Thiruvanchikkulam Mahadevar Temple
Thiruvanchikkulam Mahadevar Uma - Maheshwar Temple the only one Siva
Thiruppathy in kerala 2.5 kilometers south of kodungallur eastern
side of main road. the tutelar deity of Cheraman perumal. The temples
history reveals that it has much relation with the temples of tamil
nadu. Dampathy pooja ( Pooja for devine couple ) is important. Kumbham
8 days festival Meenabharani and Amavasi Arattu.
The Siva Temple at Thiruvanchikulam in Kodungallur is one of the
earliest and ancient temples in Kerala and is of great historic importance.
It is said that here the Saivite saint Sundarmoorthy Nayanar and his
royal friend Cheraman Perumal worshipped Lord Siva and attained eternal
bliss and reached Kailas by mounting a thousand-tusked white elephant
and a blue horse respectively. It happened on Swati day in the month
of Karkidakam (August-September) and it is also believed that the
"Kollam" Era (Malayalam) started from that day. Every year
there are special poojas conducted at their shrines in this temple.
When Umamaheswara appeared in this place once surrounded by paddy
fields Vasuki the godly serpent and holy nagas (serpents) stood guard
and worshipped the divine one and the priceless treasures beneath
the idol. This self-incarnated Linga in the present Sanctum Sanctorum'
of the temple is only some four inches above the ground level and
is in the form of a half circle, 12" in diameter. There is water
all round, believed to be the Ganga. One Malayali Brahmin (Namboothiri)
was fortunate to take away the Vasuki the Holy N aga King, on a palmyrah
leaf umbrella to his home (Mana or mom) by the grace ofVanchulesa
and it is believed that the Namboothiri family, now famous in Kerala
as Pambummekkatt mom,prospered afterwards by worshipping the Nagas.
This mom is some six miles east of this shrine. Over the head of the
idol, more towards the left side, there is a scar mark. The legend
has it that when the Lord with his consort Maheswari appeared before
Arjuna in the forms of Kiratha and Kirathi (hunter and huntress) Arjuna
mistakenly beat at the forehead of the Lord making this mark. On the
left side of the front of the Mukhamandapam (entrance) a stone carving
depicting Siva and Parvathy could be seen. It is also said that Uma
and Maheswara appeared here as Ardhanareeswara, the left side of the
idol representing, Naari (Uma) and the right, Naran (Maheswaran).
The main and most coveted ritual to Vanchulesa is Dhara, non-stop
pouring of water, Abhishekam with chanting of Rudra Manthram. Ekadasa
Rudram, Sankha abhishekam, Mrithyunjaya havanom etc. are believed
to be very efficacious. Uma Maheswara Pooja or Dampathi Pooja is a
speciality here. The main festival is in the month of Kumbham. It
lasts for eight days commencing on the Ashtami day of Krishna Paksha
as Kodiyettam (Flag hoisting) and Arattu on the Amavasi day after
Sivarathri. Arattu is conducted at the sea, 4 miles west from the
temple.
|
