hunter (Kiratha) with His divine consort Sreeparvathi
escorting Him as huntress (Kirathi). Arjuna is challenged by the Lord
in disguise to test the skills of the boon-seeker.In the fierce battle
between Lord Siva (Kiratha) and Arjuna, the arrows that Arjuna showered
on Lord Siva miraculously turned into Thechi flowers. Arjuna then
recognises the Lord and prostrates before Him. Having found Arjuna
worthy of the deadly weapon, the Lord obliges His devotee very soon,
and here He is goaded by Sreeparvathi who hastened the process. Hastening
is twaritha in Malayalam and Goddess at Kadampuzha is worshipped as
Twaritha or one who is quick in granting blessings and favours. The
shower of arrows-turned into flowers is symbolised here by a unique
offering to the Goddess, Poomoodal, the Swayambhoo Sthanam being covered
completely by flowers. Petals of Thechi flowers are mandatory since
they resemble arrowheads. The quantity required is 12 Kutanna, one
Kutanna being the capacity when two cupped palms are held together.
During the divine couple's wandering in this forest, Sreeparvathi
once felt thirsty and the Lord brought forth holy water from river
Ganga through a well directed arrow ino the earth. This event is immortalised
as KaatanAmbu-eitha-ala where kaatan is hunter, ambu is arrow, eitha
is shot and ala is hole. This became Katanambueithaala which was later
colloquialised as Kadampuzha. Devotees thus worship the hole through
which river Ganga sprouted and this is the idol sankalpa. Shankaracharya
during once of his frequent pilgrimages while traversing this forest
area was attracted by an all pervading 'aura' emanating from the dense
undergrowth. Finding it difficult to approach the spot due to the
heat generated by the radiation, he meditated upon
Lord Vishnu as Narasimha and the Lord appeared. With the help of Sudarshanachakra
of Lord Vishnu the great saint moved closer only to fmd the radiance
shrinking and fmally vanishing into a hole on the earth's surface.
Through deep meditation using the 'Divyachakshussu', the Aacharya
discerned the nature of the phenomenon nothing other than the divine
presence of Seeparvathi in the forest. The place was consecrated as
a temple and in commemoration of 'showers of flowers' , Poomoodal
gained prominence due to the inherent quality and power of flower
petals to contain heat. Lord Narasimha and Sudarshanachakra are honoured
through depictions in front of the Sanctum Sanctorum. There are enclosures
for Sree Dharma Sastha and Nagakanyaka as upadevaas or subsidiary
deities. Modalities of worship are as prescribed by Shankaracharya.
Goddess here is worshipped in three forms viz., Vidya Durga (Saraswathi),
Vanadurga (Durga) and Aadi Durga (MooladurgaLakshmi). As Durga, She
blesses the devotees with health, early marriage and domestic harmony.
Saraswathi is invoked for education and career. Lakshrni is of course
Goddess of wealth and prosperity. Another unique offering here is
Muttarukkal where coconuts brought by devotees are broken by the Poojari
in front of Devi's idol in the presence of the devotees themselves
and this is to ward off hostile influences plaguing them. One coconut
for every obstacle is the system followed. The popularity of this
ritual can be gauged from the figure of more than thirty lakhs of
coconuts that are brought to the temple every year by the stream of
devotees. The other important sevas are Katinapayasam, Rekthapushpanjali,
Choroon (Anaprasam),Dehapushpanjali, Thrimadhuram, Thrikalapooja,
Kettunira,Vilakkumala,Malapooja, Neyvilakku, Ganapathi Homam, Niramala
etc.
Kadampuzha Sree Bagavathy Temple, P.o. Kadampuzha, Malappuram - 676553,
Ph: 04942615790, 2618000, Fax: 0494 2615720
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