~~

CENSUS OF INDIA SPECIAL STUDIES - KERA~A

TEMPLES OF

MALAPPURAM DISTRICT

S. JAYASHANKER

DIRECTORATE OF CENSUS OPERATIONS, KERALA . THIRUVA~ANTHAPURAM

3655 RGlf03-1 B

FOREWORD

The Indian census organization is generally well known to both the national and international community of social scientists as one which collects, processes and disseminates tabulated data on population characteristics through the decennial population censuses. However, one of the strong pillars on which the organization has built up its reputation in the field of social sciences are the inter-censal studies undertaken on a variety of subjects which touch the life of the people, reflecting the culture and the organization of the Indian society. Whereas the pre-independent censuses were predisposed for their in depth investigation into the social and anthropological characteristics of the Indian population, the post independent censuses have attempted to undertake studies on more diverse socia-cultural topics. For example, the monographs on the Fairs and Festivals of India, village and Town studies have contributed to a better understanding of the social fabric of the Indian Society. The current study Temples of Malappuram District' is a similar effort and forms an integral part of the 'Temples of Kerala' study already completed by the organization. Shri S. Jayashanker, who retired after a very distinguished innings as Deputy Director of Census Operations, Kerala, has authored the present volume. His devotion, commitment and dedication reinforce and add to the great census tradition of bringing out unique monographs on subjects of topical interest through special studies. The present work reflects the painstaking efforts Shri Jayashanker has single handedly undertaken over the past several years (post retirement) in data collection and providing a vivid description on the temples of the region. The earlier volume 'Temples of Kerala' has been received with much admiration and some sense of surprise as to how the census organization continues to churn out such scholarly, fascinating and comprehensive volumes'.

Temples have been the life line of an important and significant segment of the Indian society from times immemorial and in a way not only reflect religious feelings of the community but also depict it graphically in an outstanding architectural form. The present volume enumerates and describes at length in text form the 'Temples of Malappuram District'. This obviously was a Herculean effort but has been carried out meticulously by the author with a great sense of devotion and commitment. The photographs, diagrams, maps, glossary and transliteration provide rich background and reference material and considerably enhance the value of the publication for the common reader and the distinguished one as well. I am confident that this rich collection which in a sense remained largely unknown till date, will invoke a great sense of satisfaction and admiration both by the discriminating mind and those who have interest in study of the Indian culture and the temple architecture. This effort, therefore, should further enrich the existing literature in the domain of social sciences and make the temples of Kerala well known to the outside world.

Common Era: November 2003 Indian Era: Kaliyuga 5105

Malayalam Era: ThuUim 1179

iii

J.K. BANTHIA Registrar and Census Commissioner, India

2-A, Mansingh Road, New Delhi -110 011

PREFACE

The monograph on Temples of KcraJa which was published earlier covered the

general aspects on temples in Kcra!a like history of temples over the last two thousand

years, mode of worship, architectural features, iconography of idols, dEva-praSQam, temple rites, priesthood, temple customs, offerings, temple administration, ritualistic and

performing arts, carvings and paintings etc. This volume, the fourth in the series of

district monographs, is an addendum to the monograph on Temples ofKeraJa and it attempts to cover an account of the temples of Malappu~am district.

The background of taking up this exhaustive study needs little elaboration. The Census Organization of India undertook a study on Temples of Madras State as an ancillary

study of the 1961 census. This study evoked keen interest among scholars, the Government and statutory bodies of Kera!a etc. Late Sree R. Vasudeva Poduvii! a renowned

Archaeologist, requested the Registrar General, India (late Sree A. Chandrasekha~) as early

as 1969 to launch a study on temples of Kera!a similar to the one that was conducted in Madras state and the latter readily agreed to this suggestion. But the study could not be

taken up due to heavy pressure of work in connection with the 1971 census. In 1973, the Travancore Devaswarn Board also came up with a similar request but the backlog of census work of 1971 census stood in the way in launching the study. In 1979 the

Advisor to the Govemment of Kera!a on Temples and Traditional Arts again requested the Director of Census Operations to commence the study. But again some unforeseen

circumstances prevented the organization from taking up the study. However, in May

1990, the Govemment of Kera!a again requested the Census Directorate to take up a detailed survey on Temples of Kera!a and the Registrar General (Sree A.R. Nanda LA.S.)

directed to commence the survey in June 1991.

For canvassing the data a schedule was designed in consultation with thanth[is,

silpis etc., besides incorporating the valuable suggestions given by Sree A.R. Nanda, I.A.S. (former Registrar General, India), late Dr. K. P. Ittaman (former Deputy Registrar General,

India) and late Sree K.C. NiirayaI).a Ku!up (former Deputy Director of Census Operations,

Madras). The schedules were printed in September 1991 and the work commenced.

Originally it was decided to collect data of temples by mailing the schedules to temple authorities of statutory bodies and collecting details by deputing trained field

v

staff to temples exclusively managed by private individuals and institutions. But this

procedure did not work well as the response from the statutory bodies was found defective as the filled-in schedules had both content and coverage errors. Therefore in March 1992 it was decided to engage a small team of trained staff (of the Directorate of Census Operations, Kera!a ) for the field-study. The survey covered all temples which are open to public, irrespective of whether they are owned by statutory bodies, private institutions, families or individuals.

The procedure for the collection of data for the survey deserves special mention, The staff deputed for this study was directed to visit all panchaayathths, village offices and note down the names and location of all temples. They were then directed to visit all such temples located in every nook and comer of the panchaayathth, some of which situated even in dense forests and in areas inaccessible by roads, apart from making local enquiries on any possible omissions. These visits and enquiries helped them to prepare a Directory (presented as Section 3) of all temples open to public and collect data regarding the name, location, principal deity, antiquity, structural type of main sreekovil, time of worship andpoojas, uthsavam/festival besides details on ownership/management.

Further based on certain criteria ie., all the temples having swayambhoo (self­revealed) idols and other important temples depending on number of praakaaras, architectural excellence, number of poojas, antiquity and number of worshippers were selected for detailed study. It may be said that great care has been taken to include almost all important temples based on these criteria and the data so collected through a separate detailed schedule are presented in Section 2 (Salien,t features of important temples) of this monograph. This does not mean that other temples are unimportant. But the more prominent ones based on the above mentioned specified criteria were given due weightage. Section 1 gives an overall review and analysis on temples of Malappu!:am district with a backdrop on geographical setting, historical and other aspects.

It is worthwhile to mention here the limitations of the data. The informants, mainly temple authorities, were generally co-operative. However, some of them were reluctant to provide details fearing that their private temples might be taken over by the Government and they took the stand that those temples were exclusively used by family members and not open to public. On the other hand some insisted on having their temples enumerated hoping to get some financial assistance for their family temples at a later stage. Another difficulty encountered by the field staff was that very often they had to go to the same temple several times to collect details as the temples were kept open only for specified hours leither moming or noon or evening) or on specified days besides non-availability of reliable informants. Similarly it was difficult to verify the claim of informants on the data of antiquity and myths associated with those temples. In spite of these limitations every effort was made to collect detailed data.

The field-survey of Malappu[am district was done during 1993-98 and, therefore, su bsequent changes on structures, idols etc. have not been incorporated in this monograph except in few cases where re-visits were done. The data thus collected through the field­survey is published in this monograph. The earlier proposed title of the monograph, ie., Temple Directory (mentioned in the first monograph - Temples o!Kera!a). had to be changed in the District monographs consequent on the introduction of a section dealing with the

VI

General background of temples of the district. Thus this volume has three sections viz. Section 1: General Background, Section 2: Salient features on important temples and Section 3: Temple Directory (which covers list of all temples in the district).

The field survey was initially monitored by Sree K. Sivaramakrishr:ta Iye~ (former

Assistant Director of Census Operations). The field staff included Sarvasree R. Chandrachoogan,

M. Chandrasekharan, M.R. Sukumaran Nair, Thampi N. Suresh. G. Sivadasan and R. Madhavan Nair

of the Census Directorate and Sree A.K. Sudhir Babu who was taken on deputation to the

Census Directorate. The tireless team work of the field staff is highly commendable. The

wholehearted dedication in spite of several odds of travelling through difficult terrain on

foot withstanding the onslaughts of climate deserves special mention. At the time of

writing this volume I had to again utilize the services of Sree G. Sivadasan. Statistical

Investigator of the Census Directorate. I take this opportunity to record my great

appreciation for his invaluable contribution.

I am ever grateful to all those temple authorities and the informants who willingly

furnished data to the field staff. But for their contributions the report would not have

been brought to light.

The major task of translation of data of the Temple Directory (Section 3) into

English and presenting it in the final format was done painstakingly and with great

dedication by Sree K. Sivaramakrisht:ta lye!:, former Assistant Director of Census Operations.

The entire credit of this well presented basic data goes to him. I do not know how to

express my sincere appreciation and gratitude to his dedicated services.

The general background (Section 1) and salient features on important temples

(Section 2) and other items like Glossary, Annexure etc. were written by the author

himself by utilizing the field-data, besides many published and unpublished reports.

The brunt of the work of reading the proof and giving valuable suggestions were

gladly and conscientiously undertaken by my wife Prof. A. A!!andam. I have no words to

thank her.

It is my pleasant duty to acknowledge the co-operation extended to me by officers

and staff of the Census Directorate. In the initial stages I got full encouragement from

late Srec N.M. Samuel, I.A.S., Director of Census Operations, Kera!a. Mrs. Sheela Thomas.I.A.S.

who succeeded him as Director of Census Operations was indeed very helpful in the

continuation of the project and the bringing of this monograph to light. I am greatly

indebted to both of them. My earlier colleagues in the Census Directorate also greatly

helped me in bringing out this monograph. However I would like to mention my sincere

appreciation and special thanks to Sree V. Thu!asedharan, Senior Draftsman, who has

meticulously drawn the rough maps of taluks and in designing plates of photographs

given in this monograph.

I will be failing in my duty if do not express my gratitude to Sree e.G. Sachidiinandan

(Joint Secretary to the Govenment of Kerala) for his whole-hearted co-operation and encouragement.

vii

The keying of data, lay-out of pages and preparing camera-ready copy of this volume were conscientiously done by Sree G.S. Sudhee~ Kuma! as a love for labour. I am

deeply impressed by his stupendous work and place on record my profound thanks to him. The photographs on the temples of the district were taken by Sree Santhosh, Channal}kara,

Still Photographer. I express my appreciation and thanks to them.

Now it is my pleasant duty to thank the officers and staff of the office of the Registrar

General, India, partiCUlarly Mr. B. Mallik (Joint Registrar General I Joint Secretaryl, Dr. R.P. Singh (Deputy Registrar General, Map DiviSion), Mr. C. Chakravorty point Director),

Mr. Bal Krishan (Deputy Director) and Mr. H.K. Jhamb (Printing Officer) for their great help in bringing out this volume.

It is my great privilege to acknowledge my unfailing obligations lowe to Dr. M. Vijaya!!ugt;li, LA.S., former Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India, who had always guided me by giving his valuable advice and helped me a lot by his timely interventions at a critical juncture when the project was about to be shelved. His involvement and vision have paved the way in completing the field work and publication of earlier three monographs (viz. Temples of Kera!a, Temples of Kasaragod district and Temples of Kal}l}oo[ district) on this subject well in time. I am ever grateful to him for laying the foundation for this project which brings out the cultural heritage of Kerala.

Shri J.K. Banthia, LA.S., the Registrar General, India, was very generous, extremely considerate and greatly helpful to solve many problems associated with the printing and release of the three District monographs (Temples of Wayaniid district, Temples of Kozhikki5de

district and the present volume). I am particularly grateful to him for providing a valuable Foreword for this monograph. I am sure that this monograph will indeed be useful for the posterity. On behalf of the future users of these monographs I express my deep

gratitude to him.

While writing this volume I have experienced the Divine Grace of the Almighty and boundless blessings of Gurus and I have no words to express my deep feelings. 1 humbly pray for their continued benediction.

The views expressed in this monograph are my own and do not necessarily represent the views of the Government of India.

The author is happy if the monograph can be of some use as a background document on the subject for administrators, devotees and the general public.

A-25. Jawaharnagar

ThiruvaQanthapuram

Kerata - 695 041 e-mail: tvm_adhyatma@sanchamet.in

S. JAYASHANKER

viii

CONTENTS

SECTION 1 : GENERAL BACKGROUND

Geographiclll setting (3) - History of the district (7) - People and religious composition (12)

Mode of worship (16) - Antiquity of temples (17) - Temple architecture (24) - Carvings

and paintings (29) - Administration of temples (31) - Classification of temples (32) - Types

of idols (35) - Deities (35) - Sakthi-kaJpa (38) - Vishl).u kaJpa (39) - SivakaJpa (40)- Lord

Siva (41) -- Lord Vcttakkorumakan or Kiraathasoo!}u (42) - Sree Kshethrapaalan (42)

Lord Muththappan (42) - GaI)apathi kalpa (42) - Subramal).ya kaJpa (43) - Saastha and

Ayyappa kalpa (43) - Brahma kalpa (43) Combination of kalpas (43) - Lord

Sankaranaraayal).u (43) - Sree Lakshmi-Narayal)a (44) - Sree Arddhanareswara

/ Uma-Maheswara (44) Sree Lakshmi-Narasimhamoo!ththy (44) Sacred groves and Naaga

worship (44) - Other varied kaJpas (45) - Lord Ha!}uman (45) Sree Vaisrval)an (45)

Sree Aswi!!i-Deva (45) - Spirit-cult (45) - Ashla-dikpaaJas and Navagrahas (47) Time of

worship and poojas (47) - Offerings (48) - Monthly and annual festivals (51) Uthsavam

(52) - ThaJapoli (53) -KaJam-paatt (53) - Thi!ayaatlam (55) - ThoJpaava-koothth (55)

Priesthood and temple staff (56) - Priests (56) - Thanth!is (56) - Saanthikkaa!s (57)

Kazhakakkaa[s (57) - Administrative staff (58) - Remuneration to temple staff (58)

Role of Government and administration (59) Coverage of temples (60) - Some unique

features (61) - Conclusion (61)

1-60

Diagram 1 : Lay-out of temple 62-63

Diagram 2 : Prathish!ha point in the garbha-grham

Diagram 3 : Positions of bali-pee{has in the antha!-mal}~a/am

Annexure : Villages/towns falling in physio-geographic regions

lX

64

65

66

SECTION 2: SALIENT FEATURES OF IMPORTANT TEMPLES 67-400

1 Thiroorangaati taluk 69-100

I Sree (Ravimangalam) Mahii Vishl,lu temple, Ariyalloo[ 69

2 Sree (Ni!amkaithak6tta) Bhagavathi temple. VaHikkunnu 71

3 Sree (Niramkaithakotta) Saastha temple. VaHikkunnu 73

4 Sree (Vaariy6thth) Maha VishI)u temple, PaHikkal 76

5 Sree (Pa!ambathth kaav) Bhagavathi temple, Thenfiippalam 78

6 Sree (Keranalloo!) Durga Bhagavathi temple, PeruvaHoo[ 79

7 Sree (Kul}too.rch61a) Siva temple (Cave temple), Valiyo.ra 80

8 Sree SubramaI)ya temple, Kotuvaayoo! 82

9 Sree Siva temple, PaappaQoo! 84

10 Sree Dharma Saastha temple (Ayyappan kaav), Netuva 85

11 Sree (Pishaarikka1) Mookambika temple, Netuva 87

12 Sree (Thrkku!am) Siva temple, Thiroorailgaati 89

13 Sree Maha Vishl)u temple, NaQ~amb!a 91

14 Sree Siva temple, Venniyoo! 92

15 Sree Siva temple, Vaa!akk.u!arn 94

16 Sree Subramal)ya temple, K!aari-Ambalavattam 96

17 Sree (Cherukunnu) AQQapoo!l)eswari temple. Othukkungal 98

-2 Eranit taluk 101-164

1 Sree (Chevaayoo!:) Subramal)ya temple, Pu!ikkal 101

2 Sree Karumakan kaav. Azhifinilam 103

3 Sree (Tha!i) Maha V::shI)u temple, Azhififiilam 105

4 Sree (Kottaku!umba) Du!ga Bhagavathi temple, Puthukot 108

5 Sree (Ariyil) Siva temple. Azhinnilam 109

6 Sree (Valiya-Kugisseri) Maha VishlJu temple. EtavaI)l)appara 111

7 Sree (Cheriya-Ku!!isseri) Vishl)u temple. EtavaI)vam)appara 112

8 Sree Du!,ga Bhagavathi temple, Muthuvalloo! 113

9 Sree (Nee!mangaat) Narasimhamoo!ththy temple, Vi!ayil 115

10 Sree SankaranaraayaI)a temple, Thrkka!ayoo! 116

11 Sree (Saa!agraama) Narasimhamoorththy temple, Puththalam 119

12 Sree (Ut:llJimura) Vaama!]afl1oo!ththy temple, Maithra 121

13 Sree Saastha temple (Ayyappan kaav), Vezhakkot 122

14 Sree SubramaI,lyaswaamy Temple Complex, Karikkaat 124

x

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

32

33

34

35

36

1

2

3

4

S

6

7

8

9

10

II

Sree (Natuvathth) Siva temple, Karikkaat

Sree (ThirumaIJikkara) Guruvayoorappan temple, Th[kkalangot

Sree Paa!thhasaarathhy temple, Che!uval)l)oo!

Sree SankaranaaraayaJ)a temple, Ku!anelloo!

Sree Vishl)u temple, Kotasseri

Sree Siva temple. PuthukoHi

Sree (Keezhthrkk6vil) Siva temple, Peruvakkaat

Sree (VeHekkaatt) Baala-Du!ga temple. VaHuvangaat

Sree Du!,ga Bhagavathi temple. Panthaloo!

Sree Sree (Avi!!oo!,) Ayyappa-Du!,ga Bhagavathi temple, Paappi!!ipaara

Sree (Oranaatathth) Siva temple. Manjeri

Sree (Mukathaamal)1)a) Siva temple, Manjeri

Sree BhadrakaF temple (Kaa!ikaav), Melaakkam

Sree (Moothrkunnathth) Du!,ga Bhagavathi temple, Manjeri

Sree (Arukizhaayi) Siva temple, Manjeri

Sree Siva temple, Pulpa!!a

Sree (Perum-Thrk5vil) Mahii Siva temple, Thrppa!!acchi

Sree Maha Siva temple, Mo!ayoo!

Sree (Poyili) Karil!kaaF temple, Netiyiruppu

Sree (Thaannikkaatt) Maha Siva temple, Netiyiruppu

Sree Thrpuraanthaka temple, Kunnummal, Malappu!am

Sree (Chennathth) Siva temple, Malappu!am

3 Nilamboo! taluk

Sree (Mal)IJaaththi) Du!,ga Bhagavathi temple, MUI!tappaatam

Sree Ayyappa temple, Kaukkaat

Sree Du!,ga Bhagavathi temple, Kaarakkot

Sree (Chemmanthitta) VaQa-Du!ga temple, Karulaayi

Sree (Vilwathth) Siva temple, Pookkottupaatam

Sree (Kovilakam) Vettakkorumakan temple, Nilamboo_!

Sree (Kailasa) Siva temple, Thiruvaali

Sree Siva temple, Punnappaala

Sree (Baal!aapuram) Thrpurasundari temple, Vaal!iyambalam

Sree Siva temple, Wal)too!,

Sree (Saasthaavangottupuram) Bhagavathi temple, Che!ukot

Xl

127

129

131

132

134

136

137

138

140

142

144

145

146

149

151

153

154

156

158

160

162

163

165-184

165

166

168

169

170

172

173

175

176

178

179

12

13

Sree Siva temple, Poroo!:

Sree (Neelaanku!:issi) Saastha temple (Ayyappankaav), Karuvaarakul!tu

4 Perinthalmal)l)a taluk

181

183

185·278

1 Sree (AayooI) Siva temple, Etappana 185

2 Sree Karil)kaali kaav, Etappa!!a 187

3 Sree (Puthiyetathth) Siva temple. Chemmaaf_liy5t 188

4 Sree (Kaippugi) VishI)u (Narasimhamoorththy) temple. MelaaHoo!: 190

5 Sree (PutharamaIfl)a) Siva temple, Melaagoo[ 193

6 Sree (PoonthaaDam) Maha VishI)u temple, PoonthaavaDam 194

7 Sree (Muthukurissi) Saastha temple (Ayyappan kaav), Keezhagoor 196

8 Sree Akhileswari Bhagavathi (Bhadraka1i) temple, Nemmi!!i 198

9 Sree (Kailott) Siva temple, Thacchinganatam 200

10 Sree (Manjerikaav) Ayyappa temple, Vegila 201

11 Sree (Vatakki!!iyetathth) Du[ga Bhagavathi temple, Katannamal)l).a 202

12 Sree (ThekkiDiyetathth) Siva temple, Katannamal}!)a 204

l3 Sree (Ma!)kata kovilakam) Siva temple, Ma9kata 205

14 Sree (Koottil) Siva temple, Marykata 206

15 Sree (Kunnaththoor) Saastha temple CAyyappan kaal'), Mat:tkata 207

16 Sree (Aarangott) Siva temple, Makkarapa!amb 208

17 Sree (Thrkkovil) Siva temple, KaarattupaEamba 210

18 Sree (Mutappila Thrkkovil) Vish:r;lU temple, Kaarattupa!amba 211

19 Sree (Mel-Thrkkovil) Siva temple, Patinnaa!!umu!i 212

20 Sree (Keezh-Thrkkovil) VishI:lU (Narasimhamoorththy) temple, Patinnaattumu!i 214

21 Sree (Pishaariyekkal) Du!ga Bhagavathi temple, Paang 215

22 Sree (KozhiyooO Siva temple, PazhamaHoo! 217

23 Sree Maha Deva temple, Puzhakkaattiri 218

24 Sree Raamaswaamy temple, Raamapuram 220

2S Sree Siva temple, Pa!}angaangara 223

26 Sree (Chirattamary.) Dha:Qwanthari temple, Aalikkalmary.I_1a 224

27 Srce (Etaththupurathth Poonthaa!:_!am) KfshI_1a temple, Valamboo! 226

2X Sree Siva temple, Thiroo[kkaat 22X

2Y Sree (Raavaramanna) Siva temple, AngaatippurarTI 230

30 Sree (Thirumandhaamkunnu) Bhagavathi temple, Angaatippu[am 232

:x i i

31

32

33

34

35

36

37

38

39

40

41

42

43

44

45

46

47

48

49

50

51

52

Sree (Tha!i) Siva temple, Ailgaatippu!am

Sree Siva temple, Perinthalmal)l_la

Sree (VeHalt-Puththoor) Siva temple, PerinthalmaI_1l)a

Sree Subramal)yaswaamy temple, Eravimangalam

Sree (Neer-Puththoor) Siva temple, Arakkuparamb

Sree (Ve!ingot) Siva temple. Arakkuparamb

Sree Narasimhamoorththy temple, VaazhcI)kata

Sree (Tha!i) Mahadeva temple, Aalipparamba

Sree (Kunnummal) Bhagavathi temple, Aa!_"!amaI1gaat

Sree Siva temple, Pu!_"!!:!akkot

Sree (Maattaayakunnu) Bhagavathi temple, Paalaththol

Sree Vish~lU temple, Paalaththol

Sree Ayyappa temple, PuFl)kaav

Sree (Aalancheri) BhadrakaF temple, Paaloo!

Sree Rudra-Dha!:!wanthari temple, Pulamaantho!

Sree V':iEa-Du~gu (Koukkaa~ikkaat kaavil Bhagavathi) temple, Va~apuram

Sree Siva temple, Kuruvambalam

Sree (Cheru-Thrkkovil) Siva temple, Vengaat

Sree (Sivamangalam) Siva temple, Vengaat

Sree (Paattukottil) Bhagavathi temple, Moo!kka~aat

Sree (Anthirnalyaa!kaav) Bhagavathi temple, Kizhakkekara

Sree (Che!!upaa.!:a) Va!_1a-Saastha temple (Ayyappankaav), Vengaat

5 Thiroor taluk

239

242

243

246

248

250

251

253

255

257

258

260

262

263

264

267

269

271

272

274

275

277

279-364

Sree Maha Vish:r:lU temple (E!:l)aakaranelloor GUl)apathiyan kaav), Pariyaapuram 279

2 Sree (Thrkkaikkaatt) Siva temple, Pariyaapuram 281

3 Srec Maha Vishl)u temple, Raayiramangalam 283

4

5

6

7

R

9

10

I I

Srec Ayyappan ki1i1v, Pa~ar\gaattoor

Sree Krshr]a temple, Kera!aadhceSwarapuram

Sree Subramal)yaswaamy temple, Eazhoor

Sree Maha Siva temple. Thfkkal)tiyoo!:

Sree Maha Siva temple, Aadrsseri

Srec Maha Siva temple, Ka!}ma!]am

Sree Verykita Thevar Siva temple, Kottaykkal

Sree Viswambhara (Maha VishQu) temple, Kottaykkal

XllI

285

286

288

289

295

296

298

301

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

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23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

32

33

34

35

36

37

38

39

40

2

3

4

Sree (Paal)<;iamangalam) KrshI)aswaamy temple, K6ttaykkal

Sree Maha Gal)apathi temple, Indya!}oo!

Sree Siva temple. Ponmala

Sree Bhagavathi temple. Kaataampuzha

Sree (~shipuththoo!:) Siva temple. Etayoo!

Sree (PookkaattiyooO Maha VishI)u temple. Pookkaattiri

Sree (Pookkaattiyoo!:,) Mahadeva temple, Pookkaattiri

Sree (Thekkuthth) Maha Siva temple. Irimbiliyam

Sree (Manchara) Siva temple, Ku!amangalam

Sree Va_!!a-Durga temple. Thozhuvaa!}!!oor

Sree Mahildeva temple. Vaikkaththoo[

Sree (Nottanaalukkal) Bhagavathi temple. Ku!!ippuram

Sree Siva temple complex. Pail)kaI)l!OOr

Sree (Pishaarikkal) Durga Bhagavathi temple. PerassaQ ooo!:"

Sree (Nambrathth) Siva temple. Natuvattam

Sree (Kai-Thrkkovil) Siva temple (Cave temple), Natuvattam

Sree (Netungottiri) Siva temple, Aathavanaat

Sree Bhagavathy temple Complex, Chandaoakaav

Sree Nava Mukunda temple. Thirunaavaaya

Sree Bhaorakap temple. Vairal)kot

Sree Aswini-Deva temple. Aalathiyoo!

Sree Koormamoo!:"ththy temple (Garu~an kaav). Ve!!aml1asseri

Sree (Perumth[kkovil) Raama temple (Haoumaankaav). Aalaththiyoo!

Sree Kaalasamhaaramoo!ththy (Maha Siva) temple. Thrp!:angot

Sree Mahu Saastha temple. ChamravaLlam

Srec (VemaI)I)a) Narasimhamoo!ththy temple, Vellam

Sree Bhagavathi temple (Vettalhth-kaav), Vettal11

Sree Siva temple Mannalam , i::'

Sree DU[gll Bhagavathi temple. Vaa!a-Maruthou[

6 PO!llJa~i laluk

Srec (Thrkkaav) Du[ga Bhagavathi temple, PO!.l!.laQi

Srec Siva temple, Che[uvaaykkara

Sree (KaI)taku!:umbakaav) Bhagavathi temple, Ezhuvathiruththi

Sree (Om-Thrkkaav) Siva temple, Ezhuvathiruththi

xiv

302

304

307

308

313

315

317

319

321

323

324

327

328

330

332

333

335

336

339

344

346

348

350

352

357

358

359

361

363

365-400

3115

3117

31lX

:no

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

Sree B!ahma temple, ThavaQoo!

Sree (Che[u-Thirunaavaaya) Siva temple, ThavaQoo!

Sree (Maaththoo!) Siva temple, Atha!oo!

Sree Anthimahakaa!an kaav, Atha!oo!

Sree Siva temple, Malloo!

Sree (ThirumaaI)iyoo!) Siva temple, Paalap!a

Sree Siva temple, Kaupra

Sree DakshiI)amoorththy temple, Sukapuram

Sree (Pu!amuI)tekkaat) Mahadeva temple, Vattamku!am

Sree (Kotalil) Narasimhamoorththy temple, VengiQikkara

Sree (Perumutisseri) Vettakkorumakan temple, Eramangalam

Sree (KoyappuHi) Siva temple, Perumpatapp

Sree (Kaattumaatam) Muththassi Amma temple, Vanneri

Sree (Kat;II)ankaav) BhadrakaF temple, Mookkuthala

Sree Bhagavathi (Aadi Parasakthi) temple, Mookkuthala

Sree (Ashtayil) Narasimha temple, Aalat;Ikot

SECTION 3: TEMPLE DIRECTORY

1 Thiroorangaati taluk Key to map showing names of panchaayathths and villages

Rough map (facing key to map)

Directory

2 Eranat taluk Key to map showing names of panchaayathths and villages

Rough map (facing key to map)

Directory

3 Nilamboor taluk Key to map showing names of panchaayathths and villages

Rough map (facing key to map)

Directory

4 Perinthalmat:1!1a taluk Key to map showing names of panchaayathths and villages

Rough map (facing key to map)

Directory

xv

371

372

374

375

377

379

381

382

385

387

388

391

392

394

395

398

401-613

402-427 402

403

404-469 404

405

470-491 470

471

492-533 492

493

5 Thiroor taluk Key to map showing names of panchaayathths and villages

Rough map (facing key to map)

Directory

6 P00080i taluk Key to map showing names of panchaayathths and villages

Rough map (facing key to map)

Directory

PROCEDURE OF TRANSLITERATION

GLOSSARY

534-585 534

535

587

614-618

619-648

PHOTOGRAPHS Between pages 400 and 401

Thiroorangaari taluk (plates 1-8), E!"anat tal uk (9-16), Nilamboo!: taluk (17-20),

PerinthaImal)l)a taluk (21-30), Thiwo!: taluk (31-60) and PO!'!!J.1!}i tal uk (61-68)

Front cover: Srec Bhagavathi temple. Kaataampu7ha

Back cover: Sree Nava Mukunda temple. Thirunaav<luya

xvi

SECTION 1

GENERAL BACKGROUND

1

3655 RGI/03-2A

NOTE

The spellings of names of Kera!a State and Malappuram district, as adopted in the census, are followed as such in this monograph except with additions of diacritical marks (eg. Kera!a for Kerala Malappu.!:am for Malappuram). The spellings of taluks, villages, statutory towns and place-names (except state I district) are given in Sections 1 and 2 of this monograph as locally pronounced and written in Malayalam with diacritical marks and therefore they may not be in full agreement with the spellings adopted in census or in village records. Further the spellings of technical words (used in Sanskrit and Malaya!am)are given in this monograph based on the procedure of transliteration given between pages 614 and 618.

The Glossary presented with appropriate diacritical marks (between pages 619 and 648) covers all important and common technic::al words generally used in this monograph.

2

GENERAL BACKGROUND

Geographical setting

Malappu!am is hemmed between

the majestic Sahyaadri mountain on the east and the Lakshadweep sea on the west. Lying between latitudes 10 degrees 37 minutes and 11 degrees 30 minutes, and between longitudes

75 degrees 32 minutes and 76 degrees and 32 minutes the district is bounded on the north by the Kozhikkode and

Wayanad districts of Kera!a and the Nilgiri district of Tamil Nad, on the east

by the Palakkad district of Kera!a, on the

south by Palakkad and ThrsSOO! districts

of Kera!a and on the west by the

Lakshadweep sea. Malappuram, which literally means area over a hill, is true

in this case. The new Malappuram district was formed on June 16, 1969 by taking regions from the then existing K6zhikk6de and Palakkad

districts, the details of which are

discussed later. Historically also Malappu!am is important as it had a ruined Fort established by Tippu

Sulththaan and also used as a health­resort within a military Cantonment

of the Saamoothiri and later the British. However the place came into limelight in 1852 when the Malabar

Special Police made it its headquarters.

Moreover Malappu!am is centrally

3

located with better communication

facilities with the rest of the district besides being an important place on

the Madras-Calicut Trunk road. All the above factors weighed in favour of the selection of Malappu!am as the district­headquarters, against the then developed town of Manjeri.

2. There is only scanty informa­tion on the earlier administrative pattern of the district. The available

data indicate that the ancient territorial units of civil and military

authority comprised of nidus, desams, tha[as, cheris etc. Prior to the eighteenth

century the present Malappuram district fell in seven niidus, viz. whole

of South Parappa~ad (under Raja), part

of Ramnad, whole of Cheranad and part

of Eranat (all the three under

Samoothiri), part of Northern WaHuvanad

(under VeHattiri Raja), part of Southern WaHuvanad (under Samoothiri) and whole

of Bettaththunad or Vettaththunad (under

Raja).

3. At the close of the eighteenth

century William Gamul Farmer and Major Alexander Dow were appointed

as Commissioners to recommend a permanent system of administration in Malabar. They submitted their report

in December 1792. In the same month the Commission was expanded with two more officers (Duncan and Boddam) and thereafter the Commission took the name as 'Joint­Commissioners appointed to inspect into the state and condition of the Province of Malaba~ '. According to their recommendations Malabar was divided into two divisions, Northern and Southern. The present district formed part of the Southern Division, which had its headquarters at Calicut. The Southern Division was further sub­divided into taluks, h5blis and desams.

Those taluks (whole or part) which existed then as per the present jurisdiction of Malappuram district were Parappa!!ad, Ramnad, Cheranad, Eranat, AngatipPuram, Melattoo!" Kappil. VeI!katayikotta, Thalakkaad, Koottayi and Kartnkathala. During 1860-61 the taluks were again reorganized. Accordingly the taluks, which fell whole or part in the present district, were Eranat, Wanuvanad and Po!}!}aQi.

4. Till the formation of Kera!a State no major changes to boundaries of taluks were made except some minor adjustments. On January 1, 1957 the Malabar district, which was ceded to Kera!a as per the States Reorganization Act of 1956, was divided into three districts viz., Cannanore (later named as KaI).l)oorl K5zhikk5de and Palghat (paJakkat). As part of carving out these new districts jurisdictional changes at the taluk and village levels were also made. Portions of Eranat and Ponnani taluks were taken to form Thiroor taluk. Another portion of Po!!!!a!}i taluk lying along the coast and west of erstwhile Thrssoo! district was named

4

as Chavakkiid taluk and added to Thrssoor district. Walluvanad taluk was . - .. bifurcated to form PerinthalmaI)I)a and Ottappiilam taluks. (The Cochin taluk is inclusive of settlements of Thal)ksseri and Anjengo and was formed part of Malabar district. The areas falling under them were also transferred to the adjacent districts on January 1, 1957.

5. A major political and administrative decision was the formation of Malappur am district on June 16, 1969 by taking portions of Kozhikkode and Palakkat districts. PerinthalmalJl)a taluk was split into two taluks VIZ. PerinthalmaI)lJa and MaI)I)arghat. Of these PerinthalmaI)I)a formed part of the newly formed Malappuram district while MalJl)arghat continued in the Palakkill district. Some of the southwest and northeast villages of Kozhikkode taluk were added to Thiroo! taluk and Earnaad taluk respectively. Paruthoor village, which

lies south of Thootha river was added to Ottappiilam taluk. Po!!!!a!_}i taluk was trifurcated, of which Thfththaala firka was added to Ottappalam taluk and AI,lthathot firka to Chavakkad taluk. Thus

the new district of Malappuram comprised of four reorganized taluks viz. Eranat, ThirooI; PerinthalarnalJI)a and POQ!}aDi. In 1992 two new taluks were carved out, with names Thiroorangati (out of Eranat and Thiroo! taluks) and Nilamboor (out of Eranat taluk). Thus at presen t there are six tal uks, Thi roorangati, Earnad, N ilamboo r. Perinthalrnalft:ta, Thiroor and POD ~a~i. At present the district has 135 villages. Of these 12 whole villages lie within the statutory towns. The remaining 123 villages fall under 100 panchayathths

of which Tha!!oo! panchaayathth lies in Thiroorarigati and Thiroor taluks.

6. Human habitats, particularly In early times, were influenced by physio-geographic factors like physiography, geological structure, forest cover, climatic conditions, soil etc. The background of the district could be better understood by adopting these criteria. Accordingly the district is divided into five distinct regions l

Malappuram coast, Malappuram Undulating Plain, Chaaliyar River Basin, Nilamboo! Forested Hills and PerinthalmaI)I;a Undulating Upland. Details of villages and statutory towns falling in the above regions are given in the Annexure on page 66 .

7. Of these, Malappuram coast, as the very name indicates, borders the Lakshadweep sea along the western side of the district. It is a continuous coastal strip extending from the northemmost tip of Kasarag6d district without any break and passes through the western side of KaJ.lQ.oo! and Kozhikk6de districts. The MalapPuram coast is bounded on the north by the K6zhikk6de coast, on the east by the Malappuram Undulating Plain, on the

south by Thrssoo! coast and on the west by the Lakshadweep sea. This region is intersected by four west-flowing rivers: KataluQ.ti, Pooraparamba, Thiroor and Bharathappuzha. KataluQ.ti puzha (total length: 130 km.} takes its origin from Silent valley and flows through

1 RegIOnal Di[)isions oj India - A Cartogmphic Analysis (Occasional Papers, Series 1, Volume - X, Kera!a), Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India, New Delhi, 1988 (The classification of villages by physio-geographic regions is based on the principles adopted in this Occasional Paper.)

5

paI).tikkaat, Melanoo!" Malappu!'am and Thiroorarigaati before joining the Sea at KataluI)ti. The meandering character of this river, particularly it's passing through the coast from south to north touching Thrkku!am, Netuva and VaHikkunnu for a distance of 32 km.

inundates that part of the region in floQds during monsoons. The Poorapar amba river or in short Poora puzha has only a length of 8 km. and crosses the railway line in between Tha!}oo[ and Parappa!}angati. The Thiroor river (length: 48 km.), also called VaUilapuzha, originates from Aathava!!at village and flows through Thiroor before taking a southwesterly direction and joining Bharathappuzha at its point of confluence with the Sea. (The Thoothappuzha (also called PuJamanth6! puzha) , is a tributary of Bharathappuzha. It originates from MQ.Q.arlddat forests of Paalakkat district and forms the boundary between Malappuram and Palakkit districts for its greater length before it empties into Bharathappuzha at Thiruvegappura northeast of Ku!~i­ppuram. From Thiruvegappura the Bharathappuzha flows as the boundary

of Thiroor and PO!!!!3!!i taluks before it joins the Lakshadweep sea. The important places on this course are Kugippu[am, Thirunaavaaya, Thava!!oor

and PO!l!!agi. In addition to rivers in this coastal region there are VeFyaJ.lkot lake and MaI)iyar, VeHancheri, Ma!avancheri and Pattithara kaayaJs

(backwaters). The two navigable canals viz. COQ.oHy canal connecting Poora puzha with Thiroor puzha and Ponnani canal connecting Thiroor with Pon nani were dug during the period 1840 and 1860 A.D. This coastal region has its

geology of alluvium bed of recent age

and its soil type is coast~ alluvium.

This region is well connected by rail and road and it is characterized by high

density of population. In this coastal

region there are 43 revenue villages while lie wholly in rural areas and four

villages in urban areas (constituted by

Thiroo~ and POQ~a!.}i municipal towns). Of them, major portion of The!:!!!ala village lies in Malappu[am coast while

its residuary portion falls in Malappu£am Undulating plain. Similarly

smaller portion of two villages (PaHikkal and Natuvattam) included under Malappu[am Undulating Plain fall under

Malappu~am coast.

8. To the east of the Malappu!am Coast and parallel to. it is the Malappu[am Undulating Plain. It has other boundaries of Naadapuram-Mavoor Undulating Plain at the north, ChaaJiyaa~ River Basin and

Peri nthalmal) I). a- Undulating Upland at

the east and Pattambi Undulating

Plain at the south. It has number of

isolated residual hills and generally

slopes towards west, There are some

forest patches along with shrubs and

bushes. All the rivers mentioned in the Malappu!:am Coast flow through this

region. The highest point of the region lies in Ka1).l)amangalam village of

Thiroorangilti taluk. The soils are laterite, alluvium and forest loam. The

region is comprised of 22 villages

besides the Malappuram municipal town constituted by three villages. Of the

22 rural villages as stated earlier two villages fall partly in Malappuram Coast while a portion of Kotoo!: village extends

over to Perinthalmat:ll)a Undulating tJpland. All these villages in the region

6

fall in Thiroorailgati, Eranat, Perinthalmal)lfa or Thiroo[ taluks.

9. The Chaah yaar River Basin is

at the middle course of Chaaliyaa!: river

and lies exclusively within Eranat and Nilamboo[ taluks. Under this region there are 22 villages of which part of

Pookkottoor village also lies 1n Perinthalmal}I}a Undulating Upland. Similarly a small portion of PoroD!: village falling under the Nil~mboor Forested Hills region extends over this

region. There is no statutory town. The region has the soils of laterite and

alluvium.

10. The region of Nilamboo~ Forested Hills lies exclusively within

the Nilamboo! taluk. It has 16 villages of which a portion of P5roo~, as stated earlier lies in Chaaliyaa[ River Basin.

Being on the Western Ghats the region is peculiar with scarp slopes, high

peaks, deep valleys and dense forests,

besides being the catchment area of the Chaaliyaa! river and its tributaries.

It has laterite and forest loam soils.

There are 11 villages in this region of which Poroo_!: extends over to Chaaliyaar River Basin.

11. The PerinthalmaI,1l!a Undulating

Upland lying at the southeast of the

district borders Palakkat district. The

region has number of isolated hills, besides being the source of streams of KatalUl).ti river and Thootha puzha, which

itself is a tributary of Bharathapuzha. The

minimum height of the region is 100

m. There are 29 whole villages and a

portion of a village (Kotoor) included

under Malappu!:am Undulating Plain. Manjeri and Perinthalmal)l)a, the

municipal towns falling in this region

are constituted by five revenue villages. The region has laterite and brown hydromorphic soils.

History of the district 12. There is no material evidence

about the prehistory of Kerala during Stone Age. Historians are of the view that no man lived here in the Paleolithic (Old Stone Age) ,period also,

though some pre-historical antiquities of Neolithic (New Stone Age) culture are stated to be present here. Details about all of them are scanty. However, megalithic (great stone age) monuments, which are associated with

cult of the dead, are seen here and dolmens, porthole cysts, menhirs, umbrella stones, hood stones and rock­cut caves represent them.

13. Hardly anything is known about the early history of the district. It is believed that Lord Parasurama, one of the ten avachaa!s (incarnations) of Lord Maha Vish1)u is said to have thrown His parasu (battle axe) across the sea from Gokagla (in Utta! Kannad district of Ka!1)ataka State) to Ka!:!yakumari (the land's end of India) and made the water to recede up to the point where it fell. This gift of the sea is known as Bha!gava Ksheth!a or Parasurama Ksheth[a. Malappu[am district also falls within this tract. Whatever may be the truth in the above tradition, there is geological evidence that the land, which now forms part of Kera!a, was at one time under the Sea. The land might have emerged from the Sea as a result of either volcanic or seismological factors.

14. Based on Kera!a Mahiithmyam and Kera!i5Ipaththi Logan states that 64

7

graamams were established by Lord Parasurama. Of these, 35 graamams lie in the present Kera!a State of which four are partially identifiable and two are not identified. Among them the identifiable three graamams in the present Malappu!:am district are Karikkat in Thrkka!angot village of Eranat taluk, Aalathiyoo[ in Thrp!:angot village of Thiroor taluk and Chovvaram (Sukapuram) in PO!! Qa!Ji taluk. The Irimbqiyam on the bank of Thootha­puzha (near Va1aancheri) is a partially identified graamam in the district.

15. Historians record that during the Sarngham age (first five centuries of A.D.) the district formed part of Puzhinaat, a branch of Cheras who had their capital at Tondi (identified as Katalul)ti). The post-Samgham age is often described as a long historical night not only for the district but also for the whole of South India. However it is relevant to mention the territorial set-up of the district during the early decades of the ninth century. Earlier territorial divisions consisted of n5dus (natus), desams, tha!as, cheris etc. The ruler of the natu was known as natuvaazhi and he exercised authority in all civil and military affairs. Though niituvazhis held the position hereditarily, they were subjected to the overall control of the concerned Raaja. Desams within a natu were administered by desavaazhis and they were responsible for managing estates of niituvazhis. Within a desam there were griimams, tha!as and cheris. They were not actually revenue divisions but localities having predominant communities lived i.e. griimam where Brahmins inhabited, tha!a where Nairs dwelled and cheri where other castes

lived. Of these, gramams and tha!as enjoyed sovereignty to a greater extent.

16. Tharas had their kootams or assemblies. The representative of these kootams in this region used to meet once In twelve years at Thirunavaya to elect a Raksha-purusha (Protector). He functioned as an arbitrator for all dissensions and disputes, which arose between natuvazhis. Though this system worked for some time it did not last long. Therefore, they decided to invite a member of the neighbouring ruling dynasty outside Kera!a. This paved the way for the Peruma! era. Each Peruma! ruled for a term of 12 years. It is said that there were twleve such Peruma!s. The last Peruma! ruled for three terms and at the end he divided his kingdom among his chieftains and appointed VaHuvanat Raaja (Va!1uvako!lathiri) to preside over the Thirunavaya Assembly.

17. As stated earlier (paragraph 2} the jurisdiction of the present district fell in ancient days within four kingdoms, the western region under Parappanat and Vettaththunat Raajas, the central portion comprising of Ramnat, Cheranat and E~anat under Saamoothiri Raaja and the eastern portion under VaHuvanat Raaja. It is relevant to give short accounts on these principalities.

18. Parappanaat swaroopam (described as Pappukovil) in European accounts) had two branches, the northern and southern. The southem branch administered the territories south of Chaaliya[ river. They accepted suzerain ty of Saamoothiri. The ~arappanaat Royal family "claim to be Kshthriyas by caste, and have often supplied consorts to the rulers of

8

Travancore. They were roughly handled by Tippu, and many of them were forcibly converted to Is!am; and since that time they have lived for the most part in Travancore.":1 The ancestral home of Parappanat still continues to exist at Parappanangaati. "The Lakshmi­puram palace, Changanasseri, which gave birth to the great poet and scholar Kera!a Varma Valiya Koyi Thampuran, was set up by some such immigrant princes. That branch of the family to which the poet belonged moved from ChangaQasseri to Ka!thikapaHi in 1865 and set up residence in the A!lanthapuram palace constructed in 1871."3

19. Vettaththunaat or ThaQoo[ swaroopam also belonged to Kshathriya community and their jurisdiction extended sou th of Parappanaat kingdom. In this context, it needs to record that Thanoof was one of the early settlements of Portuguese. Though Vettathunaat accepted the suzerainty of Zamorin they on many occasions sided with Cochin Royal house as female members of Vettaththunaat were adopted to Cochin Royal family on many a time. One of the princes sought the help of the Dutch to crush the Portuguese. When the Mysorean forces attacked Vettaththunaat, the royal members fled to Travancore for safety. The rulers of this principality were great literary luminaries and their territory was described in the work as Prakaasabhoo and the ruler as P!akaasa-bhoopaalan. Their contributions to kathhaka!i are ever remembered and their system is

2 District Gazetteer, Malabar. Innes and Evans, Reprint 1951, page 440

3 A Survey of Kera!a History, Prof. A. Sreedhara

Menon, Reprint June 2003, page 211.

popularly called Vettathth-samb!adaayam. Later they also accepted suzerainty of Saamoothiri.

20. On the eastern side of Parappanaat swaroopam, there was a small principality called .Ramanad or Ramapuram comprised of Karappo!a (Karippoor), Naloo!a, (NalIoo!), She!gava (Che!:ukaav). Karatta (Karat), Attinghelly (AzhinniIam) and Shellent¥h (Chelamb!a) hoblis. Saamoothiri had his sway over this territory later.

21. Cheranaat, another principality located south of Ramnat comprised seven hoblis i.e. Tricollam, Kal!I)amangalam, Vengara, Koduvayoor (Kotuvayoo!), Uragom (Oorakam). Kollangara and Iriilgalura (Iritigalloor). As in the case of Ramapuram it had independent status till Saamoothiri exercised suzerainty over it.

22. The kingdom of Saamoothiri, known as Netiyiruppu swaroopam, originally belonged to their ancestral house of Eratis at Netiyirupp of this district. Their rulers were known locally as E!!aathiri Of Netiyiruppu Mooppan. European writers called them Zamorin. In earlier days K5zhikk5de and the surrounding areas formed part of the kingdom of Pu!!!!aat ruled by Por!aathiri. After the fall of the Kulasekharas (Second Chera Empire), the influence of Por!aathiri waned and the Ea!aatis of Netiyiruppu conquered and besieged their territories. When Po!!aathiri fled to Kolaththunaat for safety Ea!aatis shifted their capital from Netiyiruppu to K5zhikkode. The conquest of Thirunaavaya by Saamoothiri was intended to secure for himself not only the territory of Thirunavaya but also to get the

9

privilege of presiding over the pan­Kera!a assembly or the festival known as Mama,!l}kam or Maaghamakam held once in every twelve years, (Maamaal!kam festivals were first held under the VaHllvakO!!athiris and later under Saamoothiris. The last MaamaaI)kam was held in 1743). Saamothiri's success in this venture had salutary effect and before long he brought Nilamboor. Manjeri, Malappuram and VelJkatakotta (K6ttakkal) under his effective control. Later Saamoothiri extended his sway to Netunganaat, a small principality lying between VaHllvanaat kingdom and Paalakkaat kingdom (Taaroor swaroopaIlJ). Thus Saamoothiri became all-powerful in Malabar·

23. VaHuvanaat, mentioned as VallabhakshoI)i in Sanskrit texts, is believed to have been founded by one Rajasekhara who lived in the tenth century A.D. The Sanskrit inscription of1biruvattiyoor dated 960 A.D. indicates that his son Vallabha was a close friend of Chota king Rajaadithya. Vallabha later renounced the world and became head of Thiruvattiyoor Mutt. Another son of Raajasekhara by name Rairam Chaththan figures as one of the signatories in the Jewish Copper plate of Bhaskara Raviva!man I dated 1000 A.D. VaHuvanaat kingdom comprised of earlier VaHuvanaaat taluk and portions of old E!anat and old PO!! !!a!!i taluks. Va!!uvak6 gaathiri presided over the mamaIJkam till the close of the thirteenth century when Thirunaavaaya was annexed by the Saamoothiri. This annexation was a blow to the power and prestige of VaHuvakoQaathiri and thereafter this royal family disintegrated. The VaHuva

royal family members were known by different names. The ruling Raaja alone was known as VaHuvakonaathiri. Other members in accordance with seniority were known as VeHaa!appaat, Thacchara!appaat, Etaththaraa!ppaat, Ko!aththooIPpaat and Patififiaa!ekka­rappaat. When Tippu attacked, the VaHuvanaat family had control of only Attappaati valley and northern portion of the then Ottappaalam taluk. The Raaja had to take asylum in Travancore at the time of invasion of Tippu. When the family was split late'r only four thaavazhis functioned independently and others disintegrated. These four families took names of Mal)kata, Aayiramnaazhi, KatannamaI_l:[:la and Aripra.

24. Vasco-da-Gama, the Portuguese navigator landed at Kappad (about 15 km. north-west of Calicut) on 27 th May 1498. His mission for building a factory was tumed down at that time by the Saamoothiri. Pedro Alvarez Cabral led the next expedition of the Portuguese and he succeeded in establishing a factory at Calicut. This was followed by frequent conflicts between Portuguese and Arab traders. When Vasco da Gama came again in 1502, he could establish his superiority in the Sea. Later the Portuguese shifted their headquarters to Goa. By this time the Saamoothiri organized his navy under the leadership of Kufifiaali Marakkaa!,s, the Admirals of the Saamoothiri. (Kufifiaalis were traditionally navigators and merchants and had their original home at PO!! !!3!!i. Later they shifted to Tha!!oor and in 1509 to Kottaykkal). Of the men of Kunnaali Marakkaa.rs, Kutti Ali was the bravest. Under Kutti Ali's command, the Saamoothiri's Navy inflicted heavy

10

casualties on the Portuguese fleet. They were almost able to prevent the Portuguese trade with the Malabar coast. In 1540, however, the Saamoothiri entered into a treaty with the Portuguese, which enabled them to have monopoly of trade. Ten year's later, war broke out again and Saamoothiri succeeded in capturing Chaaliyam Fort in 1571. The fall of Chaaliyam was the beginning of the decline of Portuguese power in Kera!a.

25. The appearance of Dutch in the political scene of this district did not have any impact except on their intervention in the internal family feud. After the Dutch the British and the French came into the troubled waters of Kera!a. Dutch had to face defeats from the hands of Travancore Raaja at Co!achal (KuJacchal) and from Saamoothiri at the battle of Chettuvaayi. In 1721, the Dutch East India Company formally withdrew from the internal squabbles of native rulers. The French had practically no role in the political

history of the district. However, in 1740, they hoisted their flag at Th3QOOr. Their attempt to settle at Chettuvaayi was scuttled by the British.

26. The period from 1766 to 1793 has changed the course of history, particularly in social and economic fields. Haidar crossed the border in February 1766 "with the avowed object of settling up with the Zamorin and of collecting an old Beda!!u! claim of two lakhs pagodas against Kolattiri."4 Haidar's forces consisting of 12,000 well-trained troops with other accompaniments entered the territory.

4 District Gazetteer, Malabar, Ennes and Evans,

Reprint, 1951, page 61

None could resist their advance and Haidar occupied Calicut. 'The Zamorin unable to meet Haidar's modest demand for an indemnity of a crore of gold mohurs, was confined in his palace and debarred from performing the ceremonies of his religion. Fearing other worse indignities, he set fire to the pile with his own hand, and perished in the flames."5 In 1768 Haidar withdrew his army from Malaba!_". Haida!_" Ali passed away in December 7, 1782. Tippu Sulththaan continued his father's policies and descended in Malaba~ via the Thaamarasseri pass in early 1789. "General orders were issued to his army of more than twenty thousand men that 'every being in the district without distinction should be honoured with Is!am. that the houses of such as fled to avoid that honour should be bumed, that they should be traced to their lurking places, and that all means of truth and falsehood, force or fraud should be employed to effect their universal conversion."6 The proselytism to Ispim was the order of the day and this drastically changed the religious composition of the population of the distriGt. Tippu's followers desecrated the age old temples, broke the idols, brought the structures to ground and compelled Hindus, who remained, to either flee or live in disguise. Many upper castes fled to Travanc5re to escape from disgrace and forceful conversion. Those who were weak had no other option but to embrace Is!am. Only few could resist and live there. After the departure of Tippu from the political scene many persons returned to their

5 Ibid. page 62 6 Ibid. page 68

11

homes. Even today, after two centuries, large number of temples in Malaba!: is in the desecrated and dilapidated condition. But Tippu's strong measures to replace the feudal system then prevailing in Malaba~ had salutary results. Tippu established a centralized system of Government. After the downfall of Tippu's power, the province of Malabar was formally ceded to the British by the treaties signed at Seringapatam (SeringapattaIJam) on February 22 and March 18, 1792.

27. Malaba! became part of Madras Presidency on May 21, 1800. Thereafter several measures on judiciary, communications, education and local self-Government were introduced. The British supremacy was, however, questioned by Kera!a Varma, a dignified personage of K6ttayam Royal house, who was popularly known as Pazhassi Raaj a. Some of the mistaken revenue policies of the British also led to serious riots by peasants, who were Muslims, during 1836 -56. This poverty-stricken agrarian unrest is often mentioned as the first Mappi!a riots in Gazetteers and other historical works. However these riots went out of gear at the later stages by the spirit of religious fanaticism of some leaders and it culminated in large-scale murder of their Hindu brethren. The British suppressed these riots with iron hand.

28. The close of the nineteenth century witnessed the emergence of national movements. The Indian National Congress was founded in 1885. Malabar played a great role in the freedom struggles from very early days. Some of the important events, which

took place in this district, are very significant. The earlier four conventions of Malabar District Congress were held outside the Malappuram district, i.e., at Palghat in 1916, Calicut in 1917, Thalasseri in 1918, Vatakara in1919,. The fifth Conferece was held in this district at Manjeri in April 1920. The conference was important as Annie Beasant attended it. The non -cooperation and Khilafath movements played important roles in achieving freedom for the country. When these movements were at their zenith in the district they were seriously affected by the Malabar rebellion of 1921 (termed as second Mappi!a riots), which had its roots in police excesses. In its later stages the rebellion became very violent resulting in excesses on majority community thereby forfeiting the sympathy of Hindus. British let loose a reign of Terror against Muslims who have done great atrocities. "One of the tragic episodes of the rebellion was the 'Wagon Tragedy' in which 61 of the 90 Mappilas carried as prisoners in a closed railway goods wagon from Thiroo!, to Coimbatore in November 20, 1921 had died of suffocation by the time the train reached Podanur". 7 The district also witnessed the support and adherence of policies enunciated by the Indian National Congress like boycott of Simon Commission (1928), Salt sathyaagraha (1930), Civil Disobedience Movements (1932-35), Quit India Movement (1942) etc. All these movements led to the achievement of Indian Independence on August 15, 1947. The late thirties

7 A Survey of Kera!a History, Prof. A Sreedhara Mc!!i5n, 2003, p.360

12

of the twentieth century saw the rise of Muslim League. Thereafter they became an important factor in the Malaba! politics. In 1939 the Congress Socialist group in the Congress became the Communist Party of Malabar. These organizations changed the political set-up of the district with far reaching changes in polity. The history of the post-Independence period of this district is associated with the role of the district as part of the Madras Presidency till it became part of the newly formed Kera!a State on 1 st November 1956.

People and religious composition

29. In very ancient period, the people of the district followed Dravi<)ian practices, which were independent of any particular religious philosophy. They worshipped nature, totem Gods and Goddesses and innumerable spirits by offering food or sacrifice followed by music and dance. Jainism and Buddhism entered the district through the northern region and in course of time their philosophies and teachings influenced the local people. The general consensus of opinion is that the Jain religion had entered the Kera!a scene around the third century B.C., especially during the period of Chandra Guptha Mourya (321-297 B.C.). It is believed that the followers of Chandra Guptha Mourya visited Kera!a, though he himself came only to SravaI)abelg61a (at present in Karl)ataka state). They were not religious fanatics and their mode of worship was based on peace and tranqUility of mind and these tenets attracted large number of followers. Buddhism also came to Kerala almost at the same time, in the

third century B.C. itself. The lasting contributions of these religions deserve special mention. While Jains established foundations in the field of architecture of temples Buddhists further paved the way for the growth of learning and literacy, Aayu!veda etc.

In Kera!a the impact of Buddhists was greater in southern Kera!a while the influence of Jains still persists in the Wayanad district.

30. The Brahminical influence from North India, which is often termed as Aryanization, entered the state in the fifth century through the present Thu!unaat. Their influence on the local people, especially with regard to the mode of worship was immense. Both Jainism and Buddhism declined by the revival of Hinduism by the great efforts of Sankaracharya (788-820 A.D.). The Bhakthi movement of the sixteenth century gave a new impetus to Hinduism. Among the great exponents of the Bhakthi movement· the contributions of Thunchathth Rama!!ujan Ezhththacchan (born in 1495 at

Thrkka1)tiyoorl were par excellence. His literary compositions like Aadhyathma RaamaayalJa, Mahabharatham, Harinaama­kcerththa!!am etc., which have a high level of perfection earned bim the title 'Father of Malaya!am Language'. Another great celebrity of the same period was Melppaththoor Narayal).a Bhattathirippad (born at Chandankaav in 1559). His outstanding composition was the immortal work of NaarayalJeeyam in Sanskrit. Yet another literary celebrity was Poonthaa!_"!am Namboothiri (1547-1640). f!:is exact name is not known but his immortal contributions covered Sree Krsh{la ka[{I:imrlham, Jiiaa!_1appaa!_1a

13

and Santhaa!!gopaalam, which made him one of the greatest of Bhakthi poets. It is important to note all of them belonged to this district.

31. Though Christianity came to Kera!a in 52 A.D. its impact on the people of the district was felt very late. The arrival of the Portuguese towards the close of the fifteenth century accelerated its growth by encouraging conversions. Later the Dutch and the British also created a favourable atmosphere for the growth of Christianity. However, large influx of enterprising Christian immigrants from South Kerala to the district . , particularly on the eastern hilly tracts of all Nilamboo! and Perinthalrnal)l)a taluks, during the first half of the twentieth century considerably affected the religious composition of the people of the district. Though the influence of. Is!am was first noticed in Kera!a during the period of Arab traders (eighth century of A.D.) the growth of this religion got greater momentum during the Mysorean invasions when forcible conversions of Hindus to Is!am took place. The other religions or persuasions are numerically very small. In short, as elsewhere in the State, the district is also a cradle of various philosophies, either Indian or foreign, with very great religious tolerance.

32. As per the 1991 censu s Malappuram district has a popUlation of 3,096,330 persons. Of these, 2,085,961 persons (67.37 per cent) are Muslims, 937,524 persons (30.28 per cent) are Hindus, 72,209 (2.33 per cent) are Christians besides 12 Sikhs 4 , Buddhists, 4 Jains, 117 'other religions

and persuasions' (which include 34 Bahai/Bahais, 9 aethists, 6 Mizos) and 68 unclassified) and 499 persons under 'religion not stated'. The distribution of Hindu population, which is relevant to this monograph is given: below:

Statement· 1 POPULA TION8

Census Total item year population Hindus

2 3 4

1 POPUl_A nON

MALAPPL~AM

J)lSTRICT 1981 2,402,701 771,257

1991 3,096,33U 937,524

(i) Th i rooraan gaaat

ta!uk lYYI 521.3':17 13R,552

(ii) Eranat taJuk 1991 649.146 207,534

(iii) Nilamboo~

taJuk 1991 436,032 135,103

(i v)perinthalmal)0a

taluk 1991 452,889 132.929

(v)Thiroo!

la!uk 19YI 715.978 189.166

(vi) PO!! !}iil} i

taluk 1991 320.888 134.240

2 DECADAL GROWTH RATE (PER CENT)

(iJ Keraja

stale IYXI-91 14.32 12.62

(ii) Malappu!am

district 1911 1-91 28.27 21.56

Percentage of Hindus

10 tOlal

population

5

32.10 30.28

2fi.57

31.97

30.98

29.35

26.42

41.83

The above figures reveal that the

growth rate of Hindus during the decade 1981-91 in the district is less than 6.71 points than the

corresponding district growth rate. The

1981-91 decadal growth rate of Hindus in the district is the lowest as

compared to that of Muslims (32.53 per cent) and of Christians (26.20 per cent). In all taluks Is~am is the

8. Religion-Kerii!;;. Census of 1991, Series 12, Part IV-B(II, Directorate of Census Operations, Kerala, 1996

14

predominant religion. Except Po~:!!:!a!!i

all the other taluks have a proportion

of Hindus less than one-third of the

total popUlation of the concemed taluk.

In Po!,!!!a!}i taluk the proportion is about

42 per cent. Thiroor taluk records the lowest proportion of Hindu popUlation

of 26.42 per cent.

33. The classification of Hindus

by communities in ancient period was

based on avocations and not on caste system, as laid down in saasthras and

puriil}iis. Over the centuries this caste

system has undergone remarkable changes. The introduction of rigid

guidelines by some selfish upper castes disregarding the essence of (he

s8!}aatha!}a-dharma was responsible for

the ills of the society. The vast changes in the social and political set up of the

country due to foreign invasions, foreign rule and large conversions

shattered the Hindu society. Another

factor was the influence of modern

education and the attitude of the

younger folk in the adaptation of

modern way of life without properly

assessing its merits and demerits. The above factors, as elsewhere in the

country, had their own influence in

this district also. However it is apt to give a broad outline on the profile of the Hindu community of the district for the benefit of the reader.

34. Among the upper class Hindus of the district, using the terminology adopted in earlier times, Malayaala Brahmins are generally divided into Namboothirippaats (high priests of royal houses) and Namboothiris or Parris etc. They have a pivotal role as a large number of them still continue to be associated

with the avocation of priesthood. Among Namboothiris include Thampurakka!s or Thamprakka!s and Adhyans (Vedic teachers), Agnih6th~is (ritualists), Bhattathiris, Vaadhyaans, Vaidikans and Smaarththans (all being religious instructors). Of them Thampurakka!s or Thamprakka!s enj oy the pre-eminent status of spiritual sovereign with privileges of Bhadriisa!]am (chief seat in an assembly), Brahmat:Ja-samrajyam (Brahminical sovereignty), Brahma­vaazhccha (authority on' Vedic lore) Sarvamaa!]yam (universal acknowledge­ment of soverignity). There were two families of Thampurakka!s with their seats at Aazhuvaancheri at Aathava!:!aat village and at Kalpakancheri village, both in Thiroo! taluk. Of them the latter is now not existent. The dichotomy division of priests comprise of thanthris and saantiJikkars, the former's role confined to officiate as high priests on special and important functions of the temple while the latter are duty bound to attend to perform daily poojas of temples either in the capacity of meJ­

saanthi or keezh-saanthi. Another class of Brahmin priests is the Moossads who basically conduct poojas of madhyama­type i.e. offering of meat and toddy in temples dedicated to fierce Goddesses. In addition to the above types there are priests belonging to outside Kera!a, who are generally called Paradesa Brahmins. They take the name by the language they speak viz. Thu!u Brahmins, Ka!:!!:!ada Brahmins, Tamil Brahmins, Ma~aththa Brahmins etc. Special mention has to be made here of the GousIa Saraswaths who have migrated from the western side of Karl)iitaku State and Goa but they have no exclusive settlement here. It is

15

pertinent to point out that the members of the above mentioned communities now engage in other walks of life, thereby deviating !"rom the traditional rituals and priesthood life.

35. Kshathriyas are the royal and warrior class and they include members of ancient royal families like Parappa!!naat, Manjeri, Nilamboo!, Mar;tkata, Aayiramnaazhi. Katannamar;tI).a. Arip[a etc. Now they do not have any kingdom to rule and as such they engage themselves in various occupations. Some of them still own temples and take interest in their management.

36. Ambalavaasis, as the very term indicates, are traditionally associated with the customary rites of the temple like making of garlands for deities, playing of percussion instruments, staging of performing arts, ritualisic arts like kalamezuththupaatt etc. There are two categories of Ambalavaasis -those who wear sacred thread and those who do not wear it. The communities having sacred thread include Aka-Poduvaa!, Ul)l)i (comprising Nambissans, Pushpakan, and Brahmar;ti, all associated with making garlands in temples) and Chakyaa!s. Those communities who havt: no sacred thread are Pu!a-Pothu\ s (or Poduva!s), Pishar5ti and Varya!. POlhuva!s fall under two categories-Che{Jla-Pothuva!s (those engaged in playing drums and closely associated with the avocation of MiiriiO and Maala Pothuva!s (engaged as garland-makers). Thiyyiitt N ambyiirs, Chiikya[-N amby ar etc. are also Ambalavaasis. Miira!s are a community whose exact position is difficult to determine. Among them Ambalavasis are those who function as drum-artists on paal}i and chel}ta. Ambalavaasis, who

still follow the traditional occupations in temples, are financially poor.

37. Samanthans is the generic name

of aristrocratic class which include E!atis, VeHotis, NetUIi.gatis (Nedungadis), Thirumulppats, Nambya[s (of North

Malabar) etc. and all were earlier local chieftains.

38. Among Nayars there are differen t sects - higher castes (inclusive of titles of Atiyoti, Nambyars. Ku!ups etc.) and number of lower castes, depending on professions held. In ancient days they were mainly warrior class, who have made indelible mark in martial arts particularly in battles associated with maamaIJkam. The caste distinction among these communities is now waning.

39. Equally important IS the contribution of another major community of the region, the Thiyyas, who actively participate in all fields of economic, educational and phila­nthropic activities. The other communities which deserve special mention are Mukkuvans (fishermen), Thattans (goldsmiths), Kollans (black­smiths), Moosaris (braziers), Asaris (carpenters) and Chempoltis (copper­smiths) who have played a distinctive role in the economic life of the district. Some of them have their own temples. In such temples the saanthikka!s belong to their respective communities. Among Scheduled Castes the important communities are Cherumans - , Pa!ayans, Cheramars or Pulayas, Kanakkans and Paal)ans. Among Scheduled' Tribes the important communities found in the district are Allar, Aranaadan lrular Malakkaaran, Mala PaI)ikka! M~dug;~

16

Naayati, Thacchanaatan and Iravas. Special

mention has to be made about Ch5!a­Naickens, who are the only nomads in

Kera!a. They live in the Silent Valley forest area.

Mode of worship 40. The mode of worship has

close association with the evolution of mankind viz., from nomads to farmers , from farmers to village dwellers and from village dwellers to urbanites. At these various stages of evolution the people adopted different modes of worship like nature-worship, spirit­worship, image-worship of variant forms etc. Though there were atheists and non-believers of idol worship temple still continues to be a sacred spot where ardent devotees obtain solace. The mode of worship and beliefs of the people vary considerably between aboriginal tribes and among various sects of Hindus.

41. Some of the hill tribes of the district bordering the eastern tract of the district still have peculiar religious rites and practices. In short their religion is very curious and is a mixture of animism, totem and crude polytheism. Another feature is that they treat the supernatural with more fear than reverence. They also perform various rituals to propitiate Gods and Goddesses to win them and use them for their favour. The earlier literatures on the subject describe the peculiar system of worship adopted by the tribes, but in course of time the pattern lost its rigidity. However they prefer to worship certain deities of their own, like Malai Daivam, Malakaari and Bhagavathi apart from the worship

of SpIrIts of ancestors. Some stil1

worship celestial Gods of Sun and

Moon while some others believe in and even practice sorcery. However it i:-;

not a taboo for them to worship in the

local temples dedIcated to important Hindu deities like Lord Siva, Lord Subramal).ya. Lord Saastha/Ayyappa, Goddess BhadrakaaF, Lord Muththappan and Lord Veltakkorum;lkan,

42. The Hindu saa ... rhr:as prescribe

the mode of worship to be followed by

individuals and also specific temple rites. Mainly there are three schools

for temple rites under Aagama saasthra

viz. Saakth€ya, Saiva and Vrush{Java that

represent Goddess Sakthi. Lord Siva and Lord Vishl/u respectively. However the mostly accepted temple rites now

performed in this district relate to the principles laid down in the thaanthric texts \vTitten by Kera!a authors based on sacu,:thras. The works referred to al1.d

foBowed in the temples of this district

are Pu(ayoo!-bh[~asha written by

Poonth6ttathth Viisudevan of Tna!ipparamta around 1342 A.D., ThaIlthra-SaJllUCchaya of Chennas Uayanthimangalam) Naraya1}an

Namboothirippaad around 1427 A.D. and

S{;).shEi-samuccbf:tya written by Chennlis

Sankaran N:l1nboothirippaad. Parasllraama­

agush!haa£1am relates to the rites

prescribed by Lord Parasurama Himself

and followed exclusively by the

members of the TharaI!analJoo! maga. The Gouda Saat'aswathas and some other Ct>mmunit1es follow their own

mode of worship. Parade.sa-Brahmins generally follow the; vedic lore.

Antiquity oftemp!es

43. It is rat her d ifhcu it to deterrrllne the eXi.'H't antiquity of

17

temples. The basic question 1S

whether the an tiq uity has to be

determined with respect to the age of

the idol or that of the structures of

the temple. The former is more

significant and acceptable as idols 2.re seldom changed and even if changed

the divine power (chaith<l!Jya) IS

transferred [rOln the previous one to

the new one. On the other hand, the

structures of a temple undergo cha."'1gcs

depending on various factors like fire,

dilapidation, destnlctlon, abundance of wealth (which teads to renovation) and

desire of devotees to have imposing structures. One thing which has been

uniformly noticed is that earlier rulers

or tenlple adtninistrators or devotees never installed any plaque or

foundation stone with inscription of the name of the builder as they considered

the deity as the supreme and His or

Her blessings and wea lth were used

by thern for building the temples. This

noble concept has now given way to

the display of plaque or foundation

stone or carvlngs on structures, which

proclaim the individual ego of the

span Sal', The only ,vay to assess

antiqu1ty is to depend on legends

assocIated with the temple over

centuries. As all temples stand for

truth, none in the past dared to

circulate untnle stories, though some modern atheists tr:y to propagate their

own imrnature versions without

knowing the ornnipresent. omnipotent and oniniscient powers of the deity.

44. Since it is appropriate to

decide the a.nliqullY of temples in terms

of idol, it IS esscrai3J to b:mg out two

categor.i~s of idol.:; \e. idols which are

SiJ""'-l.[-Jarnbr,.oo iSl:'H-T'~\'l~dk:d! <l.ud those

installed (prathish[ha). The antiquity of

swayambhoo-vigraham -cannot be

determined though some of the temple authorities count the age from the

period when some phenomenon

indicated the presence of a swayambhoo idol. Swayambhoo idols

are those where the presence of deities was felt in silas, wooden planks,

trees etc. The oozing of blood from it

when some sharp implements happen to come in contact with it usually

reveals the presence of a deity in a sila. There may also be instances

where swayambhoo anthropomorphic

idols lie in lakes, rivers, ponds etc. and their presence revealed generally to

devotees in dreams. Yet another type is where presence of deities is felt in

wooden planks, wooden pillars and even on trees. All these types of

swayambhoo idols are important. Of these, silas have greater antiquity as they are made of rocks, which are

geologically dated back to pre-Cambrian age ie. 600 million years ago.

45. As stated earlier, legends

have key role in respect of idols installed by great seers and others.

These legends mention the period as early as ThrCthii-yuga, which is millions

of years ago. According to epics and

puraal}as, of the ten incarnations, Lords Mathsya, Koorma, Varaaha (Vaaraaha)

and Nrsimha (Narasimha) relate to Krtha-yuga, Lords Vaama!}a, Parasurama

and Rama to Threrha-yuga, Lords Balarama

and KrshI)a to Dwaapara-yuga and Lord Kha!gi yet to incarnate. Keeping up this order, tord Vaama-oa, Lord Parasurama and Sree Rama \<vere born in Thretha­

yuga. Of them, Lord Parasurama is

18

believed to be immortal (chira-jeevi). 9

The legend that Kera!a was a gift of the sea to Lord Parasudima does not hold

good when the episode of Mahabali who

conducted yaaga in Kera!a and was

pushed to the underworld by Lord

Vaamaga (the fifth incarnation of Lord

Maha VishI)ll) is considered. The fact

may be that either the land of Kera!a

existed prior to the incarnation of Lord

Parasllrama due to some seismic or

geological factors or both incarnations

existed at the same period to bless

the Universe. Whatever may be the

truth behind these legends, it is the

firm belief of ardent devotees and

which has been passed on from generation to generation that Lord

Parasuraama, who is considered a chira­

jeevi (immortal), was responsible for the

installation of a large number of temples in . the western-coast of South

India.

46. It is beli eyed that Lord

Parasurama established 108 Siva

temples, 108 Durga temples and

number of temples dedicated to other

deities in this tract and some of them

lie in this district. Of the 64 graamams. believed to have been established by

Lord Parasuraama in the west coast of

India there are three graamams in this district, Aalaththiyoo[ (near Thiroo!:) and

Chovvaram or Sukapuram (near Etappaa!) and the Ipbhyam (Iribapyam. near

Valaancheri). However, majority of

earlier graamakkars had to leave for

9 As per puraa~Jas, Maarkal)9cya. Yyaasa. Agasthya.

Parasurama, Ha!!uman. Aswathhama, Mahabali.

Yihhee"hiil)a and Krpacharyar are considered as chjrll~,cev j,.

3655 RGII03-3B

Travancore due to atrocities of the

forces of Tippu Sulththaan. Remnants of some of the very ancient temples,

\vhich existed in these Brahmin

settlem.ents can be seen even now. There is also mention about the

existence of a number of temples in Dwaapara-yuga particularly at its

closing years or in the ea,rly years of

Kali-Huga (yugaabda). The history of temples for the first three thousand

years of Kali-yuga IS obscure. Some form of worship might have existed at

that time.

47. As there is no recorded history, the epics or puraal}as are the only source wherein there are descriptions about idol worship. Though swayambhoo or other forms existed in all these centuries, structural temples took a definite shape under the influence of Jainism and Buddhism. The practice of recording history gained importance by this time while people had to depend

earlier on sruthi (the heard) for

information. Hinduism, the world's oldest religion, .predates the recorded

history and hence the antiquity of temples had to be based on myths and legends associated with the temples.

For the last two thousand years recorded history provides somewhat reliable data. The structures of temples, however, took definite shape during this period and reached its

perfection by the thirteenth century. Thereafter slight changes have taken

place in patterns of structure and in the nature of materials used for construction. The contributions to Hinduism by Sree Sankaracharya (788-820

A.D.) and Sree Madhvacharya (1238-1317

AD) gave a sudden impetus to the revival of Hin duism in the right perspective. These aachaaryas ha\'c made very valuable contributions to the building of temples in this district. The

above contentions help in assessing

the antiquity of temples.

Stalemenl2 ANTIQUITY OF TEMPLES

Age of temple (bosed on reported data Malappll[am

of first lf1.stallation ot rr'A:t:'! Idoll district

Total

Very ancient (Prior to two thousand years)

2 AnciC'nt (First to ninth century A.D.)

3 Tenth to Thlrtl"enth century

4 Fourtef'nth to sixteenth

century A.D.

;:, Seventeenth to Nineteenth

century A.D.

6 Twentieth century A. D.

(till 1995 A.D.)

7

1,121

37

199

105

251

377

123

28

Thiroorangiiti taluk

134

6

26

10

30

39

19

4

19

Number of temples Perinthal

Elana! lVi/amboor manflil Thiroor Ponnfini taluk laluk taluk taluk taluk

228 96 215 278 170

14 3 9 5

48 13 48 36 28

19 7 24 32 13

44 7 46 94 30

65 31 81 85 76

31 30 1 1 18 14

7 7 2 4 4

The above broad classification into seven periods is made based on m:yths and legends. It has to be borne in mind that this grouping is only arbitrary and it provides only a broad picture, which may not be quite accurate particularly for the period prior to fourteenth century.

48. As indicated above there are 38 'very ancient' temples in the district, which have a reported age of two thousand years and above. Their naInes are as follows:

Thiroorangaati taluk

Sree (Keranalloor) Du!ga Bhagavathi temple.

Peruva!!oo!'

2 Sree Siva temple, Paappa!:)oo!

3 Srce (Thrkku!am) Siva temple. Thiroorangati

4 Srec Siva temple. VcnniYDO!

5 Sree Siva temple. Va!akku!am

6 Sree Subramalfya"waamy temple,

K laari-Ambalavattam

Eranat taluk 7 Sree (ChevaayooO Subramai,lyaswaamy temple.

Pu!ikkal

R Sree (Tha!iyil) Maha Vistll,lU tcmpk:, Azhinnilam

'.) Sret' (K6ttakufumha) Bhagavathi temple, Puthukkot

10 Srce (Valiya-Kut~l~ser;) VislH}u temple,

Etavd'.l'.lappa!a

11 STee Durga Dey! temple, MIl!huval!oo~

12 Srec (Ncer<IITwngmlt) NarllsimhamolJrtilthy temple,

ViJayil

13 STet' (Saaligraanw) N::trasimhanloo:rthlhy temple,

puthtn-a\am

14 Sree {Pafhthapiriyam) Siva- Vi~hf.1u-Bhadrakaa!i, lempie. Manjcri

!5 Srcc SuhramaJ.iyaswaamy temple, Karikkaat

16 Sret' P,mphhasaaraththy temple. Che~uvar)l!0()~

17 Srct' Sankarar1aaYitaya~JC. temple, Ku!anelioo~ lR Srce rOo~a~aatathth) Siva templc.Manjeri

19 Sre::c (i\1t:laokLuTl Kaallkaav) Bhal!(lvathl lcnlplc,

Manjcri

20 Sret' (Perum Thrkk6vil) Mahii Si'd temple,

Thfppa~acelli

Nilamboor tatuk 2! Srec (Kailaa.~a) Siva lcnq~e. ThirLvaali

20

Perinthalma~'1a taluk 22 Sree (Aayoor) Siva [empie, Etappa!!a

23 Sree (Thirumandhaamkunnu) Bhagavathi temple,

AilgaaLippuram

24 Sree (Tha!i) Siva temple, Angaatippu!am

Thiroor taluk 25 ~ree Vet,lkita Theva! Siva temple, Kottaykkal

26 Sree Siva temple. POl1ma!a

27 Sree (Thekkuthth) Mahiideva temple, lrimhi!iyam

28 Srce VaQa-Du~g,a temple, Thozhuvaa1}oOl:

29 Sree Mahadeva temple, Vajkkaththoo~

30 Sree Siva temple, Pait:lkar_1l)OOI

31 Sree Nava Mukunda temple, Thirunaavaaya

32 Sree Perurnth!"kk6vil Rama temple

(Hal} uman kaav), AalaththiyoOf

33 Sree Mahii Siva t~mple, Th!'P!angot

Ponna~i taluk 34 Sree (Thrkkaav) Du!gaBhagavathi temple, PO!l!!3!!i

35 Sree Brahma temple, Thaval}oor

36 Sree (Cheru-Thirunaavaaya) Siva temple, Thava!\Oo~

37 Sree Dakshit)amuorthlhy temple, Sukapuram

3)0; Sret~ Bhagavalhi temple, Muokkuthala

Of the above 38 temples special mention has to be made about the historical significance and archi­tectural excellence of some temples in the district, In many temples the idols have been installed by Lord Parasurama, Of the 'very ancient' temples in Thiroorangati taluk Keranalloo!, Sree Du~ga Bhagavathi temple at Peruva!!oor, believed to have been consecrated by Lord Parasurama is important. Another temple of this taluk is the Sree Siva temple at Venniyoo!. which had series of misfortunes to face, demolition by the forces of Tippu Sulththaan in the eighteenth century, desecration by misCTelli~ts in 1921 Afiippi!a riots and again set on fire in 1990. In Eranat taluk there are 14 very ancient temples of which special mention has to be made about the architectural excellence of shrines within the .~ree SubramaDya-swaamy temple complex at KHrikkaat, near Manjeri. Sree

Melaakkam Kaa!ikaav, also in Manjeri is a famous Bhadrakaa!i temple in the district, having a big daaru-silpa idol. The Perumthfkkovil Maha Siva temple at Thrppagacchi, believed to have been consecrated by Lord Parasurama, is an important temple with compound wall built by Bhoothagar::tas over a night. The Sreek6vii of the Sree Azhinnilam Maha Vish!;lU temple is an ancient archaeological relic datable to more than two millenniums, according to Archaeoological Department of the Govemment of India. Only one temple is reported as 'very ancient' in NilambooI taluk, ie. Sree Kailaasa Siva temple, Thiruvaali. Of the three very ancient temples in PerinthalmaI)r;ta taluk Sree Thirumandhaamkunnu Bhagavathi temple is important as the deity is of Rurujith vidhaa!!a (of fiercest nature) besides having a very tall daaru-silpa vigraha of height of 1.8 m, It has interesting legend and historical associations with the rulers of the region. The Sree Thali Maha Siva temple at AngaatipPuIam is also historically important, as its premises happened to be the centre of revival of the temp1e­renovation movement in the erstwhile Malabar area under the leadership of Sree K. Kelappan. Thiroo[ taluk has the largest number of very ancient and ruined temples. Of them Sree Navamukunda temple at Thirunaavaaya, Sree Aalaththivoor Hanumaan kaav, Sree Maha

"' -Siva temple, Thrp!angot, Sree Ve1).kita Thevar Siva temple, Kottaykal, Sree Vaikkaththoo[ Siva temple, Va!aancheri and Sree Thekkuth Maha Siva temple, Irimbqyai'11 are important. Among them the first one is famous for pithr-thaIpaI}am while the last one is partially identified as an ancient graama-kshethra. Sree Maha Siva temple, Thrp[angot is associated ",:ith

Sree MarkkaQ<;ieya Maharshi and it is believed that at this place the Lord made him immortal. All the five temples in PO!1!:!.1!:!i taluk are important. Sree Brahma and Sree Siva temples on the sou thern bank of Bharathapuzha at Thavauoo[ and the Sree Nava Mukunda temple at Thirunaavaaya on the northern bank make this place the seat of Trinity. The final resting place of MelpaththooI Bhattathirippaat is vJithin the Mookkuthala Bhagavathi temple premises.

49. There are at present 199 'ancient temples' (related to the period of first to ninth century) in this district, which works out to 17.74 per cent of the total temples in the district. All

the taluks, except NilambooI taluk, have more than 25 temples under this category. Of them, more famous ones are Sree (Niramkaithakotta) Bhagavathy temple, Va!!ik~:mnu, Sree (KuI,ltuchola) Siva temple, Valiyo[a, Sree Subramanyaswaamy temple, Kotuvaayoor and Sree (Chrukunnu) Annapoorneswari temple, Othukkungal of Thiroora~gati taluk; Sree (Ariyi!) Siva temple, Azhinnilam, Sree (Che!"iya Kuttisseri) Maha Vishnu temple, Va~;hakkaa~. Sree (Natuvathth) Siva temple, Karikkaat, Sree (Thiruma1)ikkara) Guruvayurappan temple, Thfkkalangot, Sree (Vellekkaatt) Baala-Du[ga temple, Vall~{vangaat, Sree (MukhathammaJ).IY.l) Siva te~ple, Manjeri, Sree Durga Bhagavathy temple, Panthaloo[, Sree (AviggooI) Du!ga­Ayyappa temple, PaappiDippaara, Sree Siva temple, Pulpa!~a, Sree Maha Siva temple, Morayoor, Sree (Poyili) Kari1)kaa!i temple, Netiyirupp, Sree Maha Siva temple, Netiyirupp, Sree Thrpuraanthaka temple. Ku~nummal and Sree (Chennathth) Siva temple, MUl).tupa[amb of Eranat taluk~ Sree (Mal) 1)aaththi) Bhagavathy te mple, Kai ppi !!ikatav, Sree (Baal).apuram)

!hrpu!asundari temple, VaaI)lyambalam, Sree Siva temple, Wagtoo!, Sree Siva ~emple, PoroO[ and Sree (Neelamku[iSsi) Saastha temple, Karuvaarakuntu of Nilamboo[ taluk; Sree (Putharmann'a) Siva temple, Melaa~!OOI, Sree (Kaippu!!i) Vishnu ~emple, Melaa!!oo!, Sree (Muthuku[!S§i) ~ h ' uaast a temple, Keezhaattoor, Sree (Akhileswa,ri) Bhagavathy- t~mple, Nemmi'!}i, Sree (Kailott) Siva temple, !hacchinganaram, Sree VeHila Manjerikaav, Sree (Aarangott) Siva tempie, Makkara­ppa!amb, Sree (Mutappilapigi Thrkk6vil) VishI)u temple, Patinnaattummuri Sree (Pishaar~yek~al) Bhaga~~thy t~~ple, ~aangu, Sree Siva temple, Puzhakkaattiri, Sree (Aalikkalmanna) Dhanwanthari temple, Eaaraanth6t: Sree Siv-; temple, PerinthalmaI)I).a, Sree (VeHaatt Puthoor) Siva temple, PerinthalmaI).l).a. Sree (Eravi­mangalam) SuubramaI).yaswaany temple, PerinthalmaI). I).a, Sree (ThaF) Mahadeva temple, Aalipa!amba, Sree (Kunnummal) Bhagavathi temple, AaQamangaat, Sree (Mattayikunn,u) Bhagavathi temple, Paalathth51. Sree Rudra-Dhan wanthari . -temple, Pulaamanth5l, Sree Siva temple, Kuruvambalam, Sree (Sivamangalam) Siva ~emple, Vengaat and Sree (Cheruthrkk6vil) Siva temple, Kolaththoor of Perinthalmanna taluk; Sree Maha VishI)u temp'l~, Raayiramangalam, Sree K[shl)aa temple, Keralaadhedwarapuram, Sree ~Aaha Siva temple, Thfkk3I)tiyoo[, Sree Maha Siva temple, Adrsseri, Sree Maha Siva temple, Ka!!ma!!am, Sree (Paagtamangalam) Krshna temple, K6ttaykkal, Sree Bhagavathi temple, Kaataampuzha, Sree (Hrshi­puththoor) Siva temple, Etayoor, 'Sree ~Pi shaarikkal) Du! ga temple, Perass;n noo r , Sree (Kaithrkk6vil) Siva te;;pl~, Ko!aththool, Sree Ayyappa temple, Cham~avattam, Sree Siva temple, Mangalam and Sree (Vaa~a Maruthoor) Durga Bhagavathi temple, Mangalam of Thiroo!:

22

tal uk and Sree (Kantaku.rHj'nl·b~' l~'i"'~'\ • __ .J;. ~ § ... U",.;a. .. J

Bhagavathi temple, Ezhu vaihirithrhL Sree Anthimahakaa!an temple y A.nalooc Sree Siva temple, Malloor ,-- "Sre~e (111irumaaI)iyooI) Siva temple", 'Ka;X;:Ul \)lear

~tappaaD, Sree Siva temp,le, Ka'lapp~a, Sree (Pu[am~I)tekkaat) Siva tern pIe, Vattamku!am, Sre~ (Kotalil) Vislu:m templE, Ayilakkaat, Sree (Perumutisseri) yettakkorumakan temple, Eramangalam, Sree (Koyapp~!!i) Siva temple, Perumpatapp and Sree Bhagavathi templE, Mookkuthaia of Po!:!!:!a!}i mluk.

50. There are 105 temples, which belong to the period of nex.t four hundred years (tenth to thirteenth century) and which continue to exist at present in this district. Among them 32 temples are in Thiroo~ taluk. The pro~inent ones in Throorangaati taluk are Sree (Ravimangalam) :r...lah5 Vi~hnu temple, AriyaUoor, Sree (Vaariyathth) Mahil Vishgu temple, Azinnalasseri and Srec Maha VishI)u temple, Nannambra. In of E!anat taluk Sree (Unni~;ra) \~damana temple, Maithra and S~~e Vi~hI)u ternph:, Kotasseri are important. Sree Bhagavathi ~emple, Chemmanthitta, Sree (Vi1wathth) Siva temple, Pookk6ttupaatam, Sree Siva temple and PU!!Dappaala of Nilamboor taluk; Sree (Puthiyetathth) Siva temple~ ChemmaaI)iyot, Sree (Thelr.kiQiyetathth) Siva temple, KatannanlaI)ga, Sree (Vatakki!.!iye~ tathth) Bhagavathi temple, Katannamanna, Sree (Kaaraatt Thrkkovil) Siva tem~ie, Patiiifia!!umuri, Sree Ramaswaamy temple, ~amap~ram, Sree Siva temple, Pangaa­ngara, Sree (Raavarama~lga) Siva ternple, AngaatipPuram and Sree Bhagavathi temple, ~aukk:aaQikkaat of Perinthalmagf!.a taluk Sree (Pookka~ttjyooI) Mahll VishI.1U temple. Pookkaattiri, S,ree (Namb~athlh) Siva templ{', Natuvattam, Sree Garusian kaav, Poozhi­kkurmu and Sree (Vettaththkaav) Bhagavathi temple. Vettam of Thiroo! taluk and Srec

(KaI}I)an kaav) Bhagavathi temple, Mookkuthala and Sree (Ashtayil) Narasimha temple, Aalamkot of Pannani taluk are also prominent temples of this period.

51. The period between fourteenth and sixteenth century showed the establishment of 251 temples in this district. It may be noted that the revival of Hinduism took place at the close of the sixteenth century, particularly of the great contributions of the celebrities like Thunchathth Raamaanujan Ezhuththacchan, Melpaththoor Naaraayal)a Bhattathirippad and Poonthaa~am Namboothiri. It may be noted that all of them belonged to this district. The important temples added during this period in Thiroorangati taluk were Sree (Niramkaithakotta) Ayyappa temple, VaHikkunnu, Sree (PaEamba­ththkaav) Bhagavathi temple, Sree Ayyappan kaav, Netuva and Sree (Pishaarikkal) Mookaambika temple, Netuva. The important temples established in this period in other taluks are Sree Sree (Karumankaav) Kiraathamoo~ththy temple, Azhinnilam, Sree Siva temple PuthukoHi and Sree (Keezh Thrkkovil) Siva temple, Peru va­kkaat of EEanat taluk; Sree DUEga Bhagavathi temple, Kaarakkot and Sree (Saasthavangattupuram) Bhagavathi temple, Paroor, of Nilamboof taluk- Sree - -, Karumkaap kaav. Etappa~!a, Sree (Poonthaa!}am) Maha Vishl,lu temple, PoonthaavaQam, Sree (Mel Thrkk6vil) Siva temple, Patinnaattumuri, Sree (Keezh­Thrkkovil) VishI!u temple, Patinnaattu­muri, Sree (Ne!- Puththoor) Siva tem~ie, ~ththoo!, Sree Ayyappa temple, Pu!il,lkaav, Sree Maha Vishl)u temple, Paalaththol of Perinthalmal~I)a taluk; Sree Ayyappan k~av, PaQangaattoo!, Sree Subramal).yaswaamy temple, Ezhoo!, Sree Si va temple POQrna!a, Sree (Manchara) Siva temple,

23

Ku!amangalam, Sree (Nottaanalukka1) Bhagavathi temple, Ku!!ippuEam, Sree (NetUIlgottiri) Siva temple, Aaathavanaat. Sree (Chanda!!akaav) Bhagavathi temple, Ku!:umbaththoo!:, Sree Bhagavathi temple Vairank5t, Sree Aswi!.}i Dcva temple, Poozhikunnu (near Thiroo~) and Sree Narasimhamoo[ththy temple, Vemal)~la of Thiroo[ taluk and Sree (Kaattumaatam) Muththassiamma temple, Perumpatapp of Ponnani taluk.

52. The next three (seventeenth to nineteenth) centuries were historically significant in two ways. Firstly most temples in the district had to face the wrath of the Mysorean invasions, particularly at the second half of the eighteenth century. The second factor was the limited renovation of destroyed temples in the first half of the ninteenth century. Some of the earlier temples could not be renovated due to change of social set-up mentioned earlier. The new temples, which were consecrated during this period, account to 377.

Some of the temples which were newly built were Sree Ayyappan kaav, Vezhakk6t, Sree (Kovilakam) Vettakkorumakan temple, Nilamboo! and Sree (Kunnaththoo!) Saastha temple, Mal)kata, Sree (KozhiyooO Siva temple, Pazhamalloo,!:, Sree (Itaththpu!athth­Poonthaa!}am) Krshl)a temple, Earaanth6t, Sree (Ve!ingot) Siva temple, Arakkapa­!:amba, Sree (Anthimalaya! kaav) Bhagavathi temple, Kizhakkekkara, Sree (Paattukottil) Bhagavathi temple, Moo!kka.Qaal. Sree Subramar;yaswaamy temple, Eazhoo!, and Sree Mahii Garyapathi temple, Indya!}oo[.

53. In the twentieth century 123 temples were newly built besides renovating some old temples. Of them the Sree (Kaukkaat) Ayyappa temple is famous as it was installed with the blessings of Sad Guru Sree Aalayil

Swaamikal of CbinthiJaldya Aasrama of K a a n fi am p a a! a, Th i ru v au an t hap ur am dist.rict. The establishment of this temple in fact gave a new impetus to the spiritual enlightenment of that region. The clo~ing years of the twentieth century witnessed a concerted effort and interest from temple-goers and with their whole-­

hearted he-lp many temples regained th eir ancient glory_ The role of late Sree K. Ke!appan in organizing a sathyagraha at the famous sathY,lagraha at the premises of Sree Tha!i temple at Angaatippuram gave a new impetus to the renovati,JD of destroyed temples of Malabar. The local committees, like Kshethra Samilhis, Kshethra Samarak:~hal}d Samithi,<;, Ksethra PU!Jarllddhaara1}3 Samithis etc. have made relnarkable contributions in renovating man:" temples. The antiquity of 28 temples were not reported.

Temple architecture

54. The temples In the Kera~a coast have a peculiar f.);J.ti ern buth in architer::tural style find rituals. The str·uc.tural style of Kera!a temples is unique and it is a '- ariant of the regional style of Dr~b:i¢a tTadition, The availability of laterite formation, gcograph ical factors, clim atic conditJOns and the stnet adherence to ancient architectural texts resulted in having this typical style. In its entirety the temple complex falls under the puncha-praakaara scheme. Praakaara Ineans enclosure or 11 mit. Pancho.~

praakaaras thus consist of (i) akarhrhe-baiivdttam,

(ii) nntha-haara (chuyambaJam). (iii) madh),a-haara (vijakkumaatam), (i v) baahY:1-haara (pu[i1ththe-pradakshil}a­

pathharn or <it_'C\"l;?!ippura) and (v) maryaada (outer-walls including

gopuram!.

24

Diagram 1 (at the end of section 1) gi ves the details of the lay-ou t of a pancha-praakaara temple. It may be noted that there need not be all praakaaras and all sub-structures indicated in this diagram for all temples.

55. The most in1ponant structure within the akarhlhe-bali\'attam is the

§reeki5vil, the sanctum-sancton!m. This

structure is built with great care and

with artistic skill and as such it has different shapes by taking care to retain all the essential characteristics and dictum laid down in §ilpa-saasthras. Generally, the :~reekovl1s take the shape of square (sama-chathura) , rectangular (deergha-chathura), circular (vrththa),

elliptical or oval (gala) and apsidal (gaja­

prsh{ha). Rarely octagonal sreekoviis are seen. There is no elliptical sreeki5vi] in

this district.

56. The §reckoFil may also have attached mukha-malJ.japam at the front

which is often a pillared or walled-hall either open or closed. ThIs is independent from Iwma .. kaara·-ma{lf]apam

as it is a detached pillared structure, which is open or covered with wooden trelliswork with openings at directions. There are other peculiarities for the wall of a srcckoviJ, Sometimes, the 5':rcckoliiJ may have a separate inner

chamber (ga[bha-grham) with an ambulatory passage between the inner wall and outer walL Such a !~reeki}vil

having ambulatory passage is known

as saandhaara type. If there is no such passage, it is called nirandhaara type. In the saandhaara type .sreek5vij the g;l!bhfJ~grham is square in shape and

has separate walls. In nirandhaara type of §reeki5~'il an imaginary square portion

i~ set apart either in the centre or in

the rear for consecration of the idol depending on the position of deity. Within this square, the position of each deity is also different as indicated in Diagrrun 2 (page 64)

57. The basement of the st.ructures in temples may have lIpa­peerham an adl1ishtlJaal}am . Upa-pee5ham 18 the structure beneath the adhish{haa!}am. These two types of vertical-moulded tiers can be built either with granite or laterite stones. In this district granite-stones or

dressed laterite-stones are used for upa-pee!ham and adhish{haagaID though laterite stones are seen used for walls in most of the temples. Upa-pee!harTl has generally mouldings of paadukam .. jagathi etc from top to bottom. On the other hand he adhishrhaagam has mouldings (tiers) of padma-paadukom, paadukam, jagathi, k:l1mudam, kumuda­pati, kampam, ga!am, gala-pati. kapotham. vaaja!]am, va!aru. uththaram, pati etc.,

from bottom to top. Concepts of these technical words ",-jth diacritical marks

are given in the Glossary at the end of this monograph. Another notable feature seen is that in saandhaara type §reek6vi/s, the inner-walls are either

made of laterite-stones or granite­stones and outer walls with laterite, grani te or \vooden crossbars (trelliswork) built on adhisi1rhaa!]am.

58. The s6paa!.}am (either direct or lateral flight of steps) is usually made of granite with 'V,yaafi-mllkhalll for banisters ViTith rolling-tongues. Carvings or motifs on sides of banisters of the ,w'paa!!am are also noticed. The praf}aa/am (i)"vu or water chute) takes different shapes. At the base vyaa!i or makara face is generally carved. The r~1ft of chute, called Sl1{l~JU, is triple-faceted

25

or multi-faceted and also has decorations of pearl rings with curved (which may take the shape of g6-mukha) or sliced-end. Rarely figurines of deities, Bhootha or persons, support them. On the walls jaaJa-paiijaras (perforated windows or screen motif windows) and ghaga-dwaaras (false doors) are seen besides functional doors. The front door is known as praasaada-dwaaram. If functional doors are provided on all sides then the sreekovij is categorized as sf1!'Vathi5-bhadra type.

59. In elevational aspects the sreekovils are classified as eka-thala (single-storeyed), du.n·-thala (double·· storeyed) or thri-thala (three-storeyed). The greeva (upper-wall parts) of dwi­thala and thr;-thala may also have gha(!a­

dwaaras, pafiJaras. brackets etc., besides carvings of deities or paintings based on episodes taken from pllraa.'}ils. Rarely functional doors are also seen at the front greeva of dl,.ui-thala or thri .. thala §reekovil. Some of the {reek6l'ijs have suka-naasa or ,.fuka-naasika (shape of parrot's nose or beak) also called sree­mukham which is an integrated projection from th!~ vimaa!.}8 in front of the sanctum. There may be jmages of deities carved or moulded or painted at these portions, The pyramidal roofs of the temples have mostly tiled or wooden framework covered with copper sheets. Sthoopika or thaazhikakkutam is optional and in case it exists it stakes the shape of four parts ie. maha-plldmam (eight-petalled lotus), kumbham (pot), naa!am (lotus stalk) and kuta-maala (lotus-bud). Mostly they are made of copper, bronze or rarely gold-plated. There are instances where deities are installed in the anthraa!am (corridor of the .5reek6vii).", /

/

60. On either side of the praasaada-dwaaram, (main entrancel dwaasthhaas (dwaara-paalaas or door­keepers) are installed, most of them having weapons in hands and with fierce faces. Depending on Gods and Goddesses, the dwaasthhas are either dwaara-paalakas (male-guards} or dwaara-paalikas (female-guards). One exception, which has noticed is that in the sub-shrine of Lord. \1.aha GaIjapathi at the famous Sree Maha Vishl).u temple at Thirunaavaaya the dwaarapaaJas are that of Lord Gal).apathi. Mukha-malJ9apam is optional and of different shapes and located as an attached room or open with pillars in front of the main entrance. It is seen that dwaasthhaas or even minor deities are installed there, besides being used for temple rites like kaJasa-pooja etc.

61. Around the sreekovii is the anthar-mal)9a1am (vide Diagram 3 at page 55} where bali-pee{has of ashla·-dik-paalakas (Indra, Aggi, Yama, Nirthi. VarUl:la, Vaayu, Saman and lsaaga); sapcha-math[kkals (Braahmi, Maaheswari, Kaumaari, VaishJ:.1avi, Vaaraahi, IndraaIji and ChaamuIJ<;!a), Veerabhadran and Gal)apathi on a single pee{ham; and other divinities Saastha, A!!antha, Durga, SubramaI)ya, Kuberan, Ni~maalyadhaari and

Brahma are installed. In certain temples only one bali-pee{ham either at south-east or north-west is installed which represents the deity of Ag!}i or Vaayu respectively. In some temples bali-pee{ham is totally absent. If all the baJi-pee!has are installed in the anthar­map9a1am, a valiya-balikkall (principal oblation stone) is installed either within the agra-m8J,u}apam or at the front of the chu!!ambalam, if there is one. Some of the valiya-balikkalls are great artistic pieces made of granite.

26

62. The namaskaara-malpjapam meant for prostration by priests and for kaJasa-pooja is seen in some of the Vaishr;tavite and Saivite temples and rarely seen in temples dedicated to other divinities. The namaskaara­maf19apam is a detached structure in front of sreekovil and square in shape with one set of uththaram with four pillars or two sets of uththaras with sixteen pillars and may either have tiled roof or wooden-reapers covered with copper sheets (with shape of pyramidal roof). In most of the Siva teIl1pies having namaskaara-mal,19apam, Nandi (image of a bull in lying pose) is kept at its front portion or rarely at its centre. In both cases it faces the deity. The adhish[haagam of the mapgapam has almost all mOUldings as those of the adhish!haagam of the sreekovii but lesser in its total height. The pillars of namaskaara-ma1Jf]apam are either circular or rectangular or combination of both and are made of wood or carved in single granite stone. Some of them have exqusite carvings. Some of the pillars have motifs of deities also. The ceilings of namaskaal>a-m8l}tjapam, generally made of wood, have exquisite motifs of nava-grahas or ashta-dik­paalakas or simply lotuses. The carvings embellished on ceilings are based on puraa.pic themes. In the temples of Goddess Bhadrakaa!i Lord Saastha/Ayyappa and Lord Vettakkorumakan instead of namaskaara­ma!1riapam, a long pillared-hall locally known as paattoott or paattu-pura. is seen where kaJamezhuththu-paatt, Saasthaam­paaU and Thi5JJam-paatt and other rituals are held.

63. Sub-shrines and well (exclusive for purposes of shrines and

lhilappa!!i) , are generally seen in the akachthe-balivattam. The position of the temple-well is at the north-east or touching the northern naalambalam or or lNithin the northern naalambalam.

64. The facing of sub-shrines is important. There are certain principles to be followed in this regard. The direction in which the deity of the sub­shrine faces shall be the same as that of the main deity, if the former is positioned parallel to the principal deity or at the rear of the main deity. There is an exception to this rule. If the subsidiary deity is behind the principal deity, as in the case of Sree Paarvathi in the temple of Lord Siva, the deity of Goddess should face the opposite direction. On the other hand, if there are sub-shrines at the front portion of the principal deity, the subsidiary deities therein have to face opposite direction i.e. they should face the main deity. In some temples, it is seen that these general guidelines have not been followed since the installation of idols has been done under peculiar circumstances or due to the ignorance of the concerned temple authorities. In the case of sub-shrines dedicated to Naagas, other than independent sacred groves (kaavs), the idols generally face east.

65. Chu!!ambalam (antha-haara) is a separate rectangular structure. Though chu{!ambaJam and naalambalam are synonymously used in some thaanthric texts, it is better to distinguish the front part of chu!!ambaiam as valiyambalam and the rear and sides as naalambalam. The valiyambaZamon either side of the main­entrance has greater breadth than the other sides. Valiyambalam is generally

27

used for ka!amezhuthch-paaLC, hi5mam and for staging performing arts like chaakyaa!-koothth, 6ttan-thu!!al etc. The naalambalam has the thitappal!!i, mu!ayara, sub-shrines, store etc. The temple wells are either within the akathlhe-balivaltam or within the northern naaLumbalam. Thitappal1i is generally at the ag!Ji-kolJe Isouth-east) and in rare cases at north-west. All cookings for the deity (nivedyams) are

done in the thitappa!!i while mu!aya!a is the place where specified cereals and pulses are germinated for uthsava-bali and other important rites. In some temples in the district it is seen that chitappa!!i is built as a separate structure outside chu!!ambalam. Somet~mes the chu!Jambalam has attached agra-ma!19apam. either \\lith or without valiya-balikkall in it.

66. Vi!akku-maatam or madhya­haara is a separate structure and when it exists there will be a passage in between chu!!ambalam and vi!akku­maatam. It is to be noted in this context

that if lamps are fixed on the outer­walls of chu!!ambahm that part cannot be called vilakkumaacam . .

67. PradakshilJa-p8lhham (baahya­

hGara or outer circumambulaion-path) exists only in some of the maj or temples. In most of the temples, where wlliya-balikkall is installed in the baahya-haara, no built-in pradakshina­pathham is seen though srec-bali' is performed in those temples. In famous temples, pradakshilJa-pachham is made of granite stones, or of dressed laterite­stones with or v.rithout cement plaster, or of concrete. The dhwa}am, positioned at the front of the deity and on the pradakshilJa-pathh<lm, is covered with

either bronze or copper or sometImes even gold-plated. The granite or bronze deepa-sthambham is generally positioned at the baahya-haara i.e., either at the front or at the rear. It is also installed at the front of sub­shrines in rare cases.

68. The other structures seen in between baahya-haara and maryaada are kooththamblam, agrasaaJa, sub­shrines, office rooms etc. Agra-saala or nottupura with attached kitchen (for ::l!!!!adaa!!a) is seen in important temples though it is seldom used now. GOpllras are of ordinary type in Kera!a style and generally built at the front and rear and rarely on all sides,

Imposing Gopuras, as seen in Tamil Nadu, are absent. Tanks are built in most temples ou tside maryaada and generally they are neglected. They need renovation. Some of them are considered as great thecrthhas. [t is seen that in some Siva temples the tanks are built in front of the main entrance (gopllram) to reduce the ferociousness of the deity.

69. Those sreekovils which have wall and roof are classjfied based on the thala-type (vide statement 3). For this classification the main !freek6viJ of the principal deity alone is taken into consideration a.s it is the most important structure in a temple.

Statement 3 J _

STRUCTURAL TYPES OF PRINICIPAL SREEKOVILS

Numberoflemples

,Ha{ij- Thir(}ora- fYilam J'cnnlhiJ/-

StructUT"ul Type of ppu!am rigat; EFldl1at hODr n1i1{}!1:l Tf>uoo~' Pl)!!t!l1i1!]l'

a.c:..pects thrJla dilUK'{ w/uk la/uk taiuk wluk 1i1(uk faluA

1 2 ~ 4 5 6 7 R 9 J

TOTAL 1121 134 228 96 215 278 170

Square' Total 808 98 159 74 14.3 199 135

(Sama-chathura) Eka-IhaJa 693 87 145 71 122 155 113

Dwl-thafa 95 11 13 ':) d 12 3G 20

Thri-thala 1 I No roof 19 1 8 8 '2

2 Rectangular lotal 98 16 18 10 9 35 10

(L),X!ghi'H_>haclwra) aa-inaIa 95 16 18 10 9 32 10 Dwi-tha/a 1 No roof 2 2

3 Circular T.otal 184 16 45 10 58 3~ 2]

(Vrththa) Eka-lha!Zi 152 II 39 10 46 2.5 21

Dwi-thala 32 5 6 F) ,~ 7 '2

4 A.psidal Total 12 2 2 2 5

(Gtlja-Prsh(ha) {;ka-lhala 8 2 " 2 1 .::.

Dr,oi-thala 4 3

5 Octagonal Total 2

(Ashfa-kon) Eka-thala 1

Dwi-thala 1 5 Others" Total 17 2 4 I ,5 6 1

17 2 4 1 3 \:) I ------------~--~-------

-> like ,,,lhhai1{ldS, sheds. dilapidated. under constructi.on etc.

28

70. Of the total 1,121 temples in

this district as much as 949 are eka­tflala .sreek5viis, which constitute 84.58

per cent. These classifications are based on principal shrines of temples.

In all taluks the same patt~m of larger number of temples under this category eka-tflala sreek6vij follows. The sreekollils of square shape number 808, which

constitute 72.1 per cent of the total temples in the district, followed by 184 circular sreekovils. 98 rectangular §reek15vijs, 12 apsidal sreekovils and one

octagonal sreekovii. In adiition there are 17 temples which have no idols (only tha!8S ), completely dilapidated or no roof. Circular §reek6vils are generally of earlier centuries. All taluks have predominance of square sreeko'v'ils. There are 134 dwi- thala !;l'cckijvil~ in the district,

of which 96 are square, one rectangular, 32 circular, 4 apsidal and one octagonal. The only thri-thala ,';reekoFij in the district is the Sree (Tha!i)

Mahadeva temple at Aalipa!,amba of Perinthalma:t;l.Qa taluk, which is also apsidal in shape. The apsidaJ dwi--lhaia

§reek6viIs are Sree (Venniyoo!:) Siva temple, The!!!.!ala, Sree Maha Siva temple, Thrkka:t;ltiyoo:r, Sree Maha Siva temple, Thrprangot and Sree Siva temple, MclJ1galam. Sree (E!annummal) Siva temple, Ko~akkaat, Sree (Oora:[}aatathth) Siva temple, Manjeri, Sree (E!annummal) Siva temple, Ko!akkaat, Sree (MaI!~iOO!) Siva temple, Down Hill, Sree (Aayoo[) Siva temple, Etappa~~a, Sree (Kunnaaththoor) Ayyappan kaav, Iv1a~lkata, Sree (Cheru­neHikkaat) Bhagavathi temple, Kaataam­buzha, Sree (Kaalaattu) Vaama!_!amoorththy temple, Keral:iadeswarapuram and Sree (Kaaaruvaathu) Ayyappa temple. I\-1.:)okkuthala. The two octago~al §reekovils are Sree (Dharmagiri) Vish!!-u temple, Bhoodaanam (Nilamboo!,: taluk) and Sree

29

{PerumaI)l)a) Maha Vishl)u Iemple, V~i!akku!am (Thiroor taluk).

71. Before concluding the discussIOn on the architectural style of temples, it is imperative to sum up its salient features and the modern trends. Kera1a temples are unique in their architectural style as compared to the typical DravisIian style which has massive granite structures with high stone walls, elaborate corridors and imposing gOpllras. On the other hand the temples in the district with few exceptions have gopuras falling under eka-thala or dwi-thala.. All temples in the district are externally modest but with typical internal splendour. Exquisite woodcarvings particularly wooden brackets on sreek6viIs and ceilings on namaskaara-maIJ9apam deserve special mention. Paintings of episodes from pLlraaI}as adorn walls of temples. The modern trend is to renovate tenlples using concrete structures, which adversely affect the artistic excellence of the temples. Unless the antiquity of the temple is preserved, the charm and serenity of the tempie v.ill be lost. It should be the endeavour of all temple administrators and devotees to preserve the ancient architectural excellence of the temples

Carvings and paintings 72. Carvings on wood, granite and

laterite are noticed in temples of the district, though they are not so abundan t as in sou thern Kera!a. However in important temples wood carvings can be seen either on the front portion (.5n:emukham, mukha-l1lal}<!apalTI etc.) of sreeki5llii, on greeva (of du.!i-thala or thli-thala srcek6vils) on pillars and

ceilings of ndmaskaarf:l-ma.!lijaparn. ap,ra­ma{l~apam etc. besides on gi5puras. The details of these carvings and mural

paintings of important temples are given, wherever they exist, in section 2 of this volume under the sub-heading 'carvings and paintings~. In this context it may be noted that these exquiste carvings in temples of this district are mostly ruined due to lack of funds for essential maintenance.

73. The famous temples in the district which still have some wood carvings are Sree (Nramkaithak~tta) Ayyappa temple, VaPikk~nnu, Sree Karumakan kaav, Azhinnilam, Sree Vishr.lll temple, Kotasseri, Sree (Kaaraall Thrkkovil) Siva temple, Patifinaa!!umuri, Sr~e (Thirumandhaamkunnu) Bhagavathi temple, Anga~tippu!,am, 5ree VeI)kita Thevar Siva temple, Kottaykal, Sree Maha Garyap-;'thi temple, Indya:Qoo[. Sree ~ava Mukunda temple, Thirunaavaaya, Sree (Perum Thrkkovll) Rama temple (Hal} umaan kaav), Aalaththiyoo!, Sree (Thrkkaav) Bhagavathi temple, PODl}aI}i and'Sree DakshiI)aamoorththy temple, Sukapuram. The above list is not exhaustive but only illustrative.

74. Stone carvings are rare and they include images of dwaara-paalaas (both dwaarapaalakas and dwaara­paalikas), ornamentations on pra~laa!ams. vyaafi figurines and motifs on banisters of slJpa,a[!am and ornaIJ1entaions on pillars of namaskaara­mal}~apam. Some of the temples have exquisite carvings on laterite ~Talls, Sree Subrama~lyaswaarny temple, K!aari­Ambalavattam, Sree Subrall1a~yaswaamy temple, Chevaayoo!' (near Raama~aa­ttukara,l. Sree Siva temple, Venniyoo!:, Sree Du!_"gauevi temple, MuthuvallooI, Sree (Karikkaat) SubramaIJyaswaamy temple, Thrkkalang(lt, Sree Siva temple, Th~kkal)tiyoor, Sree Maha Si va temple, Ad!~seri. Sree Vcr,lkita Theva! Siva temple, Kottaykal and S"t't' N,:i,\/& \1r.!Kunda temple, l}liruna;j,~oJ :j;i!\~-) :.-: ,~"'p -~ '~'].r't ,f r;',()r~ ~~_;It tf':'lnples

30

having exquisite stone carvings which deserve special mention.

75. Mural paintings are not common though modern paintings have got greater acceptability and they are depicted on the walls of sreeki5vii, valiyambalam and gopuram. In most temples the mural paintings have faded. However the murals at the Sree Vqlkita Thevar Siva temple, Kottaykal, popu larly known as 'Kuttaykal Murals,' deserve special mention, They were painted between 1041 and 1053 of Kollam era, corresponding to 1866 and 1878 A.D. by E!angama~ham SaI~karan Naaya[ (a disciple ofPoonthanaaththu KrshJ)a Pishaar6ty) assisted by Bharatha Pishaaroty, These remarkable paintings, numbering about 40, depict themes taken from Puraaniis with special reference to Lord 51 ;'a, Goddess Pa!'vathi and incarnations of Maha Vishl)u and those related to Saktheya cult. (Details of these murals of this temple are briefly narrated in section 2, 81. no. 5.10). The paintings on the walls of the sub-shrine of Lord Vishr:tu of Sree (Chandal}a kaav) Bhagavathi temple, KUIumbaththoo[, depicting Lord Gal!apathi and Lord Vishnu seated over Garuda, deseve . . speciaJ mention as they were drawn by the great celebrity Sree Melpaththoor Narayal)a Bhattathirippad himself. Oauly pocljas are done to these murals. The mural p8intings at the maafh[saaJa or the Sree CThiruma­nghaamkunnu) Bhagavathi temple, Arigaatippurarn are very attractive, details of which are given in Section 2. (The authorities of this temple was not co-operate to take phtographs of the exquisite paintings of Sree Thirumaandhaamkunnu temple) Sree HaI!uman kaav., Aalaththiyoo£ has also some paintings. Some other temples have also paintings but faded.

Administration of temples 76. In the earlier periods, the

Raajas or local chieftains, ma[hams, thar:lVaats or individuals owned and administered the temples. In certain areas kshethra-sankethams existed and the temples formed an integral part in the life of the people, Temple continued to be in high esteem till the powers of local Raajas and chieftains waned due to the influence of westerners and the Mysorean invasion s. Some of the temples were not properly managed by ooraaJars and this resulted in complaints from the public, apart from the interests of the British in the accumulated wealth of some temples.

77. As early as 1790 the British Government decided to have closer association \'.:i th the. religiou s institu lions of the district, which forned part of Madras State. The first enactmen t in this direction came into force in 1817 (Madras Regulation VII of 1S17}. According to this, the British Government by virtue of its sovereign pO'Ner continued to enforce their right to visit and supervise endowments and other financial matters. Under the pretext of preventing abuse of power by local rulers they interfered in the internal affairs of temples. During 1817-39 the Hindu temples were satisfactorily managed. But in 1839 certain Christian zealots and religious

. propagandists in the United Kingdom agitated urging the British Govern­men t to refrain from administering the Hindu temples and Muslim mosques as their administration would not fall under the functions of the Govern­ment. Though interference in the affairs of the temple started as early ~s 1842 they were not effectivel~ lmplemented till the decision of the Court of Directors of the East India

31

Company on the control on temples was implemented in 1863.

78. The Religious Endm,vment X,.X of 1863 had enabled the Government to divest itself of the management of religious endowments. But this act was a failure due to the general attitude of the people. Subsequently many attempts were made to bnng out legislations in the Madras Legislative Council viz. Rama Iyyenga! 's Bill of 1872. Muthuswami lye (s Bi II of 1894 etc. Almost at the same period two bills were introduced in the Imperial Legislature also (ADanthacharalu Bill anJ Rash Bihari Ghosh Bill) but none of these bills was placed in the Statute Book, though they could bring out some concrete and useful ideas abou t a comprehensive legislation. Keeping these ideas the Madras Government passed an Act I of 1925 which repealed the Act of 1863. The Act was, however. short-lived as its validity was questioned in the Madras High Court. The Government, therefore, introduced a Bill in the Legislative Council in 1926, passed it on 17 th September 1926 and placed it in the Statute Book as Madras Hindu Religious Endm:o . .rments Act. of 1927 (Madras Act II of 1927). The Act also was amended several times viz. Madras Act I of 1928. V of 1929. XI of 1931, XI of 1934, XII of 1935, XX of 1938, XXII of 1939, V of 1944 and X of 1946 .

79. After attaining Independence the Congress Ministry of Madras State introduced a detailed Bill and the Madras Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act of 1951 (Madras Act No. XIX of 1951) was passed, This Act repealed the Madras Hindu Religious Endowments Act of 1927, besides ceasing the application of some of the

earlier enactments on Hindu Religious Institutions and endowTnents. Due to litigations, this Act also had to be amended by the Madras Act XXI of 1954 and IV of 1956 and later replaced by an Act of 1959 (23 of 1959). However, as the Kera!a state was formed on 1 st November 1956, the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowrnents Act of 1951 as amended by Act y.xI of 1954 was accepted and made applicable to the temples situated in the Maiaba!: aref' only which includes the present K3saragod district also. Acts 9 of 19.56, 41 of ] 963, 13 of 1967, 12 of 1968 and II of 1981 subsequently amended the Act of 1954. According to the Act, the Commissioner had control over all institutions and he had powers to take over any Hindu Religious institution, If deemed necessary, based on written complaint from any person interested in the welfare and proper administration of the temple.

80. A revolu tionary act was passed by the Kerala Legislature in 1960 (Kerata Agrarian Relations Act 1960) which was later replaced by the Kerala Land Reforms Act, 1963 which aboiished the jar:mi system and conferred full rights on the tiners of the soiL Since the ooraa!aaIs of most of the temples were Janmis and there was no proper protection for temple­lands, most of the temples in Kera~a lost their landed properties which adversely affected their financial position. ~ The result was that there was considerable reduction in income, in some cases practically no income at all. The pitiable situation was that there was none to look after the int.erests of the temple. As a result of meagre income the nUlnber of poojas had to be rectuc'ed and in certain cases

~ ..,....... , they h.ad p\,en to be ~toppeo, 1.11S, In

32

effect, struck the backbone of the functioning of temples.

81. As indicated above. the H.R.&C.E. Board, which was later notified as the H.R.& C.E Department controls only 356 out of 1.121 temples in the district. They fall into two types. List A - 9 temples which are financially sound and are directly administered by Commissioner through Executive Officer and List·B (254temples) managed by Area Committees (the Assistant Commissioners being the Chairman of the Area COl'nmittee) and through Executive Officers. Of them smaller temples are attached to the nearby Area Committees. The H.R. & C.E. Department have no detailed information on all temples in thi s district, thougb they claim to have' control m.rer them. Large number of temples, which lie outside the orbit of the H.R.&C.E. Department, are still managed by ooraa!aau" Temple Committees. KshEchra P(1!!amddha3.rarW Samilhis, Kshelhra SamrakshaI}<i Samithls, l'vJatilams etc. Temples, which are exc:lusive]y used by fnmily members, are not covered in this lTlonograph, as the public has no access to these temples. Similarly, bhaja!!8 ma!hams, mandllams and aa.';rffIIlill11S also are not covered, as rituals and pnuhish{ha are not done there following all the accepted modes of worshlp in a temple.

Classification of temples

82. The temples under HR&CE Department are clas!'Hfled into four grades based on annual incotne with effect from 6th August 1996.

Grade A

(Jrade B

Grade C

Grade- D

Rs. 10 lakhs and above

Ahove E's, 1 lakh "nd b"iow to lakhs

Rs. ;)iJJJOO ,:,nci bE-low R'i. i laJd,

Bf-l0W Rs. 50,1)00

The classifications adopted prior to 6th August 1996 were as follows.

Instead more importance should be given to characteristics like antiquity, historical associations, architectural importance, number of praakaaras, number of poojas held, number of devotees etc., irrespective of whether they are managed by H.R.&C.E. Department, private etc. This suggested classification gives us a realistic picture and also helps to formulate policies for the proper management, renovation etc. of the temples. Accordingly the temples can be classified into the following five groups and fifteen sub-groups.

Grade I Rs. 1,00,000, and above; Grade II Rs. 50,000 99,999 Grade III Rs. 20,000 59,999 Grade IV Rs. 15,000 19,999 Grade V Rs. 10,000 14,999 Grade VI Rs. 7,000 9,999 Grade VlI Rs. Below Rs.7,000

83. In respect of private temples, the income and expenditure data are seldom revealed and as such their det.ails are not available. This principle of classification has inherent flaw as it is not fair to judge a temple simply based on income and expenditure.

Group

A Mahii-kshethram

B Valiya-kshcthram

Sub-group Criteria

A-l Temples presently having five praakaaras (akaththe-balivatfam, antha­haara, madhya-haara, baahya-haara and maryaada) and also having five poojas (usha-pooja, ethrthlh-pooja, pantheerati-pooja, uccha-pooja and aththaazha-pooja) besides daily .{ree-bali, annual uthsava etc.

A-2 Temples which had five praakaaras and also five poojas earlier but presently they do not exist, discontinued or their number reduced.

A-3 Temples having devotees to the tune of one Iakh or more in a year iI7espective of pmakaaras and poojas.

B-l Temples presently having four pra.akaaras (akarhthe-baJivaltam, anthahaara. bahyahaara and m;yyaada) and also having any four poojas mentioned against A-Ion the day(s) of opening of the temple.

B-2

B-3

Temples which had four praakaaras and four poojas earlier but presently either they do not exist, or their number reduced.

Temples having devotees ranging in between 25,000 and one lakh in a year irrespective of number of praakaaras or poojas.

C Pradhaana-kshechram C-l

C-2 Temples having swayamboo-idol, not covered under Groups A and B.

Temples having three praakaaras (akaththe-balivallam (inclusive of halipec!has), untha-haara and baahya-haara) and also having three poojas (usha-pooja, uccha pooja and aththaazha-pooja) on all days of openmg.

Temples which had three praakaaras as m C-2 and three poojas earlier but presently either they do not exist or number reduced.

D Che!iya-kshethram

E Kocchu-kshEth£am

3655 R Gli03--4A

C-3

All temples which have historical or architectural value or exquisite wood carvings or mural paintings irrespective of number of praakaaraas, [Joojasetc.

C-5 Temples having devotees ranging between 15,000 and 25,000 in a year irrespective of number of praakaaras and poojas_

C-6 Temples which are unique in respect of idol or form of worship or antiquity or other importance

0-1 Temples having two or three poojos and having less tha tl three praakaaraas_

0-2 Temples having devotees ranging in between 5,000 and 15,000 in a year.

E Temples {except those used exclusively by family members) not covered under Groups A to 0 above.

33

84. No finality is claimed in these classifications or grouplngs and scholars and researchers can further modify or discard them. The very purport of these classifications is to correlate poojas done in a temple with its structural characteristics apart from number of devotees, antiquity, historical association etc. so that a new approach on this topic is introduced. It may be noted that the details of the number of devotees furnished by

temple authorities are generally based on a rough guess. Of course the classification of ~emples was a difficult exercise and was done with great caution. However based on these classifications brief notes on mahii­kshethram, valiya-kshethram and pradhaaga-kshethram are given in Section 2 of this volume. Altogether there are 1 , 12 1 temple s in Malappu!: am district falling under five Groups and their sub-groups as follows.

Statement 4

B.

c.

o.

E.

Group/sub-group

TOTAL

Mahii-kshethram

A-I

A-2

A-3

Valiya-kshethram

B-1

B-2

B-3

Pradhaan a-kshethram

C-1

C-2

C-3

C-4

C-S

C-6

Cheriya-kshethram

0-1

0-2

Kocchu-kshethram

CLASSIFICATION OF TEMPLES

Total

Total

Total

Total

Total

MaJa- Thiroora-

ppu!am district

1121

4

1

1

2

4

4

171

56

74

2

8

31

139

12

127

803

34

rigiili taiuk

134

17

5

8

1

3

17

17

100

Eranii{

laluk

228

36

14

13

4

5

37

8

29

155

NiJam Perinthal-boor taluk

96

13

3

6

4

11

3

8

72

ma~~a

taluk

215

1

52

20

23

2

1

6

33

33

129

Thiruur PunT/nan,

laluk ta/uk

278

3

1

1

1

3

3

34

11

16

7

30

1

29

208

170

19

3

8

2

6

11

11

139

3655 RGI/03-4B

85. As per the concept laid down

earlier there are four maha-kshethrams (Group A) and four under the second

group (Group B) of vaJiya-kshethram. The

maha-kshethrams are Sree Nava Mukunda

temple, Thirunavaya (A-1), Sree Maha Siva

temple, ThrPrangot (A-2) Sree (Thirumaa-

1!9haamkunnu) Bhagavathi temple, AiIgaatippuram (A-3) and Sree Bhagavathi

temple, Kaataampuzha (A-3) while valiya­kshethrams (all under B-3) are Sree Maha Siva

temple, ThrkkaIftiyoo!, Sree (Perum­

thfkkovil) Rama temple (HaQumaan kaav),

Aalaththiyoo!, Sree Ayyappa temple,

Chamravattam and Sree Dakshi1!amoorththy

temple, Sukapurarn.

86. Pradhaa!Ja-kshethra,s, (Group C)

have three praakaaras and three-poojas or have great prominence due to large number of devotees or other peculiarities like having swayambhoo idols. The temples in this group include some of the prominent temples in the past, which were SUbjected to the severe wrath of the Mysorean invasions and Mappi!a riots of 1921. They also had to suffer economically due to the implementation of the Kera!a Land Reforms Act of 1963. The properties were alienated and the consequent loss of income drastically affected the daily poojas and maintenance of temples. There are 170 temples in this group. Their nanles are not reproduced here. Of these 56 temples have swayambhoo idols.

87. Chc!iya-kshElhras (Group D) or kocchu-kshethras (Group E) do not mean that they are unimportant but they have lesser number of praakaaras and lesser number of poojas. This phenomenon was largely due to the destruction of temples in earlier

35

centuries and continued neglection due to loss of income and influx Hindus during Mysorean invasions besides largescale conversions. At present 139

temples fall under Group D and 804 under Group E.

Type of idols 88. Another important feature of

temples is that different temples have idols made of different materials ie. s11a. marble, wood, metals, mud (sand) or sometimes the idol will be in the form of a weapon or simply a pee!ham or a wooden pillar (ma{li-thooV). There are also temples where the deity is depicted in the form of paintings. Idols may be with or without form. In majority of temples the idol is that of sila. Next in importance is metallic idols of which pancha-loha idols have a unique position. In most temples dedicated to Devi, and bhootha divinities (particularly worshipped by lower strata of the society) weapons symbolic of the divinity are worshipped. Similar is the case with p.[athishrha of peerham alone. Daaru-siJpa idols are exquisite woodcarvings. In Section 3 of this volume the details of idols are not given to avoid any possible theft of idols, particularly pancha-Joha vigrahas and exquisite stone idols.

Deities 89. The deities of Hindus include

a wide spectrum based on different kalpas (sacred percepts) and each kalpa having a number of sankalpas (splendid conceptions). The generally followed kalpas are Goddess Sakthi, Maha VishIfu, Lord Siva, Lord Brahma, Lord GaI!apathi, Lord Subramat:lya, Lord Saastha, 'combination of kalpas> and 'other kalpas'. Each kalpa has a number of prominent divinities as follows:

KaJpa

Sakthi (i)

(ii)

(iiiJ

2 Vishnu

3 Siva (i)

Iii)

(iii)

4 Gal?apathi

5 SUbramaryya

6 Saastha

7 Brahma

8 Combination of kalpas

9 Naaga

Important deities

Devi of gentle nature, as Thripura Sundari, Bhagavathi. Paarvathi (Paramcswari). Uma, Jagadambika, Raajaraajeswari. A!!!!apoo[neswari. Thwaritha (Kiraatheswari). Maha Lakshmi, Saraswathi, Saarada et ai.

Goddess of fierce nature as Durga, Kaaji (Syaama). Mahakaa!i. Bhadrakaali (both Rurujithth and Daarujithth vidhaagas), Mahishaasura-ma!ddi!!i, Chaamul)lJi. Kalari Bhagavathi. Kurumba (Koo!ba) Bhagavathi el a1.

Saptha-maathrkka!s. (Braahmi. Maaheswari. Kaumaari, Vaisht)avl. Vaaraahi. Indraal)l and Chaamul)ga)

Maha Vishl:1U as Ananthasayana, Dhanwantharimoo!ththy. Sudar§a~amoorththy. besides the ten main incarnations (Mathsya. Koorma. Varaaha, Narasimha. Vaama~a, Parasurama, Rama, Balarama, Kfshl)a and Khalgi), et aJ.

Dakshil)amoo!tJ:!thy, Mahadeva, Rudra. Kiraathamoorththy, Vettakkappan Muthlhappan el aI.

Vettakkorumakan

Veerabhadran, Kshethrapaalan, et. al.

(Lord Gal)apathi and Lord Subramal)ya are treated as separate ka/pas)

Maha Gal]apathi, Vi!!aayaka, VighDcswara et :.:II.

Subramal)ya. Aarmukhan, Aal)ti-pat:ltaaram Kumatan (Kumaaran), Murukan et. al.

Saastha, Ayyappan, Bhootha-naathhan et.aJ.

Brahma

Sankaranaarayal)8, AIddhanaareswara. Uma-Mahcswara. Lakshmi-Narayal)a, Lakshmi- Narasimha el aJ.

AlJanthan, Vaasuki et a/.

36

KaJpa

10 Other

Important deities

varied kalpas : Saasthappan, Kutticchaathrhan Ashlha-dik-paalas. Navagrahas.

11 Spirit cults TOTEMISTIC SPIRITS: Panjur!i, Pili-Chaamul)<;ii, Nandigonr, Bobbaraya, et aI.

ROYAL SPIRITS: U!!aaththi, Malaraaya, Dal)<)anaayaka, Dhoomavathi, Maariyamma, and Raktheswari et al.

FEROCIOUS SPIRITS: Ka~II.laki, Mucchilot Bhagavathi, Kallurutti, Kalkuda et al.

SERPENT SPIRITS: Naaga-Yakshi, Naaga-Ka!!yaka, Naaga-Brahma. Naaga-Kaap, Naaga-Bhagavathi e[ a1.

OTHER SPIRITS: Yogeswaran, Brahmarakshas et al.

It may be noted that some of the spirits mentioned above do not have separate temples but are installed in some temples as subsidiary deities. Further, in the general classification certain spirits are combined with some other kalpas. For example the royal spirits of Maariyamma and Raktheswari and ferocious spirits of KaI) ryaki, Mucchilot Bhagavathi et.al are grouped under Sakthi kalpa. All the serpent spirits are included under the Naaga kalpa. There are number of temples dedicated to Paradevatha (Bharadevatha). It can be seen that the word Paradevatha or Bharadevatha is l.lsed for family deity and as such the deities differ variedly like, Sree Bhadrakaa!i, Sree Vettakkoru­makan. Sree Ka!ari Bhagavathi, Sree Kiraathamoorththy et.al. As far as possible detailed enquiries were made about the sankalpa and they were classified accordingly. Statement 5 gives details of temples falling in the above kalpas. Some of the salient features of above kaZpas are described in the following paragraphs.

Statement 5

TEMPLES BASED ON PRINCIPAL DEITY

Number of temples

Mala- Tlliroora- Niiam Pen'nthal-

Kalpa I sankalpa ppu[am ngiiri Eranat boo! ma!1~la Thiroo[ PO!!!Jna!!i district la/uk la/uk la/uk la/uk ta/uk laiuk

TOTAL 1121 134 228 96 215 278 170

1. SAKTHI-KALPA 372 56 76 31 33 101 75

(il Goddess Aadi_paraas~~th~ajarajeswariJ Du!,ga/ Durga-parameswan 85 4 17 15 7 25 17

iii) Goddess Bhagavathi 150 27 35 7 9 54 18

(i.ii) Goddess BhadrakaaWK arinkaa!i/ Rudra Mahakali/Kodungalloor BhagaVathi/ Koorumba Bh~gavalhi 125 22 22 9 16 20 36

(iv) Sree MaariyaIIlillan 3 1 1

(v) Sree Mahalakshrnj I Vishnu Maaya lKaarthyayani 3 1 2

(vi) Sree Mookambika Devi I Saraswathy 5 1 1 2

(vii) Sree A!!!!apoogleswari 1

2, ViSH~U-KALPA 233 17 41 16 72 59 28

(i) Sree Maha VishJ;tu 148 14 21 12 44 36 21

(ii) Sree Koormamoorththy 1 1

(iii) Sree Dh~wantharimooIththy 4 1 3

(iv) Lord Narasimharnoorththy 45 2 11 1 15 12 4

(v) Sree Vaamanamoorthtby 3 1 2

(vi) Sree Rama I iakshrnaIla / Sathrukhana 13 1 6 3 2

(vii) Lord Balabhadran 1 1

(viii) Lord Knsht'a 18 6 3 3 5

3 SIVA-KALPA 312 31 68 29 66 79 39

(i) Sree Mahade~a / Siva / .Kiraathamoorththyl Vettakkaran/Sree Dakshll)aamoo!:lhy . 263 24 49 24 60 72 34

(ii) Sree VetlakkorumakanJ 24 3 7 4 1 5 4

(iii) Sree Muththappan 24 4 11 1 5 2 1

(jv) Sree Veerabhadran 1 1

4 LORD GA~APATHI 10 6 1 3

5 LORD SUBRAMA~Y A 70 13 16 2 15 15 9

6 LORD SAASTHNA YY APPA 93 8 15 14 29 15 12

7 LORD BRAHMA 1 1

8 COMBINED KALPAS 12 2 5 2 1 2 (0 Lord SankaranariiyaI)a 4 :2 2

(ii) Sree Lakshmi-Niirayal,1a 2 2

(iii) Sree Lakshmi-Narasimhamoo rththy 3 1

(iv) Sree Vma Maheswara 1

(v) Sree Arddhanareswaca 2 1

9 NAAGAB 1 1

10. OTHERS 17 1 6 1 5 4 (i) Sree Hanuman 4 1 2 (ii) Sree As;inidevas 1 (iii) Lord Vaisravana 1 (iv) Spirit cults (i~clude Brahmarakshas,

Kutticcchaaththan et. al.) 9 1 5 2 (v) Peethams 1 1 • (vi) Idol destroyed 1 1

37

(i) Sakthi kalpa

90. Sakthi is believed to possess supernatural or magical faculties. Goddess is the source of energy (Sakthi)

and is the seat of all virtues and evils in nature. Saaktheya form of Hinduism is equipped with vast mythological personnel of its own which includes an lmmense array of female personalities. Aadi-paraasakthi (primeval power) or Mahiia-maaya is supreme and the powers and actions of all deities depend on Her will. She has different bhaavas (charactersl both gentle and fierce and their names have been given in the earlier paragraph. Generally Saivites worship Sakthi in the form of Du!_"ga, Parameswari, Paarvathi, Mahakaali, Bhadrakaa!i etc.; VaishI_lavites in the form of Mahalakshmi and Brabma -bhakthas as Maha Saraswathi, Brahmal)i, Gaayalhri etc. It is seen that in Kera!a all devotees, except for a few ardent Vaishnavites, worship Sakthi in all forms. .

91. Goddess Sakthi has different types of powers like rathi (pleasure), bhoothi (prosperity), buddhi (intelli­gence), mathi (consciousness), keerththi (glory), smrithi (memory), dhrthi (impudence), sraddha (devotion), medha

(vigour), svadha (sacrificial things), suaaha(oblation), kshuda(hunger), nidra

(sleep), bhaya (fearl, daya (compassion), gathi (motion or progress), thushti (gratification), pushti

(abundance), kshama (patience), lajja (shyness), j!amba (yawning or stretching), thandri (lassitude) etc.

92. Bhadrakaa!i temples fall under two distinct categories, Daarujithth and Rurujithth. Under the Daarujithth­vidhaanam, Sree Bhadrakaali is installed - . in the sankalpam of either before killing

38

Daaruka, the demon or after it. Thaanthric texts prescribe that in temples of Daarujithth-vidhaagam, moola­manthra of this sankalpam includes baala-thryakshari of Sree Vidya-Paddhathi and, therefore, the priests of such temples have necessarily to be ordained in baala-deeksha. Temples having Daarujithth sankalpam are more common and can be seen in many parts of the district but it is not sure whether the prescribed pooja system is followed in all. Rurujithth-vidhaanam as described in patalas 7 to 9 of Scsha-Samucchaya stipulates that idols of Siva, Rurujithlh (ChaamUl;9a), Maathrkka! and Kshethra­paalan should be installed in the akaththe-balivattam or chu!!ambalam. Salient features of Rurujithth-llidhaagam are that it is a combination and embodiment of the famous concepts adopted as Kaala-sa1)karshiI.1i and Mahiia!lhth_a etc. of Saiva-maa!gga of Kashmi~ and also the sankalpam of Goddess Thripura Sundari of Sree Vidya­

paddhathi of the Thaanlhra-maa!gga. Under Rurujithth the rituals are greatly influenced by Sree Vidya-paddhalhi and hence the priests are to be thorough with it and should scrupulouslv observe Sree Vidyii-deeksha. Yet anoth;r type of deity of Goddess Bhagavathi seen in this district, is that of Mucchilot Bhagavathi.l0

93. Unless the sanka1pam at the time of consecration is known, it is difficult to classify the dieties properly. Absence of any recorded document of sankalpas with the thanthris

10 The origin of Sree Mucchilot Bhagavathi has

been explained in detail while describing Sree Mucchilot Bhagavathi temple of Kariva!!oQ~ (&1.

no. 1. 15 of Section 2.) in the monogr aph on

Temples of Kal}1}OO! district.

(high-priests), and their reluctance to fumish details of sankalpas to others also make the attempt all the more difficult. In many cases the temple authorities have not made any attempt to keep records of the sankalpam properly for the benefit of priests and devotees. The Saaktheya temples fall under the general nomenclature of Sree Bhagavathi or specified deities like Sree Du[ga (Parameswari), Maha Lakshmi, Sree Saraswathi, Sree Bhadraka~i (including ChaamuJ)~ii or ChaamuI_ls!a) et al. It is noticed that many temples of Sakthi worship are simply called Bhagavathi temples without indicating the sankalpam of the Goddess. The Salahi divinities also cover female royal spirits, which have been discussed under spirit cult since the sankalpam in which the deity is installed is not available in many cases. However, temples dedicated to Mahll Lakshmi are found to be rare in Kera!a while most of the Bhagavathi temples are of Sree Durga. According to Statement 5 there are 372 temples under Sakthi kalpa.

94. The locations having important temples dedicated to Goddess are at VaHikunnu (Niramkaitha

kotta), Thcnnippaalam (Pa!"ambathth kaav),

PeruvaHoo[ (Keranalloor Du[ga temple),

Netuva (Mookaambika temple), Othukkangal

(A!!!!apoo[I)esswari temple), Puthukk6t

(Kottaku!_"umba temple), Muthuvalloo!

(Du[ga temple), Panthaloo[ (Du!ga temple),

Manjeri (Melaakkam Kaa!i kaav), Netiyirupp

(Poyili KaripkaaF temple), KaippiQikatav

(MaI)J)aaththi Bhagavathi temple), Kaarakkot

(Du[ga temple) Chemmanthitta (Bhagavathi

temple), Nemmi!!i (Akhileswari temple),

Katannamanna (Vatakkiniyetathth

Bhagavathi temple), Paangu (Pishaariyekkal

39

Bhagavathi temple), Angaatippu~am

(Thiruman<;ihaamkunnu Bhagavathi temple),

Aa!}amangaat CKunnummal Bhagavathi

temple), Paalathth6! (Mattaayikunnu

Bhagavathi temple), Pulamanth6! (Aalancheri

Bhagavathi temple), Kizhakkekkara

(Anthimalayaa[ kaav), Kaukkaa!!ikkaat

(Bhagavathi temple), Moo[kka!}aat

(Paattukottil Bhagavathi temple),

Kaataambuzha (Bhagavathi temple),

Thozhuva!!!!oo! (Bhagavathi temple),

Perass!!oo~ (Pishaaarikkal Du[ga temple),

Ku~umbaththoo~ (Chanda!!a kaav),

Vairank6t (Bhagavathi temple), Vettam

(Bhagavathi temple), Mangalam

(Vaa!amaruthoo[ Du~ga temple), PO!! Da!!i

(Thrkkaav Du~ga temple), Eazhuvathiruththi

(KaI)taku~umba kaav), A!!a!oo!

(Anthimahakaalan kaav). Perumpatapp

(Muththassiamma kaav) and Mookkuthala

(KaI)I_lan kaav and Bhagavathi temple).

Among them five temples viz.

Thirumanghaamkunnu Bhagavathi temple,

Kaataampuzha (Bhagavathi temple),

Chanda!!akaav, Thrkkaav Du[ga temple and

Mookkuthala Bhagavathi temple, desrve

special mention.

(ii) Vish,:,u ka/pa 95. The contributions of

immigrant Brahmins through North of Kera!a in early centuries and the the Bhakthi movemnt in inviting Brahmins to settle here are believed to be the reasons for the emergence of large number of VaishJ)avite temples in the district. The most popular divinities under the VishJ)u kalpa are Maha VishI)u and His incarnations particularly Lord KrshI)a and Lord Narasimha (Nrsimha) besides other incarnations. The carved or cast idols of Lord Maha Vishl)u

are generally handsome and in standing pose with sankh (conch with the name Paanchaja!]yam), chakra (disc with the name Suda[sa!]a or Vajranaabha), gada (c1uhwith the name of KaumodakiJ, padma (lotus), yajiiopaveetha (sacred thread), crown and dress. The sword of Lord Vish-Qu is known as Nandakam or Naandakam. Similar to the idols of Lord VishI)u there are idols of Lord KrshI)a and Lord N arasimha with four arms carrying conch, disc, club and lotus in them. Only in certain cases, depending on sankalpa, poses of the idol of Lord KrshI)a are different like Sree Pa!:thhasaarathhy (with whip in hand), Sree VeI)I)a-KrshI).a (with butter in right hand) etc.

96. There are 233 VaishI)avite temples in the district. Of the 148 temples with the sankalpa of Sree Maha Vish1)u the most important temple is the Thirunaavaaya Navaamukunda temple. Other important temples are located at Ariyalloo! (Ravimangalam temple), PaHikkal (Vaariyathth temple), Nannamb!a (Maha VishI)u, temple), Azhinnilam (ThaF Maha Vish1)u temple), Vaazhakkaat (Valiya Kugisseri and Che!iya Ku~~isseri). Vilayil (Narasimhamoo!ththy temple), E!aI)koo! (Che!uvaI)I)oo! temple), Melaa!!oo! (KaippaHi temple), Patinnaattmuri (MutappilaapiHi and Keezh Thrkkovil temples), Puzhakkaattiri (Raamaswaamy temple), Valamboo~ (Itath~hupu~athth­Poonthaagam KrshI)a temple I , Paalatbth6! (Maha VishI)u temple), EraI)aakaranalloo! (Maha VishI)u-Ga1)apathi temple), Raayiramangalam (Maha Vishl~U, temple), Pookkaattiri (Maha VishI)u temple), VemaI~I)a (Narasimhamoo!:ththy temple) and at Aalamkot (Ashtayil Narasimha temple).

40

97. Among the temples of incarnations of Lord Mahii Vishl)u the one at Poozhikunnu is dedicated to Lord Koo!mamoo!_'ththy, though the subsidiary deity of that temple, Sree Garu9a, is famous. There are four temples dedicated to Lord Dba!! wantharimoorththy, installed at Earaanthot (Dha!} wanthari temple), Pulaamanth6! (Rudra-DhaQ. wanthari temple), AaalikkalmaJ;lI)a (ChirattamaI) Dha!!wanthari temple) and Malappuram (Po!}!!ikkaatt Dha!!wanthari temple). The Sree Viswambhara temple attached to Kottaykkal Aarya Vaidya Saala is also important. In three temples the main deity is Sree VaamaQ.amoo!ththy. These temples are located in Oo!angaattiri, Ni~amaruthoo! and Melmu!i (near Kaataampuzha) villages. There are 11 temples dedicated to Sree Raama of which the important ones are at Raamapuram and Aalathtiyoo!. The temples dedicated to Sree Lakshama1)a and Sree Sath!:ughQ.a are also located at Raamapuram. Earlier there was a temple dedicated to Lord Bharatha at Va~!alloo!-Chovaal)a but it is not existent as its lands have now alienated. The temple dedicated to Sree Balabhadraswaamy exists at Keezhaattoor. Of the 18 Sree Krshna - . . temples more famous ones are at Keeezhaanoor (Poonthaa!!am temple), Valamboo[ (Itaththupurathth-Poonthaa!}am temple), Kottaykkal (PaaI)tamangalam Krshf.1a temple), Kera!aadeeSwarapuram (Krshf.1a temple) and Thfkkalangot (Thirumaal'}ikkara Guruvaayoorappan temple).

(iii) Siva ka/pa

98. Saivism has great antiquity in this district and has set deep roots in this soil. The lin.ga form is the most common type u sed for the worship of Lord Mahadeva (Siva). There are different legends associated with the

adoption of this form, and they are all based on thaamasa-bhaava. A Siva-linga has three parts (all the three divisions almost equal or with slight difference), the bottom-part square (which represents Lord Brahma), middle-part octagonal (which represents Lord Mahii Vish1).u) and the top-part circular (which represents Lord Siva). Only the circular portion is visible since the octagonal part is within the pee{ham and the square part still below it. Thus the Siva-linga combines within it the powers of Lord Brahma, Lord VishI:m and Lord Siva along with the inseparable powers of Goddess Sakthi. Thus Lord Mahiideva is worshipped as a deity possessing immense powers of the Universe; powers for procreation (sri,5hti) , sustenance (sthhithi) and destruction (samhaara).

, (a) Lord Siva

99. Lord Mahiideva or Lord Siva, the most powerful of the Triad has the predominant character of a destroyer. He also takes the names according to sankalpas as Sree DakshiI)a-rnoo!ththyll , Sree Rudra, Sree Mahiideva, Sree Mahiilingeswara, Sree Maheswara, Sree S ankara , Sree Manjunaathha, Sree Kiraatha­moo!ththy, Sree Nataraja Muththappan et al. Lord Siva in the sankalpam of Sree Rudra 12 also exists. Lord Mahadeva is

11 Sree Dakshil)imoo!lhthy is a splendid conception of Lord Mahideva as a brahmachaari who teachesjnaaga to ~shis and the blessed.

12 Sree Rudra is believed to have sprung from Brahma's forehead and later separated himself into a figure of Sree Ardhhanireswara (half-male and half-female) and agam the half male ponion divided and separated into eleven (§kaadasa) Rudras with names Ajiiikapathth, Ahirbuddh!}yan, Viroopakshan, Sooryeswaran, J ayanthan, Bahuroopan, Aparajithan, Sa vithran, Thryamba.kan. Vaivaswathan and Haran. Another version gives the names as Ajan, Ekapadan, Ahirbuddhnyan, Thwashtav, Haran, Rudran. Sambu, Thryambakan. Aparajithan. IS3!}an and Thribhuvan.

41

one of the 1008 names of Lord Siva mentioned in the 69 th chapter of Siva­puraafla. Maheswara, Sankara, Digambara, j swara and Visveswara are some other names. It may be said in this context that the worship of Mahiideva in the name of Mahiilinges wara, Pancha­lingeswara or Manjunaathha is something special and is prevalent in the northernmost district of Kasargod but has no relevance to this district.

100. The concept of Kiraatha­moo!ththy or Vettakkappan or Veuakkaran or Kiraatheswara is Lord Siva in disguise as a hunter (or wild mountaineer). The episode of his combat with A!ju!1a over a boar and bestowing of paasupathaa.'uhra on him is still current in the minds of devotees. The idols of Kiraathamoorththy or Kiraatheswara are either in Siva-Jinga form with the sankalpam of Kiraathamoo!ththy or in anthropo­morphic form with bow and arrow in hands. The former is more common in this district. Nataraja idols are not reported as main deity in the district which shows the lack of influence of Ch6!as, who have many temples of Lord Siva in thaa1J?ava-nrththa pose in their ancient kingdom.

101. Being the God worshipped by early Dravis}ians, the temples dedicated to Him are distributed throughout the district. There are 312 Saivite temples in this district of which idols of 263 temples are dedicated to Lord Siva, which account for about 23 per cent of total temples· of the district. Among these temples 38 have swayambhoo idols. Since all temples dedicates to Lord Siva are of great importance the most famous ones in the district are located at PaappaQoo~, Thrkku!am, Venniyoo!, Thrppa!,!acchi. WantooI,

Karaatupa!amba, Patinnanumu!i. Angaa­tipu!am (Thali and Raavaramal)I)a), Perinthalmal)l)a, Kuruvambalam. Pariyaa­puram, Thrkkal)tiyoo!" Kottaykkal, P0l)mala, Pookkattiri, Irimhi!iyam, Vaikkaththoor, PaiI)kaI)oo!" Natuvattam, Thrprangot, Mangalam, ThavaDOo!. Atha!oo[, Paalapra and Sukapuram.

(b) Lord Vettakkorumakan or Kiraathasooj)u

102. Sree Vettakkorumakan is believed to be the younger son of Lord Siva and Goddess Paa[vathi when they lived in disguise as hunter (called Kiraathamoorththy) and jungle-lady (Kiraathi) respectively. The sankalpam of Vettakkorumakan is as war-god with bow arid arrow or churika (a dagger) or a small sword in hand. Being war-god this deity is seen generally installed in the capitals of principalities or headquarters of chieftains. It is noticed that some of these temple~ are known as Paradevatha or Bharadevatha temples. It may be said that there is some cnfusion among devotees about the sankalpam of this deity. Some consider it as Lord Ayyappa or Lord Saastha though all these cocepts have clear distinction. (Details on the distinction of Lord Saastha and Lord Ayyappa are given later.)

103. In this district there are 27 temples under Sree Vettakkorumakan. Among them the most important temple is the one at Nilamboor. Apart from the one mentioned above many temples do have Sree Vettakkorumakan as subsidiary deity.

I

Cc) Sree Kshithrapaalan

104. The meaning of the word Kshethrapaalan is 'guard of the kshethram (temple) '. In lsaaga Siva Gurudeva Paddhathi the God is described as an

42

eight-year old boy with weapons in hand. The flag-sign of the deity is dog which forms his vehicle also. Sree Kshethrapaalan is installed in almost all temples as He is believed to guard the deity and Devathas in the temple. He has more of thaamasa-bhaava and hence Saivite in character. Sree Kshethrapaalan has been installed both as principal deity and subsidiary deity in temples. He is given a marked position at the northeastern part of baahya-haara (pradakshilJa-pathham) of temples having outer bali-pee{has. There is no temple dedicated to Sree Kshethrapaalan as principal deity in this district.

(d) Lord Muththappan

105. The concept of Sree Muththappan is peculiar and famous in the neighboring district of KaI!l).oor. Lord Muththappan is believed to be an incarnation of Lord Vishl)u and to have the position of Lord Siva (of Payyaavoo_r temple in KaI)1)oo[ district) and Goddess Paa!'vathi (of Eruvassi temple in KaI)l)oo!: district. As such Lord Muththappan is considered as a Saivite. There are 24 temples in the district and all of them are small.

(iv) Gal)apathi kalpa

106. Lord Gal)apalhi, according to the general sankalpam, is the son of Lord Siva and in anthropomorphic form the idol has the face of an elephant (gajaa!]a!]a), a full belly (lambodhara), one tusk (eka-dantha), twisted trunk (vakra­thu1}9a), sacred thread (yajiiopaveetha) and crown (kireeta). In almost all temples, Lord GaI)apathi is installed as a subsidiary deity. There are 10 temples having Lord GaI!apathi as the principal deity. Of them the important ones are at Indya~oo!, EraI).anelloo!:, Chelarnbra, Chembrasseri and PaHkkal.

(v) Subramar;tya kalpa

107. Lord SubramaI)ya is primarily a South Indian deity and He is worshipped in sankalpas of Guha (protection from enemies), Skanda (of Paa.!:vathi), Kumaran (of Ganga), Mahesagan (of Aggi), Kaarththikeya (of Krththikas), Saravat}a (of Saraval)a plants). Of these Skanda form is the most popular one. There are 70 temples dedicated to Him in the district. Of these, the important ones' are located at Kotuvaayoo[, K!aari, Chevaayoo.!:, Kaarikkaat, Eravimangalam and Ezhoo! .

I

(vi) Saastha and Ayyappa kalpa

108. Saastha worship dates back to very early centuries. Lord Saastha is considered as a deity formed by the combination of jiia!la (knowledge) of Lord Siva and Vish-!1u-maaya (merciful charm) of Lord VishI)u. Lord Ayyappa on the other hand is considered to be an incarnation of Lord Saastha. As Lord Saastha and Lord Ayyappa are synonymously used, it is rather difficult to classify the temples of these deities. However, a distingui­shing feature is that whenever the deity has been installed with consort (Sree Prabha) and son (Sree Sathyaka) or with two consorts (Sree Poo!,I)a and Sree Pushkala) the temple with this deity falls under the concept of Lord Saastha. Lord Ayyappa is a brahmachaari or baala­yogi having no consorts. Saastha temples may be with roofs or without roofs. If it is without roof it is generally considered as vana- Saastha. Of the 93 temples dedicated to Saastha/Ayyappa in the district, important ones are at ChamEavattam (Saastha temple), VaHikkunnu (NiEamkaithakotta Ayyappa temple), Netuva (Ayyappan kaav),

43

Vezhakkot (Ayyappan kaav), Kaarkkaat (Saastha shrine in SUbramal)yaswaamy temple), Paappi~ippaa!:a (Ayyappa shrine in AviQoo[ Durga temple), Kaukkaat (Ayyappan temple) and Panangaattoo! (Ayyappan kaav). Of the above the first two temples are very famous.

(vii) Brahma kaJpa 109. The district has the

distinction of having a temple dedicated to Lord Brahma. It is a small circular shrine having octagonal roof and dates back to very ancient period. It is located on the southern bank of Bharathapuzha in Thava!_!oo.!: village, and opposite to the famous Sree N ava Mukunda temple of Thirunaavaaya.

(viii) Combination of kalpas

110. Under this kalpa the details of three deities are discussed viz. Lord SankaranarayaI)a, Sree Lakshmi-NarayaI)a, Sree Arddhanareswara! Uma-Maheswara, Sree Lakshmi-Narasimha-moo.!:ththy.

I

(a) lord Sankaranaaraaya~a

111. The concept of Lord Sankaranarayat}a is the outcome of reconciliation of the VaishI)avite and Saivite cults. The exact period of introduction of the cult is not known, but the period is ascribed to 7 th century A.D. Lord Sankaranarayal)a idols can be either in linga-form or as figurines. If the idols are in anthropomorphic form the deity can be distinguished by certain characteristics of face and weapons. In such cases the right side of the idol represents Lord Siva with his jata, crescent and three eyes (third­eye partly) while the left side represents Maha VishQu with characteristics of usual crown, face and weapons. There are also Lord Maha Vishnu idols with sankalpam as Lord

Sankaranarayat:a. The four temples dedicated to Lord SankaranarayaI}a in this di.strict are located at E!a1]koo~,

Chelambra,Oorakam and Kuzhimal)l!a villages.

, (b) Sree Lakshml-Naaraayal)a

112. There are two temples, one at Kuzhimal!t:a village and the other at Che[ukaav village.

i / (c) Sree Arddhanaareeswaral

Uma~ Maheswara

113. The idol has characteristics of Lord Siva in one longitudinal half on its right side and that of Sree Paarvathi (Uma) in the other half. In some cases swayambhoo uigrah.as or Siva-lingas exist having the sankalpas of LQrd Siva and Sree Paa[vathi combined in one sila. In some cases Lord Siva and Sree Paarvathi are installed with equal importance in the same ga!bha-grham. Sree Arddha­naareeswara temples are located at Natuvattam and N 3D!}ambra villages while idol with Soree Uma-Mahes'wara sankaJpa is installed at Uppata in Etakkara village.

, (d) Sree Lakshmi·Narasimhamoorththy

114. The only temple with the sankalpa of Srce Lakshmi-Narasimha­moo£ththy is located in Cherukara village.

(ix) Sacred groves and Naaga worship

115. From time immemorial sacred groves were in existence in temples and in important cha[avaats. Some of the groves are large in extent. Each grove is a miniature forest with abundant growth of rare species of trees (like EzhiJam-paaJa or Mukkam paala or Paala, Thaanni> Arayaal, AaniJili. Karingoua, Vent€k, Uririgu or Porigu, Pine, Ratten etc), shrubs and creepers. These sacred groves have temples or

44

s8!pa-kaavs. Some of the temples have large extent of groves like the one at Chandaga kaav in Kurumbaththoof village of Thiroor taluk.

116. All c1aases of Hindus consider Naaga-worship as divine. The serpent God is known by different names, the chief of them being Sree A!!antha and Sree Vl:\asuki. Devotees deem it essential to worship them to ensure progeny and prosperity to their families. Generally at the centre or at the side of the sacred grove is the chithra-kootam (stone-basement), with granite stone prathishfha.s of Sree Naagaraja, Sree Naagayakshi, Sree Naaga KaaF, Sree Naaga Bhagavathi and Sree NaagakaDyaka and other attendant naagas all facing east. Among the idols, the idol of Sree Naagaraja is slightly bigger and takes the shape of a coiled se~nt with a raised hood. Very often distinct male and female motifs are carved on these idols to distinguish Sree Naagaraja from Sree Naagayakshi. In certain cases the carvings show prabhavali also. Naagas are also installed on platforms at the bottom of Arayaal (sacred fig) tree of temples. The devotees treat Naaga idols with great veneration and a certain a..~ount of fear as the general belief is that if anyone shows disrespect or kills a serpent he will meet with punishment in the form of skin disease or ophthalmia or lack of progeny in this life or in future births to come. Most of the temples in this district have Naaga idols either within a kaau or installed on a pee{ham. There is a temple in this district with the principal deity as Lord Naaga at Paththriyaal in Thiruvaali village of Nilamboo! taluk.

(ix) Other varied ka/pas

117. Under this category there are 15 temples in this district , the main deities or divinities seen are Ha!!umaan (1), Vais[aval}an (1), besides spirit-cult (12) and one pee!ham (installed in memory of MaaI_likk5thth Othe!!a Kurup).

(a) Lord Ha!!umaan

118. According to Kamba Ramayal}a, Ha!!uman or Aanjaneya is the son of Lord Siva in Anja!la. Bhavishyl­puraa1)a mentions that Lord Vaayu (Wind God) is also the father of HaQuman which implies that Lord Ha!.!uman has the powers of both Lord Siva and Lord Vaayu. In Kera!a Lord HaQurnan is considered as Vaayu-puthra

or son of Lord Wind and worshipped. In the erstwhile Kasarag6d district Sree Ha!:}umanis known as Mukhya-praaJ.1a and worshipped accordingly. Being a very popular deity Sree HaQuman is installed as upa-devalha in many. temples particularly in Sree Raama .temples. In some Sree Raama temples even though the idol of Lord HaQurnan is not installed this Lord is given great importance ego at the Sree Raama temple, Aalathiyoo[. There are four temples in the district with Lord HaIluman as principal deity. They are in CheriyamuI).tam, Etappaa! and Ve!iyangot villages and in Malappu[am municipal town.

(b) Sree Vaisraval}an

119. The Sree Vaisraval.la temple at lyya!!!!oOr is unique and deserves special mention.

(c) Sree Aswini-Deva

1"20. Located at Poozhikunnu in ThfPrangot village in Thiroo[ taluk the tutelar deity here belongs to AalaththiyoOI Nambi

45

il1am, one of the ashtavaidya families (family of ayuIvedic physicians) of Kera!a.

(d) Spirit-cult

121. The spirit-cult or worship of semi-divine spirits is primitive, but these spirits are considered benevolent showering mercy on their votaries. They are broadly classified as follows, though some of them may not exist in this district.:

(i) TOTEMISTIC SPIRITS: Totemistic spirits, like Panjurli. Pilichalfgi or Pili­Chaamul)<Ji and Nandigone originated from boar, tiger and bull respectively, are considered as upholders of righteousness. There are different forms of PanjurF. Panjur!i (boar) is worshipped to ward off the menace of wild pigs for protecting the crops. The Pilicha1).gi (tiger-Chandi) is worshipped for the protection of cattle and crop from the menace of tiger. Nandi gone or Nandikeswara, a divine bull who is a seechless spirit and vaahaga of Lord Siva is considered as a guardian from evil spirits and wicked people.

(ii) ROYAL SPIRITS: These are some spirits derived from the puraalJic deities of Lord Siva and Goddess Sakthi (Mother G9ddess). Under this category of spirits come U!!aaththi, JumedL Lakkeesari and Maariyarnma. Ugaaththi is considered an incarnation of Paarvathi. According to myth, Ullaaththi and Ullaya were born in a golden palace of Konga country. Generally UHaaththi is worshipped along with male spirits like UHaya, Kumara, Dha!marasu, MaJaraaya and Dandanaayaka, the first three are believed to be her brothers and the last two members of her family or attendant spirits. Malaraaya is suppos~d to possess powers to control

raIns. Jumedi or Dhoomaavathi is considered to be incarnation of Mother Goddess as A!ddhanaareeswara who

blesses the soil by giving it fertility. LakkeeSari or Raktheswari is considered to be an incamation of Goddess Durga who killed the demon Rakthabeej a. Though of ferocious form no animal sacrifice is done for this deity. Maariyamman, an incarnation of Mother Goddess is worshipped as a deity who controls epidemics particula­rly small-pox, chicken-pox etc. It is seen that the deity of Maariyamman is worshipped in Sree Bhadrakaa!i temples also as the latter is also associated with control of the above epidemies. Under spirit worship there are some other incarnations like VishQ.umoorththy for Lord N arasimha, Jataadhaari for Lord Siva, Veera­bhadran or Vairajaathan, Kshethrapaalan etc. which have been already discussed and included under the respective cults of Saaktheya, VaishI)avite and Saivite. It may, however, be noted that

some of these divinties are impersonated as ki5iams or theyyams in certain areas, particularly in Northem Kera!a,

(iii) FEROCIOUS SPIRIT: These are generally of two types. The fIrst type is supposed to have their' origin from persons who have met with tragic death due to social injustice and have become spirits later on. Under this category are Ka!:l)aki or KaI)I)aki and Mucchilot Bhagavathi (whose details have been given earlier). Similarly Kalkuda and his sister Kallurutti are considered spirits of departed souls of the sculptors who met with tragic death during the period of Bharivarasu

46

chieftains of Karkkala. (Kalkuda is the person who sculptured the famous idol of Gommatha at Karkkala but as a

reward Bhairavarasu cut one hand and one leg of the sculptor so that he should not carve a similar beautiful idol. After his death he became a spirit.) Under the second category of ferocious spirits

Gulikan and ChaamuI)<)i deserve special mention as the ceremonies of both are associated with the sacrifice of live chicken and the pouring of blood over the idols. Gulikan, an upa-graha (satellite) is believed to be the son of Satum. It rises and sets both during day and night and this time varies every day. As the deity has no form only sankalpa-prathishtha is done, which includes a pee{ham representing the deity placed on a platform. Gu!ikan has a place in most places where fierce deities are worshipped or in temples where it becomes necessary according to deva-prasgam. Kutticchaaththan or

Saasthappan is a Seva-moo!ththy or Du[­

moo!ththy associated 'With black magic. It is said that the black magician 'Wins

over this spirit to his service and once subdued they have to blindly obey his

behests. There are eleven temples dedicated to Kutticchaathhan in the district.

(iv) SERPENT SPIRITS: Being a separate entity these spirits are worshipped in almost all thar8waats/ illams etc, and the rituals are

performed systematically and diligently by Brahmin priests. This aspect has been discussed under Naaga worship.

(v) OTHER SPIRITS: There are innumerable other spirits worshipped

by certain families, communities, castes etc. Of these Yogeswaran is of divine nature ie. spirit of a Yogi. Brahmarakshas is that of Brahmin mostly priests or otherwise. Both should have some relationship with the temple. The above descriptions are not exhaustive but only illustrative. Mostly Yogeswaran and Brahmarakshas are installed subsidiary deities.

122. There arc nine temples falling under the spirit of which five in E~anat taluk, one each in Thiroorangati, and Nilamboor taluks and two in and

PO!!QaQi taluk. Of them four have the spirit of Sree Kutticchaaththan.

(e) Ashtadikpaalas and Navagrahas

123. Ashta-dikpaalas are generally installed in the akaththe-balivattam of all temples having valiya-balikalls. Positions of ashta-dikpaalas and other divinities installed there are depicted in Diagram 2. Ashta-dikpaalas are also carved on the ceiling of namaskaara­ma{1papam. Navagrahas are not installed in all temples, though they are carved on the ceilings of namaskaara-maIJ.flapam in many temples. If they are installed separately, according to saasthras and traditions, the positions and the directions they face are as follows:

(i)

(ii)

EASTERN ROW: (north to south): Budha (Mercury) facing east; Bukra (Venus) facing east and Chandra (Moon) facing west;

CENTRAL ROW: (north to south): Brahaspathi or Guru (Jupiter) facing north; Aadithya (Sun) facing east; Kuja (Mars) facing south; and

47

(iii) WESTERN ROW: (north to south): Kethu (Dragon's tail) facing south; Sani (Saturn) facing west and Raahu (Dragon's head) facing south.

The temples having navagrha­prathishrhas are rare, though there is a modern trend to install them in temples as subsidiary deities at the north-east of the temple complex.

Time of worship and poojas

124. In every temple there is fIxed time for pa!!i-uIJ.arththal (waking up the deity from sleep), abhishekam (oblation with liquid medium), performing poojas, offering nivedyam, free-bali etc. The pooja timings according to saasthras are based on sunrise and sunset. Timings generally approved are as follows:

Pa//i-una[ththal

Abhishckam

Usha-pooja

Ethrthth-pooja

Pantheerati­

pooja

7 Y2 naazhikas (3 hours) before

sunrise

1 y., naazhikas (30 minutes)

before sunrise

1 Y .. naazhikas (30 minutes) after

sunrise

Between 2 % naazhikas (1 hour)

and 3 % naazhikas

(1 % hours) after sunrise

Between 5 naazhikas (2 hours)

and 6 Y .. naazhikas (2 Y2 hours)

after sun-rise

Navaka-ka/asaa- At 7 Y2 naazhikas (3 hours) after

bhishekam sunrise

Uccha-pooja Betweeen 11 Y .. naazhikas (4 Y2

hours) and 15 naazhikas

(6 hours) after sunrise

Thirififia- 5 naazhikas (2 hours) before

pantheerati sunset

Aththaazha-pooja: Between 2 Y2 naazhikas (1 hour)

and 5 naazhikas (2 hours) afte,

sunset

Deepaaraadhana, which is conducted

within 1 V.. naazhikas after sunset is

not a pooja as per traditions followed

in Kerala, as it does not have the

rituals like nivedya, sree-bali etc.

125. Though the above is the

accepted pattern only in rare cases

sunrise and sunset are considered.

The generally followed timings are as

follows:

Pa!!i-unaI1hthal : Between 4 and 5-30 a.m.,

AbhishEkam : Between 5-30 and 6 a.m.

Usha-pooja

Eth[lhth-pooja

: Between 6 and 6-2>0 a.m.

: Between 7 and 7-30 a.m.

Pantheeratipooja : Between 8 and 9-30 a.m.,

Navakam : Between 9 and 10-00 a.m.;

Uccha-pooja : Between 11a.m.and 12-30 p.m.

Thirinna pantheeratipooja : At 4-30 p.m.

Aththazha-pooja : Between 7-30 p.m.and 8-30 p.m.

126. However in all temples these timings are not followed. In small temples, mainly depending on custom and availability of priests, the temples are kept open only on specified days. Pooja-timings also vary. Majority of temples have one or two poojas and it is difficult to equate them with the standard timings of poojas mentioned above. For example if a temple is opened at 8-30 a.m. and pooja done it has to be equated with pantheerati-pooja, but temple authorities consider it as usha-pooja, simply called nivedya-pooja or moming-pooja. In this monograph the pooja. timings are given as furnished by temple authorities and may not conform with the specified timings as per saaslhras except in few cases., It has been seen that some temples are opened daily but no pooja is held but only a lamp lit in front of

48

the deity. In some other cases, it is opened in the moming or at noon or in the evening and a deepaaraadha!]a conducted. There are also temples which are kept open once in a month (samkramam day) or twice in a month or on specified days in a month or once in a year or even once in two years. Anyway it is high time for every temple to have fixed specified timings for poojas based on customs and traditions of that temple. Once it is [need it has to be scrupulously followed and poojas done properly.

127. Wherever bali-pee{has are installed in the antha!-maIJ~ala and baahyahaara (inclusive of valiya­balikkalij it is ideal to have offering of bali on the days of opening of the temple. However only in rare cases it is followed. The pattern found is that bali is offered to all oblation stones only once in a year during uthsava-period. As each oblation stone represents a devalha it is desirable to introduce sree­bali (seeveli) in all such temples as a rou tine on all days of opening of the temple.

Offerings

128. There is a wide range of offerings in temples, like a!ccha!!a. abhishekam, Ilivedyas (naivedyas) etc. In common usage offering is known as vazhipaat. The word vazhipaat takes its origin from 'balipaad, commonly used in Thu!unaat, which represents bali­dravya (cooked raw-rice used for nivedya and for oblations on baJi-peethas). This is an essential offering in a temple. Later more and more items were added to the item of :balipaad'. Thus the word vazhipaat now includes all offerings to the deity. However, vazhipaatis slightly different from nerccha. Vazhipaats are

done generally for the favour and

blessings from the deity and it has .. ill

in-built element of personal sacrifice. NerccJw on the other hand is normally

offered after fulfilment of the deslre and mayor may not cover the standard

itelns of vazhipaat of a temple.

129. The most common vazhipaat is c1[CclJa!]a (offering of flowers by reciting manthras) which is also called

f1u~·fJpi]aiijdli. This is done for health and

longevity'. Rnkrlw-J)U,.;,npaniijali (offering

flowers by dipPIng them in Raktha­

cfland[1!!a) usually done In Sree

Bhadrakaa1i temples i.s meant for

health, protection from enemies and

fulfilment of desires. Kumkumaa[ccJw!}a

loffering flowers along with saffron

powder), sahasra-naam:J-3rCcha_fJa (by

reciting thousa.l1d names (If the deity) etc. art done in all ternples usually

for prosperity. The ucahipaat of nai-l"i!akk is offered for getting cure from diseases

pzuticularly of eyes and fl")r fulfilrnent

of desires. Though the:" offering of n[li­

",i!akk or ghee-lamp is done in all

temples it has special significance in

:;ree Dakshi!)amllor.!hthy shrines where

t'{lI}a-vi/nkk roil lamp) is a prohibited

item. {nanda,!um-cha:J!thrhal (anointing

the face or whole body of the idol by

sandal-paste) is done for all deities for

getting cnre from diseases especially

of skin. Thri-madhurum (kadaJi plantain

or ghee. honey and sugar) is meant

f"r enrichment of virlya (knowicdgc).

VC//d-l1; vEdyam (also known as bali-paad)

is the principal offering to 'any deity is

done fOI getting ~)rotection frc.m encrnies /\/'j"d-pa«:1 gi ves a pr:'"rson

mental peace and prosperity. /t.!l!_lad;J;J!w is the most important

performf'd as won,;hjp.

'1655 I~C;! 03--5/-.

not only to the deity bu t also to all

devotees. Offering of thaali (marriage­

badge in the centre of neck omarnent

symbolizing marriage) and bangles are

done by maidens to get good husbands

and thereby mangalya. Offering of

cradle and doll is done for getting

progeny. Ni[a-maala is done for mental peace and prosperity.

130. There are certain restrictions 1'"1 the use of flowers for pooja as indicated below:

(it FOR ALL DEITIES;

(ii)

Th1l/<I"i leaves (both green and dark blue), flowers (not bu d s) of The!ti (cheththi or thecchi}) ]l,fand(~aram, TI:aamara, Brahma­

saakha (Pfaa.(in-puO\ II J. Picchakam (if the

blossomed jZou)er llsed on the same day}, 4",J,' of i(;lrOc j ,"erCi',/ 1[1dvjng yetic>w dna red flowers) type~ (it i~ bch~ved t"hat these n,.)Wt~rs '.1.:rill give POSIU\'e energy to deities.)

FAVOURiTE FLOWERS FOR SPECIFIED DEITrES:

\a) Lorel 'Jaicihil)amoofththy: Bilwa llf Vi!Vva

(kO(Wd i ,lIT1) leave::>, wllite Howers (not b,JdsJ pi En;':k and Manciaararn

(b) L::nd Si \I;, Bilwa (ViLvI) leaves and Bowers Inot buds) ,.)f Erikk (both white and v:lolf,tj

(e) Lord Maha Vi,hr:llJ and Lord Kf\hl}aj Lord Raamw TflUia:.:i (green and dark blue) leaves, (Hilwa or Vilwa leaves are prohi.bited in Vai,hl}:wiLt" shrines unless the sCinkalpa is of Lord Sankaranaaraa)dlp.j

{e) Lord Narasimha: Red The!,li flowers (not buds)

(f) Lord Ga!,lapa(hi: Red lotus and The!!i

flowerB (nol buds) and garland of K",_-ukii leaves

(gi Lord Su"r:lIna~I)",t' (OI"larlibokam Dowers (not buds)

(J) Gouck"" nhc\dr,<k,u~l: Hed !i.o'Ners ,not buds) ci" Tn("I//, ·1n{; (KorWWf'rurn type). KUF;,h:"Uinc pOOl" 1 c,nd (:t/c'mhnrolh:hl

The above description indicates that the flowers are prescribed keeping in view the nature of manifestation of the deity, whether gentle or fierce. For garlands all flowers which give positive energy are ideal i.e., those made of thu!asi leaves, lotus, thelli. mulla, picchakam. ara!i and chembaraththi.

131. In respect of abhishekam, homa and nivedy.l also there are certain specifications as follows:

(i) Sree Dakshi~a­moo!:(hthy/

Lord Siva

; Rudraabhi.shekam,

bha.'imaabhlshekam,

E!aneeraattam, rudra-h6mam,

mrthunjaya-homam, ka!uka

110m am. ve!!a-nivedyam.

(ii) Sree Maha Vishl)u : SudaT.'iag3-homam, paal-

(il i) Sree Mathsya-

moo[lhthy

(iv) Sree Koorma-

moo!ththy

(v) Srce Varaaha-

moo!ththy

(vi) Sree Narasimha

moorththy

(vii) Sree Vaamana

moorththy

paaya~am,

lhri-madhuram

: Nai-paaya."am, kadaJi plantain

: Thri-madhuram

: Sa[kkara-paayasam

: Paanakam

: Kada!i plantain, paal­

paayasam

(v11i) Srcc Parasuraama: Ava!

(ix) Sree Raama

(x) Sree Balabhadra-

swaamy

(xi) Srct: Krshna

: A vai, paal-paayasam

: Iticchu-piziiiiia paaya.'iam

: Paaf-paayasam,

(butter), avaJ

(xli) Srec Mahiilakshmi/

Slrce Pii!"vathy/

Srec Saraswalhy : PaaJ-paaya.o;am,

panchaam!tham, nai­

paaY;J,o;am, Bhagavathi-.,·cva

(Xili)Sfl'C Bhadrakaa!il

Src" ChadnlUndi : Kafum-paaya!iam,

ponkaala-nivedyam.

Ka!amezhuthth-paatl

50

(xiv) Sree Gal)apathi ; GalJapathi-homam, appam,

modakam, ata (mixture of

sa!kkara, dried coconut

kemah; and mala!)

(xv) Srec Susbramalfya: Paal-abhishekam.

panchaamrtham

(xvi) Sree Saastha/

Lord A yy appa

(xvii) Sree Vetta­

kkorumakan

; Arava{13, appam, Saasthaam­

paaU, Ka!amezhuthth-paatt

: Chathussatham, thenga-ea!u (breaking of coconuts).

Ki1!amezhuthth-paatl

(xix) Sree Aadithya : Ponka/a

(xx) Sree HaDumaan : A val, uzhunnu-vata. Ve!!lJa­

maaJa (garland of betel­kayes)

(xxi) Sree Naagaraaja : Noo!um-paalum. Pu!lulla­

paaU, NaagarooCl

132. In addition to the above there are some peculiar vazhipaats in temples administered by Gouda Saaraswatha community.

(i) Hal}l}ukkaya:

(ii) Mootappa-"Eva/ Appa-kajjaaya)

l ili) Naaga-thambila

(iv) Pancha-kajjaaya

(v) Thila- pancha­kajjaaya

(vi) Poumaal}a­

ahhishckilm:

(vii) Poo-mootal

Ingredients are one cocoanut and 5 plantains offered to deity on a thatta (plate)

Covering the idol with appam

Rice, pepper and arecanut kept on an arecanut palm leaf

Rice, green gram, bengal gram, molasses and cocoanut or bengal gram, coconut, sugar or molasses, cardamom and ghee, besides flowers.

Sesamum, coconut and sugar or molasses, ghee aTld cardamom, besides flowers

Plantain. aval and cocoanut gratmgs

Covering the idol ",rith Thetti flowers

Besides the above, ranga-pooja and Kaa[ththika-pooja are also done in these temples.

3655 RG!i03-5B

Monthly and annual festivals

133, In almost all temples certain

week days, thithhis, asterisks or specified days in a month are observed

as auspicious days. These days fall

under the general term of maasa­llj,5eshas as follows:

(1) WEEK DAYS: Sunday: Soorya (Sun) and

all Goddesses; Monday: Lord Siva: Tuesday: All G(\ddes:-;e~; Wednesday: Lord Saas.tha/ Lord Ayyappa~ Thm'iday: Maha Vish,:,u and Lord Ha!!umaan; Friday: All

Goddesses, Lord Gal)apathi and Lord Subrama~ya; and Saturday; Lord Saastha/

LOTt! AY),ltppa, Lord Ha!:lumaan <lnd Lord Sani.

{iil THITHH!S: Ekaadasi and Dwaadasi for Maha VishJ:tu; EkaadaS'i for Sree Raama;

Thray()dasi (Pradosham) and Ashtami for Lord Siva; Chathu!lhhi for Lord Gal).apathi; Shash!hi for Lord Subrama;:tya and POU!lJami for Godde.;ses,

(iii) ASTERISKS: A';wathi and BharalJi for Goddesses particularly Goddess Bhadrakaa!i; Kaa!ththika for all Goddesses

and Lord Subramar:tya; RohllJi for Lord Krsh~a; Thiruvaathira for Lord Siva; PU{l8rlham for Lord Raama: Pooyam for Lord Suhramal)ya: AayiJyam for Naaga~;

Uthram for Lord Saastha; ThiruvGI,lam for

Lord Maha Vishryu.

(iv ) PRATHJSHTHA-DA YS: TIle prachish[ha­day falls in Uththaraayaga period, irrespective whether it is done for the fin,t time or of punah-prathis{ha (re-consecration).

The day of prathishrha is determined as per astologicaJ predictions,

(v) SPECIFIED DAYS: First and last day (samkra:nam) of a Malayalam month and

also the ultimate week days of Monday. Tuesday and Friday in a month. in addition there are certain day;; which arc important depending on deity, Details of such days :irc given in the next paragraph.

As a general rule the above days are observed as auspicious days "'lith special paojas and rituals.

51

134. The annual festival days

(aatl3-vi,seshas) fall under two categories

VIZ. prathish{ha-di[!8m (day of

consecration or re-consecration of the

idol) and specified annual days falling

in certain months. The prathish!ha day

is celebrated by conducting uthsavam \vith special rites like sree bhootha-bali, uth.sava-bali, pa!!ivetta, 8a!8aft etc. all

intended to enhance the power of the

deity. The second category js festive occasions like birthdays of deities or other special days for the deities,

Details of these days in each Malaya1am month are as follows:

Chirigam

Kanni

Thulaam

Frschikam

Dha!]u

Afakarom

Kumbham

Mee.{lam-Metam

Mi'tam

Ka[kk'lf/lk.-im

A-;hrami-rohiflj for Lord Kf"ih\1a

and 7NruvnIJam asterisk for

Lard V dd!'1.1 ~l a; Nira. -Puththa n in certain areas

Aayilyam asteri sk for Naagaran)a

Aayilyam asterisk for Naagaraaja) Nira-Puththai in certain areas

Navaranthri pooja for Goddess

Du!ga and Goddess Saraswathi

Tbrkka[thrhika for Goddesses

and Lord Subramal!ya and Ashtami for Lord Siva

Thiruvaathira for Lord Siva;

MaprjaJa-pooja and Maprjal/l­

vi/a.kk for Lord Saasthaf Ayyappa (and now to all deities in Kerala)

Thai-pooyam for Lord

Subramal!ya

BhanllJi for Goddess Bhadrakaa!i and Sjvara<llhri for

Lord Siva

Bhanll}i for Goddess

Bhadrakaali and Sree Raama Jayanthi

Sree Naraslrnh3 Jay;mthi

Visbu

Nira-Puthrhai m certain areas

135. As some of the auspicious days adopted in Kerala are based on

asterisks they may fall in different dates as compared to other States of India where thithhi is followed. On festive days mentioned above special poojas and rituals are conducted which vary from deity to deity and from temple to temple as they largely

depend on traditional customs besides the sankalpam of the idol. Festiw:ds are of different types depending on importance given to rituals and rites. They can be grouped under broad types like uth..<:>avam, thaalapoli, ka!am-paatt, thir8-mahothsavam, tholpaava-koothth, Pootham-kaJi. kuthira-kaji. etc.

(a) Uthsavam

] 36. Tn p •. ncient days uthsQuas

\vere conducted to celebrate certain auspicious days of the deity. Since large number of people assem.ble in the places of uthsava, it had certain advantages also. Temples where uthsavas were conducted functioned as meeting ground of different cultures, livestocks, agricultural products, crafts and motifs from far and near I ideas and designs, workmanship and excellence in the making of nlany appliances, tools etc. Most of the uthsavas other than anniversru:y-ciay of consecration of the idol were held after the harvest season. The characteri­stics of festivals mentioned above have no\\' almost vanished on account of modern trends in agriculture and economy, unrestricted import of finished goods in all seasons and changes of polity, Now the festivals have taken up a comrnercial outlook and degrade(j 11110 exhibiting modern draITlfiS, dances, rnirnicry, cinema etc. i:J the pl~ce nf traditional performing

52

arts of chaakyaa[-koothCh, kooliyaanam, kathhaka!i, ottan-lhu!!al, thiyyaatt, ka!amezhuthth, tholpaava-koothth etc. which are all based on puraa1}ic themes glorifying the unmeasurable super­natural powers of the deity. In every temple festival, there are three aspects, based on temple rites, ritualistic temple arts and non­ritualistic arts. Each of them is briefly d~scussed as follows.

137. According to tradition,

uthsavam in a temple is held once in a year, once in two years, once in three

years or at regular intervals. The main day of the uthsavam may be the pralbishJha-digaIn (consecration day) of

the main idol or it can be an important festive day of the deity (as the asterisk of the deity). It is believed that when the deity blesses devotees His or Her power diminishes. All temple rites are therefore intended to recoup the loss of pO\ver of the deity. As such the most important item of the uthsavam is the

conduct of temple rites which are meant for increasing deva-chaieha!!ya (divine powers of the deity). Other reasons for deterioration of power are improper poojas and unethical activities

of temple stair and devotees. Therefore temple rites viz. praasaada··§uddhi (which consists of GalJapathi-pooja, praa,o;aada­p.E1rignwa, astiJa-kalasam (rakshaa-kalasam), praasaada-pot~ia, rakshog!!a homam, vaasthu-, ka.la§am, vaasthll-baii and vaasthu­pUI}1}ya.1haj, fvlu!ayitaJ, bimba-suddhi (in certain cases only), sreebhootha-bali. uthsava-bali, navakam, kaiasaabhishekam, graama-bali, pa!!i v etta, aa!aatt ~tc. are essential to enhaJ1Ce the divine powers of the deity. Wherever valiya-balikkall and bali-peerha, .. &re installed, llth.':;ava­bali is an essential item. Flag-hoisting

is also done where bali-peerhas are installed irrespective of whether there is a permanent dhwajam or not. The rites of sreebhootha-bali are different for different deities. Uthsiwa-period varies from temple to temple ie. 3 days, 5

days, 7 days, 9 days, 10 days, 11 days

etc.

138. Another important festival season is mal}~ala-pooja period which is held for 41 days from 1 st of Vrschikam to 1 ph of Dhagu. It is a festive occasion

for all temples in Kera!a. particularly for Lord Saastha/Ayyappa temples.

(b) Thaalapoli

139. Thaalapoli is an important item in many temples in the district. Generally it is exclusively an affair of women folk, particularly participated by young maidens dressed in

traditional costumes and ornaments and carrying in their left hand a plate in which are kept raw-rice or paddy and inflorescence of arecanut palm and in their right hand a lighted hand­lamp. A notable feature is that they move in front of the deity along with the accompaniment of percussion instrumens and music, Sometimes the deity is taken on procession on caprisoned elephants. There is regional variation in its items and also the procedure. However watching the thaalappoli procession is an exhilarating experience.

(c) Ka!am -paatt

140. The origin of this floor-art IS still obscure, though it gives its linkage with Sakthi form of worship. KaJamczhuthth, known as dhuoJj-chithra in . .. Sanskrit, existed in early times in Vanga (which extended over Bengal

and some eastern parts of Orissa) and in South India. But in course of time it became extinct in these areas except Kera!a where it is still preserved in its

ancient glory and strict observance of rituals. The earliest descriptIOn on dhoo!i-chithra is given in Bhavishath­puraal} a , composed between sixth and eighth century.

141. Ka!am-paatt is prevalent

mostly in temples dedicated to Goddess BhadrakaaF and also in temples of Ayyappa (Saastha), Vettakkorumakan. Naagaraaja. Kshethrapaalan etc. The

ka!amezhuthth or depicting the figurines is done by artists belonging to some traditional families in Kera!a knovm as Kallat Kurups. Theyyampaati Nambyaars. Thiyyaatt U I)t;lis, Vaazhththi N aaya!,s, Daivapaadis, and PuHuva!:s. and they perform these arts in certain regions. Further this floor art is done along with mutiyett, thiyyaatt, ki5Jam-thu!!aJ, S8[ppam­thu!la] etc. As Ka!amezhuthc}z is a unique mode of worship it deserves some

elaboration.

142. For ka!amezhuthrh five colours black (k[shl}a-va[IJa), white, yellow, green and red are used. These five colours are symbolic of pancha-bhootha (the concept being that the figure of the deity or Devath8 made with these colours has all the qualities of pancha­

bhootha). All the colours are taken from indigenous articles like ashes of paddy husk for black, raw-rice powder for white, turmeric-powder for yellow, fine powdered leaves of ne!Jmc!Ji-vaaka (Albizza lebbek) for green and chlllJIJaambli (slaked lime) mixed with wet turmeric-powder for red, In case 1igh ter colour of red is required fine powdered raw-rice is added as per

requirements. A skilled artist can rnake any number of colours, depending on the way in which he represents the deity.

143. The ka!am is generally rectangular in shape varying between 20 sq.ft to 500 sq.ft. (The largest ka!aJ11 seen is the one in the Vaikam temple In Kottayam district during Vatakkupu!athth-paatt and it measures 500 sq.ft}. The procedure for making the three-dimensional figure of the deity (including Naagas) is interesting. Generally the site for making ka!am i~ the valiyambalam of the temple or in exceptional cases in a separate decorated pandal within the maryaada of the temple. The first step is to properly clean the site and the surface is made even. Then depending on the availability of space, the outer-sketch of the deity is made with raw-rice powder. For deities of anthropomorphic form the drawing of outer sketch commences from the paada of the deity followed by the whole figure keeping symmetry at both sides. Details of limbs, other parts of the body, facial expressions, etc are drawn in the reverse order ie, starting from head, face, neck, crown, chest, belly, iower belly, thigh, knees, leg and foot besides depicting ornaments (like thaalikkoottam, ear-rings, chiJa.f1ka etc.) and different kinds of weapons as per the sankalpa of the deity. This order is essential as otherwise the artist has to stand on the figure he makes. It is tbe custom that once the drawing starts it has to be completed without break. The proportion of the figure is either nava-thaala or da§a-tha:l1a. The only difference between drawing of ka!am and casting of vigrahas is that in ka!am

54

three dimensional lateral presentation is followed while for vigrahas upright carving or casting is followed.

144. Once the figure is made the

other areas around it are properly cleaned and wiped. Then separate

pee!has for keeping either the mirror­idol of the deity or weapon or both are kept, besides medium sized flilavlJakks (stand lamps with seven-wicks each) around the ka!am. Once these lamps are lighted the deity and weapon are brought in procession and received with thaaZappoli taken by ladies (women a.rid children). The next step is thiri­

uzhiyal done by the chic{ artist. This is a ritual performed by bringing fire­

torch (pantham) from the ka!am of the moo[ththy (deity). First the thiri-uzhiyal

is done by the chief priest to the artist for wa.rding off any defects or sins committed by the artist in making the ka!am and then to all those present there as a token of blessing them on

behalf of the deity. The ritual is done by the chief priest of the temple and is similar to honouring the si1pi who made

the vigraha.

145. The next ritual is reciting praises of the deity, known as kalamezhulhth-paalt, the theme of which in.eludes the description of the deity

as well as the thrilling incidents in the life of the deity (eg. for Goddess Bhadrakaap the slaying of Daaruka, Chalfs!a-MuZls!a, Rakthabeeja, Sumbha­Nisumba etc. are narrated). All these

paattus are composed in pure Malaya!am and it is significant to note that there

are regional variations in the lyrics as they are inherited from their ancestors

over the centuries. During paatt

mu sicaI ins trumen ts of nanthulJi,

veckkan-chclJla, ilatthaa!am and sankh are commonly used of which veekan has a predominant role. Paatt includes c/Ji5ttam and BraahmalJi-paatt (of M azh am an galam) .

146. The poojas are then conducted. In certain temples it is seen that poojas are initially conducted by the chief artist of the temple. Then either the chief priest of the temple or the artist conducts the poojas depending on custom. After poojas the kajam is wiped off (called kaJam-maaykal) with the help of kamukin-pookkula (inflorescence of arecanu t tree), starting from the bottom of the figurine except the chest and face. Then these powders are given as prasaada to the devotees.

147. Special mention IS required In case of other types of kajams also. The Naaga-kajam existed from very early times as revealed in the palm-leaf granthhas which give 28 types of naaga­ka!ams like bhara{li-keUu, chithrakootam, iratta-katumthuti, ashta-naaga_-bandhagam, pavithra-kettu, jeevitha-kettu, the!!i-pookettu etc. In Kera~a Naaga-kajams are mostly

made by PuHuvas. Though there are differen t types of Naaga-ka!ams two

types of ka!ams are important. One is that of Sree Naaga raaja and Sree Naaga­Yakshi in inter-twined pose with imposing seven hoods. In rare cases ka!ams of ashta-naagas are seen. It is also seen that images of serpents, (with several hoods in odd number with serpentine or wavy movements of body) are enclosed within a circle of ten to fifteen feet diameter. The number of knots (formed by inter-twining of serpents) and size of maIJ9ala depend on the degree of pomp and grandeur of

55

the ceremony. A full mal)flala has sixteen knots, half maIJflala eight and quarter malJt)aJa four. The maIJ9aia, when pictured and viewed from a distance, is an exquisite sight and provides a fantasy of the world of serpents, apart from invoking feeling of great reverence in the hearts of devotees. Dhakka and cymbals are the instruments used on the occasion. In this district Naaga-ka!ams are rarely made.

(d) Thirayaattam

148. The thir8, also known as

Theyyam (being a corruption of the word Daivam or God) is an impersona­tion of a legendary divine figure or a demon. The ritualistic dance of lhira, which depicts their heroic acts, is known rhirayaattam or lheyyaauam. It is staged in those temples where the pricipal or subsidiary deity is Goddess

Bhagavathi. In this district thirayaattam is staged in many temples. At the end

of the ritualistic dance the impersonator who represents the thira proclaims the Goddess's appreciation of the rituals and blesses the devotees.

(e) ThoJpaava-koothth

149. This ritualistic artform, datable to eighteenth century, is performed in this district mainly in Ponnani taluk. It is believed that Goddess Saarada Bhagavathi Herself wrote the theme of it, based on Rama­

Raval)a war, for Kambar, who was an incarnation of Lord Siva. The legend

says that Goddess BhadrakaF danced on hearing this lyric. To commemorate this incident and for pleasing Goddess and for getting Her benevolance, it is performed as a ritual in BhadrakaaJi and Bhagavathi temples. The puppets (paava) are very small in size and are

made of thol. Since the performance of

koothth (play) is by using leather puppet (thol-paava), the ritual got the name thoI-paava-koothth. The puppets are originally made out of deer-skin, but now they use buffalo-skin. Some of the puppeteers use only old puppets handed over by their forefathers. They rarely prepare new puppets. The stage where the ritual is performed is koothth­maatam, which has a tightly stretched screen of length of 24 Cli bits. The puppets are arranged behind the screen. Behind these puppets are placed very bright-lighted wicks and these puppets are made to dance according to the tune of the lyric. This shadow play goes on from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. There are different communities (castes) involved in the performance. Of them some get the status of Pulavar, which is equivalent to a scholar. Today there are nearly 13 troupes performing regularly in about 85 Bhagawathi temples spread over three distncts IMalappuram, PZilakat and Thrssur). In Malappuram district, koothth IS

performed in the Ku!angara Bhagawathi (Etapaa!), \fayam kaav (Etapaa!J, KaI)tapa[ambkaav, Thoniapa[arnbk<wv and KaI)taku[umba kaav (lswaramangaiam) of POQQaQi taluk and PorathtllOO! kaav (Aalaththiyoor) of TIliroor taluk.

Priesthood and temple staff 150. The persons associated \Vith

the management of temples fall under the follo\\r"'ing categories. (i) priests (ii)

kazhakakka[s (iii) administrative staff.

Short accounts on all these are as follows:

(i) Priests

151. Th~ priesthood class in

temples of KeIala consists of three

56

categones ViZ. tho.nthris (high-priests), m~l-saal1this (chief-priests) and keezh-·

saanthis (assistants to priests). In

prominent temples the above three

categories of priesthood class are seen.

The situation is different in some

temples where there may be a single <iaanthikkaaran (called in short as .~aanthi)

who performs the duties of me}-s,uwlhi and keezh-<~aanthi ie. conducting pooja (which is the duty of meI~§aanrhi) and

cooking of nivedya (which js the

assigned work of kee7h-§aaIlfhi) besides

other duties like carr.ving bali- vigraham

etc.

(a) Thanthris

152. For all major rites in a

temple the services of a thanthri are

essential. A person is considered as

thanthri if he is wellversed in the knowledge of six §iischra5; (Sikh.1. KaJpam.

Nimktham, Vyaakara~am, fyothisham and

Cflhandus) with proper understanding of

their use and significance. These

stipulations are essential, as he has

to recite Veda-manthras with clarity,

correct intonation following swaras and

other principles. Further he has also to observe all rituals and foIl ow i.;hi5da§[ipacJn~ar3s and :>hDda.ia­

sam skiimm s . All these qualifications are

essential for possessing th~ required

inner strength for transferring the

divine energy for praal}3-prathish[ha, kabufaabhishekam, uthsal-'fJ-baJi etc. This

is substantiated by the oft-quoted maxim 'A!c/:haka,i[ya I'rablwilve!Ja s'ila

bhf.H'Ewthi Sankara' ie the stone idol gets

divine power of Sankara by the dedicated skill of A[cdli1ka. The thaanthric families

belong to both Brahmins and non­

Brahmins. To whichever caste they belong the responsibility of priesthood

is same. Very often thaanthric rights

appear to have a hereditary background

since certain families reserve the

thaanthric rights of a temple for

themselves. In real sense heredity

does not confer on them any right for

high priesthood unless they are

proficient in the above mentioned

;iisth!as and imbibe the inner strength

by their own concerted efforts. If they

fail in their effort, they will be only

losing the hard-earned pUflya (merit of

good actions) of their earher generations and they themselves

cannot claim to be high priests. The

life they lead at present is very

important ie stressing on pure

vegetarianism, strict observance of

rituals and above all purity in thought

and actions. Then alone they are

eligible to be treated as thanthris.

153. The important hereditary

thaanthric Wams who have high priests

in temples of the distric't belong to

Kalpuzha, Chennas, Kattumatam, Mutappi­

laapi Hi. Mooththetathth. Panthalakkotathth.

Aattyeri, Kai!}ikkara. Thekketathth,

Vatakketathth, Kizhakkumpaatt. Kutta110o[,

Cheramangalam. Kalloo.[. Kakkaat.

MullappaHi, Maranatt, Karuththetathth,

Arip~a, Aruvippu! athth, Arippurathth,

_N1araatt. Kurathil. Pa!}ayoo.[. Uppilapana, Paalakeezh. Perumutisseri, Paathirasseri and

Na!iissmagas/illams. The thaanthricma!}8S

of other districts of the state who have high

priesthood in this district are TharaI)analloo[,

Putayoof. Par.avoo[, AaI).tilaati, NaaraayaI)a­

mangalam or Naaraal)athh, Paateri.

Sreedharamchumarathth, lkkaatt, Patififia­

!ctathtb. Kalati Patinn!etathth, Azhakathth

and AI)imangalam.

57

(b) Saanthikkaars

154. Both mel-saanthi and kec7,h­

S;J.:wffli, generally called ;aanlhikkaars belong to BrahmiI)s and non-brahmins

depending on the ownership, custom

and traditions of the temple. The

Brahmin priests have titles like SivoHi, Kotla~, Karaata, Atiga, Havik,

Saaraswatha and Gouda Saaraswatha

Brahmin, Hona, Embraanthiri,

Haryaka, Ka!}!Jada Brahmin et.c. In temples of Rurujilh vidhaaga where

madhyama-pooja is perforn1ed Moossads

or Pitaarars are the priests. They are

regarded a litt] e lower than Brahmins in caste status. The common Brahmin

communities found in the district. are

Nambo'othiris (Ma1ayaa!a Brahmins),

Enlbranthiris and Thu!u P5ttis. Among

the non-Brahmin priests, persons belonging to Theeya, Chaaliya, VaI!iya, Viswakarma, Saaliya etc. have been

reported. The qualification which most

of them claim to have is knowledge in

pooja. The extent of their minimum

knowledge as per the rules laid do"l.Vl1

in thaanthric texts has to be assessed

a..""ld remedial measures taken if they

do not possess the same. This is e~sential if one desires to keep up the

sanctity and serenity of temples. In some temples the saanthikkaaran is

selected after a p[ai!]a. The interaction

between thanthri and other priests,

particularly chief-priest, is absolutely

necessary for the proper under­

standing of the sankalpam of the deity

and the mode of pooja etc. For this

the temple administration has a pivotal

role to play. The number of regular

saanthikkaa!s depends on the number of poojas, srec-baJi, number of devotees,

nature of offerings etc.

(ii) Kazhakakkaars

155. Kazhakakka!s generally include the garland-makers, drummers (of itayka, thimila, valiya-paa1}i etc.), pipers (of ku,!umkuzhal, komb and naadaswaram) etc. Very often they appear to be a neglected group, though most of them work silently for the proper functioning of a temple. It is their duty to ensure that the deity is adorned with fresh flowers, musical instruments played at appropriate occasions, the precincts of the temple, lamps and vessels kept neat and tidy etc. The sweepers called. aticchu-thaJi are not included under kazhakakka,!s, But it is desirable to include them also under this category as they are basically responsible for suddhi (purity) which is essential for the sanctity of the temple. The kazhakakka[s in the temple of Kera!a belong to hereditary and non-hereditary categories. It is advisable to have a definite staff pattem with regard to the kazhakakka!s in a temple. In most of the temples where all bali-pee{has and valiya-balikkall etc. exist, additional staff if required depending on the musical instruments to be played should be appointed. Wherever daily sree-bali is not performed the same has to be introduced. A minimum of two sweepers or aticchu-tha!i should be there in every temple to keep the place always clean. Instead of spending large sums of money for festivals etc. it is high time to divert funds essential for maintaining the sanctity of the temples and for providing essential kazhakakka[s for the temple.

(iii) Administrative staff

156. The pattern of administrative staff largely depends on the mode of

58

management. For Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department

there is a set-pattern. In some small temples, the saanthikkaaIs act as Managers of the temple also. The

general impression on assessing the staff-pattern (given for important

temples in Section 2 of the volume) brings out that most of the temples are under-staffed and that it affects the efficient management of temples. Further in most temples there is hardly any responsible person to supervise proper conduct of poojas and also to ensure sanctity and serenity of the temple.

Remuneration to temple staff

157. In assessing remuneration to temple staff fOUT important facts have to be considered. They are nature of duty, duty-time, rituals to be followed and status in society. These aspects are discussed in respect of each category of staff.

158. The thanthri has key role in all temple matters like uthsava bali,

kalasaabhishekam etc, since he has to conduct the rites on these occasions. His services are essential when a mel­saanthi is changed as he alone is competent to ordain the me]-saanthi with the moola-manthra of the deity. The mel-saanthi has to recite the moola­manthra correctly as advised by the thanthri when poojas are done. Wrong recital of manthras, it is believed, will result in the displeasure of the deity that may lead to mishap and adversity. It should be made mandatory for the thanthri to visit the temple, at least once in a quarter, conduct poojas and give suitable directions to saanthikkaa!s on pooja system. The thanthri has to be

given a handsome amount as dakshiIJa for important rites in addition to meeting travelling and incidental expenses.

159. Saanthikkaars have to start their work from very ear~y hours of a day. They will have to take bath more than two times a day (wherever the temple is kept open in the forenoon and the afternoon), conduct poojas at fIxed times, take strict vegetarian diet and avoid all sorts of pollution. All these are absolutely necessary to take the mind to a high realm for meditation and conduct poojas with great concentration and dedication. For devotees, the saanthikkaa!s form a link between them and the deity. These aspects are seldom taken into consideration when the remuneration to saanthikkaa!s is flxed. To consider them only as paid employes by the administrators is an injustice. They should be given a good status in society besides giving better wages. A.t the same time the saanthikkaa!s have to be loyal to their profession and they have to do the poojas and other duties very sincerely and follow the rituals prescribed for a priest. Any negligence on their part has to be viewed very severely and stringent measures taken to set things in right direction. In this context, it may be said that very often the salary given to them in some temples is very low. In some cases instead of money they are paid in kind like some measure of paddy. Sometimes they are g~ven small ruuount depending on the income of the temple or they have to be satisfied with the dakshiIJa that they get from the devotees. This is highly deplorable

59

which shakes the very foundations of priesthood.

160. The condition of kazhaka­kkaars is still worse. The kaaraanma­kazhak.'ikkaa[s seem to work in temples because of their devotion to the deity or fearing that the wrath of the deity will befall on them. The non-kaaraanma­kazhakakkaa[s and other staff like vazh~aat .. derk, Manager etc. also is not reasonably paid unless they are in the rolls of the HR&CE Department. On the whole it seems necessary to revise the whole wage-structure of all categories of employees in the temples. The management and devotees have equal responsibility in this regard. However, there is a word of caution against trade unionism in temples, which is against the ethical values of a temple as it vitiates the serene atmosphere and affects the dedication of the workers. The general motto of all concerned should be to take up temple as a centre of spiritual and cultural enlightenment.

Role of Government and administration

161. Under H.R.&C.E. Act, which has been discussed earlier, the power to interfere with the affairs of temples for safeguarding their interests is vested with the Government. Most of the temples in the district have difficulty to ensure daily poojas, sree­bali etc. This is due to the impact of the Kera!a Land Reforms Act, 1963 and earlier enactments which have deprived the temples of the income from lands which was previously used for temple rites and the up-keep of temples. It is high time to dispense with political interference and trade unionism in temple affairs. Now the Government have to take earnest

efforts to help the temple ministration to run the temples smoothly so that their rich tradition is not lost.

Coverage of temples

162. The data presented in this volume relate to the field·· survey, the procedure of which has already been explained in the preface. It is not claimed that there is cent per cent coverage of temples on the following grounds:

(i) The data were collected during the period 1993-96. Changes are taking place everyday either in the form of a renovation and improvements or deterioration in every aspect (ie. structure, temples rites etc., and as such the data have some inherent limitations.

(iiI The response of the informants to the survey was tv.·o-fold. Though it was decided to cover all temples, which were open to public, some informants t.ook different attitudes. The admInistrators and owners of some temples (which are open to public) stick to the claim that their temples are purely pri.vate and exclusively used by their family members fearing that at one-time or other the Government will interfere and take over their temples. On the other hand, some others insisted on having their temples covered as they may get some financial assistance for their maintenance even though those temples are exclusively used by family members.

(iii) There are large number of small shrines which are kept open on specific festive occasions and in other perlods there is no paoja in these places. It is quite possible that such shrines are omitted due to non­reporting.

(lvl The field <,taff found it extremely difficult to collect the data due to non­availability of knowledgeable persons who can authoritatively provide data on myths, legends, rites salient features etc. of a temple. The thanthri who may have some knowledge on rites may not be in a position to give structural details. (Gen.erallv they stay far aWn]

60

from the temple and visit the temple only for conducting important rites.) The field staff, therefore, had to visit a temple several times as the temple is kept open at specified hours in a day or in a month, Further, there is no system of recording sankalpam of the deity of a temple by the temple authorities. Therefore the field staff had to depend on the details of sankalpas, as furnished by the informants.

All these impediments made the field­staff difficult to collect fool-proof data on each temple. However, they made

every effort to overcome these difficulties and provide an over-all

picture of temples with minute details by visiting each nook and comer of the district. 1t has to be borne in mind

that temples are sparsely located,

some of which in dense forests and in

areas inaccessible by road. The data

thus collected by the field-staff :is

presented in Section 3.

163. On some of the temples,

which are important based on certain

criteria (like swayambhoo idols,

architectural excellence, antiquity

etc.), brief notes were prepared and

are presented in Section 2. Some of the temples, which are structurally

unimportant, have been included in

Section 2 provided they have swayambhoo idols for the main deity.

In some temples, swayambhoo idols are

seen as subsidiary deities but such cases are not covered. As per the above

broad outlines, brief write-ups have

been written for 177 temples (17 in Thiroorangati taluk 36 in E~anal taluk,

13 in Nilamboor taluk, 52 In

Perinrhalma_r:J~la taluk. 39 in Thiroo[ taluk

and 20 in Po,!}!!a!!i taluk).All these find

a place in Section 2.

Some unique features

164. In the foregoing paragraphs,

a brief summary of the salient features of the temples of the district has been

given. It may be said that the account is in no way exhaustive, but it gives

only a bird's eye-view of the various aspects related to temples of the district. Malappu!:arn distnct may be

considered to have a unique place in

the State, smce the three luminaries and exponents of Bakthi culL Sree Thunchhathth Raama!}ujan Ezhuththacchan (called the Father of tI",1alayaa!arn Language and to whom

ascribed the invention of the existing Malayaa!am alphabet), Sree MelpaththooI Nadiyu!}a Bhattathirippad (who wrote the immortal Sanskrit work of NdFaY'ailccYilm) and Srcc PDonthda;pill Namboothiri (the great celebrity who could take the common devotees to hIgher realms of spirituatity by his

renowned works like Jiiii!]appii!}a in

Malayalarnl were born. K€r~a will be always indebted to them and will

always rernernber these three lun"linaries with great reverence.

165. There are many temples in

the district which have been consecrated by incarnations (like Lord Paras uram3.), sages (like Maanddhaatha v, Kar}va) etc. besides raajas and

chieftains.

61

166. It is very important to note

that the district has the largest number of temples destroyed by

Mysorean invasions and subsequent AJiippi!a riots. Even the composition of the communal population of the district

changed due to these retrot-.'Tade steps of SOIIle fanatics.

167. The implementation of the

Land Reforms Act alienated the properties of temples, which affected

their very existence. Of late a

renaissance in temple affairs is noticed. It is good if it is channeled in

the right direction.

Conclusion

168. Perhaps for the first time in the history of the district, an

exhaustive picture on temples has

been published for the benefit of

dt"votees and adnlinistrators.

Conceding that in a study of such

mab>Tlltu.de some in-built cove-rage and

con tell t erro.rs are inevi table every minute effort was made to bring out

this monograph as exhaustively as

possible by the co-operation of the

public and the blessings of the

omnipotent, omniscienr and omni­

present Almighty. It is hoped that this rnrmograph will give an epitome of an

ancient and spiritually significant

civilization of the district.

KEY TO DIAGRAM 1

A. AKATHTHE.BALIVATTAM (a) Srr:ckovii (moola-praasaada):

1 . Garbha-grham with idol

2. Antharaala

3. MuJcha-ma{1{1apam

4. SopaagaIn

5. PralJaatam (b) Anthar-mlllJrJalam (area within dotted square)

a.shta-dik-paalakas (6 to 13):

6. Indra

8. Yama 9. Nirthi

to. VaT1J~a

II. Vaayu

12. Soman

13. lsaa~an

14. A~<mthan

15. Brahma

16. A single bali-peetham of {} i)eyathas:

(i) Saptha-maalhrkka!s in a row starting from east to west: Braahmi.

Maaheswari, Kaumaari, Vaish~avi, Vaarnahi. Indraal}i and Chaamunda -

- all facing north.

(il) GaDapathi (facing east)

(iii) Veerabhadran (facing we~t)

17. Saastha

18. Durga

19. Subramal)ya

20. Kuberan (Vys~ava,!an)

(c) Outside anthar-maf,1{falam and within akaththe-balivattam

21 . Namaskalml-m8IJljapam

22. Position of vaahanam

23. Well

B. A:\"THA·HAARA OR CHL'ITA\1BALA:vt

24. VaJiyambalam (Maha.saala or main dwaara-gopuram)

25. Naalambalam

26. Thitappa!!i

27. Mu!ayaIa

C. \<IADHYA-HAARA OR \lI,.AKKL\-fAAT A\1 28. ViiakkumaataID with a gdlaxy of lamps

D. RAAHYA-HAARA OR PLRATHTHE-BALIVATT A\1 OR SEEVELIPPCRA

29. Agra-ma1Jrapam 30. Vabya-bali/d(alJ

31. BaJi-pec!has

32. KshecluapaaJan

33. Dhwaja-sthambam

34. Sreekovij of minor deity

35. Kooththamba13m

E. :'I-1ARYAADA OR PLBA:\1.\1 ~THIL IOCrER-l\ALL)

311. Main gopuram

Other gopuras

Jil. Oottupura or agra.(aaJa (Dining hall)

62

w

E

r------=---:::-:----:-------:-::jI 37

r-----------------------, I r---------------------, I I 131 ~31 ~ I

III i~ I 31

! ( I i I I I 14 10 11 t I e I A 9 ~ «- - -~- - -1 I I 18

I 17 rt 19 I I

~ I

, I I I .. v~ I 5 tiIl:l~ I I

I I I I I I I I

37 131 7k· - I 1 I~ !Xl I r 3i I I , m I I I I I I I I

1

0 I I I

III I~ I I 131 I I

:M I ~! I I 28

31 I I I I I L ________ _ _____ ~ __ J

I L _______________________ J~

n~ 32

34

Diagram 1

LAY -OUT OF TEMPLE

63

GJ.\8BHA-G~HA DIVIDED BY PADAS

SECTION - B w

r ~. !

~~~~~-~}lt-==~-~~---~~~j f---------~r-- ........ - -j

._________ 11 D 10 c

-====--=~=-~~ __ 9 l?_~~~~~~=~=-===-.a I ~< _____ • __

--=--=-~=:: it-=---=-'::====-i r= --~±t---~==~

E

B·2 DEVA-PADAM (U P<lrtS)

tM BRAHMA· PADAM (15 parts]

®

----~--

w I I ! I

! !

s

10 I w

E

II ; Deviation f 126 from

'~)!I tile centre line of I I ga!bh~~dwaara ~-+ 1f106 or 1(120 of I ! "'YUlthimangUfam

I I N::

I i I I

E BRAHMA.f>AOAM AND OEvA-PADAM DIVIDED BY

SEGMENTS AND POSmON OF DEiTY (ENlARGED)

DEVtATION FROM THE CENTRAL LINE (ENLARGED)

Position:A - Big size siva . .j'nga (more than 1 kale) 8 - Small 5;~e Slya~iinga (less than 1 kole; C - Vishnu o - Subr-;'ma';."ya/S'ankaranacuaayana

E • Ou.!:gaJBn8drakaa!1 F • S'an!l:aranaaraayana G • saastfHl1 H • GaQ3pathi

Diagram 2

Pf{J\ TH!Sf-fTHA POINT iN THE GARBHA-GRHAM . -. 64

E

NRTHI A!lANTHA VARUtIA VAAYU .

~ ® ® ~~

~s....sTHA ~ SU8RAMA~YA

-.I

~ @)~ :c: Q::.

~

@)s5MAN 0:(

~ • I GABBHA· ~ G~M jo...;

0... @ II:( IJ') + VEERABHADRAN

- @ - NI8MAAL YADHAARI sO>AAIJAM

@ @ @@TS~ ~

BRAHMA

AG~I INDRA

Diagram 3

POSITION OF BALIPEETHAS IN THE ANTHAR-MANDALAM . - ..

3655 RGII03-6A 65

ANNEXURE VILLAGESITOWNS FALLING IN PHYSIO-GEOGRAPHIC REGIONS

TaJuk ViOage/l'own

MALAPPU_BAM COAST Thiroorangati 1 VaHikkunnu

5 Peruva}~oo!

9 Netuva

2 Ariyalloo! 6 Vengara 10 Parappanangaati

3 Chelambra 4 Thennippalam 7 Abdu-rahiman Nagar 8 Moonniyoo! 11 Thiroorangati 12. Nannambra

Thiroo[

13 Thennala*

Pariyaapuram 5 Niramaruthoo! 9 PerumaI).I)a-K!aari 13 Thrprangot 17 Puraththoo!

2 Thaanoor 6 Cheriyamul)tarn 10 Kalpakancheri'" 14 Thalakkaat

3 Ozhoo! 7 Po!!muntam 11 A!:!anthaavoo! 15 Vettam

4 Thaa:gaaloo! 8 Valavannoor 12 Thirunaavaaya 16 Mangalam

Thiroo! municipal town (consisting of Thiroo! and ThrkkaI)tiyoo! villages)

Kaalati 2 Thava!loo! 3 Vattamku!am 4 Etappaa! 5 Maa!ancheri 9 Aalankot

7 Perumpatapp

PO!l!!a!!i municipal town (consisting of PO!!!l.l!!i Nagaram and Eazhuvaathiriththi villages).

Thiroorangati 1 Pa!!ikkal*

Eranat 1 Cherukaav

MALAPPURAM UNDULATING PLAIN 2 Kal.lI)amangaIam 3 Oorakam

2 Vaazhayoo! 3 PuFkkal

4 ParappOO!

4 Km)totti

5 Othukkangal

5 Netiyiruppu

Malappu!am municipal town (consisting of Paal)akkat, MeImuri and Malappu!am villages)

PerinthaJma':ll)a Kouoor $

Thiroor

Eranat

Nihlmboo~

Nilamboor

Eranat

Nilamboor

I K6ttaykkal 6 Irimbi!iyam

2 Ponmala 3 Maaraakkara 7 Kaattipparuththi 8 KugipPu!,am

Ii Ku~umbaththoo~

I Vaazhekkaat 6 Arikk6t II Kaava!!oo! 16 Morayoor

Thiruvaali

CHAALIYAAB RIVER,BASIN 2 Kuzhimal}ga 7 Oo[ngaattiri 12 Kaarakunnu )7 Pookkottoor$

2 Wagtoo!:

3 Cheekk61 8 Ve!!ilappaa!a 13 Thrkka~ailgot

NILAMBOOB FORESTED HILLS

4 MeImuri 9 Natuvattam**

4 Muthuvalloo! 9 PerakamaI,l:ga 14 E!aI,lkoo!

4 Ch6kkaat

5 Etayoor 10 Aathava!1aat

5 Keezhpa!amb 10 Etaval}l)a 15 Pulappa~~a

4 Thuvoor

1 Pu!Jippaatam 5 Etakkara

2 Akampaatam 3 Kurumbalangot 6 Vazhikkatav 7 Karu!aayi

4 Chul}kaththara 8 Amarambalam

9 Nilamboo! 10 Mampaat 11 Poroo~@

PERINTHALMA~~A UNDULATING UPLAND Chembrasseri 2 PaalJtikkaat 3 Vettikkaattiri 4 Panthaloor 5 Aa!! akkayam

Manjeri municipal town (consisting of Payya!!aat, Manjeri and Na~ukara villages)

Kaatikaav 2 Kera!a E,state 3 Karuvaarakul)lU

Perinthalma':l':lal Etappa!!a 2 MelaaHoo~ 3 Keezhaa!!oo! l:) Kuruva

4 Nemmi!!i 5 MaI_lkata 6 Vatakkaangara 11 Angaatippuram 16 Aalipparamb 20 Kuruvambalam

7 Koottilailgaati 12 Karyaavattam 17 Aa!!amangaat 21 Moorkkanaat

13 Vettaththoorr 18 Elamku!am

9 Puzhakkaattiri 14 Arakkupa~amb 19 Pulaamanth61

10 Valamboor 15 Thaazhekk6t

Perinthalmat)l)a municipal town (consisting of Perinthalmal).l)a and Paathaayikkara villages) ----.,----* Part of village lies in MaIappu!am Undulating Plain ** Part of village lies in Malappu!am Coast $ Part of village lies in Perinthalmal)I)a Undulating Uplands @ Parl of village lies in Chaaliyaar River Basin,

66 3655 RGII03-6B

1

2

3

4

5

6

SECTION 2

SALIENT FEATURES OF

IMPORTANT TEMPLES

Thiroorangaati taluk 69-100 -Eranat taluk 101-164 -

Nilamboor taluk 165-184 -Perinthalmal')~a taluk 185-278

Thiroor taluk 279-364

Poonani taluk 365-400 - -

67

1 IMPORTANT TEMPLES OF THIROORANGAATI TALUK

I _

1.1 SREE (Ravlmangalam) MAHA VISH~U TEMPLE, ARIYALLOOB (ValJikunnu panchaayathth, Ariyalfoo_! village, Pin - 676 312)

Location: Situated eight km. north of ParappaQailgaati or one and a half kIn. northeast of VaHikkunnu railway station on ParappaQangaati -K5ttakatav -KataluI_lti road, the temple is accessible by tarred road. Facilities for stay are available at ParappaQangaati. The temple was earlier known as Erangalathth temple.

Brief history and temple administration: Datable to eleventh century, the legend tells that when a great Sage meditated Lord Aadithya (Sun-God) for a long period the Lord appeared before hinl to bless him and directed him to install an idol of Lord Maha Vishr:m at the present site and worship for the benefit of humanity. As the site was identified by the Sun-God Himself the place got the name Ravimangalam. Till the seventeenth century many ascetics used to stay here for months on meditation. It was the practice then to feed Sa!!yaasins and Brahmins daily. Oottupura and Vairaagima ma{ham were

69

also functioning there in those days efficiently. After the Mysorean invasions the importance of the temple as a great place of worship diminished. The large extent of temple properties were lost particularly after the implementation of the Land Reforms Act. The renovation of temple was taken up in 1982 and PUlJah-P!8thishtha done in 1994.

Aattayoor illam owned the temple before its administration was vested with the Kshethra Samrakshal}a Samithi in 1976, as the former found it financially difficult to manage the temple. The regular devotees of the temple meet once in a year and elect an Executive Committee consisting of 18 members and the office bearers. The day-to-day affairs are managed both by the President and the Secretary.

Structures: The temple had large extent of properties previously but now left with 1.3 acres (inclusive of the

area under the temple tank). The temple complex has an extent of 20 cents. The structures thereon are sreekovil, sub-shrines, aamaskaara­ma!1papam, ruined chuJJambalam, maryaada and saanthi-mandiram.

The square dwi-thala sreekovil with mukha-maIJ9apam and of saandhaara type faces east. It has granite adhish!haaQam, laterite walls and concrete roof. The mouldings of adhish!haa!}am are paadukam, jagathi, vfththa-kumudam, kumuda-pati, ga!am with vaajaQa-motif, gala-pati, kampam, ga!am with flower motifs, gala-pati, uththaram and patio The sopaagam has four direct steps with vyaa/i-face and curved banisters on sides. On the sides of granite banisters door-motifs have been carved. The granite P!a1JaaJam has makara-simha face at the base, multi-fa~eted SUI}9U with rings and go-mukha shaped end. The walls have three gha!!adwaaras, besides the main functional door. The namaskaara-ma1J9apam (side: 3.7 m.) has four pillars. The independent sub­shrine of Lord Saastha is at the southem side of the sreekovil.

The chuttambalam which is in a ruined state has no roof. It has three entrances viz. at east, west and north. The thitapPaf!i is at southeast, while the sub-shrine of Lord GaI)apathi is at the southwest of the chu!!ambalam. The valiya-balikkall is outside the chuJJambalam. Metal chuJJuvi!akks are fIxed to the walls of the chuttambalam. There is a grani te deepa~thambhamJ built in 1980. A nata-pant hal in concrete is being built at the front. The temple has a compound wall built with dressed laterite stones. The temple tank is at the eastern side.

70

Carvings and paintings: There are no carvings and paintings.

Deities: The main idol of Lord Vishr,lU is made of granite stone in standing pose (height: 67 em.) with four arms having conch, disc, club and lotus in hands. The idols of Lord Saastha, His consort Prabha and son Sree Sathyaka are of iila linga type with height of 27 cm. each. The sila idol of Lord GaI)apathi is of sitting pose (height: 30 cm.).

Time of worship and poojas: The temple is kept open from 5 to 10-30 a.m. and from 5 to 8 p.m. Three poojas are done daily, usha-pooja at 7 a.m., uccha-pooja at 10-30 p.m. No daily ireebalj is done.

Offeri n9s: Pushpaanjali, Gal)apathi -homam and sa!kkara-paayasam are the usual vazhipaats. Paal-paayasam is offered on special occasions.

Festivals: The annual festival corresponds with the p!athishrha-day, which falls on 30 th Mithhunam. All temple rites associated with p!athishrha­day are performed on this occasion.

Priesthood and temple staff: The details of the thanthri who conducted the initial rites are not known. The pu!!ah­P!athish{ha was performed under the leadership of Brahmasree Divakaran Namboothirippad of Pa!avoo! magB (Lakkidi). The present thanthri belongs to Che!amangalam ma!Ja. The saanthi­kkaran belongs to Malayala Brahmins. The other staff includes a kazhakam and a clerk.

Genera' remarks: The chuttambalam needs urgent renovation.

(Data furnished by Sree A.K.K. NamboothiJi and Sree K. Madhavan Nai[, President (1994) and collected by Sree M.R. Sukumaran Nai[ of the Census Directorate).

1

1.2 SREE (Niramkaithakotta) BHAGAVATHI TEMPLE, VA~,=,IKUNNU (VaHikkunnu panchaayathth, VaHikkunnu village, Pin - 673 314)

Location: This temple with a great historical past is located four km. south of Feroke (Farookk) or 12 krn. north of Parappa!!angaati on the coastal road at Ambalam junction (near Kottakatavj and thence 300 m. east on the top of a tall hill (600 feet above MSL). It is accessible by tarred road up to Ambalam junction and thereafter metalled road. The view from the hilltop is picturesque as the region is surrounded by Kottappuzha at north, Korappuzha at south and not far away the Lakshadweep sea at west. Facilities for stay are available at Feroke or Parappa!!angaati.

Brief history and temple administration: The temple dates back to sixth century. It is closely associated with the history of Parappanaat kingdom ruled by a Kshathriya family. During the thirteenth century the kingdom extended from Po!anaat in the north and Vettaththnaat in the south. When the Saamoothiri got the suzerainty over Po!aththiri, the jurisdiction of the kingdom also underwent remarkable changes.

The hill came to promlnence when the Parappanaat Raaja selected it as one of the sites for erecting a fort and a training centre for his warrior recruits. When the Raaja established the fort he shifted the abode of the Goddess (his family deity) from the macchu (sacred room) of the palace to the top of the hill. This Goddess takes the name Mekk5tta Bhagavathi (Bhadrakaap). Around the eleventh

71

century a swayambhoo idol of Lord Saastha appeared on the southeastern

valley of the hill. The shrine built for this Lord is called Thaazhekotta Ayyappa temple. (Details of the Sree Saastha temple is given separately considering its importance, vide s1. no. 1.3.) Since these temples had the royal patronage the family members used to visit and worship these deities with great reverence. This practice continued till the close of the eighteenth century when the forces of Tippu Sulththaan made their presence in Malabar,

particularly when Tippu conceived the idea of shifting the capital of Malabar from Calicut to Feroke. As Feroke was on the northem side of Kottappuzha, the royal family members avoided to visit the temple, fearing insecurity from the forces of Tippu. This peculiar situation

necessitated the handing over of the management of these temples to Ammaththoor PaI).ikka! of Ku!umbranaat, who was the Master-Trainer of warrior­

trainees of Parappanaat kingdom.

Almost at this time certain internal rifts among the members of the Royal family resulted in the partition of Parappanaat kovilakam into three branches viz. Parappagaat, Beppoo! and Panniyal)kara. Though temples

were located within the jurisdiction of Parappa!!aat branch all the three branches continued to manage these temples for some time. In course of time these temples were neglected and their administration was taken over by the British in 1796. For next forty-six

years they managed these temples. On 25th Makaram 1107 K.E. correspond­ing to 5 th February 1842 A.D. the administration of these temples was ve~ted with the Saamoothiri ki5viJakam. Thereafter these temples are managed by the Samoothiri kovilakam through a Manager appointed by the Samoothiri.

Structures: The total extent of the temple complex comes to 48 acres. The area of Sree Bhagavathi temple complex has an extent of about 30 cents. The structures existing within the temple complex are a sreek5viJ, sub-shrines and a gumthi-tha[a.

The main sreek6vil is rectangular eka-thala with laterite adhish!haa!]an1 and walls and tiled roof. At the eastern side of this rectangular structure there is a square sreekovii facing west. The adhish!haag.am of this sreek6vil has mouldings of paadukam, jagathi, kumudam, gaJam. gaJa-pati and patio The sopaagaIn having direct steps .. Hardly 1.2 m. space is provided around the sreekf5viJ for performing p[adakshiIJa. However entry into this area is restricted to Brahmins and temple staff. At the front an iron barricade is fIxed to provide space for non-Brahmin devotees. Outside this rectangular structure and at its northwestern comer there is a guruthi~tha[a within an enclosure. On the southern side of the sreekovij there is a sub-shrine for Lord GaI)apathi facing east. At the southwest side is the Naaga kaav which is an enclosed roofless structure facing east. In front of the Goddess shrine about 15 metres west there are three huge trees - (Arayaal, Peraai and mango-tree). At the north of the temple, remnants of a kokkaral)i can

72

be seen and it is said that it had plenty of water in early times. Now it is completely dried up and almost closed by a piece of a rock and mud.

Carvings and paintings: There are no carvings and paintings.

Deities: The idol of Goddess Bhagavathi (Bhadrakaa~i) is of mirror type (height: 27 em.) made of pancha-JOha, while that of Lord Gal).apathi is about 31 cm. of height in sitting pose. The Naaga idols are of usual type in sitting pose (17 cm.) with raised hoods.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple is kept open from 5 to 11-30 a.m. and from 5 to 6-30 p.m. Two poojas are held daily, usha-pooja at 9 a.m. and aththaazha-pooja at 6 p.m.

Offerings: It is important to note that no vecchu-nivedyam is offered in the temple. Guruthi and thrkaa1a~pooja are the main offerings and they are booked in advance. (It is reported that booking for this pooja is over up to 2004).

Festivals: The main festival is Thaalappoli held in February. There are some restrictions in flXing the date of the festival. The age-old convention is that the festival day should fallon a Tuesday or Friday and the pUl}yaaham

on the seventh-day should be in the month of Kumbham. Moreover it is a must that the temple should be kept open on the Sivaraathri-day. After the festival, the temple closes for seven days. Another stipulation is that Sivaraathri-day should not fall in between the closed days. Therefore, ftxing of the date is important, as one has to- take into account all these aspects. The festival date is fixed on

the first Tuesday or the frrst Friday in the month of Kumbham. known as Thaalapoli-ku!,ikkaI. This auspicious occasioh is attended by representatives of Devaswam, saanthikkars. other staff of the temple and devotees. Ammaththoo!' PaI).ikke!, called 'akampati-avakaasi' gives token (dakshi1}a) to the VeJicchapaat and

entrusts him with the responsibility of informing all about the thaalappoli date. The Ve!icchapaat then formerly announces the date and blow the conch facing east and then west.

The festival commences with the procession to the ThaaJapoli-pa[Bmb located about one and half km. away, where the sister of Mekkotta Bhagavathi lives. The silver sword tied to the golden thitarnb of mirror- type is taken in procession on a caparisoned elephant, with the accompaniment of musical instruments to the Thaalapoli­pa[amb. The Ve/icchapaat who accompanies this procession takes three rounds of the ThaaIappo.li-pa[amb throwing raw rice and inflorescence of arecanut palm in the air. This is the most important ritual. A peculiar feature of this ritual is that it is followed by the running of women-folk who participate in the procession with thaalam (plate) with lamp, arecanut

I I

inflorescence etc. in hand) towards the shrine of the Goddess. After reaching the Sree Mekk5tta Bhagavathi shrine they take three quick rounds and place the thaalam in front of the shrine. It is beHeved that the one who reaches there and places the thaalam first gets greater blessings of the Goddess. The reason for such a ritual is not known but in all probability it may be that the war-Goddess here likes to test the physique of Her women-devotees.

Priesthood and temple staff; The details of the thanthri. who first performed the consecration rites are not known. The present thanthri belon gs to Che~ a­

mangalam illarn. Earlier the mel-saanthi of the temple was from Krodhamangalam and Kuzhiyati illams. They relinquished their rights in favour of PoovvappuHi illam later. The details of other staff of the temple are given under the write up on the next temple (sl.no.1.3), as the same management administers both temples.

General remarks: The temple IS

administered satisfactorily.

(Data furnished by Srce M. Sasidharan (Manager)

and Sree Ammanlhu{JkaJ \l~ Biila Pa{Jikkat and

collected by Srce G. Sivadasan of the Census

Directorate)

1.3 SREE (Niramkaithakotta) SAASTHA TEMPLE, VA~~IKKUNNU (Vanikkunnu panchaayathth, V3,llikkunnu village, Pin - 673 314)

Location: Situated four km. south of Feroke by road via K5ttakatav bridge at Ambalam junction and thence 750 m.

northeast, the tempie is accessible by tarred road except the last lap which is metalled. The Katalul).ti river is near and it flows in the northeast direction.

73

Facilities for stay are available at

Fe!_'oke and Parappa!!angaati (distance: 12

km. at south).

Brief history and temple administration:

Datable to fifteenth century, the

temple is in the valley of the tallest

hill (locally called Valiyakunnu) in the village. On the top of the hill is the Sree (Mekotta) Bhagavathi temple, the tutelar deity of Parappa!!aat Raajas. The history of Parappagaat kovilakam has been described in detail in the write­up under sl.no.I.2.

On the Kottakunnu hill and on its valleys there were large forts built by ParappaDaat Raajas for training their warriors. As the valleys had luxuriant growth of white kaitha shrubs (Pandanus

tectonus), the place got the name Niran1 kaitha kotta (or Narumkaitha kotta).

The legend related tc;> the origin of the Sree Saastha shrine is that the local Adivaasis staying there used to cut the leaves of the kaitha shrubs for making screw pine mats. Once accidently the sickle of one of them touched a laterite stone while cutting shrubs and blood oozed out profusely. On hearing this strange phenomenon the then Parappagaat Raaja himself visited the place and arranged to conduct a p[as!] a . It was revealed therein that the laterite stone which had three projections at its base was a swayambhoo idol of Sree Saastha. Some preliminary rites were then conducted there. Three idols exist within the sanctum sanctorum i.e., Lord Saastha at the centre with His consort Sree Prabha and His son Sree Sathyaka at the sides. The idol of Sree Sathyaka was forcibly removed by some Tamil Brahmins of th.e KotumthirappaHi graamam of Paalakkaat taluk and installed at their place. Many misfortunes happened to them thereafter. As an expiatory rite th ey were corn pelled to perform paatt in this temple for one day during

74

festival days. Even today this ritual continues. The Raaja took keen interest in building the structures of the temple, the order of sequence being patippura (main entrance to the temple complex), paththaaya-pura (store-house), ura-pura (place for husking paddy), kaali-pura (cowshed) and finally the ireekovil. Within the temple complex there is a perennial spring in the midst of a rock and below the southem side of the sreekovil. Its water is used exclusively for-temple purposes. The idol in the sub-shrine of Lord Siva is believed to have been brought from VaaraI}asi.

There is an interesting legend '" associated with the temple. Once a Swaamiyaar visited the temple. Being an ardent devotee of Lord Raama he conducted a pooja at noon with the sankalpa of Lord Raarna instead of Lord Saastha. Thereafter a special pushpaaiijaJi is held every day at the time of uccha­pooja for Lord Raama.

As stated earlier this temple is administered by the Sree Melkotta Devaswam.

Structures: The temple complex has an extent of 50 cents, which forms part of 48 acres of land under the Sree Niramkaithak6tta Devaswam.

The temple structure as a whole is rectangular naalu'kett with an agra­ma.pf/apam at the front of the main Sree Saastha shrine. The sub-shrine of Lord Siva, thitappa!!i and a kokkaraI)i are all with in this naalukett. It may be noted that the sreekiivil with an agra­ma1J9apam at the front is at the northern end of this rectangular

building. The main sreekoviJ of Lord Saastha facing west is on an elevated platform of 1.2 m. and its roof does not tou ch the remaining part of the rectangular structure. Almost at the middle of the western ~ide of the naalukett is the shrine of Lord Siva facing west and it is at a lower level than the Sree Saastha shrine. At the southern end of this structure is the thitappa!/i and the kokkaral}i.

The structure of the kokkaraIJi is peculiar. It is located at the bottom of the southem portion of the rectangular structure and is about 12 m. below the floor level of the temple. It has 28 steps leading to a small pit at the bottom, which is only sufficient to draw one kutam (pot) of water at a time. Its water-level is same in all seasons. On an average about 50 to 60 kutams or about 200-250 litres of water are drawn for temple purposes from this perennial spring. Only Malayaa!a Brahmins are permitted to use the thitappa!!i and the kokkaraIJi . . There is a

small ventilator adjacent to the retaining wall of the temple to facilitate viewing the bottom of the kokkaraIJi.

The square eka-thaia sreekovii of Lord Saastha facing west and of nirandhaara type has adhish{haagam, walls and roof, all made of granite stones. The adhish{haa!!am has mOUldings of paadukam, jagathi, triple­faceted kumudam, kumuda-pati, ga!am, ga!a-pati, uththaram. kampam, ga!am, ga!a­pati, uththaram and patio The sopaa!!am has three direct steps. The p!alJaa!am has vyaa!i face at the base, plain SUIJ9U and go-mukha at the end. The walls

75

have three gha!!adwaaras besides the main functional door. On either side of the PIaasaada-dwaara, there are dwaara-paalas made of granite. Within the ga!bha-grha, sila-lirigas of Lord Saastha and His consort Sree Prabha and a pee{ham for His son Sree Sathyaka are installed, besides an idol of Lord Gal)apathi.

There are SIX en trances to the rectangular structure around the sreekovil viz. two each at west, north and east. There is no valiya-balikkall within the agra-maIJ9apam. Space for P!adakshiIJa is provided around the rectangular structure. A deepa­sthambham made of bronze is installed at the front of the shrine. Steps are provided from southeast corner connecting the temple to Sree Mek6tta Bhagavathi temple and to the temple tank.

One who enters the temple would first see the paththaayapura having exquisite carvings. It is here the vazhipaat counter and the office are located. To its east is the netumpura where paatt is performed. A kitchen building also exists separately on the southem side of netumpura. No gopuram exists.

Carvings and paintings: On the ceiling of paththaayappura there are wood carvings depicting motifs of flowers, devotees and also episodes taken from the BaalakaIJflham of Raamaaya{1a. They have been coloured with modern paintings. There are four attractive wooden pillars in the oottupura.

Deities: The main swayambhoo idol of Lord Saastha is of liIiga type

(height: 27cm.). It is of laterite stone and has three roots at the base. The idol of Goddess Prabha is also of .~jJa­liriga type and has a height 17 cm. The idol of Sree Sathyaka was removed as

stated earlier and now only a peefham exists. The idol of Lord GalJapathi is

small (height: 15 cm.) while that of Lord Siva is also of linga-type (45 cm.).

Time of worship and poojas: The temple is kept open from 5 to 11-30 a.m. and 5 to 8 p.m. with three poojas, usha-pooja at 6-50 a.m., uccha-pooja at 11 a.m. a..'1.d

aththaazha-pooja at 7-30 p.m. Navakam is performed on all days.

Offerings: Koottu-paayasam, pushpaaiijaJi, thenga-ea!u etc. are important vazhipaats of which the first one is popular and meant for fulfilment of

desires.

Festivals: The most important festival is the paattu-uthsavam held for four days from the Makara-Samkrama day. The

festival for the first three days is conducted by the Dcvaswam and that

~ -

of the last day by the family of Amma­ththoo[ PalJikke!s. The ka!amezhuthu-paatts held on these days have themes based 011 Ayyappa-charitham. Of these, one day paatt is held by the families of Kotunthirappa!F graamam as an expiatory rite for having taken away the Sree Sathyaka idol. Other modern entertain­ments are also staged.

Priesthood and temple staff: The present thanthri belongs Mooththetathth maga.

to Aalaththoor

The saanthikkars earlier belonged to hereditary illarns of Kothamangalam and Kuzhiyati. At present

PoovvapuHi illam is entrusted v.,'ith the saanthi. The staff of the temple is included under the Sree Bhagavathi shrine, which has been described

earlier.

General remarks: The temple IS

administered satisfactorily.

{Datajumished by Sree M Sreedharan. Manager, .Sree Ayyappa Pal}ikke[. Sree A. Baala Pal}ikke[ and collected by Sree M.R. Sukumaran NaiF and Sree G. Sivadiisan of the Census Directorate}.

1.4 SREE (Vaariyothth) MAHA VISH~U TEMPLE, PAI:-Ir-IKKAL (Pa!!ikkal panchaayathth, PaHikkal village, Pin - 673 653)

Location: Situated ten km. southeast of Feroke at PaHikkal bazaar on KOI).totti road and thence 500 m. north at Azhinnalas seri the temple is well

connected by tarred road. Facilities for stay are available at Feroke.

Brief history and temple administration:

Datable to eleventh century the early history of the temple is still obscure.

The legend is that earlier the place had large number of Brahmin settlements. A great Brahmin ascetic

installed the idol of Lord VishI:m and

76

ardently worshipped it for years.

Thereafter he entrusted the temple to his family members. Their successors did not observe the traditional rituals and completely neglected the temple. The forces of Tippu Sulththaan attacked the temple and took away the pancha-Joha vigraha. The temple was desecrated and the structures were

brought to the ground. Miscreants encroached upon some portions of temple lands. The rest of the area almost became a jungle. Another idol was consecrated after Tippu's

departure. Subsequently in the 1921 Mappi!a riots also the idol was broken by some miscreants. The.re were no proper poojas for about five decades. However in 1976 the local devotees decided to renovate the temple. In 1978 a Samithi, known as Vaariyathth Sree VishIJu Kshethra ParipaaiaQa Samithi, was

registered. They conducted a PIaS!]a and took steps to clear the jungle of the temple site. After clearing the jungle and renovating essential structures the idol was consecrated on 16th April 1989 by installing a new sila idol brought from Guruvayoo~.

The Samithi elects a 11 member Committee once in a year with five office-bearers (President, Vice­President, Secretary, Joint-Secretary and Treasurer). The day-to-day affairs are managed by the Secretary.

Structures: Details of land owned prior

to the Land Reforms Act are not known. At present the temple owns 20 cents which constitute the temple. complex. The structures thereon are ireekovil, thara of ruined namaskaara-map9apam and chu!!ambalam (having sub-shrines and thitappa!!l) , deepasthambham, well and temple tank.

The circular eka-thala sreeki5vil of nirandhaara type and facing west has granite adhishfhaa!] am, laterite walls and beautifully built granite roof. For the namaskaara-mal}~apam (side: 2.80 m.)

only the thara exists. The completely ruined chu{!ambaiam was partially renovated in 1989 ie. vaathil-maatam, the thitapa!!i (at southeast), two sub­shrines (of Goddess Bhagavathi at northwest and Lord Gary.apathi at southwest), well within the northern

77

naalambalam with an adjacent room. The §ila deepa-sthambbam has five layers

of lamps. The office building is at northwest while the temple tank is at the southern side. Earlier the temple had valiya-balikkall.

Carvings and paintings: There are no carvings and paintings.

Deities: The main idol of Lord Vislu:lU,

made of krshl}a-sila, has a height of 163 yavams and has four arms with conch, disc, club and lotus in hands. The iiJa idol of Lord Gary.apathi is of sitting pose

(height: 27 cm.) while t~at of Goddess Bhagavathi is of mirror type (30 crn.).

Time of worship and poojas: The temple is kept open from 5-30 to 8-30 a.m. and from 5-30 to 7-30 p.m. Three poojas are done daily, usha-pooja at 7 a.m., uccha­pooja at 8-15 a.m. and aththaazha-pooja at 7-15 p.m.

Offerings: Paal-paayasam and pushpaa­iijali are the main vazhipaats of which

the former is popular.

Festivals: Ptalhish?ha-day is observed on Makam asterisk in the month of kJEtam. Special rites like nauakam, pancha­gavyam etc. are performed. No performing arts are staged.

Priesthood and temple staff: The details of the thanthri who installed the idol initially are not known. The present

thanthri be~ongs to Ambi!i illam of Payya!! QooI. The saanlhikkaaran is appointed from Malayaa!a Brahmins. The other staff includes a kazhakam.

General remarks: The temple needs urgent renovation.

(Data furnished by Sree Gopaa/an Ummalathth. Treasurer and collected by Sree G. Sivadiisan a/the Census DIrectorate).

oJ,../ _

1.5 SREE (Pa!ambaththkaav) BHAGAVATHI TEMPLE, THENNIPPALAM (Thennippalam panchaayathth, Thennippalam village, Pin - 673636)

Location: The temple is located not far away from the Calicut University campus. The route to the temple is through the campu s road up to KakkaattupaaIa (about three km.) and thence a km. north. Another route is

via. OlipIam road up to Marappatti and thence half a kIn. south. Facilities for stay are available at Feroke.

Brief history and temple administration: The temple dates back to the sixteenth century. Once a labourer of Aayirap£abhu Ka£ththas (the ooraa!a!s of this temple) while clearing the shrubs sharpened his chopper on a stone. At once blood oozed out of the stone. He immediately reported the incident to the kaaral}ava[ of the Ka!,ththa family, the owner of the land. On hearing this unusual phenomenon the kaaral}ava[ conducted a P!as!]am. It was revealed therein that the iiIa from which the blood oozed out had divine power of Goddess Bhagavathi. Initial rites were immediately conducted and thereafter this swayambhoo idol is worshipped Mth great veneration. The temple was renovated in 1975.

The temple was administered by Ooraa!aa!s directly till 1983. As they found it difficult to manage the temple

its administration was vested with a local committee consisting of 21

members who are elected every year. The Secretary of the committee attends to the day-to-day affairs of the temple. A uthsava committee of 51 members also functions here.

Structures: The temple at present owns one acre of land of which 75 cents

78

constitute the temple complex. The structures thereon are the sreek6viJ of Goddess Bhagavathi, sub-shrines and thitappa!!i-cum-office.

The square eka-thala sreeki)vij facing

north and of nirandhaara type has laterite adhish{haa!] am, laterite walls and tiled roof. The adhish{haa!]am has no mOUldings. On sides of walls there is a projected platform, locally called

thilJ-IJa. There is neither sc'paa!}am nor p!alJaa!am in this temple. There is only a small OliU. There are two doors to the sreekovil, at north and east. The eastern door is permanently closed as close to the inner side of that door there are 13 saaJagrams believed to be children of the Goddess. The sub­shrine of Lord Siva at its northwest faces east while the sub-shrine of Srcc Saastha is at the eastern side of the main shrine facing east. The lhi{appajji­

cum-office is at the southeast of the main sreekovii. The iiia deepa­sthambham at the north was built in 1982. The compound wall partially exists.

Carvings and paintings: There are no carvings and paintings.

Deities: The swayambhoo laterite idol (height: 30 cm.) of Goddess Bhagavathi

is Mth a semi-circular upper portion. The sankalpa is that of Sree BhaJrakaa! i believed to be ofRuFujithrh-vjdha.:J!j<1JlJ. No abhishekam is done to the idol but water

is sprinkled over it and wiped with a red satin cloth. The idol of Lord Siva is of siJa-Jinga form Mth a height of 4S em. The idols of Lord Saastha with His consort Sree Prabha and son Sree Sathyaka

are of sila-liriga type (hei~ht: 30 cm.

each).

Time of worship and poojas: The temple is kept open from 6-30 to 10 a.m. The

moming pooja is held at 9 a.m.

Offerings: Raktha-pushapaanjali IS the

main offering. The other vazhipaats are

mutta!ukkaJ and pattu-chaa!ththaJ.

Festivals: The annual festival is held for three days in Mee!]am from Uthraatam to Avittam asterisks. In

ancient days the festival period was for 14 days. During the uthsavam period

,

ka!amezhuththu-paatt is held besides staging some modem entertainments.

Priesthood and temple staff: The details of the thanthri who first conducted the initial rites on the swayambhoo idol are not known. The present thanthri belongs to Al)talaati ma!la of Pattambi. The saanthikkaran hails from a hereditary family. Other staff includes a kazhakam and a clerk.

General remarks: The sreekovii has to be renovated.

(Datafumished by Sree T. Biilakrshl}an; Secretary (1995) and collected by Sree M.R. Sukumiiran Nair­of the Census Directorate).

1.6 SREE (Keranalloor) DU~GA BHAGAVATHI TEMPLE, PERUVALLOOR . . -

{Peruvalloor panchaayathth, Peruvalloor village, Pin - 673 638) .. - .. -

Location: Situated five km. southwest

ofK0:t:lt6tti at Kaatappati and thence about

a km. north on Pallikkal road, the

temple is accessible by tarred road.

Facilities for stay are available at KOI)t6tti.

Brief history and temple administration:

Datable to very ancient period, the idol

of this temple is believed to have been

consecrated by Lord Parasuraama. The

ancient name of this place was

Cheranalloo!: and by the efflux of time it

came to be known as Keranalloor. The

ooraa!a!s of the temple belonged to

Marigalasseri ilIam. The ~emple was

destroyed during Mysorean invasions

and later during Miippi!a riots. The

implementation of Land Reforms Act

further deteriorated its financial

position and the ooraa!ars found it

difficult to manage the temple.

Ultima tely in 1975 the administration

'79

of the temple was vested with a

registered Trust consisting of 29

Inembers. The eleven-member

Executive Committee is elected once

in two years. The Secretary of the

Committee manages the day-to-day

affairs of the temple.

Structures: At present the temple owns

six acres of dry land of which 10 cents

constitute the temple complex. The

structures thereon are sreekoviJ, sub­

shrines, namaskaara-maIJf!apam. ruined

chuUambaJam (now only a tha!a exists),

valiya-balikkall and a compound walL

The circular eka-thala sreekovil of

saandhaara type and facing west has

upa-pee{ham, adhishlhaa!] am , laterite

walls and concrete roof. The mOUldings

of upa-peelham are paadukam, jagathi and

uththaram (on upside down pattern),

while adhish{ha8!]am has tiers of jagathi,

v(tbtha-kumudam. kumuda-pati, kampam; ga!am, ga!a-pttti. kampam, ga/am, gala-pati, kampam, uththaram and patio The sopaa(!am has four direct steps with vyaa/i-face on the top of balustrades. The pralJaa!am has makara-simha fa.ce, multi-faceted SUIJ.¢u and go-mukha end. The walls have three gha(!adwaaras besides the functional dOQr. The roof of the namaskaara-ma!ll}apam (side: 3.51 m.) did not exist in 1995. The well is at the northern side of the sreekovij and within the akathtbe-balivattam.

The ruined chu!!ambaiam with two entrances, at west and east, has only a thara. However thitappa!!i portion still exists besides sub-shrines for Lord Gal!apathi and Lord Ayyappa at southwest. The compound wall is built with laterite stones. The temple tank is in good condition.

Carvings and paintings: There are no carvings and paintings.

Deities: The sila idol of Goddess Du~ga (with a height of 45 cm.) h~s four arms with conch, disc and corns in hands. One hand is in varada pose. The idol of Lord Gal!apathi is made of sila and of sitting pose (height: 30 em.), while that of Lord Ayyappa is of §ila-liriga type

(height: 27 cm.).

Time of worship and poojas: The temple is kept open from 6 to 9 a.m. and from 5 to 8 p.m. Three poojas are performed

daily, usha-pooja at 7 a.m., uccha-pooja at 8-30 a.m. and aththaazha-pooja at 7-30 p.m. No sree-bali is done daily.

Offerings: Nai-vifakk, pushpaaJijali and GaI)apathi-homam are the important

vazhipaats. Of these nai-vi!akk IS

popular.

Festivals: The annual thaalappoli

uthsavam is held on Pul}a[lham asterisk in the month of Mec!Jam. It is an

important festival and attracts large number of devotees. Modern entertain­ments are also staged. The pu!}ah­

p[athish[ha day is observed on PuIJ.8[tham asterisk of Mithhu!Jam.

Priesthood and temple staff: The idol was

first consecrated by Lord Parasuraama. The present thanthri belongs to

Kizhakkampaatt ilJam. The saanthikkaran is appointed from Malayaa!a Brahmins. The only other staff is a kazhakam.

General remarks: Namaskaara-malp;lapam and chu!!ambaJam have to be rebuilt.

(Data furnished by Sree P.P. Neelakantan,

Secretary and collected by Sree M.R. Sukumiiran

Nai! of the Census Directorate).

I I _

SREE (Ku_,toO! chola) SIVA TEMPLE (CAVE TEMPLE), VALIY0!A (Vengara panchaayathth, Verigara village, Pin - 676 308)

1.7

location: Situated 12 km. east of

Parappa!_! angaati at Kaccheripati and

thence one km. southwest via

Puththa!)angaati road, the temple is

accessible by tarred road. Facilities for

stay are available at Parappa!}angaati.

80

Brief history and temple administration: The temple dates back to ancient period. It is believed that in ancient days many sages used to live in a cave of the locality, ardently meditating upon the Lord for years and requesting Him to bless all devotees

of the locality. One day the Lord

showed His presence in the cave in

the form of a swayambhoo idol. They

conducted initial rites to Lord Siva besides consecrating an idol of Sree

Paa!:vathi by the side of the swayambhoo

idol. Later other shrines came up.

The temple is famous for pithr­tha!ppalJam (oblations to manes). A deva­PIas!}a held in the temple on 5 th Metam 1155 (18 th April 1960) prescribed

remedial measures to enhance the chailhagya of the deities. The temple

was owned by Velakkiri tha!avaat (Kuttippu!am thaavazhi). As they found

it difficult to manage the temple the

administration was vested with a seventeen member committee elected

by devotees once in two years. The President of the Committee attends to

the day-to-day affairs of the temple.

Structures: The extent of land owned

by the temple prior to the Land Reforms

Act is not known. At present it has 65

cents of which 20 cents constitute the temple complex.

The temple IS peculiar in its structural aspects. The maln

swayambhoo idol of Lord Siva and the

installed idol of Goddess Paarvathi, both

facing west, are within the rectangular cave. The rock which includes the cave forms the limits of the temple on the

northern and eastern sides. A door

has been provided to this cave. On t..h.e sou thern side of this cave there is a

rectangular sub-shrine having deities of Lord GaIfapathi and Lord Saastha

besides the thitappa!!i at southeast. There is an entrance to the akaththe­balivattam from this side also.

3655 RGII03-7A 81

The well is located at the

northwest of the entrance of the cave.

It is peculiar that in all seasons the

well has the same level of water. On

the western side a vaathil-maatam (of

length of 12.5 m. and a width of 4.5

m.) has been built. The agra-mu1}9pmn attached to the vaathil-maatam (4.15 m.

x 3.43 m.) has a valiya-balikkall within it. A deepa-sthambham made of :fila is

installed at the front. There is a

theeIthha-ku!am at the northern side of the agra-malJc)apam. In addition there

are two other tanks.

Carvings and paintings: There are no

carvings and paintings.

Deities: The swayambhoosila idol of Lord Siva is of liriga type (height about 60 cm.). The idol of Goddess Paarvathi, also

made of iila, is in standing pose (15 em). The sila idol of Lord GaIfapathi is

in sitting pose (30 em.) while the idol

of Lord Saastha is of go/aka type (height:

30 em.)

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 7-30 to 8-30 a.m. and

from 6 to 7 p.m. Morning-paoja is held

on all days at 7 a.m. Evening there is only a deepaaraadhaga (at 6-30 p.m.).

Offerings: The vazhipaats include ni[8-maala, nithya-pooja. deha-pushpaanjali, samkhaabhishekam. nai-vi!akk, vi!akk-maaJa and nai-paayasam. Of these the last

one is very popular.

Festivals: Sivaraathri. Onam and Vishu

are observed in the temple. But no

rites associated with uthsQlJam are

performed.

Priesthood and temple staff: Being

swayambhoo idol no PIathishrha was

done initially for the maIn deity. No

details are available on the installation

of other idols. The present thanthri

belongs to Kuttalioor maga (ofRfunapuram

in Malappuram district). The saanthikkaran

is appointed from Brahmins. The

present saanthikkaran belongs to

I

Embraaanthiri community. The other

staff includes a kazhakam.

General remarks: The structures of the

temple need urgent renovation.

(Data furnished by Sree K. Madhavankutti

P81p'kke[ and collected by Sree Thampi N Suresh of the Census Directorate).

1.8 SREE SUBRAMANYA TEMPLE, KOTUVAAYOOR . -(A.R. Nagar panchaayathth, A.R. Nagar village, Pin - 676 305)

Location: Situated 13 km. northwest of

Kottaykkal at Ko!appu!am on NH-17 and

thence one km. northeast on KOI)totti

road and thence 100 m. west, the

temple is accessible by tarred road,

except the last lap. Facilities for stay

are available at Kottaykkal.

Brief history and temple administration:

The temple dates back to ancient

period. There is not much known about

the· past history of the temple. It is said

that a pious antha[jagam who had no

progeny did bhaja!}am of Lord SubramaI)ya

and she was blessed with a child. As

fulfilment of her vow, she arranged to

build a temple dedicated to Him. The

temple flourished in splendour for

centuries. When the family had to

leave the place consequent on

Mysorean invasions the administration

of the temple was vested with a family

of Moossad community. Later the

temple was forcibly taken over by

Saamoothiris and managed by the

Kottaykkal Kizhakke kovilakam. After

managing the temple for two centuries

they transferred the temple in 1967 to a local committee called Kshcthra

Paripaala!}a Samgham. The Samgham has

82

110 members and once in three years

they elect a thirteen member

Executive Committee. The Secretary

of the committee attends to the day­

to-day affairs of the temple.

Structures: Prior to the Land Reforms

Act of 1963 the temple owned paddy

fields fetching 900 pa[as of paddy

besides dry lands. At present the

temple owns only 1.75 acres of which

80 cents constitute the temple

complex. The structures thereon are

sreekovii, namaskaara-maIJ~apam, vaathil­

maatam, thitappa!!i, sub-shrines, valiya­

balikkall, deepa-sthambham, well and

tanks.

The square dwi-thala sreekovil of

saandhaara type faces east. The

adhishrhaa!]am is made of granite and

laterite stones. It has mouldings of

jagathi, triple-faceted kumudam,

kumuda-pati, kampam, ga!am and ga!a­patio The sopaagam has seven direct

steps with vyaa!i figurines engraved on

banisters. The p[al}aa!am has vyaa!i face

at the base, SUIJ~U with rings and sliced end.

with

The walls are made of laterite

two gha!]adwaaras and two

3655 RGlf03-7B

functional doors. The mrun functional

door opens to the east. There is

another one at the south facing the

idol of Lord Gal_lapathi and Lord

DakshiIfamoorththy. At the southeast

comer of the sreek5vil there is a sub­

shrine dedicated to Sree Kaaphthya­

veeraaUu:Qan. The namaskaara-mal}f}apam

(side: 5.6 m.) has twelve pillars. There

is a wall at the northeast side of the

akaththe-balivattam.

The chuttambalam with three

entrances (at east, west and north)

now partially exists. The vaathil-maatam,

chicappa!!i, the sub-shrine of Lord Saastha

at southwest and the sub shrine of

Goddess Bhagavathi at northeast are

remnants of the chuttambalam. A sub­

shrine of Sree Vettakkorumakan exists at

the northern valiyambalam. The

remaining part of the chu!!8mbalam has

only walls. The Naaga-lha[8 is at the

northern side. At its west there is a

well. The valiya-balikkall is outside the

vaathil-maatam. A deepa-sthambham made of sila exists. The compound wall

is not complete.

Carvings and paintings: There are no

carvings and paintings.

Deities: The k(shIJ.a-.si/a-idol of Lord

Subramal!ya is in standing pose (height:

1.5 m.) with two arms, the right hand

with padmam and the left hand kept at

the waist (kati-bandha). All the idols

of subsidiary deities are made of si/a viz. Lord Gat~apathi in sitting-pose (45

cm.), Lord DakshiI)amoorththy in linga

form (27 cm.), Lord Saastha in sitting

pose (30 cm.), Goddess Bhagavathi of

mirror tyne (30 cm.), Sree Vettakkoru-

makan of mirror type (30 cm.) and

Naagar in sitting pose \.vith raised hoods

and having height of 30 cm.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 5 to 8-30 a.m. and

from 5 to 7-30 p.m. Three poojas are

done daily, usha-pooja at 6 a.m., uccha­

pooja at 8 a.m. and aththaazha-pooja at

7 p.m.

Offerings: Nai-paayasam. pa!]a-paayasam. paal-paayasam, pushpaanjali, vijakku-maaJa, chandanam-chaarlhthal and shashti­

nivedyam are the important vazhipaats

of this temple. Of these, nai-paayasam is very popular. Shashri-nivedyam is

considered very important and mean.t

for fulfilment of all desires particularly

for progeny and well-being of children.

Festivals: The p[alhish{ha-day IS

observed on PUI}a[tham asterisk in the

month of Makaram. A four-day festival

comme-nclng from that day IS

celebrated. Navakam. pancha-gavyam. §uddhi-ka/a.sam, Sreebhootha-hali etc. are

the important rites.

Priesthood and temple staff: The details

of the thanthri who installed the idol

are not known. The pu!!ah-p[athishrha was done by Brahmasree Kalloo!:

Madhavan Namboothirippau. The present

thanthri belongs to Tharal}anallooI illam.

The .saanthikkiiran is appointed from Lord

Malayaala Brahmins. The other staff

includes a kazhakam and an aticcill1-tiJali.

General remarks: The temple 1S

administered satisfactorily.

(Data furnished by Sn:c Mukund:m iVair and

collected by ,~wc Thampj tV. Sun.."',h of the Census

Directorate).

1.9 SREE SIVA TEMPLE, PAAPPANOOR (Moonniyoo! panchaayathth, Moonniyoo[ village, Pin - 676 317)

Location: Situated 30 km. northeast of Thiroo~ via Chemmaat and PaI).ikkott pati

on K6zhikk6de road, the temple is only a km. west of PaI).ikk6tt pati junction.

The road is tarred. Katalul)ti river is two km. south of this temple.

Facilities for stay are available at Thiroor.

Brief history and temple administration: Datable to very ancient period, the origin of the temple is still obscure.

There are two legends in regard to its ongIn. One view is that the idol is

swayambhoo while the other view is that it was installed by Lord

Parasuraama. It is reported that the idol has the sankaJpa of Lord Siva after Daksha-yaaga and hence of fierce

nature. A peculiar feature of this temple is the absence of veti-vazhipaat (fire work) and ·aa!Ja-ezhune!!aththu (use

of elephant in the festival).

The temple belonged to the Vegimugathth Moossad family till 1974

when it was entrusted to Paappa~oo! Siva Kshethra Samraksha~la Samithi for

administration. The Samithi has an

Executive Committee consisting of 12

members with the kara~ava! of Ve!1imunathth family (Trustee) as President, two Vice-Presidents, General Secretary, two Secretaries and

a Treasurer. The President and the General Secretary attend to the day­

to-day affairs of the temple.

Structures: Prior to the Land Reforms

Act, the temple had an extent of 30

acres but now left with only 80 cents. Of this the temple complex has an

84

extent of 20 cents. The structures

thereon are sreekovil, namaskaara­

ma~~apam, chu!!ambaiam, valiya­balikkall, office building and su b­

shrines.

The circular eka-thala sreekovil

facing west and of saandhaara type has

granite adhish{haa!]am , laterite-stone

walls and concrete roof. The mOUldings

of the adhish{haa!}am are paadukam, jagathi, vrththa-kumudam, kuinuda-pati,

kampam. ga!am and gala-pari. The

sopaagam has five direct steps with

vyaa!i faces on the banisters. The

p!a~aa!am is broken. The attached sub­

shrine of Lord Gal!apathi is at south of

the sreekovil. The namaskaara-ma~9apam

(side: 3 m.) is ruined and has no super

structure.

The chuttambalam has three

entrances, at west, north and east.

The thitappa!!i is at northwest. The Gal!apathi-homam and Bhagavathi-seva are done at the thitappa!/i itself. Except

valiyambalam and thitappa!!i the

remaining structures of chuuambalam are ruined. The sub-shrine of Sree Vettakkorumakan facing east is at the

southern valiyambalam. The valiya­balikkall is outside the chuttambalam. The office room is at the front. A su b­shrine dedicated to Sree Eraiinooraan

(Sree Thrpuraanthakan) is positioned at

the southeast facing west of the temple complex. The well (known as Paathaala­Ganga) IS 60 km. north of the

clw!!ambalam. The temple tank is 10 m. west of this theerthha-kinar. In the dev:l-- . -P!aS!]ll it was revealed that the temple

had three other tanks called Aaththiku!am at northeast, Palarikku!am at west and Parappankulam ·at south.

Carvings and paintings: There are no carvings and paintings.

Deities: The swayambhoo §ila-liIiga idol of Lord Siva facing west has a height of 45 cm. sila idols are also installed for Sree Vettakkorumakan (facing east) and Sree Thrpuraanthakan (Sree Erannooraan)

facing west with heights of 15 cm. and 30 cm. respectively. The sila idol of

Lord GaI)apathi is peculiar with the sankalpa of Chith!a-Gal!apathi which is

rare.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple is kept open from 5-30 to 9 a.m. and from 6 to 7-30 p.m. Two poojas are held daily, usha-pooja at 7 a.m. and uccha­pooja at 9 a.m., besides deepaaraadha!}a at 6-30 p.m. No sreebaJi is done daily.

Offerings: The main offerings are pushpaaiJjali, vifakk, mala!, koovafa-maala,

I

jala-dhaara, maia!-nivedyam, Gal}apathi­

homam, m[thyunjaya-homam, ka!uka

homam, thila-homam, vef!a-nivedyam and

Bhagavathi-seva. Of these, ve!!a-nivedyam

is popular.

Festivals: Sivaraathri is observed as an

annual festival of the temple.

Priesthood and temple staff: The details

of the thanthri who installed the idol

are not known. The present thanthri

belongs to Parappagangaati. The

saanthikkiiran is appointed from MalayaaJa

Brahmins. The other staff includes a

kazhakam and an alicchu-tha!i.

General remarks: The namaskaara­

mar;ujapam has to be rebuilt and

renovations to other structures have

to be done.

(Datafumished bySrecE. SivasankaranNai! and Sree Haridiisan and collected by Sree Thampi N.

Suresh of the Census Directorate).

1.10 SREE DHARMA SAASTHA TEMPLE (AVYAPPAN KAAV), NETUVA (Parappa!:,angaati panchaayath, Netuva village, Pin - 676 303)

Location: Situated 1.5 km. east of

Parappagangaati and close to Ayyappan

kaav junction (after the railway level­

cross), the temple is accessible by

tarred road. The Lakshadweep sea is

hardly two km. west of the temple.

Facilities for stay are available by Parappagangaati.

Brief history and temple administration:

Datable to sixteenth century, the

temple was built for the exclusive use of the then ParappaQaat koviiakam. Though the idol in the main shrine is

85

of Lord Saastha the temple is known as

Ayyappan kaav from the period of

installation of the idol. No other

details are available on the origin of

the temple.

The temple was owned by

ParappaQaat kovilakam in earlier days.

After the implementation of Kera!a

Land Reforms Act the kovilakam people

found it difficult to manage the temple

and for about two decades a local

committee managed it. However for

better and efficient administration a

trust \vas forrncd with the name Sree

Mookambika Religious Charitable Trust in

June 1987 and the temple is managed

by this Trust. The Valiya Raaja of

Par~ppaQ3at k6vdakam is the hereditary

t1',,-; ~c,tee of this temple. In addition to

Valiya Raaja the Trust has 16 members

elected once in a year by devotees

belonging to all Hindu communities.

From the members a Managing

Trustee and Secretary are elected.

They are responsible for the day-to-day

management of the temple.

Structures: Details of the area owned

by the temple prior to the Land Reforms

Act are not available. At present the

temple complex has an extent of 75

cents. The structures thereon are

sreekovil, su b- shrine, namaskaara­ma1}9apam, deepa-sthambhams, oottupura

and tili(appa!!i, a receipt-counter,

maIp)apam, compound wall and a tank.

A peculiar feature is that there

are three shrines within a single eka­thala sreekovil, all facing west. The

northern shrine has the idols of

Goddess Bhadrakaali and Her sister, the

central one Lord Saastha with His

consort and son and the southern one

Lord Siva. At the southwest corner of

the Siva shrine there are idols of Lord

GaIfapathi and N aagar both facing west.

The sreekoyil has laterite-stone upa­pee!ham, adhish!haa!!am and walls and

tiled roof. The mouldings of upa-pee!ham and adhish!haa!!am are jagathi, ga!am and

patio There are three sopaa!]as with

three direct steps. The PIalJaa!am is made of granite stone and of simple

type. The namaskaara-malJ(iapam (side:

5.55 m.) has 12 pillars.

86

Two .iila deepa-sthambhas are

installed-one at the front of the

namaskaara-maJpjapam and one outside

the compound wall (within a

flJalJriapam}. At the south of agra­ma~19apam is the oottupura and thitappa!fi with a well on its north. The receipt

counter is at the northwest and within

the compound wall. The compound

wall made of laterite stone has a

height of 1.8 m. and a breadth of 45

cm. The tank of the temple is at the

northern side.

Carvings and paintings: There is no

carving in the temple. However, on

the front wall of the sreeki5vil beautiful

modern paintings depicting Lord

Krsh1)a, Goddess Saraswathi, Lord

Ayyappa on a tiger, Lord Siva and Lord

GaI)apathi can be seen.

Deities: The main shrine of Lord Saa~tha has the sila-liriga idol of Lord Saastha (27

cm.) with His consort Sree Prabha (15

cm.) and son Sree Sarhyaka (11 cm.). The

idols of Goddess BhadrakaaF and Her

sister are of mirror type with height

of 30 crn. and 27 crn. respectively. The

sila-liriga idol of Lord Siva has a height

of 37 cm. The idol of Lord Gal)apathi is

in sitting pose (30 cm.), while that of

Lord Naagaraaja is in sitting-pose with

raised hoods (37 em).

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 5-30 to 9-30 a.m. and

from 5-30 to 7-30 p.m. There is only

one paola which is held at 8 a.m.

Offerings: The important vazhipaat is

s8rkkara-paayasam with ingredients of

raw rice, molasses, cocoanut kernels,

plantain and ghee. The other vazhipaats

are pushpaanjali, raktha-pushpaaiijali and

vilakk-maala.

Festivals: There IS no festival in this

temple. But duringma{19aia period large

number of devotees come for worship.

Priesthood and temple staff: The details

of the thanthri who installed the idol

are not known. The present thanthri

belongs to Mooththetathth ma!Ja. The

, -

iaanthikkiiran is appointed from Malayaa!a

Brahmins. The only other staff is a

kazhakam.

General remarks: The temple tank

needs renovation and its steps have to

be rebuilt.

(Data furnished by Srcc K.P. Bhiiskaran Nai[, Nominee of the Hereditary Trustee and collected by Sree G. Sivadiisan of the Census Directorate).

1.11 SREE (Pishaarikkal) MOOKAMBIKA TEMPLE, NETUVA (Parappa!:!arigaati panchaayathth, Netuva village, Pin - 676319)

Location: Situated 1.S km east of

Parappa!!angaati at Ayyappan kaav junction and thence half a km., the

temple is connected by tarred road.

The Lakshadweep sea is one and half

km. west of the temple. Facilities for

stay are available at ParappaDangaati.

Brief history and temple administration:

This temple dates back to sixteenth

century. The legend tells that in those

days the then ParappaDaat Valiya Raaja,

being an ardent devotee of Sree

Mookaambika, used to visit the famous

Kolloo!: temple in DakshiI;1 KaDDad. By

his ardent prayers and meditation he

pleased the Goddess. The Goddess

gave him dar ian in a dream and

directed him to go back to his country.

She agreed to reach there travelling

on a pea-cock, at the time of

consecration of a new temple built for

her. The Raaj a happily returned and

built a temple for Goddess

Mookaambika at the present site. At

the specified p!athishrha-muhoo!tham the

presence of the Goddess was revealed

87

by the arrival of a peacock. Thereafter

the consecration of the idol was

performed.

Earlier the idol was of go!aka type

made of ii/a. It was replaced by an

anthropomorphic idol on Pooyam

asterisk of 25th Miehhu!]am 1142 K.E.

corresponding to 9 th July 1967.

When the Parappa!!aat koviiakam found it difficult to manage the temple

some local devotees managed the

temple for a short period. For more

efficient administration a Trust was

formed in June 1987 by name Sree

Mookaambika Religious Charitable

Trust. The Trust is headed by the

hereditary trustee and 16 members

elected from devotees. Every year the

Managing Trustee and the Secretary

are elected from the members and

they attend to the day-to-day affairs

of the temple.

Structures: The details of lands owned

by the temple prior to the Land Reforms

Act are not known. At present the

temple owns 1.40 acres (including the area under the tank). Of this 60 cents constitu te the temple complex. The

structures thereon are sreekovil, namaskaara-maIJf!apam, sub-shrines, clw!!ambalam, valiya-balikkall, deepa­sliJambbam, agrasaaia, well and tank.

The square eka-thala sreekoviJ facing west and of nirandhaara type has granite upa-pee!ham and adhishrhaa!} am , laterite walls and copper-sheet covered roof. The upa-pee[ham has mouldings of paadu kam, kapotham and pati, while

adhishrhaa!]am has mouldings of paadukam, jagathi, vrththa-kumudam, kllmuda-pati, kampam, galam, gala-pali, kampam, ga!am, ga!a-pati, uththaram and patio The sopaa!}am has four direct steps with vyaa!i-figures on sides of

balustrades. The ornamental

p!a/Jaa!am has makara-simha-face at the base, multi-faceted SUIJ9U with rings and curved end. A Bhoothagaflam in

praying pose with folded hands

supports it with his head. The walls have three niches, besides the functional door. The roof is made of

dressed stone and with wooden planks over it. The top is covered with copper sheets. The namaskaara-mal,ujapam (side:

2.46 m.) has four granite pillars. The detached sub-shrine of Lord GaJ.lapathi (facing west) is at the southern side of the sreekavil. The well is at northem side of the akaththe-balivattam.

The chu!!ambaiam has three entrances, at west, north and east. At the northwest corner of the vaathilmaatam there is a sub-shrine for Goddess Durga facing east. The thitappa!!i is at northwest. !vfu!aya!a (at

88

northeast) and store (at southeast) are parts of the chu!!ambalam used for other

purposes. The valiya-balikkall is within

the attached agra-malJrJapam. Three

granite deepa-sthambhas are installed

within the aa!]akotij (built at the westem

side in 1967). The agras1J1l1a with

attached rooms and a well are the

other structures on the northem side.

At the southeast and outside the chuttambalam there is a shrine for Lord

Ayyappa with a granite deepa­sthambham at its front. All the above

structures are within a compound wall

built with laterite stones. On the western side there is a tank, now in

a dilapidated condition.

Carvings and paintings: There are no

wood carvings except the flower motifs on the ceiling of the namaskara­

maflflapam. All the motifs have been coloured with mural paints.

Deities: All idols are made of sila. The

reconsecrated new idol of Sree

Mookaambika Devi is in standing pose

(height: 75 em.) with four arms with

rope and goad in upper hands and with abhaya and varada poses for lower

hands. Both idols of Lord GaI!apathi are

in sitting pose with height of 37 em.

each. The idol of Lord VishI!u is in

standing pose (height: 102 cm.), while

that of Lord Du!,ga (also in standing

pose) has a height of 60 cm. The idol

of Lord Ayyappa has a height of 27 em.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 5 to 10-30 a.m. and

from 5 to 8 p.m. Three poojas are

performed daily, usha-pooja at 7-30

a.m., uccha-pooja at 9-30 a.m. and

aththaazha-pooja at 7-30 p.m. Sreebali is done on uthsava days.

Offerings: Ka{hi[!a-paayasam (arava-!18), sa!kkara-paayasam and pushpaaiijali are

the important vazmpaats of this temple. Of these the first one is very popular.

Festivals: The annual P!athishrha day is observed on Pooyam asterisk of MithhuQam. The most important festival is the Navaraathri which is held for 10

days with special rites like GaIJapathi­havaQam, navakam, panchagavyam etc.

Performing arts like kathhaka/i, thul!al, kootiyaattam, paathakam etc. are held besides other modem entertainments.

Priesthood and temple staff: The details of the thanthri who installed the idol

initially are not known. The present

thanthri belongs to Mooththetath ma!]a of Aalaththiyoor (near Thiroo!:). The saanthikkaran belongs to -Malayaa!a

Brahmins. The other staff includes kazhakam, aticchu-thafi and watchman.

General remarks: Renovation of naalambalam, aag akottii, agra-mar}(japam, temple tank, compound wall and

agrasaaJa is urgently required.

(Data furnished by Sree K.P. Bhaskaran Nair, nominee of Hereditary Trnstee and collected by

Sree G. Sivadiisan of the Census Directorate).

I , •

1.12 SREE (Thrkku!am) SIVA TEMPLE, THIROORANGAATI (Thiroorarigaati panchaayathth, Thiroorarigaati village, Pin - 676 306)

location: Situated about one km.

northwest of Chemmaat or five km. east of ParappaQangaati, the temple is connected by tarred road. Facilities for stay are available at Parappa!}ailgaati.

Brief history and temple administration: Datable to very ancient period the temple is unique as it has no visible

idoL The legend is that in olden days

many _f;(shis used to meditate at this place, which had thick forests. There

were three bael (vilwa) ~rees here.

Centuries later these trees were cut by local inhabitants, an act which caused great misfortunes for them. A

P!as!]a which was held subsequently revealed that a swayambhoo idol existed beneath the cavity of a granite slab. In this cavity there was perennial water also, which retained the same level. Thereafter this site was

preserved. Even to day the water level

89

continues to be stable. The abhisheka­

jala is drained into this cavity and that too makes no change in the water level.

The temple was attacked and

completely destroyed by the forces of

Tippu Sulththaan at the close of eighteenth century_ During the

Malabar riots of 1921 also some

fanatics set on fire the entire temple complex.

Earlier the temple belonged to

VaHuva K6!}aathiri and subsequently it

was annexed by Saamoothiri. Even

now the temple is administered by the

Manager appointed by the Saamoothiri. A local committee of devotees

functions here and they took earnest

efforts to renovate the temple and built

new structures (nata-panthal, office

building and P!adakshiIJa-vazhi in 1987 and temple tank in 1993).

Structures: Earlier the temple owned

paddy fields which fetched 100 paras of paddy per annum and also Rs. 250

as paattam-amount. Now the temple

has an extent of 3.28 acres (inclusive

of tank). An extent of 88 cents

constitutes the temple complex. The

structures thereon are ireekovij, sub­

shrines, chu!!ambalam, valiya-balikkall, pradakshiI}a-'vazhi, office building, well

and tank.

The eka-thaJa sreek6vil facing west

and of saandhaara type has granite

adhishrhaagaJ11, laterite stone walls and

tiled roof. The inner walls of the

garbha-graham are built with laterite

stones. The mouldings of the

adhish!haagam are paadukam, jagathi, vrththa-kumudam, ga!am with motifs,

kampam, ga!am with flower motifs and

uththaram. There is no sopaa!}am and

the p!aIJaa!am is at the ground level. The namaskaara-maI;uJapam (side:2.71 m.)

has four pillars. The well is near the

northern entrance of the naalambalam.

The chuttambalam has entrances

from all sides. The thitappa!!i is at the

northeast naalambalam. Two sub­

shrines are located at southwest of the

naalambalam, one of Lord GaI).apathi

facing north and the other of Lord

Vettakkorumakan facing east. The

valiyambalam and the deepa-sthambham are located within the nata-panthal. There is another deepa-sthambham on

the rear (eastern side) of the temple.

These deepa-sthambhams were built in

1968 and in 1975. The p[adakshi1}a-pathham is made of laterite stone with

a breadth of 2.3 m. and a thickness of

13 cm. The office building is at the

90

southeast. The naaga-tha!a is at the

northeast. The compound wall, built

with laterite stone has a height of 2.1

m. and a width of 30 cm. with

entrances at west and east. The

theerthha-ku!am is at the northeast and

outside the compound wall.

Carvings and paintings: There are no

carvings and paintings.

Deities: As stated earlier, there is no idol in the main shrine. Instead there

is a cavity at the centre of the pee{ham, which has perennial thecrthha-jala. The

belief is that a swayambfwo idol exists

within this cavity. The idol of Lord

GaI).apathi is in sitting pose (45 cm.). Sree Vettakkorumakan is represented by a

peerham and no idol is seen. The Naaga

idol is of sitting pose .... vith raised hood

(15 cm.).

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 5-30 to 9 a.m. and

from 5 to 7-30 p.m. Three poojas are

held daily i.e. usha-pooja at 6-30 a.m.,

uccha-pooja at 8-45 a.m. and aththaazha­

pooja at 7 p.m. No sTee-bali is done daily.

Offerings: JaJa-dhaara, pushpaafijaJi, ve!!a-nivedyam, sa!kkara-paayasam, thrmadhuram, niramaaJa and vi!akk are

the important vazhipaats. Of these

dhaara and pushpaafijaJi are popular.

Festivals: Prathish!ha-day is observed on

Thiruvol}am asterisk in the month of

Makaram. Three-day festival is

conducted from Avittam to Chathayam. Sivaraathri is also observed with the

usual temple rituals.

Priesthood and temple staff: Details of

the thanthri who initially conducted the

rites to the swayambhoo idol are not

available. The present hereditary thanthri belongs to Che~amangalathth

maga. The saanthikkaran also belongs to

hereditary Namboothiri family. The other staff includes keezh-saanthi, kazhakam, aticchu-thaJi, vazhipaat-clerk and

watchman.

General remarks: The temple 1S

administered satisfactorily. The chuttambalam needs renovation.

(Data furnished by Sree P. V. Balan Nair,

Vazhipaat-clerk and data collected by Sree R.

Madhavan Nai! of the Census Directorate).

1.13 ~ -

SREE MAHA VISHptU TEMPLE, NAf!.I~AMBRA (Nannambra panchaayathth, Nannambra village, Pin - 676 320) -- - -- -

Location: The temple is located five km..

east of Thaa!}oo!: at Vengaatambalam

junction on Theyyalangal road and thence about 750 m. northeast via

S.N.U.P. School Junction. The road is tarred up to Vengaatambalam junction.

Facilities for stay are available at Thiroo! (15 km.) or at Thaa!}oo!.

Brief history and t!;~mple administration: Datable to tenth century, the details of the temple are not available. The

temple was neglected for centuries and

there are no authentic records on the

past history of the temple. From 21 st

March 1983 it is managed by the Kshethra SamrakshaIJa Samithi. The

Secretary is attending to the day-to­

day affairs of the temple.

Structures: Details ofland owned by the

temple prior to the Land Reforms Act are not available. At present the temple

owns 1.70 acres of land of which one acre constitute the chi[a (temple tank).

The circular eka-thala sreekovil of

saandhaara type, facing west, has

granite adhish!haagam, laterite walls and granite slabs (with lime plaster

over it) as roof. The adhishthaanam has

mOUldings of paadukam, jagathi, vrththa-

91

kumudam, kumuda-pati, kampam with

motifs, ga!am and patio The sopaa!}am has three direct steps. Vyaa!i-faces have been carved on banisters. The

p!al}aa!am has multi-faceted sUl}lju with sliced end with provision for the lustral

water to fall in a pit below it. The walls have three gha!}adwaaras besides a

functional door. The sub-shrine of Lord Galfapathi, facing west, is attached to the §reekovij. The namaskaara-maJ:ujapam (side: 3.46 m.) has four pillars. There

are two other su b- shrines on the southem side of the akaththe-balivattam, i.e. Sree Vettakkaran (Lord Kiraatha­

moo!:ththy) facing east and Sree Vettakkorumakan (Sree Kiraathasoo!!u)

facing west. The well is at the northeast of the akaththe-balivattam.

The chuttambalam has entrances

from all sides. The thitappa!!i is at

southeast. At the front of the main

shrine there is the valiya-balikkall. The remnants of the ancient agra-marpjapam still exist. To the south of the valiya­balikkall there is a sub-shrine of

Goddess Bhagavathi while to its north is the one dedicated to Sree

G6paalakrsh1).an, both facing east. The

kokkaraIJ-i is at the southwest. The

temple tank is at southeast. The arayaal-tha[a outside the front compound

wall provides shelter to devotees.

Carvings and paintings: There are no carvings and paintings.

Deities: The sila idol of Lord Maha VishI)u

is in standing pose (height: 90 cm.)

with four arms having conch, disc, club and lotus in hands. All the idols of

subsidiary deities are also made of sila, viz. Sree Vettakkaran in standing pose (30 cm.), Sree Maha Gavapathi in sitting

pose (25 cm.) and Sree G6paalakrshl,1an in standing pose (30 cm.). The idol of Sree Bhagavathi is represented by a sila

of mirror type while that of Sree

Vettakkorumakan is symbolized by a

pee{ham with a churika over it. The idols of Lord VishI)u and Sree Vettakkaran are

broken.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open on all days from 6 to 9 a.m. and from 5-30 to 7-30 p.m.' Two poojas are done daily, usha-pooja at 6 a.m. and aththaazha-pooja at 6-30 p.m.

I I

Offerings: The offerings are paaJ­paayasam, sarkkara-paayasam. o!!a-appam and pushpaaiijaJi. Of these the first one is popular and meant for fulfilment of

all desires and long life.

Festivals: The ThiruvoIJam-oott that is

held on ThiruvoIJam asterisk in the month of Thulaam is the auspicious occasion of the temple.

Priesthood and temple staff: The details

of the thanthri who installed the idol initially are not known. The present thanthri belongs to AaI)talaati ma!}a of Pattambi. The saanthikkaran is appointed either from Embraanthiris or from Namboothiris. The other staff includes kazhakam and aticchu-tha!i.

General remarks: The main sreekovii is in ruins. The idols of Sree VishI)u and Sree Vettakkaran are to be replaced

provided the changing of idols 1S

approved in a deva-P!as!}a.

(Data furnished by Sree K. Goyindankutty Nai[. President (Non-hereditary Trnstee) and collected by Srce R. Chandrachoodan of the Census Directorate}.

1.14 SREE SIVA TEMPLE, VENNIYOOR (The[l[lala panchaayathth, The!l!,ala village, Pin - 676 511)

Location: Situated seven km. northWest of K6ttaykkal at VenniyooI on NH-17 and thence one and half km.

west on Thaa!}OoI road, the temple is connected by tarred road. Facilities

for stay are available at Kottaykkal or

ThaaQooI, both being equi-distant.

Brief history and temple administration:

The temple dates back to very ancient period. The local belief is that the idol

92

was installed by Lord Parasuraama. For

more than a millennium the temple

flourished well. During the close of

the eighteenth century, when the

temple was under Paazhiyou maga, it

was attacked by the forces of Tippu

Sulththaan. To avoid any confrontation

the owners fled for safety to South

Kera!a after entrusting the temple to

the kaaryasthhan of the maga.

The temple was also subjected to

looting and desecration by religious

fanatics as an aftermath of the famous

Mappi!a riots. The poojas had to be

completely discontinued after the 1921

rebellion. In 1964 some devotees

decided to rebuild the temple with the

blessings of the members of Paazhiyott

ma!]a. They readily agreed to transfer

the temple to a local temple committee

with the concurrence of the HR&CE

Department. The temple structures

were again subjected to attacks. There

was a statewide bundh on 1 Th October

1990 in Kera!a consequent on the

murder of a Maulavi in Thrssoor district.

The procession taken out on the next

day in this village to protest against

this incident turned violent and the

temple was set on fire. The southern

chuttambalam and the sub-shrine of

Lord Gal).apathi were completely

damaged. The service rendered by the

local people to extinguish the fire

irrespective of caste and creed is worth

mentioning. Thereafter the Temple

Committee has taken, steps to

renovate the temple.

Structures: Prior to the Land Reforms

Act the temple owned 147 acres

(inclusive of both dry lands and paddy

fields). But now the temple has only

2.45 acres of which 81 cents constitute

the temple complex, The structures

thereon are sreek5vil, namaskaara­

maIJ~apam, sub-shrines, chu!!ambalam

with agra-maIJ~apam, valiya-balikkall, two

wells and temple tank.

The apsidal (gaja-p(shrha) dwi-thala

sreekovii of saandhaara type and facing

93

east has granite adhishrhaa!]aJn, laterite

walls and concrete roof. The

adhishthaanam is over a granite

basement having a height of 1.4 m. The

mOUldings of the adhishrhaa!]am are

paadukam, jagathi, vrththa-kumudmn, ga!am

with vaajapa-motif, kampam, ga!am with

flower motifs and uththaram. The

s6paa!]am has eight direct steps, The

p[al}aa!am is a beautiful art-piece. It

has makara-simha face at the base,

multi-faceted SUl}911 and sliced end. A

remarkable feature is an exquisitely

carved image of a serpent with raised

hood encompassing the supporting

pillar. The walls have 17 ghapadwaaras

besides the main functional door. The

temple had a tiled roof earlier but it

was concreted during the time of

renovation and pu!]ah-PIathishrha in

1964. The namaskaara-maIJflapam (side:

5.6 m.) is ruined and has no roof.

There is a proposal to renovate this.

At the northeast of the akaththe­

baiivattam there is a well.

The chuttambalam with attached

agra-mal}(1apam was renovated in 1964.

The southern portion which was set

on fire in 1990 is proposed to be

concreted. The chuttambalam has two

entrances i.e. at east and west. The

sub-shrine on the southern

naalambalam has three idols facing east

i.e., of Lord GaQaparhi, Goddess

BhadrakaaJi and Lord Dakshi1)amoouhrhy.

The thitappa!/i is at southeast while the

mu!ayara is at northeast. The valiya­

balikkall is within the agra-maIJtjapam

which was renovated in 1964. The

shrine dedicated to Lord Saastha, facing

east, is at the southwest of the

complex. There is a deepasthambham (built in 1994) in front of this sub­

shrine. The compound wall has a

height of 4.8 m. and a width of 1.2 m.

with the top portion resembling

elephant's back. At the main entrance

and outside the compound wall there

is another deepasthambham, built in

1993.

Carvings and paintings: The granite

PI81}aa!am is a good art-piece. There is

no mural painting.

Deities: The siJa-liriga idol of Lord Siva in the sankalpa of Sree Kiraathamoo!ththy

has a total height of 90 cm. All the

idols of subsidiary deities are also

made of si1a. Of these the {daIs of Lord

GaI?apathi and Lord Saastha are of sitting

poses with a height of 45 cm. each.

The idol of Goddess Bhagavathi of

mirror type has a height of 15 cm. while

the sila-linga of Sree DakshiI?amoo!ththy has a height of 45 cm.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 5 to 9 a.m. and from

5 to 7-30 p.m. Two poojas are performed

daily, usha-pooja at 7 a.m. and

aththaazha-pooja at 7-15 p.m.

I ,

Offerings: The vazhipaats offered in this

temple are jala-dhaara, e!anee!-dhaara, rudra-dhaara, pusllpaaiijaJi, sa!kkara­

paayasam, kuoya!a-maala, thrmadhuram and

Yi!akk. Of these jala-dhaara is important

and very popular.

Festivals: Sivaraathri is observed with

the usual temple rites. Modern

entertainments are also staged.

Ma1}9aJa-period is celebrated with

chu!!uyi!akk, bhaja!]a etc. During the

month of Ka!kkatakam daily Gal)apathi­

hava!lam and Bhagavathi-seva are

performed. Navaraathri 1S also

celebrated.

Priesthood and temple staff: The idol is

believed to have been first consecrated

by Lord Parasuraama. The present

thanthri belongs to Kalloo!: ma!.!a of

Etarikk6t. The saanthikkaran belongs to

Malaya!a Brahmins. The other staff

includes an aticchu-tha!i.

General remarks: The temple needs

urgent renovation.

(Data furnished by Sree N. Diimoda.ra Ku[up,

Managing Trustee and collected by Sree R. Madhavan Nair of the Census Directorate).

1.15 SREE SIVA TEMPLE, V AAI:-AKKUI:-AM (The.[l!]ala panchaayathth, Thermala village, Pin - 676 508)

Location: Situated seven km.

northwest of Kottaykkal at Vaa!akk.u!am, the temple is connected by tarred road.

Facilities for stay are available at

Kottaykkal. The nearest railway station

is Parappa.Qangaati, the distance being

12 km.

94

Brief history and temple administration;

Datable to very ancient period, it is

reported that the old name of this

place was BaaI;laku!am and by lapse of

time it became Vaa!akku!am. The area

had dense forests and it is believed

that the Paarp;lavas, when they were in

disguise, ~ived here and that Bheema

installed the idol of Lord Siva of this

temple. At the time of installation

there was no water in the temple.

Arju!!a, a great devotee of Lord Siva,

prayed to the Lord of the Sree VeI)I)iyoor

temple (located in an area with

abundant water source) and shot an

arrow towards the waters of the

temple tank of the Sree Vel)l)iyoor

temple. It is believed that by God's

grace the arrow went deep into the

earth and then reappeared at the place

of the present temple tank of

Vaa!akku!am temple and produced

spring water. Even today a cave exists

at the bottom of the tank where the

arrow is supposed to have struck.

This temple was also the target

of attack by the forces of Tippu

Sulththaan during Mysorean invasion

and by the zealots at the end of the

MiippiJa riots. Previously there were

about 41 illams in this area but all fled

for safety to southern Kera!a leaving all

their belongings and properties

inclusive of temples fearing conversion

to Ispim. Before leaving the place the

N amboothiri families handed over the

temple to some of their trusted

lieutenants who thus became the

ooraa!a!s of this temple. The local

devotees took interest in the temple

and they renovated the sreekovil and

chuS!ambaiam. In 1979 as the ooraalars found it extremely difficult to manage

the temple by themselves, particularly

after the implementation of the Land

Reforms Act of 1963, they decided to

hand over the temple to a local committee. The committee also

95

renovated the sub-shrine of Lord

Ayyappa in 1985.

The devotees meet once in a year

to elect the Execu tive Committee

consisting of 11 members inclusive of

five office-bearers (President, Vice­

President, Secretary, Joint-Secretary

and Treasurer). The Secretary of the

committee attends to the day-to-day

affairs of the temple.

Structures: Prior to the Land Reforms

Act the temple had over 500 acres of

land including paddy lands. At present

the temple owns 69 cents of which 49

cents constitute the temple complex.

The structures thereon are sreekovil,

namaskaara-ma{1~apam, a ruined

chutrambalam, sub-shrines, deepa­

sthambham, wells, tank and a gopuram.

The square dwi-thala sreekovil

facing west and of saandhaara type, has

granite adhish{haagam, laterite stone

walls and concrete roof. The

adhish{haagam has mouldings of

paadukam,jagathi, vrththa-kumudam, ga!am with vaajaga-motifs, kampam, ga!am with

flower motifs and uththaram. The

sopaagam has six direct steps. The

p!al}aa!am has makara-simha motif at the

base, multi-faceted SU1}9U with three

rings and tapering end. The walls have

eleven gha!Jadwaaras besides the

functional door. At the southern

passage of the sreekovil there are two

idols (of Lord GaI)apathi and Lord

Dakshil)amoo[ththy) facing south. The

namaskaara-ma1}9apam (side: 5.08 m.l has only tha!,a. The well is at the

northwest of the akaththe-balivattam.

The chu!!ambaJam is now partially exist. It has two entrances, at west

and east. The northern side has

collapsed and the roof of the other part is dilapidated. On the southeast portion

of the chu!!ambalam is the thitappa!!i while at the southern naalambalam is the sub-shrine of Sree Vettakkorumakan

facing east. The valiya-balikkall is outside the chuttamba1am. At the

northeastern portion there is another

well. Deepasthambham (built in 1960)

exists at the eastern side. To its east

is the gopuram. The shrine of Lord

Ayyappa is at the southwest facing east. The temple tank is at the east em

side. It has spring water which gushes

out from its bottom cave.

Carvings and paintings: There is no carving in this temple. The mural

paintings which existed earlier have

now completely faded.

Deities: The idol of Lord Siva, the

principal deity, is made of Rudraksha-5ila in linga form (height: 90 cm.) with the sankalpa of Sree Aghoramoorththy.

The iila idol of Lord Gat:lapathi is in

sitting pose (45 cm.) and the idol of Lord DakshiJ)amoorththy is of siJa-liriga form (height: 15 cm.). Sree Vettakkoru­

makan is symbolized by a ii1a of mirror

f

type (height: 15 cm.). Lord Ayyappa idol is in the form of §ila-linga (30 cm.).

Time of worship and poojas: The temple is kept open from 6 to 8-30 a.m. and

from 6 to 7-30 p.m. Usha-pooja is held at 7-30 a.m. and mala[-nivedyam at

7 p.m. There is no sreebali.

Offerings: Dhaara, sankhaabhishekam. pushpaafijali, sa[kkara-paayasam, vijakku­maala and pin~vi!akk (lamp at the rear

side) are the important vazhipaats. Of these dhaara and pushpaafijali are

popular.

Festivals: There is no festival in this temple. However S/varaathri is observed

with usual rites like abhishekam. besides modern entertainments.

Priesthood and temple staff: The belief is that the idol was installed by Sree Bheema, one of the paggavas. The

details of the thanthri of earlier times are not known. The present thanthri belongs to Kalloo!: maga of K!aari. The saanthikkaran is appointed from Malayaa!a Brahmins. There is no other paid staff.

General remarks: Chu!!ambaiam, namaskaara-ro81}9apam and gopuram need

urgent renovation.

(Data furntshed by Srec T. V'. Hareesh and collected by Sree R. Madhavan Nai[ of the Census Directorate).

1.16 SREE SUBRAMANYATEMPLE, KLAARI-AMBALAVATTAM • • (Etarikkot panchaayathth. The!'nala village. Pin - 676 501)

Location: Situated three km. northeast

of Kottaykkal and one kIn. southwest of

Char:tkuvetti on NH-1 7, the temple is

connected by tarred road except the

last one km. Facilities for stay are available at Kottaykkal.

96

Brief history and temple administration: Datable to very ancient period, the

temple was also a target of Mysorean

invasions and Mappqa riots. The idol

was broken to pieces. When the survey

was held in 1995 the broken idol was

covered with a goIaka. The temple was

owned by Thrkkaikkaatt ma{ham till 1970

when it was transferred to a local

temple committee. The devotees meet

annually to elect the Executive

Committee consisting of 18 member;;;

which include the Presi9.ent, Vice~

President, Secretary, Joint-Secretary

and Treasurer. The Secretary Httenci!';

to the day-to-day affairs of the teraple,

Structures: The temple had large

extent of properties priol' to the Land

Reforms Act. At present the temple

owns only 60 cents of land which

constitute the temple complex. Th~'

structures thereon are sreeki5vil, sub·

shrine, valiyambalam. thicappajp. vaN}'.;­

balikkalJ, well and tank.

The square dwi-thala §reekov.i1

facing east and of nirandhaara type has

granite adhishrhaagam, laterite walls

and tiled roof. It has a mukha-mtl{lcjapam.

The mOUldings of the adhishrhaa!}am are paadukam,jagachi, vrthrha··kumudam, gl1!am with small cage-lnotif, kampam, ga!am

with flower motif and uththaram. The

sopaagam has two direct steps and

seven lateral steps. On the top of

banisters vyaaJi-faces have been

carved. The granite P!aIJaajam has

makQl~a-simha face at the base, multi­

faceted sUJ:uju with a ring at its centre

and non-ornamental tip. The walls

have 13 gbanadwaaras besides the mClin

functional door. Around the sn:ek6vil

there is a concrete p!adakshil;aYllZhi

with a thickness of 7.5 em. and c

br~adth of about l.2 metres. The '-vf'H

is loea ted at the north~ast of t ~H'

akaththe-bal ivatt8.171.

3655 RGII03-St\

The clmframb:1iarn partially exists.

The uaathilmantam (6.6 m. x 4.7 m.)

exists. At its southern ~,;ide IS 8. roorn

used i1S the store. The Ibiiappi:l!!f is 3T

at the southwest ded-icatec to Lord

GaDapathl. The valiya-bnE;r.kall is outside

the vaati1ilmaalam, /~,t jts ea;;tt there is

a deepc~sth(1mhhnrn. It ~~" r!"ppJ:'ted 1:.h2J:

in anClent d?ys t.}V:'J"C Wfl S :,1. dhu,oJa ;en

the front of the temple, TWG sub-

shrines Are koated Ht th e sou therE

side, Lord

Lord Siv::,. at sOil.tn, The temple t.ank 1~

located -".t northea8t of the temple

complex.

prnaso.ada·c}V;·O(U0 d(~serve special

m_entlon, There ~s no :rnl't'8J p8inting,

Deities: The idol of Lord SubrmnaI).ya,

.made of lila Bnd in sLanding pose (263

yavorns), 18 broken e.nd H }{61a};:a is flXed

to the idol above the wri'3t portiun. The

fiIi) idol of I..oTd G;!;!>IP~1ihi is iT) sitting

pos!';: (l~; r:nL\ "\z:l:dl·c lhf'ct of LO'rd

Ayyappa (also of sitting pose) has a

height ef /IS ern. The ,<;iia-liIiga type

of idol of Lord ,Siva ha.s a height of only

15 ern.

is ke pt ~ipe n ,Tn di.t days fronl 6 to

9 a In. and fr01.G 6 Ie 8 13.1'.0. Two pooja_s

at 7 a.rn. and

aththaQzhapoojo. n[ 7<10 p.rn. There:is

and vi!akk-maaJa. Of these pushpaaiijaJi

and vi!akk-maala are popular.

Festivals: Thni-pooyam is celebrated as

one-day festivaL Abhishekams and

special poojas are done on this day

besides staging variety entertain­

ments.

Priesthood and temple staff: The details

of the thanthri who initially installed

the idol are not known. The present

thanthri belongs to Kalloor ma!}a, Etarik6t.

The saanthikkaran is appointed from

Malayaa!a Brahmins. There is no other

staff in the regular pay rolls.

General remarks: Renovation of main

§reeki5~Til, vaathil-maatam and the su b­

shrine of Lord Siva has to be done

urgently.

(Data furnished by Srec R. V. Madhavan Nai[,

Treasurer and collected by Srec R. Madhavan Nai!_' of the Census Directorate).

I _ A

1.17 SREE (Che1:ukunnu) ANNAPOO!PfESWARI TEMPLE, OTHUKKU~GAL

(Othukkungal panchaayathth, Othukkurigal village, Pin - 676 528)

Location: Situated 3.5 km. northeast

of K6ttaykkal at CheIukunnu towards

MalapPuram, the temple is connected

by tarred road. The nearest railway

station is Thiroo! with a distance of

15.5 km. Facilities for stay are

available at K6ttaykkal.

Brief history and temple administration:

Datable to ancient period, the temple

is associated with the famous Sree

A!!!!apooII)eSwari temple of Che~ukunnu

in Kat:lI)oo!, district. A very piou s

Namboothiri used to visit the

Che!'ukunnu temple regularly and spend

days in meditation. Very much

pleased with his ardent tapas, the

Goddess gave him da[san. The

Namboothiri requested Sree

A!!!!apoo!,I)eSwari to accompany him to

his native place and the Goddess

agreed. Sometime later he had a vision

of the Goddess who directed him to

98

build a temple. Accordingly he built a

temple. Since the Goddess came from

Cherukunnu of Kal)I)ooI district this

place also is known as Che!ukunnu.

For a long period the temple was

owned by the local Namboothiris. At

the end of the fifteenth century they

had to accept the suzerainty of

Kottaykkal k6vilakam consequent on the

influence and power of Samoothiri. The

temple was attacked by the forces of

Tippu Sulththaan at the close of the

eighteenth century. During the

Miippija riots also the structures of the

temple were destroyed.

In 1943 the administration of the

temple was vested with the K6ttaykkal

KizhakkE kovilakam. Subsequently an

old ooraaJ}ma family questioned this

transfer in the court of Law. As the

kovilakam found it difficult to manage

the temple directly the administration

3655 RGI/03-8B

was handed over in 1970 to a local

committee. The devotees meet once

in a year and elect a 13-mern ber

committee inclusive of five office­

bearers, President, Vice-President,

Secretary, J oint-Secretary and

Treasurer. The day-to-day affairs are

managed by the Secretary.

Structures: Prior to Land Reforms Act

the temple had lands which fetched

2,000 paras of paddy as miccha-vaaram.

At present the temple owns 1.44 acres

which constitute the temple complex.

The structures thereon are sreekovil,

namaskaara-maIJ9apam, inner P!adakshi1}8

vazhi, deepasthambham, chugambaiam,

ualiya balikkall, su b-shrines,

paththaayappura and temple tank.

The square. eka-chala sreekovil of

saandhaara type and facin'g east, has

granite adhish!haa!] am , laterite walls

and tiled roof. The mouldings of the

adhish[baagam are paadukam, jagathi,

vrchtha-kumudam, ga!am with window­

motif, kampam, ga!am with flower motifs

and uththaram. There are seven direct

steps for the sopaagam. The granite

banisters on sides have vyaa!i-faces.

The PIa!laa!am has makara-simha face

at the base, multifaceted slll}9u with a

single ring and tapering end. The

namaskaara-malJflapam (side: 5.04 m.)

has 16 pillars. Around the sreekovij and

namask~1ara-mal}~apam there 1S a

P!adakshiJ.}a-vazhi made with laterite

stone and plastered with cement

havin g a thickness of 11 cm. and a

'I.Alidth of 88 em. There is a welJ at the

northern side of the ak:1thrhe-baJiv?ftam.

99

At the eastern side and in front of the

namaskaara-maI}9apam there is a deepa­

sthambham

The chu!!ambaiam has entrances

from all sides. The thitappa!!i is at the

southeast. The sub-shrine of Lord

Vishl:m is at the southwest facing east.

A deepa-sthambham has been installed

in front of it. Outside the chu!!ambaJam

(and at the front) the valiya-balikkall is

installed. Lord Siva (Thrpuraanlhaka) is

installed at the aalththaIa at the south,

facing east A deepa-sthambham is also

installed in front of this sub-shrine.

Another well exists at the northern

side. At the northwest, the temple

tank is located, while to its east is the

pnththaayappura. The ku!appura of the

tank is dilapidated. There is no

compound wall.

Carvings and paintings: Beautifully

carved stone images of dwaarapaalas

are in ruins. There is no mural

painting.

Deities: The krshlJa-sila idol of Sree

A!:!!!apoo[!].eswari, in standing pose

(1.35 m. over the pce!ham) , has four

arnlS with conch and disc in upper

hands and abhaya and varada poses for

lower hands. All sila idols of sub­

shrines were broken during the Aliippi/a

riots. Now all idols are chala-PIathishthas. Lord GaI}apathi, in sitting pose (45 em.),

Lord Mahi:i Vishr.lU in standing pose (60

em.) and Lord Thrpuraanthaka of mirror

type (21 em.).

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 5-30 to 9 a.m. and

~; ;;,;:1 5~30 to '1-30 fJ,[i~L Tvvo poojas are

jO~l:~ daily, usha-pooja at g a.rn. and

(;;:Uft.';IUQzha-poqja at 7 prn~,

1 f" ; t; • "'" ,N . .,. ~

;gs: l'C:![h'7l' [Y'!fam, pusJlpaanJall,

',_ ,L~:)fa-paaya:'WIP Y ;jkku-n;aala and

rla!i8m-chaar· z~n; the main

:'a~L~Up(ItS. Ofthc:,,::: \ ~'J!.'1D/Fedy?~ . .m is the

:i >:: ,,;: IYJpular.

L';:Crnple. H.owever important days like

,1nJBihri, .,vavari ;!]B~j1E!la-period

,:~oncerned

100

Priesthood and temple staff: Details of

the thanthri who installed the idol

initially are not known. The present thanthri belongs to Kalioo!: mag a

(Etarikkot). The saanlhikkaran belongs to

:Malayaa!a Brahmins. The other staff includes kazhakam and aticchu-tha!i.

General remarks: Sreekovii, paththaaya­

ppura and ku!appura need urgent renovation.

(Data furnished by Sree V.K. Raghavan Nair,

President and collected by Sree R. Madhavan Nai[ o_fthe Census Directomte)

2 IMPORTANT TEMPLES OF

ERANAT TALUK .... ,

2.1 SREE (Chevaayo0l') SUBRAMA~YA TEMPLE, PU~.J ~{KAL (Che!,ukaav panchaayathth, Che!ukaav village, Pin - 673 537)

Location: Situated six km. southeast

of Raama!!aattukara at PuFkkal and then

500 m. southwest on Kotikuththiparamb road, the temple is accessible by tarred

road up to Pu!ikkal and thence earthen

road thereafter. Facilities for stay are

available at RaamaQaattukara.

Brief history and temple administration: Datable to very ancient period, the idol

of the temple is believed to have been

consecrated by a great f!.shi. Not far

away from the temple, there is a cave

wherein the sages lived and

meditated. Very little data on the

temple are available. It is reported that

years back a great landslide from the

closeby hill occurred and in the deluge

mud fell on the structures and covered

them almost entirely.

Details of the early ooraa!a!S. of the

temple are not known. By the

sixteenth century the administration

of the temple came into the hands of

1 0 1

Saamoothiri k(l\'jiak.Jm and. \J,/8.~,

managed by its u.nit. knov'n ~',S

Karippoor CherikkalL For a [)(',17 : Vl;D

decades the tC.':Ilple \vas closed

worship. In 1960 the local del,'orccs

formed a committe!:" to TI18Jlage it

1977 the conunittee WBS reconstu:u

with the name ChC,/i;ldyour S,][!

Dha[ma Paripacila!!a SamghaIl) , A:- T.h p

annual meeting of the :·;amglwlI1 th-ee

Advisory members and three /li1)Cutnrs

are selected, The 2dnl1nistrc; t l :1 ';C,

done through five office- be8TC"S

consisting

President,

Secretary

of President.,

C3eneral and Treasurer,

Secretary atlends to the da"" ,!:c; -

affairs of the temple.

Structures: Prior to the Land

Act the temple owned three ac c

paddy fields and 1.5 acres of dr.\' Ll;:-iS

At present tile tcrnple owns an t-Xl :W:

constitute the temp;" (umplex_ i"

structures thereon are sreekc1 vii , namaskaara-ma1}9apam, chLJ!lambaiam, valiya-balikkall, sub-shrines, well and

tank.

The square dwi-thala sn::c:k(}vii of

saandhaara type and facing west has

granite adhishrhaa!!am, laterite walls

and tiled roof. The mouldings of the

adhish{haagam are paadukam, jagathl,

vrththa-kumudam, kumuda-pati, kampam, galam gala-pati aalam aaJa-pati

.to , , ,b.' b • ,

vaajagam, uththaram and patio The

sopaagam has five direct steps with

banisters. The P!alJaa!,lll1 has makara­

simha motif at the base, multi-faceted

SUIJ9u with rings and sliced end. The walls have twelve pillars, niches, three

ghagadwaaras and a functional door. The

namaskaara-maIJqlapam (side: 2.90 m.) is

ruined and has no pillars. The well is

at northwest of the akathlhe-balivattam.

The chu!!ambaiam was also ruined

when the renovation of the temple was

taken up in 1990. Heaps of mud of

earlier structures were then rerrlOved

and the remnants of the gopuram and

balikkall-pura were unearthed. Steps

were taken to renovate the tetnple as

per the revised plan prepared by Brahmasree Kaal)ipayyooI Krshn an Namboothirippad.

The thitappa!!i is at northwest and

near the well. The sub-shrine of Lord

Gal)apathi is at the southwest. The

_valiya-balikkall is outside the

chu!!ambalam, which was once within

an agra-maIJ9apam. The granite deepa­sthambham at the front was installed

in 1995. At the southwestern corner there is a roof1ess sub-shrine having deities of Lord Gal)apathi and Lord Saastha and also of Sree Veda Vyaasan.

]()2

To its north is the P!alhishrha of

Brahmarakshas.

Carvings and paintings: The dwaara­

paalas carved in granite stones in front of the srcek6vil deserve special mention.

Deities: The maln idol of Lord Subramanva, made of /fila, is in sta."'1.ding

• r

pose (211 yavams or about 1.57 m.) with

two arms,right hand in abhaya pose 8Jld

left hand kept at waist (kali~ba{li)ha).

The idol of Lord Maha Gal}apathi has

the sankalpa of Sree Beeja-Gal}apathi and

in sitting pose (height: 30 cm.). Lord Saastha is represented by a sila-liriga idol

of height 30 cm. and the idol of Sree

Veda Vyaasan is in standing pose

(30 cm.). There is only a peerham for

l::3rahmarakshas. Srct Naaga Raaja and

Sree Naaga Yakshi take the usual

pattern of sitting poses with raised

hoods.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from. 5-30 to 9-45 a.m. and

from 5-30 to 8-30 a.m. Three poojas

are held daily, I1sha-pooja at 7-30 a.m.,

uccha-pooja at 9-30 a.m. and aththaazhn· pooja at 7 -30 p.m. No daily sree-baJi is

done.

Offerings: PaIichaaJ71!lham, thrimadfwram,

paagakam, sa!kkara-paayasam and appam

are the main vazhipaats. Of the se the

first three are very popUlar.

Festivals: Th..ai-pooyam (Pooyam asterisk

in 1'Jakaram jis celebrated with kaavati­ezhunne!!athth. P!athishrha day festival is

for three days, the main day being

RohiIJi asterisk in lvlce!]aIn. All temple

rites associated with the festival are

conducted on these days besides

staging Thl1!!:JJ,ch.'1;lkYda!-koothth and

modern entertainment::;,

Priesthood and temple staff: The details of the thanth[i who installed the idol initially are not known. The present thanth[i belongs to Kakkaat illam of Pookkottoo!,. The saanthikkaran is

appointed from Malaya.!a Brahmins. Other staff includes a kazhakam and aticchu-tha!i, besides Secretary.

General remarks: Sreekovl1, chu{!ambaJam

and namaskaara-mal}9apam need urgent renovation.

{Data furnished by Sree px. Swamidiisan Nai[

(General Convener) and Sree PK. NariiyaIJa

Nambi§§an and collected by Sree A.K. Sudht:e[

Babu of the Census Directorate)

2.2 S'REE KARUMAKAN KAAV, AZHINMILAM (Vaazhayoor panchaayathth, Vaazhayoor village, Pin - 673 632) - -

Location: Situated six-km. northeast of Feroke at Azhinnilam via the Feroke College-Vaazhakkaat road, the temple is easily accessible. The road is tarred. Chaaliyaa! river flows one km. north of the temple. Facilities for stay are available at Feroke.

Brief history and temple administration: Datable to fifteenth century, the history of the temple is associated with the history of naatuvazhis (local chieftains) and saamoothiris. In early times the Vaazhayoo~ area (south of

Chaaliyaar river) was under the sway of AthlhimaJ! Ka!rhthas, Once the kaara!J8Va[

of that family who went for hunting in the nearby forests felt the chaithagya

of Sree Kiraathamoo!ththy. Being very

pious he went into meditation till the Lord appeared before him. At his request the Lord agreed to follow him.

After a p[as!]u he selected a suitable site near the Chaali yaa! river and installed the power of the Lord Kiraathamoorththy (called Sree Karuvan) there and arranged poojas to be done by a renowned Namboothiri, In course of time the temple rose to importance and became a desa-kshethram. The kaara1_1ava[ made it a point to worship the Lord every time before he sets out

103

for hunting of small wild animals. Once he failed in his hunting attempt. Attributing his fallure to the Lord he came to the temple and threw the pee{ham and churika of the Lord into the nearby Chaaliyaar river and closed the temple. At that juncture Ke~u Nair, the oracle of the temple rushed to the spot by God's will and jumped into the deep waters of the river, recovered the pee{ham and churika and placed them beneath a rare variety of pine tree. Thereafter poojas were held at the new site. Not much later the family of Aththimat; Karththas lost status and

prestige in the society and they had to live in disgrace. Subsequently the Lord gave da[san to a Azhinnilam Eraati (the

local naatu vaazhll, the kaarapava! of MullappaHi iliam, Ketu Nair (the oracle) and

one Kal)aaran and directed all of them to build a temple around the pine tree. On the very next day they all

assembled beneath the pine tree where they could see a small swayambhoo idol emerging. They then arranged regular poojas. After this incident the importance of Azhinnilam E~aati increased. Naturally his exalted prestige in society created animosity from the Saamoothiri who was striving

1~;Jrcl to extend h.l~ ~1U.7:U a.il1tv< Once ~;;Fi.'l;{\;Jtlliri Ul.vitcd }~ r~Liti to Kozhlkko.1e

;_,_nd u',c1~ hi.Ht to the "I h~!'i ternple to

sho'J/ hiS anstol'rac~·c. There the priest of the te:mple showed disrespect to 1~:;'Jt; while-' l~;.vin?: hirn Pt:1sej,:'tda.m with t t,~~ knowledge of Saanwuthiri Deeply \\(.';J..iHled Ln' till""; incident Eriuti dpcided t,"· ',-·'i·'l"lrl t'tH' \/I'irl~ib,lll Ti, c1t i ""(U'l"i ;,_;.;I 4. '\.._, _!' _-t ~_ ( •• , ..'I "... £. ,~ . f .I ~ .... ,1 • =- ~ '\> .. '-4

shliLl u:;~l!plf: '-I,d C1 iDllk which vt;en~ h: ~;',l1"t)x')s ;n c;..;:, ,clkrice tLe stn.l.ctures of Thali ~:lah::idb.·~l iemp1e of Kozhikk6de, Un hearing tlus rH'\VS Sao.moothrrl crnrusted 1\:lo1)tamhalarn ~,/Ioor~sad, one of ],18 ministers, to take appropriate steps to execute EraatL The men of I\.1oossad treacherously n11.lTdered F[aati and seized his territories. To avoid any kind of calumny Samnoothiri gave the lieu.:I), anncx:cd kr ~ itoric~ to L''i:oo''>sad

and cOJ1.ferred , . DIU) the title

Thc!].y;mch~cri Ijayath, The tem.ple waG

sdtisfHctorily lila...1aged fur a long tirne

hj the qayat1t family till the t:l'21se of

the eig,btecnth ccntl1!y The hr:reditmy ILl\;_nIi ~am"i:v ilOW hVL'~"i it" I\1(Hl[J.ll1balam

• •• _, - -5

T'f-lC [j(}jit~y· (}i: i~vta~dhiir SJ10'V1C<-1

rhange~. dllril1L--s H:: i:o; period The 7v1oossacl fHrnilv rr1.1:':,managed the e,ffairf'. of the; t eil:i.pk p:n:.pertif:s. The

docurnent of ,'ictllcment of ~,l(lng(llJtambalam Akaththoott Moossad

l{[a;n. of 19~:!7 "'peiJs out t11t" details of

lhe propertJes of tIl IS temple also, As

the kClill'(jJ1ill<i[ of the ternple acted contrary to ::.he cJause:::> of this

'3" t tieruen l. the II, ;,:~ ()r,C. B. I3o;ifd

C'.Jntrol. Tn J971 'ire.:: hdfuvilnkaav di.~Vil· w:n}j \.Vi:IS d(":;ciart'd as a public d(Te:hH';liIi. ;\U\":, !.~j il1cHldged by a

Trustee boatel. l'On:..;lsl.i:ng 01 five

StnJ ch.! res: The details of land owned earller are not known. The total extent of the temple at present is four acres as per the settlement executed by M5ng0I]tabalam Akarhthoott MoossadiIJam.

The area within the inner compound

waH is 25 cents. The structures thei'con are sreek6vil around the pine

tree with attached paattupura, deepa­

sthombham, gopura.m and sub-shrine,

The square srcck6vij with attached

puattoott facing east is peculiar. The sWGuambhoo idol is beneath the pine tree. The lhara around the tree has - .

Li10uldings of paadukam, jagathi, galam, uththaram and patio The sopaa!]am has

two lateral steps. simplified type.

The ptalJaa!am is of The walls made of

laterite have four pillars,

The attached paattupura has a {reemukila.JTI. The thilappa!!i and the wall are at its northeast. The thara with a

height of 60 em. of Sree Kariyaaththan is on the northern side. A g6puram was built by Pulaap!a family in gratitude to the Lord's blessings which made possible the escape of Pulaap~a

Karur,mkara Me~6n from the prison of the

Raaja of Kotagu, The compound wall

bm; a height of 1.5 m. and a width of 23 ern. Outside this wall is a Paola

tree having a §jla-pee!ham with the

sankaJpa of (:l Yakshi.

Can/iogs and paintings: The wooden sree­mllkham has carvings of vyaa!i figurine. 1'h,,:re is no mural painting.

Deities; The swayo.mbhoo ,5iJa-JiJiga idol of Sree Kiraathamoo!_,ththy has a height

uf 15 em, There are two similar finga idoLs of same height by its side, one relating to C;'oddess Paarv~nhi and th(;

other of Sree Arju!!a. There are no other idols in this temp]e except tha[a for

Sree Kariyaaththan (height: 60 em.) and iiJa-peetham (15 cm.) for Yakshi.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple is kept open from 6 to 9 a.m. and from

5-30 to 7 p.m. Two poojas are done daily, morning-pooja at 7 a.m. and

evening pooja at 7 p.m. At, the request of devotees special paojas like thrkaaJa pooja, navakam, panchagavyam and ka!abhiibhishekam are also performed.

Offerings: Appam, sa!kkara-paayasam, paal-paayasam and thrmadhuram are the

main vazhipaats. Of these appam is very popular.

Festivals: Paatt-uthsavam, Sivaraathri, Navaraathri and Malp)ala-vi!akk are

celebrated every year. Paattu-uthsavam is held on the birthday of the Lord,

Rohilli asterisk in the month of Mec!]a.Jn. Prior to 1962, thi!8 and veffaatt

were used tu be performed as part of

paatt-uthsavam. They have been

discontinued, However ka] amezhuthth,

nrththam etc. are performed besides

modern entertainments. Akshara-sJoka

sadas is also held.

Priesthood and temple staff: The thanth[i

belongs to MullappaHi iUam of Azhinnilam.

The poojas are also held by the

members of this illarn. There is no paid

kazhnkam though a clerk and an aticchu­

thap are on the rolls.

General remarks: The sreekovil. paattupura and thitappa!!i require

renovation. The temple tank which is

covered with mud has also to he

renovated.

(Datafumish.ed by Prof V.G.K. Nai! (Chairman

in 1991) and Sree K. Diimi5da.r3 Pa{Jikke! (Vice­

President) and collected by Sree AK. Sudheer

Biibu of the Census Directorate).

I _ .4IJI1rJ

2.3 SREE (Tha'i) MAHA VISHt!iU TEMPLE, AZHINNILAM (Vaazhayoo! panchaayathth, Vaazhayoo! village, Pin - 673 654)

location: Situated two km. north of

Raama!}aattukara at ThaF Ambalapati

junction on Kaaraatt road, the temple is on its westenl side and is accessible by tarred road. The National Highway (Bypass road) is at its western side. The Chaaliyaar river flows about 200 m. north of the temple. Facilities for stay

are available at Feroke, which is about four km. west of the temple.

Brief history and temple administration: This temple dates back to very ancient period. It has a chequered history. The legend tells that many ~shjs worshipped Lord VishQ.u here in some form or other. However a temple structure was built

105

here centuries later by a local raaja. The later events and change of polity over the centuries had their impact on this temple also. Tn the thirteenth century the ovmers of the temple were Azhinnilam E[aatis whose jurisdiction extended over the regions around Raama!!aattukara. The su bsequent events resulted in taking away the temple and its territories from the Azhinnilam Eraatis by the Saamoothiri and transferring them to the MOl)tambalath~h Moossads to avoid any calumny on account of a tragic incident are explained in detail in the write-up on Sree Karumakan kaav. (vide sl.no. 2.2). It is reported that the

Saamoothiri who was residing at Po!!!!aaQi palace used to camp at the Sree Azhififiilam Vish1)u temple, on his way to Kozhikkode, for receiving representations from the public.

At the close of the eighteenth century the temple was ransacked and the structures were levelled to the ground by the forces of Tippu Sulththaan. Later a small temple was built at this place, which was in no way comparable to the one of its glorious past. For over a century it somehow survived. At the second half of the twentieth century the Land Reforms Act was implemented which again struck the backhone of the functioning of this temple also as elsewhere in Malaba~. The temple lands were occupied by encroachers using false documents. The legal battle which was spearheaded by the late Prof. V.G.K. Nair on behalf of the Ksilethra Trustee Samithi ended in the historical judgement proclaiming that the deity of the temple shall always be considered a 'minor' and the temple properties shall not be alienated to anyone, for which delay or lapse of time is not applicable. This helped the temple authorities to take back the encroached properties consisting of 1.56 acres besides a tank and a chi[a.

The Archaeological D~partment of the Government of India, after examining the ruins of the devastated sreckovil have issued a special notification to the effect that the temple dates back to over two thousand years.

The devotees met and formed a Samithi known as Thali Maha VishflU Kshethra Naveckaral}a Samithi and took

106

over its administration in 1983 from the family of The!!ayancheeri I!ayath. Under the auspices of the Samithi renovation started on 2 nd June 1993.

The foundation stone was laid by Brahmasree Viseswaratheerthha Swaamikal of Pejavaa~ ma!ham. It took about six years to complete the renovation including installing of a new dhwajam. The reconsecration rites were held on 19th Mee!!am 1173 K.E. corresponding to 2 nd April 1998. The contributions of Hon. Justice V. BalakrshI)a Eradi, Prof. V.G.K. Nair and Sree V.K. Erati alongwith a team of dedicated devotees deserves special mention. H.H. MarthaI}9a Varma and H.H. Aswathi Thirunaa! Gouri Lakshmi Baayi of the Travancore royal family also graced the p[athish[ha­mahothsavam.

The temple IS managed by a Kshethra Naveekaral}a Samithi consisting of 15 members (inclusive of seven office- beares: President, two Vice­Pesidents, Secretary, two Joint Secretaries and Treasurer) who are elected once In five years by permanent members of the Samithi.

Structures: The temple owns 1.56 acres of dry lands of which one acre constitutes the temple complex. The structures thereon are sreekovii with mukha-mal}fjapam, namaskaara-mal}r)apam, chu!!ambaJam, valiya-baiikkalJ, pradaksil)a­vazhi, sub-shrines, three wells, tank and office-buildings.

The square dwi-thala sreek()vil of saandhaara type and facing east has granite adhish{haa!Iam, laterite-stone walls and copper-sheet roof. The adhish!haagam has mOUldings of paadukam, jagathi, v[ch!ha-kumudam. kumuda-pati, ga!am, ultharam, kampam,

ga!am, ga!a-pati, uththaram and patio The sopaa!]am has five lateral steps with full figure of vyaa!i at the front. The p[al}aajam is of simplified type without any decoration. The outer walls of the §reek6viI have niches, three gha!]adwaaras and a functional door. The namaskaara-mal)cJapam (side: 6.80 m.) has sixteen pillars made of cement concrete. The maIJi-kipar is at the northeast corner of the akaththe­balivattam .

The chu!!ambalam has entrances from all sides. The thitappa!/i is at the southeast. The sub-shrine is at the southwest corner of the chu!!ambaiam facing east. Another sub-shrine is located at northwest dedicated to Goddess Du!,ga Bhagavathi. The mu!ayara is at northeast. The vaJiya­balikkall is located outside the chu!!ambaiam. At its front there is a teak dhwajam of about 65 feet height covered with copper paras. The P£adakshil}a-vazhi with a width of 1.5 m. is made of laterite stones and plastered with cement. At the front there is an office-cum-counter. The sub-shrine of Lord Saastha is at the southwest corner of the PIadakshil)a-vazhi, facing east. Two wells and a tank are at the northern side. There is a proposal to build a compound wall.

Carvings and paintings: There are two granite dwaara-paalas at the front of the sreekovil.

Deities: The krshIJa-sila idol of Lord Mahii VishI)u is in standing pose (height: 98 yavams) with four arms having conch, disc, club and lotus in hands. The sila­idols of Lord GaI_lapathi and of Lord Saastha are of sitting poses with heights 27 ern.and 30 crn. respectively. The idol

107

of Goddess Du!ga Bhagavathi, also made of sila, has a height of 57 cm. in standing pose with four arms having conch and disc in two upper hands and abhaya and varada poses for lower hands.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple is kept open from 5 to 10-30 a.m. and from 5-30 to 8 p.m. Three poojas are held daily, usha-pooja at 7 a.m., uccha­pooja at 8-30 a.m. and aththaazha-pooja at 8 p.m.

Offerings: There are about 53 items of vazhipaats of which paal-paayasam, iratti­paayasam. nai-paayasam and pushpaaiijaJi are important for Lord VishI)u. o!!a, modakam, pushpaafijaJi and mafifia-patt for Lord Gar:tapathi, ata, neyyabhishekam and pushpaafijaJi for Lord Saastha and raktha­pllshpaafijaii, mlltta!llkkai and Bhagavathi­seva for Sree Du!ga Bhagavathi.

Festivals: P!athish{ha-day is observed on Makeeryam asterisk in the month of MccIJam. The annual festival commences eight days prior to Thiruvol}am asterisk in the month of Makaram. During the festival days all uthsava-rites are performed besides discourses, bhajans and staging of religious performing arts.

Priesthood and temple staff: Details of the sage or thanthri who first performed the initial consecration rites are not known. The present thanthri belongs to Poonthottaththil Putayoo! illam. The mel­saanthi is appointed from Malay::i!a Brahmins. The other staff includes keezh-saanthi, kazhakam. aticchu-thaji and office-clerk.

General remarks: The temple is administered well.

(Datafumished by Sree V.K ii[iidi, Pre.,idenr and

M. G6piiJakrishf.1an, Treasurer and collected by

Sree G. Sivadiisan of the Census Directorate).

I _

2.4 SREE (Kottakurumba) DU8GA BHAGAVATHI TEMPLE, PUTHUKOT (Vaazhayoo_r panchaayathth, Vaazhayoo! village, Pin ~ 673 633)

Location: Situated one and half km. northeast of Raama!!aattukara at Paarammel on Azhinnilam road, the temple is connected by tarred road. Facilities for stay are at Feroke which is six km. away.

Brief history and temple administration: Datable to very ancient period it is believed to be one of the 108 Du[ga temples installed by Lord Parasuraama. During the close of the eighteenth century the temple was attacked by the forces of Tippu Sulththaan and the ooraa!a!s fled to southern Kera!a. For a long period the temple was owned by Thaikkaat Moossad family. In 1971 its ownership was transferred to Kshethra SamrakshalJ8 Samithi. A local committee under the Samithi manages the temple.

The committee is elected by devotees once in a year and its Secretary attends to the day-to~day affairs.

Structures: Details of land owned by the temple prior to the Land Reforms Act are not known. At present the temple has an extent of 40 cents which constitute the temple complex. The ruined temple complex has structures of sreek6viJ with a paattoott, sub-shrines, thitappa!p, office building, a gundhi-tha!a,

well and tank.

The square dwi-thala sreeko .. riJ of

saandhaara type and facing west has laterite adhishthaa!lam and half-walls and concrete roof. The mouldings of

the adhish{haa!}arrJ are paadukam,jagathi, ga!am and uttharam. The sopaagam has three direct steps. The broken granite p!8paa!am has been extended with

108

cement moulding. The walls have three ghagadwaaras at the lower side

besides the functional door. At the

greeva of the dwi-thala also there are

three gha!!adwaaras. Close to the walls

of the sreekovij half-laterite wall and over it iron trellis-work exist. The

sreekovil has an attached ma-!1gapam called paattoott. The office building and

the thitappa!!i were built in 1990. They

are located on the northern side. The

well is at the northeast comer.

The su b- shrine (builtin 199 1)

having deities of Lord Gal)apathi and

Lord Saastha is at the southwestern

side. It has an attached nata-panthal and two deepa-sthambhas at its front. The guruthi~lha!a at the north is a small

structure. At the eastern side is the

Naaga-tha!a. The sila deepasthambham with five layers was installed in 1986. The other structures of kaJyaal}a­manl}ifpam and receipt counter are on

the western side. The kaav is located at the east. The compound wall also

exists.

Carvings and paintings: There are no

carvings and paintings.

Deities: The fila idol of Goddess Durga is of mirror type (height: 15 cm.). The

§ila idol of Lord Gal)apathi is of sitting

pose (height: 37 em.) while those of Lord Saastha, His consort Sree Prabha and

son Sree Sathyaka are of plain -linga type

(heights: 15 cm.,13 cm. and 13 cm.

respectively) ,The Naaga idols are of

usual type of sitting poses with raised

hoods.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 5 to 9 a.m. and from 5 to 7-15 p.m. Three poojas are done

daily, usha-pooja 6-30 a.m., uccha-pooja at 8-30 a.m. and aththaazha-pooja at 7

p.m.

Offerings: Guruthi, mutta!ukkaJ and ka{higa-paayasam are main vazhipaats. Of these guruthi is considered important and popular.

Festivals: Kaa[ththika pin·-vi!akk (in Kaarththika asterisk in the month of Makaram, is observed as the festival­

day in the temple. Modern entertain­ments are staged on this day_

Priesthood and temple staff: The

p!athish!ha of the main idol was

performed by Lord Parasuraama. The

thanth[i of the temple is from Putayoo~

ma!]a of ThaFparamba. Saanthikkaran is

appointed from Malaya!a Brahmins. The

other staff includes kazhakam and

clerk.

General remarks: The temple is being

renovated, but paucity of funds affects

its progress.

(Data furnished by Sree M. Govindankutty Menon,

Secretary 1993) and collected by STee A.x. Sudheq Biibu andSree G. 5ivadiisan afthe Census Directorate}.

2.5 s'REE (Ariyil) SIVA TEMPLE, AZHINNILAM (Vaazhayoo! panchaayathth, Vaazhayoo!_ village, Pin 673 654)

Location: Situated eight km. northeast of Feroke at Azhiiifiilam and thence half

a kIn. southeast on Pudukk6t-Rama!}aa­ttukara road, the temple is accessible

by tarred road. Facilities for stay are available at Feroke.

Brief history and temple administration: Datable to eight century A.D. the

history of the temple is based on legends. It is reported that in ancient

days the place had dense forests and

many I5-shis used to live and meditate

here. They mainly worshipped Lord

Siva and Goddess Paa~vathi with the

sankalpa of Sree KiraathamoO[lhthy and

Sree Kiraathi. After ma~y years of

continued meditation the chaitha!lyas of Sree Kiraathamoorththy and Sree Kiraathi appeared in the form of swayambhoo . 6Ja and blessed them. The If-shis thereafter conducted consecration rites as per thanthric principles.

109

Regular poojas were then held. The

ownership of the temple was first

transferred from Malaya!a Brahmins to

Naatuvaazhis and later vice versa. Consequent on the Mysorean invasion

the temple remained neglected. Later

the administration of the temple was

vested with the ooraa!a! family of

Thaikkaat Moossad. Now the Trustee

Board of Sree Karumakan kaav, approved by the H.R.&C.E. Depart­

ment, administers the temple through

a committee elected annually consist­

ing of the President, Secretary and

other office bearers.

Structures: The area owned by the

temple prior to the Land Reforms Act

is not known. At present the temple

complex has an extent of 86 cents .

The structures ther'eon are sreekOvil,

sub-shrines, ruined chat{,ambaJam,

valiya-balikkall and tanks.

The square eka-thala sreek15vij of nirandhaara type and facing east has granite upa-pee[ham and adhish!haa!!am, laterite walls and concrete roof. The adhish!haa!]am is built over an upa­peer ham of 7.5 crn. height. Over it are the mouldings of the adhish{haa!!am with paadukam, jagathi, vrththa-kumudam, kumuda-pati, kampam,ga!am, uththaram, ga!am, ga!a-pati and patio The sopaa!]am has four direct steps while the p!al}aa!am is of simplified type. The walls have three ghagadwaaras, besides the main functional door. On the sides of P!aasaadadwaara two granite dwaarapaalas are installed. The namaskaara-maIJrJapam (side: 3.27 m.) has four pillars. On the southern side there is a su b-shrine for Lord Ga.r;tapathi facing east.

The chuttambalam IS ruined. At the southeast corner of valiyambalam there is a sub-shrine for Naagas. Only rarely P!athish[ha of Naagar is seen within the valiyambalam. The thitappa!!i is at the eastern side of southern naalambalam. The sub-shrine of Lord Saastha (called Sree Kukshi Saastha) is at the western side of the southern naalambalam. At the northern valiyambalam there is a shrine for Goddess Paarvathi facing west. The valiya-balikkall is outside the c11U!!ambalam. At its front there is a temple tank which has an extent of about 50 cents. The Ella fishes in the tank are fed by devotees as a vazhipaat. On the southern side of this tank there is a kokkaral}i. the water of which is used for temple purposes. At the southeast there is a sub-shrine for Sree Vettakkorumakan facing east. The ifjJa­deepasthambham installed in 1991, has five layers of lamps. There is no compound wall.

110

Carvings and paintings: The dwaara­paalas made of iila deserve special mention. There is no mural painting.

Deities: The ,(jia idol of Sree Kiraatha­

moorththy is swayambhoo of /iJiga type (height: about 30 em.), while the idol of Sree Kiraathi takes the shape of

bali-vigraha. The other sub-shrines have pee[ha-P!athish[has of height 7.5 cm. each. Naagas, as usual, are in sitting poses (height: 30 cm.) with raised

hoods.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 5-30 to 8-45 a.m. and from 5-30 to 7-30 p.m. Three poojas are held daily,usha-pooja at 7 a.m., uccr...a-pooja at 8-30 a.m. and aththaazha­pooja at 7-30 p.m. There is no ;rccbaii,

Offerings: Nai-paa_yasam, m[thyufijaya homam. jaJa-dhaaF3 and pushpaafijali are the important vazhipaats. Feeding of Etta fishes is famou s and is done for curing of diseases. These fishes will

appear only if ardent devotees give the feed.

Festivals: Sivaraathri IS observed with usual temple rites. Modem entertain­ments are staged on festival days.

Priesthood and temple staff: Details of

the thanlh!i who conducted the initial rites to the swayambhoo idols are not known. The present tiUlnthri belongs to Itavalathth Putavoor mana of Thalora .,J _._ _

(Thapparamba). The saanthikkaran is

appointed from Malaya!a BrahmiI)s. There is no other paid staff.

General remarks: All the structures need urgent renovation.

(Data furnished by .'irer: K. Kufifiail Md.~lt:r, Secretary an.d collected by ,~rcc AK. Sudllct:! Biibu a/the Census Directorate).

2.6 SREE (Valiya-Kutt.is'seri) MAHA VISH~U TEMPLE, ETAVANNAPPARA . . -(Vaazhakkaat panchaayathth, Vaazhakkaat village, Pin - 673 640)

location: Situated 300 m. southwest

of Etaval!l!appara junction (on Fe!oke­

Areekk6t road), the temple is accessible

by tarred road. The Chaaliyaa! river

flows about one km. north of this

temple. Facilities for stay are available

at Feroke which is 20 km. southwest

of the temple.

Brief history and temple administration:

Datable to very ancient period, the

details on the origin of the temple are

not known. It is believed that the main

idol of Lord Vishl!u was installed by Lord

Parasuraama. As in the case of most

temples in Malabar this temple was also

subjected to atrocities by the forces of

Tippu Sulththaan. Subsequently during

the and MiippiJa riots of 1921 also the

temple structures were set on fire by

some miscreants.

The temple belonged to Kottaykkal

Kizhakke kovilakam for a long period. In

1978 the temple was declared as a

public temple and the H.R.&C.E

Department took over its control and

a Trust was formed for its management

consisting of hereditary and non­

hereditary members.

Structures: The area owned by the

temple prior to the Land Reforms Act

is not known. At present the temple

complex has an extent of about one

acre. The structures thereon are

,~reekoyjf, ruined namaskaara-maIJ9apam,

and chu!!ambalam, sub-shrines, valiya­balikkall, well and a dilapidated tank.

III

The circular eka-thaJa sreekovii

facing east and of saandhaara-type has

laterite llpa-pee{ham, adhish{haa[!am and

walls and concrete roof. The mOUldings

of the upa-pee!ham are paadukam, jagathi, ga!am and uththaram, while the

adhishthaanam has mOUldings of

paadukam, jagathi, vrththa-kumudam,

gaJam and patio The sopaa[!aJn has six

direct steps. The banisters are of

simplified type. The p!aIJaa!am is

broken. The walls have three

ghagadwaaras besides the functional

door. The sub-shrine of Lord Gal!apathi

is attached to the southern side of the sreekoyii.

At present the thara of the

chu!!ambaiam alone exists. The paattu­pura, thitappa!!i and sub-shrines of Sree

Bhagavathi and Sree Saastha (at

southwest) are the other structures.

The valiya-balikkall is also dilapidated.

The tank is in ruins and not in use.

Carvings and paintings: There are no

carvings and paintings.

Deities: The siJa idol of Lord Maha Vish'!u

is in standing pose (height: 57 cm.).

Goddess Bhagavathi is represented by

a ,,fila-mirror idol and a trident. The idol

of Lord GaDapathi is also a siia idol of

sitting pose (21 cm.), while that of Lord

Saastha is of siJa-linga type (21cm.). For

Sree Dakshi,!amoo~ththy a srhrhaanam alone exists.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 6 to 9 a.m. and from

5 to 7 p.m. Two poojas are held daily, morning-paoja at 7-30 a.m. and evening paoja at 7 p.m.

Offerings: Nai-vi!akk, vi!akk-maala, pushpaanjali and paaZ-paayasam are the main vazhipaats. Of these the last one is more popular.

Festivals: Paatt and thaaZappoli are held on any day between 5 th and 9 th

Kumbham.

Priesthood and temple staff: It is believed that the consecration rites were

initially done by Lord Parasuraama. The

present thanth[i belongs to Kizhakkumpatt

illam at Keezhparamb. The saanthikkiiran

is appointed from ~1alaya!a Brahmins.

There is no other paid staff in the

temple.

General remarks: The entire temple

structures need urgent renovation.

(Datafumished bySreeP. Vatsariijan, Fresident

and collected by Sree A.K. Sudi1ee! Biibu afthe census Directorate).

I

2.7 SREE (Cheriya-kuttisseri) VISH~U TEMPLE, ETAVA"'~APPA~ (Vaazhakkaat panchaayathth, Vaazhakkaat village, Pin - 673 640)

Location: Situated 250 metres north of EtaVa(.lI;tappaa~a junction (on Feroke­

Areekkot road), the temple is accessible by tarred road. Facilities for stay are available at Feroke which is 35 km.

west of the temple.

Brief history and temple administration: Datable to ancient period the details on the origin of the temple are not

known. The only information available is that it was earlier owned by EF~tathth

illam. In 1966 the administration of the

temple was taken over by H.R.&C.E.

Department which declared it as a public temple. The day-to-day

administration is done through a Fit Person and there is a committee of local devotees to help him.

Structures: Details of the lands owned

by the temple prior to the Land Reforms Act are not known. At present the telnple owns 75 cents which constitute the temple complex. The structures thereon are §reekii,/j/, namaskaara­mal} f1apam , chuttambalam with agra-

112

ma{lf}apam, valiya-balikkall, sub-shrines, kalyaal}a-mal}tjapam, well and tank.

The square eka-thala sreekovil facing east and of saandhaara type has

laterite adhish!haa!Jam and walls and tiled roof. The adhishrhaaQam, plastered

with cement, has mouldings of

paadukam, jagathi, kampam, kumudam, ga!am and patio The sopaa!lam has three

direct steps. The p!al}aa!am is made of cement in the shape of elephant's trunk. The walls have three

gba!!adwaaras besides the maIn functional door. The namaskaara­ma{19apam (rebuilt in 1991 and of side 3.3 m.) has four pillars and concrete

roof. The weil is at the northeastern side of the akathche-balivattam.

The incomplete chu!!ambaiam has

two entrances, at east and at north. Except valiyambalam, ehieappa!!i and a sub-shrine the remaining parts of

chuttambalam have only a wal1.The

thitappa!!i (built in 1970) LS at southeast. The sub-shrine of Lord Ga~apathi. which

was in existence from early times was rebuilt in 1992 and two more idols (viz. Goddess Bhagavathi and Lord Saastha, were installed within that shrine, In 1982 a kalyaa!1a-maf19apam and an office building were newly built and the valiya balikkaUpura was renovated. The sub-shrine of Sree Vettakkorumakan is in a separate structure with a detached paattupura. The sila deepasthambharn having three layers of lamps was installed in 1982 ~ The iron lamps installed at the paattupura are lighted

on all festival days. The temple tank (27 m. x 18 m.) is at southeast vlith steps from north and west.

Carvings and paintings: There are no carvings and paintings.

Deities: The ii1a idol of the mrun deity of Lord Vi~hI_1u is in standing pose (159 yavams) \vith four arms having conch, disc, club and lotus in hands. The sankalpa of the deity is that ofsanlha;,J.lJa~

gopaaJa. The sila idol of Lord Veuakkoru­makan is of mirror type (height: 27 em.) while similar idols are installed for Lord Saastha and Goddess Bhagavathi. The idol of Lord GaI)apathi is made of §jla and of sitting pose (139 yavams).

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open on all days from 6 to 8. a.m. and frem 6 to 8 p_m. On festival

I

days the timings are slightly

changed, the opening being earlier an.d

the closing later. Morning pooja is held

at 7-30 a.m, and evening pooja at 7-30

p.m.

Offerings: The main uazhipaats for Lord

VishI)u is paal-paayasam, while for Sree

Vettakkorumakan the offering is katum.­

paayasarn. Other vazhipaats are

pu.shpaa;ijaii, vi!akkmai:11a etc,

Festivals: The ptifthishrlJa-day 1S

observed on MaJcam asterisk of

A1ithhunam for Lord Vishry.u. The ka!am­

paaU for Lord Vettakkorumakan is held on

12 1!"1 Kurnbham. Large number of

devotees attpnd these rituals.

Priesthood and temple staff: The details

of the thantbri who installed the idol

are not known. The present thanli1ti

belongs to Kizhakkumbaatt iLlarn. The

saanrhikkaran is appointed from Malay:.J.ala

Brahmins. There is no other paid stafL

General remarks: The incomplete parts

of chu!!ambalam have to be completely

built besides the renovation of

paattupura, temple tank etc.

(Data furnished by .5ree M. Madhavan and

collected by Srec AX. Sudheer Bfibu of the Census DirectofGte).

2.8 SREE DURGA BHAGAVATHI TEMPLE~ MUTHUVALLOOB (Cheekkot panchaayathth, Muthuvalloo! village, Pin - 673 650)

Location: Situated two and half km.

north of KooUjtti at Neeraat on

Etaval)ZI~ippaa~a road arId thence half a

km. east at Mmhuvalloor, the temple is

connected by tarred road except the

last lap of balf a km. Facilities for stay

are available at Kont(.'Sni.

lU

Brief history and temple administration:

Datable to very ancient period, it is one

of the 108 Durga temples believed to

have l}een I~on secnned b:v Lord Para;uraama. The Eoret s of Tippu

Sulththaan attacked this temple and

mutilated (he idnl .\1 presellT the idol

has only the portion below knees. Normally the idol has to be changed. Bu t when a deva-PIaS!}a was held it was revealed that the idol should not be changed. The temple is owned by Thalayoo! Moossad family. In 1972 the H.R.&C.E. Department took over its control and the temple is administered through a Trustee Board headed by Thalayoo!, Moossad. A temple committee helps in' the administration.

Structures: The details of the lands owned by the temple earlier are not known. At present its extent is 75 cents wherein the sreckovil, namaskaara­llWI_}(japam, sub-shrines, vaathilmaatam, valiya-balikkall, well, tank are located.

The circular dwi-thala sreekovil of saandhaara type and facing west, has exquisite adhishrhaa!}am • laterite walls and tiled roof. The adhish{haa!}am has mouldings of paadukam, jagathi, vrththa­kumudam, kumuda-pati, kampam, ga!am, ga!a-pati, uththaram, ga!am, gala-pati, uththaram and patio The sOpaa!}anl has three direct steps with vyaa!i faces on the top of banisters. The P!aIJaafam has makara-simha face at the base, multi­faceted sUl}¢u with pearl rings and sliced end. The walls have three gha!_!adwaaras besides the main functional door. The namaskaara­mal}9apam (side: 6.8 m.) has 16 pillars. The well is at the northern side of the akathlhe-balivattam, while at the southern side there is a sub-shrine having deities of Lord Gal!apathi, Lord Ayyappa, Lord Vettakkorum3kan and Sree Mylaambra Bhagavathi. At the northeast corner there is a sub-shrine for Lord Siva.

The chu!!ambaiam is ruined and now only the valiyambalam exists. The

1 14

valiya-balikkall is ou tside the chuttambalam. There is a temple tank on the western side.

Carvings and paintings: There are stone carvings on the ga/am of the temple. The mural paintings have now faded.

Deities: The sila idol in standing pose of Goddess Du!,ga Bhagavathi is damaged above the knee. The height up to the knee is only 40 cm. The sila liriga idol of Lord Siva has a height of 45 cm. The idol of Lord Gal!apathi is in sitting pose (30 cm.). Lord Ayyappa, Sree (Mylaamb~a) Bhagavathi and Sree Vettakkorumakan are symbolized by pee{has.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple is kept open from 6 to 7-30 a.m. and from 6 to 7-30 p.m. Two poojas are held daily,usha-pooja at 7 a.m. and aththaazha-pooja at 7 p.m.

Offerings: Sa!kkara-paayasam, o!!a-appam and koottu-paayasam are the vazhipaats of the temple. Of these the first one is very popular.

Festivals: Earlier Navaraathri was celebrated here with great pomp. Now it has been discontinued and no festival is held.

Priesthood and temple staff: The idol was consecrated by Lord Parasuraama. The present thanthIi belongs to TharaI)anallooI m8!}a (Payya!! Qoor Branch). The saanlhikkaran belongs to Malayaa!a Brahmil!s. The other staff includes a kazhakarn.

General remarks: The temple needs complete renovation.

(Data furnished by Sree T. Raman Moossad

(Ovraa!an) and collected by STee M. R. Sukumiiran

Nair afthe Census Directorate).

3655 RGI/03-9B

2.9 SREE (Neermangaat) NARASIMHAMOORTHTHY TEMPLE, VILAYAL

• (CheekkOt panchaayathth, Muthuvalloo! village, Pin - 673652)

Location: The temple is located 10 km. southwest of Areekkot at Thalethoti

Aalinchuvattil In. on Vi~ayal road and

thence one km. north. Facilities for

stay are available at Areekkot.

Brief history and temple administration: Datable to very ancient period, the

temple is believed to have been

consecrated by Sage Kal)va Maharshi.

There is a cave in the hillock (called

Mangattu mala) where the temple is

located. It is believed that the sage

lived therein for years. The legend

tells that the sage took some water in

his conch and sanctified it and waited

for washing the feet of Sree Raama

during His sojourn to Lanka. As the

sage realised in his inner vision that

the Lord took a different route, he

installed the conch with the theerthha­

jala here. This water became a spring

and is used for all temple rites.

A vedic school functioned here In

ancient days. The temple was an

important target both during the

Mysorean invasion of 1789 and the

Maappi!a riots of 1921. In the latter

riots the paththayappura was set on fire,

the idol was smashed into pieces, the

images of dwaarapaalas were mutilated

and the wealth of the temple including

ornaments was taken away.

The temple was earlier admini­

stered by uoraa!ars belonging to eleven

illams. Under them it functioned well.

But at the close of the eighteenth

century the temple went into ruins.

Some of the ooraaJar families fled for

115

safety fearing conversion to lsHim. When some of them returned they

tried to rebuild the temple. The 1921

rebellion greatly affected its admini­

stration. The renowned temple became

practically defunct. In 1952 the

H.R.&C.E. Department took over its

admjnistration. They formed a Trustee

Board which consists of elected

mem bers of devotee s. The Secretary

attends to the day-to-day affairs.

Structures: The temple owns 1.30 acres

of which 70 cents constitute the temple

complex. The structures thereon are

.{ree kc)v i/, n::llnaskaara-m a ~](! api.1lll , chu!!ambaiam with :..Igra-ma~u)[tpal1l, sub­

shrine, l/Jec[lhham and tank.

The square eka-thala §reeki")vjj of

nirandhaara type and facing east has

granite adhishrhaa!_lam, laterite-stone

walls and concrete roof covered with

tiles. The adhi'>h!haa!}am has mouldings

of paadukam, jagathi, v!t]Jrha-kuIl1ULlJrn.

vaaja!}am, ga!am, ga!a-pali, ga/i.U1J, ga!a­pMi, uththaram and patio The S()PJ~1!...7ci[])

has four direct steps with vY:laji faces

carved on the top of banisters. The

PI[1l}aa!am has makara-simha face a t tIlt'

base, plain .';U!]~U wHh four rings and

go-mukha type tip. The "valls haH' three

gha!}adwaaras besides tIle mcl1n fu nctional door. The I1JI11;1."k;t.lLl­

mal}~apam {side: 3.B m.) has four pIllars.

On the southeastern side and attached

to the c";rcekDviJ, there is a small shnne

dedicated to Lord GaI.1:tpathi.

The chutt:l1nbillam has entrances

from all sidesc The IhitnrpJ!!i is at the

southeast of the naalambalarn. To its

west is the holy spring (thee[thham), the

legend of which was described earlier.

The valiya-balikkall is within the agra­

ma.{ll}apam. There is a sub-shrine at

the southwest dedicated to Lord

Ayyappa and Lord Saastha. The temple

has gopuras at east, west and north of

which the one at east is dilapidated,

There is also a compound wall made

of laterite. About 200 rn, north of this

temple there is a shrine for Goddess

KariI.1kaaF, kno\\tn as Parappoo!,: KariI,1kaa!i kaav, and also a ma1J9apam and an

aallhlfw!a. The general belief is that it

is one of the eighteen an d half

Kari1}kaali kaavs in the state.

Carvings and paintings: On the ceiling

of agra-mar.f}apam (balikkall-pura) there

are wood cfu-vings depIcting motifs of

elephant, lion, flowers etc. The

dwaara-paalas made of §iJa on either

side of prasaada dwaara also deserve

mention. The mural paintings on the

pillars of the balikkallpum have now

almost completely faded.

Deities: The ,~ila-idol of Lord

Narasimharnoo[ththy in standing pose

(height: 45 cm.) has four arms with

conch, disc, club and lotus in haJlds.

The idol of Lord GaI)apathi is in sitting

pose (height: 20 cm.). The idols of Lord

Saastha and Sree Vettakkorumakan are of

§ila-linga form with heights of 25 em.

and 20 em, respectively. Sree Karil)kua!i

Bhagavathi is a sila-P!athishrha.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 6 to 8 a.m, and from

6 to 7 p.m, Three poojas are done daily,

usha-pooja at 7 a,m., uccha-pooja at 8

a.m. and aththaazha-pooja at 7 p.rn.

Offerings: Vi!akk-maala, §arkkara­paayasam and pushpaafij:Jh are the

important vazhipaats. Of these the first

one is popular.

Festivals: There IS no fe stiv 8.1 associated with the main idol, though

vi!akku-uthsavarn is held for 41 days in

the Sree Kari l.l.kaap Aa3'v durjng ma~19i:1Ll period.

Priesthood and temple staff: The main

idol was initially consecrated by Sage

Kal}va The present lhamh[i belongs to Kilhakkumbaatt i!lam of /\reekkot The

c';aanthikkaran is hereditary and hai1s

from Ma~haththil illarrt. The other staff

includes a kazhakam and an afiCChU-flia/i,

General remarks: The temple needs

renovation,

(Datafwnished by Srce K. 1/. Ci)vinJa \/iirr{i~ and

collected by Srec AIR. 5,'ukumanm Nah of (he Census Directorate).

2.10 I I

SREE SA'~KARANARAYA~A TEMPLE, TH~KKAI:AYOOB (Kaezhpa!amb panchaayathth, Keezhparamb village, Pin -" 673 639)

Location: Situated 6.5 !..:m. northwest

of Areekkot at KalEiyi on Ku!}iyil-Pannikkut road and thence 1 5 km. west, the

temple is connected by tarred road up

to K2lmly~ and '[hen~:t::' metalled road,

Faciti;:_ies for stay are aVd.i.lable at A, rc'.t'kk.~)t.

116

Brief history and tempie administration:

Datable to anci.ent period, the early

history of the temple is stIll abseUl e,

The legend telb that there was a great

Y{jgi 111 Keeraar\gaGltr mana. During hIS

vIsits he established ternples at nluny

plat.:'es In all his tra'iels a holy bull

(dil/)li:1-kaa!a in Malayalam) followed him.

\\'hen he reached this place this bull

(ALhl!a) lay dmvn and refused to proceed

further. He could then experience that

the place was very sacred and hence

he selected it as a suitable site for

building a temple. He sat in meditation

and by the grace of the Lord a

swayambhoo idol of Lord Siva appeared

at the place. He conducted the initial

rites of consecration of the idol. With

the help of local devotees he built a

temple and entrusted its administra­

ti on to Panth!31}lU-illakka! (twelve

Moossad illams). Since the temple is

associated with the legend of the holy

kaa!a (bull) here, the place came to be

known as Thrkkaa~ayoor.

Centuries after the initial rites

of consecration of the idol Sree '/ilwamangalathth Swaamiya~ came to this

temple and conducted pooja to Lord

Siva, after keeping a saa!agraam over the ;l1a--Hliga vigrilha. To his great -surprise

the saalagraam merged with the siJa­

hriga. Thus the chaitha!!yas 'of Lord Siva

snd Lord Vishl)ll are united in this idol.

Thereafter the sankalpa of the idol is that of Sree Sankaranaraya~la.

After the collapse of the then

feu dal system of Thaliyaathiris and

P,-'rmnaa1s, the ooraa!ars of the temple

also bec<.une extinct except for the six fam_ilies as per the granthhavari (palm­

h:af record) of Kakkuzhi iliam. The

names of other illakkars are G6salakkal,

KaI) ,)ooI .vcppiliiI1gal, Va!akk6t, Vayiththala 2lld Puthiyetathth. In course of time all

these iliams becalne extinct except Kakkllzhi illam. The Kakkuzhi illam also

had to move 011 t of this place to

Chcl'uvaayoo~ due to social compulsions.

117

During the invasion of the forces of

Tippu Sulththaan the Hindus had to

suffer a lot. They had either to flee for

safety to Southern Kera!a or to accept

IsFirn. After the departure ofTippu from

Malabar Saamoothiri took steps to

reopen all the closed temples of tl1e

region and re-comlnence poojas. Saamoothiri found out the hiding place

of the ooraala[ (Kakkuzhi Moossad) and

brought the members of the illam back

This illam subsequently disintegrated

and the temple was entrusted to

VatakkiQiyetathth Keerangaat mana for

proper administration.

The misfortunes again continued.

It was in this temple that Kutti Assan

and eleven others made a determined

stand against the Police and the

Military might of the British from 27'h

to 29th December 1884. In this fight

the British captured the temple from

them and the fanatics were killed after

breaking open the loopholed barricaded

doors of the temple with dynamite (vide, Nfalabii[, William Logan, Vol. II ,

page ccclvii). Again during the Malabar rebellion of 1921 some fanatics set fire

the temple. \Vhen peace returned

after the rebellion the devotees took

initiative to renovate tne ten~ple.

On 17th May 1937 the H.R.&C.E.

Board took over the temple under

section 65 A of the Act of 1927. An

Execu tive Officer was appointed to

administer the temple. Even before

the H.R.&C.E. Board took over control

of the temple the then ooraa!:l! had

virtually mismanaged the temple and

had sold temple lands including ChiJ!cri

ma!ham, Sree A)'Yappan kaav and Q chi!".] to non-Hindus. All important movab.1e

articles also had been taken away. In

fact greater drunage to the temple was

done by Hindu ooraa!a!s than the

fanatic Muslims. The H.R.&C.E. Board put the administration under a Fit Person who assumed charge in 1962.

As there was mismanagement of funds the local devotees met on 26 th

December 1963 and formed a

committee called Thrkki~qyoor Ksherhra

Kshema Samithi. The Manager appointed

by the H.R.&C.E. department attends

to the day-to-day affairs of the temple.

Structures: The temple owns 33.98

acres of paddy fields and four acres of

dry lands which constitute the temple complex. The structures on the temple complex are .';reekilvll, namaskaara­

I11i.j{H)apam, chu!!ambaiam, vaJiya-balikkal1. well, tank, PI8dakshi{J8-Va7hi, ruined gilpuram and compound walL

The circular eka-thala ireek6vil faces east. The structure is peculiar

as it has two antharii!as (circumam­

bulatory space) within the §rcek6vii. In

other words, it has two inner walls apart from the outer walt. The

basement, made of laterite stone, has

an upa-pee[ham besides the

auhi:.;h!haa!}Wl1 consisting of paadukam, jagathi and vf'ththa-kumudam. The

'iCJpilil!JWl1 has seven direct steps with makara-simha face on the top of

balustrades. The PIill}a:J!:llJJ is of simplified type with four rings. The walls have two gha!}adWaaras and two

functional doors (one facing Lord Siva Jnd the other facing Goddess Paa!:vathi). ()ver the gha!Jadwailras there are rh(lranas. The inner wall has ten concrete pillars. The sub-shrine of

Lord GaI~apathl is at the southeast. The

11H

namaskaara-mal}9apam (side: 7.05 m.)

has 4 inner and 12 outer pillars. The

well is located at northeast of akachthe­

bali vattam .

The chuttambalam has two

entrances. On the northern ualiya­mba lam there is a sub-shrine for Sree Vettakkorumakan. The thitappa!!i is at the

northern naalambalam. The ualiya­

balikkall is ou tside the chu!!ambalam.

The koothambalam is at southeast. The

p!adakshil}a-vazhi with a width of 2.4 m.

is made of concrete. Only the

adhish{haagam of the dhwajam now

exists. The sub-shrine of Lord Saastha

is roof-less. The compound wall with

a height of 2.7 m. and width of 30 cm. IS built with laterite stones. The chira

is at the eastern side.

Carvings and paintings: There are no

carvings and paintings.

Deities: The main deity is swayambhoo of §iia-linga type with a height of 90 em.

, ,

with the sankalpa of Sree Sankaranara-

ya'!umoorththy. The idol of Srec Paarvathi is of pancha-16ha and of mirror type

(height: 45 cm.) fixed on a wooden

pee[ham. The idol of Lord Gut:tapathi in

sitting pose (height: 27cm.) is made of !fila. The idol of Lord Saastha is of plain

round !:Iila (21 em.).

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from S to 8 a.m. and from

5 to 8 p.m. Four poojas are held, usha­pooja at (6 a.m.), pantheerati (7 a.m.),

uceha-pooja (7 -45 a.m.) and aththaazha­

pooja (7-30 p.m.), besides nauakam (7 -30 a.m.). Che~lla and etaykka are

used during pooja timings. No ,{fee-bali

is done daily.

Offerings: O!!8) dhaara, nai-paayasam etc. are important. Of these, oHa is offered to Lord Siva and Lord Gaf.1apathi, while nai-paayasam is the principal offering for Sree Paarvathi.

Festivals: The annual festival IS held in the dark fortnight of Kumbham. The

festival lasts for seven days and the

aaraaU is held on the As htami thithhi. Paa!hakam and chaakyaa[-koothth are the

performing arts held here.

Priesthood and temple staff: The initial rites of consecration of the idol of Lord

I

Siva were done by a Yogi of Keerangaatt

ma!}a. The present thanth[i belongs to

Kizhakkumpaatt illam. The saanlhikkaran

belongs to Malayaa!a Brahmif.1s. The other

staff includes two kazhakams, three

aticchu-thafis, three vaadyakka[s and a

vazhipaat clerk.

General remarks: All the structures of

this temple need urgent renovation.

(Datafumished by Sn:c M. Giridharan, Manager and collected by Sree A.K. Sudheer B§bu oj the Census Directorate).

2.11 SREE (Saalagraama) NARASIMHAMOO~THTHY TEMPLE, PUTHTHALAM

(Arikkot panchaayathth, Arikkot village, Pin 673 639)

Location: Situated one km. south of Areekkot at Puththalam, the temple is

connected by tarred road. The

Chaaliyaar river flows on the eastern

side towards north. Facilities for stay

are available at Areekkot or Fe~oke

which is 30 km. southwest.

Brief history and temple administration:

Datable to very ancient period the

temple is believed to have been

consecrated by Lord Parasuraama. The

temple is famous for pithr-tha[ppal}am.

It is reported that earlier Namboothiri

illams of 21 desams administered the

temple. During the attack by the

forces of Tippu Sulththaan these

families fled to Southem Keraja. They

entrusted the administration to

ChO\rvara Pishaara family (near Kalati

of Erf.1aku!am district). The temple was

again attacked by fanatic Muslims

during the 1921 Miippi/a rebellion and

the temple compound was converted

119

into a graveyard. The exquisite

carvings of the temple were taken away

and kept in some of their houses and

mosques.

When the ooraa!a! (Pisharoti) died in

1968 the local devotees took over its

administration. In 1970 the temple

came under the control of the

H.R.&C.E. Department and now it is

managed by a Trustee Board consisting

of five members elected once in five

years by the devotees. The Managing

Trustee attends to the day-to-day

affairs of the temple.

Structures: The details of land owned

earlier are not known. At present the

temple owns 1.75 acres which

constitute the temple complex. The

structures thereon are sreek6vi/,

n[unaskaara-mal}~apam, chu!!ambaJal11

with agra-mw_Hjapam, sub-shrines, wen

and tank.

The square du;i-thala §n:-ek/)\,ij

facing east and of saandhaara type has granite adhish{hflag:.Jm, laterite stone

wall and tiletl roof. The aJ!Ji .. hlhaanam

has mouldings of paadukam, jagathi,

v!thriw-kwnudam, kumuda-pati, ga!am

',vith flower mc}bfs, ga!a,pati, kampom,

71thrharam VJ!;l£ll, kap{j[ham with

decora bODS, kampOTYl, ga!am with

motifs, gaja-pali, kampam, ga!am with

Hower motifs, ga!:1-pali, uththaram and

patio The s()paal};lm has five direct steps

with vyaa/i-face on the top of

balustrades. The p!.1paa!aJ11 has makara­

simho face at its base and mvlti­

faceted sllI}!iu with sliced end. The

walls have three ghn!!adwaJrds, besides

the functional door at the east. The

n:.Jm:.Jska:.Jra·mafl~JI)ilm (side: 5.3 m.) has

four pillars. The wel! !S on the

northern side at ukalfl[/1t"-bllJiv attam.

The c!JUlt:unhali1lT1 h as two

entrances, at east and at north. The

thili:1ppi.1!!i is at southeast. The su b­

shrine, at the southwest corner of

naalambnlam and facing cdst, has idols

of Lord Ga1}apathi, Lord AY'yappa and Lord

Siva. The sub-shrine of CQddess

Bhagayathi is at the northeast corner

of the ualiyambalam, facing west. The

sub-shrine of Lord Sa:lstha "",ith His

consort Sree Prahha and son Sathyaka

is at the southern side. The ualiya­

balikkall is within the agril-mU{ll)apam.

The compound wall is ruined and now

.lncomplete

Carvings and pajntings; The granite

:1dhi ... h!ha:J!!:J1l1 of the /';reekoviJ is

exquisite with motifs, The d~vaC1rapai1lils.

made of granite, are excellent

m.asterpif'ces,

120

Deities: The saa!agra~una P!athi. .. h(ha in the

srccki5vii has th e sankalpa of Sree Narasimhamoo.phthy. Over it is the §jla

idol of the Lord in standing pose (90

cm,) v"rith four arms with conch, disc,

club and lotus in hands. All the other

idols are made of sila of which Goddess

Bhagavathi, Lord Ayyappa and Lord

Gzu)apathi are of sitting poses with

height of 30 cm. each. The idol of Lord

Siva is of §ila-finga type. The idols of

Lord Saastha, Sree Prabha and Sree Sathyaka arc of sitting poses (height:

45 cm. eachl.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

js kept open from 5-30 to 9 a.m. and

from 5-30 to 7-30 p.m. Three poojas

are done daily, usha-pooja (7 a.m.),

ucclw.pooja (8- 30 a..m) and aththaazha­paoja (7 pm.). No daily §rce-bah is

performed.

Offerings: Vi!akk-maala, pusbpaanjaJi, fwi­

vij::lkk and paal-paayasam are the main

vazhipaats. Of these, [Jui-vi/akA is

considered important.

Festivals: Tbere is no festival in the

temple. Howevtr, the p!athis;h{hd .. day

IS observed with the associated rites.

Priesthood and temple staff: It is reported

that the initial PI:!rhi"h!ha was held by Lord ParasurJ.ama. The rhanthri of the

temple belongs to Kizhakkurnpaatt

illam. The .';aanthikkaT:Jl1 belongs to

Malaya)a Brahmins. The other staff

includes kazhakam and aticchu-fiwli,

General remarks: The temple needs

urgent renovation.

(Datu. furniShed fly .51'<:C }.:. Ch:wdu, TrLlsl

A1ember (lnd co!!ened by SiCl' /ld.R. Sukul1J,jran

Nair of the Census JJzrectol'c,tej.

., 2.12 SREE (UI}{limura) VAAMANAMOORTHTHY TEMPLE, MAITHRA

(Oorngaattiri panchaayathth, Oorngattiri village, Pin - 673 639)

Location: Situated two km. east of Areekkot at Choia junction on Maithra road and thence 500m. north, the

temple is connected by tarred road, Chaaliyaar river flows at a distance of

500 ffi. Facilities for stay are available at Areekkot or at Manjeri (distance:

18 km.).

Brief history and temple administration: The early history of the temple is still

obscure. In ancient days this region was known as Kizhakkaar comprising of

21 desams. The temple is located in one of those desams known as UI)~jmu!:a, the

name taken from UI).I)i (representing a

Brahmin boy, Sree Vama!Ja) and mUla (recitation of Vedas in an order). It is

to be noted that this region in ancient times had large Brahmin settlements

and was a centre of vedic learning "'lith regular chanting of vedas.!t is reported

that the original site was all a rock on the southern bank of Chaaliyaa! and

opposite to Thattan-katav. The

installation of the idol in a sman shrine at the present site was done by a

Swaamiyaar of Thirumangalam ma!!a. Later he allowed two other illams (Karippathth

iJJam and Thaamarakku!am ilIam) to involve in its administration. In course

of time the Thirumangalam iliam became

extinct as there was no progeny and the entire wealth of that illam (comprising of thousands of acres of paddy fields and dry lands) was given to the temple. Subsequently Karippathth

illam was partitioned and its members now belong to three illams. Thus the

present hereditary ooraa!al illams belong to Vannilapararnbathth Karippathth,

121

Kaarakunnarhth Karipathth, Kunnathth

Karippathth and 1balazhi Thamarakku!athth.

The eldest member of each family is a

trustee of the temple and one is

elected as Chairman. H.R.&C.E.

Department has to approve this. The

day-to-day affairs are managed by a

Manager.

Structures: The temple had large

extent of properties earlier but all are

alienated due to the implementation

of the Land Reforms Act. At present

the temple 0"'"'115 8.5 acres of which 55

cents constitute the temple complex.

The structures thereon are sreekovil, namaskaara-maIJc)apam, sub-shrines, chu![ambaiam, agnt-saala, paththaaya·

ppura} well and tank.

The square eJ"d-lhaia sreek5yij of

nirandhaara type and facing east has

granite adhish!haa!]am , laterite walls and tiled roof. The mouldings of the

adhi.shrhaa!]3fll are paadukam, jagathi,

y[tbtha-kumudam, kLlmudapati, kampam,

ga!am, gala-pari, kampam, ga!am with

flower motifs, ga!:J-pali, uththaram and patio The sopaa[!aIn has five direct steps

with vyaafi face engraved on top of

banisters. The Pl<Jl}aa!am has makara­

simha bas.e, multi-faceted ';Ul}~lu with

rings and go-mukha end. The SU{uju is

supported by a Bbootha-gaIJa (in sitting

pose with folded hands) with his head.

The walls have three gha!]adwaaras,

besides the functional door. There is

a sub-shrine of Lord GaI!apathi attached to the southern wall of the §reekovil and

facing east. The namaskaara-ma~u)apam

has four granite pillars and a tiled roof.

The well is at northeast of the akaththe­

balivattam .

The chu!!ambaiam has three

entrances, east, west and north. The

thitappa!!i is at southeast and mu!ayara at northeast. An idol of Lord

Vettakkorumakan is installed at the

northern valiyambalam facing south.

The valiya-balikkall is within the

agra-malJ~apam. The agrasaala is at north

with a detached well at its east. The paththaayappura at northeast

belonged to the Thirumangalam illam.

At southwest there is a shrine of Naaga

Yakshi and Lord Saastha. The temple

tank is at the southeast.

Carvings and paintings: There are no

carvings and paintings.

Deities: The krsh~la-sila idol of Lord

Vaama~amoo!"ththy has a height of 179

yavams and in standing pose with four

arms and having conch, disc, club and

lotus in hands. The sila idol of Lord

Gal)apathi is in sitting pose (11 cm.),

while that of Lord Vettakkorumakan is of

mirror type. Other idols have different

heights, Lord Saastha (IS cm.), His

consort Sree Prabha (11 em.) and His

son Sree Sathyaka (11 em.). The idol

of Sree Naaga Yakshi is of sitting pose

with raised hood (height 30 cm.)

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 6 to 9 a.m. and from

5-30 to 7-45 p.m. Three poojas arc done

daily, usha-pooja at 7 a.m., uecha-pooja

at 8-30 a.m. and aththaazha-pooja at

7-30 p.m.

Offerings: Sa[kkara-paayasam and pushpaanjaJi are the main vazhipaats of

which the former is important.

Festivals: The P!athish[ha-day is

observed on Makeeryam asterisk in the month of Itavam. All temple rites

associated with this day are held.

Priesthood and temple staff: The

PIathishfha was done by a Swaamiyaar of Thirumangalam illam. The thantf1ri

belongs to Kizhakkumpaatt illam. The

other staff includes a saanthi, a kazhakam and aticchu-tha!i besides the Manager.

General remarks: The temple is

administered satisfactorily.

(Data furnished by Sree K.K. Viisudevan

Namboothiri, Manager and collected by Sree G.

Sivadiisan afthe Census Directorate).

I , ..-

2.13 SREE SAASTHA TEMPLE (Ayyappan kaav), VEZHAKKOT (Oorngaattiri panchaayathth, Oorngaattiri village, Pin - 673 639)

Location: Situated eight km. east of Areekkot at Choolaa!!ipaa!:a on Othaayi

road and thence one and a half km.

east, the temple is connected by tarred

road except the last lap from

Choo!aa~~ipaara. Facilities for stay are available at Areekkot.

122

Brief history and temple administration:

Datable to eighteenth century, the

temple has a swayambhoo idol. The

legend tells that there was an ancient

Lord Saastha temple on the hillock called

Chekkunnu mala located on the northern

side of the temple. The karanavar of

the Pullangaatt Wam used to conduct

daily pooja there. When he became old

and could not climb up' the hill he

prayed to the Lord for His blessing to

have the presence of the Lord on its

valleys. Years later when once a lady

agricultural labourer went there to cut

grass and when she was sharpening

her sickle it started bleeding. Greatly

scared seeing the incident she ran to

the Pullangaatt illam and narrated her

experience. The members of the illam visited the place and conducted a

~

p[as!] 8 . Thereafter a temple was built

there.

The temple was earlier owned by

Nilamboor kovilakam. For proper

functioning the temple was later

handed over to a local committee in

1980. The devotees meet once in two

years to elect the committee which

consists of seven members. The

Secretary of the committee looks after

the day-to-day affairs of the temple.

Structures: The details of land owned

by the temple earlier are not known.

At present the temple owns an extent

of 1.50 acres which constitute the

temple complex. The structures

thereon are sreek6vii, a ma-!19apam, rflitappa!!i and paattupura and a well.

The square eka-thala sreek6vii, facing east and of nirandhaara type, has

no roof. There is no moulding for the

ildhish!haa!}am and the sreek(5viJ has been

built on basement with laterite walls.

Three small direct steps are provided

for the s('ipaa!!am. At the place of

P!i1!lilil/am, a small OVU (outlet) is

provided. The mal}9apam built at the

123

front of the sreek6vil has a length of

5.87 m. and a breadth of 4.57 m. The

thitappa!!i is a detached structure at the

north. The well is at northeast.

The paattupura is at the south. The

sila-deepasthambhamfacing the idol was

installed in 1984. There is no other

structure in the temple.

Carvings and paintings: There are no

carvings and paintings.

Deities: The sila-linga idol of Lord Saastha

has a height of about 37 cm.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 8-30 to 10 a.m. The

morning pooja is held at 9-30 a.m.

Offerings: The main vazhipaats are

sa!kkara-paayasam, muttarukkal, ve!!a­nivedyam and vi!akk-maala. Of these

mutta[ukkal is important and popular for

fulfilment of all desires.

Festivals: There is no festival In this

temple at present. During maIJcjala­

period special poojas are held.

Priesthood and temple staff: The details

of the thanth!) who conducted the initial

rites of the swayambhoo idol are not

knov.rn. The present thanth!:l belongs to

KaaJ!.ipayyoo[ illam of Kunnamku!am

(Thrssoo[ district). The saanlhikkaran belongs to Malayaa!a Brahmins. There is

no other paid staff.

General remarks: With the limited

resources the temple is managed

satisfactorily.

(Data furnished by STet: K. KuUi§ankaran Nai[,

Treasurer and collected by Sree M.R. Sukumiiran

Nai!_" of the Census Directorate).

2.14 S"REE SUBRAMANYASWAAMY TEMPLE COMPLEX, KAR~KKAAT (Th~kkala';got p~nchaayathth, Thrkkalarigot village, Pin - 676 127)

Location: Situated six km. northeast of 1\1anjeri at Karikkaat (Ambalapati junction) on Nilamboo~ road, the temple is accessible by tarred road. Facilities for stay are available at Manjeri.

arief history and temple administration: The temple complex has a great

historical past. There are three important shrines in this complex viz. two Sree Subramal).yaswaamy shrines facing east and a Sree Saastha shrine

facing west, besides sub-shrines for Lord GaJ?apathi, Sree DUIga anu Sree Dak~hil)amooIththy. The oldest structure datable to ancient period is the square southern shrine dedIcated to Lord Subramu1}yaswaamy though the oldest

idol is now 3t the circular northern shrine built in the latter half of the

twelfth century.

After the original installation of the southern shrine dedIcated to Lord Subrmnauya, the idol of Lord Saustha was

installed in a separate shrine facing \VeSt. The idol of Lord SDilstha is ascribed to eleventh century.

The myth of the temple .is that som_e Yaiufvcdi Brahmins came from

,_' _"

Viraat Raojya fea.ring the atrocities of Bar:taas~lr:l, who '.vas later killed by Sree Bhcemasc!!a_ In course of time. the temple bec<m1C a graama-k_~hetra. The

structures were either built or rebuilt later. H. Sa~k3! in his work Architectural Suruey of Temples of Kerala mentions that an inscribed slab in the flool" of the Sn'c Saastha shrine mav be dated to .v

eleventb century on paleographical

ground. He also states (ibid. p. 201) that the inscriptions on the: octagonal

1 ') 1 l __ '-1"

~""Umllda of the northern (circular) Sree Subramal!ya shrine are datable to the twelft.h century.

In the twelfth centtay some miscreants attacked the oldest southern shrine and took away the idol. As the idol was missing steps were taken to make a new idol and

install it at the southern shrine. \Vhen the reconsecration ceremonies of idol of the southern shrine was over the thanthri and the devotees present there heard the blowing of a conch from the northeastern direction. As directed by the tha.nthri all of thFm proceeded in

that direction. Some of them made a search in the tank and to their great surprise saw the old missing idol. As the consecration of the new idol at the southern shrine was then over it was decided to build a new temple and

install the old idol retrieved from the tank. Thus the northern circular shrine was built. Thereafter the northern sreek8vil of Lord SubramaI,lya is known as that of Vatakkum-Tlu.'F8r and the southern one as that of Thekkum-Thevar.

The temple was earlier managed

by the 27 ooraa!ar families, as it was a griima-kshethra. Of them the prominent iJJakka[s were Kitangazhj mapel, VeHykkaatt PatterL, Mangaatlusseri, Natuvathth, Maaraatt Aripfath. Uppilaapana, CherI)aatt. The 12 Daat. PuFkkathoti, AtikaJetathth, Karumaarapa~~a, Natuvii MUI)Qazhi.lVTlJnnaa!!. Mooththetathrh

etc. As the oora:1!ars fmInd it difficult to manage the temple, the H.R.&.C.E Board intervened and formed a Tru stee Board consisting of five members for administering the

temple. Now the day-to-day affairs are managed by an Executive Officer appointed by the H.R.&C,E, Depart­ment

Structures: Prior to the Land Reforms Act the temple owned 1,280.74 acres of land (including paddy fields and forests) but now left with hardly 200 acres. The temple complex has an extent of 2.98 acres, The strucHHes thereon are three main sreeki5viJs, three namaskaara-ma{uJapa.ms, three vahya-halikicalls, three dhwaJas, lb.llalJpa!fi, pathlhiyappura, agra/;oaaia, v/ell, tanks etc. All these structures are ,~rithin an outer compound wall.

The two shrines of Lord Subrama!)ya with sub-shrines of Lord (_:; C1~ldPdlhi, Sn~e Dakshi l)dm(J(l~thttly and Goddess Bhagavathi are in a separate cornplex with structures and three entrances. Their details are as follows:

(i) Southern shrine of lord Subrama'1ya

This oldest shrine is square eku-tbala 'i.vith mukha-ma{l~apam of

saondhaara type and facing east and has gn1nite adhishrhddyam a.'1.d iate!'ite walls" The roof of the first floor is tiled "vhile the second floor has copper sheet covered roof. The :1dbisi1[ha3gam has mOUldings of paadukam, Jagathi, kum~Ldam, kumuda-pati, kamparn., ga!am, gala-pari, kampam, ga!am with flower motifs u.ththaram and patio The .wJpaagam has four direct steps. The p!a~laa!am has ·multi-faceted SU~ltjU . with pearl r'ings and sliced end. The waUs have three gha_Uildwaar?1s and a :functional door. On eIther side of the ptasaad3.

dWCldra granite dwaarapaalas can be seGn. The nama:,kaara-mdi}i)apmn (side: 4.<:J7m ) bas sLxteen wootien pil1anL The sides (if thIS mal}f!apam are c(.lveTl::,d

v~ith 'vvooden grills to keep up 1tS

s.::utC''Liry

i.?5

(ii) Northern shrine of Lord Subramal}ya

It is an impressive dloi .. thala c"':reeki5vij of sa.andhaara type and facing

east with granite s6paa~lam and

adhishri1aa!]am, laterite \-valls with pillars in the an!l1araa!a and copper­sheet covered roof for t"'fka-lhala part and

dwi-thala part. The adhish!i1aaI]:lm has mOUldings of paadukam, octagonal

K:umuaa, kumuda-p~Hi7 ga!am, g:J.!a" pati, va!abhi, kap{Jfham, kampam, gafari}, ga!a­

pali, uththa.ram and patio On the jagothi and oct~gonal kumu.d~, there are sc;me inscnptions datable to twelfth century, A deciphered inscription states about the gift of land by one lravikkaalan alias 1Trcchann Vaiyaanaatu for offering food to the God Thm! Kaarikkaatt Melthev<lf. The _"Dpii.1!_icW: 11.[;;13 seven d.irect steps <,.v1th 1}':W.j.," face on the top of balustrades.

The p!iJ~)af.!!afl1 is of multi-faceted .';a;yflu

of simplified type. t)n either si.de of

the Pt 3as['liJ(f;;:-dw.'1~~r£i granite dwaarn.­paolas can be seen. PI 'llnlq,L~e fe-at1.He

is that the walls are of saJ\l.'Hhi5h!ladra

type with plerced doors on all four

side; Sree DaLhil)iimOD!:ll1thy and Lord Ga~wp<llhi are installed facing the southern praasooda-du)(u.lrrI ThE: y\'u1is

have aiso k:.alya-'sthambhos ancl lh6nlll<1s. There are 12 pilhrs in the

Elf1lharaa!a over "vhleb. t.he copper roof clf the cka-lbala pan e"Xisis. The greeva of

the dwi-rhala part is carved with I.hf.> haara. The copper roof is conical ~vi.th

a copper sthoopa. The D<1l1N13kIlara­

UW{10apam (side: 4.97 m.) at itt} front

h,as 16 pillals, 4 l'Gund pilh!cl's at thz; i!l.H'-::r and 12 square pillars at the OUier. The well :8 on the western side and tn be'C\'iCCn two .. ;Jt;'ck{ivd ...

The ,,:'hu!jambaJ:.1m arollnd tht_·:..;e

two Srce J.S

incornp!ete, Thet f ;>,n:' lbn:;:· en~ j ances

to this twin-shrine complex i.e. two on the eastern side facing the two shrines and one entrance at the rear of the southern shrine. At the rear of the northern shrine instead of a door an open window has been provided. The sub-shrine of Goddess Bhagavathi, facing west, is at the eastern portion of the chuttambalam and close to the southern side of the door to the northern shrine. The thitappa!!i is located at the southern valiyambalam, Two valiya-balikkall and two dhwajas (covered with copper) are installed at the front of these two Sree Subramar:tyaswaamy shrines. The su b­shrine of Lord Gat:lapathi is at the southwestem side of the chu!!amba1am, facing east.

(iii) Sree s'aastha shrine

This apsidal shrine of nirandhaara type and facing west has granite adhishrhaa!]am, laterite walls and copper sheet covered roof. The mouldings of the adhishrhaa!!am are paadu,kam, jagathi, vrththa-kumudam, ga!am with dentils in between kampa and pattika. The sopaa!Jam has five direct steps. Separate p!anaa!as are provided for the ga!bha-grham and for the mukha­mal}9apam. The walls have five ghagadwaaras besides the maln functional door. The namaskaara­maIJflapam (side: 3.7 m.) has four pillars. A valiya-balikkall and a copper-covered dhwajam are installed at the front of this shrine also.

Enclosing all the above shrines there is a compound wall (height: 3.6 m.) with the shape of elephant's back on the top. It is made of laterite stone. Two g6puras exist of which the western one is dilapidated. The paththaayappura is at north while the agrasaaia is at the

126

northeast corner. The temple tanks are outside this compound wall.

Carvings and paintings: Wood carvings exist on the ceilings of namaskaara­maIJ9apams. Beautifully carved dwaara­paaias. made of granite, can be seen at the front of both sreekovils of Lord SubramaQya. On the vedi (above the adhishrhaaQam) of gopuram there are motifs of elephant-heads which are also exquisitely carved in granite. On either side of the P!aasaada-dwaara of Lord Saastha temple dwaara-paalas are painted with mural colours. In addition on both sides of dwaara-paalas there are mural paintings, at its northern side : the figurine of Goddess Mohigi with amrtha in hand at the lower side and above it Lord Ayyappa; and on the southern side: Lord Garyapathi at the lower portion and above it Lord Subramaryya (with vel in right hand and granthha in the left), On the northern wall of the sreeki5vil there is an excellent pencil-sketch of Lord Krshna drawn by the renowned writer Kuttikfshrya Marar.

Deities: The maIn idol of Lord SubramaI)ya at the northern side, which is the oldest, is of standing pose and has a height of 1.8 m. It is a :fila idol but the lower part is covered with bronze as it was broken when the idol was desecrated by miscreants. The ii/a-idol is carved in such a way that it has less hair with a tuft but without kireeta. The sankalpa of the deity is that of Sree Baala-SubramaT)ya. The idol has two arms, the right hand holding a vel and the left hand kept at the waist (kati-bandha). The idol of the southern shrine of Sree Subramanva . ~ is also made of {ila in standing pose {1.8 m.) having two arms, the right one

with a bowl in hand and the left one in katibandha. The sila-idol of Lord Saastha is in sitting pose (height: 57 cm.) of padmasa!}a form with a bowl in the right hand and the left hand resting on the lap. The idol of Lord Gal).apathi at southwest of naalambalam and the one within the northern sreekovil are in sitting poses with a height of 75 cm. and 45 cm. respectively. The idol of Goddess Bhagavathi is of mirror type (made of sila) with a height of 37 cm. Sila-liriga idol of Lord Dakshil)amoorththy has a height of 45 cm.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple is kept open from 4 to 10 a.m. and from 5 to 8 p.m. Three poojas are held daily, usha~pooja at 6 a.m .• uccha-pooja at 10 a.m. and aththaazha-pooja at 8 p.m. No sree-bali is done daily.

Offerings: Paal-abhishekam, paal-kaav8ti, i!aneer-kaavati, pa{1a-paayasam, nai­paayasam, pushpaaJijaJi, nai-vi!akk, ka!am­paatt etc. are the important offerings. Of these, paal-abhishekam is popular.

Festivals: The main festival is the uthsav held with kotiyettam on Aswathi

I ,

asterisk in Makaram with aaraatt on Pooyam asterisk. (Thaipooyam day). Performing arts of kathhaka!i and chaakyaa!-koothth are performed, besides staging thaayambaka, kathhii­P!asangam, panchavaadyam, paal}ti-me!am, fire works etc.

Priesthood and temple staff: The details of the thanthris who installed the idols are not known. At present there are three thanthric families for this temple, Putayoo[ illam (Kuppam, Kal).l)0o[ district) for northern shrine of Lord Subramal).ya, VeHaambaramb iliam (Poontharakkal, Thrissoor district) for the southern shrine of Lord Subramal).ya and MutappilaapilF Wam (Patinnaa~!umu!,i, Manjeri) for Lord Saastha. The two saanthikka!s are appointed from Malayaala Brahmil).s. The other staff includes two pooja-kottu, five kazhakams, four a ticchu-thaps , three watchmen and four sweepers.

General remarks: The temple needs renovation.

(Data furnished by Sree P.P. Krish1}ankucry,

Executive Officer and collected by Sree R.

Madhavan Nai! of the Census Directorate).

2.15 SREE (Natuvathth) SIVA TEMPLE, KARIKKAAT (ThrkkalarigOt panchaayathth, Thrkkalangot village, Pin - 676127)

Location: Situated 400 metres west of

Thrkkalang6t junction (locally called as

32nd mile) on Manjeri-Nilamboo!: road,

the temple is connected by tarred road.

Facilities for stay are available at

Manjeri which is five km. west.

Brief history and temple administration: This ancient temple is associated \\lith the famous Kaa!ahasthi temple (Chittoo!:

district, Andhra Pradesh). One of the

127

ancestors of the Itinnimmal illarn of Moossads was a great devotee of Lord Siva of Kaa!ahasthi. Once he invoked the chaitha!}ya of the deity of Kaa!ahasthi. carried to this place, and transferred it to a newly installed idol of Lord Siva.

In earlier times two families, Itinnimmal and Thotaarakkal, were the ooraa!ars of the temple. Later they gave the ownership to PoomutF ma!]a whose members continued to administer the

temple tIll 1970 when the H.R&C.E.

Department took over its control. Now

the kaarafl/lVd! of the PoomuW maga is

the hereditary trustee of the temple.

The day-to-day affairs are ,looked after

by a Manager appointed by the Trustee.

Structures: Prior to the Land Reforms

Act the temple had extensive paddy

fields which fetched 5,000 paras of

paddy as paattanL Now the temple owns

ouly 3.50 a.eres of vV'hich the temple

tank has an exteut of 2.85 acres. The

area of the temple complex is only 65

cents. The structures on the temple

coulplex are sreekavil, l1arnaSKaara­

tnf1{u}apam, valiyombalam with attached

thitappa!!i and mu!ayara. sub'shrine, well. valiya-halikkall. deepa-stfi..wnhham

and a temple t;:mk.

The circular Eka-thala §rr:ekiJ\iJ] of

sc:andhaara. type has granite

adhishjhBiUj3m, laterHe '..valls and hIed

roof. The mouldings of the adhish­

{haa[!am are paaciukam" jagathi, vrththa­

kUIlwdaw, ga.!am with moti.f. kampam, ga!mn wi'.:h flower IXl0tif 8.....'1 d uththaram. The i,:';5"Pi.w.!WlTl has four steps. \-~Vi:1a.!i

fIgurines are carved on the sides of

banisters. The P!f.Up18!am has makaro_-

'. sirnhu face at the base, multi-faceted

.~il~If1U with a ring and ga-mukha type

tip. There are eleven ghug.1dwaaras (8 big and 3 small} besides the

functional door. The namaskaara~

ma(1~f;JPdm (side: ;:) 5 m.) has four pillars

With a trellis enclosure and two doors.

The well js located at the northeaSl of the .ak.arJ.tbe-b:1Hva[l;1ffl.

The chuuamb:alanl 1;'S incornp.iete,

It has only .:t vu1iyambalwn. The tbit:1ppa!!i

i~ at sourhe9.s( and rrJu!tl.v:.ua <it nort11

128

east. The valiya-balikkall is outside the

valiyambalam. There is also a deepa­

sthambham at the east. The sub-shrine of Lord Ay)tappa at the southern side

faces east. The temple tank is at the

eastem side stretching over the entixe

frontage from north to south.

Carvings and paintings: The dwaara­paalas are exquisitely carved pieces in granhe. There is no mural painting.

Oeities~ The <;j"1a-Jirlga idol of Lord Siva has a height of 60 enL The idol of Lord Ayyappa is of plain liliga form with a

height of 30 em,

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 5 to 9 a.m. and from

6 to 8 p.m. Two pooja.s ["lIe done daily,

u.""hapoojo. at 7 a ;n., aththaazhapooja at 7 p.m.

Offerings: Nai-paaya..<.;am, vi"!!a-nivedyam,

dhaara, pushpaanjaJi, appam, GaI!apathi homam, maala etc. are the main

vazhlpaats. Of these pUSllpai:l!"1iali, maala and ve!!a~·nit.'£:;d):am are popu lar.

Festivals: Sl\7Maathn is observed with

the usual abhishekarns. Modern

entertainments are staged sornelirnes.

Priesthood and temple staff: The details of the lhanthri who installed the Idol

are not knOVlt1. The present thanthri

belongs to ;,\1mappilappaHi illarn. The

iaaI1{nikkaralJ i5 appointed frotl1 Malayaa!a Brahmins. Other staff ir1clud.es a

kazhakam.

General remarks: The temple is

administered satisfactorily.

(Ocrta jiiDlip,l1ed hy Sret: N. V. A1iidh.1va Vamya!,

Her-editu.n! Kuzhakam and collected blj .Srcc R. ~ ~

/1·-lJdh:1' ftJl ]V;lh .. a/the Census Dlrectorate'/

I

2.16 SREE (Thiruma.,ikkara) GURUVAYOORAPPAN TEMPLE, TH RKKALAN GOT

• (Thrkkalarigot panchaayathth, Thrkkalarigot village, Pin - 676 127)

Location: Situated six km. northeast of Manjeri at Maraththaal].i on Nilamboor road

and thence two km. west, the temple

is connected by tarred road up to Maraththaani and thereafter earthen

road. Facilities for stay are available at Manjeri.

Brief history and temple administration: Datable to ancient period, the origin

of the temple is associated with the

Sree Krshl!a temple, Guruvayoo!'. The legend tells that at the present site

there once existed the matham of Itinnimmal Moossad family. A member

of that family used to visit the Sree

KfshQa temple, GUfUvayoo!: every month. He continued to worship the Lord for

many years without any interruption.

When he became old he found it

difficult to trek the distance. Once when he returned after worship on a

Guruvayoo£ Ekaadasi day he sat beneath

a peepul tree and prayed to the Lord to pardon him for discontinuing his trip

to Guruvayoo!:. When he finished his

prayer he heard the noise of a bell and also an incorporeal voice which said

that Lord's presence shall always be

felt at his place and that there was no

necessity for him to trek to GUfUvayoo£. Since he had full faith in the

incorporeal voice he installed an idol of Lord Guruvayoorappan there. As he

heard the ringing of ma{1i (bell) from

the top of the peepul tree the place got

the name Thirumal!ikkara. This tenlple

was also attacked by the forces of Tippu Sulththaan and the idol was broken. Even now the idol is in the same

3655 RGI/03-10A

129

condition though the broken portion is covered by a pancha-loha go!aka. In the

deva-PIasga the will of the Lord was not

in favour of changing the idol. After this incident the administration of the

temple was taken over by Saamoothiri. In 1970 the H.R.&C.E. Department

took over its control and a Trustee Board was constituted with the Samoothiri Raaja and four non­

hereditary members. The hereditary Trustee is also the Chairman and Managing Trustee. The day-to-day affairs are managed by a Manager

appointed by the Managing Trustee. There is also a Kshethra Kshema Samithi elected by local devotees for helping the management in renovation work and in conducting festivals. It is reported that whenever major misfortunes happen at Guruvayoo[ (like

fire of vi!akkumaatam, fire to the dress

adorning the idol of Lord Krshl!a, death of elephants etc.) some omens occur in this temple also at the same

moment.

Structures: The area owned by the temple prior to the Land Reforms Act is not known. At present the temple

owns 5 acres of dry land of which 40

cents constitute the temple complex. The structures thereon are sreekovil, namaskaara-malp}apam, chu!!ambaiam with ll1ukha-mal}rjapam, pradakshil}avazhi, valiya-balikkall, sub-shrine, paththaaya­ppura, wells, tank etc.

The circular eka-thahl §reek6vil of

saandhaara type and facing east has granite adhish[haa!._l<un, laterite walls

and tiled roof. The adhishthaagam built on a basement has mouldings of paadukam, jagathi, vfththa-kumudam, ga!am with motif, ga!a-pati, ga!am with flower motifs and uththaram. The sopaagam has five direct steps. On the top of banisters vyaa!i faces have been carved. The p!al}aa!am has makara-simha at the base and a plain iUl}f}u with a curved end. The walls have three gha!]adwaaras besides a functional door. The namaskaara-mal}f}apam (side: 3.7 m.) 1S ruined and has no superstructure.

The chuttambaiam has three entrances, east, west and north. The thitappa!!i is at southeast. The sub­shrine of Lord GaI!apathi is at the southwest corner of the chu!!ambaiam. The well is at northeast but within the naalambalam. The mu!ayara ,is to its east. The valiya-balikkall is within the agra­maIJ9apam. There is P!adakshiIJa-vazhi around the chu!!ambaiam, which is paved with granite stones having a width of 2.1 m. and a thickness of 10 cm. At the southeast and outside the p!adakshil}a-vazhi, there is a sub-shrine for Lord Ayyappa facing east. The paththaayappurais at the southem side while there is another wall at the northern side of the p!adakshil}a-vazhi. The temple tank is at the northeast side of the temple complex. The granite compound wall which exists only at the eastern side has a height of 1.2 m. and a width of 45 cm.

Carvings and paintings: The stone carvings of dwaara-paalas deserve special mention.

Deities: The idol of Sree Krshry.a (Lord Guruvaayoorappan) made of iiia is in

standing pose with a height of 75 crn. The idol has four arms with conch,

130

disc, club and lotus in hands. The iiia idol of Lord GaI!apathi is in sitting pose (height: 60 cm.) while the idol of Lord Ayyappa is of §iia-iiriga type (height: 30 cm.).

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 4 to 11 a.m. and from 5-30 to 7 p.m. Three poojas are held daily,usha-pooja at 6-30 a.m., uccha­pooja at 10-30 a.m. and aththaazha-pooja at 6-30 p.m. There is no daily §ree-bali.

Offerings: Pushpaafijali, paal-paayasam, vi!akk, maala, nai-vi!akk, thrmadhuram, vel}l}a are the main vazhipaats. Of these, paal-paayasam, pushpaafijali and

ve-{1l}a are popular.

Festivals: Prathishtha-mahothsavam is - J'

held for six days from Uthrattaathi to Rohini in the month of Makaram. Guruvayoo[ ekaadaii is also observed. All temple rites are performed on p!athish!ha-mahothsava days besides staging kathhaka!i, ()ttam-thu!!al, chaakyaa[-koothth, paathakam, Krshl}aattam etc. and also modern entertainments.

Priesthood and temple staff: The details of the thanth!i who installed the idol earlier are not known. The present thanth[i belongs to Kakkaat iliam of Pookkottoor. The saanthikkaran is hereditary and belongs to Malayaa!a

Brahmin community. The other staff includes kazhakam, vazhipaat-clerk, aticchu-tha!i and watchman besides the Manager.

General remarks: The temple IS

administered satisfactorily. The roof of the namaskaara-mal}9apam has to be

re-built.

(Data furnished by Sn:e T. G6piilan Nai!.

Vazhipaat-Clerk and collected by Sn:e R.

Madhavan Nair of the Census Directorate).

3655 RGI/03--10B

• 2.17 SREE PAARTHHASAARATHHY TEMPLE, CHERUVAf!lf!'I00R (Th!kkaJangot panchaayathth, E!amkoo! village, Pin - 676122)

Location: The temple is situated 10 kIn.

northeast of Manjeri at Cheruva1)I)oOr on

WaI).toO! road and thence 500 m. east. The road is tarred. Facilities for stay

are available at Manjeri.

Brief history and temple administration: Datable to very ancient period. the early history of the temple is still

obscure. The only information

available is that it belonged to Kaavungal Mangalasseri maQa. They still

administer the temple. In the maga there is a Thevaara-moo!ththy of Lord Sankaranaaraayaz:ta, which is believed to

have been worshipped by disciplies of Sree Agasthya MUQi. The idol was obtained from the kokkaral}i. This

temple is not open for public. For the

benefit of all devotees an idol of Sree

KrshI).a with the sankalpa of Sree

Paa!thhasaarathhy was installed. The

temple is commonly known as Sree Maha VishI)u temple. The day-to-day affairs of the temple are managed under the

direct supervision of the eldest

member of the mana.

Structures: The temple owns five acres

of land of which 75 cents constitute the temple complex. The structures

thereon are sreekoviJ, namaskaara­

ma1J.flapam, sub-shrines, chu!!ambalam, valiya-balikkall and a compound wall,

besides well and tank.

The square eka-thala sreekovil of nirandhaara type and facing east has

granite adhish{haa!}am. laterite walls

and tiled roof. The mOUldings of the adhish{haagam are paadukam, jagathi,

131

v[ththa-kumudam, kumuda-pati, kampam, ga!am, ga!a-paa, kampam, ga!am with flower motifs. gala-pati, uththaram and patio The sopaaQam has four direct steps with vyaa!i motif on top of banisters. On the sides there is a rare carving of a Goddess riding over a vyaa!i. The p!lUJ.aa!am has vyaa!i base, multi-faceted SUfl9U with rings and go-mukha end. A

BhoothagaIJa supports the sUIJ9u with his head and his right hand. He is of kneeling pose and his left hand rests on his knee. This art-piece is now in a broken condition. The walls have three ghagadwaaras with niches besides the functional door. The namaskaara­maflflapam has four wooden pillars and tiled roof.

The chuttambalam has three entrances, at east, west and north. The thitappa!!i is at southeast, while the sub-shrine having deities of Lord Saastha and Lord Ga~apathi at sOllthwest facing east. The valiya-balikkall is within the agra-maI}flapam. The well is at the northern side, facing the northern entrance. The idol of Brahmarakshas is installed at the northeastern comer facing west. The compound wall has a height of 1.5 m. and a width of 30 cm.

Carvings ~nd paintings: Stone carvings of dwaara-paalas and those on sides of banisters of sopaa[!aIn deserve special mention.

Deities: The k[shl}a-siJa idol of Lord Paa!:thhasaarathhy is in standing pose (height: 75 cm.) with two arms having

conch in the right hand and whip in

the left hand. The sila idol of Lord

Galfapathi is of sitting pose (37 cm.),

while that of Lord Saastha is of plain­

liriga form of height 15 cm. Brahma­

rakshas (two in number) are of plain

liriga form (height: 27 cm. each).

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 6 to 8-30 a.m. and

from 6 to 7-30 p.m. Three poojas are

done daily, usha-pooja (7 a.m.), uccha­

pooja (8 p.m.) and aththaazha-Rooja

(7 p.m.).

Offerings: Sa!kkara-paayasam and

pushpaanjali are the vazhipaats, of which

the former is important. The devotee

has to bring the articles for making

paayasam

I ,

Festivals: The p!athish!ha-day is

observed on Rohil}i asterisk in the

month of Metam. Special rites are done

on this day.

Priesthood and temple staff: The details

of the thallthri who installed the idol are

not known. The present thantr.ri belongs

to Karuththetathth ma!Ja. The saanthi is

done by a member of the ooraa!ar family.

The other staff includes a kazhakam.

General remarks: The naalambalam is in

rUIns. Urgent repairs are needed.

(Data furnished by Sree K.M. Diimodaran

Namboothin"ppad, Trustee and collected by Sree

G. Sivadiisan oJthe Census Directorate).

2.18 SREE SANKARANAARAAYA~A TEMPLE, KU!-ANELLOOR (Thrkkalarigot panchaayathth, E!ankooI village, Pin - 676 122)

Location: Situated SIX km. east of

Manjeri at Kugippa!a and thence 7 km. north on Cheruku!am road at Ku!ane­

Hoor, the temple is connected by tarred

road. Facilities for stay are available

at Manjeri.

Brief history and temple administration: Datable to very ancient period, there

is a legend associated with the temple.

It is reported that the great Sage

Agasthya and His disciples meditated

here for a long period and that Lord Sankaranaaraayal)a appeared in front of

Sage Agasthya in the form of a

swayambhoo idol. The sage and the

disciples worshipped this swayam.bhoo jdol for long and when they left the

place they immersed the idol in a

132

nearby tank. Later the idol was taken

out as revealed in a deVa-p[8sga and

installed in the present site. There is

a small line at the centre of the idol

indicating that the right portion relates

to Lord Siva and left portion to Lord

Vish:r:m. Since the idol was in the tank

for centuries the water of the tank is

believed to possess immaculate powers

to cure diseases.

This temple was also attacked by

the forces of Tippu Sulththaan.The

hands of the dwaara-paalas are in a

mutilated condition.

It is not known how the temple

came into the hands of KaavUI1gal

Mangalasseri ma!}a which is managing

this temple for centuries. The kaaraI}ava[ of the ma!}a attends to the day-to-day affairs of the temple.

Structures: Prior to the Land Reforms Act the temple owned more than 80 acres of dry land. Now it owns only an area of four acres which constitute the temple complex. The structures thereon are sreekoviI, namaskaara­

map9apam, ruined chu!!ambalam, well

and tank.

The circular eka-thala sreekovil has granite a dhish!haa!] am , laterite walls and thatched roofing. The mouldings of the adhishrhaa!!am are paadukam, jagathi, v[ththa-kumudam, ga!am with motifs, kampam, ga!am with flower lllOtifs and uththaram. The sopaa!!am has five direct steps with vyaa!i face at the

top of balustrades and motifs of doors on their sides. The p!apaa!am has makara-simha motifs, multi-faceted SUl:UjU with rings and tapering end. The walls have three big and eight small ghagadwaaras, besides the main functional door. A sub-shrine with idols of Lord Ga!_1apathi and Sree Dakshi1)amoo~ththy is located close to the southern side of the sreekovil. The namaskaara-maI}~apam (side: 3.83 m.} has four pillars.

The chu!!ambaiam is ruined and now only its thara exists. The thitappa!!i at southeast alone has roof. The well is outside the thara of chu!!ambalam and located at the southwest corner. The temple tank is also dilapidated though used.

Carvings and paintings: Dwaara-paalas made in granite stone exist at the sides of p[aasaada-dwaara.

133

Deities: The lila-liriga swayambhoa idol

has a height of 45 cm. The iila idols of

Lord GaI)apathi and Lord DakshiI)a­

rnoo!:ththy are in sitting pose and of

plain liriga form with height of 37 em.

and 27 em. respectively.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 7 to 8 a.m. and from

5-30 to 6-30 p.m. Only one paoja is

held, at 8 a.m.

Offerings: Pushpaa!chchaga, paaJ­

pancheerahhi, sarkkara-paayasam and i!aneer

abhishekam are important vazhipaats. Of

these paaJ-pantheerazhi is peculiar and

its ingredients are 12 naazhis of raw

rice, 12 naazhis of milk and 12 naazhis of pure water. The pushpaarccha!!8 is a

popular vazhipaat.

Festivals: There is no festival at

present though annual temple rites are

performed on Sivaraathri day.

Priesthood and temple staff: The idol is

swayambhoo that appeared before the

great Sage Agasthya. When he left he

immersed the idol in the tank. It is

not known who performed the initial

consecration rites at the present

place. The present thanthri belongs to

Maranaatt ma!Ja. The saanlhikkaran is

hereditary and belongs to Aalazhi ma!}a.

There is no other staff.

General remarks: The temple needs

urgent renovation.

(Data Jurnished by Sree K.M. Damodaran

Namboothirippad, Member oj Ooraa!a! family and collected by Sree R. Madhavan Nai! of the Census Directorate).

, , ,-SREE VISHNU TEMPLE, KOTASSERI 2.19

(Paa':ltikkaat panchaayathth. Chembrasseri village, Pin - 676 521)

Location: Situated 14 km. east of

Manjeri at Maranaattupati (alias Maraattu­

pati) on NilambooE road and thence two

km. east, the temple is tarred up to

Maranaattupati. Facilities for stay are

available at Manjeri.

Brief history and temple administration:

Datable to eleventh century, the

legend tells that originally the idol had

the sankalpa of Sree N arasimhamoofththy.

In course of time it so happened that

the poojas were not done properly. The

lapses in poojas resulted in misfortunes

to the families of ooraa!a[s and devotees.

A dEva-P!as!]a was conducted. As

prescribed therein, renovation of the

temple and appropriate expiatory rites

were done. Moreover at the time of

re-consecration the power of the Lord

was reduced and the sankalpa of the

deity was changed from Lord

Narasimha to Lord Vishl)u. Thereafter

the temple came to be knewn as Lord

Vish1)u temple.

The temple was once owned by

the Namboothiri Warns of the locality.

When some of the illakka!s left the

place for some obvious reasons during

the close of the eighteenth century,

the temple administration was vested

with five illams, Melatathth maga,

Maranaatt maga, KaEuththetathth maga,

Mooththetathth ma!]a and Kizhakketathth

maga. In 1954 the temple was taken

over by the H.R.&C.E. Board and a

Trustee Board consisting of kaaral}ava[s

134

of the five families mentioned above

was entrusted with the management

of the temple. A Manager appointed

by the Trustees administers the temple

on behalf of the Trustees. The devotees

meet once in a year and elect an eight­

member committee for gIv1ng

necessary assistance to the devotees.

Structures: Prior to the Land Reforms

Act the temple owned paddy fields

which fetched 3,099 paras of paddy

besides dry lands. At present the

temple owns 4.10 acres of land of which

1.28 acres constitute the temple

complex. The structures thereon are

sreekovij, sub-shrines, namaskaara­

maIJ9apam, chu!!ambaiam with agra­

mal}9apam, agrasaaia, paththaayappura,

gopuram, well and tank.

The circular sreekoYil of

saandhaara type and facing west has

laterite stone adhishrhaagam and walls

and tiled roof. The mouldings of the

adhishJhaagam are paadukam, jagathi,

yrththakumudam, kumuda pati, kampam,

ga!am with motifs, gala-pati, ga!am with

flower motifs, ga!a-pati, uththaram and

patio The adhish!haagam is plastered

with cement. The sopaagam has five

direct steps with vyaa!i face at the top

of balustrades and motifs of elephant

and lion on sides of banisters. The

p!aIJaa!am ~as makara-simha at the

base, plain §uIJ9u with rings and go­

mukha tip. It is supported by a pillar.

on the wall niches have been carved.

On the tops of niches decorations can

be seen. There are two gha!]adwaaras,

besides the functional door. A sub­

shrine of Lord Gal}apathi built within one

of the niches and facing west is located

close to the southern side of the

sreekoviJ. The namaskaara-maI}cJapam

(side: 3.15 m.) has four pillars. The

well is at the northern side of the

akaththe-balivattam .

The chuttambalam has entrances

on aU sides. The thitappa!!i is at

southeast and the sub-shrines of Lord

Ayyappa and Lord Siva are at southwest

of the naalambalam. The valiya balikkall

is within the agra-malJ9apam. The

agrasaala is at the northwestern side.

To its north is the ruined temple tank.

The paththaayappura is at northeast.

There are two gopuras built with

laterite stones and having a tiled roof,

one at the east and the other at the

west. The compound wall built with

dressed laterite stones has a height

of 2.25 m. and a width of 60 em.

Carvings and paintings: The dwaara­

paalikas, made of stone, are exquisite

carvings. The woodcarvings on ceilings

(Sun and Ashtadikpaalas) are painted

with different colours.

Deities: The idol of Lord Vishl}u, made

of Krshna-siJa has four arms' with conch,

disc, dub and lotus in hands. It is in

standing pose (height: 67 cm.). The

sankalpa of the idol was earlier Sree

Narasimhamoorththy. Later the sankalpa

was changed to that of Lord VishI_1u

during re-consecration. The sila idol of

135

Lord GaI_1apathi within the western

niches of sreekoviJ has a height of 10

cm. The idol of Lord Ayyappa is of plain

sila while that of Lord Siva is of

sl]a-liriga form, both having a height of

30 cm. each.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 6 to 8 a.m. and from

7 to 8 p.m. Two poojas are held daily,

usha-pooja at 7 a.m. and athlhaazha-pooja

at 7 p.m. Till 1973 uccha-pooja existed.

Offerings: Sa!kkara-paayasam and

pushpaafijaJi are the main vazhipaats of

which the former is more popular.

Festivals: P!athishFha-day is observed on

Ri5hilJi asterisk in the month of Metam.

Navakam, pancha-gavyam etc. are the

special poojas performed on this day.

The last uthsavam was held in 1972.

Priesthood and temple staff: The details

of the thanth!i who performed the initial

rites of installation of Lord Narasimha­

moorththy and subsequently of Lord

Maha VishI:lU are not available. The

present thanth!is are from Maranattu ma!}a

and Karuthetathth ma!}a. There are two

saanthikkars in this temple and they

work by turn, once in a month and they

belong to Embranthiris. The other staff

includes two kazhakams and one

aticchu-tha!i.

General remarks: The temple needs

complete renovation.

(Data furnished by Sree P. V. Achucha Vaarya!,

Manager and collected by Sree G. SiVtldasan of the Census Directorate).

, t

2.20 SREE SIVA TEMPLE, PUTHUKO'-I-I (Paa':ltikkaat panchaayathth, Chembrasseri village, Pin - 676 521)

Location: Situated 18 km. northeast of Manjeri at Kaakkathot Bridge and thence one km. east at Maraattkalam on Puthukogi road, the temple is connected by taTred road. The nearest railway station is Thuvoor which is six km. - . northeast of the temple. Facilities for stay are available at Manjeri.

Brief history and temple administration: Datable to sixteenth century the temple has a swayambhoo idol of Lord Siva within a tank. The legend tells that whence the ploughing of paddy field was done the kozhu (plough) touched a stone which immediately started bleeding. In the p[asga which followed, it was revealed that the idol was that of Lord Siva. When the area was cleared water gushed out and the idol was in a pool of water. A sreek5vii was then built. It is a unique feature that the idol has the sankalpa of Sree Jala-Siva with immaculate powers.

The temple is owned and maintained by Maranaatt ma!}a.

Structures: The details of land owned by the temple prior to the Land Reforms Act are not known. At present the temple complex has an extent of two acres of dry land. The details of paddy fi.elds are not known. The structures on the temple complex are sreekovii with mukha-mal}r!apam, vaathil maatam, thitappa!Ji, agra-malp;lapam, sub-shrine, well and tank.

The square (side: 2.80 m.) eka-thala sreekovii with mukha-maIJflapam of saandhaara type and facing west is located in a tank. It has laterite

136

adhi.~hthaanam. The roof is also made of laterite stone roof but with a copper she.et at the centre of the roof. There is no moulding for the adhishtaagaIll. At the usual place of P!al}aa!am, a simple outlet is provided. The wall has only one ghagadwaaram. The entire area including the ga!bhagrha has water of about 30 cm. depth. At the mukha­malJrJapam there is a P!athishfha of Sree KarinkaaF, while at the southwest corner of the sreekovij there is an idol of Lord Gal!apathi. The mukha-mal}¢apam is connected to the vaathilmaatam by a granite slab. The thitappa!!i is at the northern end of the vaathilmaatam with doors to south and east. In the place of chu!!ambalam there is only an open space. There is a laterite compound wall also.Within the agra-ma{l9apam, there is a balikkall of height 30 cm. The sub-shrine of Lord Saastha with Sree Prabha and Sree Sathyaka is at the sou thwest facing east. On the northwest there is a well which has the shape of a conch. The temple tank is in the front and outside the ruined compound wall.

Carvings and paintings: The temple itself is unique as it is in a pool. The dwaara­paalas made of siia deserve special mention. There is no mural painting.

Deities: The swayambhoo idol of Lord Siva, made of sila, has a height of 30 cm. The idol of Lord GaIJapathi is in sitting pose (height: 10 cm.) whiie for Sree Karinkaali there is only a peerham. Lord Saastha, His consort Sree Prabha and son Sree Sathyaka are represented by three plain round liIigas of height of 15 cm. each. There is a sub-shrine on

the top of the hill has a sila-liIiga idol of 45 cm.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple is kept open from 6 to 8-30 a.m. One pooja is held at 7 a.m.

Offerings: E!aneer-dhaara, jala-dhaara, Rudra-dhaara and sa[kkara-paayasam are the main offerings. Of these jala-dhaara is popular.

Festivals: There is no festival. Sivaraathri is observed by performing suddhi­kalasam, thrkaaJa-pooja etc. No entertain­ments are staged.

I ,

Priesthood and temple staff: The details of the thanthri who performed the initial rites arc not known. The present thanthri belongs to the ooraa!af family, Maranaatt illam. The saanthikkaran is hereditary. Aticchu-tha!i is the only

other staff.

General remarks: The temple needs

urgent renovation 0

(Data collected by Sree G. Sivadiisan of the Census Directorate).

2.21 SREE (Keezhthrkkovil) SIVA TEMPLE, PERUVAKKAAT (PaaQtikkaat panchaayathth, Paatltikkaat village, Pin - 676 522)

Location: Situated 18 km. east of Manjeri at Kizhakke Paal}tikkaat and thence 300 m. southeast at Peruvakkad on Melaagoo!, road, the temple is connected by tarred road. Oli-puzha flows about 500 m. south of the river. Facilities for stay are available at Manjeri.

Brief history and temple administration: Datable to sixteenth century, the early history of the temple is still obscure. The only information available is that the temple has a swayambhoo idol. It is reported that till 1975 the temple was owned and administered by pazhayathth maIJa and Vaazhott maIJa. In that year the H.R.&C.E. Department took over its control and thereafter it is administered through a Trustee Board consisting of three members including the Chairman. The term of the Board is five years. The day-to-day affairs are managed by the Chairman.

Structures: The area owned by the temple prior to the Land Reforms Act is not known. At present, it has an

137

extent of one acre which constitutes the temple complex. The structures thereon are sreekovil, namaskaara­ma{19apam, chu!!ambalam, sub-shrines, valiya-balikkall, deepasthambham, paththaayappura, one well and two tanks.

The circular eka-thala sreek5vil of nirandhaara type and facing east has granite adhishfhaaIJam, laterite walls and copper sheet covered roof. The mouldings of the adhishrhaagam are paadukam, jagathi, v[ththa-kumudam, kumuda-pati, va!am with motifs, ga!am, ga!a-p2ti, kampam. ga!am 'Nith flower motifs, gala-pati, uththaram and patio The sopaa!}am has lateral banisters with vyaaJi-face at the top. There are no steps for sopaa!}am . At the front~side of this banister motifs of dwaara-paalas and niches are beautifully carved. The pral}aa!am (almost close to the ground level) is broken and fIxed to the ground with a support. It has makara-simha at the base, plain 5u1J9u with three rings and go-mukha at the tip. The wall has

only one ghagadwaaram besides the functional door and niches. The namaskaara-mal}f}apam (side: 3 m.) has four pillars. The well is at the north­eastern side of the akththe-balivattam. The entire akaththe-balivattam is paved with granite slabs.

The chu!!ambalam has thitappa/!i at southeast and a sub-shrine at southwest (having deities of Lord Ga1).apathi, Lord Ayyappa and Lord Maha Vish1).u). At the northeast there is the mu!aya!a. The valiya balikkallis outside the chul!ambalam. To its east is the sila deepa-sthambham built in 1985. The sub-shrine of Lord Saastha with his consort Sree Prabha and son Sree Sathyaka is at the northeastem side. East of this sub-shrine is the tank. The kazhakapura and paththaayappura are on the eastern side. There is yet another tank with ku!akatav and ku!appura.

Carvings and paintings: There are no carvings and paintings.

Deities: The sila-liIiga idol of Lord Siva (swayambhoo) has a height of 45 cm. The idol of Lord Gal).apathi is in sitting pose (height: 45 cm.) while that of Lord Ayyappa is in plain liIiga form (height: 15 cm.). Sree Maha VishI:lU idol is of sila

and is in standing pose (height: 30 cm.) with four arms and with conch, disc, club and lotus in hands. The idols of Lord Saastha, Sree Prabha and Sree Sathyaka are of height 30 cm., 15 cm. and 15 cm. respectively.

Time of worship and poojas; The temple is kept open from 6 to 7 a.m. and the moming pooja is held at 6-30 a.m.

Offerings: Jala-dhaara and pushpaanjaIi are the vazhipaats. Ofthesejala-dhaara is popular.

Festivals: There is no festival in this temple. However, Sivaraathri is celebrated with additional rites like navakam, pancha--gavyam, suddhi-kalaSam, GaDapathi-hava.!_1an1 etc.

Priesthood and temple staff: The details of the thanth[i who performed initial rites associated with the consecration of the swayambhoo idol are not known. The present thanth[i belongs to Arip!athth mana. The hereditary saanthikkaran belongs to Embraanthiri community. The other staff includes two kazhakams.

General remarks: Paththaayappura and kazhakappura are to be renovated.

(Data furnished by Sree K. Kesavan Embraanthiri, saanthikkaron and collected by Sree G. Sivadiisan of the Census Directorate).

I •

2.22 SREE (Ve"ekkaatt) BAALA-DURGA TEMPLE, VAIr,-UVANGAAT (Paantikkad panchaayathth, Vettikkaattiri village, Pin - 676 521) ..

location: Situated 13 km. southeast of Manjeri at Thampaa:Qangaati on Mannaa!­kkaat road and thence 500 m. north on Kaaraattpati road, the temple is accessible by tarred road. Olipuzha or Oravampu!am river (Katalul).ti river) flows two km. south of the temple. Facilities for stay are available at Manjeri.

138

Brief history and temple administration: Datable to very ancient period the history of the temple is obscure. The only information available is that the idol is swayambhoo. The temple is owned and managed by Natuvathth Devaswam which is constituted by Poomugi and Desamangalam manas. The

kaaryasthhan of the Devaswam attends to the day-to-day affairs of the temple. In 1995 a local committee came into existence for helping the admini­stration of the temple. It consists of 12 members inclusive of President, Vice-President, Secretary, Joint­Secretary and Treasurer.

Structures: The details of lands owned by the temple prior to the Land Reforms Act are not known. At present the temple owns 60 cents of land which constitute the temple complex. The structures thereon are sreekovil, namaskaara-malJljapam, 'a ruined chu!!ambaiam, a bali-pee{ham and an open hall.

The square eka-thala sreek5vil of nirandhaara type and facing west has granite adhish!haagaril, laterite walls and tiled roof. The mouldings of the adhishrhaagam are paadukam, jagathi, vrththa-kumudam, kumuda-pati, kampam, galam, gafa-pati, kampam, gafam, gafa-pati, uththaram and patio The sopaa!!am has two direct steps plastered with cement. The granite p[aI)aajam has makara-simha at the base, multi-faceted SUlJlju with rings and go-mukha type tip. The walls have only one ghagadwaaram at the rear besides the main functional door. There is a sub-shrine for Lord GaI}apathi at the southern side of the sreekovil, facing west. At the southwest corner of the sreekovij there is another sub­shrine facing west with deities of Sree Dakshi~amoo!'ththy and Lord Saastha. The namaskaara-malJljapam (side: 2.72 m.) has four pillars. There is also a well in the temple.

In the place of chugambalam only the tha[a exists. The thitappa!!i and a room were re- built in 1973. The bali-pee!ham situated outside the

139

chu!!ambalam is unique as it is not installed in front of the deity. It is installed about a metre from the centre towards south. The reason for this change of position is not known. An open hall was built at the front in 1993 as a donation by a devotee.

Carvings and paintings: There are no carvings and paintings.

Deities: The sila idol of Goddess Du!,ga is almost of liIiga form and has a height of 15 cm. The sankalpa of the deity is that of Sree Baala Du!ga. The sila idol of Lord Galfapathi is of sitting pose (30 em.) and the idols of Lord DakshiI}amoo!_"ththy and Lord Saastha are of sila-liJiga form with a height of 27 em. each.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple is kept open from 6-30 to 8-30 a.m. and from 6 to 7 p.m. Morning pooja is held at 8 a.m. and a deepaaraadha!!a at 6-30 p.m. Earlier the temple had two poojas. Now the committee is taking interest in re-introducing two poojas.

Offerings: PushpaanjaJi, nai-paayasam and aval-nivedyam are important vazhipaats of which nai-paayasam is popular.

Festivals: There is no festival in this temple at present.

Priesthood and temple staff: The details of the thanth[i who installed the idol are not known. There is no thanthri at present for the temple. The daily poojas are done by a person belonging to Embraanthiri community. The other staff includes a kazhakam.

General remarks: The sreekovil and chuttambalcim are to be renovated.

(Data furnished by Srce M.P. Riimanaarayal}an,

President and collected by Sree G. Sivadiisan of the Census Directorate).

I

2.23 SREE DURGA BHAGAVATHI TEMPLE, PANTHALOOR (Aa~akkayam panchaayathth, Panthaloo! village, Pin - 676121) -

Location: The temple is located 12 kIn. sou th of Manjeri at Panthaloo! Junction

on Manjeri-Vagikkappa!!a-Panthaloor

road and thence 500 m. south. The

road is tarred. Facilities for stay are

available at Manjeri.

Brief history and temple administration: Datable to ancient period, there are

two views on the origin of the temple.

One view is that it was consecrated by

Lord Parasuraama and thereby it is

included in the list of 108 Du! ga

temples. Another view is that the idol

brought by Lord Parasuraama was given

to Sree N aaraayaI)a Aacharyar (alias

Naaraayal)athth Bhraanthan) who installed

it after spitting the saliva of chewed

thaamboolam (betel leave~) over the

pee {ham. After this incident the

place got the name Thaambaloo!

(thaamboolam+oor) which later was

shortened as Panthaloo!. The temple is

renowned from ancient days as the

Goddess is found to be very powerful.

The temple was destroyed and

desecrated by the forces of Tippu

Sulththaan. Thereafter for a long

period the temple was neglected. It is

reported that centuries later the

administration of the temple came into

the hands of Saamoothiri kovilakam. There is a local committee called

Kshethra SamrakshaIJa Samithi, which

consists of eleven members including

five office-bearers-president, Vice­

President, Secretary, Joint Secretary

and Treasurer. They help the Manager

who is appointed by the Samoothiri

140

k6viJakam. With the active co-operation

of the committee the temple was

renovated in 1994 and re-consecration

of idols done.

Structures: Prior to the Land Reforms

Act of 1963 the temple had large tract

of land including forest areas and

paddy fields that fetched 6,000 paras of paddy. N ow the temple owns three

acres of land which constitute the

temple complex. The structures

thereon are sreekovii, namaskaara­maIJ9apam, sub-shrines, chu!!ambaiam, valiya-balikkall, gopuram, well and tank.

(i) Shrine of Goddess Durga Bhagavathi

The rectangular dwi-thala sreekovil with mukha-maIJgapam is of saandhaara

type facing east. Since there is trellis­

work as outer wall of the sreekovii, the

inner details are not available

particularly the details of mouldings

of the adhishrhaagam. The sopaagam has

five direct steps. Flower motifs are

carved on the sides of banisters. The

p!aIJaa!am has makara-simha at the

base, multi-faceted sUIJ9u with pearl

rings and tapered end. The walls have

three gha!!adwaaras besides the main

functional door. The roof is tiled.

(ii) Shrine of Lord Vishnu

This is a subsequent addition

presumably after the temple came into

the hands of Saamoothiri koviJakam. It

has a circular eka-thala sreekovil of

nirandhaara type facing east and

located north of the main shrine of

Goddess Durga. The adhish!haagaIn has

mouldings of paadukam, jagathi,

kumudam, iru.muda-pati, ga!am, ga!a-pati, uththaram and pati. The sopaa!}aIn has

four direct steps. The PIaiJaa!am is of

simplified type. The walls have three

gha!}adwaaras besides a functional door.

The roof is tiled. The namaskaara­

mal}fiapam is ruined. There is a

separate well for this shrine at its

northeast.

The chuttambalam is partially

ruined and its remnants can be seen.

The chu!!ambaJam has five entrances,

two each at east and west and one at

south. The thitappa!!i is at southeast.

The sub-shrine of Lord Gal)apathi is at

the southwest of the naalambalam. There is a granite p[adakshiI}a vazhi

around the chuuambalam which is now

covered with grass. At the entrances

on the eastern side there are gi5puras.

Two valiya-balikkalls are installed, one

in front of Goddess Durga and the other

of Lord Vishl)u. The sub-shrine at

sou theast has idols of Sree Vettakkorumakan and Sree Thiruva!ayanat

Bhagavathi. Two sub-shrines are at the

southwestern side, one of Lord Ayyappa

and the other of Sree Erannooraan (Lord

Siva) both facing east. At the front of

Sree Erafifiooraan also there is a baUkkall.

There is yet another well on the north­

western side, presumably part of

agrasaaJa which existed earlier. The

rectangular temple tank is at the east.

A gopuram exists at the east. The

compound wall which existed earlier

is in a completely ruined condition.

Carvings and paintings: There are no

carvings and paintings.

141

Deities: The sila idol of Goddess Durga

Bhagavathi of standing pose (height:

75 cm.) has four arms with conch and

disc in upper hands while the lower

hands are in abhaya and katibandha

pose.The Goddess is believed to be of

benign nature. The idol of Lord Vishl)u

is in standing pose (height: 90 cm.)

with four arms and conch, disc, club

and lotus in hands. The idol of Lord

Gal)apathi is in sitting pose (45 cm.),

while that of Sree Erannooraan (Siva in

the sankalpa of Kiraathamoorththy) is in

standing pose (height:75 cm.). The idol

of Lord Ayyappa is of sila-liriga type

(height: 15 cm.). There are peetha­

PIathishrhas for Sree Vettakkorumakan and

Sree Va!ayaQatt Bhagavathi.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 5-30 to 9 a.m. and

from 5 to 8 p.m. Three poojas are done

daily, usha-pooja (7 a.m.), uccha-pooja

(8-45 a.m.) and aththaazha-pooja (7-30

p.m.).

Offerings: Chamayam (Chanda!Jam­

chaa[chchai and adorning the idol with

omaments and offering paayasam) is

the most important vazhipaat. Other

vazhipaats are nai-paayasam,

pushpaanjaJi, maaIa-Y'i!akk and nai-vi!akk.

One special feature here is that

cocoanut kernel is not used for

paayasam

Festivals: There 1S no special festival

at present. On the p[f:1thish!ha-day, ni[a­

maala is held. From 26 th to 29 th

Makaram) Ka!amezhuthth-paatt IS

performed. Ashtami Rohi1}i and Sivaraalhri

are also celebrated.

Priesthood and temple staff: As stated

earlier Lord Parasuraama and Sree

NarayaI)athth Bhdinthan are considered

responsible for the installation of the

main idols. The present thanthri belongs

to NadiyaI].amanga!am maga of VaHikka­

pa!!a (MaI)kata). The saanthikkaran belongs

to Malayaa!a Brahmins. Other staff

J

includes kazhakam, aka-tha!i, pu!a-lha!i and vazhipaat clerk besides the Manager.

General remarks: The chu!.!ambalam needs renovation.

(Data furnished by Sree V.X. Govindan Nai[, Clerk and collected by Sree R. Madhavan Nai[ of the Census Directorate.

2.24 SREE (Avil!oor) AVYAPPA- DURGA BHAGAVATHI TEMPLE, PAAPPINIPAARA

(Aarrakkayam panchaayathth, Aa[lakkayam village, Pin - 676 122)

Location: Situated four km. west of Manjeri on Pookk5ttoo.!: road via. Muththunpaara at Paappi!!ipaara and thence 250 m. south. the temple is connected by tarred road', Facilities for stay are available at Manjeri.

Brief history and temple administration: Datable to ancient period, the legend of the temple tells that this place had jungles in the past. It is said that one

day when a Girijan-Iady went to this area for collecting fire-wood and when she sharpened her sickle on a stone, to her great surprise, blood oozed out from the point of contact of the sickle

with the stone. Seeing the strange phenomenon, she reported it to the

owner of the land who was a local Nayar chieftain. A dcva-p[asga was conducted and it was revealed that there was a swayambhoo ·idol of Lord Ayyappa in the spot. The Nayar chieftain gave the site where the idol was seen to a Moossad family for performing rites and maintaining a temple. He also helped financially to construct a temple. For centuries the Moosad family maintained the temple. Later

142

they requested the Mutappilaapil!i ma!!a to manage the temple.

Sree Du!ga Bhagavathi was also installed as per p[as!!a and now this shrine has greater importance and has

chu![ambaJam a tall valiyabalikkal and other structures.

During the invasion by the forces of Tippu this temple was also desecrated.

The vigraha of the Goddess in the sub­

shrine was broken to pieces. Since

then it was replaced by a new vigraha.

In 1992 the temple and the temple

complex were purChased by Pazhayetathth Naayar tha!aVaal and now

they are administering the temple through a Manager.

Structures: Details of the area owned

by the temple prior to the Land Reforms

Act are not known. At present the

temple complex has an extent of 40 cents.

The structures are sreekovils, ma!}gapam, chu!!ambalam, sub-shrines, valiya-balikkall and well. Though the earliest shrine is that of Lord Ayyappa

now the shrine of Goddess Durga is considered as the main one. Therefore

details of both shrines are given below:

(i) Shrine of Lord Ayyappa

The square eka-thala sreekovil of

nirandhaara type facing west, has laterite adhish!haa!]am and walls. The mouldings of the adhish{haa!]am are

jagathi, ga!am, uththaram and patio The sopaa!]am has three direct steps and

the p[al}aa!am is of simplified type. The walls have no gha!}adwaaras. The roof is

concrete but the central top portion is open. Thereis no chu!!ambalam for Lord Ayyappa.

(ii) Shrine of Goddess Durga

The circular eka-thala sreekovil of

saandhaara type and facing east has laterite upa-pee{ham, adhish{haa!!am and walls and concrete roof. The mouldings of the upa-pee{ham are paadkam. jagathi, ga!am and pati, while the mouldings of

adhish!haa!!am are paadukam, jagathi, vrththa-kumudam, ga!am. ga!a-pati, uththaram and patio The sopaa!!am has nine direct laterite steps plastered

with cement. The PIalJaa!am is of simplified type with a corved end. the walls have two ghagadwaaras besides the

functional door. At the front of the sreekovil there is a rectangular maIJtjapam. The well is at the northeast of akaththe-balivattam.

The chu!!ambalam of the Sree Du!ga

shrine has entrances from all sides. The sub-shrine of Lord Gal}apathi is at southwest facing east. The thitappa!!i is at northeast. The valiya-balikkall having a height of 1.8 m. is outside the chu!!ambalam. There is no tank in the temple complex.

143

Carvings and paintings: There are no carvings and paintings.

Deities: The idol of Lord Ayyappa is of sila-liriga type (height: 75 cm}. It is reported that the idol is growing. The krshl}a-sila idol of Goddess Bhagavathi is of standing pose (height: 105 cm.) has four arms with disc and churika in right side and conch and bow on left side. The idol of Lord GaI)apathi is of sitting posture (height: 45 cm.).

Time of worship and poojas: The temple is kept open on all days from 6 to 9 a.m. and from 5-30 to 7-30 p.m. Three poojas are held daily, usha-pooja at 7 a.m., uccha-pooja at 8-30 a.m. and aththaazha-pooja at 7 p.m.

Offerings: Neyyabhishi5kam, e!anee! abhishekam. niraththala (boiled raw rice

mixed with cocoanut gratings) pushpaanjali, vi!akk-maala, sarkkara­paayasam etc. are important vazhipaats bu t niraththala, vi!akk-maala and pushpaaiijali are more popular.

Festivals: There is no festival in this temple. P[athishfl1a-day (25 th March) and mal}~ala-festival period are important days for the temple.

Priesthood and temple staff: The details of the thanth!i who installed the idol are not known. The present thanth[i belongs to Kizhakkampaatt illam of Areek6de. The saanthikkaran is appointed from Malayaa!a Brahmins. The other staff includes a kazhakam.

General remarks: The temple IS

administered satisfactorily.

(Data furnished by Sree P. Kumiira Me!} on,

Manager and collected by Sree R. Miidhavan Nai!

andSreeG. Sivadiisan of the Census Directorate).

J # _

2.25 SREE (O.ra~aatathth) SIVA TEMPLE, MAN,JERI (Manjiiri municipal town, Pin - 676 121)

Location: Situated one km. west of

Manjeri on Pookk6ttoo!, road (K5zhikk6de

road) the temple is connected by

tarred road. Facilities for stay are

available at :Manjeri.

Brief history and temple administration: Datable to very ancient period, the

early history of the temple is still

obscure. It is reported that the idol of

the temple is swayambhoo. The legend

is that the temple completely made of

granite, was built by the Bhoothaga!Jas of Lord Siva.

The temple was subjected to

severe attack by the forces of Tippu

Sulththaan. The idols of Lord Ga~apathi

and Lord VishI)u were desecrated an.d

they are still (in 1995) in broken

condition. The legs of dwaarapaalas of

the main temple of Lord Siva were cut

off by the forces of Tippu.

The earlier owner of the temple

was Oranaat family. 'When this family

found it difficult to manage the temple

the H.R.&C.E. Department took over

its administration. Now the Executive

Officer appointed by the Department

manages the temple.

Structures: The area owned by the

temple prior to the La."'ld Reforms Act

of 1963 is not known. At present the

temple owns 36 cents which constitute

the temple complex. The structures

thereon are sreek6vii, namaskaara­malyJapam, valiyambalam, thitappa!p,

valiya -balikkall, deepa-sthambham, su b­

shrines, well and tank.

144

The apsidal eka-thala sreekovil with

mukha-mal}rJapam and of saandhaara type faces east. The upa-pee{ham, adhishfhaa!Jam and walls and thaazhikakutams are all made of

granite. The !fila upa-peerham has no

mouldings while the adhish!haa!}am has

mouldings of paadukam, jagathi, vrththa­kumudam, ga!am with motifs, kampam,

ga!am with flower motifs and uththaram. The sopaagam has five direct steps. On the sides of banisters flower motifs are

depicted. The PIaIJaa!am has makara­simha base, multi-faceted SUl;u;Iu with

three rings and tapered end. There is gal}8 in standing pose supporting the

p[al}aa!am. There are five ghagadwaaras besides the functional door. The roof

is made of granite stones, which is

something rare. The namaskaara­mal}c)apam (side: 4.37 m.) has four

pillars. There is a sub-shrine at the

southern side with idols of Lord Ga\lapathi and Lord Vettakkorumakan.

The well is at the northeastem side of

akaththe-balivattam .

There is no chuftambalam. Only

the vaathilmaatam exists. At its

northern end and east of the well is the thitappa!!i. There is valiya-balikkall and also a iiIa deepasthambham (installed in Mee!]am 1118 K.E.) The

sub-shrines of Lord Ayyappa and Lord

Maha Vish~u, both facing west, are installed at the southeast corner. The

temple tank is at northeast.

Carvings and paintings: Figurines of

Lord Brahma, Lord Vish\lu and Lord Siva, all carved in granite stone, exist

at the sreemukham of the sreekovil. Dwaara-paalas in granite are installed

on either side of the praasaada-dwaara. The mural paintings which existed on

the walls of the sreeko\l"il are now

completed faded.

Deities: The idol of Lord Siva is of

swayambhoo and of sila-liriga type

(height: 60 cm). The sankalpa of the

deity is that of Sree Uma-Maheswara. Al1

the idols of sub-shrines are also made

of ilIa i.e. Lord Gat:lapathi (in sitting pOSt,

height: 37 em.), Lord Visht:lu (in

standing pose, 90 cm.) and Lord

Ayyappa (round iiJa. height 15 cm.).

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open on all days from 7 -30

to 10 a.m. A single pooja is held at

8-30 a.m.

Offerings: Dhaara, pushpaaiijali, sa!kkara­paayasam and viJakk-maaJa are the

( I

offerings of which the first one is more

popular.

Festivals: There is no festival. However

§ivaraathri day is observed with

abhishekas and special poojas. Some

modern en tertainmen ts are al so

staged.

Priesthood and temple staff: The details

of the thanthri who installed the idol

are not known. The present lhanth[i

belongs to MutappilaappiW ma!!8. The

saaIlthikkaran hails from a traditional

Namboothiri family. Other staff

includes a kazhakam.

General remarks: The temple needs

some renovation, especially for sub­

shrines.

(Data furnished by Sree V,M_ Sambhu

IVamboolhiri, 5:l:mthikkaran and collected by c5n.:c R. lvfiidhl\'a.,'1 Nuj! afthe Census Directorate).

2.26 SREE (Mookathaama~!1a) SIVA TEMPLE,MANJERI (Manjeri municipal town, Pin - 676 123)

Location: Situated one and half km.

northeast of Manjeri on Nilamboo!: road,

the temple is accessible by tarred road.

Facilities for stay are available at

Manjeri.

Brief history and temple administration:

Datable to ancient period, the early

history of the temple is still obscure.

The only information available is that

the deity is very powerful. The local

devotees have great faith in this deity.

It is a keczhetam of Sree MeLaakkam KaaF

kaav. Earlier the temple 'was owned

by Moorkott Chemmalasseri ma!._1a. As the

temple was destroyed during upheavals

3655 RGI 03-11A 145

in the region in early times it remained

completely neglected. About half a

cen tury back the temple was taken

over by the H.R.&C.E. Department and

now they administer the temple

through a Trustee Board consisting of

the hereditary Trustee and two other

members elected by the devotees. The

term of the Trustee Board is five years.

The Executive Officer appointed by the

H.R.&C.E. attends to the day-to-day

affairs of the temple.

Structures: The extent of temple

complex is 60 cents (inclusive of the

area under the tank). The structures

thereon are {Teekovii, deepa-sthambham,

thitappa!!i, valilya-balikkall, well and

tank.

The circular eka-thala sreek5viJ has

granite adhish!haa!]am and laterite wall

a1~d roof. It is of saandhaara type and

faces east. The mouldings of the

adhish!haa!!an1 are paadukam, jagathi, vrththa-kumudam, ga!am with motifs,

uththaram, va!am and patio The siJpaa!!am has four direct steps. The p[81}aa!am has makara-simha as base and plain sUl}~u with tapering end. The well is

at northeast. The deepasthambham made of §i1a is at the front. To its front

(east) is the valiya-balikkall. The thitappa!!i is a detached structure. A

compound wall surrounds these structures. The rectangular tank is at the southern side.

Carvings and paintings: There are no

carvings and paintings.

Deities: The idol of Lord Siva is

swayamhhoo having the shape of §iJa-

,

li.riga (height about 30 cm.). There 1S

no subsidiary deity in this temple.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 9 to 9-30 a.m. and a single pooja is held at 9-15 a.m.

Offerings: The popular uazhipaats are dhaara, nai-vi!akk and koovaja­pushpaaiijali. Sivaraatll£i is observed with the usual rites of abhishekam and

special poojas.

Priesthood and temple staff: The details

of the thanth[i who installed the idol are not known. The present thanlh[i belongs to MutappilaappiHi illarn. The saanthikkaran is a hereditary employee.

There is no other staff for the temple as it functions as a keezhetam of the Sree (Melaakkam) Kaali kaav.

General remarks: The temple is managed well but its structures need

renovation.

(Data fiu71ished by Sree P.K. M5ha!!an. Trustee

and collected by 5ree R Madhavan Nair oj the Census Directorate).

2.27 SREE BHADRAKAA':-I TEMPLE (Kaalikaav), MELAAKKAM (Manjeri municipal town, Pin - 676 123)

location: This temple is located one

km. northeast of Manjeri at Melaakkam on Nilamboo£ road. Facilities for stay are available at Manjeri.

Brief history and temple administration: Datable to very ancient period, this

temple has a swayambhoo idol. The

legend on its origin is that when a.n

agricultural woman went to this place

which was once a jungle for cutting

grass and when she sharpened her

sickle on a granite stone blood oozed

146

out from the stone. Seeing this very

strange phenomenon she reported the

matter to a nearby family called

Mooththanma[. This family arranged

for the preliminary rites and made the

installation of the idol. Years later a

Namboothiri belonging to ThaFparamba

(of Karyl)oo[ district) came here after

dusk. He asked a member of the

Mooththanmar family whether there is

any place to stay over night and to have

a square mea1. Sarcastically this

3655 RGII03- 11 B

member showed him the kaav and directed him to go there. The pious

Narnboothiri, believing him proceeded to that place .all the time praying to

the Goddess for Her help. When the Namboothiri reached the kaav and knocked at its door an old lady came

out and enquired about· his intention. Seeing the tired pious Brahmin the lady

directed him to take bath and come for meals. He followed her instructions and when he came back after bath food was served and a place was shown for resting. She however told him that he

should leave the place before dawn. Before dawn he was asked to wake up and leave the place without looking

back. Moreover a handful of pepper was also given to him with direction to throw it without looking back. While doing this he heard an incorporeal voice that 'he should protect her'. He could then realize that the old lady was none other than the Goddess Herself.

Within a few years the family of Moothathnmar lost all their income from

trade and the family became extinct. The temple was thereafter taken over by Brahmins and its ooraa.pma was

entrusted to a family of pious Brahmins of ThaFpa~amba, known as Moo~kk6tt

Chemmalasseri illam. They continue to be the ooraa!a!s of the temple. In 1937 the H.R.&C.E. Board took over its

control and formed a Trustee Board consisting of three members, the hereditary trustee and two members elected from the devotees .. A thaalapoli

committee also functions here for the conduct of festivals.

Structures: The lands prior to the Land Reforms Act were in the name of

147

oora!aa!s. At present the temple owns

four acres. The extent of the temple

complex is one acre which has the structures of sreekovii with attached

maJ;ujapam, chu!!ambaiam, vijakkumaatam, nata-panthal (having paattupura, deepasthambham, valiya-balikkall and a

sub-shrine) office, store, paththaaya­ppura, a temple tank and an office

building.

The rectangular sreek5vij of

nirandhaara type and facing east has granite adhish{haagam, laterite walls and copper sheet covered roof. The mouldings of the adhishrhaa!!am are paadukam, jagathi, ga!am and uththaram. The sopaa!!am has no steps. The p!aIJaa!am is of simplified type. The copper roof has copper thaazhikakutam which has a hole in it. Sun rays directly hit the idols twice a year, when the sun i:;; in the equinox.

Similarly on rainy days rain water falls down on the idol. The rectangular maIJcjapam attached to the sreekovil has

a length of 3.22 m. and a breadth of

2.37 m.

The chu!!ambaiam has entrances from all sides. The sub-shrine of Lord Ga:r;Iapathi 1S at southwestern

naalambalam facing east. The well is within the northem naalambalam. The thitappa!!i is at northeast. The

vi!akkumaatam has metal lamps.

The valiya-balikkall is outside the

chu!!ambalam but within the nata­panthal. On the southern side of the natapanthal, there is a paattu-pura facing

west. On the northern side there is a sub-shrine for Lord Ayyappa facing west. At the northwest of nata-panthal

there is the office and store room. The

paththaayappura with an attached room

is at the northern side of the nata­

panthal. The compound wall made of

granite and laterite stones has a

height of 1.8 m and a v.idth of 45 cm.

The office of the H.R.&C.E. Department

is at the northeast and outside the

compound wall.

Carvings and paintings: There are no

carvIngs and paintings.

Deities: The main idol of Goddess

Bhadrakaap is swayambhoo and of sila with a height of hardly 27 em. For

convenience of worship, a daaru-silpa (made of jack wood) 1n anthro­

pomorphic form and in standing pose

(height: 1.8 m.) has been installed.

This idol has eight hands v.ith \ ..... eapons

of sword, shield, trident, club, head of

Daarika, bowl, bow and arrow. The ,.fila idol of Lord GaI)apathi is in sitting pose

(60 cm.) and the idol of Lord Ayyappa,

also made of sila (height: 15 cm.), is

without form.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 5-30 a.m. to 12-30

p.m. and from 5-30 to 9 p.m. Three

poojas are done daily,usha-pooja at '7

a.m., uccha-pooja at 12 noon and

aththaazha-pooja at 7 -30 p.m. There is

no daily §n:::e-bali. However on days

having udaywlslhilIl1i1!}U-poojLl sree-bali is

performed.

Offerings: Ri1kclw~pushpiwnjaJj, muttarukkal

and vi!a.kk-nwala are the more popular

uQzhipaats. The other vazhipaats are

j1;j~ld-paayasam, c]J'JlJw,~.;afhi1m and l1lra­

J11i.wla.

Festivals: Thaalappoli is the most

important festival of the temple. A

148

peculiar feature is that this festival

continues throughout the year. It is

divided into three festival periods, each

lasting four months, Makaram to Mecam, Itavam to Chingam and Ka!}!}i to Dha!}u.

Among them the most important one

is that which starts on the first

Tuesday in the Malaya!am month of

Makaram. During this period all annual

temple rites are held besides

procession on caparisoned elephants,

fire-works and the ka!amezhuth[hu paa[{

performed by Kallaatt Kurups. In the

next two festival-periods also

ka!amezhuththu-paall is can tin ued.

Thaalapoli is of two types, CI1U!!U­

fhaaJappoJi and naattu-thaalilppoJi. The

other festival periods are navaraathri

and maf}CjaJa period. Performing arts

like ka(hhdku.ji, ottaflJ-chu!!al, chaakyw.l!­

koothth etc. are performed on festival

days.

Priesthood and temple staff: The details

of the thanlhri who performed the initial

rites for the swayambhoo idol are not

known. The present thanthti belongs to

Mutappilaappi!!i illam. Their ancestors

performed the rites associated with

the installation of the daaru<~iJpa idol of

the Goddess. The .{aantflikkaran belongs

to the hereditary Embraanthiri

community. The other staff includes

nambis§an. maaraa!, clerks, t1ticcJw-tl1Clji,

security guard etc. There is an

Execu tive Officer who performs direct

supervision of the duties of the staff

General remarks: The temple is

administered satisfactorily.

(Datajumished by Sree P.K. /\l16h:ll}afl, Tmstee

and collected by Sn't: R. !vfiidhi1\1i.w ]\/aj!_' of the

Census Directorate).

2.28 SREE lMoothrkunnathth) DURGA BHAGAVATHI TEMPLE, MAN.JERI

(Manjeri municipal town, Pin - 676 121)

Location: The temple is located about

2 kIn. southwest of Manjeri at Vaaypaa~a

pati on Malappu[am road. The road is

tarred. The temple is on a hillock.

Facilities for stay are available at

Manjeri.

Brief history and temple administration:

The temple was built in 1652 A.D. by

the Manjeri kovilakam. The deity is

considered as the younger sister of

Sree Du~ga Devi of the temple at

Panthaloor, which was consecrated by

Lord Parasuraama. The underground

passage connecting this temple with

that of Panthaloo[ is now closed. The

temple was attacked by the forces of

Tippu Sulththaan at the close of the

eighteenth century. Again in 1848 A.D

(1024 K.E.) the priest was beheaded

and his corpse put in the temple well.

The idol of Lord Krsh_r:Ia was also

smashed into pieces.

The temple is administered by

Manjeri kovilakam. However in 1991 the

H.R.&C.E. Department took over its

control and it is now managed through

a fit person selected by the Depart­

ment from the applicants.'

Structures: The temple had large

extent of properties earlier. But now

the temple complex has an extent of

only one acre. The structures thereon

are sreekovii, namaskaara-ma!Jflapam, sub­

shrines, chullambalam vilakkumaatam _ _ 5. ,

valiya-balikkall. dhlc! aja-sthambham. nata-

149

pctnlhai, agrasaaia, palhlhaayappura, ural­

pura, compound wall, g6puras, well and

chira.

The circular eka-thaJa sreekoviJ of

saandhaara type and facing east has

granite adhis/J[haa!]am , laterite wall and

copper sheet covered roof. The

adhishrhaag am has mouldings of

paadukam, jagathi, vrrhtha-kumudam,

ga!am with flower motifs, kapotham,

ga/am with motifs, kampam, ga!am with

flower motifs and uththaram. The

snpaa!}am has six direct steps. On the

top of banisters vyaa!i-faces have been

carved. The p!a~Jaa!am has makara­

simha base, multifaceted sU!Jf/u with

three rings and tapered end. The walls

have three gha!_!adwaaras besides a

functional door. Granite slabs are

fixed on the top of the ant!wraa!am of

the §reekovil. The namaskaara-muI}cjapam

(side: 5.1 m.) has four pillars.

The chuJJambalam has entrances

from all sides. Two thitappa!!is exist, at

the sou theast and sou thern

naaJambaJam. The sub-shrines of Lord

Saastha and Lord Thrpuraanthakan exist

at the southwestern side of the

western naalambalam. There is a

vi!akkumaatam attached to the outer

side of the chuttambalam. The valiya­

balikkall is outside the chu!!ambalam.

The teak dhwafam (covered with bronze

pa_!as) and the §jJa deepasthambham are

on the eastern side of the ualiya­

balikh-oll. Thp su b ::-.hrine of Lurd K rshnCJ

(facing west) at the southeast has a

detached nata-panthal at its front. The

paththaayappura and the ural-pura are

at the southern and southeastem side

of the sreekovil. The sub-shrine of Lord

Saastha and Lord Vcttakkorumakan are

at the southwest facing east. On the

northwest there is a sthhaa!!am for the

Aacharya while at the northern side

there is the agrasaala. The ki5tta-tha!a for

Goddess Bhagavathi and the pee/ham

for Brahmarakshas are at southeast.

The sub-shrine for Lord Gary.apathi and

the Vatakke-chira are at the northern

side. In short the temple complex is

important both historically and

structurally.

Carvings and paintings: The dwaara­

paaZas made of sila on the sides of

P!aasaada-dwaara and the wood carvings

on the ceilings of namaskaara-malJflapam

depicting navagrahas are important.

There are no mural paintings.

Deities: The krshlJa-siJa idol of Goddess

Du!,'ga Bhagavathi is in standing pose

(height: 87 cm.) with four arms, holding

conch and disc as weapons and in

abhaya and kati-bandha poses.The idol

of Lord Gary.apathi is in sitting pose

(height: 37 cm.) and that of Lord Krshl)a

is in standing pose (45 cm.). The idols

of Lord Saastha and Brahmarakshas are

of plain .sila-li/iga with height of 15 cm

and 13 cm. respectively. Only sankalpa

P!athishrha exist for Sree Thrpuraanthaka

and Sree Vettakkorumakan.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open on all days from 5-30 to

150

9-30 a.m. and from 5-30 to 7-30 p.m.

Three poojas are held, usha-pooja at 7

a.m., uccha-pooja at 8-45 a.m. and

aththaazha-pooja at 7 p.m. No sreebali is

done daily.

Offerings: GalJapathi -havaQam,

pushpaaJijali, sa[kkara-paayasam, ni[a­

maala, o!Ja-appam and ve!!a-nivedyam

are the important offerings of this

temple. Of these pusbpaaiijaJi and

.sa[kkara-paayasam are popUlar.

Festivals: The Poorothsavam which IS

held from the Makayeeram asterisk to

the Uthram asterisk in Meenam is

important. It is a regional festival. All

uthsava-rites are performed besides

staging bootha-kafi, kaafa-ka!i, chaaJiyam­

kuchira, naayaati-bhootham etc. Perform­

ing arts like chaakyaa!-koothth, kettu­

kaazhccha and i5ttam-thu!!ai are staged

besides modern entertainments.

Priesthood and temple staff: The details

of the thanfh[i who performed the initial

rites of installation are not known.

The present thanthri belongs to Kakkaatt

Wam of Pookkottoor. The saanthikkanm is

appointed from Embraanthiri or

Namboothiri community. The other

staff includes kazhakam, vaadyakkaran,

clerk and a ticchu-thafi.

General remarks: The temple needs

renovation of chu!!ambaiam. The g6puras

have to be rebuilt. The paththaayappura

also requires renovation.

(Data furnished by Srce P. Biilachandran, Fit person and collected by Srce R. Madhavan Nair of the Census Directorate).

, I _

2.29 SREE (Arukizhaayi) SIVA TEMPLE, MANJERI (Manjeri municipal town, Pin - 676121)

Location: Situated two km. southeast

of Manjeri on Perinthalmal)l)a route, the

temple is accessible by tarred road.

Facilities for stay are a'vailable at

Manjeri.

Brief history and temple administration: It is reported that during very ancient

period two ascetics did penance at the

famous Siva temple of G6kaIIfam in Uttar

Ka!!!!ad district of Karl',lataka State and

that the Lord appeared before them

and informed them that they were at

liberty to ask for any boon. They readily

asked the Lord to bless them by

accompanying them to their native

place. The Lord transferred part of

His power to a crystal-liriga and

permitted them to take it home. They

kept the linga in a kalasa and took home.

When they reached their place they

were confused about the exact location

where the idol had to be installed.

When they again prayed ardently they

heard an incorporeal voice which

directed them to proceed further to the

bank of the river until they would come

across a golden serpent. They followed

this direction scrupulously and

proceeded till a golden serpent was

seen. As the site was at the

downstream (keezh of an Aruvi) the

place was known as Aruvi-keehaayi and

later as Arukeezhayi. After the

installation of the idol the thanthric rites

were entrusted to a Namboothiri mana

located on the other bank o'f the stream

called, Aruvippuram ma!]a.

151

From the very beginning the

temple is owned by the Kaithakkal

mana. The day-to-day affairs are

managed by a Managing Trustee

appointed by the kaaralJavat of the ma!]a.

Since 1979 a local committee gives all

necessary help for the management of

the temple. The patron of this

committee is also the Managing

Trustee.The thanth[i is the President.

There are also 11 elected members

and two auditors. The term of the

committee is one year.

Structures: Prior to the Land Reforms

Act the temple owned paddy fields

which fetched 500 paras of paddy per

annum as miccha-vaaram besides 2.50

acres of temple complex. Now only the

temple complex remains. The

structures thereon are sreekovil,

namaskaara-maIJrJapam, su b- shrines,

chu!!ambaiam, nata-panthal, ualiya­

balikkall, deepasthambhams, office,

vazhipaat counter, well and tanks.

The circular eka-thala sreekovij of

nirandhaara type, facing east, has

granite adhish{haa!]am , laterite walls

and tiled roof. The mouldings of the

adhishrhaa!]am are paadukam, jagathi,

v[ththa-kumudam, ga!am with motifs,

kampam, ga!am with flower motifs and

uththaram. The sopaa!]aIT1 has four direct

steps. Vyaaji-figurines have been

carved on the banisters. The PIavaa!am

has makara-simha base, multi-faceted

.5UI}ljU with rings and a tapering end.

The walls have three gha!]adwaaras

besides the functional doqr. The sub­

shrine of Lord Ga1!apathi, attached to

the southern wall of the §reek6 viI , faces

east. The nama,,;kaara-maI.1<)apam (side:

2.91 m,) has four pillars. The well is

at the northeast of the akaththe­balivaU,1m.

The chuyambaiam has entrances

from all sides. In front of all these

entrances there are deepasthambhas.

The thitappa!!i is at southeast. The

P!asaadam-distribution counter is at the

southern naalambalam. The valiya­

balikkall is at the attached nata-panthai

at the east. On the northern side of

this valiyambalam there is a uazhipaat

counter. The sub-shrine 'of Goddess

Bhagavathi, facing east, is outside the

southern p!adakshil}a-Fazhi. The sub­

shrine of Lord Ayyappa and Lord Vishr.lU

are also outside the outer p[adakshiI}a­

vazhi at its southwestern side. The

Naaga shrine at the northern side is

between chu!!ambaJam and P!adakshiIJa­

vazhi. The office-room is at southeast.

There ate two tanks for the temple,

one at the northeastern side and the

other at the west.

Carvings and paintings: The dwaara·

paalas, made of ,<il<1, are exquisite

carvings. There are no wood carvings

or mural paintings.

Deities: The main idol of Lord Siva IS

made of sila in liriga form ~"ith a height

of 37 em, and "With the sankalpa of Sree

Uma-Maheswara. The gila idol of Lord

Gary.apathi in sitting pose has a height

of 30 em. All the other idols are also

152

made of§iia, Lord Saastha in sitting pose,

Goddess Bhagavathi of mirror-type , Sree

\1aha Vishryu in st&.nding pose and the

idols of Naaga~ in sitting pose with

raised hoods.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open on all days from 5 to 9

a.m. and from 5 to 8 p.m. Three poojas

are done daily,usha-poDja at 6-30 a,m.,

uccha-pooja at 8 a.m. and aththaazha­

pooja at 7-15 p.m. No .';n::c-bali is done

daily.

Offerings: Dhaara, nai-vi!akk, vi!akk­

m[!.al.1, sa!kkara-paa.yasam, thrmadhuram

and o!!a-appam are the main vozhipaats.

Of these the first three are popular.

Festivals: Si"'araalhri is observed with

the usual temple rites and special

nivedyams. Chaakyaar-kuothth, {iuam­

thulla] and modern entertainments are

staged.

Priesthood and temple staff: The initial

rites were conducted by the acestics

before the temple was entrusted to

Aruvippu!:athth maga for conducting

regular important rites. The present

tilantilIi continues to be from that illam.

The £aanthikkaIs are appointed from

Malayaa!a Brahmins. Other staff

includes kazhakam, clerks and aticchu­

thap.

General remarks: The temple needs

renovation.

(Data furnished by Srec K.M. Diviikaran

NamboolhiIi, Managing Trustee and collected by

Sree R. Madhavan Nair afthe Census Directorate).

I '

2.30 SREE SIVA TEMPLE, PULPA!TA (Pulpa!ta panchaayathth, Pulpa_!ta village, Pin - 676 126)

Location: Situated six km. northwest

of Manjeri at Kal)tamku!am on

Pookku!aththoor road and thence half

km. by the side of a stream called

Valiyathot, the temple is accessible by

tarred road up to Kal)tamku!am.

Facili ties for stay are available at

Manjeri.

Brief history and temple administration:

Datable to very ancient period the early

history of the temple is still obscure.

The only information available is that

it has a swayambhoo idol. The

inscriptions on the adhish{haa!]an1 of the

temple date back to eleventh century.

The Annual Report on Indian

Epigraphy, 1958-59 No.B-282 mentions

that the inscription on the octagonal

kumuda of the adhishrhaa!]aJn records the

proceedings of an assembly consisting

of representatives of the Arunnoo_rvaar

and Munnoo!_"vaa_r. For a long period the

temple was administered by Thalayoo!:

Moosads. This temple was ransacked

by the forces of Tippu Sulththaan and

its structures were demolished. The

idol was also desecrated. After this

incident the temple was handed over

to Natuvila Marham Devaswam. In 1965

the H.R.&C.E. Department took over

its control and formed a Trustee Board

for its administration. The Board

administers the temple through a

Manager appointed by the Board.

Structures: The temple complex at

present has an extent of 1.50 acres.

The structures thereon are sreekovil, namaskaara-mal}tjapam, sli b-shrines,

153

valiya-balikkall, deepasthambham, well

and tank.

The circular dwi-thala sreekovil of

saandhaara type and facing east has

granite upa-pee!ham and adhish{haagam,

laterite walls and tiled roof. The upa­

pee{ham has mouldings of paadukam

and jagathi, while the adhish{haagam consists of paadukam, jagathi, octagonal

kumudam, kumuda-pati, ga/am with

motifs, ga!a-pati, kampam, vaiabhi, kampam, ga!am with motif, gala-pari, uththaram and patio The 80paa!}am has

seven direct steps with makara-simha motifs on balustrades. The p!aJ;aa!am is of simplified type without any motifs

at the base.It has a plain SUl}<)U and

go-mukha. The walls have three

ghagadwaaras besides the functional

door at the front. The tiled roof is a

recently built one. There is a sthoopam

over the roof. On the southern side of

the sreekovil there is a detached sub­

shrine for Lord Dakshil)amooIththy, while

at its north there is another one

dedicated to Goddess Mullakkal

Bhagavathi. The namaskaara-maJ}cjapam

(side: 7.2 m.) has 12 pillars, four granite

and eight wooden. Its roof was

repaired in 1964. The well is at the

northeast of the akaththe-balivattam.

The chu!!ambaiam is ruined. Only

the front valiyambaiam, thitappa!!i (rebuilt in 1980) and mu!aya.!D. exist. At

sou thwest corner of the ruined

chu!!ambaiam there are two sub-shrines

(re-built in 1992), one of Lord Gaq.apthi

and the other of Lord Saastha both

facing east. At the northern

valiyambalam Lord Kiraathamoorththy is

installed facing west. On the

southeast corner is the sub-shrine

dedicated to Sree Thekkum Thevar. The

ruined laterite valiya-balikkall is outside

the chu!!ambaiam. The sila-deepa­

sthambham built in 1992 is to the east

of the valiya-balikkall. It is lighted on

special occasions. The temple tank is

at the east.

Carvings and paintings: There are no

carvings and paintings.

Deities: The swayamhoo idol of Lord

Siva, of siia-linga type (height about 30

ern.) has the sankalpa of Sakthi­Panchiikshari. The idol of Sree

DakshiQamoo£ththy is also of ,Gla-liliga

type (height: 27 crn.). The idols of Lord

Ga1).apathi and Lord Saastha are of sitting

pose with heights of 30 cm. and 33 cm.

respectively. Sree Kiraathamoo!:ththy idol

is of §iJa-liriga type (30 cm.) while the

idol of Goddess Mullakkal Bhagavathi

is mirror type and made of §l1a.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 5-30 to 9 a.m. and

from 5-30 to 7-30 p.m. on all days.

Three poojas are done daily, usha-pooja

at 7-30 a.m., uccha-pooja at 9 a.m. and

aththaazha-pooja at 7 p.m. No sree-bali

is done.

Offerings: The most important vazhipaat

is dhaara. Other vazhipaats are

pushpaaJijali and pin-vi/akk.

Festivals: Sivaraathri is observed with

the usual temple rites. Kathhakaji and

modern entertainments are also

staged on this occasion.

Priesthood and temple staff: Since the

idol is swayambhoo and the details of

the person who conducted the initial

rites to the idol are not known. The

present thanth!i belongt:> to Arippu~athth

mana. The saanthikkaran belongs to

N amboothiri Brahmins. The other staff

includes kazhakam, aticchu-tha!i and a

vazhipaat clerk besides the Manager.

General remarks: The temple needs

complete renovation.

(Data furnished by Sree K. BiiJak[shI}an Nair.

Manager and collected by SrceM.R. Sukumiiran

Nair afthe Census Directorate).

f _ I

2.31 SREE (Perum-Thfkovil) MAHA SIVA TEMPLE, TH~PPA!fACCHI (Pulpa!!a panchaayathth, Pulp<!,t!a village, Pin - 673 641)

Location: This temple is located 12 kr.1.. northeast of Manjeri at ThfppaQacchi on

Pookko1aththoo[ Keezhisseri road and

thence half a kIn. south. The road is

tarred up to ThrppaQacchi and

thereafter metalled. Facilities for stay are available at Manjeri.

154

Brief history and temple administration:

Datable to very ancient period, the idol

is believed to have been consecrated by Lord Parasuraama. An interesting

myth is that the compound wall (except a small portion on the south) was built by Bhoothagal}as in a single night. It is

because they could not finish the work

before dawn that a portion remains

unfinished. The sreekovil was later

rebuilt by Samoothiris. Thrppa!_}acchi

had a large Namboothiri settlement

comprising 73 illarris. These

Namboothiri illams owned a temple

dedicated to Lord KrshI).a. At their

request the Saamoothiri entrusted the

rich Sree Siva temple to them for proper

administration. But they were

interested only in the wealth of this

temple. This resulted in misfortunes

to them. In course of time some of the

73 Warns became extinct leaving behind

few illams like Paathrisseri, KatumuI).tathth

Paalisseri, Mooththetathth Paalasseri,

Meppalasseri, V!~:iyakkaat and Paalaattil

magas. Subsequently this temple came

under the ownership of Karikkaat Griima

Kshethram.

The forces of Tippu 'Sulththaan

attacked this temple also. In the

subsequent 1921 rebellion many of its

structures were destroyed.

In 1950 the H.R.&C.E. Depart­

ment took over the control of the

temple and it is managed through a

Committee elected once in a year. The

Manager who attends to the day-to-day

affairs is appointed by the H.R.&C.E.

Department. The Secretary of the

Committee also helps in the

management.

Structures: The temple owns at

present only 1.50 acres which

constitute the temple complex. The

structures are completely ruined. The

existing structures are sreek(5vil,

155

valiyambalam, sub-shrine, thitappa!!i,

valiya-balikkall, compound wall (except

on the southern side), a well and a

tank.

The circular eka-thala sreekovj] of

saandhaara type, facing east, has granite

adhish!haagam, laterite walls and

concrete roof. The mouldings of the

adhish!haa!}am are paadukam, jagathi,

v[ththa-kumudam, ga/am with motifs,

gala-pati, kampam, ga!am with flower

motifs, gafa-pati, uththaram and patio The

sopaagam has six direct steps with vyaa!i

face on the top of banisters. The broken

PIaI}aa!am has now only the makara­

simha. The walls have three

ghagadwaaras besides the maIn

functional door. The namaskaara­

map9apam (side: 5.7 m.) has four pillars.

The well is at the northwest of akaththe­

balivattam.

The valiyambalam still exists. At

its southern side there is a separate

structure with subsidiary deities like

Lord GaI).apathi, Lord Saastha, Lord

Veerabhadran and Naagas. The shrine

of Lord Vishlfu (mutilated idol) is

located north of the Sree GaI).apathi

shrine. The thicappa!!i is at the

northwest. The valiya-balikkall which

is in a ruined condition is outside the

valiyambalam. The remnants of the

gopuram can be seen. The compound

wall with the shape of elephant's back

at the top is made of laterite. As stated

earlier the southern side has no walL

Carvings and paintings: There are no

carvings and paintings.

Deities: All idols are made of iila. The

liIiga idol of Lord Siva has a height of

45 cm. The idols of Lord Garyapathi and

Lord Saastha are of sitting poses with

heights of 27 cm. and 30 cm.

respectively. The idol of Lord

Veerabhadran is of standing pose (60

cm.) but its head is broken. Similarly

the head of the standing idol (90 cm.) of Lord Vishl)u has been cut off. The

six Naaga idols are of sitting poses (27

cm. each) with raised hoods.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open on all days from 6-30 to 8-

30 a.m. and from 5.30 to 7.30 p.m. Two

poojas are held daily, usha-pooja at 7-

30 a.m. and aththaazha-pooja at 7 p.m.

Offerings: Dhaara. sarkkara-paayasam and

I _ ,

koova!a-maala are the offerings of which

dhaara is popular.

Festivals: Sivaraathri 1S now-a-days

observed as a solemn function without

any entertainments.

Priesthood and temple staff: It is believed

that the initial installation of the idol

was done by Lord Parasuraama. The

present thanth!i belongs to Aruvippu~athth

illam, Punnappaala, Waf.1toof. The

saanthikkaran is from a traditional

Embraanthiri family. The other staff

includes a kazhakam and an aticchu-thaji.

General remarks: The temple needs

complete renovation.

(Data furnished by Sree P. Kuttikrshl}an Nai!_-, Ex­

President and collected by Srce MR. Sukumfiran Nai[ of the Census Directorate).

2.32 SREE MAHA SIVA TEMPLE, MORAYOO!l (Morayoqr panchaayathth, Mo_rayoo! village, Pin - 673 649)

location: Situated on the Malappuram­Kontotti road and 16 km. southwest of

Manjeri, the temple is accessible by

tarred road. Facilities for stay are

available at Manjeri.

Brief history and temple administration:

Datable to ancient period the origin of

this temple also is associated with Lord Parasuraama. From early period mu!a­

japam was regularly performed in this

temple. This resulted in giving the

place the name Mu!a-oo! (place where

mura is performed). Even today mu!a­

japam is held for 12 days commencing

from 1 st Vrschikam. Later the place

came to be known as MOfayoo!:.

1.56

The temple in early days was

owned by MongaQtambalam Moosads

who were ministers of Saamoothiri. It

is reported that the Sree Chakram

installed in this temple was earlier

installed at the Mongal)tambaiam illam.

As the Moossad farnily found it difficult

to manage the temple the local

devotees formed a committee in 1975

and took over its administration. The

committee has 17 members inclusive

of office bearers. The Secretary of the

committee attends to the day-to-day

affairs of the temple.

Structures: The temple owns 1.20 acres

of which 80 cents constitute the temple

complex. The structures thereon are

sreekoviJ, namaskaara-mal}cjapam, ruined

chu!!ambaiam, su b- shrines, valiya­

balikkall, ruined gopuram, two wells

and three tanks.

The circular dwi-thala sreekovil of

saandhaara type and facing east has

granite upa-pee!ham and adhish {haag am ,

laterite walls and concrete roof. The

mouldings of the upa-pee{ham are

paadukam, kapotham and kumudam,

while the adhishfhaa!Jam has mouldings

of paadukam, jagathi, v[ththa-kumudam,

kumuda-pati, kampam, ga!am, ga!a-pati,

kampam, ga!am, ga!a-pati, uththaram and

patio The sopaaganJ has six direct steps

with banisters having vyaaji-face at

their top. The PIaT;Jaa!am has vyaaJi-face

at the base, multi-faceted SUIJgU with

two rings and sliced end'. The walls

have carved laterite pillars besides

three gha!}adwaaras and a functional

door. The namaskaara-ma-!u)apam (side:

7.57 m.) has 16 pillars.

The chu!!ambaiam, as stated

earlier, is incomplete. The thitappa!!i

is at southeast. The sub-shrine of Lord

Ga1).apathi, facing east, is at southwest

corner of naalambalam. The twin

shrines, both facing south, at the

northern valiyambalam have deities of

Sree Vettakkorumakan and Sree Chakram

(previously worshipped by the ooraa!ar

family of MongaI:ltambalam Moossads).

The valiya-balikkall is Qutside the

ualiyambalam. The gopuram is ruined

and incomplete. At the southeast

there are two sub shrines, of Lord

Saastha and Lord Vishr:u (both facing

157

west), while at southwest there is a

sub-shrine dedicated to Goddess

Bhagavathi, facing ea~t. Since mu[a­

japam is held here the tanks have

added importance. Tanks are located

on three sides, the front having added

significance with all the powers of a

thee rthham .

Carvings and paintings: There are no

carvings and paintings.

Deities: The idol of Lord Siva is of sila­

linga type with a height of 45 cm. and

has the sankalpa of Sree Uma­

Maheswara. The iila idols of Lord

Ga~apathi and Goddess Bhagavathi are

in sitting poses (height: 27 cm. each),

while the idol of Lord Vishl)u is in

standing pose (height: 60 em). The

deity of Sree Vettakkorumakan IS

represented by apee{ham. In the shrine

where Sree Chakram is installed there

is a peerham. There is a version that

the sankaZpa of the pee {ham is that of

Lord Parasuraama. Only a photo is

installed in the shrine of Lord Ayyappa~

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 5-30 to 9-30 a.m. and

from 5-30 to 7-30 p.m. Three poojas

are done daily, usha-pooja at 7 a.m.,

uccha-pooja at 9 a.m. and aththaazha­

pooja at 7 p.m.

Offerings: Dhaara, m!lh.\ Iltlj<.1ya h/jmam

and Uma-Maheswara pooja are the

important uazhipaats. Of these dhaara

is more popular. '/ma-i'v/ahe§wara p()(~ia

is specially done for early marriage and

for L "'py married life.

Festivals: The P!athishrha day is observed

on Bhara!}i asterisk in the month of

Meenam. Sivaraathri is observed with the

usual rites and by staging modern

entertainments.

Priesthood and temple staff: The thanth!i

of the temple belongs to Aripurathth ilJam

I

of Paa~tikkaat. There are two saanthikkars.

The only other staff is a kazhakam.

General remarks: The temple needs

complete renovation.

(Data furnished by Sree P. Sadanandan, Secretary and collected by Sree MR. Sukumiiran NaiF of the gensus Directorate).

2.33 SREE (Poyili) KARI~KAAI-I TEMPLE, NETIYIRUPPU (Netiyirupp panch'aayathth, Netiyirupp village, Pin - 673 638)

Location: Situated two km. southeast

of KOl)totti on Malappuram road, the

temple is on the southernside of the

road. Facilities for stay are available

at KOl)totti.

Brief history and temple administration:

Datable to ancient period, the temple

has a history associated with the

Netiyiruppu swaroopam. Saamoothiri

was also known as E!:laattiri (chief of

Ea!:oaat) and Netiyiruppu Mooppan (chief

of Netiyirupp swaroopam). This swaroopam had its ancient relics in this village.

At present the ancient structures, forts

etc. are completely ruined., Only some

paddy fields and dry lands now belong

to Saamoothirikovilakam. Netiyirupp has

a hilly terrain with a height of 740 feet

above mean sea-level with valleys and

paddy fields. In this region there are

two ancient temples, Sree Thaannikkaat

Siva temple and Sree Kari~kaa!i kaav.

The history of this temple IS

associated with the history of the

MUI?takkal kaav. The myth of MUl)takkal

kaav says that once a grand lady (valiya

Thampuraattij of MUl).takkal kovijakam saw a woman of black colour leaving

the macchu (holy sanctorum of the

158

koviiakam). When the Thampuraatti

inspected the macchu she was

surprised to see that all the pots of milk kept for the deity were empty.

Immediately a deva-p!as!.!a was held

and it was revealed therein that the milk was taken by the Goddess of MUI).takkal Herself and that a temple

had to be built for Her. The temple

thus built at Aalapa!:amba in

Keezhparamb village became very

famous and it attracts large number

of devotees.

In yester-years a kaaryaslhhan (agent of the kovilakam by name Cham!angaatt Ammon) who was a devotee

of MUl)takkal Sree Karimkaa!i Amma used

to visit this temple on his way back

after collecting tax and michavaaram due to the kovilakam. He continued this

practice every year. When he became very old and could not undertake

journeys to the temple he prayed to

the Goddess ardently to accompany

him to his place. When he returned after that year's worship he felt that

his palmyra umbrella which he used

to carry with him had more weight. Disregarding this phenomenon he

proceeded from the temple to his wife's

residence of Viruththiyil PaI).ikka!. When he kept his umbrella near· the well he could hear a tinkling noise. He looked around but could not see anyone near.

After spending some time there he

further proceeded to the house of Puthrakkaat Panikkar and took rest for a - .-while after keeping the umbrella on the ground. At that time he had a

feeling t.hat the umbrella had no weight. Since it was late at night

Ammon took rest at the patippura of the house of Puth!akkaat Pa1)ikka! without disturbing the Pal)ikkar. On that night

Goddess appeared in the dream of PaJ}.ikkar and informed him that She had followed Ammon and that a temple should be built for Her at that place. When Paryikkar got up early morning he saw Chammoottot Ammon sleeping at the patippura. Ammon told Pal)ikkar that

the Goddess had accompanied him and immediate steps had to be taken for Her installation. Accordingly a thara (now known as mulla-tha[a) was built

and installed a peerham with the sankalpa of the Goddess. Daily poojas were also commenced. As the Paryikka(s family had no progeny he approached Raaja of Kizhakke koviJakam and requested him to take over the administration of this shrine. Landed properties were also surrendered to the Raaja. Later the administration of the temple was vested with two ooraa!a! families of Puth!akkaat and Viruththiyil Pary.ikkars. Every year a f!Xed

amount was given by the kovilakam for the administration of the temple. After the introduction of the Land Reforms Act the ooraa!aIs found it difficult to meet the expenses of the temple and its administration was vested with a

159

local committee. This temple IS

acclaimed as one of the eighteen and half Bhadrakaafi kaavs of Malabar.

The local committee meets once

In two years to elect a 11 member

committee inclusive of office bearers (President, Vice-President, Secretary,

Joint Secretary and Treasurer). The Secretary of the committee attends to the day to day affairs of the temple.

Structures: The present extent of the

temple complex is one and a half acres. The structures thereon are sreekoviJ, paattoott, valiyambalam and enclosures on other sides, thitappa!!i, well, deepa­sthambham) sub-shrines, gopuram, muJJa-thara and a tank.

The square eka-thala sreekovil of

nirandhaara type and facing east has a mukha-malJf]apam. The upa-pee!ham has mouldings of kapolham and paadukam, while the adhishrhaagam has mouldings

of paadukam, jag at hi, ga!am, ga!a-pati, kampam, uththaram, ga!am, kampam and patio There are two direct steps to the mukha-mal}f]apam. The PIal}aa!am is of simplified type. The walls, made of laterite, have three ghagadwaaras besides the functional door at the east. The paattoott at the front (6.67m.x 3.96m.) has four pillars. The well is at the northeast of the aka ththe-balivattam .

The chu!!ambaJam is incomplete. It has two entrances. Only the valiyambalam at the front, thitappa!/i at

southeast and a mu!ayara at northeast exist. On another ~;ide of naalambalam an enclosure has been built. The §jJa

deepasthambham is installed outside the valiyambalam. At the southeast there are two su b-shrines,one

dedicated to Lord VishI)u and the other

to Lord Siva, both facing west. The

laterite compound wall is incomplete.

The Mullakkal tha[a, the initial seat of

the Goddess before the temple was

installed also exists on the southern

side (outside chu!!ambaJam). The

gopuram is erected only on the eastern

side. An agrasaaJa functions at the

southern side. There is also a tank in

the temple.

Carvings and paintings: There are no

carvings and paintings.

Deities: The idol of Goddess Karinkaali

Bhagavathi is of bell-metal mirror

(height: 30 cm.) with the sankalpa of

Sree KariI_1kaaF, a ferocious form of the

Goddess, who is believed to have

emerged from the jata (matted hair) of

Lord Siva to annihilate self-conceit of

Daarika. The idol of Lord Vishl)u is in

standing pose (51 em.) and that of Lord

Siva is in sitting pose (30 cm.), both

made of "nla.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open on all days from 5-30 to 8-

30 a.m. and from 5-30 to 8-30 p.m.

Three poojas are done daily, usha-pooja

at 6-30 a.m., uccha-pooja at 8 a.m. and

aththaazha-pooja at 7-30 p.m.

Offerings: Deha-pushpaaiijali, raklha­pushpaaiijali, chrkaala-pooja and ka!hi!!a­paayasam are important vazhipaats of

which the first one is popular.

Festivals: ThaaJapoli-uthsavam is held on

the first Tuesday or Friday after 11 th

Dhanu when the Goddess is taken in

procession to the lha[8 and taken back

with accompaniments and in great

pomp. Ottam-thu!!al. bhaja!Ja and other

religious functions are performed on

the festival day.

Priesthood and temple staff: Details of

the thanthri who installed the idol

initially are not known. The present

thanth!) belongs to Putayoo!" illam of

Tha!ipa~amba. The saaJ1Chikkaran is from

the hereditary illam. The other staff

includes a kazhakam, alicchu-tha/i, bill

collector and a counter-clerk.

General remarks: The temple needs

renovation.

(Data furnished by ,~rc(.· 0. G(Jvind:lll .""'-air.

PresIdent anci coliecte'llJy ,~r(.'c I\1.R. Sukum:ir:m

N:1i! of the Cf'nsus Directorate).

2.34 SREE (Thaannikkaatt) MAHA S'IVA TEMPLE, NETIYIRUPPU (Netiyiruppu panchaayathth, Netiyiruppu village, Pin - 673 638)

Location: Situated three krn. east of

K0I_1t6tti on Malappuram road at Mill-pati and thence 250 m. south on the

panchaayathth road, the temple is

accessible by tarred road except for the

last lap. Facilities for stay are

avajlable at Kont6tti.

Brief history and temple administration:

Datable to ancient period, the early

history of the temple IS st111 ,)bscure.

The informatjon available is rlibt the

idol is swaycunblwo besides the f~:lcr

that the telnple \\ as destroyed almost

completely bv the forces of Tippu

Sulththaan. The idol was desecrated

and 1t was cut above the pec!hul1. 1t is

also reported that prior to this atrack

it was a temple with all the pancfw

praakaraas and "vas one of the

prominent temples of Netiyiruppu Sluaroopam.

Since 1970 the local devotees took interest and renovated the sreek o viI , thitappa!/i and vaathi[.-maatam. The

temple was O'wned by Kizhakk€ ki5vilakam till 1980 when it was handed over to a local committee for better administra­

tion. The devotees meet once in three

years to elect a 11 member committee inclusive of five office bearers

(President. Vice-President, Secretary,

Joint Secretary and Treasurer). The President attends to the day-ta-day

affairs of the temple.

Structures: Earlier the ~emple had

large extent of properties but now left

with only 15 cents, The structures thereon are sreekovil, namaskaara­ma~ujapam, dilapidated chu!!ambaJam,

t·aliya-balikkall, a '\vell and a tank.

The circular eka·-thala sreekovil of

nirandhaara type and facing east has granite adhishrhaagam, laterite walls

and concrete Toof. Prior to concreting

in 1975 the roof was thatched. The

adhL"Ih;haa!}am has mouldings of jagathi, vfththa-kumudam. ga!am with square

motifs, gala-pati> kampam, ga!am ~rith flower motifs, ga!a~pati, uththaram and patio The sopaa!}am has four direct

steps. The p[CtIJaafam has makara-simha figure at the base, rnulti-f~ceted sU{1tju with rings and sliced end. The walls havE' three gh8g3dwa,Qras besidf's the rr..ain functional door. The namaskaara­

m/l!'9 i1pam (gide: 3.79 m ) has four

pillars. The ,veIl is at the northeast of the akaththe-balivattam.

The chuttamb:.dam \vith t',;',/o

{'l. ~rClnces (f'<:lst and we;~t) is ruined.

16 i

The vaathilmaatam and thitappa!!i exist.

The valiya-balikkall is au tside the vaathil­maatam. The compound wall is made

of laterite stones. There is a tha[3 for

Brahmarakshas at the southwest.

There is also a tank for the temple.

Carvings and paintings: There are no

carvings and paintings,

Deities: The iila-iiiJga idol, though

swayambhoo, is broken above the level

of peerham. It has a height of 60 cm.

There is no other sub-shrine in this

temple.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 7 to 8 a.ln. and from

6 to 7-30 p.m. Tvm poojas are done

daily, tlsha-pooja at 7-30 a.m. and

aththaazha-pooja at '7 p.m.

Offerings: Pi.J!;;hpaaiijaji, deha-pushpaaJljali,

jala-dhaara and i/ance[-dhaara are the

main vazhipaats of which pllshpaanjali is

popular.

Festivals: Siv-araathri IS observed '\.vith

usual special rites_ Some modern

entertainnlcnts are al:so staged.

Priesthood and temple staff: Details of

the rhanthri who initially conducted the

rites to the swayambhoo idol are not

known. The present thanth[i belongs to

Kakkaad iliam of Pook5ttoo!:. The

saanthikkaran is appointed from Malayaa!a Brahmins. There is no other paid staff

at present.

General rern;3rks: Tht: temple 1S now in

ruins and hence Df'eds renovation.

(Date. furrushed. by Sn'c CK RJghav;m Mlir.

P:esident and co"ccrtd hy L<;,ee AJ R. Sukumiiran

''';;n'! o( the Ce,,<.;(~s L"'Vyctl)r(~tIc'J.

4

2.35 SREE TH~PURAANTHAKA TEMPLE, KUNNUMMAL, MALAPPU.BAM

(Malappuram municipal town, Pin - 676 505)

Location: Situated about half a km. east

of Malappuram at Kunnumpuram on Perinthalmal)I)a road, the temple is

accessible by tarred road. Koottilangaati river (Katalu~ti puzha) flows south of it.

Facilities for stay are available at

Malappuram.

Brief history and temple administration: Datable to ancient period, the legend tells that Lord Siva was the tutelar

deity of KizlJalcke VeHaatt farnily. One

day a komaram proceeded from that

fa.'TIily shrine and showed the present

site for building a temple for the Lord.

Accordingly the temple was built. The

temple is presently owned by the family of Paa~a Nambissan. In 1970 the

H.R.&C.E. Department took over its

control and appointed a Trustee Board

for its administration.

Structures: The temple owns 2.50 acres

which constitute the temple complex.

The structures thereon are sreekovii, chu!!ambaJam, well, nata-panthal, P!adakshiIJa-vazhi, compound wall etc.

The square eka-chaJa sreek6vi/ of

nirandhaara type and facing west has

granite upa pee!ham with six mouldings

and adhish!haa!}am with twelve

mouldings. The mOUldings of upa­

pee{ham are paadukam, jagathi, kampam, ga!am, ga!a-pati and kampam, while the

adhishrhaagam over it has mOUldings of

paadukam, jagathi, v(ththa-kumudam, kumuda-pati, kapi5tham, kampam, ga!am, ga!a-pati, galam, ga!a-pati, uththaram and patio They are exquisitely carved. The

162

sopaa[!am has five direct steps. On the

top of banisters vyaa!i-faces are carved.

The p!dl}aa!am has makara-simha base,

multi-faceted sU{1[iu with pearl rings and go-mukha type end. The wall made

of laterite has 12 pillars and three

ghagadwaaras besides the functional

door. The roof is tiled.

The chuttambalam has three

entrances, at west, north and east.

The thitappa!!i is at the northwest. At

the southeastern side of the

naalambalam, there is a sub-shrine for

Lord Vish~u facing west. The Sree Gal)apathi shrine at southwest faces

east. SiJa-lamps are fIXed on the outer­walls of the chuttambalam. Within the

nata-panthal (built in stages in 1970) are

acconlmodated a valiya-balikkall, a concrete dhwajam installed in 1990

(height: 48.75 ft.) covered with copper

paras and a bronze deepasthambham. The P!adakshiIJa-vazhi, (built in 1992)

paved with granite stones has a "vidth

of 2.27 m. and a thickness of 7 cm.

above the ground level. At the

northwest there are two wells besides

the office-cum-paththaayappura building. At the southeast the sub­

shrine of Lord Ayyappa (consecrated in

1980) facing west is located. It has a natappura built in 1992 and another

deepa-stharnbham. The compound wall

with a height of 32 inches and side

length of 150 feet was built in 1993.

Outside the compound wall and at

southeast there is a sub-shrine for

Goddess Bhagavathi with an attached

3655 RGII03--128

natapura. Behind it the Naaga-lha!a with paala tree on north and a

chithrakootam at south is located. The

pathway from the eastern gate to the

sub-shrine of Goddess Bhagavathi is

concreted. The aalththa!a at the front

of the eastem gate is attractive.

Carvings and paintings: There are no

paintings or carvings.

Deities: The siia idol of Sree ThfPuraa­

nthakan is of mirror type (height: 65

cm.). All the idols of subsidiary deities

are also made of siia, Lord Gal)apathi in

sitting pose {height: 30· cm.); Lord

Vishl)ll jn the form of saa!agram (height:

7 crn.); Lord Ayyappa in sitting pose (30

cm.) and Goddess Bhagavathi in the

form of a peerham. The three Naaga

idols are of sitting poses with raised

hoods (height: 30 crn.).

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 5-30 a.m. to 10-30

a.m. and from 5-30 to 8 p.m. Three

poojas are held daily, usha-pooja at 6-

30 a.m., uccha-pooja at 9-30 a.m. and

aththaazha-pooja at 7-30 p.m.

Festivals: The annual festival IS held

for 10 days commencing from Anizham

asterisk in the month of Metam. Thulla}

and chaakyaa!-koothth are performed on

festival days besides other rituals.

The other important days which are

observed are Sivaraathri, Ashtami-rohini and Navaraathri.

Priesthood and temple staff: The thanth!i who initially installed the idol belonged

to MutappilaappiHi ma!]a. The present

thanth!i belongs to Kootalloo! ma!Ja. The

saanthikkaran belongs to Malayaa!a Brahmins. The other staff includes

kazhakam, aticchu-tha!i and clerk.

General remarks: The temple is

managed well.

(Data furnished by Sree VeJayudhan Nair,

Chairman and collected by Sree M.

Chandrasekharan of the Census Directorate).

, " 2.36 SREE (Chennathth) SIVA TEMPLE, MALAPPUI!AM

(Malappuram municipal town, Pin - 676 509)

Location: The temple is accessible by

two routes. The first route is via.

MUl)tuparamb on Manjeri road (distance

2.5 km.} and thence northwest by

Chcnnathth road which is earthen (two

and half kms.). The other route 500

m. southeast of by-pass junction on

Kozhikkode road via paddy fields.

Facilities for stay are available at Malappuram.

Brief history and temple administration:

Datable to very ancient period, the

163

history of the temple is associated with

the Thaamarasseri illam. It is claimed

that the idol was consecrated by Lord

Parasuraama. Even today the temple is

owned and managed by the same illam.

Structures: The temple complex has an

extent of 80 cents. The structures

thereon are lreekiSvil, namaskaara­

mal}¢apam, chu!!ambalam. valiya-balikkall

and deepa-sthambhas.

The square eka-thaia §reekovil

facing east and of nirnndhaara type has

granite adhisfl.{haa!}am , laterite walls

and tiled roof. The adhish{haagam has

mouldings of paadukam, jagathi, v(ththa­kumudam I kurnuda-pati, kapotham, ga/am,

gala-pali, kampam, ga!am, ga!a-pati, uththaram and patio The sopaa!}am has

four direct steps and vyaa!i-face motif

on banisters. The p!aIJaa!am has only

the makara-sirnha and no sU1J9u. The

walls have tv.Telve pillars, niches and three gha!_ladwaaras besides the

functional dOOL The idol of Lord

Garyapathi is installed at the rear of the

sreekilviI. The namaskaara-ma1}9apam (side: 7.1 m.) has no super structure.

The well is at the northeast of the

akaththe-balivattam .

The c1wltambalam has entrances

at east and west.. The lhitappa!!i is at

sou theast while the mu!aya!a is at

northeast. A peerham with the

sankalpam of Lord VertaklH;mmakan has been installed at the northeast corner

of the chu!!ambalam facing west. The

valiya-balikkan 1S outside tht:

chu!!J:mbaJam '\-vith i]la dCE:pasthambham

on either side (installed in J 98Q).

There is no tank at present though it

is reported that previously there was

one.

Carvings and paintings: There are no

carvings and paintings.

Deities: The main idol of Lord Siva is of

sila-liriga type (45 em.) with the sankalpa

of Lord Dakshil)amoo~ththy. The !fila idol

of Lord Ga\1apathi is in sitting pose

(height: 30 cm.). As stated earlier Srce

Vettakkorumakan is represented by a §HI1-

peerham.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 6 to 8 a.m. and from

6 to 7-30 p.m. The morning pooja is

held at 7 a.m. and the : .. andhJ8;J­

deepaaraa.dha!]a at 6·45 p.m.

Offerings: Dhaara, pin-,,'i!akk, sarkkara­paayasam and ni[a-maala are the main

vazhtpaats, Ofthern dhaara and sarkkara­

paayasam are popUlar.

Festivals: There is no special festival.

Priesthood and temple staff: The belief

is that the idol was installed by Lord

Parasuraama. "The present thanth!i belongs to Murappilaapqji ma!.!8. The

§3ilnth] and other items of work are done

by the mem bers of the Tha8.maras~eri

Worn. There is no paid struT.

General remarks: The temple needs

renovation. Paucity of funds affects the

renovation work.

{Data Iv rnished by .5rec T. Riimr>lwaI;;jfl

Namhoathin, Trustee and collected by .<:ree M.

C'handrasekha,ran oIthe CensHs Directorate}.

3 IMPORTANT TEMPLES OF

NILAMBOOR TALUK -t

3.1 SREE (Mat1raaaththi) DURGA BHAGAVATHI TEMPLE, MU~TAPPAATAM

(Chuf"lkathara panchaayathth, Kurumbalangot Village, Pin - 679 334}

location: Situated 11 km. north of

r'..:ilamboo! and three km. north of

Chm~kaththara, the temple is accessible

by tarred road. The last three krn, on

Kaippigi road is metalled. The temple

is 200 m. southwest after crossing the

Kaippi!} i katav. Chaaliyaar river flows

close by. Facilities for stay are

available at Nilamboor and at

C!1U£.1kaththara.

Brief history and temple administration: Datable to ancient period the history

cd.- l.hf' temple is obscure It is believed

tbat the Goddess \\'as the tutelar deity

of a J'o~/aj family. In course of time the

roy<..u family left the place or it became

extinct and the temple came into the

bands elf Nilamboo! kovilakam. As the k6t,:i!akam found it difficult to manage

the temple the KshCthra Samrakshana ,":"amithi c:.:une fonvani cUld took over its

administration with effect from 1 sl

August 1973. Ncnv a cmnrnittee elected

by its members administer the temple.

The day-to·-day affajrs are managed by

the Secretary_

Structures: The temple (n.vns 3.91 acres

of land of which one acre constitutes

the tenlple complex. The stn,1ctures

thereon are four §reek{5vIis. all in one

row (of Lord Siva, Lord Gar.lClpathy,

Goddess Du!,ga and Lord Kirdatha­

nh)O[lhthy) and aU facing east. Ihllilppalil.

well, Naaga shrine and office-buildlng.

The main shrine of Goddess

Du!:ga Bhagavathl is rectanguJar dU'i

-thoJa of s,Jandhaara type and faces ea~>t.

It has laterite adhi.,h!ba<1l_1iWl and walls.

The mouldings of adhishlhaanam are paadukam. jagathi. kampdm, kumwJ.J!Jl,

ga!am and pati. The ,5p<W!}ilJT1 has fi',;,{,

direct steps. The waJls ha';'(, six

ghtl{!adwaaras at lO'.ver \vtctll and four at

the top greeva part. The walls han:- Also

lliche~. There are separate P!i1~·w:t/am .... ·

for .';rCc'kilvj/ and lJJuf..h!1-T!l;lu~j:Jp:lm

(paatlupura). The well is at the ~1()nr1

west corner of Sree Bhagavathi Shrine.

There is a small shrine of Lord

GaI)apathi, facing east at the southern

side. The circular sub-shrine of Lord

Siva is at the southern side while

the rectangular shrine of Srce

Kiraathamon!:thy is at the northern side

of Sree Bhagavathi shrine. It has a swayambhoo sila-linga. The thitappa!fi is

at southeast and the office room on

the eastern side. There is no compound wall. Sree Naaga Ka!!yka is

installed in a separate tha!a located west of the Sree Siva shrine.

Carvings and paintings: There are

carvings on the walls of the three

sreeki5viis (Goddess Bhagavathi, Lord

Siva and Sree Kiraarhamoorththy ).

Deities: The sila idol of Sree Goddess

Bhagavathi is in standing pose (height

105 cm.), has four arms with conch

and disc in upper hands and abhaya 'and varada poses for lower hands. The

sankalpa of the deity is Sree Vaga-Du!ga. The idol of Lord Siva is of sila-linga type

of height 27 cm. The Sree Kiraatha­

moorththy idol is swayambhoo and

hardly 15 cm. For Lord GUI)apathi only

a pee!ham exists. There is only a lhasa

for Sree Naaga Ka!!yaka.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple is kept open from 6 to 9-30 a.m. and

from 6 to 7-30 p.m. on all days except maIJ9aia period. During ma~19ala period the temple closes in the morning at 10-30. Three poojas are held daily, usha-pooja at 6.45 a.m., uccha-pooja at 9 a.m. and aththaazha-pooja at 7 -15 p.m.

Offerings: Nai-vifakk, pusilpiinjali and nai-payasam are the important vazhipaats for Sree Bhagavathi and dhaara and nai-viJakk for Lord Siva. Of these nai­

paayasam is the most popular vuzhipaat.

Festivals: Sivaraathri and 1Vavaraathri days are celebrated with usual rites. Kathhaka/i and modem entertainments are also staged.

Priesthood and temple staff: The thanthri

who installed the idols belonged to Paateri il1am of Kuttikkaattoor. This illam -- -

continues to hold the high priesthood even now. The saantiJikka!s (miH-saanthi and keezh-§aanthi) are appointed from Malayaala Brahmins. The only other

staff is a kazhakam.

General remarks: The temple needs

complete renovation.

(Data furnished by Sree V.M Sukumiiran Pi/!ai,

President and collected by Sree AK. Sudhcc!

Biibu of the Census Directorate.)

3.2 S'REE AVYAPPA TEMPLE, KAUKKAAT (Etakkara panchaayathth, Etakkara village, Pin - 679 331)

Location: Situated thirteen km. east of

Nilamboo! at Kaalasaagar Theatre junction and thence one and half km. on Panchaayathth road, the temple is accessible by tarred road. Facilities for stay are available at Manjeri.

166

Brief history and temple administration: Datable to the middle of twentieth century, the temple has no historical background. When the Sabarimald temple rose to importance some ardent Ayyappa devotees wished to have a

temple at Kaukkaat. They approached

the Nilamboo[ kovilakam who had many

properties in that place and requested

to allot some land for building a temple.

But their request was turned down.

Agi tated by this atti tu de, they

trespassed into the jungle of Nilamboo[

koyiiakam and cleared it. They

constructed a shed and initially

installed a photo of Lord Ayyappa. The

members of the k6vilakam protested and

tried to dismantle the shed and remove

the photo. But all their attempts failed.

Ultimately they agreed to part with that

land for building a temple. The temple

was built and an idol consecrated on

Uth!am asterisk of A1ee!}am 1133 K.E.

(corresponding to 3 n! April 1958).

The temple rose to prominence

by September 1958 when a

great avadhootha (Sree Bhagavan

Chinthaalayesan of Chintha2laya Aasramam of Kaannampaara of Thiruvanagathapuram

district) appeared there, stayed for few

months and blessed the devotees.

fhereafter the temple became very

irr portant and improvements could be

easily effected. The SamitfJi which took

initiative to build the temple was

registered in 2003 A.D. with the name

Sree Ayyappa Kshethra Bharal}a Samithi.

According to its bye-laws there is one

patron besides five office bearers

(President, Vice-President, Secretary,

Joint Secretary and Treasurer) and

four other members. A l1 are elected

by the members for a period of three years.

Structures: The temple owns 3. iO acres

of land of which 40 cents constitute

the temple complex. The structures

thereon are .ireekovil, sub-shrine,

167

namaskaara-ma{l~apam, another maI}9a­pam with a deepasthambham, well and

all. office building.

The square eka-thala sreekovil of

nirandhaara type and facing east has

laterite adhish~haa!]am and walls and

concrete roof (\\.7jth tiles over it). The

adhish!haagam has mouldings of jagathi,

ga!am and patio The sopaa!Jam has three

direct steps. There is no traditional

p!al}aa!am but a small outlet is provided

for draining lustral water. The walls

are simple. There are niches on three

sides of the walls while a functional

door is provided at the eastern side.

The namaskaara-mal}~apam with a

concrete roof has four pillars. The

concrete maJ}9apam on the eastern side

of the namaskaara-maJ}flapam is built on

six pillars. A sila-deepasthambham having five layers is located within the

mal}f]apam. The sub-shrine of Lord

GaI}apathi is at southwest facing east,

while the sub-shrine of Goddess

Maalikappu!'aththamma is at northwest

facing east. The well is at the

northern side and Brahmarakshas is

installed at the northeast. The office

building with thitappajji is built at

southeast. The saanthi-ma!ham is at the

northern side. The compound wall has

a height of 1.65 m.

Carvings and paintings: There are no

carvings and paintings_

Deities: The panc]Ja-li5ha idol of Lord

Ayyappa is of sitting pose and has a

height of 45 cm. The .iila idol of Lord

GaI)apathi has a height of 37 cm. while

that of Goddess Maa!ikappuraththamma,

is of mirror type with a height of

45 en}. For Brahmarakshas only a

pee[ha sal1kalpa is there.

Time of worship and poojas: The tem,ple

is kept open from 5-30 to 9 a.m. and from 5-30 to 8 p.m, Three poq/as are done daily) usha-poojo. (6-30 a.m.).

uccha-pooja (7-45 a.m.1 and athrhaazha­pooja (7 -15 p.m.)

Offerings: .z'[ai- vljakk, sa!kkara-paaYilsam andpushpaaiiJaJi are important v8zhipaals. Of these 11al-vi!akk is important.

Festivals: The p!athishrha day is observed

on Uthram asterisk of l'v1.eegam, the

birthday of Lord Ayyappa. On the third

Saturday Akhal}t;la-llaama yajiiam is held.

On the 12th Vrschikam, panth!8l}lU-\li!akk mahothsavam is celebrated. KalhlJaka!i. chaakyaa[kothth and modem entertain­

ments are staged.

Priesthood and temple staff: The thantlzri

who installed the idol is Sree Sankanm Namboothirippaad of Kizhakkumpaattl1Jam.

The ,~aanthikkarall belongs to :Malayaa!d Brahmins. The other staff includes

kazhakam and aticchu-thaji, besides a paid

Secretary.

General remarks: The temple is administered satisfactorily.

(Data furnished by Sret: T.P. AInbujiikshan.

Secretary and collected by Srec G. Sivadiisan of the Census Directorate).

3.3 SREE DURGA BHAGAVATHI TEMPLE, KAARAKKOT (Vazhikkatav panchaayathth, Vazhikkatav village, Pin - 679 333)

Location; Situated eight. km. north east of Nilamhoo!:' at Knarakkot junction via. Va7hikkatav (on Gudaloo! road) and

thence t"\vo km north, the ternple is

connected by tarred road up tl)

Vazhikkatav <lnd thereafrel' metalled

road. Kaarakkot nver, a tributary of Chaaliyaa£ flows about half a km. south

east of the temple. Facilities for stay are available at the Aa.'framam close

to the temple.

Brief history and temple administration:

Datable to sixteen th century the temple was ea_Tlier owned hy NilambooI

k6v'ilakam. Details of origin are not

available. Since the k6vilakam found it

difficult to manage the temple its administration was handed over to the Sree Raamaananda Trust. Man nOOf.

m~ "... _ '

Paalakkad dIstrict in 19~7. The day to day affairs are now man8ged bv the TrusL

16B

Structures; The temple has an extent

of three acres of paddy fields and 50

cents of dry lands (which constitute

the temple complex). The structures

thereon are the sreeki5viI, samaadhi of Sree Sn:edharaaQanda S\vaamika! cmd the

Aa.~rwn.:1m

The rectangular eka-thala sreek6'Vil with IlJukhamarpjapam facing east has

laterite adhlsh{haa~Jam and wall sand

tiled rooL The structure of

adhishthaaUaJl1 is of ordinary type and is

not based on any well laId down

principle. The _>;i5paa!}am has three direct

steps and the p!al}aa!am of simplified

type is bujlt "dth concrete. The walls

8.re also simple without any peculIarities, The well is at northeast

of the temple. The . .fila dccpa<;thmnhhmn

has five levels of lamps. Metal

chultu"'ijaks are fIxed around the

,~Ieek6vjf and they are lighted on

special occasions. In addition there is also the Samadhi and the Aasramam

attached to the temple.

Carvings and Paintings: There are no

canrings and paintings.

Deities: The .. Wa idol of Goddess Durga

Devi is of mirror ty-pe [about 30 cm. in height). ,There is no other idol in the

temple.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 5-30 to 9-30 a.m. and from 5-30 to 7-30 p.m. Three poojas are held daily, usha-pooja at 6-30 a.m.,

uccha-pooja at 9 a.m. and aththaazha­pooja at 7-15 p.m.

Offerings: Rakcha pushpfifijaJi, nai­

paayasam, mutca!ukkal and chuttuvilakk

,

are the important items. Of these nai-paayasamis popular.

Festivals: The annual festival is held for 12 days from 1"t to 12th Vrschikam

with the usual temple rites. Puththari is held in the month of Thula.am. Modem entertainments are performed on

festival days.

Priesthood and temple staff: It is not

clearly known who installed the idol though there is a belief that Lord

Parasurama did it. The temple rites are done by the Sfl!I_'vaasim;, There is no other paid statT.

General remarks: It is administered satisfactorily.

(Data furnished by Sret: Riiimil]anda Sarii,'iwathi,

AJil!haadhipathi and collected by .(;ru! AK

Sudhce:! Biibu of the Census Directorate)

3.4 SREE (Chemmanthitta) VA~A-DU~GA TEMPLE, KARUI:AAYI (Karulaayi panchaayathth, Karulaayi village, pin - 679 344) . .

Location: Situated seven and a halfkm.

east of Nilamboo!, at Ambalapati on

Karu1aayi road thence one and a half

km. north and on the southern bank of Karimpuzha, the temple is well

connected by tarred road. Facilities for stay are available at Nilamboo!'.

Brief history and temple administration: Datable to eleventh century, details of this temple are not available except

that it has a swayambhoo idol. The temple belonged to Chemmanthitta.Naaya[

rfwravaaf and when they found it

difficult to properly manage the

temple, it was ta.ken over in 1967 by the HR&CE Department. It is now

managed through a Managing Board consisting of four members elected by

169

devotees once in five years. One of

them is elected as the Chrurman. By the custom prevailing here aa[aafl,

processions on caparisoned elephants,

fire-works and conduct of marriages

are prohibited.

Structures: Ttlc temple o\vns 1.50 acres

of which 50 cents constitute the temple

complex. The structures thereon are :;;reek6vii. namaski:1ara-mal}~Ji1pam.

thitappa!!i, dec'pasrhambham, office­

building, shed, sub-shrines etc.

The square cka-Chala _",:rcck6vil of

nirandhaara t)rpe and facing \vest has granite adhish!haapam and laterite

walls. The adhish!haa!]am has a totai height of 33 cm. comprising jagathi and

triple-faceted kumudam. The sopaagam has two direct steps and p[al}aa/am is a simplified one. The walls have no

decorations. The central portion of the tiled roof is open and a metal mesh is

fixed there. The namaskaara-malp;Japam (side: 3.20 m.) has four pillars. A fila deepasthambham is installed at the western side of the namaskaara­malJrtapam. The thitappa!!i is at northwest and the well is at northeast. There are four sthhaagas at the northern side, for Lord GaI)apathi, Lord

Ayyappa, Goddess VaHiyaI)kaav Bhagavathi and Sree Kshethrapaalan. At

the eastern side there are five other

similar sthhaagas. i.e. for Sree Va!}a­Du~ga, Lord Siva, Sree Vettakkorumakan,

Sree Raktheswari and Sree MaI)ikaI).~han. Sree Karikkaat Ayyappan is installed at

the southern side. The shed and office building are at the front (western side)

of the temple.

Carvings and paintings: There are no

carvings and paintings.

Deities: The swayambhoo sila idol of Goddess Vaga-Durga Bhagavathi has a

height of 10 cm. Only sila pee[hams without idols exist for all sub-shrines (i.e. for Lord GaI)apathi, Sree Ayyappan, Sree VaHiyaI)kat Bhagav athi, Sree

Kshethrapaalan, Sree Va!Ja-Durga, Sree Siva,

, I

Sree Vettakkorumakan, Sree Raktheswari,

Sree MaI)ikaI)~han and Srce Karikkaat Ayyappan.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 6 to 1 1 a.m. and from 6 to 7 p.m. Usha-pooja is held on all

days at 8 a.m. There is no other pooja.

Offerings: Pushpaaiijali, mutta[ukkal, a!}gapraasa.poo-mootal, vi!akk-maala, ni[a­maala, karhiga-paaya.sam and ve!!a­nivedyam are important. Of these, mutta[ukkal, ka!hi!Ja-paayasam and ve!!a­nivedyam are popular.

Festivals: The ka!am-paatt, held for three days commencing from Kaa[ththika asterisk in 1vleel]am, is important and

fanlOus. Chaakyaa[koDlhlh, Otlam-lhu!!<11, thaayambaka etc. are staged by turn

apart from modern entertainments.

Priesthood and temple staff: The details of the thanthri who did the initial rites

to the swayambhoo idol are not known.

The present thanthri belongs to Maran illam of Kotasseri. The saanthikkaran is hereditary. The other staff includes

kazhakam, aticchu-thafi and clerk.

General remarks: The temple IS

administered satisfactorily.

(Data fumished by Srce Sankara. Vaaryra! and

collected bySree ThampiN. Suresh of the Census Directorate).

3.5 SREE (Vilwathth) SIVA TEMPLE, POOKKOTTUPAATAM (Amarambalam panchaayathth, Amarambalam village, Pin - 679 332)

location: Situated 10 krn. southeast of Nilamboo! at Pookkottupaatamjunction on Kaa!ikaav road and thence about 150 m. south, the temple is accessible by tarred road up to Pookkottupaatam. Facilities for stay are available at Nilamboor.

170

Brief history and temple administration: The temple is datable to tenth century. There is a myth that the temple earlier had dense forests and many iJ.-;l1is lived and meditated here. The local belief is that Srce Raama during his \;Ti1!_Ja-V;JdSa

lived here for some time. At the place

where Sree Raama kept his bow, large

vilwa trees appeared and thereafter the place was known as Vilwath.

Taking the clue of vilwa trees, the If-shis consecrated a sila-liriga idol of Lord Siva

and worshipped Him. In course of time they consecrated idols of other

subsidiary deities. The structures were built later by the Manjeri kovilakam. In 1979 the administration of the temple was transferred to a local Committee by the koviJakam. The 21-

member committee is elected once in two years. There are five 6ffice­bearers, viz. President, Vice-President,

Secretary, Joint Secretary and Treasurer. The day-to-day affairs are looked after by the Secretary.

Structures: The temple owns 12.90 acres of lands of which 1.90 acres

constitu te the temple complex. The structures thereon are twin sreekovi]s of Lord Siva and Lord VishI_1u, maIJ9apam. chu!!ambaiam, valiya-balikkalls, sub­

shrines, deepasthambham} well and

temple tank.

The circular eka-thala sreekovi] of

Lord Siva facing east is of saandhaara type. It has granite adhishrhaagam, laterite walls and tiled roof. The mouldings of the adhishrhaa!]am are paadukam. jagathi, vrththa-kumudam. kumuela-pali, galam, gala-pali and

uththaram. The sopaa!]am has direct

steps. The PsaIJaa!am is broken. The walls have three gha!)adwaaras besides

a functional door at east. Nandi is

installed on a maIJ9apam at its front.

On the northern side of Lord Siva shrine the sreekovil of Lord Vishl).u is seen. This is square eka-thaJa of nirandhaara type facing east and has

171

granite adhish~haaDam. laterite walls

and tiled roof. The well is at northeast of the akaththe-balivattam. The

chuttambalam is common for both the

temples. It has three entrances, two

at the east facing the shrines of Lord

Siva and Lord VishI.l.U and one behind

the Sree Siva shrine. At the southwest

of the chu!!ambaiam there are two sub­

shrines,for Lord GaQ.apathi and for Lord

Saastha; one sub-shrine at northwest

for Goddess Bhagavathi and another

for Lord Vettakkorumakan at the

northeast. It may be noted that valiya­balikkalls and deepasthambhas are

in stalled at the front (outside the chu!!ambalam) of the deities of Lord Siva

and Lord VishI_1u. The N aaga thasa is at

the northeast. The temple tank is at southeast.

Carvings and paintings: There are no

carvings and paintings.

Deities: The sila-liriga idol of Lord Siva

has a height of 45 cm. above the

pee!ham. The idol of Lord VishI_1u is in

standing pose (90 cm.) with four arms

and having conch, disc, club and lotus

in hands. The idols of Lord Gal).apathi

and Goddess Bhagavathi are in sitting

poses with height of 45 cm. and 30 em.

respectively. A pee{ham represents the

deity of Lord A:yyappa while a pee {ham with a sword over it represents Lord

Vettakkorumakan. The Naaga idol has a

height of 15 cm.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 6-30 to 10-30 a.m.

and from 5-30 to 7-30 p.m. Three

poojas are held daily, usha-pooja at

7-30 a.m., uccha-pooja at 10 a.m. and

aththaazha-pooja at 7-15 p.m. No daily

sreebali is done. On the first Sunday of

every Malayaalam month the poojas are

perfonned by the thanthri.

Offerings: Vijakku-maala, pushpaaiijaJi. raktha-pushpaafijali. ve!!a-nivedyam. katllm­paayasam and muttarukkal are the main vazhipaats. Of these pushpaanjali and

muttarukkal are popular.

Festivals: The most important festival

is Sivaraathri. A two-day festival is

celebrated with special items like Sreemad Bhagavatha Paaraayal)a, Thaayambaka, Keli, EzhunneHathth, fire

works etc, besides modern

entertainments. The other fe stival

days are prathishrha-day on Thinwaathira

asterisk in lV!ee!Jam and Ash!i.uni R6hi{li.

Priesthood and temple staff: The details

of the thanthri who initially installed

the idol are not known. The present

thanthri belongs to Maranaatt mil!!t! of

Wantoo,t". The s~ianthikkaran is hereditary.

The other staff includes kazhakam.

uticchu-tha/i, clerk and watchman.

General remarks: Renovation of sreekovii

and naalambalam has to be done.

(Data_fumished by Sree D. ViswanatJum Achaari,

Se.cretary and collected by Sree Thampi N. Suresh of the Census Directorate).

3 .. 6 f -SREE (Kovilakam) VETTAKKORUMAKAN TEMPLE, NILAMBOOJ! (Nilamboo!' panchaayathth. Nilamboo! village. Pin - 679 329)

Location: Situated 500 m. north of

Nllamboor Bus stand, the temple is

situated on the western bank of

Chaaliyaaf River. The temple IS

accessible by tarred road. Facilities

for stay are avrulable at Nilamboo!.

Brief history and temple administration:

Datable to eighteenth century, the

mooJa-sthhaa!Ja of this temple is

Nambalakkot village of Gudaloor taluk,

which earlier formed part of Wayanaad taluk. During ll/liippi!a Rebellion of 1921

the temple was attacked, but only the

door of the temple was damaged, The

temple had 1arge number of elephants

as much as 85- 100 at one time. The

temple is owned and managed by

Nilamboor k{)l-'ilakam.

Structures: The temple owns three

acres of land of which one acre

constitutes the temple complex. The structures thereon al'e sreekovii with

172

attached paattupl.u-a, thitappa//i, a8!]akkocril, gopuram, kazhaka-room, sub­

shrines, deepasthambham and well. An

old tank which is not in use is now filled with mud.

The rectanf,rular eka-thaJa sreekti~jl

of saandhaara type and facing east has

granite ;ulhish!haa!!am and walls and

copper sheet covered roof. The

mouldings of the adhishrhaa!!am are paadukam, jagathi, multi-faceted kumudam, kumuda-pati, gaJam. gala-pali and

uththaram. The sl"ipaayCJm has four direct

steps with vyaali-face on the top of

banisters. The PIal}aa!am has makara­simha face, multi-faceted SllI}cjU and. g6-mllklIa end. The wall has eleven

gha!Jl1dwaaras besides a functional door.

The attached paartupura (9 m. x 6 m.)

has sixteen pillars. There is an ad[!a­

koltil at the front of the paattoott with 8

valiya-balikkall and a bronze deepa­sthambham within it. The well and the

lhitappa!!i are at northeast and north of the §reekcivil. The store room is at

northeast. The gopuram and kazhaka­

room are at the eastern side. There IS a sub-shrine at northeast dedicated

to Lord GaI.lapathi, a suo-shrine of Lord Ayyappa at southwest and another

shrine of Goddess Bhagavathi at northwest. The pradak8hi~Javazhi around the §recki5vil is made of granite hf£vlng

a widt.h of 1.5 In.

Carvings and paintings: There is neither c;? .... ~ing nor painting in this temple.

Deities: All the idols except Sree Bhagavathi are made of sila -- Sree Vettakkorumakan without anthropo­

morphic form (height: 45 em.), Lord Gar)apathi in sitting pose (45 em .. ), L.")1-d Ayyappa of liliga of type (27 em.) and

Naga! in sitting pose ,vith raised hood

(45 cm.). There is also a saa!agram in this temple. The jdol of Goddess Bhagavathi is made of pancha-li5ha and

in s~tting pose (30 cm.)

Time of worship and pooJas: The temple is kept open from 5 to 9 a .. ln. and frorn

5 to 7-30 p.m. Three poo_jas are done

, I

daily,usha-pooja at 6-30 a.m., uccha­pooja at 9 a.m. and aththaazha-pooja at

7-30 p.m.

Offerings: Appam, pllshpaanjali, Iakilut­

pusiJpaafijaii, sr1!kkara·paaYflsam, dhaaI'a and

thenga-caru are the important uazhipaats. Thenga-caru is done after ariyittlJ­

vaazhccha in the k{iviiakam. Appam is

the popular uazhipaat.

Festiva's: Poattu·uthsQvQm is held for 5LT;:

days, from 20'h to 2S:h Dbar!u. The

ka!am-paatt is attended by a large

nun~ber of devotees.

Priesthood and temple staff: The details

of the thanthri who installed the idol

are not kno\.vn.. The present thanthri

belongs to Kizhakkumpaatillam of ArcekoL

The ,i,:aanthikkanw is appom ted from

MalayaaJa Brahmins. The other staff includes a kazhakam, mi:taIil8!. ati.;:chu-tha!i

and clerk.

General remarks: The tC'mple IS

adrninistered well.

(Data furnlshed by 5J"ee I\ianrja.nafl and collected

by Sree Thampi lv. Surt~sh of the C'ensu.s

Directorate).

3.7. SREE (KaUasa) SIVA TEMPLE, THIRUVAALI (Thlruvaali panchaayathth. Thiruvaali village, Pin - 679 328)

Location: Situated seven km. west of

\Vantoor on Nilamboor road at

Poonth5ttam junction and thence half a knl, north, the temple is connected by

tarred road. Facilities for stu:)! are available at WaI!too~~ and Ni]amboo~.

Brief history and temple administration: Q;:l.tab Ie to very ancient period, it is

believed that Lord Raama stayed here

fnr some tin1.c during His life in the

forest. The legend also tells that the

jdol of this temple was consecrated by

BaaJi. "'1nd thereafter the place was

called ThirubaaE which in course of time changed into ThiruvaalL The temple

was under the administration of Saamoothiri. kiivilakam for centurles and

in 1971 its admmistration wa::-; 'veslett with the Kshi=:thf3 SanJnlk"hanu Samithi. No\:v D thlIteen-fnernber cnrnrr~itree adm.inisters the ternple. The 3eCTf."ti.:l.J->

of the COlnnHt.tee atter;r!::-' to tht' CI<.1V-

to· day affl1jrs of lh e temple,

Structures: The temple complex at present has an extent of 35 cents. The structures thereon are sreeki5viJ, namaskaara-maI,1gapam. ruined chu!!a­mbalam (with agra-mal}~apam), sub­shrines, agrasaaia. well, office room and a dilapidated tank.

The circular eka-thala sreek5vii of saandhaara type and facing east has granite adhish[haa!!am, laterite walls and tiled roof. The adhishrhaa!}am has mouldings of paadukam, jagathi. vrththa­kumudam, kumuda-pati, kampam, ga!am, ga!a-pati and patio The sopaa!!am has five direct steps with vyaaji face on the top of banisters. The p!al}aa!am has makara­simha face at the base, multi-faceted sUI).9u and sliced end. The walls have three gha!}adwaaras with decorations, besides the functional door. The sub­shrine of Lord GaI).apathi, facing east, is attached to the southern wall of the sreekovii. The namaskaara-mal}9apam (side: 2.92 m.) has four pillars.

Of the chu!!ambaJam only the valiyambalam with the attached agra­ma1}tjapam and the thitappa!/i (at sou theast) now exist. The other sides have only a walled enclosure with three entrances besides the main entrance at the east. The valiya­balikkall is within the agra-mal}9apam but it is broken. The siJa- deepasthambham is installed at the east. The metal lamps fixed to the walls of the chu!!ambaJam are lighted on special occasions. The sub-shrine of Sree Vettakkorumakan is at the northern valiyambalam facing west. The sub­shrine of Lord Saastha is at the southwest. The agrasaala a...'"1d the well are at the northern side, The office room is at northeast.

174

Carvings and paintings: There are no carvings and paintings.

Deities: The si1a idol of Lord Siva is of liriga form (height 60 cm.). The idols of Lord GaIJapathi and Lord Saastha are in sitting poses with height of 4S cm. and 30 cm. respectively. Sree Vettakkorumakan is represented by a round ii1a of height 45 cm.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple is kept open from 5-30 to 9 a.m. and from 5-30 to 7-30 p.m. Three poojas are held daily,usha-pooja at 7 a.m., uccha-pooja at 8-30 a.m. and aththaazhn­pooja at 7-30 p.m.

Offerings: Rudra-dhaara, Gal}apathi­homam, pushpaaiijaJi, nai-paayasam, pal}a­paayasam and paaZ-paayasam are the important vazhipaats of which Rudra dhaara is important. The common vazhipaat is pal} a-paayasam.

Festivals: Ka!am-paatt held for three days, from 18 th to 20 th Dha~u is the important festival. Every year akharidha­naama-japam is held on the second Wednesday of Vrschikam. Chaakkyaa[­koothth, ottam-thu!!aJ and modern entertainments are staged on festival days.

Priesthood and temple staff: The belief is that Baali consecrated the idol. The present thanthri belongs to Kizhakkeppaatt illam. The saanthikkaran is appointed from Malayaata Brahmins. The other staff includes a kazhakam and aticchu-thali.

General remarks: The chu!!ambaJam and temple tank need renovation.

(Datafumished by Srce K. Diim(5daran Nai[ and

collected by Sree Thampi N. Suresh of the Census Directorate).

I I

3.8 SREE SIVA TEMPLE, PUNNAPPAALA (Thiruvaali panchaayathth, Thiruvaali village, Pin - 679 328)

location: Situated 5 km. west of WaI)too! at Kozhipa!amb junction and thence one km. south on panchaa­yathth road, the temple is accessible by tarred road. Facilities for stay are available at War:ttoo!.

Brief history and temple administration: The temple has a legendary past. Many ~shis used to spend months here in meditation. Around twelfth century, one day an incident occurred. When an agricultural woman was cutting grass her sickle struck on one of the rocks and suddenly blood gushed out profusely from the cut portion. She rushed to Cheriya Thennatt maga and informed about this strange phenomenon. They also informed members of Arippuraththmaga, U!ikkathoti maQa and Kootathingal Thannaatt maga. All the above four thaIawaats jointly built the temple and entrusted its administration to Che[iya Thannattmaga. In 1932 the HR&CE Board took over its control and formed a Trustee Board consisting of four non-'hereditary members. The Chairman of the Trust attends to the day-to-day affairs of the temple. There are many local legends which proclaim the great powers of the Lord.

Structures: The temple owns 2.70 acres of land of which 50 cents constitute the temple complex. The structures thereon are sreekovil, sub-shrines, namaskaara-mal}~apam, chu!!ambalam, wells, valiya-balikkall. agrasaaia, kaJyaaf}a­mal! 9apam , tank and palace.

The square eka-thala sreekovil of nirandhaara type and facing east has

175

granite adhishrhaagam, laterite walls and tiled roof. The adhishrhaa!]am (total height of 57 cm.) has mouldings of paadukam, jagathi, vrththa-kumudam, kumuda-paci, kampam, ga!am and pati. The sopaa!Jam has only one direct step with vyaa!i face on its banisters. The PIal}aa!am is of simple type. The walls have three gha!]adwaaras besides the functional door. The sub-shrine of Lord Garyapathi, facing east, is attached to the southem wall of the sreek5vil. The namaskaara-mal}~apam (side: 2.7C m.)

has four pillars. The well is at the northeast of the akaththe-balil'attam.

The chuttambalam has five entrances from outside one at east, two at south, one at west and one at north. The sub-shrine for Lord Guruvaayoorappan is located at the southem valiyambalam. The thitappa!!i is at southwest. The valiya-balikkall is within the agra-ma1}9apam. The sub­shrines of Lord Ayyappa and Lord Vettakkorumakan are at southwest, while the sub-shrine of Brahmarakshas is at the northeast. The deepa­sthambham made of sila is at the front. The agrasaala with an attached well is at the northwest. The compound wall exists on all sides. At the western side and outside the compound wall, there is a tank at southwest and a palace­building (Kotliiram) at northwest. The kaJyaal}a-mal}cjapam is at the east.

Carvings and paintings: There are no carvings and paintings,

Deities: The main !fjJa idol of Lord Siva is swayambhoo and has a height of 30 cm. The .sjla idol of Lord GaI)apathi if::; in

sitting pose of about 7 cm. All the other

idols are of plain linga type i.e. Lord

Vettakkorumakan (30 em.), Lord Ayyappa

(15 cm.) and Brahmarakshas (15 cm.).

Time of worship and poojas: The temple is kept open from 5-30 to 9 a.m. and

from 5-30 to 8-30 p.m. Three poojas are held daily, usha-pooja at 7-30 a.m.,

uccha-pooja at 8-30 a.m .. and aththaQ2ha­

pooja at 8 p.m.

Offerings: }.1 aia[-nivedyam ( 100

plantains and 101 naazhis of malar), dhaara, pushpaaiijaJi, sarkkara-paayasam and ve!!a-nivedyam are the main offerings. Of these, mala[··niveyam. dhaara and sarkkara-p:-wyasam are very

popular.

Festivals: The festival used to be held

regularly till 1983. Thereafter it was

,

discontinued. Sivaraathri IS obseryed

with special rites. Saya!]a-p[adakshil}8

and perum-pooja are the specialties.

Priesthood and temple staff: The details of the thanthri who performed initial

rites are not known. There are two

thanthris in this temple belonging to

Maranaat mana and Karuththetathth

Arippurathth ma!}a. The daily pooja is

performed by a heredltary sai-mll]ikkIlfiw

belonging to Katumul)tathth Vaalasseri iJJam. The other staff includes a

kazhakam. aticchu-lhafi and a clerk.

Genera\ remark.s: The compound wall

needs renovation.

(Datafumished by ,5ree PK. NaJ! rmd coilected

by Sree Thampi I'/. Suresh of the Census

Directorate,).

3.9 SREE (8aal}aapuram) TH~PURASUNDARI TEMPLE, VAA~IYAMBALAM

(WaQtoo! panchaayathth, Watltoo.! village, Pin - 679339)

Location: Situated one km. north of VaaI)iyambalam on Manjeri-Kaalikaav road, the teIYlple is accessible partially

by tarred road. The temple is on a rocky hill (at a height of 1000 feet above

mean sea level) which has an extent

of 45 acres. Facilities for stay are

available at V/alj.too!:.

Brief history and temple administration:

It is a very ancient tempie ,neglected for centuries. The legend telis that the

Id01 of the Goddess here was

conse::::rated by Baar;ibura who had a fort

here amidst thick forests. The temple

was very sffifill at that tlme and was not in the present form. It is also kno'A'n

that that there ,Nas no water ;jt the

top of the hilL Once the poojari, while

cooking nivedya. went down the hill to

fetch water. \Vhcn the pnest returr.cd

he found the nivl'dya completely burnt

and hence could not be used. Greatly

disappointed the priest threw the ump (round bell-metal vessel) and ladle. At

the place where they fell two koAkaral}is

emerged. \\'hen years passed the

temple was compietely neglected, Only

a rha[a existed, which was frequented

by a small number of devotees. The

temple lands are oV\1ued by the Karikkaat

dev;Jswam. In 1980 a Kshethra

CommiTtee under the Ksh(:"lhra S:1rrlIak·;jwna SamiiJll was fonned for

renovat ing the ten~ple. TtJey rnanage

the temple through a committee

elected by devotees once in a year.

Structures: The total extent of rock IS

45 acres of which one and half km.

constitute Lhe temple complex. The

structures thereon are sreekovil with

mukha-mal}qfapam, natappura, thitappa!fi­

cum-office-room, su b-shi-ines, well,

tank and deepa-sthambham.

The rectangular eka-thala sreekovil

with mukha-maI}9apam ofsaandhaara type

and facing west has granite

adhishthaagam and walls and concrete

roof. The adhishrhaa!]anJ has mouldings

of jagathi, v[ththa-kumudam, kumuda-pati,

ga!am and gala-pali. The sopaa!]am has

four direct steps. The PfaI}aa!am is

simple but not of traditional type. The

walls have three gha!]adwaaras, besides

the functional door. The nata-pura at

the front has a pee{ham facing the

deity, representing a great sage who

lived here In meditation.Two

deepasthambhas are seen at the

western side of the natapanthaJ. One of

them is made of metal and the other

of sila. There are two sub-shrines at

the front,one at southwest with deities

of Lord Gal)apathi and Lord Saastha (both

facing east) and the other at the

northwest with the deity of Lord

Subramal)ya and Naagas (facing east).

At the southeast, there is a sub-shrine

of Lord Vishl)u facing west. The well is

at northeast. The thitappa!!i-cum-office is at the southern-side of the sreekovil. There is a compound wall surrounding

the above structure. Outside, there

are two sub-shrines,of Lord Siva at

northeast and Lord Ayyappa at north.

A tank also exists in this temple.

31355 RGI,03.-13A 177

Carvings an~ paintings: There are no

carvIngs and paintings.

Deities: The §jJu-idol of Goddess

ThrpurasuI)9ari is of mirror type (height:

60 cm.). The idols of Lord Gury.apathi

and Lord Ayyappa are of sitting poses

having a height of 30 cm. each. The

idols of Lord SubramaI)ya, Lord Vishl)u

and Lord Saastha are of standing poses

with height of 30 em, 45 cm. and 30

cm. respectively. The sila-JiIiga idol of

Lord Siva has a height of 27 cm.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 6 to 8 a.m. and from

6 to 7 p.m. Usha-pooja is held at 7 a.m. and sandhya deepaaraadha!]a at 6-30 p.m.

On important days it is kept open up

to 12 noon.

Offerings: ThrkaaJa-pooja, pushpaafijaJi, vilakku-maala. mUllarukkal, kathi!Ja­paayasam and nithya-pooja are the main

vazhipaats. Of these, thrkaaJa-pooja IS

considered very important.

Festivals: ThrkaCirththika is the mmn

festival of the temple. The other

important days observed are KaTuththa­vaav in Ka[kkatakam, Thai-pooyam, Sivaraalhri, Sree Krshl}a Jayanthj and

GuruvaayooI Ekaadasi.

Priesthood and temple staff: Details of

the thanthri who performed the

consecration ceremony are not known.

The present thanthri belongs to Aal)talaati

mana. The other staff includes

kazhakam, aticchu-thali and clerk.

General remarks: The temple IS

satisfactorily managed.

(Data furnished by Srec P. K(sh{l:1nkucty.

Treasurer and collecred by Sn:r:' /\1.

ChiJ[}~jra";t:khilj'';_lll of the Census Directorate).

I ,

3.10 SREE SIVA TEMPLE, WAt,lTOOR (Wat'ltOO! panchaayathth, WaptooI village, Pin - 679 328)

Location: Situated one km. northwest

of WantooI at Ambalapati on Nilamboo[

road, the temple is connected by

tarred road. Facilities for stay are

available at Wa~too!.

Brief history and temple administration: This temple dates back to ancient

period. It is believed that the idols were

consecrated by Sree VaisEava~a. The

temple belonged earlier to Moossad

family. Later it was given to Namboothiri illams under certain

conditions. The temple belonged to

three ooraa!a! families viz. Karumarapatta maga, Natuvathth ma!Ja and Pulloor m8Q8.

In 1945 the administration of the

temple was taken over by the HR&CE

Board. The day-to-day affairs are

managed by the Executive Officer

appointed by the Department.

Structures: The details of the land

owned by the temple prior to the Land

Reforms Act are not known. At present

the temple owns 1.40 acres which

constitute the temple complex. The

structures thereon are sreekovils, namaskaara-mal}(Japam, chu!!ambalam, su b- shrines, vaJjya-balikkalls, deepa­sthambhas, nala-paIirhaJ, kalyaaI}a­ll1a{19apam. compound wall, gopuram, wells and tank.

The circular eka-lhala sreekovil of

saandhaara type and facing east has

granite upa-pee!ham and adhish!haa!!aflJ, laterite walls and tiled roof. The lower three mouldings (paadukam, jagathi and

kampam) relate to upa-peerham, while

the mOUldings of adhish!haa!}am are

paadukam,jagathi. v!lhtha-kumudam. ga!am

178

with motifs, gala-pati, uththaram, kampam, ga!am with motifs, gala-pati, uththaram and patio The sopaa!}am has five direct

steps with vyaafi face on top and chakra

motif at the sides of banisters. The

p!8l}aa!am has makara-simha face at the

base, multi-faceted §ul}9u and go-mukha at the end. The walls have niches on

all sides, besides three gha[!adwaaras and a functional door. The namaskaara­mal}9apam (side: 4.01 m.) has four

pillars. The well is located at the

northeast of the akarhthe-baJivattam.

The chuttambalam has three entrances, east, west and north.

There are two thitappa!!is one at southeast and the other at the

northeast of the naalambalam. The sub­shrine of Vettakkorumakan is located at

the northern end of the valiyambalam. There is an agra-maI}ljapam, but the

valiya-balikkall is located within the nata­panlhal erected at the front of the agra-mal}ljapam. The ii1a deepasthambham at

the front has five layers and was

installed in 1991.

On the northern side of the

churtambaianl of the shrine of Lord Siva

and at a lower level of 3 m. there is a

separate shrine for Lord VishZlU within

a chu!!umathil (separate enclosure).

This circular eka-thala sreekovil also

faces east. There is a su b-shrine for

Lord Ga1)apathi attached to the

southern wall of the sreekovii. There

is a vaathilmaatam at the front. The

valiya-balikakll IS ou tside the

vaathilmaatam. A deepasthambham is

installed at its front and it has three

layers of wicks. At the front of Sree

3655 RGII03-13B

Vish1)u shrine, there is a kalyaapa­ma~J(;Iapam and nata-panthal. Two other

su b-shrines exist on the eastem side, one of Lord Saastha and the other a Naaga-tha!a. All the above structures

are surrounded by a common compound wall having a height of 2.4

m. with a length of 6l.8 m. and a width of 60.5 m. The top of this compound

wall has' the shape of elephant's back. The agrasaaJa with paththaayapura is

outside the compound wall and located north.

Carvings and paintings: The niches on walls deserve special mention. There is no mural painting.

Deities: The idol of Lord Siva is of §ila­liriga form and has a height of 45 cm. The idol of Lord VishI)u also made of §iJa, is in standing pose (height: 90 cm.) with four arms with conch, disc, club and lotus in hands. There is only a sword kept on a peerham to represent Sree Vettakkorumakan. The idols of Lord

Ayyappa and Lord Ga1)apathi are in sitting poses with a height of 30 cm. each. The naaga idols have a height of 27 cm. in sitting poses with raised hoods.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 6 to 9 a.m. and from 5-30 to 8 p.m. Three poojas are held daily, usha-pooja at 7a.m.,uccha-pooja at

9 a.m. and aththaazha-pooja at 7 -30 p.m.

Festivals: The paatt-uthsavam held on 4th

and 5 th Kumbham is important. The P!athishrha day is held in Mctam, while Sivaraathri is observed with the usual temple rites. KathhakaJi, kootiyaattam and

chaakyaa!-koothth are performed besides modern entertainments as part of paatt-uthsavam

Priesthood and temple staff: The main idol of Lord Siva is believed to have been installed by Sree Vysrava~a. At present

there are two thanthric illams, Mooththetath illam for the temple of Lord Siva and Arippurath jllam for the Sree VishI~lU shrine. The saanthikkii!s are appointed from Malayaa!a Brahmins. The other staff includes two kazha­karns, one aticchuthaji. one watchman and a clerk.

General remarks: The compound wall and paththaayappura need renovation.

(Datafumished by Sree RiijagopaJan, Clerk and

collected by Sret: M. Cha1}9rasekharan of the Census Directorate).

3.11 SREE (Saasthaavangottupuram) BHAGAVATHI TEMPLE, CHE~UKOT -

(poroO! panchaayathth, Poroo,! village, Pin - 679 328)

Location: Situated 17 km. northeast of Manjeri at Cheripa~amb on Chaaththangottupuram-W aI:ltoOI road and

thence two km. south on temple road, the temple is accessible by tarred road. Another route from Manjeri is via Kuttippaara-CherukuJam-thot and Cheriparamb. Facilities for stay are available at War.Hoor or Manjeri.

179

Brief history and temple administration: In the fourteenth century this area was under the Etava1)I)a kovilakam. In the naalu-kettu of the kovilakam Lord Saastha was worshipped as paradevatha. When the members shifted out of this place the kovilakam was demolished, but they retained this temple. About five cen tudes later a devotee of thi s

temple desired to introduce Bhagavathi­seva in this Sree Saastha shrine. He was

also a monthly worshipper of the

famous Sree Thirumaandhaamkunnu

Bhagavathi temple at Angaatippu!:am.

During one of his visits he prayed to

the Goddess to accompany him to his

native place. When he returned after

worship he kept his paimyra-leaf­

umbrella at a place about 150 m. south

of the Sree Saasrha shrine. He took rest

for a while after chewing betel-leaves

and arecanut and tried to take back the umbrella. To his surprise he could

not take it since it was fixed to the

ground and gradually it went down into a hole and perennial flow of fresh water

gushed out of the hole. This sacred

\vell is now known as Nluttupaara. On

the next day when the priest opened the shrine of Lord Saastha he found the

idol of Lord Saastha lying broken on the

floor. He kept it again on the pee!ham.

On the next day also the same thing

was repeated. Scared of this unusual

phenomenon a deva-p!asg[J was held.

It revealed that the Goddess

Bhagavathi had accompanied the

devotee as desired by him and had

decided to have Her seat at the then

existing seat of Sree Saastha. Accordingly

Sree Saastha was shifted to outside into

a new shrine built at southeast.

Goddess Bhagavathi was installed at

the specified place. Since the Sree

Saastha shrine was shifted out, the

place got the name Saasthavang6ttu­

purarn. Later the name was changed as Chaaththangottupuram.

The temple was owned by the .Ctav3l)l)a k6viiakam till 1993 when it was

transferred to Dharma Raksha Samilhi.

The Samithi consisting of devotees elect

180

an eleven-member committee once in

three years for administering the

temple. The office bearers include

President, Vice President, Secretary,

Joint Secretary and Treasurer. The

day-to-day affairs are managed by the

Secretary.

Structures: The temple owns 25 acres

of land of which 58 cents constitute

the temple complex. The structures

thereon are sreeki5vil, thitappa!!i, sub­

shrines, bhajag<l-maP9apam, agrasaaia

and counter-cum-office building.

The rectangular sreekovil (facing

west) with mukba-maprJapam is in the

forul of a prayer-room, '\vhich ·was once

a part of the kovilakam. It is an eka­thala sreekoviJ without any moulding for

adhishrhaagam. It is made of laterite

walls and tiled roof. Chuuuvf!akks are

fu;:ed to the walls of the sJ"cek8vil and

lighted on special days (like ma(l~ala

period) or as vazhipaat. The sub-shrines

for Lord Saastha and Lord Gar:apathi are

at sou theast facing west. The agrasaaJa

is at the northeast. The sub-shrine of

Sree Veerabhadran, facing west, is at the

northern side. The counter-cum-office

and the prayer hall are located at

northwest and southwest respectively.

The temple also has a well and a

temple-tank. The deepa-stharnbharn is

made of §iJa and has three layers.

Carvings and paintings: There are no

carvings and paintings.

Deities: The main idol of Goddess

Bhagavathi has the same sankalpa as

that of Sree Thirumaa1l9haamkunI1u Bhagavathi i.e. Sree Bhadrakaa!i. The pooja

idol (made of §jJa) takes the shape of

mirror (height: 30 cm). The idol of Lord

GaI:apathi has a height of 15 crn. and is

of sitting pose. The ii1a idols of Lord

Saastha and Lord Veerabhadran are of

Iiriga type with height of 30 crn. each.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 5-30 to 10-30 a.m.

and from 5 to 8 p.m. Five poojas are

done daily i.e. usha-pooja at 7 a.m.,

pantheerati-pooja at 9 a.m., uccha-pooja at 10 a.m., Thiriiifia-pantheerati pooja at 6

p.m. and aththaazha-pooja at 7-30 p.m.

Offerings: Rakthapushpaaiijali, Chovva­viJakk and vi!akku-maala are the main

vazhipaats, of which the first one is very

popular.

Festivals: The Thaalappoli festival is

held for 21 days commencing from the

first Tuesday in the month of Metam and ending on the last Tuesday. The

main ritual is symbolic of the first

arrival of the Goddess on a palmyra­

leaf urn breHa. The kazhakakkaaran after

observing vratha lifts the newly made

umbrella and takes 7, 9, 11, 21 or 27

rounds in ecstasy. This umbrella has

some peculiarities. It has a length of

5.4 m. and made of bamboos and

palmyra leaves. It is the privilege of a

If I _

particular VaaI).iya family to make the

umbrella every year. In addition kan!a­kelt, pootham-kett, naatj-poot/wm. kUlhira

etc. are also staged by traditional

families 011 the festival days. Another

important ritual is taldng the umbrella

with all accompaniments to Sree KUl)tata

Siva temple located 500 m. north west

of the temple. The Lord of that temple

is considered as father of the Goddess.

As stated earlier theyyam and

kettukazhccha are the main performing

arts. Ottam-thu!!al and modern

entertainments are also staged.

Priesthood and temple staff: Details of

the thanthri who initially installed the

idols of Saastha and the Goddess are

not known. The present thanthri

belongs to Mutappiliippi!!i illam. The

iaanliJikkaran is appointed from Malayaja

Brahmins, The other staff includes

kazhakam, atichhu-tha!i, gardener and

clerk.

General remarl{s: The temple 11 fced ~

complete renovation.

(Data furnished by Srec. N UI}1}ikrshnaTJ.

secretary and collected by Srcc. J\;f,R. S!1kumiiraJ:

Nai! afthe Censl.1.s Directorate)

3.12 SREE SIVA TEMPLE, POROOB (paroo.!' panchaayathth, Poroo! village, Pin - 679 339)

Location; Situated 23 km. south east

of Manjeri at Che!ukot on Nilamboor road

and thence three krn. east, the temple

is accessible by tarred road up to

Cheruk6t and thereafter metalled road

Facilities for stay are available at

Manjeri.

1 B 1

Brief History and temple administration;

The temple dates back to ancient

period. It is believed that the idol of

Lord Siva. t;:" principal c1eitv of thi."

ternple \\.c::.; (. ;,;nsecralcd i)-I' Sn'(,' /(',:1,- l

Maha~~hi p.lr'ng witll Sft'\.~ I'd\ y<":; '.;, ":nn:'

Si\t:1 ~ ~rf11)1 ~." ~t '-, r ';:~ r;'1:...~ \'J)/h:1~: :";: .-~ ~:-;"

temple. The temple was earlier owned

by two ooraal}ma families, viz.

Uppilaapaga Chembilleri mB!}B and

Maanthattupuram iilam. When the latter

family became extinct it was

transferred to Vepaykaatt Patteri ma!Ja.

During the Miippi!a rebellion the front

door was forcibly broken and the pooja

utensils and other things were taken

away. In 1945 the HR & CE Board

took over its control and formed a

Trustee Board consisting of the two

ooraa!aI families. The day to day

administration is done by them.

Structures: The temple owns 80 acres

of land of which 75 cents constitute

the temple complex. The structures

thereon are sreekovil, namaskaara­

mal}rjapam, chu!!ambaiam, valiya-balikkal,

dhwajam, deepa-sth am bh am, sub-shrine,

agrasaaia, well and temple tank.

The square dwi-thala sreekovil of

saandhaara type and facing east has

granite upa-pee{ham and adhishrhaagam,

laterite walls and copper sheet covered

roof. The mouldings of upa-pee!ham (in

the reverse order) are paadukam,

uththaram, kampam and pati while

adhish!haagam has mouldings of

paadukam,jagathi, vrthlha-kumudam, ga!am,

pali, decorations, gala-pati, kampam,

ga!am, ga!a-patl, uththaram and patio The

sopaa!}am has six direct steps with vyaa!i

face on the top of balustrades. The

p[al}aajam has makara-simha face at the

base, multi-faceted sUIJ¢u with pearl

rings and go-mukha end. The walls

have three ghagadwaaras besides the

main functional door. The. namaskaara-

l82

maJ}Cjapam (side: 5.01 m) has four

pillars.

The chuttambalam has five

entrances (east, south, west and two

at the north). The thitappa!p is at

southeast. At the southwest there is

a sub-shrine with two deities, Lord

Gal)apathi and Lord Saastha. The well is

at north west and within the

chuttambalam. The sub-shrine of Lord

Vish:l)u is at northeast. The valiya

balikkal is within the front mal}f}apam.

The teak dhwajam, covered with copper

paIas and installed in 1975, has a

height of 12.3 ffi. The §ila

deepaslhambham was installed in 1970.

The agrasaala is at the southwest. There

is no compound wall. There is also

sankaipa P!alhishrha for Brahmarakshas.

Carvings and paintings: There are no

carvings and mural paintings.

Deities: The idol of Lord Siva is of sj/a­

liriga type (height: 37 cm) while the idol

of Lord Vishl)u is in standing pose

(height: 67 cm). The ilia idols of Lord

Gal)apathi and Lord Saastha are of sitting

poses with height of 30 ern each.

Rakshas is installed in sila-linga form

(27 cm).

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 5 to 9 a.m. and from

5-30 to 8 p.m. Three poojas are done,

usha~pooja at 7 a.m., uccha-pooja at

8-30 a.m. and aththaazha-pooja at

7-30 p.m.

Offerings: Dhaara, koottu-paayasam and

iticchu-pizhiiija-paayasam are the main

offerings of which dhaara is popUlar.

Festivals: The eight-day annual festival

is held from pU{1a[tham asterisk in the

month of Kumbham. On the sixth day

thaayambaka is performed.

Priesthood and temple staff: It is

believed that the idol was installed by

Sree Khara Maharshi. The present thanthri belongs to Arip[ath mana. The

saanthikkaran is app::>inted from Malayala

Brahmins. The other staff includes

vaarya[, maara[, aticchu-tha! i and

washerman.

General remarks: The temple IS

administered satisfactorily.

(Data furnished by Sree U. C. Naaraayal}an

Namboothiri, trustee and collected by Sn:e. M.R.

Sukumiiran Nai! of the Census Directorate)

, " • k ) 3.13 SREE (Neelaal]kurissi) SAASTHA TEMPLE, (Ayyappan aav KARUVAARAKUNTU

(Karuvaaraku{ltu panchaayathth. Karuvaarakurtu village, Pin - 676 523)

Location: Situated 18 kIn. northeast of

PerinthalrnaI)l).a via Melattoor at

Karuvaarakul).tu and thence one km.

south crossing the Olippuzha Bridge,

and then half a km. on the

panchaayathth road, the temple is

accessible by earthen road. Facilities

for stay are available at Perinthaimal).I)a.

Brief history and temple administration:

Datable to ancient period, Karuvarakun1u

had thick forests. Many seers used to

stay here and meditate. One day one

of them found a halo and the great seer

consecrated an idol of Lord Saastha at

that spot. Since the Lord revealed the

powers at that spot the s:ymbolic idol

is considered as swayambhoo. Years

later a Brahmin came and settled

here. He built his illam around this

shrine, treating the Lord as his para­devatha. Even now the remnants of the

iIlam can be seen around the temple.

In course of time the area of the

temple was annexed by Saamoothiri

who gave the temple to his warrior

chieftain having the title of Cherukara

183

Akaayil U I}l).i who belonged to the

Pisharoti community. This family

managed the temple till 1960, when

its administration was taken over by

Kshethra Samraksha{1a Samithi. Now the

Kshethra Samraksha{1a Committee,

elected by devotees, administers the

temple under the overall management

of Kshethra Samrakshal}a Samithi.

Structures: The temple owns three

acres of land of which the actual

temple complex has an extent of 40

cents. The structures thereon are

sreek5vil with mukha-ma{1c}apam. vaathil

maatam with agra-mappapam, thitappa!!i,

chu!!u-mathil, sub-shrines, deepa­

sthambhams, well etc. The temple tank

was encroached upon by others years

back.

The rectangular eka-lhala sreekovil

of nirandhaara type and facing west has

laterite upa-peerham and adhishrhaa!}am

and walls and tiled roof. The

mouldings of the upa-pee[ham are jagathi,

ga!am. gala-pati and kap/itham (from top

to bottom) while adfJisi1!i1aa!]am has

mouldings of paadukam, jagathi, ga!am,

uthtbaram and patio There is no

sopaa!]am. Only a small pipe is provided at the place of PIal}aa!am for the

draining of water. On the walls

wooden trellis supported by 44 pillars has been fIxed. Therefore there is no

gha!Jadwaaram except the P!aasaada dwaaram. MetallalllpS are fIxed on the

trellis wall. For the mukha-mal)rJapam

there is no wall. The well is at the

north east. The vaathil-maatam has an

agra-malJc)apam attached to it. The

thitappa!p is at northwest. There is a

sththaa!Ja for the great seer at the

northeast and close to the temple well.

At the front there is siJa-deepasthambham

having five layers.

The shrine of Lord Ga,!apathi, on

the southern side of main shrine, also

faces west and is consid~red equally

important as the main idol. Sree

Bhagavathi is installed within separate

sub-shrine at northwest facing east.

Close to it there is sa.nkalpa of Sree

Krshl)a kukshi. Naaga {/1a[3 is at northeast

while Brahmarakhas is installed at

south east.

Carvings and paintings: There are no

carvings and paintings.

Deities: The main idol of Lord Saastha

has a height of 30 cm. in the sanka.lpa

of Sree Saastha \\lith His consort Prabha

and son Sathyaka. The §ila idol of

Lord Gai)apathi is in sitting pose with a

height of 30 em and the idol of Sree

Bhagavathi is of mirror type .made of sila

184

(height: 45 cm). The naaga idols are of

sitting poses with raised hoods having

a height of 30 crn. Brahrnarakshas is

installed in the form of three small

round §jla pieces.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 5 to 10-30 a.m. and

from 4-30 to 7 -30 p.m. Usha-pooja is at

6-30 a.m., Nivedya-pooja at 9 a.m. and

aththaa.zha-pooja (only mala! nivedyam) at

7 p.m.

Offerings: Muttarukkal, Pushpaaiijali, nai­vi!akk. sa[kkara paayasam. GalJapathi hava!}am, vi!akk-mala etc. are the main

vazhipaats. Vi!akk mala is very popUlar.

Festivals: Ka!ampaatt is held for 12 days

in kumbham, the important day being

uthra.m asterisk in kumbham. Uccha­paat is held between 9-30 and 10-30

a.m. while evening ka!am-paatt is held

between 8 and 9-30 p.m. Performing

arts and modern entertainments are

staged.

Priesthood and temple staff: The great

Seer (Yatheswaran) installed the idol at

the place where the hole was seen by

him. The present thanthri belongs to

Panayoo! ma!Ja. The saanthikkaran is

appointed from Malayaa!a Brahmins.

Other staff includes only an a{icchu­

tha!i.

General remarks: The temple needs

renovation.

(Data furnished by Sree C. VishIJu Namboothiri

and Sree V. VeJiiyudhan, Secretary and collected

by .5ree M. ChaIJ9rasekharan so! the Census Directorate).

4 IMPORTANT TEMPLES OF

PERINTHALMANNA TALUK . .

I I

4.1 SREE (Aayoo,l) SIVA TEMPLE, ETAPPATTA (Etappa!ta panchaayathth, Etappa!~ village, Pin - 679 326)

Location: Situated one and half km. north of Melaattoor at Puththamkulam and

thence l.6 km. north on the same road

and thence 400 m. west after crossing the railway track, the temple is

accessible by tarred road except for the last lap. Another route is VIa. Potiyotaththaal on Manjeri road (1.5 km.) and thence a distance of 1.5 km.

northeast by panchaayathth road. Olippuzha River flows about 400 m. north of the temple. Facilities for stay are

available at Perinlhalrnal!l!a, which is 15

km. south of the temple.

Brief history and temple administration; The temple, dating back to very

ancient period, flourished well in early times. The legend says that the place

had thick jungles and a ~shj chose this

place as an ideal site for meditation. Lord gave da[§an to him. Thereafter he consecrated an idol of Lord Siva at

that place. ]t is reported, as revealed

in dEva-P!d§!}a. that some Brahmin

185

families settled here in the seventh

century cleared the jungles and

commenced poojas to the idol installed

by the ~shi. They built a temple and

administered it well till the fifteenth

century. Thereafter these families

became extinct. The political events

at the close of the eighteenth century

further affected the temple and its

lands. The temple structures were

desecrated and demolished and they

were brought to the basement level.

The lands were also encroached upon

by neighbours. By God's grace some devotees decided to renovate the

temple in the second half of the present century. On 24th Thulaam 1162

K.E. corresponding to lOth November

1986, the jungles in the site were

cleared and the initial rite to the idol

was done as an i!anee!-abhisheka on 12th

November 1986. A panthal was then

erected. A deva-p!,a!~!Ja was held on 12th

January 1987. As revealed therein

Brahmasree KaaI).ipayyoo!: Namboothirippad

prepared a sketch for the renovation

of the temple. The P!as!}a revealed that the main deity is Sree Kiraathamoo!:ththy

with His Consort. The subsidiary

deities are Sree Maha GaI).3pathi, Lord

Saastha, Goddess Bhagavathi and

N aagas, besides a Brahmarakshas.

When the devotees started taking

interest the local people also co­operated. As a result, the siJa-bali-pee{has which were once removed and

deposited in other properties by some

miscreants, were taken back. A

permanent committee for administer­

ing the temple was also formed on 16 th

March 1987 under the presidentship

of the then ooraa!a! belonging to

AavanooI ma~a of Dinamangaat near

Perinthalmar).I).a. The committee consists

of 15 members inclusive of President,

Thanthri and an Advisor. The Secretary

of the committee attends to the day­

to-day affairs of the temple.

Structures: The temple had large extent of properties which have been

encroached upon by other persons.

Now the temple has an extent of 19.5

cents which constitute the temple

complex. The structures thereon are

sn:ekovii, llamaskaara-mal}l)apam, valiya­

mbalam, thitappa!/i, sub-shrines, valiya­balikkall and deepasthambham.

The square eka-thala sreekoviJ facing east and of nirandhaara type has

laterite adhishrhaa!}am and walls and

tiled roof. The mouldings of the

adhishrhaa!}am are paadukam, jagathi, vrlhtha-kumudam, kumuda-pati, kampam,

ga!am,ga!a-pati, kampam, ga!am, ga!a-pati, uththaram and patio The sopaa!}am has

186

four direct steps without any motif on

banisters. The p!al}aa!am is broken. The namaskaara-mal}ljapam (side: 2.18m.)

has four pillars.

When this survey was conducted

In 1993 the chu!!ambaiam and su b­

shrines were under construction. The

thitappa!!i (at southeast) has been built.

The tha!as of vaiiyambalam, sub-shrines

of Lord Saastha (at southwest) and

Goddess Bhagavathi (at northwest) also

exist. The position of Brahmarakshas

is at southwest and outside the

chu!!ambaiam, while the Naaga tha!a is

at the northeast. The valiya-balikkall is outside the chuttambalam and to its

east there is a deepasthambham (which was installed on 4th ._January 1993).

Carvings and paintings: There are no

carvings and paintings.

Deities: The main idol of Lord Siva is of

§iia-liIiga form of height 37 cm. with the

sankalpa of Sree Kiraathamoo~ththy with

Goddess Thwaritha. For subsidiary

deities only tha!a exists.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open on Mondays (between 7-

30 and 11.30 a.m.) and on special days.

Only one pooja is held at present. It is

understood that when the renovation

is over, the poojas which were held

earlier will be re-introduced.

Offerings: Koova!a-maala and i!anee!­dhaara are important vazhipaats of which

i!anee!-dhaara, which was the first rite

of the temple is important.

Festivals: There is no special festival though Sivaraathri and Thimvaafhira are

observed.

Priesthood and temple staff: The details

of the 1J.shi who initially consecrated the

idol are not available. The present

thanthri belongs to Pa!!ayooI ma!]a of ChemmaaI).iyot. The saanthikkaran is

appointed from Malayaa!a Brahmins.

The present thanthri belongs to

Mooththako!:amb maga of Melattoo[. The

other staff includes a kazhakam.

General remarks: The temple was under

renovation in 1993.

(Data furnished by Sree P. Achuthan Nair, Secretary and collected by Sree M. Chandrasekharan of the Census Directorate).

4.2 ,

SREE KARINKAALI KAAV, ETAPPATTA (Etappa!ta panchC:ayathth~ EtappaJta village, Pin 679 326)

Location: Situated four km. north of Melaanoo!: at Potiyotaththaal on PaaI).tikkat road and thence one km. east, the road is metalled up to Potiyotaththaal and earthen thereafter. Facilities for stay are available at Perinthalmar:r:a which is about 20 km. south.

Brief history and ttlmple administration: Datable to sixteenth century, the legend of the temple tells that the Sree moolasthhaa!]a of the temple was at Paalakkaat. Once an old lady who went to that temple kept her ala-kUla (palmyra-umbrella) at this place in her return journey for taking rest. After some time when she tried to to take the umbrella, she could not lift it as it had been fixed to the ground. She informed the local chieftain about this inciden t. As per a P!as!]a which followed, it was revealed that the Goddess had followed the lady to bless her. It was also pointed out that a temple had to be built at this place for the benefit of the local devotees and the people at large. No details of its ownership in early times are known. This temple was also su bj ected to attacks by miscreants. Finally the temple came into the hands of Natuvil ma{ham Swaamiyaar of Palakkat. In 1985 a local committee was formed to help

187

the trustee (Natuvil matham) In its administration.

Structures: The extent of this temple complex is 75 cents. The structures on this land are ireekavil, sub-shrines, agrasaala, deepasthambham, well and

tank.

The square eka-thala sreekovil of nirandhaara type has granite adhish{haa!} am , laterite walls and tiled roof. The mouldings of the adhish{haagam are paadukam, jagathi, ga!am, uththaram, va!aru, kapatham, ga!am, ga!a-pati and patio The supaagam has three direct steps without any

motif. The p!aIJaa!am is of simple type with go-mukha tip. The walls have 12 pillars. There is a mar}(japam at its front. There is no chu!!ambalam. There are sub-shrines dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, Lord Vettakkaran(Sivaj, Lord Ga1)apathi and N aagas. There is an agrasaala. The sila deepasthambham was installed on 30th Thulaam 1100 K.E. There is a gapuram at the front.

Carvings and paintings: There are no carvings and paintings.

Deities: All the idols are made of iila. The main idol (height: 45 cm.) is of mirror type with the sankalpa of Sree

KariI}kaaU. The idol of Lord Ayyappa is in the form of round iiia (height: 15 em.), while that of Sree Vettakkaran is of mirror type (15 em.). The idol of Lord GaI)apathi is broken and now only a small piece is kept there (height: 2 cm.). The three Naaga idols are of the usual type in sitting poses with raised hoods having heights of 25 cm., 15 cm. and 11 em.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple is kept open from 9 to 10 a.m. and the morning pooja is held at 9-30 a.m.

Offerings: Sa!kkara-paayasam and pushpaanjaJi are the main vazhipaats of which the latter is popular.

Festivals: Chuttuvi!akks on all maI}9aia days with ThaaJappoJi on the final day

is the festival period of the temple.

Priesthood and temple staff: The details

of the thanthri who installed the idol

are not known. The present thanthri

belongs to Mooththetathth ma!Ja. The

saanthikkaran IS appointed from

Embraanthiris or Malayaa!a Brahmins.

The other staff includes a kazhakam.

General remarks: The temple IS

administered satisfactorily.

(Data furnished by Sn:e P. K2savun Nambissan,

Kazhakam and collected by Sree M.

Chandrasekharan of the Census Directorate).

f I -

4.3 SREE (Puthiyetathth) SIVA TEMPLE, CHEMMAA~IYOT (Mela!!oor panchaayathth, Metattoor village, Pin - 679 325)

Location: Situated four km. south of

MelaaHoo!: or twelve km. north of Perinthalmalp.la at ChemmaI.liy6t on

PerinthalmaQ.Q.a-Melaa!!oo_!: road, the

temple is accessible by tarred road. Valliyaa!:puzha flows 750 m. northwest

of the temple. Facilities for stay are

available at Perinth aIm a 1.:1l.1 a.

Brief history and temple administration: Datable to eleventh century, the origin of the temple is closely associated with

the fanloUS KottiyooI Siva temple. One of the kaaranava!s of PaDayoo_!: illam used

to visit that temple and spend days in bhajagam. One day when the priest of

the temple tried to take out ni[maalya (flowers adorned to the deity on the previous day), he saw a serpent sitting

on the flowers. He could not drive away the serpent and he was in a fix as to what to do. At that time a person

188

who was standing there told the priest that an old and pious Namboothiri who was in bhajagam in one corner of the temple alone would be able to lift the

serpent along with the ni[maaiya. He was brought there. He was thrilled to hear this decision and praying ardently to the Lord, he removed the ni[maalya with the serpent without any difficulty. After the completion of bhajagam, he

returned home. Being very old he was worried as to how to undertake future trips to Kottiyoo! and prayed for His benevolence. His prayers were not in waste. His conscience told him very

clearly that an idol of the Lord was lying at the temple ghat of Bhaarathapuzha at ThirimiUakk6t and that

the Lord had directed him to install it at his own graamam. Presuming that it was Lord's own direction, he went straight to Thirimittakot and after

worshipping the Lords (Anchumoorththis)

and seeking their permission he dipped

himself in the waters of the ternple­

ghat. To his great surprise, he got an idol of Lord 5i v a and took it to

Chemmaar:Jiyot and installed at the

present site. To protect the idol from

any damage during Mappi1a riots it was

temporarily shifted from there twice.

However .in 1938 a thief set fire to the

temple. This necessitated a change

of the idol. Thus altogether three re­

consecrations had been performed for

the idol.

When the Land Reforms Act of

1963 was implemented the temple

lands were alienated and the ooraalars (Pa!}ayoo! Warn) found it difficult to

manage the temple. Thereafter on 18th

March 1988 the administration of the

temple was vested with a local

committee elected from devotees. The

President and Secretary attend to the

day-to-day affairs of the temple.

Structures: Prior to the Land Reforms

Act the temple owned 45 acres of paddy

fields besides one acre of dry land. Now

the temple owns 61 cents which

constitute the temple complex. The

structures thereon are sreekovil, su b-shrines, namaskaara-ma1:ujapam, chu!!ambalam, well, temple tank, valiya­

balikkall, deepasthambhas and

compound wall.

The square eka-thala sreekovil of

nirandhaara type and facing east has

granite adhish!haa!]am, laterite walls

and roof. The mouldings of the

adhish!haa!]am are paadukam, jagathi.

vrththa-kumudam, kumuda-pati, ga!am v.rith motif, ga!a-pati, uththaram, kampam,

189

ga!am with flower motif, ga!a-pati and

patio The sopaagam has four direct steps

with vyaa_li-face on the top of banisters.

The p[aI}aa!am supported by a pillar, has

makara-simha face at the base, multi­

faceted §Ulp)U with five rings and

curved end. The walls have twelve

laterite stone pillars and three

gha!]adwaaras, besides a functional door.

The namaskaara-maIy!apam (side: 3.17m.)

has four pillars. The well is at

northeast.

The chuttambalam has four

entrances. The thitappa!!i is at

southeast. The sub-shrine of Lord

Gal)apathi is at southwest facing east.

The sub-shrine of Goddess Bhagavathi

and Sree Bhadrakaa!J are at northwest,

both facing east. The idol of Lord

Ayyappa is installed at the northeast

facing west. The Brahmarakshas is

at the northwest. The valiya-balikkall

is within the attached agra-mal}r;}apam of the chuttambalam. There is also a

temple tank. The kooththambalam is at

southeast. There are three

deepasthambhas, made of granite and

of bronze built in 1942, 1988 and 1992.

The compound wall, made of laterite

stones, has a height of 1.86 m.

Carvings and paintings: There are wood

carVIngs on the ceiling of the agra­

ma1}9apam.

Deities: The sila-Iiriga idol of Lord Siva

has a height of 27 cm. over the pee[ham with the fierce sankalpa of Lord Siva.

The idols of all the subsidiary deities

are also made of sila, Lord Gal)apathi in

sitting pose (15 cm.), Goddess

Bhagavathi of mirror type (57 em.),

Goddess Bhadrakaali (27 cm.), Lord

Ayyappa without form (45 cm.) and Brahmarakshas (17 cm.).

Time of worship and poojas: The temple is kept open from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. and

from 5-30 to 7-30 p.m. Three poojas are held daily, usha-pooja at 6 a.m.,

uccha-pooja at 8-30 a.m. and aththaazha­pooja at 7 p.m.

Offerings: I!anee[-dhaara, jala-dhaara, raktha-pushpaaiijali, o!!a-appam, thrkaala­pooja, chu!!u-vi!akk and udayaasthhama!]a­pooja are important vazhipaats of which

both dhaaras are important. Other vazhipaats are also popular.

Festivals: Koothth, held from 1st to 13th

Ka!]!]i, is famous. The pU!Jah-prathishtha­day is observed on PUl}artharn asterisk

in the month of Mee!]am with the usual

temple rites. All traditional performing

arts are staged.

Priesthood and temple staff: The thanthri of the temple belongs to Kaattilaamittam

il1arn. The saanthikkaran is appointed

from Malayaa!a Brahmins. The other

staff includes kazhakam and a Manager.

General remarks: All the structures in

the temple complex need urgent

renovation.

(Datafumished by Sree Pagayoo! Neelakal}!han Namboothiri and Dr. K. Sivasankaran and

collected by Sree M. Chandrasekharan of the Census Directorate).

4.4. SI!EE (Kaippu~!i) VISHI!IU (Narasimhamoo.!ththy) TEMPLE, MELAATTOOR

(Melaa!!oo! panchaayathth, Melaa.!!oo.! village, Pin - 679 326)

Location: Situated two km. north of Melaattoo!: at AththaaQ.i on KaruvarakuQ.du

road, the temple is accessible by tarred and metalled road. Facilities for stay

are available at Perinthalmal).l).a.

Brief history and temple administration: Datable to ancient period, the early

history of the temple is obscure. It is reported that in ancient days there were Namboothiri settlements here. During invasion by the forces of Tippu

Sulththaan at the close of the eigh teenth century, these families

went to southern Kera!a after handing over its administration to a Pishaaroti

family who was living close to the Sree Naa!:aku!angara Vishr:lU temple. This

family at that time was managing the Sree Naaraku!angara Vishl).u temple and

190

Sree Kaaraappa!!i VishQ.u temple also.

When the family became extinct as

there was no progeny, this temple was

given to Che!:ukara Pishaaram which was

about 25 km. away from this place. At

that time a Tamil Brahmin by name

A ppaaththi Patta!: came there for trade

and settled there. The Che!:ukara

Pishaaram entrusted the administration

of this temple to Appaaththi Patta!. He,

in consultation with some other Tamil

Brahmins who were staying at

Amarambalam, formed a Trust by name

Kaippu!!i Sarnooham. Under the

stewardship of Appaaththi Patta!: many

improvements were made to the

temple and chu!!ambaiam and other

structures were built. The sub-shrines

of the temple were also erected during

this period. Later there was litigation between Che!,ukara Pishaaram and the KaippuHi Samooham and in that case the court took decision in favour of KaippuHi Samooham who had made many improvements in the temple. Appaaththi Patta!' had no progeny. His adopted son quarrelled with him and pained by his behaviour, Appaththi Patta! left the place and died at Paalakkad.

This temple was also one of the targets of attack during the 1921

Mappi!a Rebellion. The idols were desecrated and some structures were demolished. Even the agrasaala was used for slaughtering buffaloes and cooking their flesh. After two years the local devotees took initiative to renovate the temple and pu!.}ah­prathish!ha was done in 1924.

The successors of Appaththi Patta!' mismanaged the temple and ultimately they gave the temple to MurayoO! Moossad and left the place in 1979. For

about an year there was no pooja. In 1980 the local devotees got the key of the temple from Mu!ayoo! Moossad and took up its admini~tration. Now the

Temple Committee elected by devotees annually manages the temple, though the ownership is vested with Kaippugi samooham. The day-to-day admini­stration is done by the Secretary of the Temple Committee.

Structures: Prior to Land Reforms Act the temple owned paddy fields which fetched 4000 pa.ras of paddy per annum

and one acre of dry land. Now only the dry land of one acre which constitutes the temple complex remains. The structures thereon are sreek8vii, namaskaara-malJ9apam,

191

chuttambalam, valiya-balikkall, su b­shrines, agrasaala with attached kitchen on northern side and paththaayappura on

southern side, well and temple tank.

The square eka-thala sreekovij has

granite adhish!haa!!am, laterite stone walls and tiled roof. The .sreekovii of nirandhaara type faces west. The

mouldings of the adhish!haagam are paadukam, jagathi, vrlhtha-kumudam, kumuda-pati, ga!am, ga!a-pati, va!aru, kapotham, ga!am, gala-pati, uththaram and patio The sopaa!!am has four direct steps with vyaa!i-face on the side of

banisters. The pral}aa!am is of simpli­fied type with supporting pillars. The walls have three ghagadwaaras besides a functional door. The namaskaara­maI}9apam (side: 2.97 m.) has four

pillars. The well is at the northeast of the akaththe-balivattam.

The chuttambalam has three entrances, at west, east and south. At

the southwest there is a room for kazhakam. To its east there is the sub­shrine of Lord Saastha facing east. The

kalava!a and the thitappa!/i are at the northern naalambalam while the su b­shrine of Sree Vettakkorumakan is at the eastern naalambalam facing west. At

the northeast corner there is a room meant for Sree Saraswathi-pooja. The

su b-shrines for deities of Lord Ga.l)apathi and Sree Bhagavathi are at the

southern naalambalam facing north and east respectively. Close to the southem naalambalam there is apaattu­kottil without roof. A wall is built on

the northern limits of the paattu-kottil. The southern chuJ!ambalam has also entrances from east and north. The valiya-balikkall IS outside the

chuuambalam. There is an agrasaala at

the east with a kitchen at the north and a paththaayappura with an open verandah at its south. There is an open sththaa!!am for Swaamiyaar at the eastern side and outside the chuttambalam. The outer p[adakshil}a pathham is made of granite. The

laterite stone compound wall at the outside and enclosing all these structures has a height of 1.8 m. and a width of 30 crn. It is now partially ruined. There are two tanks one at south and the other at west.

Carvings and paintings: There are no carvings and paintings.

Deities: The siia idol of Lord Vishnu is in standing pose with four arms with conch, disc, club and lotus in hands. The sankalpa of the deity is of Lord

Narasimha is very pleasant mood after the praise of Sree Prah!aada. The idol of Sree Saastha is of sila-liriga type (height: 27 cm.) with the sankalpa of the Lord with His Consort Sree Prabha. The idol of Lord Vettakkorumakan, made of pancha­loha of 27 cm. with a prabha-maI}9a1am of 57 cm. is of fierce nature. The §jla

idol of mirror type of Sree Bhagavathi (height 27 cm.) with the sankalpa of Sree Thiruva!aya!_!aat Bhagavathi faces north, while the idol of Lord Gal}apathi of sitting pose (height 30 cm.) faces east.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple is kept open from 4-30 to 11-30 a.m. and from 5 to 8 p.m. Three poojas are held daily,usha-pooja at 5 a.m., uccha­pooja at 11 a.m. and aththaazha-pooja at 7-30 p.m. No .(ree-bafi is done daily.

Offerings: The important offerings are paal-paayasam and chal}l)a!!am-

]92

chaa[ththal for Lord VishI:lU, Ve!!a­nivedyam and breaking of cocoanuts for Lord Saastha, sa[kkara-paayasam for

Vettakkorumakan, appam for Lord

GaI)apathi and pushpaaiijaJi for Sree

Bhagavathi. Ni[amaala and nai-vi!akk are

offered to all deities. In olden days two festivals used to be celebrated, panthraJpu-vi!akk (12 day festival from 1 st

to 12th Vrschikaml for Lord Saasrha and Lord Vettakkorumakan and ka!am-paatt (four-day festival in Makaram). It was the practice to have the festival

conducted in alternate years. The PIathishrha-day of Sree Vettakkorumakan was also celebrated in those days. Now

ka!am-paalt is continued, but in lesser pomp. Of the four-day ka!am-paatf the

first-day is for Sree Thiruva!aya!}aat Bhagavathi, the second-day for Sree

Vettakkorumakan, the third day for Sree Sastha (Ayyappa) and the last day for

Sree Thirumaandhaamkunnu Bhagavathi.

The speciality of the festival day was

serving of 'Ka!J!li and puzhukku' at noon pakal-OOI}u. Satha-§athayam on the second

day was also famous. In addition oott on Dwaadasi and ThiruvolJam days and

KaiiEi-distribu ti011 in the month of

Karkkatakam were also held. Since the financial position of the temple has

gone down due to the implementation of Land Reforms Act and encroachment

of paddy fields the celebration of the festival has been reduced to only a

ritual.

Priesthood and temple staff: The thaanthric-illam which performed the

initial rites of consecration was Paalakeezh illam of ChemmaQiyot.

Though this Wam still exists there is

no member in this family who is proficient in thaanthric rites. Hence the

pugah-p[athishtha had to be conducted

by Pa!!ayoo! illarn which continues to be the thaanthric illarn of this temple. The saanthikkaran is appointed from Embraanthiris or Malayaa!a Brahmins.

The other staff includes a kazhakam.

I I

General remarks: The temple needs renovation.

(Data furnished by Sree Thravotl K[shlJankutti.

Secretary and collected by Srce A1.

Chandrasekharan o/the Census Directorate).

4.5 SREE (Putharamanna) SIVA TEMPLE, MELAATTOOR (Melaa_ttoo.! pancha~y·athth, Melaa!!oo! village, Pin - 67932-6) -

Location: Situated 14 km. north of PerinthalmaI',ll).a at Putha!amal)I)a on

Melattoor road and thence one km. southeast through paddy fields, the

temple is connected by tarred road up to Putha!ma1).l).a and thereafter panchaayathth road. Facilities for stay are available at Perinthalmal).l).a.

Brief history and temple administration: Datable to ancient period, the temple has a swayambhoo idol. The details of

the origin of the temple are not known. There IS an interesting myth

associated with the temple. Once an ooraa!a! of the temple belonging to Mazhuvancheri maga could not see the

idol from outside and hence he kept a

sila at the p[athishrha-point for facilitating worship. From that day

onwards he had a severe headache.

He took treatment but it was in vain.

So a P!as!!a was conducted. It was revealed therein that the sila kept at

the P!athish!ha-point, i.e. on the head of the swayambhoo idol, was responsible for his headache. When the siia was rernoved he was cured of the headache.

The temple belongs to two ooraa!a! familie s, Mazhuvancheri ma!}a and

Kunnathth ma[!a. In 1978, for better

administration, the HR&CE Depart­

ment took over its control and appointed

3655 RGlf03-14A 193

a Trustee Chairman for managing the temple. This practice still continues.

Structures: Prior to the implementation of the Land Reforms Act the temple

owned 14.6 acres of paddy fields and 22.49 acres of dry lands. Now the

temple owns only 43 cents which constitute the temple complex. The structures existed earlier were uaathil­maatam, thitappal!i and namaskaara­maIJ9apam. The vaathil-rnaatam, namaskaara-map9apam and thitappa!!i were brought to the ground when a

peepul tree fell on them. Thereafter

in 1978 a thitappa!!i was rebuilt and

poojas resumed.

The circular eka-thaJa sreekovij of

nirandhaara type and facing east has low

granite base, laterite walls and tiled

roof. The mouldings of the adhish{haa!]am are paadukarn, jagathi, v!ththa-kumudam, kumuda-pati, ga!am, ga!a-pati and patL There is no sopaagam, though a plain p!aJ;laa!am exists. The walls have three ghagadwaaras besides the functional door. The namaskaara­mal.ujapam (side: 2.43 m.) has no super structure. The well is at northeast.

The deities in the sub-shrines include Lord GaI)apathi, Lord Subrama1).ya, Lord

Saasrha and Naagar. There IS a

compound wall and also a tank.

Deities: The swayambhoo idol of Lord Siva

is not clearly visible. It is hardly 15 em. in height. It takes the shape of §iJa-Jinga. All the idols of minor deities are of plain sila IiIigas, Lord Gar;tapathi

(15 cm.) and Lord SubramaI}ya (15 cm.). In the Lord Saastha shrine, there are three idols, Lord Saastha (17 cm.), His consort Sree Prabha (15 cm.) and son Sree Sathyaka (13 cm.). The Naaga idols are' of sitting poses with raised hoods.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple is kept open only on Sundays for one hour between 10 a.m. and 12 noon. Only one paoja is held.

Offerings: Dhaara, pushpaanjaJi, sarkkara­paayasam and vi/akk are the vazhipaats.

I

Of these sa!kkara-paayasam IS more

popular.

Festivals: There is no festival In this

temple.

Priesthood and temple staff: The details of the thanthri who performed the initial

rites are not known. The present

thanthri belongs to Paalakeezh ma!}8 of Chemmaaniyot. The saanthikkaran belongs

to Embraanthiri community. There is

no other paid staff.

General remarks: The temple needs complete renovation.

(Datafumished by Sree R. GopaJak[shl}an Nai[,

Trustee Chairman and collected by Sree M.

Chandrasekharan oJthe Census Directorate).

4.6 SREE (Poonthaa~am) MAHA VISH~U TEMPLE, POONTHAAVANAM -(Keezhaa!!oo! panchaayathth, KeezhaaJtoo_!' village, Pin - 679 325)

Location: Situated 8 km. north of Perinthalmal)I)a at PoonthaaDam junction on Paat:ttikkaat road, the temple is accessible by good motorable road. The nearest railway station is Pattikkaat, which is about four km. south of the temple. Facilities for stay are available at Perinthaimal)l)a.

Brief history and temple administration: Datable to ancient period, the temple earlier belonged to Poonthaanam iliam located on the opposite side of the road.

At the macchu of the illam there is a pee{ham and sword, which represent Goddess Bhagavathi of Thirumandha­amkunnu. In addition there are si.ia!agrams also. There is a stone lamp

194

at the westem verandah of the illam,

which is believed to be the place from

where Sree PoonthaaQam was taken by

Lord KrshI)a to the celestial Vaiku1).tam

in 1640 A.D. It is pertinent to point

out that Poonthaanam was the first and

the greatest Malayaa!am exponent of

the Bhakthi cult, like the Naayanaars

and Aa~wars. When the iliam became

extinct the temple came into the hands of Avanoor illam who were their

relatives. They owned the temple.

There was no paoja in the temple for

4S years from 1940 to 1985. When the

temple was transferred to a committee, the local devotees took

in terest in its administration. The

3655 RGI/03-14B

comn1ittee took steps to clear the

jungle and started renovation. They

managed the temple for eight years,

i.e. up to 1993. On 29th August 1993,

the Guruvayoo! devaswam took over the

temple and decided to renovate both

the temple and the iliam. The

renovation was completed in 1999. It

may be noted that in the renovation

work the traditional architectural style

that existed of the temple was replaced

by concrete structures. As Guruvayoo[ Devaswam could afford to spend any

amount, they should have avoided this

deviation from the traditional

architecture style by using granite,

laterite and wood. The Guruvayoo[

Devaswam manages the temple. A

temple committee also functions.

Structures: Prior to the Land Reforms

Act of 1963, the temple owned 600

acres of lands. At present it has only

35 cents which constitute the temple

complex. The structures thereon prior

to renovation in 1998 were sreekl5viI, su b- shrines, namaskaara-maI}tjapam, vaathilmaatam, thitappa!!i, deepa­sthambham, well and temple tank. The

position at the time of survey in 1993

is as follows:

The circular eka-thala sreekovil of

nirandhaara type and facing west has

laterite adhishrhaa!!am and walls and

tiled roof. The tiled roof was changed

to concrete during the period of the

committee. The mOUldings of the

adhishfhaagam are paadukam, jagathi, vrththa-kumudam, kumuda-pati, kampam, ga!am and patio The 50paaQam has five

direct steps. The p!aIJaa!am is of

simplified type Vvith g{)-mukha at the tip.

The walls have 12 pillars and three

195

ghagadwaaras besides the maIn

functional door. The namaskaara­

maI)ljapam (side: 2.67 m.) has only a

tha!a and no superstructure. Two idols

(of Lord Vel)l)akrshl)an and Lord

GaI)apathi) are installed in the sub­

shrine at the sou thern side of the

sreekovil. There are two thitappa!!is one

at northeast and the other at

southeast. The northeast one is used

for convenience as the well is close­

by. The vaathilmaatam partially exists.

The valiya-balikkall is outside the

vaathilmaatam_ The .'fila deepastha-mhham was installed in 1991. The compound

wall which existed earlier is completely

ruined. The temple tank is almost

filled-up with mud.

Carvings and paintings: There are no

carvings and paintings.

Deities: The sila idol of Lord VishI)u is

in standing pose (height: L 12 m.) and

has four arms with conch, disc, club

and lotus in hands. The Sree Krshl)a

idol (sila-idol of height 45 em.) which

is believed to have been installed by

Poonthaanam Namboothiri has two arms

in the pose of holding butter in hands.

The idol of Lord Gal)apathis is in sitting

pose (height: 15 cm.).

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 7 to 9 a.m. and from

5-30 to 7-30 p.m. Two poojas are held

daily, usha-pooja at 8 a.m. and

aththaazha-pooja at 7 p.m.

Offerings: Pushpaanjali, kalabham­chaa[ththal, thrkkayyil ve-!1!1a, §a!kkara­paayasam and vi!akkumaala are the

important vazhipaats. Of these,

ka!abham-chaa!ththal is popUlar.

Festivals: A5~wathi asterisk in Kumbham is celebrated as Poonthaa!}am-day in

this temple.

Priesthood and temple staff: The details

of the thanthri who installed the idol

initially are not known. The present

thanthri belongs to Pa!:!ayoor illam. The idol of Sree Ve1).I)akrshl).an was installed

by Poonthaa!1arn. The §aanthikkaran is

appointed from Embraanthiris or

Malayaa!a Brahmins. The other staff

includes a kazhakam and an aticchu-tha!i.

General remarks: The Guruvayoor

Devaswam is taking steps to renovate

the temple and maintain the temple

properly and efficiently.

(Data fumished by Sree K. V Jsudevan Moossad.

Secretary and collected by Sree lvl. Chandrasekharan of the Census Directorate).

4.7 SREE (Muthuku!issi) SAASTHA TEMPLE (Ayyappankaav), KEEZHATTOOR -- -(Keezhaa!t_oo! panchaayathth, Keezhaa~~oo! village, Pin - 679 325)

Location: Situated nlne km. north of

PerinthalrnaI)I)a at Aakkappararnb on

Paar;tikkaat road and thence three km. southeast, the temple is accessible by

tarred road. Veniyaa~puzha (alias

Oravampu! ampuzha) flows east of the

temple. Facilities for stay are available at Perinthalmal)l)a.

Brief history and temple administration:

The temple dates back to very ancient

period. In those days the area had

dense forests, where many sages

meditated. Lord Saastha, who was very

much pleased with the ardent prayers

of a great sage, appeared as a swayambhoo idol in front of him. He then conducted all initial rites of

consecration. When the Sage left the

place he directed the Raajah of Mal)r;aa[mala k(5vijakam to arrange poojas for this deity considering the Lord as

their tutelar deity. This kovilakam,

located about half a km. northeast of

the temple, was managing the temple

for centuries. Thereafter poojas were not properly done. There were quarrels

also among rtlembers of royal family.

196

Attacks by the forces of Tippu

Sulththaan destroyed the place and

greatly desecrated and damaged the

temple Poojas were discontinued and

the temple complex got covered with

jungles and undergrowths.

At this stage, once a Che!uma lady

entered this neglected land for cutting

grass. 'While she was sharpening her

sickle on a granite stone blood oozed

out. She got frightened and cried

aloud. A person of ThalJtaan community

who was tapping toddy from a nearby

palmyrah tree rushed to the spot. Both

of them reported this incident to the

owner of the site where the iila idol

was seen. The area was cleared and

poojas were resumed.

Years later the Raajah of the

k6vilakam and his wife (belonging to

Kor:ti Pa~ambathth MUl)takkaapa~!a) went

to Sree Thirumaandhaarnkunnu Bhagavathi

temple at Angiidippu!:am for worship.

The saanthikkiiran gave P!3saadam to the

Raajah in his hands and kept the P!w.;aadam to his wife at the .<;opaa!]am.

Because of this unusual discrimination

the lady felt humiliated. To satisfy her

the Raaja decided to remove the Sree

Saastha temple for her daily worship.

Accordingly the structures of the

temple were built. As for its proper

management, the Raajah decided to

entrust the temple to a Malayaa!a

Brahmin faIIlily, viz. Mangalathth ma!]a and also to MUI_1takkapa~!a tha!avaat. But

the Mangalathth ma!J8 later relinquished

their rights on this temple.

There are number of instances

and legends which proclaim the powers

of the deity. To enumerate them here

is a stupendous task. There is no doubt

that the deity is considered very

benevolent.

In 1975 when the ooraalar (Ko~tipa!:amb MUI_1takkapa!!a tha!avaat) found it difficult to manage the temple

independently, a Trust was formed by

members from that family and

devotees. One family member of the

Trust is nominated as Secretary and

he attends to the day-to-day affairs of

the temple.

Structures: Prior to the implementation

of Land Reforms Act, the temple owned

8.05 acres of paddy fields and 20.33

acres of dry lands. At present the

temple owns only 1.60 acres which

constitute the temple complex. The structures thereon are sreekovil, sub­

shrines, valiyambaZam, kooththambalam, agrasaala, wells, tank, natappura, deepasthambhas, compound wall and gopuram.

The square eka-thaJa sreekovij of nirandhaara type facing east has

granite adhish!haa[Jam, laterite walls

197

and tiled roof. The adhish[haf1!}am has

mouldings of paadukam, jagathi, ga!am and patio The sopaagam has four direct

steps. The p[a1}aajam is of simplified

type. The walls have 12 pillars, three

gha[!adwaaras and a functional door.

Wooden trellis work is fixed to the walls. There is no namaskaara­mal}~apam. There are two wells of which one is a maIJi-kiIJM at the north

which has underground connection with the sreekoyil. The belief is that the

abhisheka-water drains into this well. Hence its water is considered very

auspicious and a cure for all diseases. The valiya-balikkall is within the agra­mal}f/apam. The .§iia deepasthambham is

very old. The ChU!!Ul/ilakks are lighted

on special days. The kooththambalam is

at southeast facing Goddess Bhagavathi. The compound wall has a

height of 1.5 m. and a width of 45 cm.

A gopuram exists at the western side.

Carvings and paintings: There is neither

carving nor painting in this temple.

Deities: In the sreekovi/ of Lord Saastha,

there are three sila-lirigas of 15 cm.

representing Lord Saastha, His consort

Prabha and son Sree Sathyaka. Within

the same sreekoyij there are two other

deities,Lord Siva in the sankalpa of

Kiraathamoo~ththy and Lord Ga[fapathi.

The former is a iila-liJjga idol and the

latter is of sitting pose. The idol of

Goddess Bhadrakaap is installed within

the kooththambalam. It is represented

by a iila idol of mirror type (30 cm).

There is a proposal to shift the idols

of Lord Siva and Lord Ga1)apathi to a

suitable place outside the sreekovil.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 5 to 10 a.m. and from

5-30 to 7 -30 p.m. Three poojas are done

daily, usha-pooja at 6-30 a.m., uccha­

pooja at 9-30 a.m. and aththaazha-pooja

at 7 p.m.

Offerings: Koottu-paayasam, ka!am-paatt, neyyappam and chathu-satham are the

important vazhipaats of which the last

one is popular.

Festivals: The annual festival

commences on 1 st Vrschikam and

concludes on the last Saturday of

Dha!}u. KaJam-paatt is the main item.

On the last Friday of Dha!lu and the

concluding Saturday thaalappolis are

held for Goddess Bhagavathi and Lord

I - ,

Saastha. Pootham-ka!i, kaa!a-ezhune!!ipp etc. are staged on festival days. Other Hindu festival days are also observed in this temple.

Priesthood and temple staff: The thanthri of the temple belongs to Pa!!ayoo~ illam of ChemmaaI}iy6t. The saarlthikkanm is appointed from Malayaa!a Brahmins. The other staff includes kazhakam and aticchu-thali .

General remarks: The temple needs

renovation.

(Data furnished by Sree K.A1. Sethumiidhavan,

Secretary and collected by Sree M.

Chandrasekhan1l1 of the Census Directorate).

4.8 SREE AKHILESWARI BHAGAVATHI (Bhadrakaali) TEMPLE, NEMMINI ..

(Keezhaa!!oo! panchaayathth, Nemm!r'i village, Pin - 679 325)

Location: Situated 13 km. northwest of

ArikuI)tumpauk Junction on PaaI).tikkaat

road and thence four km. southwest

at Nernmi!:!i, the temple is connected

by tarred road up to ArikaI).tipaak and

thence earthen road. Facilities for stay

are available at Perinthalmeupp.

Brief history and temple administration: Datable to eleventh century, this

temple was famous in those days. The

legend says that a pious Brahmin of

North India, who was an ardent

devotee of Goddess Bhagavathi, brought

an idol of Goddess in one of his

pilgrimages to this place. As the place

was found very suitable for the

installation of the Goddess, he

can secrated the idol which he had

brought and left the place. The local

devotees maintained the temple for a

198

long time. At one time the temple

became famous in WaHuvanaad taluk as

large number of cows were used to be

donated for rearing, a practice called

nata-thal!al. During the attack by the

forces of Tippu Sulthhan and the later

Miippl!a outbreaks the temple was

destroyed. Poojas had also to be

discontinued for a short period. The

local people experiencf:d evil orrtens

and could hear utterances of the

Goddess even in day times. All these

made the local devotees take interest

in the temple affairs. Under the

leadership of the ooraa!at (Nemmi!_!i

VeHoti) family a P!a§!}a was held on

30-31 October 1991. As revealed

therein steps were taken to rebuild the

temple. By the grace of the Goddess

they could rebuild the temple at a cost

of Rs. 20 l. .. ~khs. The re-consecration

of the idol was performed on 14th May

1992.

The temple IS owned and

managed by the VeHoti family with the

active assistance of the local

committee. The Secretary of the

Committee looks after the day-to-day

affairs of the temple.

Structures: The details of land owned

by the temple prior to the Land Reforms

Act are not known. At present the

temple complex has an extent of 52

cents which include sreekovil, sub­shrines, chu!!arnbaJaJll , namaskaara­malpJapam, valiya-balikkall, deepa­sthambhas, well and tank. All the

structures were built in 1992.

The square eka-thala sreekovil of

nirandhaara type has laterite stone

adhis}l!haagam, walls and tiled roof. The

mouldings of the adhish!haagam are

paadukam, jagathi, ga!am and pati. The s6paagam has four direct steps. The

p!alJaa!am is of simplified type. The

walls have 10 pillars, three

gha!Jadwaaras and a functional door.

The rectangular namaskaara-malJ9apam (2.7 m. x 2.2 m.) has four pillars. The well is at the northeast of the akalhthe­balivallam.

The chuttambalam has three

entrances-east, west and north. The

thitappa//i is at southeast. The idol of

Lord GaJ!apathi IS installed at

southwest, while that of Lord Ayyappa

at northwest. The Naagar and

Brahmarakshas are installed at

sou thwest and outside the

chullambalam. The valiya-balikkall is

outside the chuttambalam. There are

199

two deepasthambhas installed in 1925

and in 1992. The renovation was in

progress when the details of the temple were collected a decade ago.

Carvings and paintings: There is neither carving nor painting in this temple.

Deities: The sila idol of Goddess BhadrakaaF is in standing pose (height

60 cm.) with four arms. The sankalpa of Sree Bhadrakaap IS of mild

nature,always benevolent to bless Her ardent devotees. The sila idol of Lord

GaI!apathi is in sitting pose (30 cm.), while that of Lord Ayyappa is in

standing pose (hejght 15 cm.). The Naaga idols are of sitting poses with raised hoods (15 cm. each). For

Brahmarakshas there IS only a

sankalpa-p!athishrha .

Time of worship and poojas: The temple is kept open from 4-45 to 9-30 a.m. and

from 4-30 to 8 p.m. Three poojas are held daily,usha-pooja at 6 a.m., uccha­pooja at 9 a.m. and aththaazha-pooja at 7 -30 p.m. There is no daily Sree-bali.

Offerings: Ka!abhaabhishekam, udayaa­stlwmaga-pooja, satha-satham, ni!amaala, thrkaaJa-pooja. mangaJya-pooja, santhaa!!8-Jabdhi-pooja, mrthyufijaya-h6mam, Gal}apati-homam and guruthi are the

matn vazhipaats. Of these,

ka!abhaabhishekam is popular.

Festivals: The annual four-day festival

is held in Vrschikam. All uthsava-rites are held on this occasion. On the final

day aa[aat is held, besides kalasaabhishekam, Sreebhootha-bali and

fire works. Performing arts like chaakyaa[-koothth, 6tlam-thu!!al and

thaayambaka are held, besides religious discourses and bhajans.

Priesthood and temple staff: The details

of the thanthri who initially installed

the idol are not known. The puga­

p!athishrha was performed by Paateri

Sakran Namboothirippad. Paateri mana

continues to be the thaanthric ma!]a.

The §aantbikkaran is appointed from

Malayaa!a Brahmins. The other staff

includes kazhakam and clerk.

General remarks: The temple is

managed very well.

(Data furnished by Sret: K. Lceiaiqshl}an Ve!!oti

and collected by ,Sree M. Chandrasekharan afthe Census Directorate)

I I •

4.9 SREE (Kailott) SIVA TEMPLE, THACCHINGANATAM (Keezhaa!!oo! panchaayathth, Nemmi.!}i village, Pin - 679 325)

Location: The temple is located 12 km.

northwest of PerinthalmaI)t;la at

Arikkal).tampaak on PaaI)tikkaat road and

thence two km. west at Thaacchinga­

naatam. The road is tarred up to

Arikkul!tampaukk and thereafter

earthen. Facilities for stay are

available at Perinthalmal).r)u.

Brief history and temple administration: Except for the information that it is an

ancient temple with a swayambhoo idol

no other details are ayailable. The

temple is owned and managed by

Ma~hap!:am devaswam.

Structures: Details of land owned by the

temple prior to the implementation of

Land Reforms Act are not known. At

present the temple owns about

20 cents. The structures thereon are sreekl)vij, namaskaara-mal.uJapam, chu{!ambalam, vaZiya-balikkall, compound

wall, giJpuram, well and a tank

The square eka-thala .';reekovil of

nirandhaara type and facing east has . granite adhishrhaa!}am, laterite walls

and tiled roof The adhish{haa!}am with

a total height of 75 cm. has mouldings of paadukam, jagathi, v!thth:1-ku/11udam , kumuda-pati, ga!i.1111 with motif, ga!a-paci and pali. The .. Jipa:1!}am has five direct

200

steps. On the sides of banisters gha!Jadwaaras have been carved. The

p!aI_Jaa!am is of simplified type. The walls have 12 pillars, three gha!}adwaaras and a functional door. The sub-shrine of Lord GUl!apalhi is at the southern side of the sreek{ivil. The namaskaara-ma{7rjapam (side: 2.97 m.)

has four pillars. The well is at northeast.

The chuttambalam has three entrances, at east, west and north. The thitappa!!i is at sou theast. The su b­

shrines of Lord Ayyappa and Goddess Bhagavathi are at the southwest. Small stone lamps are fixed on walls and are lighted on special days. The valiya-balikkall IS ou tside the chu!!amba1am. There is a granite deepasthambham at the front. The compound wall made of laterite stone has a height of 1.5 m. and a width of

27 cm. At present the walls on two sides have been ruined.

Carvings and paintings: There are no carvings and paintings .

Deities: The 8wayambho(l idol of 5i1a of

Lord Siva has a height of hardly 25 cm. Lord Garyapathi, Lord Ayyappa and

Goddess Bhagavathi have only 5i/:1-pecrhas as sankalpa-PI:·uhishrh1.

Tim~ of worship and poojas: The temple is kept open from 6 to 8 a.m. Only a moming pooja is held, at 7-30 a.m.

Offerings: Sa£kkara-paayasam, viJakk­maala, ve!!a-nivedyam and pushpaaiijali are the main vazhipaats. Of these the rust one is popular.

Festivals: There is no festival in this temple.

Priesthood and temple staff: Details of the thanthri who performed the initial

I

rites to the swayambhoo idol are not

known. The present thanthri belongs to Panayoor mana. The saanthikkaran belongs to the hereditary community of Embraanthiri. There is no other paid staff.

General remarks: The temple is in ruins

and needs urgent renovation.

(Datafumished by Sree K V SooIapaal}i Vaarya! and collected by Sree M. Chandrasekharan a/the Census Directorate).

4.10 SREE (Manjerikaav) AVYAPPA TEMPLE, VEI:-!-ILA (Mankata panchaayathth, Mankata village. Pin - 679 324) . .

Location: Situated 15 km. northwest of PerinthalmaI).I).a at VeHila-Nirav junction on Manjeri road and thence about 400 m. south, the temple is connected by tarred road. Facilities for stay are available at Perinthalmal)l)a.

Brief history and temple administration: Datable to ancient period, the early history of the temple is obscure. The prathishtha of the temple is swayambhoo and is about 75 cm. below the ground level and on all seasons the idol is covered with water. The temple is owned by Aayiranaazhi kovilakam. For years the temple was neglected. In 1990 the local devotees formed a committee to administer this temple. They cleared the jungle around the temple and poojas resumed by appointing"a priest whose wages are paid from the money collected from devotees. Now this committee is managing the temple.

Structures: Earlier the temple had paddy lands, which used to fetch 100

201

pa!as of paddy annually. Now only the

temple complex (of 30 cents) remains.

The structures thereon are sreekovil, natappura, sub-shrine, well, thitappa!!i and an attached room. The temple

tank has been encroached by

neighbours who have changed it into

a cultivable land.

The square eka-thala sreeki5vil of

nirandhaara type and facing east has

laterite walls and is without roof. The

adhish!haa[!am has a paadukam and

jagathi of abou t 32 cm. with an inner

step to the sanctum sanctorum, which

is at the ground level. The idol is in a

pit which is about 45 cm. below the

ground level and always filled with

water. At the place of si5paa!]am there

is only one step. There is no necessity

for a p!aI}aa!am as the idol is in a pool.

The walls have nine pillars.There are

three trianglular holes on the sides

and also a functional door. There is a

natappura of 5.54 m. length and 2.72 m.

breadth. The well is at southeast and

located in between the nata-pantilal and

tilitappa!!i. There is an attached room

on the western side of the lhitappa!!i.

An idol of Lord Subramat)ya (height: 1.35

m.) obtained from a nearby stream is

kept close to the wall in an inclined

pOSItIOn. The sub-shrine at northwest

has two deities,Lord GaI)apathi and

Goddess Durga. There were no other

structures in 1993.

Carvings and paintings: There are no

carvings and paintings.

Deities: The swayambhoo .sila idol has a

height of 27 cm. and is within a pool of

water. The sankalpa of the deity is that

of Sree Charnravallalhth Ayyappan. For

Lord GaI)apathi and Goddess Du!:,ga only

a pee[hams exist with sankalpa­

P!L1thisil{has.

I

Time of worship and poojas: The temple is kept open from 6 to 8 a.m. and only one pooja is held, i.e. at 7-30 a.m.

Offerings: Sarkkara-paayasam, o!!a, vi/akk and maala

vazhipaats. are the important

Of these the first one is

more popular.

Festivals: There was no festival in this temple in 1993, at the time of survey.

Priesthood and temple staff: The details of the person who conducted the initial rites to the swayambhoo idol are not known. The present thanthri belongs to Naaraya{lamanga!am illam of VaHikkapatta. The other staff includes a §aanthikkaran and a kazhakam.

General remarks: The temple needs

complete renovation.

(Data furnished by Sret: Madhavan NaiF and

collected by Sree M. Chandrasekharan of the Census Directorate).

4.11 SREE (VatakkiDiyetathth) DU~GA BHAGAVATHI TEMPLE, KATANNAMANNA . .

(Ma~kata panchaayathth, Ma~kata village, Pin - 679 324)

Location: Situated 12 km. northwest of

Perinthalmar:ll).u at KatannamaI)l)ajunction

and thence two km. southwest and north of Katannamal)l)a k()viiakam, the

temple is accessible by tarred road up to Katannamanna and earthen road

thereafter. A small stream flows close

to the temple. Facilities for stay are

m'ailable at PerinthalmaI}l).a.

Brief history and temple administration: Datable to very ancient period, the

origin of the temple is not known. It is

believed that the ';reek6Fi/ of Goddess

Bhaga"athi ~\'\ras initially built by

l:liya!J !Joor Thacchan (Perumthacchan), son

202

of Sree Vararuchi. The temple was

partially renovated in 1761 A.D. The

temple is owned by Vapuvanaat Valiya

Raja. As the temple properties were

either encroached or lost due to the

implementation of the Land Reforms

Act, the temple was in a pitiable

condition for decades. At this juncture,

the HR&CE Department took over its

control. Now a Manager appointed

jointly by the Department and the Raja

(as Trustee) manages the temple.

At present the temple owns only

one acre of land which constitutes the

temple complex. The structures

thereon are sreek5vij, sub-shrines,

chu!!ambaJam, namaskaara-map9apam, well, valiya-balikkall and compound

wall.

ThF circular eka-thaJ<t sreek6vil (of

Goddess Bhagavathi) is of saandhaara type facing west and has granite

adbish!haa!_!am, laterite-stone walls and

tiled roof. The adhish!haa!]am has

mouldings of paadukam, jagathi, vrththa­kumudam, kumuda-pati, ga!am with

motifs, ga!a-pati andpati. The uti (chisel)

fixed by Perumthacchan to avoid any

shake of the sreekovil can be seen at

the top pati of the adhishrhaa!!am. The

sJpaa!}am has six direct steps. The

ptalJaa!am has makara-simha at the

base, plain §UI}~U with rings and

tapered end. The walls have 12 pillars,

three ghagadwaaras and a functional

door. There is also an inscription that

the temple was renovated on 3 rd

Katkkatakam 926 K.E. (corresponding to

July 1761 A. D.). The namaskaara­

liJa{19i1pam (side: 2.67 m.) has four

pillars. The well is at the northeast.

The chuttambalam has two

entrances, at west and east. The

thitappa!!i is at the usual place. The

valiya-balikkall 1 s outside the

chultambalam.

At the southern side of the mrun

sreek6vil there is a shrine of Lord Vishl)u of equal importance and considered

more ancient than that of Sree

Bhagavathi.

The sub-shrines of Lord Saastha

and Naagas are at southeast. The

compound wall (height: 1.3 m.) is made

of laterite stone. These walls are in a

partially damaged condition.

203

Carvings and paintings: There are no

carvings and paintings.

Deities: The siJa idol of Goddess DUfga

has a height of 86 em. above the

peerham and with two arms. Since the

hands are broken details of weapons

in the hands are not known. The :iila idol of Sree Maha Vishl)u is in standing

pose (height: 80 ern.) with four arms.

The hands of this idol are also broken.

For Lord Saastha there is a sjJa-liliga ptathishfha with a height of 27 cm. The

Naaga idols are of sitting poses with

raised hoods with a height of 21 cm.

each.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 6 to 9 a.m. and from

5-30 to 7 p.m. Two poojas are held,

usha-pooja at 7 -30 a.m. and aththaazha­pooja at 7 p.m.

Offerings: Pa!}a-paayasam, kathina­paayasam, ni[ a-maala, thaali-chaa[ththal etc

are the main uazhipaats. Of these karhi!}a-paayasam is popular.

Festivals: There is no festival at

present in this temple.

Priesthood and temple staff: The details

of the thanthri who installed the idol

are not known. The present thanthri

belongs to Mutappilaappi!!i ma!}C1 or

Ve!! i kk apana. The ,';aanthikkaran is

appointed from Malayaa!a Brahmins.

The other staff includes a hereditary

kazhakam.

General remarks: The temple needs

complete renovation.

(Data fumished by Sit .. : .. ' K.C M:J!}<Jj Kum:.1~ of

Ki1t:mnamiil;1T);] kih'jiak:mJ and collected by 5;h'e

M. Ch;]f1(ir:.1';ckhar:.lJl a/the Census Directorate}.

l I

4.12 SREE (Thekki!.'iyitathth) SIVA TEMPLE, KATANNAMA!I!lA (Mankata panchaayathth, Mankata village, Pin - 679 324) . .

Location: The temple is located 12 km. northwest of Perinthalmat:lI)a at Katanna­ma~1).a and thence 2 km. southwest and beyond the Katannama:t:u)a koviJakam. Facilities for stay are available at PerinthalmaI}l}a.

Brief history and temple administration: Datable to ancient period, the temple belonged to KatannamaI)I)a kovi/akam, exclusively used by the family members. It may be noted that Katanna­maI)I)3 kovilakam is one of the four thaavazhis of Vaguvanaat swaroopam. the others being, MaI).kata, Aayiramnaazhi and Arip~3. The Valiya Thampuraatti of Katannama1).l}a is responsible for the administration of the temple.

Structures: The details of lands owned by the temple are not available. The temple is located in an area of about 18 cents. The structures thereon are sreeki5vil, naalambalam. namaskaara­mal}9apam, valiya-balikkall, well and tank.

The circular Eka-tha/a §reekovii of saandhaara type facing east has granite upa-peerham and adhish rhaa!! am , laterite­stone walls and tiled roof. The upa­pee[ham has mOUldings of paadukam, jagathi and pati, while the adhish!haa!!am has mouldings of paadukam, jagathi, v[ththa-kumudam, kumuda-pati, va!aru with motifs, ga!am and patio The sopaa!!am has seven direct steps with vyaaJi-face on the top of balustrades and figures of Narasimha on sides. The p!alJaa!am has makara-simha at base, sUlJrju with pearl rings and go-mukha type end. The walls have 12 pillars, three gbagadwaaras and a functional

204

door. At the westem side of the wall, an idol of Lord Gat:lapathi is installed and worshipped. The namaskaara­maptjapam (side: 3.87 m.) has four pillars. The well is at northeast.

The chuttambalam has four entrances. The thitappa!/i is at the south east. Stone chunuvilakks have been fixed on its outer walls. The valiya­balikkall is outside the chu!!ambaiam.

Carvings and paintings: On the outer walls of the sreekovil, granite motifs depicting Siva-thaandava are exquisitely carved. There is no mural painting.

Deities: The siJa-linga idol of Lord Siva has a height of 45 crn.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple is kept open on all days from 6 to 7.15 a.m. and from 5-30 to 6-30 p.m. Morning pooja is done at 7 a.m.

Offerings: Dhaara, koova!a-maala, chu!!u­vi!akk etc. are the main vazhipaats. Of these dhaara is popular.

Festivals: Sivaraathri is observed '"-'ith usual rites.

Priesthood and temple staff: The thanthri belongs to Mutappilappagi illam. The saanthikkaran is the same person who conducts poojas in the Sree Vatakkini­yetathth Bhagavathi temple. Traditional kazhakam of that temple also attends to the duties of this temple.

General remarks: The temple needs renovation.

(Data furnished by Sree K.c. Ma!!oj Kuma! of

Katannamal!f}3 kovilakam and collected by Srce

M Chandrasekharan of the Census Directorate).

I J

4.13 SREE (Ma~kata kovilakam) SIVA TEMPLE, MA~KATA (Mankata panchaayathth, Mankata village, Pin - 679 324) . .

Location: Located ten km. northwest

of Perinthalmal)I.1a at Mal).kata and thence half a km. north, the temple is accessible by tarred road up to Mal)kata

and thereafter earthen road. Facilities for stay are available at Mal!kata.

Brief history and temple administration: Owned exclusively by the Sree Valiya Thampuraatti of :MaI!kata kovilakam, the temple dates back to seventeenth century. The temple was built for the members of the kovilakam and they manage the temple. There is a granite inscription at the southwest corner of the chuf!ambaiam that the idol of Goddess Thirumaandhaamkunnu Bhagavathi in the sub-shrine was installed on Pooyam asterisk of 1 "t

Chingam 1118 K.E.

Structures: No separate property has been earmarked for the temple. The temple complex has an extent of 40 cents. The structures thereon are sreek{)vil, namaskaara-ma1)9apam, su b­

shrines, chu!!ambaiam, p!adakshiTpl­va7hi, compound wall, valiya-balikkall,

deepasthambham, agrasaala, wells and

tank.

The square eka-thala sreekavij is of

saandha.'lra type and faces east. It has granite adhishrhaagam, laterite stone willIs and tiled roof. The adhish{haa!!am has mouldings of paadukam, jagathi,

vrththa-kul11udam, kumuda-pati, kampam, ga!am and pat;. The sZipaa!!am has four

direct steps. The p!al}aa!am is of simplified type. The walls have 12

pillars, three ghaIJadwaaras and a functional door. The namaskaara-

205

mal)cjapam (side: 3.71 m.) has four

pillars. The well is at the northeast of the akalhthe-balivattam.

The chuttambalam has three

entrances, at east, west and north. The southem naalambalamhas two sub­

shrines, the eastern one facing north 'With deities of Lord Ayyappa and Lord

Gar:tapathi while the other one dedicated to Goddess Thirumaandhaamkunnu

Bhagavathi facing west. The southern

valiyambalam is called paattu-kottil. The valiya-balikkall IS outside the chu!!ambaiam. The deepasthambham is at its front. The p!adakshil)a-vazhi is

paved with granite stones and has a

width of 1.17 m and thickness of 10 cm. above the ground level. The

p!adakshiIJa-l/azhi is extended to four sides, towards eastern entrance,

south-western side towards the Sree Naagakotta. northwestern side towards

the gate and northeastern side to the sub-shrine of Lord KrshI)a and Lord Siva and the agrasaaJa. Outside the

p!adakshiI}a-vazhi and at the south­western side, there is big granite stone

used for performing Soorya-

namaskaaram. There are two deepasthambhas - one at the western

SIde and the other facing the sub­shrine of Lord Krsh1)a. The compound

wall made of laterite stone has a height of 2.7 m. and a width of 45 em.

The agrasaala and the attached well at

its east are ou tside the northern compound wall.

Carvings and paintings: There are no carvings and paintings.

Deities: The main §ila-liIiga idol of Lord

Siva has a height of 40 cm. All the

other idols are made of §ila with varying

heights, viz. Lord Krsht:1a in standing

pose (height: 57 cm.), Sree Thirumaa­ndhaamkunnu Bhagavathi in sitting pose (23 cm.), Lord GaQapathi in sitting pose

(29 cm.), Lord Ayyappa in sitting pose

(27 cm.) and Naagas in sitting poses

with raised hoods (15 cm.). There is also a small .'{iJa-liriga idol of Lord Siva within the Sree KrshI)a shrine.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 5 to 9 a.m. and from

5 to 8 p.m. Three poojas are done daily,

usha~pooja at 6-30 a.m., uccha-pooja at

8-45 a.m. and aththaazha~pooja at 7-15

p.m.

Offerings: Dhaara and chu!!u-vi!akk are

the important offerings for Lord Siva.

Chu!!u-vi!akk is more popular. For Lord

KrshI;la there is a special offering known

as Chamayam which is prepared with

ingredients of raw-rice, molasses,

sugar and milk.

Festivals: Sivaraathri is observed with

special poojas.

Priesthood and temple staff: The thanthri

of the temple belongs to Naarayarya­

mangalam Wam of VaHikkappa!!ta. The

s,"'aanthikkaran hails from EmbraanthirL

community. There is no other paid

staff.

General remarks: the temple is

maintained well.

(Data furnished by Srce M.e. K[shl}u Kumar Va!'ma and collected by /~ree M, ChandrasNcharan of the Census Directorate).

, I

4.14 SREE (Koottil) SIVA TEMPLE, MAt1KATA (Mal)kata panchaayathth, Mar'kata village, Pin - 679 324)

Location: Situated ten km. northeast

of Perinthalma!}I)a at MaI)kata on Manjeri road and thence two km. northeast at

Koottil on Koottil~Pattikkaat road, the

temple is connected by tarred road up

to M<iJ!kata and thereafter earthen road.

Facilities for stay are available at

PcrinthalmaI).J.la.

Brief history and temple administration: Datable to eighteenth century, no

details of its early history are available,

except that the temple is owned by Thrkkaikaatt ma{ham. In 1987 some

renovation to the temple was done. The idol of Lord Siva is sway~lmbhoo,

Structures: The temple complex has an

extent of 30 cents. The structures

206

thereon are sreekovil, namaskaara­

ma1J9apam, sub-shrines, chuHambaiam,

valiya-balikkall, compound wall, well and tank.

The circular ika-thaJa sreekovil of

nirandhaara type has granite upa-pee{hBm

and adhish!haagam, laterite walls and tiled roof. The i.dol is located at the

upa-pee[ham level, the mouldings of

which include paadukam, jagathi and

pati. The total height of the upa-pee{ham

is hardly 15 cm, The adhishrhaagam above the upa-pec!ham has a height of

87 cm. and has mOUldings of paadukam, jagathi, vrththa-kumudam, kumuda-pati,

ga!am v . .rith motif, ga!a-pafi and patio The s{}paagam has two direct steps with

vyaaji-faces at the sides of banisters.

The p!al}aa!am is of simplified type. The wal1s have 12 pillars, three gha!}adwaaras and a functional door. The namaskaara-maIJfjapam (side:2.85 m.)

has four pillars. The well is at the northeast of the akaththe-balivattam.

The chuttambalam has four entrances. The sub-shrines of Lord Gal)apathi, Lord Ayyappa and Lord Vettakkaran are at the sou thern naalambalam. The valiya-balikkall is outside the chu!!ambaiam. There is a §i/a-deepasthambham at its eastem side. Outside the chu!!ambaiam there is a sub-shrine for Naagar. The compound wall having a height of 1.5 m. is almost ruined. The ku!appura of the temple tank

is also ruined.

Carvings and paintings: There are no

carvings and paintings.

Deities: The swayambhoo idol of Lord Siva

has a height of about 5 cm. The idols

of Lord Ganapathi and Lord Ayya . ppaare in sitting poses with height of 27

~ em., while the idol of Sree Vettakkaran is of

iila liriga type of 15 em. The Naaga idols are of the usual type.

Time of worship and poojas: Dhaara, koova!a-maala, sarkkara-paayasam and

vilakkumaala are the important vazhipaats of which dhaara is very

popular and considered important.

Festivals: c'iivaraathri is celebrated with the usual rites.

Priesthood and temple staff: The thanthri belongs to Naarayar:amangalam ma!!a of Va!!ikkappa~! a. The saanthikkaran is appointed from Embraanthiris. There is no other paid staff.

General remarks: Ku!appura and compound wall need renovation.

(Data furnished by Sree B. Subramal_lyan,

{aanthikkaran and collected by Srcc M.

Chandrn.{ekharan of the Census Directorate).

4.15 I ,

SREE (Kunnaththoor) SAASTHA TEMPLE (Ayyappan kaav), MANKATA ..

(Mattkata panchaayathth, Ma~kata village, Pin - 679 324)

Location: Situated half a km. north of Mankata Thaazhe junction and close to the Marykata kovilakam, the road from the junction is earthen. Facilities for stay are available at Mal).kata.

Brief history and temple administration:

The temple dates back to sixteenth century. The details of the origin of the temple having a swayambhoo idol of Lord Saastha are not known. It rose to

importance at the close of the eighteenth century when the ladies of k6vilakam could not go out, for fear of

207

attack from the forces of Tippu

Sulththaan and other miscreants. At

that time for the purpose of their

worship the temple was renovated.

The temple, from its very

inception, is owned by the Valiya

Thampuraatti of the Mal)kata k6viiakam and managed by the family members.

Structures: The temple stands in an

area of 10 cents. The structures thereon are .(:rech")vii, vaathilmaatam and

deepasthambham.

The square eka-lhala sreeki5vij of

nirandhaara type and facing east has laterite adhish{haa!}am and walls and tiled roof with an opening at the centre.The adhishrhaagam has paadukam, jagathi, triple faceted kumudam, kumuda-pati and pali. The idol is below the level of the paadukam of the adhishrhaagam. The sreeki5vij has

an attached mukha-ma1}9apam and there is no step to the sanctum sanctorum from the mukha-malpjapam. The p!8I}aa!am is of simplified type. The walls are without any ghagadwaara or omamentation. The vaathilmaatam has a length of 4.5 m. and breadth of 4.05 m, Its southern portion is used as

paattu- kottil and for bhajan, while at its northern end is the lhitappa!fi. The well is located at the northeast. A sila­

deepasthambham also exists at the front.

Carvings and paintings: There are no carvings and paintings.

Deities: The .iila-idol of Lord Saastha m the sankalpa with His consort Sree

Prabha is swayambhoo and has a height of 17 cm. Within the .sreeki5vij there are three more idols, viz. Lord Garyapathi in sitting pose (21 em,), Goddess Karit:1ka!i in standing pose (21 cm.) and Naagars of 15 cm. each.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple is kept open between 6 and 8 a.m. and from 5-30 to 7-30 p.m. Morning pooja is held at 7 a.m. and sandhya­deepaaraadhaga at dusk.

Offerings: Chu!!u-vi!akk is the main vazhipaat of the temple besides pushpaafiJali.

Festivals: There IS no festival

Priesthood and temple staff: The thanthri belongs to NaarayaI)amangalam maya and the §aanthlkkaran belongs to Embraa­nthiri community. There is no other paid staff.

General remarks: The temple is administered satisfactorily.

(Data furnished by Srce M.e. Krshl}a Kumar

Va!ma and collected by .5ree ~1. Chandrasckharan

of the Census Directorate).

I I

4.16 SREE (Aarangott) SIVA TEMPLE, MAKKARAPARAMB (Makkaraparamb panchaayathth, Vatakkaarigara village, Pin - 676 507)

Location: Situated eleven km. northwest of Perinthalma1)1)a at

Makkaraparamb High School Junction and thence half a km. west, the temple

is connected by tarred road. Facilities for stay are available at Perinthaln1(1)1)a

or at Malappuram (distance, seven km.).

Brief history and temple administration: The temple dates back to ancient period. No details on the origin of the temple are available. It is presumed

208

that it is one of the famous temples

o"\V'led by VaHuvanaat swaroopam prior to

its partition into four thaavazhis viz. Mar.1kata, Aayiramnaazhi. Katannamaf.lrya

and Aripra. The ownership of the

temple rests with the eldest lady from

among all the four thaavazhis and she

is known as Kolaththoo!: Tharnpuraatti.

The temple was renovated in lS00A.D.

After the implementation of the Land

Reforms Act of 1963, the ooraa!a!s found

it difficult to manage the temple.

Therefore Kolaththoo!, Thampuraatti entrusted the administration of the

temple to a registered Ksilerhra conlmittee. The office-bearers of the

Kshethra Committee are elected by the

devotees. The temple was again

renovated in 1986 by the committee.

Structures: At present the temple o,"'Us

only 75 cents of which 30 cents

constitute the temple complex. The

structures thereon are sreek6vil,

namaskaanl-malJcJapam, vaathil-maatam,

tllitappa!!i, sub-shrines, office building,

compound wall and well.

The circular eka-thala §reeki"'ivil facing east is of saandhaara type but the

entrance to the inner circumam.bu­

latory space is closed by wall on the sides of entrances to the ga[bha-grha. Both llpa-peerham and adhishrhaa!]am are

made of granite stones. The upa­

pee!ham has three layers,. while the

adhis/1!haa!]am has paadukam, jagathi,

~rthrha-kumudam, kumuda-pati, ga!am with motif, gala-pari and patio The

s{'ipaa!]aITi has six direct steps with vYda!i

face on the top of banisters. The

PIal)Ew!am has makara-simha as base,

multifaceted ,';UI}tjU with pearl rings

and gcJ-mukha type end. The walls are

made of laterite and the inner wall

has a width of 23 cm. and the outer

wall 30 cm. Twelve pillars, three

gJw!!adwaaras and a functional door also

exist. The roof is tiled. The namJ.'>k.wra­

ma.[1fiapam (side: 3.37 m.) has four pillars.

The partially built chu!!ambaiarn has three entrances, main entrance

at f'ast, an entrance to the snuthern

side froDl the ualiyam balom and one at

3655 RGIJ03-15A

the western side. The thicappa!!i is at

southeast. There is a sub-shrine at

the south [or four deities-Goddess

Bhagavathi, Goddess Saraswathi, Lord VishI)u (all facing north) and Lord

GaI).apathi facing east. The sub-shrine

of Lord Saa~lha facing west is at

southeast but outside the valiyambalam

and within the compound wall. The

valiyabalikkall IS ou tside the

valiyambalam (uaathilmaatarn). There is

a .• [jJa··deepasthambham in the temple

which was installed in 1986. Metal

chu!!uviJakks are fixed in the temple.

The ruined laterite compound wall has

a height of 1.2 ill. The well is at

northeast and outside the compound

wall.

Carvings and paintings: There are no

carvings and paintings.

Deities: The sila-linga PIathishr1w of Lord

Siva has a height of 45 cm. All the

idols in the su b- shrines are made of

,{ila. The idols of Goddess Bhagavathi,

and Goddess Saraswathi face north

and they have a height of 17 cm. each,

while the idol of Lord GaI)apathi (21 cm.)

faces east. Lord Ayyappa idol (21 cm.)

faces west.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 6 to 8 a.m. and from

5-30 to 7 p.m. Two poojas are held, at

7 a.m. and 6-30 p.m.

Offerings: Dhaara, pushpai1njaJi,

mrthyuiijaya-h6mam, chu!!u-vi!akk etc.

are the main vazhipaats of which dhaara

is popular.

Festivals: Previously festival had been

held. Now cSivaraarhri is observed with

usual rites.

Priesthood and temple staff: the thanthri

who performed initial rites belonged

to Thanmalloor illam. The present thanthri

belongs to AaQtalaati mana. The .';aanthikkaaran belongs to Malayaa!a Brahmins. The other staff inc1udes a

kazhakam and a clerk.

General remarks: The temple needs

urgent renovation.

(Data furnished by Sree A.P. U1}1}ikrshT}ll

PishaaroU, Retd. Headmaster and collected by

,Su'e "'1. Ch:mdra.<Ekharan of the Census Directorate).

I ,

4.17 SREE (Thrkkovil) SIVA TEMPLE, KAARATTUPARAMBA (Kottilangaati panchaayathth, Kottilangaati village, Pin - 676 506)

Location: Situated one and a half km.

northwest of Patinnaa!!tumuri Junction

(on Malappuram-Manjeri road via. Koottilangaati) at Kaaraattuparamba, the

temple is connected by metalled

(one km.) and earthen road (half a km.)

Facilities for stay are available at Manjeri.

Brief history and temple administration:

Datable to eleventh century, the temple is owned by the MutappilaappiW maya. The idol was installed initially

for the use of the members of the mana but now the the temple is open for all

devotees, though ownership and

administration are vested with the

mana.

Structures: The extent of area of the

temple complex is 80 cents. The

structures thereon are sreekt;viJ, namaskaara-ma{l~apam, sub-shrines, well

and a dilapidated tank.

The square eka-thala ,{reek6vil of

niramiiJaara type and facing west has

granite adhishrhaa!}am, laterite-stone

walls and copper sheet covered roof.

The adhishriJaa!}am has mouldings of paadukam, jagathi, v(ththa-kumudam, kumuda-pati, kampam, ga/am with side

motifs, uththaram, va!aru, kap6tham,

210

ga!am and pati. The ''''(ipaa!!am has four direct steps v.ith the motif of vyaa!i face

on the top of banisters. The pra{18a/am has ll1akara-simha at the base, plain

§UI;U!U with four pearl rings and g()­

mukha-end. The naIl1askaara-IlJa!l~apam

(side: 2.47 m.) has four pillars.

The c/7urtambaJam has entrances

from all sides. The muJayara and the

well are at the northeast, while the

thitappa!!i is at the southeast. The sou thern naalambalam has a sub-shrine having four deities,viz.Lord Subramal.1ya, Lord Ayyappa, Goddess Bhagavathi and Lord Ga~apathi. The valiya-balikkall is within the agra-maIJ9apam. The Brahmarakshas is at the southern

side.

Carvings and paintings: On the ceiling of namaskaara-malJflapam, ashta-dikpaala.<; are beautifully carved in wood, while

the ceiling of agra-mal}rjapam has motifs

of na vag ra has . It is noticed that the positions of navagrahas in the ceiling are

not at the usual positions. Paintings can be seen on the agra-mal}rjapam. but they are now faded. PaaJazhimathha!}am is painted on the namaskaara-ma(1<japam,

while the walls of sreek()vij have Siva­thaa{1<javam. Paa!vathi-swayamvaram,

Daaruka vadham, Vettakkorumakan etc.

3655 RGJlO3-158

Deities: The sila-idol of Lord Siva has a

height of 45 cm. All the idols of

subsidiary deities are made of sila. Lord

SubramaIJya is in standing pose (height

75 em.) while other deities are plain

silas of varying heights, Lord GaIJapathi (15 ern.), Lord Ayyappa (13 em.)

and Goddess Du!_"ga (15 cm.}. Brahma­

rakshas is represented by a balikkall

of 15 em. height.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 5-30 to 9-30 a.m. and

from 5-30 to 8-30 p.m. Three poojas

are held daily, usha-pooja at 6-30 a.m.,

uccha-pooja at 9-30 a.m. and aththaazha­

pooja at 8 p.m.

Offerings: Dhaara and pushpaafija/i are

the main vazhipaats of which dhaara is

popular.

Festivals: No festival is held at present.

Priesthood and temple staff: The thanthri of the temple belongs to MutappilaappiHi ma!}a. The saanthikkaran is hereditary

and belongs to Embraanthiri community.

The only other staff is a kazhakam.

General remarks: The temple 1S

administered well.

(Data furnished by Srcc M . .';aslhra Sarman,

Tnlstee and collected by Sn:c M. Chandra,<iekharan

of the Census Directorate).

4.18 SREE (Mutappila Thrkkovil) VISHf!lU TEMPLE, KAARATTUPARAMBA (Koottilangaati panchaayathth, Koottilangaati village, Pin - 675 506)

Location: Situated at Kaarattuparamba in

Patinnu!!UmUIi desam, the temple is

connected by metalled and unmetalled

road. Facilities for stay are available at Manjeri or Malappuram.

Brief history and temple administration: This family temple belongs to

MutappilaappiW mi1Qi1. No other details

are available on the origin of the temple

though the antiquity of the temple is

ascribed to eleventh century. The

temple is managed by the members of the [nana.

Structures: The temple complex has an

extent of 30 cents. The structures

thereon are §reek6vii, namaskaara­mal}c)apam, chu!!ambaiam with agra­mal}c)apam, natapura, well and a tank.

The square Eka-[haJa ,';reekiJviL facing east and of .;aandh:wra type, has

211

granite upa-pee{ham , granite

adhish!haaQam, laterite walls and tiled

roof. The mouldings of upa-peerhi1m arc

paadukam, va!am and uththaram, while

those of adhishrhaaQam are paadukam, jagathi, vrththa-kumudam, kumuda-pati,

gil!am with motifs, uththaram, vil!aru,

kapiJlham, ga/am with flower motifs"ga!a­

pilti, uththaram and patio The S{jpili1Qi1m

has six direct steps with vyaaJi face on

the top of balustrades. The PIi1{Wi1!al1J

has makara-simha face at the base,

plain ,';u!u)u with pearl rings and g{l­

mukha end. The walls have 12 pillars

and three gha!.}adwaaras besides the

functional door. The namaskaara­mal}stapam (side: 2.41 m.) has four

pillars. The well is at northeast of the ilkarhchc-hajjviltta11J .

The Chll{{illl1hc.J!W71 has entrances

from all sides. The thitappi1!!i is at

sou theast and lJ1u!ayat~l at northeast.

The ualiyo-baliklcall is '.vithin the

dgra-ma~1~lap~1l11. The natappura is on the

east of agra-IlJa{19:Jpill1L There is also a

temple tank.

Carvings and paintings: There are no caTyings and paintings.

Deities: the idol of LOI-d Vishf_Hl in

standing pose (height 75 cm.) has four

arms \\'ith cDnch, disc. club and lotus

in hands. There is no other deity in

this temp1e.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 5-30 to 8-30 a.m. and

from 5-30 to 7-30 p.m. Three poojas are held daily, ush.a-pooja at 6-30 3.m ..

uccha-pooja at 8 a.m. and aththaazha­

pooja <=1.t 7 f).m

Offerings: Paal-paayasam and

pUShp:1i.ll~i:J'i are the main offerings of

which the former is popular.

Festivals: There is no festival In this

temple.

Priesthood and temple staff: Since

MutuppibPPi!!i 111:1!_1:I is a thaanthric Warn

the thaanthric rites are performed by

them. The "::aunihikkafi.m :is hereditary

and hails from N ~alom ilIam. There is

also a kazhakam associated with the

temple.

General remarks: The temple IS

administered satisfactorily.

(Data furnished by Sree /1.1 . • (w,,(h:1 Sii/man,

Tmstee and collected by Snx A1. Ch:1n(/nl,-(_-;khara!l

oftlIe Censu8 Directorate).

, I "" "" SREE (Mel-Thrkkovil) SIVA TEMPLE, PATINNAATUMURI 4.19

(Koottilangaati panchaayathth, Koottilangaati village, Pin- 676 506) -

Location: Located one kIn. west of

Patinn.iaatumu~i Junction on Malappu~al11-

Manjeri road via. VaWkkappa~p, the

temple is connected by a metalled

road. The Kataiu~lti river flows close to

the tenlple. Facilities for stay are

available at MalapPurarn or Manjeri.

Brief history and temple administration: Datable to ancient period, the temple

belonged to KatukooE Nambyaathiri (the

army-chieftain of VaHuva KODaathirl) who had his headquarters at Chel(1oI

Fort. There were frequent conflicts

between the forces of Vaguva Ko~aathiri and the forces of SaalTIoothiri for

supremacy. Nambyaathiri came to

knr)w that the forces of Saamoothiri

hcrve de:signed a plot to kill him. At then time for safety of his tutelar deity

212

he brought some Narnboothiri families

to that place and handed over the

temple to them for administration.

These four families are Payyampi!p Il1a!Ja. Perumpapi ma!]a, Naar3yuI,la­m,lIigaiam IIla!]:J and Katakkot malld.

Sometimes later N am byaathiri

was treacherously murdered. As

Nambyaathiri was so much attached

to the temple, it is said that his spirit

remained in the temple complex. Later

this spirit was invoked and installed

as a pnllhish!ha at the southwest and

outside the compound wall. Since 1937

the HR&CE Boardtook over the control

of this temple and appointed a

ManClging Trustee Board for its

administration. The Manager

appointed by~ the Managing Trustee

attends to the day-to-day affairs of the

temple. The Sree Keezh-Thrkkovil Vishl}u

temple is also administered by the

same management.

Structures: The details of land owned

by the temple prior to the Land Reforms

Act are not known. At present the

temple OV-TIS 10.81 acres of which 3.65

acres constitute the temple complex. The structures thereon are -;reekrjviJ, namaskaara-mal}c)apam, chu!!amhaiam with agra-maI_19apam, valiyn-balikkal1,

P!adakshilJa-vazhi, paththaayappu ra, compound wall, g6puras, river-ghat etc.

The circular eka-rhala {reek6vil of

saandhaara type and facing east has

granite adhisi1{haa!] am , laterite walls

and copper-sheet co\'ered roof. The

mouldings of the adhish!haa!]am are

paadukam, jagathi, 'vrththa-kumudam, kumuda-pati, ga!am wIth motif,

uththaram, kampam, ga!am with flower

motif, ga!a-pati, uththaram and paci. The

s6paa!]am has six direct steps with

vyaa!i-face on top of banisters and

motifs of gha!]adwaara on their sides.

The p!Cl{Wa!am has makara-simha face

at the base, multi-faceted \"U/p!u whh

pearl rings and gn-mukha tip. Below

the P!al}aa_lam a Bhoothaga~1a figurine is

installed. The walls have 12 pillars,

three ghal}adwaaras, a functional door,

niches, motifs of birds and flowers etc.

The nam:tskaara-llJa1}9apam (side: 3.39

m.) has four pil1al's. The thitappa!!i is

connected with the TU;/ll1iHkaara­l11a~1(}apilm by a roofed passage.

The chu!!am/laialJJ has three

entrances (east, west and north). The

thitappajji is at southeast and the

mu!aya!a at northeast.

ma!l~lapam IS In the

The agra­shape of

<~ J J

koociJrhamoaiam having lateral steps on

the eastern side and direct steps on

the southern side. The- valiya-balikkoll

is within this agra-ma{l!Japam. The

PIadak",hi{la-l/azhi (baahyahauro) is paved

with granite stones and has u

thickness 7 cm. and a \vidth of 1.41m.

Two paththaayapuras exist on the

southern side of the PIadakshi{la-1/i17hi. The marJ'aada with a height of 1.5 m.

and built with laterite stones is now

ruined and only its western wall exists

now. There is no well or ta.nk In this

temple. Granite steps have been laid

to the Kmalu\iti River which flows east

and close to the temple.

Carvings and paintings: There are no

carvings and paintings.

Deities: The {ila-Jillga idol of Lord Siva

has a height of 45 cm. The idOl of Lord

GaI.1apathi, also made of ';ila, is of sittulg

pose (13 em.}. The P!athi"h!ha of

KatukooI Nambyaathiri is of .{ifJ-lillga form and has a height of 30 em. and the

Brahmarakshas is sankalpa-p(athishr}w

in the form of a balikkall (13 cm.).

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 5-30 to 9 a.m. and

from 5-30 to 8 p.m. Three paojo.s are

held, eth!{hth-pO(~ia at 7 -50 a.m., uccha­

pooja at 8-30 a.m. and aththaazhu~pooja

at 7 p.m

Offerings: Dhaara, Ga!wpathi-hi1w:1l1l,

IJ1Jl:J[-nivEdyam and pushpa.a!{ja/i are the

main vazhipcwts of which dhoora is

important.

Festivals: Twelve-day paottv-uthsuVam]8 held commencing from 1 Qlh !\laJ..::lr:lJll.

On the concluding da.'l, rlJaalappojj IS

held. .(jivaraathri is also celebrated

Priesthood and temple staff: Details of the thanthri who first installed the idol are not known. The present thanthri

belongs to AIJtalaati maga. The saanthikkaran is appointed from Malayaa!a

Brahmins. The other staff includes kazhakam, aticchu-tha!i, peon and gardener, besides the Manager.

General remarks: Urgent repairs are

needed for chu!!ambalam, paththaayappura

and compound wall.

(Data furnished by Sree K.C. Pas~pathi Namboothiri, Manager and collected by Sree M. Chandrasekharan of the Census Directorate).

SREE (Keezh-Thrkkcivil) VISH~U (Narasimhamoorththy) TEMPLE, PATn"~AATTUMURI. .. .

4.20

(Koottilaarigaati panchaayathth, Koottilangaatl village. Pin - 676 506)

Location: Situated close to Mel Thrkkovil

Siva temple, the route to this temple

is the same as the one for that temple

(4.19). The KataluI).ti river flows close

to the temple. Facilities for stay are

available at Manjeri and Malappu!_'am.

Brief history and temple administration:

Datable to Csixteenth century, the idol

of the temple was previously installed

in the AaDakkayam village and managed

by the ooraa!a! o[ Mel-Thrkk5vil Siva

temple. However, during the period

of Mysorean invasions, the idol

was shifted to the present site

after conducting a p[a§ga for the

convenience of the ooraaJa[s to perform

daily poojas during that turbulent

period.

The administrators of Mel­

Thrkkovil Sree Siva temple are managing

this temple also.

Structures: The temple owns five acres

of land of which two acres constitute

the temple complex. The temple is at

a lower level on the slope of a hill and

nearer to the river. The structures thereon are §reek6vil, namaskaara­

mal}9apam, chu!!ambaiam with agra-

214

mal}f/apam, valiya-balikkall and a sub-

shrine.

The circular eka-thala sreekovil of saandhaara type and facing east has granite adhish!haa!!am, laterite walls and copper sheet covered roof. The mouldings of the adhish!haa[!am are paadukam, jagathi, vrththa-kumudam, k:umuda-pati, ga!am with window motif, gala-pati, uththaram, kampam, ga!am with flower motifs, ga!a-pati, uththaram and patio The sopaagam has six direct steps with vyaa!i-face on the top of

balustrades. The p[al}aa!am has makara­simha face at the base, SUIJ~U with rings and go-mukha tip. The walls have 12 pillars three gh8gadwaaras and a functional door. Niches and motifs of flower garlands decorate the walls. On the southem side of the wall there is a small idol of Lord Ga1)apathi. The namaskaara-malJflapam (side: 2.7 m.) has four granite pillars.

The chu{!ambalam has entrances at east, west and north. The thitappa!!i is at southeast and mu!aya[a (with trellis walls) at northeast. The attached agra-mal}9apam. in the shape of oththambalam, has no wall in between it and the valiyambalam. The valiya-

balikkall is \,vithin this ()ththambalam. Siia

chuttuviiakks are fixed to the outer walls

of chutt;_tJ1Jbaiam. The sub-shrincs of

Lord Ayyappa and Lord Saastha are at

the southwest corner (outside

chu!!<.JJl1b<11dlll) facing east. The granite

compound wall has 1.5 m. height but

dilapidated in some parts. There is no

well or tank.

Deities: The ';iia-idol of Lord VishQu with

the sonkalpa of Srcc Narasimha­moorththy is in standing pose (height:

90 cm.) with four arms having conch,

disc, club and lotus in hands. The idol

of Lord GaJ.1apathi is also made of <iJa

and has a height of about 13 cm. The

idols of Lord Saastha, His consort Srce

Prabha and son Sree Sathyaka have a

height of 45 cm. The idol of Lord

Ayyappa (height: 45 cm.) is installed in a separate ';reekC>viI.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open fi'om 5-30 to 9 a.m. and

from 5-30 to 8 p.m. Three ponjas are

done daily i.e. usha-pooja at 7-30 a.m.,

uccha-pooja at 8-30 a.m. and aththaazha­

pooja at 7 p.m.

Offerings: Paal-paayasam and pushpaa­i'ijaJi are the main vazhipaats of which

the first one is popular.

Festivals: A ... ;hlamif'()hi{li and chujjuvi_JakJ...

during A1a~1~JaJa period in the sub-shrine

of Lord Ayyappa are important.

Priesthood and temple staff: The thanthn' of the temple belongs to Mutappilaappi!!i mana. The <aanthikkaran is appointed

from Malayaa!a Brahmins. The staff of

Mel-Thrkkovil temple looks after the

rou tine affairs of this temple also.

General remarks: Urgent renovation IS

required for the .';reek()vii and compound

wall.

(Data furnished by Srcc K.C'. PU.l:Uflillhi

N:1mnOOlhiri, Manager and collected by "C;rcc ;\1.

Chilndru.l:t..-;khar:1n of the Census Directorate).

4.21 SREE (Pishaariyekkal) DUI!GA BHAGAVATHI TEMPLE, PAANG (Ku[uva panchaayathth, Ku~uva village, Pin - 679 338)

Location: Situated 10 km. south

of Malappuram at PatappaIamb on

Ku!aththooI-Kottaykkal road and thence

one and a half km. southeast at

Ambalapati on Paang road, the temple

is connected by tarred road. Facilities

for stay are available at MalaPPuram or

at Perinthalmarp.1<l (distance: 10 km.).

Brief history and temple administration:

Datable to ancient period, the temple

is peculiar as the sankalpa of the deity

is Goddess Vaish':Java DUIga Devi, which

is contrary to the general concept of

DUIga as the consort of Lord Siva. It is

reported by the temple Me!-::aantbi that

the concept of Sree Vaishl)aVa Durga was

evolved by a ~shj (who installed the

idol) as a manifestation of the powers

of Goddess Parasakthi of Vaishnav i le

character.

After installing the idol the Rshi

entrusted the temple to Appamku!am

Pishaaram who managed the temple

till the implementation of Land

Reforms Act. Thereafter they found

it difficult to administer the temple

since all the landed properties were

given to tenants. In 1970 the HR&CE

took over its control. There is a Kshethra Paripaala~a Samithi that meets every

year and elects the office bearers. The

Trustee Board Chairman is a nominee

of the Department.

Structures: At present the temple owns

only 40 cents. The stnlctures within

the temple complex are sreek5vii, sub­

shrine s, namaskaara-mal}9apam, chu!!amba]am with agra-mal}flapam and

compound wall. The temple tank is

completely filled-up with mud and now

does not exist.

The circular dwi-thala sreekovil of

nirandhaara type has granite upa-pee{ham and adhishrhaa!!am, laterite-stone walls

and tiled roof. The mouldings of the

upa-pce{hmn are paadukam, jagathi, vaJaru and uththaram while those of

3dhishfhaa!Jam are paadukam, jagathi, v(ththa-kumudam, kumuda-pati, ga!am v,,rith \vindow-motif, gala-pati, uththaram,

kampam, ga!am with Hower motifs, ga!a­pati, uththaram aJ.1.d patio The sopaagam has seven direct steps. Vyaa!i-faces are carved on the top of banisters. The

p!al}aa!am has makara-simha base,

multi-faceted SUl.19U with pearl rings

and go-mukha-tip. The walls have 12

pillars, three niches and a functional

door. Though the srcekovil is dwi-thaZa, there is no antharaa!am. Instead, the

wall has a thickness of 1.27 m. which

covers the usual entire area of inner

circulnambulatory space. At the

squ thern side of the sreekovi] there is

a sub-shrine with deities Lord

GaI)apathi and Lord SubramaI)ya. The

namaskaara-maIJl}apam (side: 2.97 m.)

has four pillars. The well is at the

northeast of the akathtbe-balivauam.

216

The chu!!ambaiam has two

en trances; at east and west. The

thitappa!!i is at southeast. The sub­

shrine at southwest has two idols, viz.

of Lord Siva and Lord Ayyappa. The

valiya-balikkall is within the agra­

malJ.cjapaIJ1. The compound wall made

of laterite at a height of 1.2 m. is

dilapidated.

Carvings and paintings: There are no

carvings and paintings.

Deities: All the idols are made of sjla.

The idol of Goddess Du!,ga with the rare

conception of Sree Vaishl)ava Du!ga, is

in standing pose (height 63 em.) with

four arms, the upper hands having

conch and disc, lower left hand kept

at the hip, and the right hand in varada

pose. The idol of Lord Gat;tapathi is in

sitting pose with a'height of 30 cm.

The idol of Lord Subrarnar:tya who takes

the shape of N aaga with raised hood

(height: 30 cm.) has the sankalpa of

Sree Aadi Sesha Subramal)ya. Lord Siva idol is of jinga form and the idol of Lord

Ayyappa is of plain linga type (27 cm.).

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 6 to 8 a.m. and from

6 to 8 p.m. Usha-pooja at 7-30 a.m.

and aththaazha-pooja at 7 p.m. are the

two poojas performed daily.

Offerings: Vi!akk, sa!kkara-paayasam,

ka!hiQa-paayasam, pushpaanjaJi and

nai-viJakk are the main vazhipaats. Of

these, ka[hi!Ja-paayasam (arava-!1a) is

popular.

Festivals: There IS no festival at

present.

Priesthood and temple staff: The idol was

initially installed by an unknOV/ll ~shl.

The pre sent t hanthri belongs to

Pnokkol!oor Kakkatl i/Ja111. The post of

{aambiJ.:kJri.111 is held hereditarily by a

member of the Embraanthiri

community. The other staff includes

a kazhakam and an alin.:lw-lh:1/i.

I ,

General remarks: The temple needs

urgent reno\"ation, particularly

structures like ll:1ll1:hf...aara-f1}a{]~/:lral1l.

chLJ{!:Jmha!;/Ill and compound \>./all.

(OotG furlllshed Ul) Sn::c- V .M. P~ldm~\l_Iahh~\!l. Secretory and collected by ."'rL·,· ,\1.

Ch:mdr;r{t-:kh:ir:m oJ the Census Directornt (').

4.22 SREE (Kozhiyoor) SIVA TEMPLE, PAZHAMA,=-~OO,!! (Ku!uva panchaayathth, Kotoo! village, Pin - 676 506)

Location: Situated two km. northwest

of Ku!:uva dUm junction on Malappu!:am

Vanalloo[-Ku!aththoo[ road, the temple

is accessible by earthen road. Facilities

for stay are available at Malappu!'am or

at PcrinlhalmaJ:-tI.la.

Brief history and temple administration:

Datable to eighteenth century, this

temple has a swayambhoo idol. The

legend is that once an agricultural

woman while sharpening her sickle on

a granite stone saw blood oozing out

suddenly from that stone. The incident

was reported to the nearby kaaraT_1Jva!

of Kuruva llWnJ and he conducted a - -

PI:J,r[!}3 which revealed that the .Gla had

the cbailhil!}ya of Lord Siva. Immediately

initial rites of consecration of the idol

were done and a temple was built.

After the implementation of the

Land Reforms Act, the ooraa!:.lI (Kuruva

Il13!}a) found it difficult to manage the

temple. They entrusted the temple to

a K"hethra Committee in 1987" The

committee is elected by devotees every

year. The President of the committee

attends to the day-to-day affairs of the

temple.

217

Structures: At present the temple owns

60 cents of which 37 cents constitute

the temple complex. The structures

thereon are §rcck6viJ, sub-shrines.

IhJ 111 a sf... aJra-l1Ja~1~apil/ll, cill!!! ilmbaJam.

valiya-balikal1. deepa-sthambhas, two

wells and a tank.

The square cka-lhala §rec:k()'l/il of

njrandhaara type and facing east has

granite adhishr'wd!}am, laterite walls

and copper sheet covered roof. The

adhishfhaa!}dm having a total height of

about 90 cm. has mouldings of

paadu kam, jagathi, v_rththa -kllI1wdam,

kumuda-pati, kampam, ga!am, gala-pari, kampam, ga/am with flower motifs, ga!a­pali, uththaram and pali. The si'"'ipaa!}dll1

has only one step as the idol is hardly

30 em. above the floor level. The

PIi1paa!am is at the floor level and of

simplified type. The walls have 12

pillars, three gha!.!adv,.·diudS and a

functional door. On the southern side

there is a roofless sub-shrine with the

deity of Lord Gal~apathi flanked by Lord

Suhrarnal:ya and Sree Bhagm·athi. The

nam[J . .,kaZ1ri1-/]w{1~i1PJI11 (side: 2.99 m.l

has four pillars.

The chullambalam has three

entrances, at east, west and north.

The thjtappa!!i is at its southeast and

the sub-shrine of Lord Guru\'(1)oorappan

at northwest (facing east). The valiya­balikkall is outside the chullambalam. At

its east there is .' . .rJJa-deepastlwmbham

having three layers of lamps. Two wells

are located at the northeast. of \vhich

one is used as ma~lj-ki~lar. On the

eastern side there is a thari.1 on which

Lord A.yyappa is installed facing \vest

and Naagas facing east. The temple

tank is on the southern side. There is yet another §jJa deepasthambham facing

the \"estern entrance of the

chuttambalam. Brahmarakshas IS

installed on a charn at northwest.

Carvings and paintings: There are no

carvings and paintings.

Deities: All idols are made of .'ii/a. The swayambh()() idol of Lord Siva has a

height of 30 cm. The idol of Lord

GaQ.apathi is in 8i tting pose (15 cm.)

while that of Lord Subramaryya has the

shape of round ";ila-JiIiga (7 em.) and of

Goddess Bhagavathi of g()!aka type of

height 5 cm. Lord Ayyappa is also installed without anthropomorphic

form and has a heigh t of 15 cm.

i - -

Brahmarakshas is of plain round .(;ila

(height: 15 cm.). Three Naaga idols are

installed. They are of sitting poses with

raised hoods of height 15 cm. each.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 6-15 to 8 a.m. Usha­

paoja is held at 7 a.m.

Offerings: Dhaara, {:a!kkara-paa_'lasam,

pu..,hpuaiijafi and Au!uka h6mam are the

vazhipaats of which dhaara is popUlar.

Festivals: There is no festival in this

tempk.

Priesthood and temple staff: The details

of the thanthn' who performed the initial

consecration rites are not known. The

present thanthri belongs to Kuttalloor

llW!!a of Raarnapurarn. The ,{:aanthiJ...kar;w

is appointed from Malayaa!a Brahmins

or from Embraanthiri community. The

other staff includes a kazhakam and

vazhipaat-derk.

General remarks: The namask;liHa­

ma~]()api1ln needs urgent renovation.

(Data furnished by L~rcc K. V. U~I~ljk!·..,h~liJ

Vaaryar, member of the committee and collected by Srcc M. ChiJndr:.J';~·kh;/r:l/] of the Census

Directorate).

4.23 SREE MAHA DEVA TEMPLE, PUZHAKKAATTIRI (Puzhakkattiri panchaayathth, Puzhakkattiri village, Pin - 679 321)

Location: Situated 10 km. southwest

of Pcrinthalmaryl)a at Puzhakkaltiri on

Kottaykkal road and thence 500 m.

northwest, the temple is connectEd by

tarred road. Facilities for stay are

available at Pcrinthalmanna.

Brief history and temple administration: Datable to ancient period, no

information on the origin of the temple

is available. The temple belongs to

Puzhakkalliri Akaayil family. When the

poojas were discontinued and the

temple was closed the local devotees

took initiative in 1962 and took over

its administration. They formed a

committee called PU/hakkattiri Siva

Kshethra Samraksha.t;Ja Samithi to look after

its affairs. The committee consists of

15 members inclusive of five office­

bearers. The day-to-day affairs are

managed by the Secretary of the

Committee. The term of the committee

is two years.

Structures: The temple had large

extent of properties earlier but now

owns one acre of dry land and a tank

with an extent of 20 cents. The

structurs thereon are srcekc)viJ, namaskaara-maJ}fjapam, dilapidated

chu!!ambalam, sub-shrines, deepastha­

mbhas, ualiya-balikkall, office counter,

well and tank.

The square dwi-thala .<;reek6vil of

saandhaara type and facing west has

granite upa-pee[ham, adhishrhaa!!am,

laterite walls and tiled roof. The upa­

pce!ham has mouldings of a vedi and

padma paadukam. The mouldings of

the adhishrhaa!]am are paadukam, jagathi, v!"rhha-kumudam, kumuda-pali, kallJpam,

ga!am, gaja-pati, kampam, gajam with

flower motif. gala-pali, uththaram and

patio The sC>pai.l!Jam has six direct steps

with full vyaa!i-figurine engraved on

the sides of banisters. The Pta~Jaa!a111

has makara-simha base, multi-faceted

_';u~19u with pearl rings and g()-mukha

end. The walls have three niches

besides the functional doors. The

concrete l1amaskaara-I11a{19apam has four

laterite pillars plastered with cement.

A Nandi is installed on this namaskaara­ma1)~apam. The well is at the northeast

of the akaththe-balivattam.

The chuttambalam is ruined. Only

the vaJiyambaJam and the southern

naaJambaJam exist. The other two sides

219

(north and east) have only tharas. The

thitappa!!i is at southeast. The idol of

Lord Vettakkorumakan is at the southern

naalambalam. There is a sub-shrine

having four deities, Lord Gal)apathi, Lord

Ayyappa, Sree Maha VishI).u and Sree

Bhagavathi. Sub-shrines for these

deities are being built separately. The

valiya-balikkall is within a ruined agra­

malJ9apam. which has only a thara at

present. Altogether there are five

deepasthambhas. The office is at the

front and the tank at southwest. The

compound wall is ruined.

Carvings and paintings: Dwaarapaalakas

made of sila are very attractive.

Deities: The si/a-liriga idol of Lord Siva

has a height of 60 cm. with the

sankalpa of mild nature at morning,

fierce at noon and the Lord with

Paarvathi at night. All the other idols

are made of ii/a, Sree GaI)apathi in sitting

pose (27 cm.), Sree Vettakkorumakan in

linga type (27 em.), Lord Ayyappa in liriga form (27 cm.), Lord Maha VishI:lU in

standing pose (175 yavam), Sree

Bhagavathi in mirror type (71 yavams).

An idol of Sree Veerabhadran in liriga pose

(71 yavams) has also been made ready

for installation.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 6 to 9 a.m. and from

6 to 8 p.m. Three poojas are done daily,

usha-pooja (6 -30 a.m.), uccha-pooja (8-

30 a.m.) and aththaazha-pooja (7-30

p.m.).

Offerings: JaJa-dhaara, karuka-homam, pushpaanjali. koova!a-maaJa and §aFkkara­paayasam are important vazhipaats. Of

these the first one is very popular.

Festivals: Thaalappoli mahothsavam held

in Mee!}am is important. Navakam, panchagavyam. ka!am-pooja etc. are held

on this cocasion. Sivaraathri is also

observed. Akhal}9anaamajapam IS

conducted during mal}9aJa period and

Sapthaaham in Thulaam.

Priesthood and temple staff: The details

of the thanthri who installed the idol are

not known. The present thanthri belongs

,

to KuttallooI m8!}a of Raamapurarn. The

§aanthikkiiran belongs to Embraanthiris.

The other staff includes vaaryar,

ka7hakam and alicchu-rha!i.

General remarks: The temple needs

urgent renovation.

{Datafumished bySree V.K. HaridiieS, President

and collected by .~rce G. Si~'adiisan of the Census Directorate}.

4.24 SREE RAAMASWAAMY TEMPLE, RAAMAPURAM (Puzhakkaattiri panchaayathth, PuzhakkaUiri village, Pin - 679 350)

Location: Situated 100 metres

southwest of Raamapurarn Junction on

PcrinthalmaI)J}a-MalapPuram road, the

temple is connected by earthen road

from Raamapurarn. Facilities for stay

are available at Pcrinthalma1)J}a.

Brief history and temple administration:

The temple dates back to eleventh

century. The legend tells that once a

Tamil Brahmin went on pilgrimage to

Nepal. One day he happened to meet

the King on the bank of the famous

GansIagi river. The Raaja after taking

bath in the river took a saajagraam from

its bed and presented it to this

Brahmin. The Raaja also told the

Brahmin that no nivedya should be

offered to the saa!agraam till it is

permanently kept at his residence and

that in case nivedya is offered keeping

it in some other place the saa!agraam would be fixed to that place. Being a

great ascetic, the Brahmin could very

well realize the chairhagya of Sree

Raama in this saa!agraam. While he

was returning after pilgrimage he

reached this place. For overnight stay

220

he went to the nearby Aa!!aloo!: ma!}a.

He told the members of the mana about

the saa!agraam and the instructions got

from the Raaja in respect of offering

nivedya. He then entrusted a bundle

which contained the saa!agraam also

to the kaara~laVa! of the ma!}a. The

kaaJ"a!Javar kept the bundle in a safe

place. However, the will of God was

di.fferent. The antha!ja!}am who

overheard the talks of the Brahmin

with the kaaral}ava[ offered fresh milk

to the saajagraam on the next day

morning without the knowledge of the

kaaraJyava!. Later when the Brahmin

came and requested for the bundle he

found the saa!agraam missing. There

were some arguments between the

Brahmin and the kaaral}avt1[ regarding

this. Ultimately the Brahmin could

realize that the kaaral}avar was

innocent and the foul play was done

by the antha!ja!}am. He could then

visualize that every thing was God's

will and he left the place. On that

night the kaIlra!1aVa[ had a dream in

which the Lord told that saa!agraam

should be installed in the nearby

jungle where a cow had delivered a

calf the previous day. Accordingly he

went to the place and to his great

surprise he could see the cow and the

newly born calf. He made

arrangements to consecrate the

saa!agraam at this place.This site is on

the northern side of Sree Maha VisllI)u

(Narasimhamoo~ththy) temple owned by

Appamka!am ma!]a. This Sree VishI)u

temple (having circular sreek5vi/,

namaskaara-ma1}9apam and valiyambalaml

was in existence when Sree Raama

temple was built. Later in 1020 K.E.

an idol of Lord Raarna in an thro­

pomorphic form was made ou l of a sila

taken from V cWyaamkailu (Mezhaththoor

ma!]a) and installed close to the then

existing pce!ham having the saa!agraam.

After the consecration of this Sree

Raama temple three more temples

came up within a radius of two km.

They are the temples of Lord LakshmaI_la

at the Pu!: akkatliri PaDangaangara

(belonging to Meleppaatt Paneri), Lord

Bharatha at Vagalloor Chov2lI)a and Lord

Sathrugh~a (belonging to Pu!:akkattiri

Naar3ryathth Thekketathth maga).

All these temples had to face the

attacks from the forces of Tippu

Sulththaan. The idol of Sree Raama

temple was damaged and the Sree

Bharatha temple was completely

destroyed and beca1Ile extinct. In 1923

the Sree Raarna temple was renovated.

Till 1982 the temple was

administered by two ooraaja! families,

Aa~allooI Thekketathth mana and

Aa!}alloo;: Vatakketathlh mana. After the

221

implementation of the Land Reforms

Act they found it difficult to manage

the temple. The functioning of the

temple was seriously affected

thereafter. Therefore in 1982 these

ooraa!a!8 gave the temple to HR&CE

Department at the request of devotees.

The HR&CE Department formed a

Trustee Board for the temple. The

Chairman of the Trustee Board,

appointed by the Department, manages

the day-to-day affairs of the temple.

Structures: Prior to the Land Reforms

Act the temple owned 500 acres of

land. Now it has only 1.50 acres of

which 50 cents constitute the temple

comp1ex. The structures thereon are

sreek6y i1, namaskaara-mal}c)apam,

chu]tambaiam with agra-ma1}9apam, sub­

shrines, valiya-balikkall, agrasaaJa with

attached patbthaayappura, gc>puram, well

and temple tank.

The circular dwi-thala §reek6vil of

saandbuara type and facing east, has

granite upa-pee!ham and adhish[hwl!.._WI17,

laterite-walls and tiled roof. The upa­

pee!ham has mOUldings of paadukam.

valaru and uththaram while the

adhishrhaa!]am has paadukam, jagathi,

vrththa-kumudam, kumuda-pati, ga!am

with g6jaka-motifs, ga!a-pati, uththaram,

kampam, ga!am with flower motifs, ga!a­

pati, uththaram and patio The s()paa!}am

has seven direct steps with vyaaJi-faces

on the top side of banisters. The

p!a~laa!am has makara-simha base,

multi-faceted .SUl}<ju and curved end.

The walls have 16 pillars, three

gha!}adwaaras atld a functional door. On

the walls niches have heen beautifully

made. The nama .... kaar:J-ma{u)apalll

(side 4.5 m.) has sixteen pillars. The

well is located at northeast of the

akaththe-balivattam.

The chuttambalam has three

entrances, at east, west and north.

The thitappa!!i is at the southeast, a sub­

shrine at its southwest and mu!aya!a

at its northeast. The agra-mal}9apam is

ruined and has only the basement. The

uaZiya-balikkall is ,",ithin this ruined agra­

mal}tjapam. The sila-deepasthambham

has live layers of lamps. The L-shaped

structure at southeast accommodate

agra.saaia and paththaayappura. The sub­

shrine of Lord Ayyappa facing east is

at the southern side. The sub-shrine

at southwest IS a two-roomed

structure. At the northern room Srec

Durga is installed, while the southern

room has deities of Lord Siva, Lord

Vishnu and Goddess Paarvathi. The . -g()puram built in 1944 is located at the

east. The temple tank is on the

eastern side.

Carvings and paintings: There are no

carvings and paintings.

Deities: All the idols are made of :fila.

The idol of Lord Raama is in standing

pose (height: 105 cm.) with four arms

having conch, disc, club and lotus in

hands. The sankalpa of the deity varies

in the morning and in the evening. In

the morning the sankalpa is that of Sree

Raama after deserting Goddess

Seetha and in the evening it is of Sree

Raama with Goddess Seetha.The idol

of Lord GaI)apathi is in sitting pose

(height: 30 cm.) and that of Lord

Ayyappa is in standing pose (27 cm.).

222

Lord Siva is of Jinga form (height: 27cm.)

Other deities are Sree PaaIvathi and Sree

Du[ga of iila-mirror type with heights

of 30 cm. each. Lord VishI)u has only a

sankalpa P!achishrha (height 30 cm.).

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 5 to 9 a.m. and from

5 to 8-30 p.m. Three poojas are held

daily,usha-pooja at 6-30 a.m., uccha­pooja at 8 a.m. and aththaazha-pooja at

7-30 p.m.

Offerings: Paal-paayasam, avaJ-nivedyam, ossa and thrmadhuram are the main

vazhipaats.

Festivals: The most important festival

is Ekaada.{i-viJakk held in ,{uk,la-pak ... ha of

Kumbham,on the same day as it is

celebrated in the famous Thirunaa­

vaaya temple. Five poojas and

sreebhootha-bali are performed on this

day, Performing arts of 6ttam-thu,l!al and

chaakYi.Ja!-koothth are held on the

festival day. Ka!am-paatt uthsavam is held in alternate years in this temple

and the Pa~allgaangara Siva temple.

Priesthood and temple staff: The

PIathishrha was held by a member of

Aa!_!alloor ma!J3 the details of which are

not known. The present thanthribelongs to Thara!1 analloor ma!!8. The .saanthikkaran is appointed from Malayaa!a Brahmins.

The other staff includes kazhakam, aticchu-tha!i, watchman and vazhipaat clerk.

General remarks: The temple IS

managed satisfactorily.

(Data furnished by Sn:e A. T. Raaman Namboothiri, Trustee Board Chairman and

collected by Sn:e M. Chandra,':Ekhii£an of the Census Directorate).

I I • •

4.25 SREE SIVA TEMPLE, PANANGAANGARA ..... (Puzhakkaattiri panchaayathth, Puzhakkaattiri village, Pin - 679 350)

Location: Situated one km. north of Pa!:!aIigaaJ1gara junction on Malappu~am­Perinthalmal}I).a road, the temple is connected by earthen road. Facilities for stay are available at PerinthalrnaI).I).a.

Brief history and temple administration: Datable to sixteenth century, the early history of the temple is obscure. It is

reported that three families, viz. Kurtalloo! ma!]8, Kari nnezhi maga and E~noo!: m8IJa own the temple. When

the report was collected Kuttalloo!, ma!]a was managing the temple. The attack and desecration of temples by the forces of Tippu Sulththaan in the neigh bouring places had their impact on this temple also. The poojas were very much affected. But the greatest blow was the implementation of the Land Reforms Act. The ooraaiars lost their properties, which adversely affected the maintenance of this

temple. Some of the structures were ruined and the oora/aI.'> were unable to renovate them due to paucity of funds.

Structures: The temple now owns one acre of land of which 30 cents constitute the temple. The structures thereon are §reek6vil, namaskaara­mal}~apam, chu!!ambaiam with an attached but a ruined (roofless) agra­mal}cjapam, deepasthambham, su b­shrines, agrasaala, well, a ruined compound wall and a tank.

The circular dwi-thala §reck6vil of saandhaara type and facing east has

granite upa-peerham and adhishrhaa!!am, laterite wall and tiled roof. The upa­peerham has mOUldings of paadukam,

223

valaru and uththaram, and the adhish!haa!!am has mOUldings of paadukam, jagathi, vrthlha-kumudam, k-umuda-pati, ga/am with motif, gala-patl, uththaram, kampam, ga/am with flower motifs, gala-pati, uththaram andpati. The sopaa!}am has six direct steps. Vyaaji­faces are carved on the top portion of

banisters. The PIaIJ.aa!am has makara­simha base, plain sUl}9U with pearl rings and go-mukha. A pillar supports the PIa~laa!am. The walls have 12 pillars, three gha!!adwaaras and a functional door. Niches have been carved on walls. At the centre of each niche a wooden plank is fixed with a small hole

at its centre. The namaskaara-I11al}~apam (side: 3.27 m) has four pillars. The well is located at the northeast of the aka th th e-bali vattam .

The chuttambalam has three

entrances, at east, west and north.

The thitappa!/i is at southeast. The sub­shrine at the southwest naalambalam has three deities-Lord Gal)apathi, Lord

Dakshil)arnoorththy and Lord Subramal)ya, all facing east. At the northeast there is a sub-shrine of Goddess Thiruma­

ndhaamkunnu Bhagavathi facing west.

Valiya-balikkall is within the agra­mal}c)apam. The agra-maIJ~apam had no roof when the data was collected. There are two ,';ila-deepasthambhas, one

at east with seven layers and the other

at west with three layers. The sub­shrine at northwest has Lord Saastha with Sree Prabha and Sree Sathyaka, all in one pee[ham and Goddess

Bhagavathi to its north. The L-shaped structure

palht/wayappura is located at southwest.

The temple tank faces Lord Siva at the

east.

Carvings and paintings: There are no

can;ings and paintings.

Deities: The sila-idol of Lord Siva IS of

liIiga-form (45 cm). All the idols of

subsidiary deities are also of ;iia, Lord

GUl_Jdpathi in sitting pose (30 cm), Sree

Dakshil}amoorththy of linga type (30 em),

Lord' Saastha, Srcc Prabha an.d Sree

Sathyaka of plain ling;] type of height

30 em., Goddess Bhagavathi of plain

lhip1 (27 cm.) and Sree Thirumaandhaam­

kunnu Bhagavathi of peerha-sankaJpa.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 5 to 9-30 a.m. and

from 5 to 8-30 p.m. Three poojas are

held daily, usha-pooja at 6-30 a.m.,

I

uccha-pooja at 9 a.m. and aththaazha­pooja at 8 p.m.

Offerings: Drtflara, vi/akk-maala, ,';a!kkara­paayasam and GUQapathi-homam are important vazhipaats. Of these dhaara

is popular.

Festivals: There IS no festival at present.

Priesthood and temple staff: Details of the thanthri who initially installed the idol are not known. The present thanthri belongs to Tharal!analloo~ ma!Ja. The saanthikkaran belongs to Namboothiri community. The other staff includes a kazhakam.

General remarks: Agra-mal}¢apam needs

renovation.

(Data furnished by Smt. K M. Um,'idt,_-;vi

Antharjanam. Goraa!a! and collected by .~'ree M.

Chal1dril;[ekharan of the Census Directorate).

4.26 SREE (Chirattama-:-) DHANWANTHARI TEMPLE, AALIKKALMANNA ••

(Arigaatipu_ram panchaayathth, Valamboo! village, Pin - 679 325)

Location: Situated four and a half km.

northwest of PerinthalrnaJ),!a at Ora;.ltam­

paalam on Malappu~am road and thence

one km. northwest at Paalakkot on

Valumbour road, the temple IS

accessible by tarred road. Facilities

for stay are m'ailable at Perinthalmal!1!3.

Brief history and temple administration: Datable to ·very ancient period, the

le gen d tells that once a boy of Panlhalakkot mana had a serious disease.

For treating the boy Aalathoor Nambi

,yas brought. He gave medicines and

directed the kaara!Java! to pray to Lord

Dha!} wanthari for His blessings. His ardent pra}-ers were not in vain. The

224

Lord appeared before him and

prescribed medicines and cured the boy

of his disease. Moreover the Lord

blessed the karal_1ava! by giving him

powers for curing serious diseases.

A t the request of this kaaralJ<1V<1r.

AalaththooI Nambi took steps to build a

temple of Sree Dha:Q wantharimooIththy

here. It may be noted that this mag;] has thaanthric rites in the famous Sree

Thirumaandhaamkunnu Bhagavathi

temple also. The blessings of both

deities have made the male members

of this maga good AyuIvedic physicians.

The temple lands earlier belonged to Munkata k6vjJakal11. As they lost

interest In the temple they entrusted it to Panthalakot maga, the members of

which now 0\\'11 and manage the temple

directly.

Structures: The temple O\\<TIS one acre

of land which constitutes the temple

complex. Prior to 1976 only the §reek5viJ with an attached mukha-mal}~apam

existed. In 1976 naalambalam, thitappa!!i, sub-shrines, agra-mal}c)apam and

compound wall were newly built.

The square dwi-thala sreek()viJ,

facing east and of nirandhaara type, has

laterite adhishthaanam and walls and

concrete roof with tiles paved over it.

The mouldings of adhish!haagam are a

well proj ected paadukam, jagathi, v rchcha­kumudam, kumuda-pati, kampam, ga!am, ga!a-pati, kampam, ga!am, ga!a-pati, uththaram and paci. The adhishrhaagam (built with laterite stone) is plastered

with cement. The granite s6paagam has four direct steps with banisters.

The p[al}aa!am (made of laterite stone

and cement) is of simplified type. The

walls have niches, three gha!]adwaaras and a functional door. There is an

attached mukha-malJ~apam for the srcekiJviJ.

The chuttambalam has three

entrances, at east, south (facing Thirumaandhaamkunnu Bhagavathi) and

west. The thitappa!!i is at the southeast

of the naalambalam, while the su b­

shrine at southwest has four deities,

viz. Lord GaI)apathi, Lord Saastha, Sree

Bhagavathi and Brahmarakshas. The

well is at the northeast of the

naalambalam. The su b- shrine of

Goddess Thirumaandhaamkunnu Bhaga­

vathi is at the northern end of the

3655 RGII03-16A

225

valiyambalam, facing south. The valiya­

balikkall is within the agra-mal}c)apam.

The §iJa deepasthambhas installed in

1994 are at the front. The tank is at

the northern side. The main deity faces

the paddy fields at the east. There is

a compound wall, made of laterite of

height 1.5 m.

Carvings and paintings: There are no

carvings and paintings.

Deities: The main §iJa idol of Sree

Dhanwantharimoorththy is of standing

pose (height: 30 cm.) and has four

arms conch, disc, club and lotus in

hands. Though the idol is damaged in

certain parts like neck, waist and

hands, it has been decided not to

change the idol as revealed in a deva­p[asgi:1. All the idols of subsidiary

deities (Lord GaI)apathi, Lord Saastha,

Goddess Bhagavathi and Brahma­rakshas) are made of §iia-Jiriga of 15 cm.

There is only a pee!ham for Sree

Thirumaandhaam -kunnu Bhagavathi.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 6-30 to 8-30 a.m. and

from 5-30 to 6-30 p.m. Two poojas are

held daily, usha-pooja at 7 a.m. and

aththaazha-pooja at 6-30 p.m.

Offerings: Paal-paayasam, nJ[apa[a, si:1[kkara-paayasam, e~l~la-aataJ etc. are the

impOrtant vazhipaats of the temple. Of

these, ni[apa[a is the most popular and

important vazhipaat.

Festivals: The annual festival is held for eight days from 24th Kumhham to 1 st

Meenam. All the usual rites associated

with the uthsava like sudd17ikalasam. navakam, panchagavyam, th[kaaJa poojas,

pa!!ivetta, aaraat etc. are held.

Ka!amEzhuthth-paatt is held for Sree Thirumaandhaamkunnu Bhagavathi.

Priesthood and temple staff: The thanthri

of the temple belongs to Panthalakk6t ma!}a. Daily poojas are performed by the members of the thaanthric maga. There is no other paid temple staff.

General remarks: The temple is managed well.

(Data furnished by Sree P.K. Ku[ubam

Namboothiri and collected by Sree G. 8ivadiisan a/the Census Directorate).

4.27 SREE (Etaththupu_!athth Poonthaanam) K~SH~A TEMPLE, VALAMBOOR

(Arigaatippu!am panchaayathth, Valamboo! village, Pin - 679325)

Location: This temple which is of great

historical importance is located four

km. northwest of Perinthalmar;r;a on a

picturesque site facing paddy fields at

its east. The route is via. Angaatippuram

(after the railway gate)-Etaththupuram

road. The Nambi-paalam thal (stream)

flows close-by. Facilities for stay are

available at PerinthalmaI)I)a.

Brief history and temple administration:

The temple is closely associated with

Sree Poonthaanam Namboothiri (1547-

1640), the celebrated exponent of

Bhakthi cult and an ardent devotee of

Sree Guruvayoorappan. Sree Poonthaa!!am

lived in Poonthaa~am desam of the

present KeezhaaI!oo!: village of

PerinthalmaI)I).a taluk It was his monthly

routine to trek to Guruvayoo[ for ThiI}kaJ

bhaja!}am (worshipping the deity on the

last day of Malaya!am month and also

on the first day of the succeeding

month). Without any interruption, he

continued this practice till 1635 A.D.

In that year when he was proceeding

from his Wam to GuruvayooI he felt

suddenly unwell and swooned and

could not proceed further. He was very

226

much disappointed and prayed to the

Lord for his benevolence. At that time

he heard an incorporeal voice saying

that he, in future need not go to

Guruvayoo!: for worship, but instead

worship the Lord at a place on his left

side where His presence could be seen.

As directed by the Lord he looked at

his left (ethaththu-pu[am) and could see

with his naked eyes the handsome

image of Lord Guruvayoorappan. He

decided to build a temple there and

started construction of a temple on an

auspicious day. On the third day to

the surprise of all, there appeared in

that site a temple finished up to the

adhishrhaa!}am, definitely by the will of an

jnvisible power. The superstructure

was built and steps were taken to

make an idol of the Lord. All the effort

to make an idol did not succeed and

Sree PoonthaaQam Namboothiri was very

much disappointed. One day when he

was asleep Lord appeared before him

in dream and said that a very ancient

and ruined temple located north of

Etaththupuram had an idol that should

be taken from there and installed in

this place. Accordingly immediate

3655 RGI/03-168

arrangements were made to install

that old idol in this temple. The

consecration of this idol in the newly

built temple was held on 11 til ,Ha/.:;n-am

811 K.E. corresponding to January

1636 A.D. Subsequently llamaskaara­

mal}ljap .. 1m, vaathilmaatam. thitappa!!i and

agra-ma{lcjapam were built under the

direction of Sree Pool1thaanam

Namboothiri. After the consecration

of this temple he continued to worship

the Lord almost daily till he reached

the abode of the Lord at the age of 93.

The temple was almost gutted in 1763

A.D. It was renovated later without

changing the broken idol and the

adhishrhaa!]am (belie\'ed to have been

built by the invisible powers of the

Lord). The pee!ham of the idol was

changed. For a long time the temple

was managed by Vengara N atuviletathth

f11am. In 1970 the Kshethra Samrakshana

Samirhi took over the temple. and is

managing it through a ten-member

committee consisting of five office

bearers elected once in five years.

Structures: The details of the land

owned by the temple prior to the Land

Reforms Act of 1963 are not known.

At present the temple owns 75 cents

which constitute the temple complex.

The structures thereon are §reek6vii , su b-shrines, namaskaara-mal)cjapam,

vaathil-maatam with attached agra­

maIJ9apam, valiya-balikkall, thicappa!!i, office-cum-hall, wells, deepasthambhas

etc.

The square eka-thaJa §reekoviJ

facing east and of nirandhaara type has

227

granite upa-pct'!lwl11 and i.J(lhish!hai.l!_lilm,

laterite wal1s and tiled roof. The age­

old lIpLl-pec{ham has mOUldings of

paadukam, uththaram and Pilli, while the

adhish!haa!J:ll11 has paadukam, jagathi,

vFlhrhLl-kullllldam, kumuda-pati, kampam,

ga!am, ga!a-pati, kampam, ga!wl1, gLlja-pLlli.

uththaram and pa{i. The ,wlpLla!JLlm has

four direct steps with full vyaaji­

figurines on the sides of banisters.

The P!a{1:lLl/am has vyaa!i-face and plain

§undu. The walls have one

ghaQadwaaram, three niches and

functional door having small bronze

bells fixed to it. At the southern side

and attached to the §reekclvil, there is

the small shrine dedicated to Lord

Gat;Iapathi. The l1i1maskaara-n1i.l~1(!api1m

(side: 2.94 m.} has four pillars.

There are two triangular granite

slabs put together at the southwest of

the akaththe-ba/ivattam. These slabs were

used earlier by Sree Poonthaa!:!am for

Soorya-namaskaaram. The well is at the

northeast of the akathlhe-baJivallam.

The vaathil-matam and thitappa!!i

exist. There is a compound wall with

three entrances, one at the east , another on the sou thern side of

valiaymbalam and the third at west.

The valiya-balikkall is within the agra­

map9apam. The deepasthambham stands

at the front. The sub-shrine of Lord

Saastha with His consort and son is at

the sou theast facing west. Two

deepasthambhas are installed at its

front. The hall called NaaraayapaaJayam

with an office room at its east is

located at the north. There is another

well at northeast.

Carvings and paintings: The dwaara­

paalas made of granite on the sides of

praasaada.-dwaara deserve special

mention. On the ceiling of namaskaara­

malJrJapam Brahma and ashta-dikpaalas

are beautifully carved in wood.

Deities: The fila idol of Lord Krsh1)a is

in standing pose (67 cm.) and has four

arms with conch, disc, club and lotus

in hands. The idol of Lord Gary.apathi also

made of iila, is in sitting pose (height

30 cm.), while the idols of Lord Saastha,

Sree Prabha and Sree Sathyaka are of

plain fila Jingas of height 27 cm., 21 cm.

and 17 cm. respectively.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 5 to 10 a.m. and from

5 to 8 p.m. Three poojas are held daily,

usha-pooja at 6 a.m., uccha-pooja at

9-30 a.m. and aththaazha-pooja at

7-30 p.m.

I ,

Offerings: Paal-paayasam and pushpaa­JijaJi are the main offerings of which paaZ-paayasam is popular. The popular belief is that those who are unable to worship and offer vazhipaats at the Sree KfshI)a temple, Guruvayoo~ will get the blessings of the Lord by worshipping the deity of this temple.

Festivals: The aSh!ami-ri5hilJi is celebrated with great pomp and special mid-night poojas. The details of the thanthri who initially consecrated the old Lord Vish1)u idol with the sankalpa of Lord Krshry.a here are not known. The present thanthribelongs to Aary.talaati mana. The saanthikkaran is appointed from Malayaa!a Brahmins. The other staff includes a clerk kazhakam and aticchu-thali.

General remarks: The temple IS

administered satisfactorily.

(Datafumished by Sree KP. Achutha Vaaryar, Kazhakam and collected by Srcc G. Sivadasan of the Census Directorate).

4.28 SREE SIVA TEMPLE, THIROORKKAAT (Angaatippuram panchaayathth, Valamboo! village, Pin - 679 351)

Location: Six and half km. west of

PerinthalmaI)I}a at Thiroorkkaat Junction

on Malappurum road and thence 200 m.

on the same direction, the temple is

connected by tarred road. Facilities

for stay are available at Perinthalma~lI)a

or at Angaatippuram.

Brief history and temple administration:

Datable to ancient period, the temple

has a swayambhoo idol, believed to have

appeared before a great saint who

meditated there. No other details on

228

its history are available except that the

temple was earlier owned by Kuttaatt illam. When there was no progeny in

this iliam the temple went into ruins.

Later the HR&CE Board took over the

temple and now they manage the

temple through an Executive Officer.

Structures: Details of land owned prior

to the Land Reforms Act of 1963 are

not available. At present the temple

owns nine acres, two acres of dry land

and seven acres of non-cultivable land.

The temple complex proper has an

extent of two acres. The structures

thereon are sreeki5vil, namaskaara­maJ;](japam, sub-shrines, chu!!ambalam

with an agra-malJ9apam, well, theeIththa­

ku!am and a tank.

The circular dwi-thala sreeki5vil of

saandhaara type facing east has granite

adhish{haagam, laterite walls and tiled

roof. The adhish{haagam has upa­

paadukam, paadukam, jagathi, vrththa­kumudam, kumuda-pati, vaajagam with

motifs, ga!am, ga!a-pati, kampam, ga!am

with flower motifs, ga!a-pati, uththaram

and patio Sopaagam and PIalJaa!am of

traditional form do not exist as the idol

is swayambhoo. However, a small water

out-let is provided. The walls have two

gha!]adwaaras with niches. The roof is

made of dressed laterite stone and over

it wood and tiles. On the front part of

the western gha!]adwaara there is s11a

with the sankalpa of Goddess Paa!vathi.

The namaskaara-ma!19apam (side:3.05 m.)

has four pillars. The sub-shrine at the

southern akaththe-balivattam facing north

has three deities, Lord Gal}apathi,

Goddess Bhagavathi and Naagar. The

well is at the northeast of the akaththe­balivattam. To the east of the well and

within the akaththe-balivattam, there is

a thee!thha-ku!am, the water of which is

exclusively used for temple rites.

The chuttambalam has five

entrances, one at the eastern side,

one at the southem side, one at west

and two at the north. The thitappa!!i is

at southeast. The valiya-balikkall (small

in size as the main idol is small) and

Nandi are installed within the attached

229

but ruined agra-maIJljapam. A

deepasthambham is also located within

it. There is another dilapidated su b­

shrine outside the southern

chu!!ambalam, facing east and with

deities of Lord Gal).apathi, Lord Ayyappa

and Naaga!. The sub-shrine of Lord

Murukan is at northwest facing east. To

its northwest, there is yet another

shrine for Lord VishI)u, facing east. The

temple tank is at the east of the ruined

laterite compound wall. The remnants

of the western gopuram can be seen.

Carvings and paintings: On the walls of

eka-thala and on the greeva of dwi-thala

parts of the sree:k{)vi/, there are niches,

and figurines of faces of ~shis, animals

etc. apart from episodes of Kiraatha

story.

Deities: The swayambhoo idol of Lord Siva

is of sjJa-liriga type with a height of

27 cm. in the sankalpa of the Lord

showering love on Sree Paa!vathi. All

idols are made of sila. Of the idols in

the sub-shrine within the akathche­

baJivattam, Lord GaI)apathi is in sitting

pose (45 crn.), Goddess Bhagavathi in

standing pose {27 cm.} and Naagaraaja

and Naagayakshi in sitting poses with

raised hoods. The three idols of sub­

shrines outside the chu!!ambalam, i.e.

Naagar with raised hoods (27 cm.),

Lord Ayyappa (plain linga of 7 cm.)

and Goddess Bhagavathi (without form

9 cm.) are installed on a single­

peerham. Lord Muruka is installed in

standing pose (height: 57 cm.), and

Lord Vishl:lU, also in standing pose

(height: 60 cm.).

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 5 to 10-30 a.m. and

from 5 to 8 p.m. Three poojas are done

daily, usha-pooja at 7 a.m., uccha-pooja

at 10 a.m. and aththaazha-pooja at 7-45

p.m. No daily sreebalj is done at present.

Offerings: Jala-dhaara, I!anee[-dhaara,

Sa!kkara-paayasam and pushpaanja/i are

the main uazhipaats. Of these both

dhaaras are popular.

Festivals: Ma!1~aJa-period 1S celebrated

with Ga!lapafhihava!Jam, navakam,

pancha-gavyam, chu!!u-vi!akk, ni!a-maala. bhaj8g8 etc. No en tertainmen t is

staged. Sivaraathri is also observed.

Priesthood and temple staff: Details of

the thanthri who performed the initial

rites to the swayambhoo idol are not

known. At present there is no thanthri.

The daily poojas are performed by a

Brahmin. The other staff includes

kazhakam, aticchu-thaji, clerk, watch­

man and a mike-operator.

General remarks; The temple is In

pitiable condition. The structures are

to be urgently renovated.

(Data furnished by ,~ree p.s. Sankaranaaruya1}<1

lye!, §aanlhikkaran and collected by Srcc C.

Sivadiisan of the Census Directorate).

I J'

SREE (Raavaramal}~a) SIVA TEMPLE, ANGAATIPPU,6AM 4.29 (Angaatippuram panchaayathth, Angaatippuram village, Pin - 679321)

Location: Situated one km. north

west of Angaatippuram junction on

Perinthalma~I).a-Malappu!,am road, the

RaavaramaI)l)a temple is connected by

tarred road. NeeH~swaram river flows

at the north of the temple. Facilities

for stay are available at Angaatippu!:am

and PerinthalmaI!~a.

Brief history and temple administration:

Datable to eleventh century, the early

history of the temple is still obscure.

This temple has a swayambhoo idol. The

river here is famous for pithr-tha[ppal}am

on Karkkataka-vaav day. Those who

perform oblations to manes make it a

point to worship Lord Siva of this

temple.

Tbe temple was earlier owned by

Val!uvanaat raajas. Later its administra-

230

tion was vested with a local Vaarier family. In 1993 a newly constituted Raavaramal)I).a Siva K,'ihEthra Bhartl{Ja

Samithi took over its administration and

now they manage it. The Samithi

meets once in three years to elect a 13-member committee and they in

turn elect the President, Vice­President, Secretary, Joint Secretary

and Treasurer. The expenses of day­to-day poojas are met from the

contribution of RS.25 from the

neighbouring Hindu families.

Structures: The details of land owned

by the temple earlier are not available. At present the temple owns only 50

cents which constitute the temple complex. The structures thereon are §reek6vii, namaskaara-maIJ9apam, valiya­

mba lam, thitappa!!i, valiya-balikkall, sub­

shrines, deepa-sthambhas and a well.

The circular eka-thala sreekoviJ of

nirandhaara type and facing west has

granite adhish!haagam, laterite walls

and copper-sheet covered roof. The

mouldings of the adhishrhaa!_!am are

paadukam, jagathi, vrththa-kumudam,

f...--umuda-pati, kampam, ga!am, gala-pari, kampam, ga!am, ga!a-pati, uththaram and

patio The sopaa!Jam has four direct steps

with vyaaJi face on the top of banisters

and niches on their sides. The

p!a{laa!am has makara-simha face at the

base, multi-faceted SUl}tjU with pearl

rings and gc)-mukha end. The walls

have niches all around. The roof is

made of laterite dressed stones

covered by copper sheets. The su b­

shrine, attached to the southern wall

of the .sreekoviJ. is dedicated to Lord

Ga[~apathi and faces west. The

namaskaara-ma{1c)apam (side: 2.20 m.}

has four granite pillars. An idol of

Nandi is installed in this ma{1c)apam

facing the deity.

The c:huttambalam has been completely

ruined and only the vaathilmaatam

exists. The thitappa!!i is located

at northwest. The valiya-balikkall

is ou tside the vaathil-maatam. A

deepasthambham is installed to the

west of the valiya-balikkall. At the

sou thwest corner there are two

shrines-one dedicated to Lord Saastha

and the other to Brahmarakshas. The

well is at northeast. Beyond this there

is a sacred grove. At the southwest

there is an idol of Lord Siva in fierce

form. It is reported that at this site

there existed earlier a temple or an

idol with the concept of Lord Siva

dancing in a grave yard.

231

Carvings and paintings: The laterite

walls have beautiful niches. Flower­

motifs are carved on the wooden ceiling

of the namaskaara-ma1J9apam.

Deities: The sila-liilga idol of Lord Siva

has a height of 30 cm. It is a

swayambhoo idol. The other idols are

also made of sila, viz. Lord GaI).apathi in

sitting pose (30 em.) and Lord Saastha

'With His consort Sree Prabha and son

Sree Sathyaka of height 27 cm., 27 crn.

and 15 cm. respectively. The idol of

Brahmarakshas is of plain linga form

of height 27 cm.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 5-30 to 8-30 a.m. and

from 5-30 to 8 p.m. Two poojas are

held, usha-pooja at 7 -30 a.m. and

aththaazha-pooja at 7 -30 p.m.

Offerings: Jala-dhaara and koova!a-maaJa

are the main offerings of which the

former is popUlar.

Festivals: Sivaraathri IS observed with

the usual rites. KaJam-paatt to Sree

Bhagavathi is held on special days.

Priesthood and temple staff: The details

of the thanthri who performed the initial

rites to the swayambhoo idol are not

known. The present thanthri belongs

to Panthalak6t mana. The saanthikkaran is

appointed from Malayaa~a Brahmins.

The other staff includes an aticchu-rha!i,

General remarks: The temple needs

urgent reno\'ation.

(Data furnished by _~rcc C. K:Jrunak:1r:w.

President and collected by Srec G. Sh ad:Js;1I1 of the Census D1rcctorate).

, 4.30 SREE (Thirumandhaamkunnu) BHAGAVATHI TEMPLE,

ANGAATIPPUDAM (Angaatippuram panchaayathth, Angaatippu!am village, Pin - 679 321)

Location: Situated three km. west of

Perinthalmal)l)a at Angaatippuram,

formerly known as VeHaattangaati, the

ancient seat of VaHuva Ko!}aathiri (Raja

of VaHuvanaat), on Malappuram road the

southern gopuram of the temple could

be seen from the main road. The

Paarakatav-puzha flows on the northern

side of the temple. A peculiar feature

is that the temple is on a hillock of

height 100 kales (72 metres) above the

road level. The belief is that in olden

days the thattakam (domain} of the

Goddess extended over a square area

having sides of 100 koles, which works

out to 125 acres. Now the complex has

only an extent of 14 acres, but the

temple is renowned because of its

structural peculiarities and its very

powerful and benevolent deity.

Facilities for stay are available at the

temple itself or at Perinthalmal)I)a.

Brief history and temple administration: The telnple dates back to very ancient

period. In old records the temple's

name is recorded as Thiru A1aathaam­kunnu which means the holy hillock

where the Mother Goddess's supreme

powers radiate. There is another

version that the earlier name was

Thirumaanamkunnu, but the name

associated with Mother Goddess seems

more relevant. The temple has an

interesting legend about its origin,

associated with the famous

Maandhaathaav Maharshi, a renowned king

of 5001'ya-Vamsa who lived in Krtha-yuga. The legend goes that Maandhaathaav

232

Maha!shi meditated for a long period at

the Kailas Mountain, the abode of Lord

Siva. Pleased with the ardent

meditation, Lord Siva appeared before

him and enquired about his intention.

Maharshi told Lord Siva to give him an

idol of the Lord so that he could spend

the remaining part of his life in

conducting pooja. Lord immediately

gave an idol of Lord Siva, used to be

worshipped by Sree Paarvathi, without

the knowledge of the Goddess.

Maharshi left Kailas and in no time

installed the idol at this place since

he found the place most suitable for

installation. When Goddess Paarvathi

knew about the loss of the idol, She

became furious and directed Goddess

Bhadrakaa!i to follow the Maha!shi and

get back the idol. When Goddess

Bhadrakaap reached there, She could

not approach the hill because of the

brilliant radiance of the idol.

Thereafter a battle took place between

the Bhoothagal}as of Sree Bhadrakaa!i

stationed at the valley and the

disciples of the Maharshi standing at

the top of the hill. While the

Bhoothagal}as did their attack with

arms, Maharshi's disciples used

aaftanga (a bitter gourd) which turned

into arrows by the powers of Maharshi.

Finally Sree Bhadrakaap succeeded in

reaching the top of the hill and tried

to snatch away the idol which broke

into two pieces. From the broken idol

there appeared Lord Siva, Goddess

Paarvathi and Lord UI)I)i-GaI)apathi and all

blessed the Maha[shi. Sree Paarvathi told

him that though She would like to

possess the idol She did not want to

act against the will of Her Lord.

Further She directed that Sree

BhadrakaaF should be properly revered

and poojas done to Her. Then Lord Siva,

Goddess Paarvathi and Sree Ul)r:li­Gal)apathi disappeared into the broken

sila-liriga, which can be still seen at the

Sreemoola-sthhaaga at the time of

abhishEka before the usha-pooja and

maia[-nivedyam. A small idol of Lord

Ul)l)i-Gal)apathi was then installed at

the sreemoola-sthaanam. Maharshi then

installed a separate maathr-.<faala facing

north. The deities thereon are Sree

Bhadrakaap at its extreme east facing

north and a single-ii1a at its western

side for saptha-maathrkka!s (facing north),

Sree Veerabhadran (facing west) and

Lord Gal)apathi facing east. After this

incident the Maharshi lived here in

penance for many years. When the

for his samaadhi approached, he

entered the nearby forest by name

Kukshipaara and attained Maha

samaadhi. Before leaving the place the

Maharshi entrusted the administration

of the temple to two Malayaa!a Brahmins

who happened to come there by the

will of Almighty. One of them cleared

the jungle (kaatu) and the other erected

a panthal at this place. Thereafter the

illams of these Brahmins got the names

Kaattilaamu!!am and Panthalakot. The

eldest qualified male membe: of these

illams continues to be the tllanthri of

this temple. At the instance of these

Namboothiris, Va!!uvanaat Raaja visited

the temple. (The history of Va!!uvanaal

or Vallabhakshoni in Sanskrit has

233

already been discussed in section 1 of

this monograph). The legend tells that

when the Raaja came to worship

Goddess Durga, She stood up to receive

him. This incident is reported to have

occurred in the Kali-va[sha by name

ChembakadeSa ramya, which corresponds

to 343 A.D. The Raaja then prayed to

the Goddess that he should be

considered as Her son and not as

Raaja. He then offered an elephant to

the Goddess and made it a point to

worship the Goddess from the shade

of the elephant. This custom was

continued by the successors of that

VaHuvanaat Raaja.

There is yet another legend also

associated with the temple.The legend

up to the da[san of the Lord, Goddess

and Sree Ul)l)i-Gal)apathi to the Maha[shi

is the same. After this incident the

consecrated idols were neglected and

the place was covered with thick

jungles. One day a Che!umi went to

cu t the undergrowth in the jungle.

While she was sharpening her sickle

on a §iJa, blood oozed out. A member of

Aalththoo[ Nambi's family came there

at that time and with his immaculate

powers stopped the bleeding of the idol.

At that time two Narnboothiris came

there. One of them cleared the

undergrowth close to the idol and the

other helped in erecting a panlhal and

thereafter the illams of these two

Namboothiris took the names

Kaattilaamunam and Panthalakkot. By the

dubious methods of the Vcllaattara

swaroopal11, Nambi had to leave this

place and his properties including the

temple complex came into the hands

of the swaroopam. As a token for the

help rendered by eight persons of

Vaisya community the temple was

entrusted to them and the title of Ettuveettil Acchanmaar was conferred on

them. It is believed that the Vaisya

community originated from Maru!ilththu­mangalam of Cho!a kingdom. Their

tutelar deity was Sree Bhadrakaa!i and

they installed Her idol here as Ka!ari­devatha. However the first legend

seems more acceptable.

The temple is closely associated

with Koovakkara matham of Trivandrum. During the invasion by the forces of

Tippu Sulththaan, the thitamb of the

Goddess was taken for safety to Trivandrum and kept for some time in Koovakkara (Koorkkara) ma{ham. It was

taken back later.

The temple has a special pooja at 4-30 p.m. known as Thiriiiiia-pantheerati­pooja. This pooja was instituted by the

Saamoothiri as an atonement for challenging the power of the Goddess. Legend says that the tutelar deity of

the wife of one Saamoothiri was this

Goddess and She had a wish to

conduct ka!am-paatt in this temple along

with the offering of ka!abhaabhishekam at the famous ThaF temple of

Kozhikkode. But the Samoothiri refused to oblige and instead

demanded that the Goddess Herself should come to the kovilakam at K6zhikk5de to receive the offering. On

that night the Goddess appeared in a

dream to the thanthri and ooraa!a!s of the Thirumandhaamkunnu temple

pronouncing that a special pooja to be conducted at thiriiiiia-pantheerati time (5

234

naazhikas before sunset) and accordingly it was done. At this

juncture the komaram of the temple

appeared and pronounced that he is proceeding to K5zhikk5de for

demanding the share of ka!am-paatt thereby satisfying the wish of Her ardent devotee. The oracle reached

K6zhikk6de in no time and demanded

the share. The frightened Saamoothiri gave the share and thereafter instituted thiriiiiia-pantheerati pooja in

Thirumandhaamkunnu temple as a

daily routine as atonement. In addition an idol of the Goddess was

installed in a sub-shrine within the

southern valiyambalam of Sree ThaJi Siva temple of K6zhikk5de.

The deity of the famous Sree

(Va!ayanaat) Bhagavathi temple, Kommeri is the same Sree Thirumaa­

ndhaamkunnu Bhagavathi. (The origin

of that temple has been described in

detail in page 246 of the monograph

on Temples of Kozhikode District). Further the layout of the idols (Lord

Siva, Maathrkka! and KshethrapaaJal is similar to that of Thirumaandhaamkunnu

temple. There are other temples with

the same deity, the prominent ones among them being K6ngaat and

Katambazhippuram of Palakkaat district).

The attack by Tippu Sulththaan, the

communal riots of 1836 and 1863 and

the Mappqa rebellion of 1921 have seriouly affected the functioning and

worship of the temple.

Four k5vilakams, VIZ. Mankata Aayiramnaazhi, KatannamaI)I)a and Arip!a

own the temple and the eldest male member administers the temple as

Trustee. The HR&CE Department

ratifies this procedure of appointment

of Trustee as a routine measure. The

Trustee appoints a Manager of his

choice and he is responsible for

administering the day-to-day affairs.

The temple is closely associated

with Poonthaa!_!am. He used to worship

the deity frequently. When he was

attacked by small-pox he wrote a

famous Kee[ththa!]am in praise of the

Goddess. The keeIththa!]am commonly

sung as sopaa!]a-sarigeetha is 'khana-

samgha etayunna tha!] ukaanthi ...... ' in

Bhoopaa!am combined with Sankaraa­

bharanam raaga in Thrputa and Aadi-'

thaa/am.

Structures: Earlier the thattakam

(consisting of 11 desams) belonging to

the temple had an extent of 125 acres.

At present the temple owns 14 acres

of which three acres constitute the

temple complex. The structures

thereon are sreemoolasththaa!] am, samaadhi of Sree Maandhaathaav Maha!:"shi,

sreekoviJ with agra-mal}t;1apam, well,

valiya-balikkalls, dhwajam, deepa­

sthambhas, sub-shrines,paththaayappura,

kooththambalam, office-building, sathram and gopuram.

A person who enters the gopuram on the southern-side has to climb the

flight of steps. The Devaswam sathram

is on the southern side. Further up on

an elevated platform and on the

eastern side the offices, paththaayappura and kooththambalam (built in 1136 KE

or 1961 AD) are located. The kaJyaal}a­

mal}cjapam located close to the office

counter was built in 1976.

235

Sreemoolasththaanam is at the top

of the steps on the hill. It is a

rectangular structure with agra­

manl}9apams at the east and west. It

has granite adhish{haagam and di:rect

steps. The mOUldings of the

adhishthaagam are paadukam, jagathi,

triple faceted kumudam, kumuda-pati, ga!am, gala-pati and uththaram. Around

the trellis walls there are rows of

lamps. The .5reemoolasththaanam has a

copper sheet covered roof at a height

of 22 feet,with an opening at the

cen tre. At the centre of the Sree

moolasththaanam there is a broken siJa­

JiIiga PIathish!ha with the sankalpa of

Lord Siva and Sree Paarvathi. The Sree

Ut:ll).i-Gal)apathi is installed north of this

idol. The trellis walls nave two small

windows (ki!i-vaathiJ). In between these

two ki!ivaathils there is a door which is

always closed. There is a balikkall at

the front of the attached western

mal}t;1apam and a deepasthambham at the

front of the attached eastern

mal}t;1apam.

As directed in the deva-PIas!Ja held

in 1959, it was decided to install an

idol of Sree Maandhathaav Maharshi in a

separate shrine located at the

northwest of the sreemoolasththaanam.

Accordingly an idol has been installed.

The shrines within the akaththe­

balivattam are the shrine of Lord Siva

facing east and maathrsaaJa (facing

north) with a detached namaskaara­

mal}t;1apam. The cka-thaJa shrine of Lord

Siva is square in shape of nirandhaara

type with granite upa-pee!ham and

adhishthaa!Jam, laterite walls and copper

sheet covered roof. The upa-peerham has mouldings of paadukam, uththaram and pali in the reverse order while the

adhish{haa[!am has mouldings of paadukam, jagathi, vrththa-kumudam, kumuda-pati, kampam, va!aru, ga!am, ga!a-pati, kampam, ga!am, ga!a-pati, uththaram andpati. The walls are made of laterite. The granite sopaa[!am has direct steps The PIalJaa!am has makara­simha base, multi-faceted sUl}~u and go­mukha end. The detached namaskaara­malJ9apam (side 2.82) has four pillars.

The main shrine of Sree Thirumaa­ndhaamkunnu Bhagavathi is rectangular eka-thala,facing north and of nirandhaara type. It has granite adhishrhaagam, laterite walls and copper sheet covered roof. A padma-paaduka and a pati exist below the adhishrhaanam. The mouldings of the adhish[haa!}am are paadukam, jagathi, vrththa-kumudam, ga!am with vaaja!}a motif, ga!a-pati, uththaram, kampam, ga!am with flower motifs, ga!a­pari, uththaram and patio The sopaagam has four steps with vyaali faces on top and curved ends in the shape of conch. Two PIa1J.aa!as projecting from the gala-part on either side of the sopaagam face north.

These PIaI}aa!as have makara-simha face, multi-faceted sUIJ9u and go-mukha end. The walls have three gha!}adwaaras besides two functional doors. The walls have exquisite mural paintings. Within the sreekoviJ, the daaru-§jJpa of Goddess Bhagavathi is installed at the eastern portion of the ga!bha-grha facing north. To its west is the maathr-siJa (saptha­maathrkkaJ facing north, Sree Veerabhadran facing west and Lord Gal)apathi facing east). There are three

236

doors at the front side of the maathr­saaia, one facing Goddess Bhagavathi, one at the centre and the third facing the saptha-maathrkkaf. In addition, there is a small kiji-vaathii (trellis work) at the eastem side facing the door of the Goddess.

The chuttambalam has five doors, two on the east (one facing Lord Siva and other on the eastem naalambalam) and one each at south, west and north. The thitappa!!i is at the western naalambalam. There are two rooms, one at northwest and the other at north. There are two agra-maIJgapas, one facing Lord Siva and the other facing the maathr-saala. Both have valiya­balikkalls.

There is a granite P!adakshiIJa-vazhi around the chu!!ambaJam. On the northern side there was a dhwajam (installed in 975 A.D.), which was later brought to grand by an elephant. Steps

are now being taken to reinstall the dwajam. Two deepasthambhas (one bronze and the other 5i1a), exist at the

northern side while at the eastern side there is a single deepasthambham. The sub-shrine of Sree Kshethrapaalan at northeast faces west. Two other sub­

shrines are also located on its eastern side, dedicated to Brahmarakshas and Naagas. They were installed in 1959.

Two beautiful peepul trees stand on the northern side, of which the eastern one has an idol of Lord Ul)l)i Gal!apathi beneath it. The northern nata leads to the river and through a granite bridge to the paddy fields on the other side of the river. It is believed that the bridge was built by Bhoothagal}as of Goddess

Bhagavathi in one night.

Carvings and paintings: The temple is

rich in wood carvings and mural

paintings. Apart from the daaru-s!lpa idols of Goddess Bhagavathi and Sree

Kshethrapaalan there are wood carvings

on the northern agra-maIJ9apam. The

episodes are taken from RaamaayalJa like the Puthrakaameshti-yaagam, wives

of Dasaratha, Maha VishIfu, birth

of Sree Raama, Kaikeyi and Bharatha,

Sumithra, LakshmaI).an and Sathru­

ghnan, Dasaratha and sons, Viswamithra

in forest with the royal princes,

Thaataka-vadha. Ahalya-moksha, Darbar of

Janaka Raja, Seethaswaya-mvaram, Sree

Raama leaving for forests, giving

paadukas to Bharatha, Vira~a-vadham,

Khara-vadham, Maareechan as gold­

coloured deer, Maareecha- vadham, injured Jataayu, Sugreeva sakhya,

cutting sapthasaalas by arrow, Baali­

Sugreeva yuddham, coronation of

Sugreeva, Hanuman's preparations in

search of Seetha, Rarna giving ring to

Ha!!uman, Sree Ha!!uman proceeding to

Lanka, Sampaathi obstructing ,the

army of monkeys from suicide, Sree

Ha!!uman meeting Seetha, Viswa-roopa of Hanumaan in RaavaI!a's darbar, giving

Choodii-ratna to Sree Raama by Sree

Ha!!uman, coronation of Angatha as

King, Rama-RavaIfa battle, killing of

Indrajith, RaavaI)a-vadha, Seetha

entering pyre, Seetha proceeding to

Ayodhya with Rama, returning of

paadukas by Bharathan to Sree Raama

and Sree Rama pattiibhishekam .

The ceiling of the namaskaara­

mandapam has also navagraha motifs

with weapons in hands. Gaja-mukha

237

motifs and paalaazhi madhagam episode

are also beautifully carved there.

Navagrahas with weapons are also

carved in wood on the ceiling of the eastern agra-mappapam. On the ga!a­part of the adhish!haagam of the agra­map9apam there are exquisite motifs of faces of elephants and dasavathara. In the Sree-mukhas of maathrsaala there

are some wood carvings.

The walls of maathrsaala have

exquisite mural paintings, Lord GaI!apathi in sitting pose, penance of

Sree Maandhaathaav, the Maharshi

accepting the idol from the Lord Himself, Goddess sending Sree Bhadrakaap

and Bhoothagal)as to take back the idol, Sree Paarvathi vanishing into the broken

idol of Lord Siva, giving back the idol to the Maha!shi, handing over the temple

to two Namboothiris, samaadhi of the

Maha!shi etc. These paintings were

slightly damaged when the data was collected. On the whole the temple is

a treasure house of woodcarvings and mural paintings. The authorities do

not permit to take photographs of these

exquisite carvings and paintings.

Deities: The main idol of Goddess Bhadrakaali is daaru-siJpa (made of jack

wood) of height of about 1.8 m., the tallest wooden uigraha of Sree BhadrakaaF

in Kera1a. As the sankalpa of the deity

is of Rurujith-vidhaa!]a, the idol is of fierce

nature. The Goddess is in sitting pose

with left hand folded and right hand

suspended. The idol has eight hands with vaal (sword), thr-sooJa (trident),

sa[pam (serpent), khatwangam (club), head of Daarika, paricha (shield), maIJi

(bell) and vattaka (a flat circular plate).

At its front there is a si}a where

abhishekas are held. A pancha-16ha­

vigraha of 30 cm. height of Sree

BhadrakaaF is also installed in front as

abhishekas are not done to the main

daarusilpa idol.

The si}a linga idol of Lord Siva has

a height of 45 cm. The daaru-silpa idol

of Sree Kshethrapaala is in sitting pose

(height: 1.8 m.). The si1a idol of Sree

Maandhaathaav Maharshi is in standing

pose has a height of 30 em. At the

sreemaolasthaanam, the si1a-linga has a

height of hardly 3 cm. The idol of Sree

U I_lI_li GaI).apathi is in sitting pose of abou t

11 cm. height. Naaga idols are of usual

form of sitting poses with raised hoods

(heigh t: 37 cm.), while the

Brahmarakshas is a plain sjJa ljriga of

height 30 cm.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 4-45 to 11 a.m. and

from 4 to 8-30 p.m. Five poojas are

held daily,usha-pooja at 6 a.m.,

pantheerati-pooja at 9-30 a.m., uccha-pooja

at 11 a.m., thirififia-pantheerati paoja at

4-30 p.m. and aththaazha-pooja at 8 p.m.

Daily sree-ba1i is held in this temple

with the accompaniment of percussion

and musical instruments.

The pooja timings at the sreemoola­

sththaa!!am are usha-pooja before 7 a.m.,

uccha-pooja at 10-30 a.m. and

aththaazha-pooja at 8 p.m.

The ka!am-paart sung during

festival days indicates the Goddess's

preference to guruthi and animal

sacrifice.

238

Offerings: Of the 74 items of vazhipaat,

the important ones are chaanlhaattam, mangalya-pooja, kathi!Ja-paayasam,

niramaala, Gar.1apathi-h6mam, valiya-vi!akk, chathussatham, kalabhaabhishekam,

udayaasthama!Ja paoja, maha-mrthyunjaya­h6mam and thr-madhuram. Chaanthaattam

is held during the months of Milhhu!]am and Ka!kkatakam and is done after the

pantheerati-pooja. After laying padmam in the namaskaara-ma~J(japam kalasams

con taining chaanth are kept on the

padmam. Thereafter poojas to kala.,>'ams of navakam, panchagavyam, ka!abham

etc.are performed. They are taken

inside the sreekovjJ. Navakam and

panchagavyam are offered to a!chaga­

bimbam and chaanth to the daaro-vigraha.

Chaanrhaattam is also done to the idol of

Kshethrapaalan. About 12 litres of

chaanth are required for this. The idol

is adorned with ornaments only on

Aayilyam asterisk in the month of

Kaggi. MangaJya-pooja is done for Sree

UJ?J?i GaJ?upathi on Fridays and Sundays.

The rule is that the devotees have to

offer this vazhipaat continuously for

three years, even if their prayer for

marriage has been fulfilled. Ni[a is

held on the first Sunday after the New

Moon of Karkkatakam.

Festivals: More than two lakhs devotees

worship in the temple in an year. The

important festival started more than

700 years ago commences on

Makeeryam asterisk in the month of

Mee!}am and lasts for eleven days. All

the temple rites associated with

uthsava are scrupulously executed.

Pakal-pooram and aa!aat-e7hunne!/ipp are

the important items of the festival.

Another notable feature is the kootikaazhccha between the Vellattiri . .. Raaja and Mooppan of Paana

community when the latter is

honoured. Fire works follow this

meeting. Cherumaka!i is held after the festival on 12th day. Chaakyaa!-kooth,

ottam-thu!!al, ezhunne!Jipp on caparisoned

elephant etc. are the important items

of the festivaL

Kalamezhulhu-paatt is an important

ritualistic art of the temple. It starts

after the first pantheerati-pooja in the month of Vrschikam. The keertha!} as,

which follow, are confined to praises

of Lord GaI).apathi, Godde'ss Saraswathi

and Goddess Bhagavathi.The ka!am is then made before the aththaazha-pooja.

Ka!am-paatt commences after dusk, the

songs being sung by two persons belonging to the traditional Kurup family. After paatt, Ka!a-baJi and thiri­

uzhicchal are performed. The ka!am is

erased and the ka!am-powder and rice used for it are distributed as p[asaadam

to all devotees. Ka!am-paatt continues

for five months from Vrschikam to

Meenam.

Priesthood and temple staff: The idols

of Lord Siva and Goddess were installed

by Sree Maandhaathaav Maha!,shi. Two

thanthris who perform the temple rites

belong to Kaattilamigam and Panthalakkot.

The three meJ-saanthis belong to

traditional Namboothiri families. The

other staff includes six keezh-saanthis.

two kazhakam, eight aticchu-tha!i,

vaadyam, two kaavutaya nair. yeti. washer

woman, mahout, six securities, besides

Manager, Assistant Manager, Head

Clerk, nine Clerks, Superintendent,

Electrician, Attenders, Conch blower

etc.

General remarks: It IS a well­

administered temple.

(Data furnished by Sree MP. Ve1}ugopaaJan,

(Retd.ADM), Manager and collected by Sree G.

Sivadiisan of the Census Directorate).

4.31 I , •

SREE (Tha~i) SIVA TEMPLE, ANGAATIPPURAM (Angaatippu_ram panchaayathth, ArigaatipPuIam village, Pin - 679 321)

Location: Situated three km. west of Perinthalmanna at Angaatippuram

junction, the temple is connected by

tarred road. Facilities for stay are

available at the sathram of Sree Thirumaandhaamkunnu Bhagavathi Temple or Perinthalmat;lt;la town.

Brief history and templE" administration:

Datable to very ancient period, the idol

was initially consecrated by Lord Parasuraama. The temple has a

chequered history and it was

239

instrumental for the renovation of

many dilapidated and neglected

temples in the erstwhile Malabar

region. This renowned temple, stated

to be one among the 108 Saivite

shrines in Kera!a, continues to retain

its prominence for centuries. The

legend says that in early years of Kali­

yuga this temple-site had no temple,

but there was only one siJa-idol lying

in the midst of a jungle. One jungle­

lady, while cutting grass, saw an

unusual cow draining its milk on a sila.

She got scared seeing this rare

phenomenon and informed some

inhabitants of the nearby locality about

it. They rushed to the place and

cleared the jungle and also arranged

for the worship of the idol. Later the

temple came into the hands of VaHuva

Ko!!aathiri, but he could not retain it

for long, as he had to surrender his

Presidentship in the Mamamkam

festival to the ambitious Saamoothiri

Raaja. The Hindus had to leave the

place on account of the atrocities of

Mysorean forces and also due to the

high handedness of the miscreants of

the Malabar Rebellion. This resulted in

the stoppage of poojas in the temple.

Because of the events of 1968 the

temple rose to importance again. In

that year the renovation work was

initiated by the Malabar Kshethra

Samraksha1}a Samithi headed by Sree K.

Kelappan. Their request to release the

lands adj acent to the temple was also

neglected by the Government. It was

then decided by the Samithi to conduct

a bhaja!}a during Du!ga-pooja time at

the temple premises. This was

objected to by some fanatics with the

support of the Government. Section

144 was declared by the District

Collector, Palakkad but Sree Ke!appan and

the local devotees decided to break it.

o All of them courted arrest on 17th

November 1968. They were released

on the same day. This was repeated

on the next day. The role of the

Government became questionable as

the Government declared the idol as

an archeological monument and a

240

compound wall was built with its

might. The Government also gave

verbal directions to the Director of

Archeology to shift the idol to

Trivandrum but this attempt had to be

abandoned at the last minute. This

was followed by large-scale agitation.

The agitators including women (led by

Smt. Leela Damodara Menon) marched to

the site and courted arrest. The

compound wall built by the Govemment

was smashed to pieces by the agitators.

Sree Ke!appan started fast unto death

in police lock up. The litigations which

followed, ended with a court order of

25th November 1968 in which the court

permitted the devotees to conduct

poojas freely and banned the

Government from interfering in the

conduct of temple rites. The fast unto

death by Sree Ke!appan ended.The

mosque located about three metres

away from the temple was also

renovated and now both function

smoothly as a symbol of communal

harmony.

In 1970 Sree Ke!appan passed away.

In 1971 a Trust was formed with the

name Tha!i Temple Cultural Trust with

11 members inclusive of three main

office bearers, viz. President, General

Secretary and Treasurer. The se

members are elected once in a year.

Structures: The details of the land

owned previously are not available. At

present the temple complex has an

extent of 30 cents. All the structures

were built in 1970 and they include

sreek()vij, maIJ9apam, thitappa!/i, office,

Naaraya~aalayam etc. The birth

centenary building in the name of Sree

Kc!appan and the sub-shrine for Lord

GaJ)apathi were added later.

The square dwi-thala sreeki'5vil of

nirandhaara type and facing east has

granite adhisi1{ha:!!}am, laterite walls

and tiled roof. The adhish!haa!]am has

mouldings ofpaadvkam.jagathi, vrththa­

kUITlud:.JTlI. A::umLida-pati, kampam, l~a!dJn

with decorations, uththaram, kampam,

ga!am, ga/d-pati, uththaram andpali. The

si-:paa!!am has V}'<1fijl-face at the base,

plain .sUl}flu with rings and gi5-muk}Ja tip.

On the walls there are niches,a

ghagad'-\'[wram and a functional door.

The attached rectangular mukha­

m.:uy)apam has eight piHars, feur on the

northern and four on the southern

sidt~. Two Nandi idols are installed i.n

this mal}()apam. The valiya-balikkall is

built at the front. To its east is the {ila

deepasthambham. On the eastern side

ucwthil-maatam exists, while <=-It the

southern side there is a struct-Llre with

rooms for office, storc, thilappalfi and

firewood store. The sub-shrine of Lord

Garyapathi is attached to the southern

side of the §reek6vij, facing east. There

is also a small stru cture adjacFnt to

the wall at the northeast. The

Naarayal)alayam hall and Kelappaji JaiHna

Sathaabdi Smaaraka Mandir are located Elt

the 1:1,:estern 81(le, The main entry to

thlS complex is through a gate provided

at the east of the granite comround

wall (height: 1.8 m. dnd YVldth: 60 cm.),

Carvings and paintings: ThEre ;1rf' no ('arVlngs and paintin?:s

3655 RGli03---17A

Deities: The s11a-linga idol of Lord Siva

has a height of 49 em. and the idol of

Lord GaJ)3pathi is of ,~iJa in sitting pose

pO cm.).

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 5 to 11 a.m. and from

5 to 8-15 p.m. Three poojus are done

daily, usha-pooja ( '7 a.m,), :.tsha-pooja

ilO-45 a.ITL) and aththaazho.-poojo.

(8 p.m.). No <,-(':ct~dli is done daily.

Offerings; Jafa·-dhaarl1., j Jaa<:<:r-. -abhish,:;kam and Rwtraabilishekam (with

ghee, gingelly oil, milk, curd,

sugarcane juice and ka!abbam) are the

main vClzhipaats. Of these the last one

is importont though the first one is

tnorc popular.

Festivals: There is no festival. Sil/araathri

is observed with pomp. Prathis.h{ha-day

is cel(:'braten on Afakeeryam asterisk

in the month of itauam. 25th Novenlber

is obsel"':ed as the commemoration day

of obtaIning freedom of worship.

Priesthood and temple staff: The idol IS

believed to have been originally

installed bv LOid Parasuraama. The

present thanthn belongs to Aantalaati

malla of Pattambi The {aanthikkaran

belongs to !vlalayaala Brahmins. The

other staff includes kazhakam, aticchu­

thali, clerk, storekeeper and t \VO

watchrnen, ·besldes the Manager.

General remarks: The temple IS

maintained well

(Dolo" JUlnish,:d t,y ,'';[( l' \,. K, B.llJdwndr.lfl.

C;erternl Secretury (ltLd collcctc'd by Srec G.

.';';v:llf:to.;;J!l o(the Census Dlrpctm'Utel.

/ I

4.32 SREE SIVA TEMPLE, PERINTHALMA~~A (Perinthalma~,:,a municipal town, Pin - 679322)

Location: The temple is situated about one km. southwest of PerinthalmaI).I)a. The road to the temple is tarred. Facilities for stay are available at Pcrinthalrnanna.

Brief history and temple administration:

Datable to very ancient period, the idol of the temple is believed to have been consecrated by a great yogedwaran. At tha t time the area had dense forests. For years the Yogeeswaran meditated Lord Siva who gave him daIsan. Thereafter Y6gceSwaran installed the idol and ,",-'orshipped it for some time. Later the temple came into the hands of Uduveli ma!!El. Due to the ::tHacks by

the forces of Tippu Sulththaan and subsequent Mappqa riots the temple

was ransacked and idols damaged. The ma!}a found it difficult to manage the temple due to the implementation of the Land Reforms Act. At this juncture on 1 st December 1973 the administration of the temple was taken over by devotees. They elected a committee consisting of 15 members

(inclusil/e of office bearers). The term of the committee is one year.

Structures: Prior to the Land Reforms Act the temple lands fetched 517 paIas of paddy and Rs. 15 as kuuflam. Now

the temple complex has only an extent

of 1.15 acres. Structures thereon are _~rcek6vil, namaskaan.1-mar.~/apam, ruined chu!!ambalam, sub-shrine, valiya­halikkaU, deepa-sthambhas, kalvaana _ . 0/ ..

ma{19apam, well, office building and temple tank.

The circular ciwi-lhala §reck(-C;vil of

'.-:1:11uJbaara type and facing east has

242

granite adhishfhaanam and laterite walls. The roof of the eka-thala portlon

is tiled while that of the dwi-thala portion was concreted in 1979. The

adhishrhaa!]am has mouldings of

paadukam, jagathi, "Tththa-kuTl1udam, ga!am with motifs, kampam, ga!am W"1th

flower motifs and uththaram. The

s6paagam has seven direct steps. The

PI8I_18a!am has vyaaJi-face at the base, multi-faceted SUl}9U with pearl nngs

and a curved end. The walls have

three gha!!adwaaras besides the main

functional door at the east. The sub­

shrine of Lord GaI!apathi is attached to the southern side of the sreeknvil and

it faces east. The namaskaara-maIJ9apam (side: 3.87 m.) has four pillars. The

well is at the northeast of the akaththe­balivattam.

The chu!!ambalam is ruined.

Though the valiyambalam and rhitappa!!i exist the naalambalam portion has only

thara. Yogeeswaran and Naaga are

installed at the southwest corner of

the naalambalam portion and the

sthhaa!.!am of Brahmarakshas is at the

northern side of it. The valiya-balikkall is outside the cl1U{{ambalam. A granite

deepasthambham stands on the eastern

side of the valiya-balikkall and facing

the main deity and another one at the

rear of the western chuttambalam.

There is a sub-shrine of Lord Krshna

at southeast facing west. A kaJyaal}i:l­

mal}9apam and a deepasthambham are

seen facing this shrine. There are two

other shrines, of Lord VishQu and of

Lord Ayyappa, both at southwest and

facing east. Each one has a

3655 RGI/03-17B

deepasthambham at it'S front. The office

building is at the northeast, \vhile the

temple tank is at the north"\vest. The

compound wall made of laterite has no

uniform height. the maximum being 3

m. and its \Vidth is 45 cm.

Carvings and Paintings: There are no carvings and paintings.

Deities: The main idol of Lord Siva, made of §ila of Jir;ga-type, has the

sankalpa of Sree Arddhanaarcdwara. Tlle

idols of all sub-shrines are also made

of §ila but of varying heights and poses,

Lord Gal!apathi in sitting pose (height

30 cm.), Lord Ayyappa of plain il1iga form

(15 em.), Lord KrshQa and Lord Vishl)u

in standing poses (60 crn. each] and

Yogeeswaran in sitting pose (27 Cill.).

and the Naaga idols in the usual

sitting poses weith raised hoods (27 cm.

each).

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 5.30 to 8-30 a.m. and

from 5-30 to 7-30 p.m. On important

days the tern pIe is kept open for longer

duration. Two poojas are held

daily,usha-pooja at 7 a.m. and aththaazha-pooja at 7 p.m.

, I

Offerings: Jala-dhaara, m!'th;yufija_va­h6mam, 1 i/akk-maala. pushpaaiijalj and

';arkkara-p,uJ FilSdm are th e rnain

vazhipaats of which vilakk maala and

dhaara are popular.

Festivals: The pugah-PIathishrha day is

observed on the PUI}<l!tham asterisk in

the mon th of lHakaram. All rites

Rf'sociated '..vith p!athir;;h!ha-day are

performed on this occaSIon.

Lakshaa~chcha~a is performed on

Sivaraatitri d<;:v~. Ma!19a1a-period and

Nauaraathri days are aJso celebrated. ottam-tlw!!aJ. ch8nkyaa[-koafh and modern

entertainments are staged on festival

days.

Priesthood and temple staff; The idol was

initially installed by the Yogecswaran

himself. The present thanthn belongs to Panthalakotathth md!]d of Valamboo!:.

The sa:1J1ihjkkaran is appointed from

Malayaa!a Brahmins. The other staff

includes kazhakam, afkchu-chaji and

clerk.

General remarks: The temple IS

administered satisfactorily.

(Data furnished by .~rce U.A1. Suhram,u/Y:.1n

IV.1.mhoothiri. Vice-Pres1dent and collected by

~(;ree R. Affidlwvan Nfl]! of the Census Directorate).

4.33 SREE (VeJ~att.Puththoo_r) SIVA TEMPLE, PERINTHALMA~~A (Perinthalma!)Qa municipal town, Pin - 679322)

location: Situated 500 m. south of

Perinthalma!)!)a on Pattambi road, the

temple is accessible by tarred road. Facilities for stay are available at Perinthalmal!l!a.

Brief history and temple administration: Datable to ancient period, according

to the legend this area h8d dense

forests in ancient days. Similar to the

legend of Srcc Siva temple of

PerinthalmaI.H:w, the origin of this temple

is also associated with the penance of

a. f.shi. 'When he was meditating, a halo

appeared before him as Siva-chaitl7agya.

At the instance of th(> f!.shi, some

Malayaala Brahmin s ma.naged the

temple till they h8d to flee from the

p1ace on account of the atrocities of

the furces of Tippu Sulththaan.

Th ereafter the administration of the

temple came into the hands of Til !<kLti kkaat lIw!ham of Pariyaapuram,

TlnatHh)f. They rnanaged the temple

satisfactorily. There was no provislOu

for the protection of temple lands in the Land Reforms Act and the annuity

fixed by the HR&CE Board was very

low also. This affected the

nldHltenance of tc-rnple stnlct-..._:nes ful.d

conduct of daily poojas. To tide over

these difficulties, the de,/Gtees of the

temple met on 1M October 1977 and formed a Samithi called Sree VeHUd1t­

Puthoo[ Kshethra Samraksh:1f_J:-t SiJmithi.

The eleven-Inernber Samithi js elected

by the devotees. The chairman of the

committee is thc representative of the

warl1i:WJ and the !vlanager \A'nO looks

after th e day-To-day affairs of the

temple is appointed by the m:i!harn

itself. The othc!.- nInt' mt-'lllbers

(orig1Jlally four members) are elected

by dcvotees at the ann ual rneeting_

Under tbe au spices of the SarmOli <:l.

(h"\ (j<Ptil.';!!3 was held fn)m 215 1 ) 0 24'"

of May 1978. /\s reveaJed in the p_r~-b:!!a

c\)ln.plete renovation of the temple was

done, \\'hi.::;h included rearrangemen t

of su b- shrines, replacement of baJj·

pec!has, I1u1/cekaralJil-ka];l.5a etc.

Accordingly Nill/eckara~ia kaJa.sa and

others; were conducted fr01TI 21 st April

to 1" Ivlay 19S0. The ree-on secration rHes of the m;-'1jn idol of Lord Siva were

peltormf~d on 2?!1l April} 9:::50. The co-

0I=-f:l~:lti:Jn frorn til e pu bEe deserves

sI)\.'cwl rnentioD.

StrU(.;¥Uf~S~ Prim to the Land Reforms

ACT 1.~··1~-· t.t:::~Dr)le !J.~3d. large e){tc:r~t c;f

pror)crties but nCHV left '.vith only 1.50

d_'.TCS, Vd1ich constitute rht~ tenlple

244

complex,

sreekovil, The structures thereon are

namaskaara-marp) apam, chunamba/am with agra-maIJgapam,

valiya-balikkall, sub-shrines, kalyaal}a­

m:u_ujapam, nata-paneha]. bhajil!]a­ma{1rIiram. receipt counter, deepa­sthambhas, com.pound wall, wells and temple tank.

The circular dwi-thala sreekovll of

saandhaara type and facing east has

granite :t(ilshrhaa!]am, laterite walls and

tiled roof. The mouldings of the

adhish!haa!]am are paadukam, jngathi,

l'!(hthil-kumudam, gd!am with flower

motifs. uththaram, ga!am with vaaja!]a­motif. gala-pari, ga/am with flower motifs and l.lththaram. The s{ipaa!]aJTJ has seven

direct steps \vith vyaaji face on the top

of banisters. The p![1{Jaa!;un has vyaa!i­face at the base, multifaceted §UJpju

,vith pearl rings and curved end. The

walls have eleven gha!}aJwaaras besides

the functional door. The fl:llnaskaara­

malJdapam (side: 4"75 m.) has 16 pillars

The chuttambalam has two

entrances, at cast and wesL The

lhirappa!!i is at southeast, while the sub"­shrines of Lord GaI)apathi and Lord Subrama~lya are at southwest. Close to

it and to its north is the sub-shrine

for Lord DakshiI,lamoorththy. At the

northwest corner of naalambalam, the

sub-shrine dedicated to Sree

Kiraathamo0n:hthy exists. The mu/av3ra c_ ... • '"" _ ,

well and sto-re room are at the northern 71aalarnbalam. Around the cbu_f!amba/;lm,

there exist the remnants of a

vi!akkumaMa-tba!a, Its superstructure

is absent. The uallya-balikkaU is \\rithin

the agri:1·m:;u-.l~fapam, \vhich is built on

st.x pillars separated by parapet walls

and with entrance from the east. The

granite deepasthwnbham has five layers

and is located within the agra-·

ma1}ffapam.

The receipt counter is at the front

part of the temple. The sub· shrine of

Srec Sankaranaaraaya1!a1l1oo!ththy is at the

eastern side of chUl!ambalam and within

the baahyahaara. It is said that there

is the presence of a Y dthee~waran in this

subshrine as revealed in the dCV;1-p[asg8.

The Naaga-{hara is at the south. The

su b-shrine of Lord Saastha with the

sankalpa of Lord Saasrha with His

consort Sree Prabha and son

Sree Sathyaka is located to the west

of the naalambalam. Facing the

,-,restern entrance ther'e are Cwe

deepasthambhas. At the northwest

there 18 a sub-shrine for Lord

Venugopaalamoo~thth~. This idol which previously belonged to another temple

was shifted and installed first in the

northern naalambalam. As revealed in the dc'\,a-p!a.(gi1 it had to be shifted

again to northwest. There is another

"vell at the northern side. The

Bh:~ial_lama!ham-cum-office building is at

northeast and a k:JJyaa~1a-maIJ~fapam on

the east. There are three [l(l/tha.IJls on

the eastern side and one each on the

south and north. The compound waH

built with granite and laterite is not

uniform in height. The maximu m

height is 3 m. \vhile the breadth is 45

cm. The rectangular temple tank is on

the eastern side and outside the

compound \vall.

Carvings and paintings: The granite

dwaara paalas and the flower IT10tlfs on

the adhish!liaaLI:l111 deserve special

ITlenrion.

Deities: All the idols are made of .iilii The main idol of Lord SlVa is in ling; I

form (height: 37 em) \vith the sankalpu

of Lord Siva '''.lith Sree Paa:r:vathi. The

other idols have varying heights, Lord

Ga1!apathi in sitting pose (30 CUL), Lord

Subramal)ya in standing pose (27 em.),

Lord Dakshiryamoo!ththy in liuga form

(27 em.), Lord Kiraathat1l(Hl~ththy

in hand-mirror type (30 em.), Sree Ve~1Ugopalamoo!ththy in standing pose

(75 em.), Lord Saastha (23 Cln.) ;:wd

Naaga!: in sitting pose with raised hoods

(15 em. each)

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 5-,'10 to 9-30 <1.In a,id

from 5-30 to 9 p. rn. Three' Pf)O/OS are

done daily,usha-pooja at 7-30 a_m.,

uccha-pooja at 9 a,m. and aththaozha . t s:.; 30 n" 1'1.0 0'a11.'.' {rce-baJi is POO)O a,. V'-~ p.~. _~ __ .v

done.

Offerings: J\.lahii nivEd_ram (appam), ni!i1-mila/a. ja!fJdha:lnl, pushp,aa rhaii , Li!higa·· paayasam, o!!ayappam, maala and vi/akk are the main vozhipaat~ of which lvJahii­

nhTed_vam is important. ThE popular

vazhipaats are dhaw-a, viJakk al1_d manla

and pusbpaanjali.

Festivals: Since the ternple IS

consldered to have the presence of S"ee ThirumanJhaankunnu Bhagavathi, paot and

thaalilppo1j are done. The first ka!:unp:;;1[!

has to be done b.y the Jt-C;vd.sw,;un and

the remaining ones bye devotees.

rlwalappo/i is. held on Kaarrhthika asterisk

in the month of :\lcc!_wrn. On th~s dav,

Ki11mnc/fJurhlh. processjoG en cHpari··

son e d e lep h an t, Pdi7(.'i?,! - Llildy :1m.

hfwoth;t- ka!i. fire-works etc. arc hc1d,

hesidps ()[um-thu!!ai, cli:wkya;Jtk( 'oth cmd

rnodern en tenainnH'nls.

Priesthood and tample staff: The details

of the [halLthri who installed the idol

are not kno\vn, though it is believed

to haye been done by the Yathccswar:m. Th e prcscn t thanthri belongs to

N a;lradY'll.lam~lllgalam W;Jfla of V:lpikkappa!~a. The §aanlhikkaran is

appointed from Malayaa!a Brahmins.

The other staff includes vaadyam,

:1ficdlU-tha/i, vuzhipuut clerk, washennan

and Manager.

Genera! remarks: The temple IS

administered well with the co­

operation of the public.

(Data furnished by 5H:e A. RavuI}f}ikuuy Nai!_;

lvJanager and collected by Srcc R. MiiJhavm IVai! of the Census Directorate).

r 4.34 SREE SU6RAMAI:'IYASWAAMY TEMPLE, ERAVIMANGALAM

(Perinthalma~l)a municipal town, Pin - 679 340)

Location: Situated four km. southeast of Peri nlhalm UI} I)a at Eravimangalam

Junction on Chcrpulasseri road and

thence one krn., the tefnple is

connected by t~"Hred road up to

Er:..lvimclligalam and thence metalled

road. Facilities for stay are available

at Perinrhalrndnna.

Brief history and temple administration:

The temple dates back to very ancient period and it is believed that the idol

of Lord Baaia Subramal.lya was

consecrated by Lord Parasurauma. No

other ddCtils of its origin are available.

A fact worth mentioning is that the

temple complex contains three shrines

in a row facing east fLord Siva at the

southern side, Lord Baala Subram~ii}ya

at the centre and Lord :\1ahil- Vishl}u a1

the north). All the three shrines are important though the shrmes of Lord Siva and Lord Vi"hnu [lrc later

additions. After the Mysorcan in\asion

of 1850 a Srcc- SUbrUl11::H}ya idol of

another temple \vas shifted to this

ternple for safety and uninterrupted worship.

The HR(_',::·CE Board took over the

control of this temple i.n 1956 and is

administering it through a Trustee

Board of three ooraa!a[ families,

Pcruma0a, PauluHi and MUl)tckka:lt llJa!_!t1S.

One member from them is elected as

Chairman. There is also a local

committee to help the trust in temple managernent

Structures: Prior to the Land Reforms

Act the temple owned paddy fields

which fetched 2500 PU[i'JS of paddy per

annum besides five acres of dry lands.

At present only the dry lands remain,

which constitute the temple cOlnplex.

The structures thereon are _':reek6l/il, sub-shrines, pachrhaayappura, agra.';::j_;Jia, wells and tank Details of all the

important four shrines are given below:

(i) Lord Baala Subran1a'1ya shrine

The square dwi-thala §reek(',vi/ of

.... i.1,wdhaara type, facing east, has granite

adhi..,"h!ha:.iyam. laterite \valls and tiled

roof. It has an attached l11ukha­

m~Il}r)apdm. The adhjsh!i1aa!!am has mOUldings of paadukam, jagathi, v ["lhrha­

kumudaI11 , ga!am with lTIotif, kampam,

Ed!JIll \vith flower mutifs and uththaram. The siJp(.;ta!.!i1m has 10 iateral steps (five

on each side), besides the top platform.

The PIil{Jaa!:.1fli has only the makara­simha face of the base and the

re-maiLing portion is broken. Walls

have 15 ghagadwaaras and the functional

door. The well is at northeast of the

akaththe-bali vattam.

The cfluttambalam with attached

agra-mal}9apam has two entrances, at

east and west. The thitappa!!i is at

southeast. The sub-shrines at

southwest have deities of Lord

Gal)apathi and Lord Ayyappa. The valiya­balikkall is within the agra-maI;u)apam.

The §ila-deepasthambham stands at the

front. , ,

(ii) Sree Siva shrine

The square dwi-thala sreek6vil of

saandhaara type and facing east has

granite adhish{haa!] am , laterite walls

and tiled roof. The adhishrhaa!]am has

mouldings of paadukam, jagathi, v rththa­kumudam, ga!am, kampam, ga!am and

uththaram. The sopaa!]am has direct

steps. The PIaI;Jaa!am has vyaa!i-face, Slll}9U and curved end. The namaskaara­mBl}rjapam (side: 2.7 m.) has four pillars.

The well is at the north of the akaththe­baJjl/attaIn.

The chutlambalam with attached

agra-ma{1~apa1l1 has three entrances, at

east, west and north. The thitappa!!i is

at southeast. Goddess Bhagavathi is

installed in the sub-shrine located at

northwest of the naalambalam. The

valiya-balikkall is within the agra-

1113l)r)apam. A deepasthambham is

installed at the front facing the deity. ,

(iii) Sree Maha Vish,;1U shrine

The square dwi-thala sreeki)vil of

saanuhaara type and facing east has

attached l1HIkha-maflflapam. It has

granite adhisiI!iIaa!} am , laterite walls

and tiled roof. The adhish{haa!]am has

mOUldings of paadukam, jagathi, v!-rhtha-

247

kumudam, k-umuda-pati, ga!am, kampam, gajam, uththaram and pari. This shrine has also a separate well at the northeast of the akathtlle-balivattam.

The chu!!ambalam with attached

agra-mal}9apam has two en trances,at east and south. Sree Vettakkaran is installed at the northern valiyambalam facing west. The valiya-balikkall IS

vv;thin the agra-ma~19apa-(ha!a.

I

(iv) Sree Subramal)ya shrine

The square eka-thala .(;reekovil of

nirandhaara type has granite adhish­!haa!} am , laterite walls and tiled roof.

The mouldings of the adhishrhaa!}am are paadu kam, jagathi, v rththa-kuI11udam,

ga!am and uththaram. Its chu!!ambaJam has only a tha!.'1 with one entrance. The valiya-balikkall is within the agra­mal}9apa-tha!a.

The structure of paththaayappura

with agrasaaJa is at southeast of the

temple complex. The temple tank is

at the east. The laterite compound wall exists on three sides, viz. south, west

and north. It has a height of 1.8 m.

and a width of 30 cm. The sub-shrines

of Brahmarakshas and Krshl)akukshi are

at the southwest and northwest of the

temple complex and close to the compound wall.

Carvings and paintings: There are stone

carvings on the walls of the main

shrine depicting human figurines and

motifs of animals and plants. The:

mural paintings on the walls have

almost faded.

Deities: All the Idols are made of <';ila. The main idol of Srcc BaalaSubramaI.1ya

in standing pose (height: 1.2 m.) has

two arms with abhaya and varnc1a poses.

The idol of L,ord Siva is of liiiga form of

heigll t 00 em., while tt-"at of Lord Maha V:shJ!u is in standing pose (height: 1.2 in.) vdth four curDS and having conch,

disc, club and lotus in ha..'lds. The idol

in the sub-shrine of Lord Subramal)ya in standing pose with the sonkalpa of Srec Velaayaudha S\vaamy faces west bas

a height 1.5 m with 1/(-;1 in the right

hand dnd left hcU1d kep1 at the wai~l. Lord A_\T)·app8. is a1S0 in standing pose

with height of 37 em. The idol of

Goddess Bhagavathi is of mirror type

145 em.). while the idol of Lord

Vettakkaran is of li;iga form of 27 cm.

The idols of Hrahmarakshas (height: 30 em.) and Krsh:Hl-kukshi (height.

27 em I are f)f plain lil7g::J t.ypc.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 5 to 9 a.TI1. a.no from 5 to 8-30 p.m. Two poojus arc held

daily, u'sha-pooja at " a.m. and atht haazh Q POC:IO at t5 p .rn .

Offefings: Pu.,hpaaniali. kctfJ-vijakk. dhaar8, raktba-pushp:.wfijali, ;a,rkkara-paaya .. am. appam (called lha{l{lCeramrth) , rh(­madhuram and ':"'hal1£ianam-cfJ:1arChlha!

- -are the main vazhipaats. Of these pushpaaiijali and cllanda!lam-chaa!lhthal

are popular.

Festivals: Thaipooyam (Pooyam a::,terisk

in the month of ;\Jakilnlln) is celebrated.

Kfivatj .. t?hu!JJlt'!!ipp. abhishc-;kas and other

temple rites are held on this day

besides staging modern entertain­

ments and performing arts like

kathhakaji, ott:.Ull·IllU!la! and ci1;takyaa!­

kouthth. Ashtami-nJhif.1i and Sh'araathri are

also observed as they are important

d8.ys for Lord Vishnu and Lord Si va

respectively.

Priesthood and temple staff: The idol of

Sree Baala Subramal)yaswaamy WR8

installed initially by Lord Parasuraama.

The thanthris who consecrated other

ido]::; are not known, The present

thanthri belongs to Sreedharam

Chumarathth nJa!}ll of Ku:thikotliri (via

Pattiimhi). The {aamhikkaran belongs to

:\!lalayaala Brahmins The other staff

includes kQL~ru.l..kam, vuadyam, vazhipaut­

clerk, alicciw-fha/i and watchman,

General remarks: T11e shrines in this

temple complex need urgent

renovation,

(Data funtisl!ul fj/) Slm /\;1. Krshww Namho(lciJiri, -~ - . ~.

Chaimw.n and collected by .Sfll] R. A1iidlwv;m

Ndi[ o{the Cen::,us Directorate).

4~35 S'REE (Neer-Puththoor) SIVA TEI\,'SPLE, ARAKKUPA~MB (lhaazhekkut panchaayathth. Aral<kupa.!:amb village, Pin - 679 322)

location: Situated 13 km .. east of Perinthalmar.tl).a at the old 55 th mile junction on ?vlannarkkad road and thence two km. north, the temple is

accessible by tarred road except the

last lap which is eanhen and fit only

10 walk. A s111.£lJ1 stream Dovy's easr of

the temple. Facilities for stoY arc

available at l'crw:halm~ir.11:;j.

Brief history and temple administration: Datable to sixteer..th century, the

temple has swayambhoo idol and is

located in the midst of paddy fields.

All the structures of the temple

(including §reckuvij and ChU!!llrnba/am)

are drenched In water. The legend

says that when once an agricultural

'.'.loman iC/K'!"llfl1i b:: u:lste} sharpened

her sickle on a granite stone, blood

oozed out. Surprised by this strange

phenomenon she immediately reported

the matter to the kaarafl8Va[ s of

Kaattilemunam maga. the owners of

these paddy fields. They immediately

conducted a P!asg8. As revealed

therein consecration rites were held

to this .<fila idol of Lord Siva.

The temple was managed by this

m8!!a till 1980 when this was taken

over by the HR&CE Department as the

maga could not manage the temple due

to paucity of funds, the result of the

the implementation of the Land

Reforms Act. Now the nominee of the

HR&CE attends to the day-to-day

affairs of the temple.

Structures: The details of the land

owned by the temple prior to the Land

Reforms Act are not known. At present

the temple owns two acres of land of

which 20 cents constitute the temple

complex. The structures thereon are

§reek5vil, namaskaara-m81}9apam,

chugambaJam with agra-mal}~apam, sub­

shrine and agra§aaJa. A peculiar feature

is that throughout the year there is

water within the temple, around the

sreek5vij. The water level is high during

monsoon period. At that time the

preist performs poojas by standing.

The circular eka-thala sreekovil of

niralldhaara type and facing west has

granite adhi,s!haagam. laterite walls and

copper-sheet covered roof. The

adhish[haa!!am has mOUldings of

paadukam, jagathi, vrththa-kumudam,

kumuda-pati, ga!am, uththaram and patio There is no sopaa!.!aIn. Instead of the

24'1

traditional type of p[<ll}aa!am only a

small water-outlet is provided.

The walls have three ghagad»'aaras

besides the functional door. There is

a small namaskaara-malJpapam at the

front of the sreekvvii (side: 2.17 m.) with

four pillars. There is a well at

northeast of the akaththe-balivattam.

The c/JUttambalam has two

entrances, at west and east. The

thitappa!!i is at southeast and the sub­

shrine of Lord GaI?-apathi at the southern

naalambalam. The valiya-balikkall is

within the agra-maIJcJapam. A granite

deepasthambham is installed at the

front of the temple. l'he agrasaala is at

northeast. There are two other wells

and two tanks for the temple. The

compound wall partially exists.

Carvings and paintings: There are no

carvings and paintings.

Deities: The sila-liriga Idol (swayambhoo)

of Lord Siva has a height of hardly

15 cm. while that of Lord GaI)apathi

facing east and sitting pose has a

height of 60 cm.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 6 to 7 a.m. and the

usha-pooja is held at 7 a.m.

Offerings: l't/ai-paayasam, pllal-paayasam,

maJa[-nivedyam and pushpaanjaJi are the

important ones. Of these nai-paayasam

is more popular.

Festivals: There 15 no festival In this

temple.

Priesthood and temple staff: The details

of the thanthri who performed

initial rites to the swuyullJbhoo idol

are not known. There is no thanthri for

the temple. The .'::a:lJ1fhikkaran 1S

appoin ted from Em braan thiris or

Nalnboothiris. There is a kazhakam for

the temple.

I I

General remarks: The temple is now in

complete rUlns. Urgent steps have to

be taken to renovate it.

(Datafumished by Sree Velu Nair and collected by Sree Thampi N. Suresh of the Census Directorate).

4.36 SREE (Velingot) SIVA TEMPLE, ARAKKUPARAMB (Thaazhekkot panchaayathth, Arakkaparambu village, Pin - 679 322)

Location: Situated 15 km. east of

Pcrinthalma~lI!a at Kuuipu!li on Arakku­

paramha road and thence 200 m. south,

the temple is accessible by tarred road,

Facilities for stay are available at

Perinthalnwl1na.

Brief history and temple administration: Datable to seventeenth century, no

details regarding the origin of the

temple are available except that the

idol is swu}r'ambJwo. Throughout the

year except in the months of Kumbham

and A 1ec!.! iJll1 , the temple is inundated

with water. Poojas in the .<;n:ck{'iviJ are

held only in these two months. In all

other months the temple rites are held

at the Ihil(Jppa!fi. Till 1985 the temple

was managed by the Saamoothiri

kill,·jjakam. Thereafter a temple

committee consisting of 70 members

is managing the temple. Every year

an Executive Committee comprising

five members is formed and its

President attends to the day-to-day

affairs of the temple.

Structures: The details of land owned

by the temple prior to the Land Reforms

Act are not available. At present the

temple owns 41 cents of \vhich 15

ce-nts constitute the temple complex.

The structures thereon are ';rcckclvij

2:=iO

and namaskaara-J11i1{u)apilll1, lhirappa/!J,

balikkall, office building and tank.

The .ireek{ivif which faces east

has only a granite thi1!i1 with an idol on

it and no super-structure. There is

only one step to this granite thu!a. A

small outlet is given from the top for

draining water. As stated earlier the

shrine is submerged in water mostly

throughout the year except two months.

The 11i111wskaara-I11:1~]~lapam also has only

a th:l[a. The thitappa!!i is thatched with

cadjan leaves at the southern side and

has a pecI/lam for conducting pooja

during in undal ion, besides a small

kitchen for preparing najvcdya. The

balikkall at the front J]7aIJ~lapam is also

sub-merged in water in most part of

the year. The tank is located at north

and the office building at the east.

Carvings and paintings: There is no

scope for any carving or painting in

this temple.

Deities: The §jJa-JiJigu of Lord Siva IS

swayambhoo and has a height of

15 cm. with the sankalpa of Sree

A rdJhanaareeswaru,

Time of worship and poojas: The tem.ple

is kept open from 5 to (3 a.m. and from

5 to 6-30 p.m. Two poujos are held

daily, usha-pooja at 6 a.m, and

aththaazha-pooja at 6 p,m. Only in two

months poojas are performed at the ';;rt:l::k{ivij and in other days at the

pecrhallJ of the thitappa!!i.

Offeri ngs: PushpaanjaJi, ni!al11aala, 1, i/akkuI11cuLl. §u!kkara-paaya,<,am and paal­paayasam are the vazhipaats ,~'i!akkl1Jaala being more popular, Paal-paayasam is

specially offered for the fulfilment of desires.

Festivals: Sivaraat}Jri IS observed with

special poojas. Modern entertainments

arc held on this day. In some year

Kumbhaattam is performed.

Priesthood and temple staff: No details

are available about the thanthri of this

temple. Daily poojas are performed by

a non-Brahmin of Naayar community.

There is no other paid staff.

General remarks: The temple needs

complete renovation.

{Datajumished by,Srcc Vaufhlhakkan, member

of committee and collected by ,<;rcL' Thampi iV.

SUf'L-;,h of the Census Directorate}.

4.37 SREE NARASIMHAMOORTHTHY TEMPLE, VAAZHE~KATA (Aalipa[amba panchaayathth, Aalipa!amba village, Pin - 679 357)

Location: Situated 13 km. southeast of

PcrillthalmaJ)l}a at Thootha and thence

two km., the temple is located in a

picturesque background. Thoothapuzha

flows one km. away from the temple,

The road is tarred. Facilities for stay

are available at Pcrinthalmal!l!u.

Brief history and temple administration:

The temple dates back to fourteenth

century. The early history of the

temple is still obscure. There is a myth

that the idol was the one worshipped

by Lord Ha!_lumaan at Kad:Jji-v:l!__UlllJ.

Earlier the temple belonged to Korigaat

Mallisseri mana. Alanel100r Pattalloor J11tll1Cl - - --

and Thaamarappalli ma!__la. Thaamarappalli

mana has becOlne extinct. The eldest

member from the remaining two

families will always be the Trustee of

the temple. The Manager appointed

by the HR&CE Department administers

the temple.

Structures: The details of land owned

by the temple prior to the Land Reforms

Act arc not known, At present the

temple owns 85 cents of land, of which

50 cents constitu te the temple tank.

The other structures are ';H'ek()vil,

IJamsakanl-ma~]()apam, chu!!amhalam wIth

agra -ll1a {u)apafl1, ualiya -ba Ii k ka 11,

P! aJakshi{l:1- v[uhi, agra-_';aala, g6pu ram.

kukkilra{li, sub-shrines and temple tank.

The square Ckl.l-l!wla .\rt.'ck(lvij of

niranuhaara type facing west has granite

;ulhi·,.h!hcw!}:lIlJ, laterite \\'a11s and copper

sheet covered roof. The nlouldings of

the adhi'h!haJ!}am arc paadukwn, jOCJuthi.

Frththa-kuIllUUaJ11, kumuda-pali, karnpnm.

ga!:'Jll1, ga!a-pali, kampam, ga!am, ga!ap:lli

uththaram and pali, The SC}{JailI_l:JJ1J has

four direct steps. The p!:'I!la::!am ha~

makora-sirnha face at the base. multi­

faceted _';u{)()u with rings and J!(}-J11uk!u

end. It is supported by a motif of a

serpent made of granite. There is one

gh.I!!~lLJUJ:lr;Jm in the rear wall whilt'

the functional door faces west. The

t ilf'd 1l:.J m<l .. ki/JrJ-ma!I~J JP:UlI has fo u r

pillars. The \vel! is at northeast of the

:J.k.Jlhthe-hJlivJtwlll.

The chlittamhJlam has entrances

at west, north and east. The lllu!:lYJrLJ

is at northeast, Thiwpp:J!!i at southeast

and a sub-shrine (ha.ving deities of

Goddess Duu;a, Lord G~11.1apathi and Lord

Sa:lstha) at southwest. The valiya­

balikkall is within the agra-l1w!l~filpam.

A deepasthambham with five layers of

wicks is installed at the front. The

pradak"hi1}iJ-ViUhi is made of granite

stone of 1.5 m. width and a thickness

of 20 cm. The receipt counter is at

northwest while the long agrJ-":::la/;J is

on the eastern side. The tht'crrhlwkll!ill1l

or Aokkaral_1i is at the south-western

corner. A g6pural11 is built at the

western side, while gates are pro\"ided

at the nortfi and south of the laterite

maryaada (which is built in the shape

of elephant's back).

Carvings and paintings: On the ceiling

of the agra-mJ{lr)apam navagrahas are

carved in wood. The dwaarapaalas are

of mural painting, both in standing pose

with the sole of one leg resting on

serpent.

Deities: The k[sh{Ja-§i/:1 idol of Lord

N arasimhamoorththy is in the form of Sree

MalIa Vi~hI.1U idol with four arms having

conch, disc, club and lotus in hands.

It is a broken one and below the head

it is co\'ered ""ith g6!aka. The sankalpa

of the idol is of the Lord blessin g

PT;Jh!aada and hence of .... :aanrhabh.lava.

252

The idols of su bSldi8ry dej ties are also

of <ila. Srcc Du~:ga in Iiljg~1 form (27 cm.).

Lord Ga!.lapalhi in sittlllg pose [30 em.)

and Lord SaaslhJ. in liIiga form (27 cm.).

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

18 kept open from 5 to 9-30 a m. and

from 5 to 7-30 p.m. Three poojas are

done daily, usha-pooja tb-30 a,m.),

ucchu-pooja (8-15 a.m.) and (.ahthcwzftu­

pooja (7-15 p.m.).

Offerings: Kada/i plan leUl1. paol

paayasam, thinl-naav, rLJslJpa;j/~j<llj etc

are the main ~·a/hipJ~Jls. For defects

concerned with intelligence one has

to do Bhaf?yusookrlw pl1shpaailj:1/j. Thil"ll­

lwav ch:l~I!'lhfh;JJ (offering a fonn of tongue

made in silver) and k.:j(J.:1/j~plantain; for

getting more kno'.vledge bhagyu-sookthu

pu" IJp.1i.uljilli, ;)fa (palmyra 1 e a f),

c7.l1ll{/w,wj (style) and kaua!i plantain

and for rEdemption from SIns

committed bhagyasooktha pushpa;)fhJli,

p:1J!!akam, kadiJ.!i-plantam and uU:J.JJ:J­

sr/J;JI11:J.!}il-pooja. Offering of kad~l!j

plantain is a very popular vi.17hipilat.

Festivals: The annual eight-day festival

is held from Thiruvi){wm asterisk in the

month of Dha!Ju. All the rites

associated with this festiyal are held.

The PIathishrl1i.J-day is obsened un

AJakeeryam asterisk in the rnonth of

Itavam, while the birth day of the Lord

is celebrated on Thiruv6{E1l11 asterisk

in the month of Thulaam. K:.Jthh:.1kafi.

chaakyaatkoutlJth and paathakam are the

perfprming arts staged. It may be noted

that karhhakajj has a unique place in

this temple. Some of the artists of this

art form have become very famous, like

the late Vaazhenkata Kunchu Nuavar.

Priesthood and temple staff: The details

of the lhanthrj who installed the idol are

not knO\vTI. The present thanthri belongs

to Pamhalakkot malla. The saanrhjklGlran

is from Embraanthiri community. The

other staff includes kd7hakilm and

atichchu-lha!i besides Manager.

General remarks: The temple admim­

stration IS satisfactory.

Datafu.mished bySrcc V. Kp.hIJadiisim, Managt'r

and collected by Srce G. Sn'ada"ill of the Census Directorate}.

4.38 SREE (Tha~i) MAHADEVA TEMPLE, AALIPPARAMBA (Aaaliparamba panchaayathth, Aalipa!amba village, Pin - 679 357)

Location: Situated three km. northeast

of Thootha at Aalipa!amba Hlgh School

junction and thence 250 m. southwest,

the temple is accessible by tarred road,

except the last lap. About one and half

krrl south the Thoothapuzha nows.

Facilities for stay are available at

Penntha!manna.

Brief history and temple administration:

The temple which dates back to ancient

period, was established by a pious

Saamoothiri. The legend says that

when once he was visiting this part of

his territory he felt the presence of

his tutelar deities, Lord Siva and

Goddess Bhagavathl, in this place. He

irnmediately made arrangements to

build two temples, one dedicated to

Lord Siva here and the other for

Goddess at Kilttayil. The Srec Siva

temple has thus become one of the

eighteen and half thaps menLoned in

early literature.

The temple became completely

neglected and the place was covered

with bushf_'S In 1975 the local

devotees formed a Samithi known as

Aaliparamh,l K .. halnu S'w7J/lhi and took

over its adrninistration. The Bharal1:t­

sarm'Chi is elected annuaHy by Kshelhra

Samithi and the former manages the

temple.

Structures: The temple had large

extent of propertjes carber, bu t ! ost

them after the implementation of the

Land Reforms Act. Now the temple

owns 1.5 acres of whlch 50 cents

constitute the temple complex. The

structures thereon arc ,';rcck6vjJ with

mukh:l-mal}!1apam, su b- shrines, chun d­

mbalam with attached agril··fl]a{lc)iipam

(without roof), well, tank and

deepasthambham.

The square thn-thala .';rcekiJviJ of

~<iandhilar:1 type faces east. A peculiar

feature is that the .~rccki)vil part is thri­

thala and the ilJUkha-mdl}f)apilll7 is dl.ui­

thala Of the total four copper

thaazhikakutorns, one is abcwe the Ih(-·

{hilla and the other three over the

mukha-nw~15Iapam. The adhi"hlhaanam

and walls are made of laterite stones

while the rl)of IS tiled. The

,l(lhl<;/1fh:I:1I1JIH is \:crv tall \.vith . --

mouldtngs nf Llpa paodukam, puociukcan,

jagothi, vFrllf!1:I-kUlIJud:lIlJ, J.!.:I!:II11 ,

uththaram, kampam, jagathi, vrththa­kumudam, kumudapati, kampam, ga!am with projections, ga!a-pati, kampam,

ga/am with motifs, gala-pati, uththaram and pUli. The sopau!}am has eleven steps

with vyaa!i faces on the sides of

banisters. The granite p!aIyaa!am has

makara-simha face at the base, multi­

faceted §llly~/ll with three pearl rings

and g()-mukha end. The walls have five

::hanadwnaras (three for the §reek()vii .__ -- \

portion and tWG for the mllkha-

mal}~apam, besides the main functional

door, The walls have niches.

At the front the vaahana of Lord

Siva, the Bull, is installed over a

pee[ham. The su b-shrine of Lord

Gal: apathi, facing east, is at the

southwest of the akaththe-balivattam. Lord Ayyappa is installed in another

shrine at the southeast corner of the

,{reekovil in a separate structure having

no roof. The well is at the northeast

of the akaththe-balivattam,

The chuttambalam has three

entrances at east, west and north.

Goddess Bhagavathi is installed at the

southern valiyambalam facing west.

The thirappa!!i is at northeast and close

to the wall. The agra-mal}9apam (without

roof) has a granite deepasthambham

and also a baJi-pee{ham. The sub-shrine

of Lord Vatakkunnaathhan is at the

northern side but outside the

chu!!wnbaiam. The temple has two

tanks, one at east and the other at

the west. The western tank has a Ku1appura ruso.

Carvings and paintings: There is neither

carving nor painting in this temple. But

254

the niches around the ,(reekoviJ deserve

special mention.

Deities: All the idols in this temple are

made of ii/a. The main idol of Lord

Siva is of Jiriga-type with a height of

37 cm. Similarly the idol of Lord

Vatakkunnaathhan is of the same type,

but with a height of 41 em. The other

idols are Lord Gal!apathi in sitting pose

(45 cm.), Lord A:yyappa of plain (;'i!a {I5

cm.) ctnd Goddess Bhagavathi of mirror

type (15 cm.). The si1a idol of Lord

GaI)apathi is broken at its lower part.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open on all days from 6 to 8-30

a.m. On importa..'1t festiveJ days, it is

kept ope-n in the evenings also. Only

one pooja is done daily,at 8 a.m.

Offerings: Jala-dhaara, pushpaanjaJi,

viJakk and ko()va!a-maaJa are the

vazhipaats. Of these, jala-dhaara 1S

important and popular.

Festivals: Nira-maaJa is held on

Sivaraathri day.

Priesthood and temple staff: The details

of the thanthri who installed the idol

initially are not known. The present

thanthri belongs to Naa~aal}athth mag:J of

Chethalloor. The ,';aanthikkaran lS

appointed form Embraanthiris. The

other staff includes a kazhakam.

General remarks: All the structures

need urgent renovation.

(Data furnished by Sree C. Sreedharan iVai!,

President a nd collected by Sret: M.

Chandra§ekharand o/the Cpnsus Directnrate).

I • 4.39 SREE (Kunnummal) BHAGAVATHI TEMPLE, AA~AMANGAAT (Aaliparamb panchaayathth, Aanamangaat viflage. Pin - 679 357)

Location: Situated seven km. southeast of Perinthalmaf)I]3 at Aa!:!amangaat

junction of Chc_rp!asseri road and thence one and a half km. north at Ambalapati junction of Maalaaya road and again 250 metres D'xtlnvcst, the temple is connected by tarred road up

to Ambalapati and thence earthen road. Facili6es for stay are available at Perinthalmar:lI.1a.

Brief history and temple administration: The temple dates back to fifteenth century. In those days Elambulakkatt illam was a renowned one and the kaaranavars had the title Acchan. One of the kaanl!1aviJ!S used to walk 10 km. daily to Sree Thirumaandhaamkunnu

Bhagavathi temple for worship. When he became very old he' found it difficult to trek and hence prayed to the Goddess to pardon him for

discontinuing the daily routine. On that day when he was returning home he felt very tired and v.ranted to take rest. He kept his palmyra umbrella at

a place and took rest for some time. When he was about to leave to his illam he could not take back the umbrella since it was found firmly fixed to the ground. At this juncture an oracle su ddenly appeared from the nearby valley and told him that the Goddess had accompanied him and that there was no need for him to go to Ar'lgaatippuram again to see the Goddess. Instead he should build a temple for Her at that place and worship her. The oracle then suddenly disappeared. On the next day itself he took steps to build a temple there <1nd continued the worship.

2:=>5

Another interesting legend prevalent for generations is associated with the attack of the temple by the forces of Tippu Sulththaan. \Vhen the forces were proceeding to the temple the devotees assembled in the temple and prayed to the Goddess for Her benevolence and help. By this time the forces had passed Kariyaa! hill <;lnd reached the bank of the stream. The forces sawall the inhabitants (including women) of the region approaching them with ,,,,eapons in hand under the leadership of the Goddess. Totally confused with the situation the leader of the forces challenged the Goddess to show Her strength. The Goddess suddenly protruded Her tongue out, cut it and placed it in Hcr hand. The leader then could see the tongue quivering in the hand of the Goddess. Fearing about the consequences he agreed to leave the thattakam without harming any inhabitant there. \Vhen he asked Her about the limit of thattakam She replied

that when he leaves the thattakam there would be a noise. Accordingly when he left Thootha river a noise of firework was heard. All these were the result of an illusion made by the Goddess. There are many other myths also associated with the immaculate powers of the Goddess.

Due to the mismanagement of the temple by the Elambulakkot ii/am, its family members became victims of smallpox leaving only one member. In 1965, as the family could not manage the temple, the local devotees took over its administration. The Executive Committee elected by the regular

mem bers of the Kshethra Samithi once

in three years manages the temple.

Structures: Previously the jurisdiction

of the Goddess extended over a

thattakam (eleven graamamsJ. In course

of time the temple lost many of its

properties. The details of land owned

prior to the implementation of Land Reforms Act are not kno"-'TI. At present

the temple oV.rns 1.80 acres of which

80 cents constltute the temple complex. The structures thereon are "rreek6viJ. chilUambalam with attached

agra-mal}cjapam, balikkall, sub-shrines,

paattu-kottil, deepasthambham, compound wall, well and tank.

The square Eka-thaJa srcek6vij of nirandhaara type and facing west has granite upa-pee!ham and ;I{ihishrhaal] am , laterite walls and copper sheet covered roof. The mouldings of the upa-peerham are jagarhi, ga!am, and ga!a'patl while those of adhi.,h!haa!_lam are paadukam, jagathi, gajam, uththaram and patio The

s6paa!]am has four direct steps with

vyaa!i faces on the top of banisters. The

pr8!w.a!am has multi-faceted §ul)~iu \\-'ith gO-l1wkha en d. The walls ha':e 12

pillars with niches in between. The walls have three gha!!adwaaras besides

the main functional door.

The chuttambalam has entrances

on all sides. The lhitappa!!i is at the

sou theast of the naalambalam. The balikkaU is within the agra-mal}<japam. The deepasthambham 15 at the front of the agra-mal};Iapam. The paattu- kattil js

at the northwest, while two su b­

shrines tof Rakhas and Naagas) are at the northeast. The well is outside the

granite compuund wall of 100 feet by 100 feet RIld ''\ith a height of 2.5 feet. The temple tank is at the southwest

dnd outside the cornpound walL

256

Carvings and paintings: There are

woodcarvings on the ceiling of agra­malJ9apam depicting ashla-dikpaaJas and

Brahma in the coffers.

Deities: The idol of the main deity of

Goddess BhagavRthi is of 5i1a and of

mirror type (height 37 em.) with the

sankalpa of Sree Thirumandhaamkunnu Bhagavathi lSree Bhadrakaa!i) 0 Tl'le

Naaga idols are of sitting poses \\ojth

raised hoods (height 30 em.). Fc}[

BrahrnarakshFls only a {hard exists.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 5 to 9 a.m. and from

5 to 8-30 p.m. Three poojas are done

daily, usha-poojn at 6-30 a.m., uccha­pooja at 8-30 a.m. and aththaazha-pooja

at 8 p.m.

Offeri ngs: Vi!akku -m:JaJa, sa[kkara .. pa8yasam, pushpaaiijaJi and nakshathra­pooja are the important vo.zhipaats.

Ka!ampaalf IS con sidercd verv

auspicious and done for the fulfilment

of desires.

Festivals: The thIlflJappoli is held on

Makeeryam asterisk in A1et'tPIn. Prior to that on 1 st A1akaram. ka/am·pniill is

held as vazhipaat by devotees.

Priesthood and temple staff: The details

of the thanthri who installed the idol

initially are not known. The present

thanthri belongs to Etaththa~a Moothetathth

mana of Thootha. The <aanthikk.·wriln

hans from Embraanthiri community.

The other staJf includes a kazhakoTr' ,

General remarks: The temple needs

cornp1ete rf'novation.

{DataJrdmished by .~rec N. V. Padn1ilniibh:m ":~j! and collected by .'ire(_' Af. Ch:mtira,',-;kh:.Jr:w o{the

Celi5vs l)!recioratej.

4.40 S'REE SIVA TEMPLE, PU~NAKKOT (Aalipa!amba panchaayathth, Aa!:!amangill village, Pin -- 679 357)

Location: Situated 500 m. south of

A:':lllamarlgaat on :ManaLcl):J road. the

temple is accessIble by tarrt'd road.

Facilities for staY are :n allab1e at

Perinthalmanna.

Brief history and temple administration:

Datable to ancien! pe::-lcd., th(' t~'r''I;L'

belongs to N,cimboclihiri fanlllies wh('

settled here long back. There is a \'i-ev"

that the idol 1S sWil_vamhho(l. Larer the

temple' came into the hands of the

Elarebulakka8t illnrn, \vho became the

rulers of the area iJnd po~sess the ritle

of Achchan. The lelnple ,vent into ruins

\lvhen the Nanlbco1hiri frunilies left the

place consequent on the political

events and the inlplernentation of the

Land Reform s Act. For ten years from

1971 to 1980 the temple was closed

and poojas were not done>, [n t 981 the

locaJ devotees took interest: and pocdas

re-irltroduced. It is now administered.

b.v :.'\ local K ... h .... :-:lhra Bhar~u:Ul S~J!nithj

elected by devotce~ eVt":ry year.

Structures: The area o\.vned b,' the

temple prior to the Land RefDrms }-\c(

is not known. At present the temple

owns 75 cents which constitute the

temple complex, The structures

thereon are §rcek6vii, sub·-shrincs.

namaskaara -ma{Jfiapam. ba['kko!l. deepasthambham and well. The tenF)ic i ..

had a tank earlier bUl the o()D:laiars,

converted it into a paddy field. Now

the Kshe[hra Bhannul S:..:mili1i ha~3

purchased that land,

The square du.'i tho(u .<r'Ct .. k("1 if (1!

.;;aandhaar:1 type and racing t:,,:tSl 1[;:1:--:

36'55 RGI/03--18A

granite IIP:I-pr..,t'!hiilIl <UHl ddhish{/w:t!__J:1llJ.

laterite \valls and riled roof The UP,1-

[,ee[lum ha:.; paadukarn, uthlhararn and

(Jp<1-!,(~e[hlfll ·"hile the aJhishrhw!_l:.lll1 has

mouldings of jagathi, ga!am, vrth1ha­

kUf11ud:1J11. kumuda-pClti. decurated

.!!.,]/.Illl, .<!a!~I-pari, karnparn, gaj,lm with

l;O\,,'u' mutifs, .!:;J!ap.lli. uthiharam and

.I"Hi, The ;,{';{,d:l!_!;l1JJ has fiye direct :-"teps

\.v1lh ~) :11/J -t~:lCC on the j_op ()f banisters.

Tile !'i':lild,i/iWl has mukarn-sifnha. base,

multi-faceted ~:il{hJU with pearl rings

and .:!,-, -!nIiUl.1 f'nd. The walls have 12

pillars with niches in between. The

nam;',"Aaar;J-f1u~J~Jafl;im (side ,2.85 m.) has

r\yyappa is attached to the southern

side of the main . .[rccA(lvil. The well is

at t h f' nor the <3 S t 0 f the :l k a [In 11 1:."-

naiival!:1m.

The dlUfLll1?hi.llam has entrances

The sub-shrine

havi'ng deines of i~rcc KarrhthavccraIjullan and Lord Gdl.Liparhi 's at the southwest

\\'hile the l/?irnppa/li is at northeast. The

hah-pn .. '!i:alD is oUlside the cbu!!amb'1Jam.

To its eo,st is the :·,:jJ;1 deepasthambharn

instaHcd in 1990. Th\:" compound wall

has a height of 1.5 m,

Carvjngs and paintings: There are no

carvill,gs and paintings.

Deities: Titt: s~jj:J .. lillP:1 idol of Lord Siva has a hClghr.. of abOtH 9 crn. The idol of

Lord Gar.iaD~"mL also m~,de of sija, is of

sHLlng pose rh ght: ..:15 em.), while the

i.du! of Sr;'_~t: r~~;Ithih'i~t.'~'rY~{rjuDaIl is of

pl:J.in {]ia-lili!:"j (X! em) Lord Ayyappa

_t'd'" oniy a s';nkn!po p~arh;'l!!!7a.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple is kept open from 5 to 8-30 a.m. and from 5-30 to 8 p.m. Three poojas are done daily, usha-pooja at 6-30 a.m.,

uccha-pooja at 8-15 a.m. and aththaazha­pooja at 7 -30 p.m. On the first Monday of all Malayi:qa months Kalasaabhishekam (of 25 kaJasams) is performed by the

thanthri himself. In addition to that appam is offered at the time of aththaazha-pooja.

Offerings: Jala-dhaara, Sree Rudradhaara, Sree Uma-Maheswara-ponja and Mrthyu­fijaya-homam are the main vazhipaats.

Jala-dhaara is a common offering.

Festivals: Sivaraathri is observed as the festival day of the temple .

•

Priesthood and temple staff: The details of the thanthri who performed the initial rites in the temple are not known. For some time the thanthric rites were done

by the members of Kalloor ma!Ja. The present thanthri belongs to Etaththa~ a Mooththetathth mana. The daily poojas are performed by N am boothiris who

are well versed in Yaju[veda. The other staff includes a kazhakam.

General remarks: The temple needs renovation. The vaathilmaatam is under renovation. Paucity of funds delays the renovation work.

(Datajumished by Sree M. RaamanUl}/}i Moossad,

Secretary and collected by Sree M.

Chandra.sekharan of the Census Directorate).

4.41 SREE (Maattaayakunnu) BHAGAVATHI TEMPLE, PAALATHTHOL (Elamku~am panchaayathth, Elamkutam village, Pin - 679 304) •

Location: Situated six km. southwest of PerinthalmaDl)a at Elamku~am Railway Gate via. Cherukara-Muthukurissi road

and thence two km. south on the railway line, the temple is connected by tarred road up to Elamku!am Railway

gate and thereafter foot path. The Thoothapuzha flows west of the temple

at a distance of about 750 m. Facilities for stay are available at PerinthalmaI}I}a.

Brief history and temple administration: Datable to ancient period, the legend abou t the origin' of the temple is

related to a small shrine dedicated to .Goddess Bhagavathi and owned by

Ezhava community. The premises of the temple used to be cleaned daily by an old lady. She used to see a small silver pel/Jam (equivalent to one fifth of a rupee) on the praasaada-pati of the

sreekovi/ and she used to take it home.

When this practice continued for some

time the old lady became greedy and

she ardently prayed to the Goddess for

more wealth. From next day onwards

she could not see any coin on the

praasaada-pati. The belief is that Goddess

punished her for becoming greedy. She

reported this incident to the natuvaazhi

who in turn conducted a deva-p[as!}a . It revealed the presence of a very

powerful Sree Bhagavathi at this place.

Thereafter a temple was built. The

Goddess is considered very powerful

and is venerated by all people in the

locality irrespective of community,

caste or creed. The general belief

is that the Goddess is the daughter

of Sree Thirumaandhaamkunnu

Bhagavathi.

3655 RGI/03-18B

The temple IS owned

Vcmam:h,eri mana of Katamboor.

by

The

Managing Trustee looks 8.fter the day­

to-day affairs of the temple. A local

committee, formed in 19bO, helps the

temple management.

Structures: The temple owns two acres

of land which constitute the temple

complex. The structures thereon arc .... :rccki)'v'il, vJ:.Jthilmaa{i.1I11. thiti.1PPil/.li,

compound wall, dtHuajam, deepa­sthambham, sub-shrines, office-counter

and temple tank. The proper temple

site is on an elevated terrace with

granite steps from north and east. The

eastern steps lead to the temple tank.

The square L'ka-thilla ... .:rt'ck(lvil of

nirandhililra type faces east. It has

laterite upil·-pt~crham and ildhi ..... h!hil~l!!:.lm,

laterite walls and concrete roof with

tiles paved over it. The mouldings of

upa-pcj;_>rlwI11 are paadukam, ga!aIn and

ratio ",-hile the :'l(lhi ... hrhaJ!.!<lf11 has

m ou Idings of paadukam, jagothi. ga!iJ111 and uththaram. The s6pa:1!__1al11 has six

direct steps with full 'v'yJaji figurine

el'l,gra\'ed on the sides of granite

bdnisters. Th e PIa{7;1a!alll is of multi ..

Liceted ,";LJ~J(ju with cur\'f'd end and

\\'ithou t any decoration. The walls ha\'e

three niches besides a functional door.

The uaathil-maatam (4.7 m. x 3.5 m.) has

unl\' one entrance, from the east.

The sub-shrine of Lord Gal.1apUlhi

1 sat the so 11 t h \\' est cor n e r . The

thilJPpa!!i is at the south-eastern side.

The weIhs at northeast. The dhLoajam

at the east is a concrete pillar coyered

\\'ith copper [,:JIa ... (13 in number). The

bronze decpaslhambham is located at

the east. The compound \\'all bnilt at

the place of chu!!amhJ/.lll1 IS partial.

Only the western wall is complete. The

su b- shrines of Lord Saastha and

Brahmarakshas are outside the

compound wall, at southwest and

northwest respectively. There IS a

granite deepasthambham at the

northern side facing the maIn

entrance to the temple. The office

counter is at southeast. The temple

tank is at a lower terrace on the

eastern side. There are 33 granite

steps on the northern side with 7 m.

length and 70 cm. wldth. Similar steps

art? provided on the eastern side also.

The sacred grove at the southwestern

slde deserves special mention.

Carvings and paintings: There are no

cardngs and paintings.

Deit ies: Th e ,';ilz! idol of Goddess

Bhaganlthi is of mirror type (30 em.)

with the sankalpa of Srct' Bhadrakaa!i.

The idol of Lord Ga~wrathi is of sitting

pose. Within the Sn~c Saa,,!ha shrine,

there are three idols, Yiz. Lord Saastha,

Sree Prabha and Sree Sathyaka of plain

Ji,ipJ type haying a height of 95 yauams

each. The sacred gro\'e is well

maintained.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 5 to 11 a. m. and from

5-30 to 7 -30 p.m. Three poojas are done

daily, usha-pooja at 6 a.m., uccha-pooja

at 10-30 a.m. and aththaazhCl-pooja

at 7 pm.

Offerings: The important vClzhipoats are

rak!ha-pu '/l['Ja tijaJ j, pu.,.-hpaa njaJi an d

special ~~aIkkara-paa_l.l.';lI17 with ingre­

dients of ra\\' rice, molasses, cocoanut

kernels, plaintain and ghee. Of these

r;J/'.Jh;l-f'u'hpaaf~ia1i is mo~'e popular.

Festivals: POI miths:n'am conlTrwnces on

the first Tuesdav of /\1i.lAaralT1. The

custom is that the festival shall

conclude prior to the Tuesday of R(-,-}Ji{]i-pai.ll{ of .\1cc'!J:Jl11 of the Sree

Th i rumauI1d llaamkuonu Bhagavat hi

temple. On all the festival days K:J!am­paa[( is performed. On the last day of the festival Tiw:Jlappoji is held. The usual uthsa ua rites like .':'uddhj-Aala..,~;_un.

ni_H·a"-am. pal)l'ha-t:J\·.'(IUl1 etc. are

performed on this OCC<3S101L It IS a thrillil1g expc:nence to see the

procession of the Cloddess on five \IL;r!J;j_fa·-horses, ac~'ompallled by 30

Bhoo{h:1f!:I{1:J" to the temple compound

about 400 rn. away It is the privilege

of certain castes to take the costumes

of >(>[l1zl!:1. /_::l{u,,; etc., vcrhaa!a-kwhira by Mcll_1I_lUI1S. Aanti- bhol-,tham by Paar.l<ls. Kaa!a­

\- c_'fh'l'iLJpa:Ji by Pu!::..tyas. Ka!ari-p:wll is pErformed by Ka!ari-ku~up~, thaa/appuji by

Thaallnikkal and Thl~lakk;JJt Nair

(h:I!:Jvcl,s. V,-'/ii.:,-Ili1p~lr by Nui rs etc Before

proceeding the vcficc}wp;_Uf has to pay

rEspects to an T Ihava man Slnce the

earlier shrine belonged to the EzlJava

community.During festival days

kJfhlwk:1!i, rhu!!:1J, cha:1kyaar .. kooli1rl1. thcyyam. kcttu-kaa7hccha and modern

entertainments are staged.

Priesthood and temple staff: The details

of the thanthri who installed the ido1

initially are not known. It is unique

that whenever renovation is done the

idol is not shifted to baalaalaya ,since

the modern thanthns do not possess the

jnner strength to transfer the powers

of the deity. Th e presen t than thri belongs to Panthalakko[ llW!}_:1 of Val am­boor. The .<iaanrhikka_!s belong to

Malayu;l!a Brahmins. The other staff

includes kazhakam, (.lricchu-thali and clerk.

Genera! remarks: The temple needs renovation.

(Dota Furnished by cf)r:.:c TC \/jj,ulli;V;lIL

Secretary and collected by Srcc G. 5iiladJ~Jn of the Census Dlrectorate).

4.42 SREE VISHNU TEMPLE, PAALATHTHOL (Elamku!am panch~ayathth, Elamku!am village, Pin 679 340)

Location: SitUAted 9 km. southwest of

Pcrinthalll1al! i.la at fLlmkujam Raihvay

gate "ia. Chc!.ukara-MuthukuEis~j and

thence one km. south close to the raihvay track, the ternplc is accessIble

by tarred road up to railway gate junction. The Thoothapuzh8. flovy's west

of the tem.pic. Facilitlcs for stay fire aT.-ailabk at Perimhalm:mna.

Brief history and temple administration: Dated bRCk to sixteenth century, the

tern pIe ,,'.;as htl ilt for ,;vorship by fOll r

f~HnJlH.>::c, YIZ Elamkulal1l. K<.ll.unboor. . -

K I \ (11 ~t ]; u t ( iln n a >; and \,1 a n 11 a r rn a 1 a

k 1-' viI a J... amI n C f) U r s C 0 f t i n1 e its

admin istration was vested w1th the

ELimkulam ma!J~L Now the eldest

member of the ma!1it functions as the

Trustee under the control of the

HR&Ct~ Department. The day-to-day

affairs are managed by him.

Structures: The area owned by th e

ternple prior to the Land Reforms Act

is not kno\,vn. At present the extent of

the templE:; complex is only 75 cents,

The structures thereon are .';rcckDviJ,

na !J1:1_;;ka:na -/]J.:l{l~1 apam, chu!! ambala 111,

valiyu-balikkull, sub-shrines, giJpuram,

well and tank.

The circular dwi-thala ';n:ek6vil

fac1ng '.vest and of S~I;JJJ(J!Ja;_tra type, has

laterite lIpa-pcc!ham, aclhi<;h!h"la!!am and

walls and tlled roof. The mouldings of

the upa-pce!ham are paadukarn, jagathi

and gIl!am, \vhi1e t110se of adhish(ha[J!_l;lln

arc paadukam, jagathi, },(th[ha-kumudaIlJ,

kumuda-pati, kampam, ga!am, gu!a-pati, kumpam, ga/am, gd!a-pari, uththaram ad

pafi The si>pa:J!J;JJ17 11a8 SIX direct steps

with conch-shaped top and niches on

sides of banisters. The PT:J{li.W!dllJ is of

multi-faceted .';W}9U "vith g()-mukha tip.

The walls have two gha!JaJlv:.wnlS on the

eastern side, one in each rhala. There

is an attached sun-shrine of Lord

Gal)apathi on the southern side of the

. ";rcCk()Fj/, faCIng south. The namaskaara­

m:J{l~J:lpam (side: 4.60 m.) has eight

pillars. The \ve11 is at the northeast of

the akalhihc-baiIvattam.

TIl e chu [[ :.ll11balum h as three

entrances---"vest, north and east. The

IhifilpP3!!i is on the northern

IluuJarnbalcLTn with entrance from the

\vest. The beautiful lIClliya-banckall

(height: 1.65 m.) is outside the

chult:Jmba/dm. The sub-shrine of Lord

. S~Cistha at the southv,,'est is without roof.

The g()pumm is ruined. Now only Lts

granite basement (with mouldings)

exi s ts. A ... ~j /:1 - deepast hambham is

in stalled a t the fran t of the Saastha shdnc. The agn.';:1:1I:1 and an attached

\\.ell are located at the northern side.

There is a htterite compound "\valL The

tempic tank is large, but its steps and

kU!Jppur.1 h8'\·e been ruined.

Carvings and paintings: The \vooden

carvings on the ceiling of J1~If1W"kLl:Jr:J­

ma{lljap,-l111 depicting navograhas deserve

special mention. Similarly the granite

dwaarapaalas on either side of the

prasaada-dwaaram are exqulsitt'ly

carved.

Deities: The main idol of Lord Vishr)u is

made of .r:ila. It is of standing pose

(height: 1.03 m.) with four arms 'with

conch, disc, club and lotus in hands.

It is unique that though the idol

resembles Lord Vi-;hl_1U, poojas are

offered with the sankalpa of Lord

Lakshnlana. The idol of Lord Gar.lapalhi

is in standing pose (37 em.). The idols

of Lord Sa:lstha, His consort Prabha and

son Srcc Sathyaka are of .';il£1-Jiri,J;a typt'

with heights 27 em., 27 em. and 15

em. respectively .

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open frorn 6 to 8 a.rn. and frOfn

6 to 7 p.m. Two [-'oojas are held dail:v,

usha-pooja at 7 -30 a.m. and athrhClCl.Zha­

pooja at 6-45 p.m. Earlier there were

three poojas and three .':nx-hafi ... daily.

Offerings: Paalpaayasam and

pushp:.wrljah are the majn offerings.

Festivals: T11cre IS no festi\·al in thiS

temple .

Priesthood and temple staff: Details of

the thanthri who performed the initial

eonst'cratlon rites are not kno';,\·n. The

present thcmthri belongs to Ekkaatt 11l,1!Jd.

The ,: ... ww/Jikkilr;-l11 belongs to Na..rnboothiri

communitv. The other staff includes a

kazrwkam, vcwdyam and J!icchu-thaji.

General remarks: The temple. which

once flourished well. is now in rums.

(nOla fUr!llshed by .';n· ... U(,!'i j'(}{/I1/\ .1;1!. , Jad_.., :1i,j.;i{r'.111 (mci collected by S'rn· (i .. ~i\ :!tiJ':J1l

afthe Cerlsus l)rrcctoratE'j.

I

4.43 SREE AYYAPPA TEMPLE, PULINKAAV (Elamku!am panchaayathth, Elamku!am village, Pin - 679 340)

Location: Situated seven km. south of

Perinthalmat)IJu at Pu!il!kauv on Pattumbi

road, the temple is accessible by tarred

road. Thoothapuzha is the nearest

river. Facilities for stay are available

at Perinrhalma1J1!<l or P;Jrtamhi.

Brief history and temple administration:

Datable to fifteenth century, the

details of the origin of the temple are

not known, except that the temple has

a swayambhoo idol. The teulple is under

the control of the HR&CE Department

and it is managed by a trustee who is

always the eldest member of the

Elamku!am I1J:1!__w. A Kshi:rhra Si.lmr:lksl][]~w

Samjrhi of local devotees also functions.

Structures: The area owned by the

temple prior to the Land Reforms Act

is not available. At present the temple

owns 75 cents which constitute the

temple complex. The structures

thereon are §reCkc)',ij"J, !.-·hu!! :lmbah111,

deepasthambham, agnL';aala, compound

wall, well and tank.

The square (-::ka-tha/J .~n.>(_'k()l/il,

facing west and of nirandhJJI'J type has

laterite adhish[hJd!]i:1111 and \vall. The roof

is tiled but the centre portion aboye

the idol is open. The lldhish[bila!.!,-un has

mouldings of paadukam, jagathi, ga!am, uththaram and paU. The granite

s5paa!J,-ul1 has four direct steps with

v_vaa!i face at the top of banisters. The

granite PIdl}aa!am is of simplified type

\\'1.th a curyed end. Within the §n:ek6"'iJ,

t,vo oth~l idols (of Lord Vishl!u and Lord

GUI)~qxHhi) are installed at the rear of

Sree .'\vyappa idol. The well is at the

northeast of the ak.arhlhe-baJiv:lltam.

262

The dWllill1JhalLlIl1 has entrances

from four sides. The {hjtapp~I!!j is at the

northern naalambalam. Two dl'cpa­

,;[hamhlws are seen in the temple. The

ilgra';a:..J!a is at the north. The compound

wall is made of laterite. On the

eastern side of this campau nel wall

there is a temple tank with laterite

steps.

Carvings and paintings: There are no

carvings and paintings.

Deities: The §ilu idol of the mmn deity

of Lord Ayyappa, which is 8waYilmhlwo,

has a height of 15 cm. The idol of Lord

Vi'\ht)u. \vithout form, is at the rear and

on the northern side of the main idoL

For Lord Gal~:Lpathi there is no idol but

only a PCC!Jw-.<;ankalpa. This pC~'!lwl11 is

installed at the rear but towards

southern side.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 6 to 8-30 a.m. and

from 6 to 7 p.m. The morning pooja is

held at 7-30 a.m. At evening there is

no pooja but only lamps are lighted and

m;.l1at-nivcd_;,'am is offered. During

mandaLl period, pooJas a.re held at

nlurning and eyening.

Offerings: There is no specific offering

but .satkkara-paaya . ..;am is offered at the

request of devotees.

Festivals: There is no festival but

Chll!!U-~'i!akk on uthram asterisk in

Kumbham is important. i\la~l~aJa-period

is obser,ed with special poojas.

Priesthood and temple staff: Details of

the thanthri who performed the initial

rites to the 5waJ'8mbhoo idol are not

known. The present thanthri belongs to

Ekkaatt ma!_1iJ. The s:Jamhikkuran belongs

to Embraanthiri family. There is no

other staff.

,

General remarks: The temple 1S

administered satisfactorily with the

limited resources.

{Data furnished by Shri P. (i(lyincian Nait.

President Kxherhra Committee and collected by

Sree G . . 5iyadfisan of the Census Directorate).

4.44 SREE (Aalaocheri) BHADRAK.AA~I TEMPLE, PAALOOB (Pulaamanthol panchaayathth, Pulaamanthot village, Pin - 679323)

Location: Situated one and half km.

north of Pulamaanth6! at PaalooI High

School junction on Ku!aththoo!: road and

thence 300 m. west towards Thootha­

puzha, the temple is connected by

tarred road, except the last lap of 300

m. Facilities for stay are available at

Pattambi or at Perinthalmal!l!a.

Brief history and temple administration; Datable to eleventh century, the

temple has an interesting legend.

Once a washerman, while washing

clothes in the river, saw a wooden·

pee[ham floating on the surface of the

water. He took the pee!ham from the

waters and kept it below a peepul tree

on the bank of the river as he could

feel some divinity in it. Thereafter this

pee{ham used to be worshipped for

centuries. It may be noted that both

pee!ham and the pancha-Joha idol ar.e

chaia-P!athish!has (movable idol) and

every day they are taken to the river

for immersing. The peepul tree also

IS considered sacred.

In the twentieth century Chovvoo!.'

mu!_!u, the oora!a!s, took steps to

renovate the temple. In 1961 the

';rcckc)vil and lhitappa!!i were

constructed. In 1982 the dhwajam was

2f>1

installed and two years later the office

building was built. In 1987 the oor:.t/aa[s

handed over the temple to the Kshethra

Samrakshana Samithi which is now

managing the temple. The office

bearers are annually elected by

devotees.

Structures: The temple now owns one

acre of land of which 34 cents

constitute the temple complex. The

structures thereon are §reekoYil, nata­

panthu}, dhwajam, deepasthambham,

lhitappa!fj. well and office building.

The structure of the §reek6yi/ IS

peculiar. A rectangular structure,

facing east is built around the peepul

tree, like a chu!!ambaiam. At the centre

and eastern side of this structure, the

pee{ham and a mirror type pancha-16lw

idol of movable type is installed. A

wooden plank is fixed at the fron t of

the sacred peepul tree. There are nine

holes on this plank. The adhi.<;h!/wLl!}am

of this structure is made of granite and

has mouldings of paadukam, jagathi, .ralan1 .rula-pali kampam va/:Jru e:Lllam b... , D .' '.' L.. ,

ga!a-pati andpati. The si"ipai:1!.}i11lJ has four

direct steps. There is no p!a~laa![J111 of

usual type but there is a small outlet

for draining water. There is a

r~:ct:ln~ula.r il.1iJ.·p(lflr/w/ at the ffont

T)'!f"':'~' are SlX .,:dii d.ecpostlwmbhCls in

t.h(~ t_(>D'p1c-thr<:e <In th'-" <,,,,,stern s.idc

and one e,]ch on othff sides. The

thlt!.lPP4!i is at the snul)W8st ;~l1d the

'.i/cIl ~ii t1f)YtI)et_-18t. ~rI~e office· t"uil'dll}t~

]5 also at lhe eFlsi. The tC21k dl-~u}(.:/un-;

has a height of 20 fect.

Carvings and paintings: There ;in no

(:'BrVjng~" Ann painrings.

Oelties: The '\'OOdCT1 pccfham ann tht'

mirror type p:ln, h')·!rJfw 'dol (height

::'5 em.] have the snn}i.·,·Jlpo Df Srt:c

8hadrakaali. ;L mdY be n0f('d, .as i'tated

eaxlicL th.c~t both pn'[lwm and the idol

are da.ily dipped j]J the dose-by ;-j, f'1

\Vaters before the CQ<nmcnU:ln(~n t of

morning riles. The ·lrn.1.IoaJ lS also

Time of worship and poojas: 1'h(' Lt:-mpit·

~s kPflt opt'n from 6 a.rH. to 5 .. ·jO p.ITl

~'_\-'irrl(yut t);'('~)k. ()t1 ()t{_i":f1r:tJ)" (1.:.:=:;:') 011l\,'

;-8. T11 F~S D.rt" ] i gh t t~-d_ a ~ to

:)._ 3{) ;J fL". -'_.1.'1 d

Offerings: Vi!:tkk . !n:'l:.IJa , pd((u-ch£l:J[thrJw!,

veti and S,·:J!k.kara p:.;a:V1.isam ate the

t I UZhl}J(70 CS '1f \vhkh ':3_rkkura-j1<iJ_hJ8;.ll1J is p()puiar.

Festivals: C7nJr!u'.,·i!~lkJ.: uirLScHmm, held for the \\ b nle month of Kumbharn,

commcrh'CS on 1" KllmL1hcm. On these

d'i.\-$ thilil)appoh is also performed. The

1:1S[ day is important sine!:' there is the

s}wciaJ rite. qundhi on that da.y.

Priesthood and temple staff: The

important inni<Jl rites of the tempk

W('IT held by {he present lhaanthric

familv of lkk;:=Jatt il/iuH. The daiJ:'': poojas

.are ck)!w by Naaya~\ while the r1t('s on

the- final day of v!zU!!u-V}!Jkk uthsaumn

8rt' p-erformed by hen'ditary family of

N;in~bl)()lhin fhe othcr staff indudes

General remarks: The temple 15

arir:l1nis1cred ",atisfactoriiy.

fDm'J fUPil.shed L'!J .~,~.,. T (j,5!'u);J!1 jV:II!. .. ~·.:t:l!lIhi (,rid collec red hII ":.~,,, \]. Cli.lnJr.h',"'.l.;,hJTJ.lI (~rtlte (_·t'·t~Sl',~. i);-,ec1nro1'E/

4.45 l _

SREE RUDRA~DHANlf,lAJ;fTHAfU 'l'eMPlE~ POLAAMANTHOL - . . (Pvlaam<lntho! panctli1ayathth, ?ula<'lmantho_! village, Pin 679 323)

r)UI:~:'_HIJa;Hh;~_~ j'unc~~~)Tl d_t Brj~1~e

\_ru Pctlc;n dLa tllf'-r}C~ ] 2S n-;, et'i,S'l tIle

hUlllhfpl./1',i. d uibnt.:,n,' or Gru;',IUn!'u/hl.

{lo\~,~s cl(!~r_' ~-'._! the ~--t_~.!"np~(". I·',-:lCl1i{~c~-:, l~:)r

Sla\: ,:_jrc d\ t:!iLat)j:_· CI1'!l~-r ;Jt r.!ll~n-)t"',: {:r

21--_: 1

Brief hls-tary and temple ."dministration: D'it8.bie to ~:en ancient period. the tcm;)]c i~ja:s ':1 legendary past, as it

::,t:l ')ng5; tu th(C grt'ai PuL..wDwnlh;)l

~\I(J;,siK.' {:nnih'. oUt" of the J"hJ(J' v:1ic1_1;]

h 1rrJ1IH;':';'. wIll) \"riS t"ntrusted by Lord

hll;I~ULJ~:rna to propagate . 1ilyul l-'(\/a.

{The othcT ,J,/a,i-l ~lid}J familics arc of

\f()\)""s~-jd<; of kUl!~l!1\..h~;f'i. Chir:;lldllWi),

Iki,;L~li Tk)lk~.,l:ln ThhSI)[lf TIJ;llJ.;k,:w!l.

YclJiitr and Va'ya~Llr~l and AalthtJl i\lr

Numhi). In this temple there are t"\\·u

deities of equal irnpol'tance, Lord l~urlnt

(with the sankalpa of Srce

Vaidyanaathhanl and Lord Yishl,1U (with

the sanlcalpa of Srec DhaJ}wdnthafil,the

former being very old. Then~ lS an

interesting legend associated \'vitb the

origin of the Sree Dh;'H1\\antluri :-.h,inc.

In all probabIlity the ternple \\ias

installed in the seventeenth century. The legend says that a Maharaja of

Travancore had severe stomach ache

and that many physicians treated him,

but had no cure. Then he came to

know that Pulaamanth("\l Moossad family

had great physicians who could cure

his disease. He sent two persons to

the Pulaam:.mth61 family. Bv the time the

messengers reached there the

kaanll}ilVa! of the family had passed

away, leaving behind his \vife and a

young son of 14 years. The son had

just completed SilJ11i1i1vi.l!tha!.Ji.l bu l was

not proficient enough to treat a patient

like Raaja. \Vhen the rf10ther came

to know abou t the rcquirernf:nt 01 tht'

Raaja, she advised her son to observe

12 days bhaj:Jgam before accompanying

the messengers. He undertook the

bh:~ia!._lam at the Lord Siva tem.ple, the

tutelar deity of PUlaarnamh()l farnily. On

the pre\-jous night of cornpletion of

hhajal_wm, i.e on the ekventh day. he

had a rare experience. A great saintly

old Brahrrl!n carne to him and gave hirn

three pills to be giv('n to the Ra_;;jJa.

Hc)\,vever, the Brahmin insi:"ted t Iv;!.!

the boy sh()~lld nut take any pn_~:scntR

or rewards for the treatment. On the

other hand he should poli.tely r(·fuse

and ask for a fa\.·our of arranging; tu

cetrieve an ide·l of Lord Dhanwanthari

f(Olli the holy waters of Thaamraoarni , _ 1 '"

river. "The boy obeyed and the disease

of the MaharanJ3 was cured. The Raaja

sent his heutenants with the hoy to

10c.8tl::' the idoL The.,}' reached the banks

<..if the 1'haUl[Upaf0i river (near Thicuvatta!

A adl Kesava Pcruma;J I 1 ern pIe of

Kal})<lIUHlUfl rh~trictl and searched for

the id{)J, but could not locate it. At this

juncture, the old Brahmin, whom .he

hi..l.d first seen in vision, carne thei'C

;:tnd sho\;ved the place. He could easily

n;cognize the spot as a CiarwJa bird wa:,;

hovering on the place where the idol

was lying, Tile men who accOlTlpanied

the boy plungFd into the waters and

retrieved the idol. The Brahrnin saint

told the boy to in stall the idol at the

southen: slde of the sh}"ine of Lord Siva

m his family. He also told him that he

would be present on the auspicious

time of p[athi,;h!ila. The idol was taken

home Ly the bo\' with the heip of the

men of the Raqia and a suitable shrine

"vas built, At the time Gfp!~{hi"h!ha the

saint crunc there and conducted the

cnnsecration rites. After the P!dlhi;.;}JrJu,

the saint continued to SLay there and

had his so.m.aadhi in bet'YYcen the two

t>hrines. There a liza[a was built and a

SHdCd basil was planted. The devotees

\vor::..hip a.t this li1:.1!"J also. Though the

idul resembles that of Lord VI"lll)U the

concept is that of Sree Dhu!)'vvunthi.tli­

nl"or1hthy. ]11 19;"H) the p_ralhi.,h!hil of

L(.)rd Vi-.;hnll was stolen. This

rle:..~essitated reconsecration rites '.~!ith

a ..,lJa idol

Since buth S[CC Ruella and Lord

Db;..d! \1, all(h~lri Ilhhlr,ththy arc en shrined

l.vilLin Lbe sault' i. flu! !.UlIh:ll:i1l7 , the

temple IS known C1S

Dhanwanthari temple.

Sree Rudra

From the

beginning the temple complex is owned

and managed by the Pulaamanth61

family.

Structures: The temple complex has

an extent of 45 cents. The structures

the reon are sreek6v iJ, namaskaara­

llJafu!apams, common chu!!ambaJam,

separate valiya-balikkalls, sub-shrines.

laterite P!adak."hiIJa-vazhi, office-cum­

kalyaa1}ama1}f}apam, deepasthambhas, well, compound wall and temple tank.

(i) S/ree Rudra (Vaidyanaathha) shrine

The circular eka-lhaJa sreek6vij

(with inner mukha-IWI1}9apam) , facing

west and of nirandhaara type, has granite

upa-peC!hill11 and adhishrhaa!!am, laterite

walls and concrete roof. The mouldings

of the upa-pee[ham are padma-paadukam and jagathi while the adhish!hua[!am has

mouldings of paadukam, jagathi, v!lhlha­

kumudam, kumuda-pati, kampam, ga!am,

ga/a-pati, kampam, ga!am with flower

motifs, ga!a-pati, uththaram andpa(j. The

..,6paa!.Jam has six direct steps. The

P!<l(liNlfam has makara-simha face, multi­

faceted SU{lrju with pearl rings and gD­

Itwkha. The walls have niches, besides

three gha!]adwaaras and a functional

door. The l1amaskaara-ma~19apam (side:

2.67 m.) has four pillars.

r (ii) Sree Dhattwanthari shrine

The circular eka-fhaln §reek()vii

(with inner mukha-ma{1r;lapam) facing

west and of niranJi1aara t}'pe has granite

upa-pecrham and aJhish!hila!._1am, laterite

walls and concrete roof. The mouldings

of the upa-pet'[lwl11 are padma-paadukam and jagathi while the adhi.';hrhaagam has

266

mOUldings of paadukam, jagathi, vrththa­

kumudam, kumuda-pati, kampam, ga!am,

ga!a-pati, kampam, ga!am with flower

motifs, gaja-pali, uththaram andpali. The

siJpaagam has six direct steps. The

PIal}aa!am has makara-simha face, multi­

faceted §u1}~u with pearl rings and g()­

mukha. The walls have niches, besides

three gha!!adwaaras and a functional

door. The namaskaara-mal}r;Japam (side:

2.67 m.) has four pillars.

In between these two shrines,

there is the sacred Thulasi-thara with

the sankalpa of the Saint. On the rear

and close to the eastern limit of the

chu!!ambaiam (or northeast of the Sree

Dhanwanthari shrine) there is a well

which is common.

The chuttambalam has four

entrances, two facing the §reek{ivij and

two at their rear. On the southern

chu!!ambalam, there are sub-shrines for

Sree Che[ukunnu Bhagavathi. Lord

Gar:apathi and Sree Thirumaandhaamkunnu

Bhagav athi. Valiya-balikkalls are

installed at the front of these shrines

and outside the chuttambalam.

The office building with an

attached kalyaa{1a-mal}gapam is at the

front. On the northwest corner and

outside the chu!!ambaiam, there is a

su b- shrine for Sree N eelavattadhaari

Bhagavathi facing east. Similarly at

the southwest there is a sub-shrine

for Sree Vettakkorumakan, facing east.

On the northeast there are two lharas for Dambathi-Rakshas. On the

southeast there are three sub-shrines

(i) Srce Kaa~!hthaveeraa~junan. (ii) Lord

Saastha 'with Sree Prabha and Sree

Sathyaka and (iii) Sree BhaJrakaaji.

There is a laterite p!adi1kshi~w-Vi17i1j

around the chutrambaiam. Laterite

compound wall has a height of 2.4 m.

with the shape of elephant's back on

the top. The temple tank (with

ku!appura) is at the southeast of the temple.

Carvings and paintings: There are no

carvings and paintings.

Deities: The idol of Lord Rudra is of ,·Wa­liIlga form (height: 90 cm) with the

sankalpa of Sree Vaidyanaathhan, while

the idol of Sree Dhanwantharamoorththy

is of standing pose (height: 75 em.) with

four arms having conch, disc, atta

(leech) and am!fha-kumbha in hands.

The idol of Lord Gal)apathi is of sitting'

pose (45 eml. The idols of Goddesses,

Thirumaandhaam -kunn u Bhagavathi,

Cherukunnu Bhagavathi, Sree Bhadrakaa!i and Sree Neelavattaadhaari are mirror type

made of §iJa with height of 30 cm.,

30 cm., 7 cm. and 45 cm. respectively.

The idols of Lord Saastha, Sree Prabha,

Sree Sathyaka and Sree Kaarthaveeraa­

rju~an are of height 7 cm. and of plain

liuga type while the idol of Sree

Vetrakkorumakan has a height of 30 cm.

I

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 5-30 to 9 a.m. and

from 5-30 to 8 p.m. Three poojas are

done daily,usha-pooja at 6-30 a.m.,

uccha-pooja at 8-30 a.ln. and aththaazha­

pooja at 7-30 p,m.

Offerings: Appam, paal paayasam, dhaara and pUShpi1al~il.lli are the main uazhipaats of which appam is the most

important.

Festivals: There IS no festival In this

temple.

Priesthood and temple staff: The details

of the thanthri who installed the idol of

Sree Rudra (with the sankalpa of Sree

Vaidyanaathhan) are not known.The idol of Sree Dhanwantharimoo!:ththy was

installed by a great saint. The pu!,w­

P!<1fhisi1!h<1 of Sree Dhanwantharamoo£ththy was done by Sreedharam Chummarathth maga (Kozhikkottiri. Pattiimbi). The

saanthikkaran belongs to Embraanthiri

community. The other staff includes

a kazhakam, aticchu-thaji and a clerk.

General remarks: The temple IS

managed well.

(Data furnished by Srce P.S. Aary:m MO(ls<;.

Trustee and collected by Srcc M. Ch:mdw.{ekhalWl

of the Census Directorate).

4.46 SREE VANA-DURGA (Koukkaa!!ikkat kaavil Bhagavathi) TEMPLE,VA~APURAM

(Pulaamaantho! panchaayathth, Kuruvambalam village, Pin - 679 323)

Location: The temple is situated five

km. west of Pulamaanthol at Koukka­

!}ikkaat Ambalapati on High School

Junction -Chemmalasseri -Vengaat road.

The Thootha puzha flows about a kIn. south of the temple. Facilities for stay

are available at Pattambi.

267

Brief history and temple administration:

The temple dates back to the period of

Sree Aadi Sankaraachaarya (ninth

century). The legend says that once

Sret Sankaraachaarya happened to pass

through this place and he saw a

glittering light coming from the nearby

jungles . .Realising that the light is that

of a powerful deity, he directed the

owner of the land to clear the jungle.

\Vhen the jungle was being cleared by

cutting av,ray the plants one chopper

touched a stone and it started

bleeding. Realising that it was an idol

related to Goddess Va!!a-Du!:ga, Sree

Sankaraachaarya offered maia!-nivedyam

and gave directions for making

arrangements for regular poojas to be

started for the deity. Accordingly a

temple was built and pooJas

commenced. About 30 m. north and

on the side of temple tank, there is a small shrine of Lord Vana-Saastha. At

northwest there is another shrine

dedicated to Sree BhadrakaaF. Though

during 19.31 Mappila riots miscreants

came to this place also,no harm was

done to this temple. The temple

belongs to AavaJ.lakkaatt ma!]a which is

administering the temple from early

times.

Structures: The temple complex has an

extent of 30 cents. The structures

thereon are srcckoviI, sub-shrine,

cJJU!fambaiam, deepasthambham,

gc>pllram, agra.~aala and well.

The rectangular sreek{5 vii , facing

east and of nirandhaara type, has laterite

adhishrhaa!]am and walls. It has no roof.

The mouldings of the adbjsh{hliill]dm are

paadukam, jagathi and galam. There are

three direct steps for the ,,,·opaa!Jam.

The PFa~Jaa!am is absent. The sub­

shrine of Lord Siva, facing east, is at

the southern side and attached to the

§rcek(l\'ii. The well is at northeast of

the akalhrhe-bali'v'atlarIl.

2b8

The chu!!ambahlIIl has entrances

at east and west. The thilt:.Jppa!!i is at

southeasL The deepastharnbham having

five layers is installed facing the main

deity. The agra(:aala is at southwest.

The gopuram is located on the east. The

compound wall made of laterite has a

height of 1.8 m.

Carvings and paintings: There are no

carvings and paintings.

Deities: The .5i1a idol of Goddess Durga

is swayambhoo and has a height of 45

em. The §ila-liriga idol of Lord Siva has

a height of 30 em.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 6 to 8-30 a.m. and

from 6 to 8 p.m. Two poojas are done

daily, usha-pooja at 8 a.m. and

aththaazha-pooja at 7··30 p.m.

Offerings: Raktha-pllshpaafijaJi, muttaru­

kkaJ and §a!kkara-paayasam are the

important vazhipaats of which the first

one is popular and meant for fulfilment

of all desires.

Festivals: ThrkkaaFththika IS the

important day. Since 1969 no festival

is held.

Priesthood and temple staff: Srce Sankaraachaarya conducted the initial

rites to the deity.(mai:l!-nivedyam) The

present thanthri belongs to Kakkaatt

ma!Jf1 of M()orkka~laat. The other staff

includes a ';a:1I1thi and a kazhakom.

General remarks: The clwtti.llubaJam and

agra.iaafa need urgent renovation.

(DlltCl JUrTllshed by ,Sn'e A.C. BhilV;/(Jii,:.JII

BhJ{f;J(!llnppiJd, Trustee and collectE'd b.y 5'rcc M.

eflandr;) )~~khuI:1Jl of trw Census Directorate).

, !

4.47 SREE SIVA TEMPLE, KURUVAMBALAM (Pulaamanthol panchaayathth, Kuruvambalam, Pin - 679 323)

Location: Situated 13 km. southeast of

PerinthalrnaI:ll.1a at Kuruvambalam, the

temple is connected by tarred road.

Facilities for stay are avaIlable at Perinthalmal) l)a.

Brief history and temple administration: Once the Sage Audarnbara was

travelling along the valley where the

tcrnple is now situated and he was

attracted by its serene atrnosphere.

He camped here for some years doing

penance> The hill where he meditated

is known as Mu!!iyal!kunnu. Pleased

with his devotion Lord MahEidev3 and

Goddess Paa~vallti appeCl.red before him

and told him that they were glad to

grant him any boon he asks for. The

sage pleaded that the presence of the

Divine couple should always be felt

there. During the period of penance

he invoked holy waters for his

ablutions, which stiil survive as a

spring with the name lTravil-rhee!rhham.

He consecrated an idol of Lord Siva on

the bank of the thccfihham with the

.sakrbi-panci1aakshara dh_yaagam. It is

believed that even today Yak:~has.

KiQQaras and Devas worship this deity.

The Brahmins ,\Tho settled here later

built the present ternp1e, about 1600

years ago and managed it very wel!.

They conducted a special rite called

Yaavan in this temple. This ritual was

offering of nai\--ed.vam made out of 36

pa!<1\ of raw-rice to Bh{ .orhag:lI.J:1s. By

chanting ma!1thms the valiya-balikkall

used to be COYe1Td. \'.'ith this haviss. This peculia'- bolL \Vas done annually

269

In two other temples also, Neturnbura,

ThaV temple in ThalappiHy taluk and

Thrkkareeti temple in Ottappalam taluk.

But this has been discontinued in an these temples. The last Yaavari in this

temple was performed in the year 1104

K.F~. (corresponding to 1929 A.D.).

The forces of Tippu Sulththaan

rarlsacked the temple and made hem .. :)

damages. The financial positlOn of the

temple was seriou sly affected by the

Land Reforms Act of 1963. The temple

is owned by three ma!}as, i'vlooththa

koramb maga. Pupkeezh m3!}a and

qayako !.amb maga. Since there is

litigation between the HR&CE

Department and the ooraa!a!s, a Fit

Person is administering the temple

from February 2003.

Structures: Prior to the Land Reforms

i\ct the temple owned paddy fields,

which fetched 17,000 pa[:1S of paddy.

At present the temple owns one acre

of land of which 50 cents constitt:;,le

the temple complex. The structures

thereon are sreek6vi!, namaskaara·

mal}i)apam. chu!!awbalam with agra­

malJ~ap;jm, sub-shrine, lJaliya-balikkaU,

paththaayappu ra, wells and tank

The circular dtoi-thala {reek{)vii of

saandhaara type and facing east has

granite upa-pcr:!ham, granite and

laterite adhish!haagam and roof made of tiles for eke-rhaJa part and concrete roof

for the dwi·rhala part. The upa-pec{ham

has a pati and padma·paadukam. The

adhjs'h[h:w!}aflJ has granite mOUldings of

paadukam, jagathi, vftbtha-kumudam and

kumuda pati and laterite mouldings of

kampam, ga!am, gala-pati, kampam, ga!am

gala-pati, uththaram and patio The

s{ipaaQam has seven granite direct

steps. On the sides of banisters full vyaa!i figure is engraved. The P!8flaa/am

has makara-simha base, multifaceted §w:u)u with rings and go-mukha end.

The walls have three ghagadwaaras and

a functiona 1 door. The namaskaar<1-

maI}~Japam has 16 wooden pillars. A

deepasthambham is installed at the

eastern side of this maI}~lapam facing the Lord. There is a well within the akaththe-bali vattam.

The chuttambalam has entrances

from all sides. The thitappa!!i is at southeast. The sub-shrine having

deities of Lord Saastha, Lord Gal)apathi and Sree Dakshil)arnoorththy is at southwest, facing east. The valiya­

balikkall IS within the ruined agra-mal}c)apam. Two deepasthambhas

also stand within its fhara. The paththaayappura is at northeast, while

Brahmarakshas is at southwest.

The maryaada with the shape of elephant's back on top is ruined. The mooJa,sthhaaQam has a swayambhoo idol

of Lord Siva. At its side there is a

perennial spring.

Carvings and paintings: Wood carvmgs exist on the ceiling of namaskaara­ma~lflapam .

Deities: The §jia-liriga idol of Lord Si va has a height of 90 cm. and has the

sankalpa of Sjva-Paa~vathi. The idols of Lord G3I)apathi and Lord Dakshi1)a­

moo£ththy are of sitting poses, with height of 37 cm. and 45 cm.

respectively. The idol of Lord Saastha

270

IS of Jiliga type (height: 27 cm). For

Brahmarakshas only a sankalpa

P!8cllish!lla exists.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 5-50 to 8 a.m. and from 6 to 7-30 p.m. Three poojas are

done daily, usha-pooja (6-30 a.m.),

uccha-pooja (7 -30 a.m.) and aththaazha­

pooja (7 p.m.)

Offerings: Nai-paaya8am, jaladhaara, j/ijakkumaaJa, koova!a-maaJa, mrthyu fijaya

h6mam and pushpaafijaJi are the main

vazhipaats. Of these the first two are

popular.

Festivals: Thaalappoli (held for 15 days commencing from first Tuesday in the

month of Kumbham), Sivaraathri and

p[athishrha day (PIJl}8[tham asterisk in

the month of lUithhugam) are the

festival days of the temple. Chaakyaar­

koothth, kootiyaattam and modern

entertainments are staged on festival days. On all the } 5 days ka!am-pooja used to be held. Chaakyaa[-koothlh IS

also held on all days of A1ee!}am.

Priesthood and temple staff: The details

of the thanthri who isntalled the idol are not knmvn. The present thanthri belongs

to Pa!}aVOOr illam of Lakkiti (paalakbid district), The .saanthikkiiran is appointed

from Embraanthiris or Namboothiris.

The other staff includes kazhakam and

aticchu-thafi·

General remarks: Agra-mai}<japam,

g6puram, rnaryaada and tank are in

ruins and they have to be urgently

renovated.

(Data furnished by Srcc A1.K. Viisudc'Van

Nilmhoorhiri, Fit Per.''Wn and collected by Srcc G,

Sivadasan of the Census Directorate).

, I - •

4.48 SREE (Cheru-Thrkkovil) SIVA TEMPLE, VENGAAT (Moorkkanaat panchaayathth, Moo!~kanaat village, Pin - 679 338)

Location: Situated 15 krn. southwest

of Perinthalmanna at Naayarupati on

Va1aancheri road and thence one km.,

the temple is situated in the midst of

a paddy field. The road up to Naayarupati

is tarred. Facilities for stay are

available at Perinthalmar:lI)a.

Brief history and temple administration:

This temple dates back to ancient

period. The legend says that when

once harvesting in the paddy field was

in progress,the sickle of a labourer

touched a stone and it started

bleeding. When a p[as!Ja was held it

revealed that the idol related to Lord

Siva and and that it was very powerfu1.

A temple was then built there for

worship. It is said that a peculiar divine

serpent lives here and guards the

temple premises from pollution. The

local people narrate that about two

decades ago a person polluted the

temple compound by urinating tnere

and that he was driven away by the

serpent. On the second day also he

went there. At that time the serpent

came from the farther end of the

premises and he was bitten to death.

Thereafter the local people ensure the

sanctity of the place. Even today the

serpent can be seen there. It is

reported that its head appears to have

resemblance to that of a calf.

The temple belongs to Vayampa~!a

vaaryam ofKolaththoo~. In 2000 A.D. the

local devotees took initiative and

formed a committee, called Cheru-

271

thrkkovil Siva Kshethra Committee for

better administration. The term of the

committee is one year.

Structures: The temple owns one acre

of land of which 50 cents constitute

the temple complex. The structures

thereon are sreek6vil, dilapidated

namaskaara-mar;u!apam, vaathilmaatam,

[hi[appa!fi, su b- shrines, deepa­

sthambham, well, and tank.

The square eka-thala §reekoviJ of

nirandhaara type and facing cast has

granite adhish{haagam and laterite

walls. The roof is tiled but the top

central portion is kept open. The

mOUldings of the adhish!haa!]am are

paadukam, jagathi, vrththa-kumudam,

kumuda-pati, kampam, ga!am, ga!a-pati,

kampam, ga!am with flower motif, ga!a-

pati, uththaram and patio The front door

is fixed at the jagathi level and hence

there is no sopaa!_lam. Instead of

p£alJaafam a small ovu is provided at the

floor level of the sreekovil. The walls

have three

functional

gha!Jadwaaras

door (at east).

and a

The

namaskaara-maJp!apam has only a tha[a.

A beautifully carved Nandi is installed

over this tha[a. The well is at northeast.

The vaathilmaatam exists. The

thitappa!!i is at southeast with an open

verandah at its west. There is a sub­

shrine for Lord Saastha (with His consort

Sree Prabha and son Sathyaka) at

southwest facing east. A deepa­

sthambham is installed at the front of

the !Ilatn entran(:e. The telnple tank

is at northeast.

Carvings and paintings: There is no

carving or ITlural painting worth

mentioning except the beautifully

carved Nandi,

Deities: The swayambhoo§iJa idol ofT.,cn-d

Siva has a height of about 7 em. The

§jia Iillga af Lord Saasrha has a hf:~ight of

27' em., while the idols of Sree F'rabha

dnd Sree Sathyal;:a aIT of height 2;5 em.

and 23 em. respectively.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open on Su ndays frurn "7 to

11 a.m. The morning pO~lja i.s held at

9 a.m.

If F' .t

Offerings: S'iJ!kkilra-p:1Jya',;:lIl1 and

pu.shpaailplh are the main vi17hlraafs of

which the latter is popular.

Festivals: SivJr,:uthri is observed with

specwl pOUlOS.

Priesthood and temple staff: The details

of the lhanrhri who conducted the initial

rites to the sWGyo.mbhoo idol 3re not

knfrl"vn. The present !h~mfhn beiongs to

Kaalat P~!tirin.dr{;iam j/Jam of \ a,li..,ol,unnu.

The '~·'1:.l.nIhikkjr;m belongs to Namboothiri.

cumm.unity, The::e is no other <>tatT.

Generai remarks: Chuttam/rdlam and

tern pI e tank are to be ren oVBted

besides constructing a c01npouncl \\:311.

(Data fi.Jrflished by .'irec K. K.r~h,!iltJklitl.'.

T,easu7er and collpcted by!,'rcl;" n. ,~iI'aJ;;\,:m of

1.he CenSl.L<; Din:,dnrot'?)

4.49 SREE (Sivamartgalam) SIV'A ~f'EMPLE, VENGAAT (Moorkkanaat panchaayathth, Mo,,!kkanaat village, Pin ~. 619 338)

Location: Situated about eight Inn.

northeast of Va!ancheri at Vcn_gaal 8r;d

thence one krn. north, the ternplr;. is

well-connected by tarred l'fjad.

Facilities for stay are available at

Perinthalmal)~la (distance: 17 km),

Brief history and temple administration:

Datable to ancient period, the details

a bOll t the origlIl of the ternple are not

known except that the ter:aple has a

sv. ayambhoo id 01. Th e tcrnple ~1 .... as

attacked and desecrated by the forces

ofTippu Sulththd'in and fix manv years

poojas had to he diGcontinLH:d The

tetnple belong,~d t<_) O~;.tVampu !:[lth\]1 mfJya

in e:ady tirne~,. Tn 1 (4:-5 1 the HRg;,Cl':

Board te·ok ewer its administration and

is rrwnag-ing it through an Executi\'f'

Officer. In 1984 a iDcal committee

can'le into function and under its

auspices the l.rceki";,'i] \Yi::1_S renovated.

Suhsequcntly thiwppal!i (in 1986j and

;;outhern rI.aalambalam lin 1993) were

re:lovated The comlnittee is elected

annually by devotees. it consists of 7

members includin.g five oiliee bearers.

Structures: Prior to Land Reforrns Act,

lhe ternple had properties \vhich

fev.~hcd 1,000 fu.."d odd pardS of paddy

D.S ;'I1Cct 1e;-UG(PD.f1i. !'\JC)\V the ternple is

1 e it "\,,' i tho n 1 y 80 c e n t s \v hie h

cnnslifltte the temple complex, The

structures which constitute the temple

complex are §reek i5 viI , namaskaara­

mandap.am, a ruined chu!!ambalam (now

only the southern re-built structure

exists), well and a ruined tank.

The square dwi-thala sreeki5viI,

facing west and of saandhaara type, has

granite adhish!haa!!am, laterite walls

and tiled roof. The mouldings of the

adhish!haa!!am are paudukam, jagathi,

v[ththa-kumudam, kumuda-pati, ga!am

with projections and vaajaga motifs,

kampam, ga!am with flower motifs and

uththaram. The si5paaQam has three

direct steps with vyaaJi-faces on the top

of banisters. The PIal}aa!am is broken.

The walls have three gha!!adwaaras

besides a functional door. Of the two

dwaarapaaias now only one exists. The

namaskaara-ma!ujapam (side: 3.13 m.) is

ruined.

Chuttambalam is also ruined. Now

only the southern naalambalam which

was rebuilt is seen and it has thitappa!/i

at southeast. There are two sub­

shrines, one of Lord Gal)apathi and Lord

Ayyappa facing east and the other of

Goddess Bhagavathi and Lord

SubramaI).ya facing north. The temple

tank is at the eastern side. The

remnants of the laterite compound

wall of height 3.6 m. and a width of

75 cm. can still be seen.

Carvings and paintings: There are no

carvings and paintings.

Deities: The swayambhoo idol of Lord Siva

is without form and has a height of

3655 RGI/03-19A 273

15 cm. The idols of subsidiary deities

are of different shape and height,

Lord Garyapathi in sitting pose (height:

27 cm.) Lord Ayyappa in sitting pose

(30 cm.), Goddess Bhagavathi of mirror

type (27 cm.) and Lord Subramal).ya of

standing pose (30 cm.).

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 7 to 9 a.m. The

morning pooja is held at 8 a.m. On

days when there is keta-vi!akk as

vClzhipaat, the temple is kept open for

more time and three poojas are held.

During ma-!1~ala-period the temple is

kept open in evenings also.

Offerings: Jala-dhaara, pushpaaiijaJi,

saIkkara-paayasam, thrmadhuram, maJa

and vi!akk and keta-vi!akk are important.

Jala-dhaara is the popular vazhipaat.

Festivals: There is no festival. Sivaraathri

is observed with usual temple rites.

Priesthood and temple staff: Details of

the thanthri who performed the initial

rites to the swayambhoo idol are not

known. The present thanthri belongs

to Kaalati Patinnaa!,etathth ma!}a of

Valiyakunnu. The saanthikkaran belongs

to Namboothiri community. Other staff

includes a kazhakam.

General remarks: The temple is in

completely ruined condition. It is high

tirne steps are taken to renovate it.

(Data furnished by Snx V. Sankaran, Secretary

and collected by Sree R. Madhavan Nair of the Census Directorate).

I

4.50 SREE (Paattukottil) BHAGAVATHI TEMPLE, MOORKKANAAT (Moorkkanaat panchaayathth, Moo!kkanaat village, Pin - 679 338)

Location: Situated six km. northeast of

Valanchery at Moo(kka!}aat, the temple

is connected by tarred road. Facilities

for stay are available at Perintha1manna

(distance 19 km.).

Brief history and temple administration:

Moorkka!:!aat was part of the principality

of VaHuva Ko!:!aathiri and also included

within the thattakam of Sree Thirumaa­

ndhaamkunnu Bhagavathi. There was a

small shrine dedicated to Her at this

place in those days. In course of time

this tract became part of the territory

of Saamoothiri. The followers of

Saamoothiri changed the mode of

worship of the deity based on change

of sankalpa from that of Sree

Thirumaandhaamkunnu Bhagavathi to

Sree Thiruva!aya!1aat Bhagavathi. This

change in the mode of worship

irritated two prominent Nai!: families

who forcibly took over the temple and

reconsecrated Sree Thirumaandhaam­

kunnu Bhagavathi. They were managing

the temple effectively for centuries but

the Land Reforms Act affected its

functioning. Poojas had to be

discon tinued. In 1971 the local

devotees formed a committee for its

renovation. In 1972 they conducted

reconsecration rites. In 1980 the

HR&CE took over its administration

and now manages it through a Trustee

Board consisting of thl ee members.

The local committee still functions to

help in the administration. The day-

274

to-day affairs are attended to by the

Managing Trustee.

Structures: Prior to the Land Reforms

Act of 1963 the temple owned paddy

fields which fetched 500 paras of paddy

as miccha-vaaramand Rs. 60 aspaattam.

Now the temple owns only 40 cents

which constitute the temple complex.

The structures thereon are sreek6vil

with attached paattupura, {hitappa!!i, sub-shrines, bhajaQa-matham, well and

tank.

The square eka-thala sreek6vii

facing east and of nirandhaara type is

within the paattupura. The sreek6vi/ has

laterite adhish{haa!Jam and walls and

wooden roof. The mouldings of the

adhish!haagam are jagathi, ga!am and

uththaram. The s6paa!Jam has three

direct steps. There is a small water­

outlet at the usual place of p!aI}aa!am.

The thitappa!!i and the well are

attached to the paattoott at its

southeast corner. The sub-shrine of

Lord Ayyappa is a detached structure.

On the western side tha!"as of Naagar

and Brahmarakshas are located while

at northeast there is another thara for

Saiva-rakshas. The bhaja!]a ma!ham is at

the northern side, while the temple

tank is at the south. There are four

sila-deepasthambhas, three on sides of

sreek6vij (east, west and north) and

another one before Sree Ayyappa.

Carvings and paintings: There are no

carvings and paintings.

3655 RGI/03-198

Deities: The idol of Sree Thirumandhaam­

kunnu Bhagavathi is made of si/a of

mirror type (height: 30 cm.). The sila

idol of Lord Ayyappa is ill sitting pose

(27 cm.), while those of Brahrna­

rakshas and Saivarakshas are plain linga

types of height 7 cm.. The Naaga idols

are In sitting poses of height 7 cm.

each.

Time of worship and poojas: The tem.ple

is kept open daily from 7 to 9 a.m.

However, on special days, viz. 12 days

in the month of Ka[kkatakam, ma~~ala­

period, paattu-period, Thursdays,

Fridays, first Saturday, three days of

Navaraathri etc. the temple is kept open

in evening also. Nivedya-pooja is held

at 8 a.m. on all days.

Offeri n9s: PushpaaiijaJi, §arkkara­

pa aya sam , maaia, vi!akk, ni[amaaia etc.

are the important vazhipaats of which

the first two are popular.

Festivals: Paatt- ThaalappoJj uthsavam is a

l-egional festival which attracts large

crowds. The festival season comme­

nces on the first Tuesday of Kumbham

with koora-ituka. Thereafter 15 kalam-

I

paats are held. On the third Tuesday

Thaalappoli is held. All temple rites

associated with it are also held.

Raamaayana-paaraayanam, mal}¢ala­

period etc are also observed. The

p[athish[ha-day IS celebrated on

Thiruvonam asterisk in the month of

Mee!} am . On the third Saturday in the

month of Vrschikam Aghal}¢a-naama­

japam is held for Lord Ayyappa. Ashtami­

Rohini is also observed with Agh!1l}9a­

naama-japam and Sree Bhagavatha­

paarayal}am. Navaraathri days are also

important.

Priesthood and temple staff: Details of

the thanthri who conducted the initial

rites are not known. The present

thanthri belongs to K.M. Ma!}a of

Thiroorkk:aat. The saanthikkaran belongs

to Malayaa!a Brahmins. The other staff

includes Vaarya[ (kazhakam} and

aticchu-thaii.

General remarks: The temple is in

ruins. Renovation is urgently required.

(Data furnished by Srce K. Parameswaran

Namboothiri, President and collected by

Sree R. Madhavan Nair of the Census Directorate).

4.51 SREE (Anl,himalyaarkaav) BHAGAVATHI TEMPLE, KIZHAKKEKARA (Moorkkanaat panchaayathth, Moo!kkanaat village, Pin - 679 338)

Location: Situated 750 m. east of

Vengot, the temple is accessible by

tarred road. Facilities for stay are

available at Perinthalmanna.

Brief history and temple administration:

The temple dates back to seventeenth

275

century. The legend says that this

place had thick jungles in those days.

One day when an agricultural woman

was sharpening her sickle on a granite

stone blood oozed out. She reported

the fact to the nearest iliam. Realising

that the §ila was a swayambhoo idol, the

members of the illam carne to the spot

with all pooja materials and conducted

the initial pooja rites. Later a temple

was built. When the ooraa!a[ family,

staying at Alanalloo!:, found it

extremely difficult to manage the

temple after the implementation of the

. Land Reforms Act, they entrusted in

1980 the temple administration to local

devotees. They took initiative to

renovate the temple, for which a

committee was formed. Now the

committee manages the temple. The

IS-member committee is elected

annually. The Secretary of the

committee attends to the day-tQ-day

affairs of the temple.

Structures: At present the temple

complex has an extent of 15 cents.The

structures thereon are sreekovil with

attached mukha-marpapam, paattupura

with thitappa!!i, su b- shrines, deepa­

sthambhas, well and tank.

The square eka-thala sreekovil with

attached mukha-ma1}9apam, facing east

and of saandhaara type, has no roof. A

deepasthambham stands at its front.

The paattupura is rectangular in shape

with thitappa!!i at the southern end.

There is yet another deepasthambham

to this structure. The su b-shrine of Sree

UI!I!i Bh!aanthan (Lord Siva) is on the

southern side. The well is at its

southeast. The temple tank is on the

western side.

Carvings and paintings: There are no

carvings and paintings.

276

Deities: The swayambhoo siJa idol of

Goddess Bhagavathi is not of

anthroponnorphic form. The sankalpa

of the Goddess varies, Goddess

Saraswathy at the morning, Goddess

Du_rga at noon and Goddess Bhadrakaa!i

at night. The sila-liriga idol of Lord Ul)l)i­

B!aanthan (Siva) has a height of 15 cm .

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 8 to 9 a.m. Only

during paattu-uthsavam, from 1st to 15th

Vrschikam, the temple opens in the

evening also. The time ofmomingpooja

is 8-30 a.m.

Offerings: PushpaanjaJi, mutta!ukkal.

vifakk-maala and pattu-chaa[ththal are the

main vazhipaats. Of these, pushpaanjaJi

and pattu-chaa[ththal are important.

Festivals: Paattu-uthsavam as stated

above is the main festival of the

temple. It is a local festival. Ka!ame­

zhuthlhu-paau and entertainments are

staged on these days, besides other

temple rites.

Priesthood and temple staff: The details

of the thanthri who performed the initial

rites are not known. The present

thanthri belongs to Kakkaat ma!}a. The

saanthikkaran is from Embraanthiri

community. The other staff includes

an aticchu-tha!i.

General remarks: The temple is in ruins

and needs urgent renovation.

(Data furnished by Sree Tha!iyi) Kumiiran NaiF

and collected by Sree R. Madhavan Nai[ of the Census Directorate}.

• I 4.52 SREE (Chettupaara) VANA-SAASTHA TEMPLE (Ayyappan kaav),-VENGAAT (Moorkkanaat panchaayathth, Moo_rkkanaat village, Pin - 679 338)

Location: Situated one km. southeast

of Vengot at Chettupaara, the temple is

connected by earthen road from

Veng6t. Upto Vengot the road is tarred.

Facilities for stay are available at

Perinthalmal]lJa (Distance: 17 km.).

Brief history and temple administration:

Datable to ancient period, the early

history of the temple is not available

except that the idol of Lord Saastha is

swayambhoo. The temple was initially

owned by a Namboothiri family. At that

time the temple was known as

Na!ambal] kaav devaswam. Later for

some time, it was owned and managed

by a Vaarya! family. Then it came into

the hands of PaBiyaalil Naayar thaIavaat.

For more than hundred years the

temple had no poojas. During this

period the temple got completely

ruined. The chu!!ambaJam has now only

a thaIa. In 1994 the local devotees took

initiative to renovate the temple. They

formed a Temple Committee

comprising about 150 persons. Once

in three years they elect an Executive

Committee consisting of President,

Vice-President, Secretary, Joint

Secretary and Treasurer and two other

members. The ooraa!a! is the patron of

the temple. Under the auspices of the

Committee a deva-p[asga was held on

27th February 1995 and expiatory rites

held.

277

Structures: The temple owns 20 cents

of which 17 cents constitute the temple

complex. The structures in the complex

are steekoviJ, thitappa!!i, vaathilmaatam,

sub-shrine and well. The earlier

temple tank has been encroached upon

and used by a neighbour.

The square sreek{)yij with mukha­

mal}9apam faces east, 1S ruined

completely. The layout indicates that

it is of saandhaara type. The mouldings

of the adhish{haagam are not discernible.

The structure, as per deva-p{as!}a, must

be roofless. The thaIa of the sub-shrine

of Sree Bhagavathi is located at the

south and faces east. The thitappa!!i is

at southeast. The temple well is at

the northeast of the akaththe-baliyattam.

The other structures are vaathil-maatam

and a deepasthambham. The office room

is at the southern side.

Carvings and paintings; There are no

carvings and paintings.

Deities: The sila idols of Lord Saastha,

His consort Sree Prabha and son Sree

Sathy8ka have heights of 27 cm, 25

cm and 15 em. respectively. The sila

idol of Sree Bhagavathi of mirror type

has a height of 30 cm.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 6 to 8-30 a.m. The

poojas are done daily, usha-pooja at

6-45 am. and uccha-pooja at 8-30 p.m.

During mal}~aJa period the temple is

open m the evening also. Aththaazha­

pooja is also held at 7-30 p.m.

Offerings: Pushpaaiijali is the main

vazhipaat.

Festivals: MaJpjaJa period is observed

with chu!!u-vi/akk, aththaazha-pooja etc.

Priesthood and temple staff: The details

of the thanthri who conducted the initial

rites are not known. The present

278

thanthri belongs to Patinnaretathth ma!Ja

of lrumbi!iyam. The saanthikkaran is

appointed from Malayaa!a Brahmins.

There is no other paid staff.

General remarks: This temple needs

complete renovation.

(Data furnished by Sree T. Riimakrshl}an and Sree c.P. Narayal}an Nair President and collected

by Sree R. Madhavan Nair of the Census

Directorate)

5 IMPORTANT TEMPLES OF

THIROOR TALUK -I _

5.1 SREE MAHA VISH~U TEMPLE (Er.,aakaranelloo_r Ga.,apathiyankaav), PARIYAAPURAM

(Thaa!}oo[ panchaayathth, Pariyaapuram village, Pin - 676 302)

Location: Situated three and half km. north of Th<l<lQoo!: at Mukkola junction

on ParappaQ;..uig<l3ti road and thence 200

111. ~\Vest, the temple is accessible by

tarred road up to Mukkola junction and

earthen road thereafter. Lakshadweep

sea is at a di~tance of 1.5 km. on the

~west. Facilities for stay are available

at Parapp<lQar1g33ti or at Thiroor.

Brief history and temple administration: Datable to ancient period, the temple

has an interesting legend. It says that

one day the oorau!a!s approached Srcc

.'\ aar3l.lY31.wthth Bhraanthan and enquired

about an auspicious time to install an idol of Lord \1aha Vishl.1l1. He told them

that at the appropriate time a peacock

would be seen at the place. All of them

\\'aited for the arrival of peacock on the

auspicious day. At that time a SUli_'v[jsin

came there with feathers of peacock

in his hands. Assuming that it was

the' appropriate time, the consecration

of the idol of Lord '"is!1I1u was done.

274

When its rites were over, a peacock

was seen perched on the top of the

front entrance of the temple. Realizing

the folly of mistaking 'feathers of pea­

cock' with 'peacock' (as told by Sree

NaaraayaIj.athth Bhraanthan) they decided

to install an idol of Lord Gal)3pathi also

at this muhoorththam. Since the

consecration of Lord GaIj.apathi was

done at the most auspicious time, Lord

GaIj.3pathi became famous and the Sree

VishI/u temple known thereafter as

Gal)apathiyan kaav. Subsequently

shrines of Goddess Du,!:ga Bhagavathi

and Lord Krshl)a were built. The

structures were rebuilt around

fifteenth century. During the invasion

by Tippu Sulththaan the temple was

desecrated and strucures like sopaa!_!all1, chuttal11balal11 etc. were

damaged.

The temple came into the hands

of Thrkk:tikaatt ma[ham in the thirteenth

century. Thereafter they are m;i.naging

the temple. The H.R&C.E. Department

has control over the temple, bu t administer it through a nominee of the JW:Jr1w;Jdhiparhi, The local Kshethra Samraksiwua Samiti1i, consisting of 32

members elect annually the five office­bearers who look after the day-to-day

affairs,

Structures: The details of area owned by the temple prior to the Land Reforms

Act are not available. At present the temple owns 1.63 acres which

constitute the temple complex. The structures thereon are §recki) vij , n,lInaskara-maI_J9apam, ruined

ci1u!!:'lIl1ba/am (except a portion of

valiyambalam and thitappa!!i) , valiya­

balikkall, well, ruined compound wall

and tank.

(i) Sree Maha Vishnu shrine

The square dwi-thala §reeki'ivii of

Lord Vishl}ll is of ."aandhaara type and

faces east. It has granite adhisi1!haa!!am and laterite walls. The roof is made of

laterite stone. wood and over it tiles.

The mouldings of adhishrhaa!!am on a

low platform are paadukam, jagathi,

vrrhrlw-kumud-am, kumuda-pati, ga!am with motifs, ga_!:J-pati, kampam, ga!am with flower motifs, gala-pati, uththaram

and patio The siJpaa!}am has four direct

steps with full figurine of vyaa_!i on the

side of the banisters. The p!Wpta!alll is multi-faceted with g6-mukha tip. The

walls have three gha!!adwaaras besides

the functional door. The nama5jkaara-

117a{7~apam (side: 2.77 m.) has four

pillars.

(ii) Sree Durga Bhagavathi shrine

The circular Eka-tha/a s:reek()vi/ of

the Goddess is located on the northern

280

side of the Sree Vishl:lU shrine. It is of nirandhaara type and faces east. The

mouldings of the adhish[haa!}am are

similar to those of Sree Vish~lU shrine. The siJpaagam has direct steps and

P!i1I_J::w!am is simple. The namaskaara­mal}f1apam has only the adhish{haa!}am and superstructure has fallen.

(iii) Sree Ganapathi shrine

The square eka-thaia .sreek()vii of

l1irandhaara type and facing north 1S

located within the akathrhe-baiivaftam and on the south-eastern side of Sree

Maha Vishryu temple. It is smaller in SIze than other .sreekovils. Its

adhish[haa!!am is made of granite, walls of laterite and roof of tile S. The

sopaa!Jam has direct steps and p!.'al}aa.j.am is of simplified type.

The chu!!ambaiam encloses the above three .sreekoviis and two

namaskaara-maI_J~apams partially. It has

three entrances,twa facing east and in front of Sree Maha Vishryu and Sree

Du!_'ga shrine, the third on the western

side in front of the Sree Krshrya shrine

located outside the chu!!ambaJam. The

southern end of valiyambalam and

thitappa!!i are seen while other parts of

chu!!ambalam have only lha!a. There is a valiya-balikkalllocated in front of Sree

Vishryu shrine, while Sree Du!_'ga shrine

has a small balikkall at its front. The su b-shrine of Sree K[shrya at the western side is of eka-thala of nirandh,wra type and facing east and has a mukha­ma{lc)apUIl1. There is a detached maI_J~apa/11 at its front supported on

eight pillars. The temple has a well and a tank. The laterite compound

wall with a height of 3.6 m. and a width of 60 cm. is in complete ruins. The

entire layout of the temple proclaims its ancient glory.

Carvings and paintings; On the walls of the !~reeki5viJ niches and faces of If.shis

are carved in stone. The carvings are in a dilapidated condition.

Deities: The main idol of Lord VishI_1u is

made of sjja and has a height of 90 cm. The sjja idols of Goddess Du!,ga and Lord Krshl)a are of standing poses

with height of 75 cm. and 60 cm. respectively. The idol of Lord GaI_1apathi, also made of ciija, is of sitting pose

(height: 30 cm.).

Time of worship and poojas: The temple is kept open from 6 to 9 a.m. and from

6 to 7-30 p.m. Only one pooja is now

held, in the morning at 8 a.m. In the evenIng only deeparaadhaga

performed.

, I

IS

Offerings: Gat:J.apathi-hava!Jam, paal­

paayasam and ka[hi!Ja-paayasam are the important vazhipaats of which the first

one is popular and famous.

Festivals: There is no festival. On Vishu-day specia1 poojas and ni[a-maa/a

are performed.

Priesthood and temple staff: The details

of the thanthri who performed initial rites are not known. The present

thanthri belongs to Aattyeri ma!Ja. The saanthikkaaran hails from Malayaa!a

Brahmins. The other staff includes a kazhakam.

General remarks: The temple is in a dilapidated condition and hence needs

urgent renovation.

(Data furnished by Srec K. Niiriiyal}a. Kshcthra

Samrakshal}a Samichi and collected by Sn:e G.

Sivadiisan of the Census Directorate).

5.2 SREE (Thrkkaikkaatt) SIVA TEMPLE, PARIYAAPURAM (Thaanoo! panchaayathth, Pariyaapuram village, Pin - 676 302)

Location: Situated three and half km.

north of Thaa~oo!: at Mukkola junction

on ParappaQangaati road and thence half

a km. east on panchaayathth road, the

temple is accessible by tarred road up

to Mukkola junction and thereafter

earthen road. Facilities for stay are

available at Thiroo!: (7 km.) and

Parappa~angaati (6 km.).

Brief history and temple administration: The temple dates back to eleventh

century. The temple belongs to

Thrkkaikkaatt ma[ham which is one of the

four ma[ham .. ; established by the

disciples of Sree Sankaraachaarya. They

are Thekke 111iJ!ham established by Srce

281

Padmapaada, Itayil ma[ham (present

Thrkkaikkaatt ma{ham) founded by Sree

Thotaka, Natuvil ma!ham by Sree Sureswara

and Vatakke marham by Sree Hastha­

malaka. Each ma[ham has separate

upaasa!![f-J11oo!ththis, Sree Narasi mha­

moorththy, Sree Raama, Sree Paarthha­

saarathy and Sree Dakshif,lamoorththy

respectively. Accordingly the

Thrkk:aikkaat ma!ham has Lord Raama as

their upaasa!}a-l1100[rhlhy.

The legend on the ongln of

the temple says that Plaakkaat

~:.imbOOThirippad. the chief-thanthri of

Thrkkaikkaatt marham used to worship

Thrkkulathth Siva temple near

Parappa~angaati (details of that temple

given in 1. 12 of section 2) even in his

old age. One day at the time of

aththaazha-pooja he entered the temple

and after circumambulation of the

shrine took rest at the naalambalam

since he was completely exhausted.

The saanthikkaariln without knowing this

incident closed the temple and left. At

night Lord Siva appeared before

Namboothirippaad and told him that he

should not travel so much for seeing

Him and that He would appear as a

swayambhoo very close to his ma!}il. Next day morning when the temple

was opened, the saanthikkaaran saw

Namboothirippad, who narrated the

incident to him and left for home. The

following day he saw a §ila emerging

au t of the earth at a place close to his

ma!}il. By his naked eyes he could see

the glittering halo around this

swayambhoo fila. Namboothirippaad

conducted the initial rites of

consecration of this idol and built a

temple. Since the place was shown by

the Lord Himself, it got the name

Th{kkaikkaat (which means shown by

the hands of the Lord). When Sree

Th6takaachaaryan shifted the Itayil

ma{ham to this place, the nw[ham came

to be known as Thrkkaikkaat mathil111. . . Since then the temple is owned by this

matha111 and administered by a

kaaryasthhan nominated by the

Marhaaadhipathi. The HR&CE has

control over the temple administration,

Structures: The temple at present owns

1.11 acres of land including temple

tank. The temple complex has an

extent of 72 cents. The structures

282

thereon are .':rcckilviJ, cJW!! ill1JhaJam,

sub-shrines, and compound wall with

p'purwl1, well and tank.

The square dwi-thala ,';rcckj,yiJ

(with mllkha-ma~l!Jilpi1m) is of ninwdlwara type and facing west. It has granite

adhi''''h!haa!!am and granite slab walls, copper sheet covered roof with copper sthoopa over it. The mOUldings of the adhish!haa!._lLIl1l are on a platform and

they are paadukam, jagathi, yrfhflw­

kUI11udaIlJ, kumuda pati, vaajil!._lal11, ga!am, ga!a-pati, kampam, ga!am with flower motifs, ga!a-pati, uththaram and patio The

walls have two gha!Jadwailras with niches, besides the functional door at the ground level. There is neither

s{;p,w!!am nor p!a~laa!am as the idol is

at the ground level. The well is at the northeast of the akaththc-halivattam.

The c/JullambaJal11 has three

entrances, at west, north and east. The thitappa!!i is at southeast. On the

southern naalambalam there is a sub­shrine of Goddess Paarvathi facing west.

The valiya-balikkall, Nandi and deepa­sthamhham are within the renovated

agra-ma!19apam. The sub-shrine of Lord Ayyappa is at the southwest corner facing west. The laterite compound

wall with a height of 4.2 m. and a width

of 60 cm. is ruined, It has two g{)puras.

but their super structures do not exist now. The temple tank is at the

northeast of the eastern g6puram.

Carvings and paintings: The granite

dwaara-paalas have a height of 1.5 m.

but with mutilated limbs, the result of

the attack by the forces of Tippu Sulth thaan. At th e greeva of the

sreekc)vij wooden figurines of Brahma, Vishl)u, Dakshil)amoophthy and Lord

Gal)apathi are fixed. At the sreemukham wooden motifs can be seen.

Deities: The swayambhoo§jla idol of Lord

Siva has a height of 13 cm. and has

the sankaJpa of Sree Arddhanaareeswara.

The idols in the sub-shrines are also

made of §ila, Goddess Paa!:vathi in

standing pose (height: 67 em.) and Lord

Ayyappa in standing pose (37 cm.). The

idol of Lord Gal)apathi, which was in

existence earlier at the southern side

of the mukha-ma1}9apam, was stolen and

now there is only a lamp in that place.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 6 to 9 a.m. and from

6 to 6-30 p,m. The morning pooja is

held at 8-45 a.m. In the evening there

is only a deepaaraadha!Ja.

Offeri ngs: Ijancc!-dhaara, pushpaaiijali and

nira-maala are the main vazhipaats of

, -

which the first one is popular and

meant for fulfilment of all desires.

Festivals: There IS no festival.

However, Sivaraathrj is observed with

special poojas, both at morning and

evening, besides ni!a-maaJa.

Priesthood and temple staff: The initial

rites to the swayambhoo idol were

performed by the P!akkaat Namboothiri­

ppaad as stated earlier. The earlier

thaanthric iI/am was P!akkaat ma!Ja. The

present thanthri belongs to Aattyeri ma!}a. The saanthikkaaran is appointed from

Malayaa!a Brahmins. The other staff

includes a kazhakam.

General remarks: Renovation of

gopurams has to be done.

(Data furnished by Srcc K. KarUfyakaran Nai!,

Kaaryasthhan and collected by Sree G. Sivadiisan of the Census Directorate).

5.3 SREE MAHA VISH~U TEMPLE, RAAYIRAMANGALAM (Thaa!:!oo!, panchaayathth,Thaa!)oo! village, Pin - 676302)

Location: Situated 11 km. north of

ThirooI Block Office j unction on

Parappa~angaati road and thence one

km. east (beyond the Railway line), the

temple is accessible by tarred road.

Lakshadweep Sea is hardly two km.

west of the temple. Facilities for stay

are available at Thiroor.

Brief history and temple administration: This temple dates back to ancient

period and was earlier known as Sree

Raajaraajamangalam temple. In the

famous architectural treatise of

Manushyaalaya Chandrika written in the

first half of the eighth century mention

is made about this temple. In its first

sJi")ka the au thor prays to Lord

21 .. n

Narasimhamoo!:ththy and Sree Krshl)a for

their benevolence. (The belief is that

the author was a disciple of Kelalloo!:

Chommathiri by name ThirumaIigalam

Moossad. There is another view that he

belonged to Ambalavaasi community).

In all probability the name of the temple

was changed to RaayiramaIiga!am Vishl)u

temple later. The temple for centuries

was owned and managed by Elamku!am

mana. The temple was attacked by

the forces of Tippu Sulththaan. The

idols were mutilated and torched

the .';rcckc)vil and naalambalam and

demolished the maryaada. The

structures of §n:ck6vil and thitilppa!!i were renovated later but still the idols

are broken pieces of old idols. The HR&CE took over the control of this temple and entrusted its administration to the hereditary Trusee CElamku!am maga). The day-to­day affairs are managed by the kaaryasthhan of the maga.

Structures: The temple owns 68 cents of land which constitute the temple complex. The structures thereon are two sreekovils, two namaskaara­mal}f/apams, ruined chu!!ambalam, thitappa!!i, sub-shrines, well and a tank.

t (I) Sree Maha VishlJu shrine

The circular eka-thala sreekovil facing east and of saandhaara type has granite adhish!haa!}am, laterite walls and concrete roof. The mouldings of the adhish!haagam are paadukam, jagathi, vrththa-kumudam, kumuda-pati, kampam, ga!am, ga!a-pati, kampam, ga!am, gil/a-pati, uththaram and patio The sopaa!lam has four direct steps with vyaa!i figurines on sides of banisters. The praIJaa!am is of simplified type. The walls have two ghagadwaaras with niches, on the west and north while at the southern side Lord GaI)apathi has been consecrated. The namaskaara-malJrJapam at its front (side: 2.47 m.) has four pillars.

(ii) Sree Narasimhamoo.!1hthy shrine

The circular eka-thala sreekovil facing east and of saandhaara type is located on the southern side of Sree Maha Vishr,m shrine. It has also granite adhishrhaa!]am , laterite walls and concrete roof. The mouldings of the adhish!haagam are padma-paadukam, kampam, paadukam, jagathi, vrththa­kumudam, kumuda-pati, kampam, ga!am, ga!a-pati, kampam, ga!am, gala-pati,

284

uththaram and patio The sopaagam has four direct steps with vyaafi figurines on sides of banisters. The p!alJaa!am is of simplified type. The walls have gha!Jadwaaras on three sides besides the main functional door at the east. The namaskaara-malJf/apam has four pillars.

The well is at northeast of the akaththe-balivattam and close to the thitappa!!i. The chu!!ambalam is completely dilapidated and only the thara remains. There are Deepa­sthambhas in front of shrines. The sub­shrines of Sree Vettakkaran (Sree Kiraathamoorththy) is at the north­western side facing east. It has an attached mukha-ma.{lrJapam. The tank is in ruins. The remnants of steps and ku!appura can be seen. The compound wall is completely ruined.

Carvings and paintings: There are no carvings and paintings except for the laterite niches on walls.

Deities: All the idols in this temple (Sree Maha Vish1)u, Sree NarasimhamooIththy, Lord Ga1)apathi and Sree Vettakkaran) are broken and only their pieces are kept within the sreek5vils. The Manushyaalaya Chandrika reveals that the sankaJpa of Lord Maha VishI)u is that of Lord Krshl)a. It is really painful· to see the desecrated broken pieces of idols kept for worship.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple is kept open from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. One nivedya pooja is held at 11-30 a.m.

Offerings: The important vazhipaat is paal-paayasam.

Festivals: There IS no festival in this temple.

Priesthood and temple staff: The details of the thanthri who installed the idol are not known. The present thdnthri belongs to Aatteri ma!]a. The saanthikkaaran is a part-time employee

and is appointed from Malayaa!a

Brahmins. The other staff includes a kazhakam and aticchu-thaJi.

General remarks: The temple is in complete ruins and needs urgent

renovation.

(Data furnished by Sree V. Purushothaman Nambissan, Kaaryasthan and collected by Sree G.

Sivadasan of the Census Directorate).

I •

5.4 SREE A VYAPPANKAAV, PANANGAATTOOR (Thaat'oo! panchaayathth, Thaa!,oo! village, Pin - 676 302)

Location: Situated three and half km.

east at Kannamthali junction and

thence half a km. northwest, the

temple is connected by tarred road up

to KaJ)t;Iamtha!i and thereafter by

earthen road. Facilities for stay are

available at Thiroo! (13 kIn.).

Brief history and temple administration: The temple dates pack to fifteenth century. In those days the place had

thick grove. One day an agricultural

woman along with fellow workers went

to this grove for cutting grass. When

a woman was sharpening her sickle

on a granite stone, blood oozed out of

it. Surprised by this rare phenomenon, she reported this incident to the

owners of the land. A p[asga which followed, revealed that the sila from which blood oozed out, related to a

swayambhoo idol of Lord Ayyappa. Thereafter consecration rites were

held and regular poojas done to the

idol.

The history of administration for

few centuries thereafter is not known. It is however reported that for some

period the temple was administered by the ThrkkaI)tiyoo!, devaswam. When it

285

was found that the devaswam was not

taking proper care of the temple, a

local committee took the initiative for administering it. However, this did not last long as some of the committee

members engaged in mis-management

and the temple was practically neglected. In 1964 a new committee

was registered with the name

Pa!!angaattoo! Kshethra SamrakshalJa Samithi which is now managing the

. temple. The Samith{ has 74 members

in its rolls and they meet once in a

year to elect a nine-member executive committee (inclusive of five office­

bearers, President, Vice-President,

Secretary, Joint Secretary and Treasurer) .

Structures: The area owned prior to the Land Reforms Act is not known. At

present the temple complex has an ext.ent of 50 cents. The structures thereon are sreekovil, thitappa!!i, deepa­sthambham and a well.

The rectangular sreekovil of

nirandhaara type and facing west has no

mouldings for the adhish!haagam. The

walls are made of laterite. The roof is concrete but the top central portion is

open. The attached mukha-mal.ujapam is open. There is a fila deepa-sthambham at the front. The thitappa//i is at

southeast and the well is at northeast. The sacred grove is at southwest.

Carvings and paintings: There are no

carvings and paintings.

Deities: The §iJa idol is swayambhoo of liIiga-type and has a height of 27 cm.

There is no subsidiary deity.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open daily from 6 to 8 a.m. The morning pooja is held at 7-30 a.m.

During ma1}9aJa period the temple is

kept open in the evenings also and has

an aththaazha pooja at 7 p.m.

Offerings: Appal11, nai-paayasam and pw;hpalliijaii are the main va7hipaats of

the temple. The first two items are

very famous and important.

Festivals: There is no festival except

the special poojas held on Mal}cja/a

period.

Priesthood and temple staff: The details of the priest who conducted the initial

rites to the swayambhoo idol are not known. At present there is no thanthri.

The daily poojas are conducted by a Namboothiri Brahmin. There is no

other staff.

General remarks: The temple needs

financial help for making improve­

ments.

(Datafumished by STet.' VClJyudhiW. President, KshZ'rhra SamrakshillJa Samithi and collected by

SR'': G. SivadJsan of the Census Directorate).

I I

5.5 SREE K!lSH~A TEMPLE, KERALAADHEESWARAPURAM (Thaal)aaloo! panchaayathth, ThaaQaaloor. village, Pin - 676 307)

Location: Situated eight km. north of

ThirooI at Moolakkul junction and

thence one and a half km. west, the

temple is accessible by tarred road

except the last lap which has earthen

surface. Facilities for stay are

m-ailable at Thiroor or Thaanoor. - --

Brief history and temple administration:

This temple dates back to very ancient

period. The temple originally belonged

to Vettathth royal family. Later it was

taken over by Saamoothiri. The legend

says that a great Yogi. who cmnc on a

Garuya bird, consecrated this idol.

From very earl:r times the temple

au thorities gave great prominence to

Saints and de\'oted Brahmins. Regular

286

oott at noon and night to all Brahmins

was a usual thing ,by which the temple

got the name Kera!adheeswarapuram oott

devaswam. The forces of Tippu

Sulththaan attacked the temple and

broke the idol. Now the front portion

of the idol is covered with a pancha-1Ciha

go/aka. Around 1938 some miscreants

stole the idol and buried it in a paddy

field. Later it was found out and re­

installed at the sreekovi/.

The temple still belongs to

Samnoothiri kovilakam Trust. In 1972

a local committee was formed to

administer the temple on behalf of the

k(lvil:1kam Trust. The committee

consists of 15 members elected by a

General Body which consists of

members who pay fixed subscription.

The term of the committee is two

years.

Sfructuf'es: The details of land owned

by the temple earlier are not known.

At present it has an extent of 50 cents

incluaing 25 cents occupied by two

tanks. The structures thereon are sreek6viJ, namaskaara-ma lJ9apam, chu{!ambaiam with agra-maIJ~apam,

valiya-balikkall, oo{{upura and compound

wall. The square sreek(}vi/ of nirandhaara type and facing west has granite

adhish!haa!] am. laterite walls and tiled roof. The mouldings of the

adhish{haa!]am are paadukam, jagathi, vrththa-kumudam, kumuda-pati, gajam with motif and projected ends, gaja-pati, kampam, ga!am with flower motifs, ga!a­pati, uththaram and patio The s6paa!_!am has three direct steps with vyaa/i-face on top of banisters. The p!aJ}aa!am has

makara-simha face at the ba~e multi-, faceted §uIJcju and plain end. The walls

have three gha!]adwaaras besides the

main functional door. The idol of Lord

GaI)apathi is installed at the southern

wall of the .~·reek()vil. The namaskaara­mal}cjapam (side: 2.72 m.) has four

pillars. The well is at northeast of akclththe-balivaffam.

The chu!!ambalam has three

entrances, at west, north and east.

The thitappa!/i is at northeast. The

beau tifully carved valiya-balikkall is

within the agra-mzuJ9apam. There are

four s'ila-dcepa-sthambhas in the temple.

The compound wall, built with laterite

stones, is incomplete.

Carvings and paintings: There are no

carvings and paintings.

287

Deities: The main idol of Lord KrshI)a is

in standing pose with two arms

carrying butter in the hands. The

sankalpa is therefore of Sree Vel/I/a

Krshnan. The idol of Lord GaI)apathi,

made of siJa, is in sitting pose (height:

27 cm.).

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 5 to 8-30 a.m. and

from 5-30 t07 -30 p.m. Three paoja!,} are

held daily, usha-pooja at 6-15 a.m.,

uccha-pooja at 8-15 a.m. and aththaazha­

paoja at 7 p.m.

Offerings: Thrkkayyil-veIJlJa (keeping

butter in hands of the idol), paal­

paayasam and nai-paayasam are the

important vazhipaats. Of these, the first

one is popular and is meant for

fulfilment of desires.

Festivals: The annual eight-day festival

commences from lsI to 8 th Vpfchikam.

All the uthsava rites are meticulously

done. Ottam-thulJal and modern

entertainments are staged.

Priesthood and temple staff: Details of

the ascetic who installed the idol are

not known. The present thanthri

belongs to Kalloor ma!Ja of K!aari. The

saanchikkaaran is appointed from

Malayaala Brahmins. Other staff

includes three kazhakams, vaadyam and

aticchu-lhaji.

General remarks: The chllttambalam

and compound wall need urgent

renovation.

(Data furnished by SICC N S:1l1kara Maaraar and collected by Sn:c M.R. Sukumiiran Nai[ of the Census [)irectorate).

I .-.

5.6 SREE SUBRAMA~YASWAAMY TEMPLE, EZHOO~ (Thiroo! municipal town, Pin - 676101)

Location: This temple is located three

km. east of Thiroo~ at Ezhoo!: Bridge and thence 200m.away, the temple is connected by tarred road except the last lap of 200 rn. Facilities for stay are available at Thiroo!:.

Brief history and temple administration: Datable to sixteenth century, the early history of the temple is not known except for the fact that the temple has a swayambhoo idol of Lord Siva. The idol

of Lord Siva is older than that of Sree

Subramar:ya, though the temple is now

known as Sree SubramaI!ya temple. Both shrines are side by side.

In ancient days the temple was owned by Saarnoothiri ki;vijakam. In early seventeenth century it came into the hands of Punnakkal lharavaat who still owns the temple. The eldest

member of the lharavaat manages the temple. To help him there is a local committee consisting of 12 members of which five are office -bearers (President, Vice-President, Secretary, Joint Secretary and Treasurer). The term of the committee is one year and its members are elected annually by the devotees.

Structures: The temple complex has an extent of 75 cents. The structures thereon are twin-srcekovijs within a

chu!!ambaiam, sub-shrines, well,

mal}c)apams, valiya-balikkalls, deepa­

sthambham and a tank.

(i) Shrine of Lord Siva

The circular eka-thala sreek6vij of

nirandhaara type and facing west has

granite adhishrhaa[!am, laterite walls and tiled roof. The mouldings of the

288

adhish{haagam are paadukam, jagathi,

vrththa-kumudam, kumuda-pati, kampam,

ga!am, ga!a-pati, uththaram and patio

The sopaa!]am has three direct

steps with full vyaa!i figurine on the

side of banisters. . The p!aIJaa!am is of simplified type and without any ornamentation. There is only one ghagadwaaram at the rear side with a functional door at the west. The idol of Lord GaI!apathi facing west is carved on the south-western portion of the circular wall of the sreekovii. On the opposite side of the wall (north­western portion), there is sankaJpa of

Sree A!}!}apoorr:eswari. The namaskaara­

ma{lcjapam has four pillars and there is

a PIathishrha of Nandi facing the Lord.

(ii) Shrine of Lord Subramanya

The rectangular eka-thala sreekovil

(on the northern side of Lord Siva

shrine) of nirandhaara type facing west

has granite adhishrhaa!] am , laterite walls and tiled roof. The mouldings of the adhish{haa!]am are paadukam, jagathi,

v[ththa-kumudam, kumuda-pati, kampam,

ga!am, ga!a-pati, kampam, ga!am, ga!a-pati,

uththaram and patio The sopaa!}am has

three direct steps and the PIaIJaa!am is of simplified type. There is a rectangular detached malJc)apam at the front of the shrine with the idol of pea­cock (vaaha!!a of the Lord) and a bronze

deepa-sthambham within it. The well is

at the northeast of akaththe-baiivattam.

Enclosing the above two shrines 1S the chuttambalam with five entrances, two facing the two

irnponant deities, Lord Siva and

Subram:u;ya and one each at north,

west and south. There is a sub-shrine

of Srce Lakshmi -N aaraayaI.1 a at the

northwest corner facing west. The

thirappa//i is at southeast. Close to the

thitappa!li there is a sub-shrine for Lord

Saastha facing west and the path-way

to the southern entrance. Two granite

valiya-balikkalls are located outside the

chu!!ambalam facing the main deities.

Three §ila deepa-sthambhas exist, two at

west and one at south. There is an

excellent tank with ku/appura at southeast.

Carvings and paintings: There are no

carvings and pain tings.

Deities: The main idol of Lord Siva 1S

swayambhoo and of sjJa-JiIiga type with

a height of 30 em. The s:lIlkalpa reported is as of fierce nature (Sree Aghora­

moo!'ththy). The idol of Lord Subramaryya,

made of ii/a, is of standing pose (height:

90 cm.). All the idols of subsidiary deities are also made of ... hIa. Lord

Saastha, His consort Sree Prabha and son

Sathyaka have heights of 30 ern,

27 cm. and 27 cm. respectively. Sree

Lakshminaaraayal).a is installed in the

form of a saa!agraam. The idol of Lord

, - ,

GaI}apathi is in sitting pose (hcigll t:

27 cm). For Srcc A!J!Jap()O!,I.lcswari only

a sanka/pa-pcc{lwl11 is installed.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 5-30 to 9-30 a.m. and

from 5-30 to 7-30 p.m. Two poojas arc

held, usha-pooja at 8 a.m. and

aththaazha-pooja at 7 p.m.

Offerings: PushpaaI1ja/i, RudraahhisJ1L-:;kallJ.

swayamvara-pushpaaFijali and l1Jrthyuiijaya­

h6111illl1 are the main V~i7hipaal. ... · of which

the last one is important.

Festivals: Sivaraathri and Thaipooyam are

observed,the latter celebrated with

procession of kaavati.

Priesthood and temple staff: No details

of the thanthri who conducted the initial

rites are available. At present

the temple has no thanthri. The

_';a<JI1thikkaaran belongs to Malayaa!a

Brahmins. The other staff includes a

kazhakam.

General remarks: Urgent renovation IS

required for all structures.

(Data furnished by SrcL' Riiakrsimi1fl. President

and collected by Sret.' G. Sivi1d[is:1Jl of the Census Directorate).

5.7 SREE MAHA SIVA TEMPLE, THRKKANTIYOOR (Thiroo.! municipal town, Pin - 676 104)· ~

location: Situated 1.2 km. southwest

of Thiroo[ Railway Station via.

Ambalaku!arigara, the temple is well

connected by tarred road. The P()~~a!:!i

river flows 1.6 km. west of the temple.

Facilities for stay are available at Thiroor.

3655 RGII03-20A 2R9

Brief history and temple administration:

This temple dates back to very ancient

period though the present re-built

structures belong to ninth century.

The legend tells that Lord Para~uraama

meditated here at the close of ThrErhaa­

yuga and on an auspicious day he

consecrated the beautiful sila-liriga idol

with the concept of graama-devatha. It

is believed that on the SaIlle day before

this p!athishrha He consecrated two

other idols of Lord Siva in the forenoon,

one at ThiruvaI!I!0or and the other at

MaI!t:loo!: (both in Kozhikk6de district).

Doing worship in all the above three

temples on the same day is considered

auspicious, at forenoon in Thiruval)~100r

and Mal)I!oor and in the afternoon at

Thrkkal)tiyoor·

Though poojas were held for some

time the ThrkkaJ!tiyoor temple was

completely neglected and the area was

covered with thick jungles. One day,

probably in the first century A.D.,

when a Paraya-lady was sharpening her

sickle on a si/a blood oozed out of the

sila. A P!asga, which followed, indicated

that the idol related to Lord Siva and

was consecrated by Lord Parasuraama.

After the P!asga some of the local

chieftains built a small shrine there.

In the early ninth century, the temple

was rebuilt.

This temple too was not spared

by the forces of Tippu Sulththaan

during the second half of the

eighteenth century. The structures

were damaged by the forces. After the

departure of the forces the local

people, with the help of Moopan,

Hydroskutti and Panniyoor Vella

Namboothiri, renovated the temple. In

a recent pUblication authored by Mr. P.

Karul)akara Me!}on, it is stated that the

ancient sreekovij was built in a 95 feet

square area and had a thatched roof.

The roof was tiled much later.

290

The granthha-vari (thaafiy6la

inscriptions) of Vanneri illam throws

light on the administration of this

temple during the period from thirteenth to eighteenth centuries. The palm-leaf records indicate that

there existed a Kshethra-§anketham

attached to this temple.Its

administrative unit was known as 'Yogam', while its members as 'jaflam'.

They were responsible for the

maintenance of law and order. To assist them there were soldiers sent

by Raajas ofVettatthnaat, VaHuvanaat and Saamoothiri. The representative of Vettaththunaat was known as Kovil-Nambi.

Forty eight Moossad families known as 'Sivadwija Nambis' owned the

temple in very early times. Later it came into the hands of Namboothiris of Aalathiyoor graamam. Earlier the ooraa/a!,s of the temple belonged to five Namboothiri families viz. Vanneri, Ku!!ip~ass, Itama!}a, Mangalasseri and

Katiyaththovil. When there was no progeny in KUHiprass illam their right on the temple was passed on Koteri illam.

Later when Mangalasseri and Katiya­

ththovil illams also had no progeny they transferred their rights to Vanneri if/am.

Thus at the middle of the seventeenth

century, the ooraa!ars of the temple were Vanneri, Koteri and Itama!.!a ijJams. When Vettathth Kingdom became

extinct, the administration of the

temple was taken over by the East India Company on 24th May 1793. After

some time they entrusted the temple

to Saamoothiri k6viiakam for proper

administration. Thereafter the temple IS owned and managed by this

3655 RGII03-20B

ki"i"'ilakam under the overall control of

HR&,CE department. The Manager

appointed by the Saamoothirikovilakam

attends to the day-to-day affairs of the

temple.

The I-nstory of the temple is

closely assoClated with two illustrious

sons of Kfra!a, Thunchathth Raamaa!}ujan

El~huththacchan and Melpaththoo[

NaaraaY:lI.la Bhaltathiri. They were

contemporaries and their period has

been assigned to the latter half of the

16 th and ear]y decades of the 17th

century. Ezhuththacchan used to

worship the Lord of this temple every

day morning. Acchlltha Pishaaroti. guru

and father-i.n -law of MelpaththooI,

Vallaththol and many noted writers

were devotees of this temple.

Ezhuththacchan, 'Father of

Malayalam Language' and the greatest

exponent of Bhakthi cult, was born in

a lower caste N air family -at

Thrkkailtiyoo[, the place being known

today as Thunchanpa~ambu, which is 110

metres northwest of this temple.

There is an ancient KailFHiiFa (Nux

vomica) tree, in between the shrine

and the tank, under which the great

poet often reposed, taught his

illustrious disciples and composed his

rnaj or works like Aaddhyathma

Raamaayal}am, Sree A1ahii Bhaaratham,

Bhaasha Bhaagavatham, Chimhaaratnam,

lruparhthinaaluv[ththam and Harinaama­

kee!lhtha!}am. It is strange that the

leaves of this tree have no bitter taste.

A tha!a is now built around this tree.

The extent of Thllnchanparamb is four

acres and now it is owned and

managed by the Kerala Government.

..291

The thri-thala m:!J!~japam on the house

site facing west has granite

adhishrhaa!_!am, 12 Krshl}a-siJa pillars

wi th copper sheet covered roof and

copper sthoopa. It has no walls. The

style (iron pen) used by Sree Ezhuththacchan is kept on a pcerham

wi thin this mal}9apam. There is yet

another /Jwl}c)apam at its northwest

built on 28 pillars, the floor of which is

made of granite. This is used during

Vidyaarambha. On the eastern side

there is a small eka-lhala shrine with a

mukha-mal}~Japam. It has three idols, of

Lord Gal!apathi In sitting pose

(15 cm.), Lord Raama in standing pose

(27 cm.) and Goddess Saraswathi (in

sitting pose (27 em.), all believed to

have been worshipped by

Ezhuththacchan in his Ka!ari. Ka!poora

araadhana is done here on Navaraathri

days. The style used by Ezhu ththachan

is taken from the peerham of the

I11a~19apa11J in procession with thaalapoli up to Poongottuku!am junction and

returned to the /JJa~lc)apam on

Thunchan-day. The other structures

include a rest house, office etc.

Structures: The details of land owned

by the temple in earlier times are not

known. At present the temple owns

6.41 acres consisting of 2.33 acres of

temple complex proper, 18 cents of

bushes around the eastern peepul

tree, 3.38 acres of the eastern chi[a

and 52 cents of western temple tank.

The structures of the temple complex

are sreekilviJ, sub-shrines, naf1Jaskaara­

ma~lc)apaIl1, chUff ambafam with agra­

m:1~lc)apam, valiya-balikkall, Nancli­

l1Jal}9apam, p!adakshil}a pa!hham.

compound wall, deepa-sthambham, ci1ira

and tank .

The apsidal (gaja-P!sh!ha) dwi-thala

§reekovil facing east is of saandhaara type.

Internally it has a semi-circular

(apsidal) ga[bhagrha with an attached

square mal}gapam at the front. It has

a total height of 17.4 m. with tiled roof

and three copper sthoopas over it.

The pattern of the adhish[haa!}am

is peculiar, as it was built as a recessed

one in the ninth century over the then

existing adhishrhaagam of the earlier

§reek6vil. This implies that the earlier

granite adhishthaanam is now used as

its upa-pec!ham. The mouldings of the

upa-pee[ham are paadukam, jagathi,

octagonal kumudam, kampam, ga!am,

gaJa-pati, uththaram, kampam and

valabhi, while the mouldings of the

recessed adhishrhaa!]am include

paadukam jagathi, vrththa-kumudam,

kumuda-pati, ga!am with dentils,

kampam, ga!a-pati, pattika, kampam,

ga!am with flower motifs, ga!'-l-pati, uththaram and vedi. The s{ipaa!}am has

threc lateral stcps on either side

leading to a platform from where there

are seven direct steps to the mukha­

l11a~](!apam. The banisters of the direct

steps have vyaa!i face at the top and

niches on sides. There are two

p!"a~laa!am.<; in the !~reek()vi lone for

draining lustral water from the

gLl[bhugrha and the other for draining

water from the /11Ukha-mu~7~Japam. The

pra{Jaa!am of the garbhagrham has

makara-simha face as base, plain ,';U!:u)u

with g(i-mukha tip. It is supported by a

pillar and a squatting female

Bhoothagal)a made of granite carrying

the §unuu (nau!u part]. Female

Bho()lhuga~w is a rare thing. The l1Jukha-

292

ma~u)apam has a channelled p!al}aa!am supported by a pillar and a motif of

Naaga standing on its own tail. Above

the vedika has been built the laterite

wall with kudya-sthambhas, gha!}a­dwaaras and koshta-panjaraas. Row of

Bhoothas is embellished on the va!abhi of the prasthaara. It is a peculiarity

that the shrine is dedicated to Lord

Siva and the arches above ghanadwaaras have Vaishnava figurines .(Lord

Narasimha at north and Lord Vishnu

at west).

The roof of the eka-thala part is

made of dressed laterite stones

properly arranged, while that of the

dwi-thala part is tiled. The namaskaara­lJJa{l~apal11 (side: 5.30 m.) has 16 pillars,

four round inner pillars and 12 square

outer pillars. The namaskaara-maIJ~apam

is covered with trellis work on all sides

and has four doors, one each at the

centre of each side. The ceiling has

navagrahas. On the floor there is an

idol of Nandi facing the Lord besides

two deepa-sthambhas, one each on either

side of this idol. There is another

deepasthambham at the eastern side of

the namaskaara-muJ}cjapam but within the

akaththe-balivattam. The well is at the

northeast of the §reek6vil but within the

akaththe-balivattam.

The chuttambalam has entrances

from all sides. There are two

{hitappa!/is, one at southeast and the

other at northeast. The vazhipaat

counter is provided at the southern

naalambalam. On the western side of

the southern entrance and within the

naalambalam, there is a sub-shrine for

Lord GaJ,lapathi facing east with two

deepa-sthambhas at its front. There is

another su b-shrine on the north­

western naalambalam for Lord Maha

VishDU facing east. Het;'e also a deepa­sthambham is provided. On the north­

eastern corner of the northern

valiyambalam, there exists a sub-shrine for Lord Parasuraama facing west with a

deepa-sthambham at its front. The valiya­

balikkall is within the agra-ma!Jcjapam. It is made of laterite stone and cement and at its top a granite pee[ham with sila is installed. The p[adakshilJa-vazhi is made of granite pebbles and cement, with a thickness of 15 cm. and a width

of 1.80 m. On the eastern side of the p!adakshil}a-vazhi and facing the deity,

there is a mal}9apam with a pee!ham having Nandi at its centre and two deepa-sthambhas. There is a sub-shrine

for Lord Antimahakaa!an at southwest and outside the p[adakshil}a-vazhi facing

east. At the northeast there is an aailha[a with deities of Lord Ga~apathi

and Naaga!: on it. There are aaltha!:as at

southeast, northeast, west and north within the maryaada. There is another

one at the front and outside maryaada. The maryaada (compound wall) has a height of two metres and a width of 30

cm. with gates at east and south and

a passage at west to the temple tank. The temple tank at the west (with an

extent of 54 cents) is close to the

maryaada. The chi[a at the eastern side

(3.38 acres) is across the front pathway of the temple.

Carvings and paintings: There are stone

carvings of niches, Rshies in penance,

motifs of Lord Siva, a Yogi. Lord

Narasimha with Hira~yakasipu at His lap

depicting his vadha. Lord VishI)u and

293

Goddess Paarvathi. Wooden carvIngs

include vyaa!i figurines supporting the

roof and Naaga motifs. A modern

painting of Lord GaDapathi can be seen

on the wall of the sub-shrine of Lord

GaDapathi.

Deities: The sila-liIiga idol of Lord Siva

has a height of 75 cm. and is installed

with the sankaipa of Yogi. All the idols

of subsidiary deities are also made of

siia. The idol of Lord Gal).apathi is in

sitting pose (height: 30 cm.), while the idols of Lord Vishl).ll and Lord Prasuraama

are of standing pose with a height of 60 cm. each. Sree Anthimahaakaa~an is of

liriga type and has a height of 22 cm.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple is kept open from 4-30 to 9-30 a.m. and

from 5 to 8-30 p.m. Three poojas are

held daily, usha-pooja at 6 a.m., uccha­

pooja at 8-45 a.m. and aththaazha-pooja.

sreebali is also done in all the above

timings. During uth~ava-period the

timings change. Elephants are

prohibited from entering the temple

complex.

Offerings: The important vazhipaats are

pushpaanjaJi, nai-vi!akk, koova!a-maaJa,

o!!ayappam, sa!kkara-paayasam, koottu­paayasam, thrmadhuram, jala-dhaara, rudraabhishekam, mrthyunjaya-homam and

ka!uka-humam. Of these, jala-dhaara,

rudraabhishekam and karuka-h6mam are

held for cure from diseases, longevity

and protection from evil-devathas.

Festivals: Vaavuthsavam (New Moon

Festival) is held on Sapthami day in

Thuiaam and is believed to have been

introduced by devotees for getting rains

and for relief from the torturi ng hcat.

It lasts for seven days. At noon on the

eighth day (Amaavaasi day) the deity is

taken out in a procession through the

northern gate of the temple to the

Bha~J(;taara kaav with all pomp and

splendour. The presiding deity of the

kaav is supposed to be the Lord's consort Sree Paarvathi. On the way the procession h-alts at the Sree

Ambalaku!angara Bhagavathi temple

which is believed to be the abode of

the daughter of Lord Siva. There is no

idol in this kaav. The pomp and show

of martial procession vanish when it

reaches this temple. Thereafter the

procession continues in a humble

manner to Sree BhaI!9aara kaav

Bhagavathi temple dedicated to Sree

Paarvathi. Here also there is no idol.

This temple is opened only on that day

(Amaavaasi day of Thulaam). The

procession returns on the same day

night through the same northern gate.

This gate is kept open only on that day.

Since the sankaJpa of the Lord is of Y6gi He visits His consort only once in a

year and that too for a very short

period. Thu!!aJ. chaakyaa[-kaothth and

kootiyaattam are performed on festival

days, besides modern entertainments.

Another important festival is sa[kkara-p()oja-a unique ritual held

duringma-{19aJa-period. Sakthi-pooja with

katum-paayasa-nivedyam came to be known as sarkkara-pooja as in katum-paayasam

greater quantity of sa[kkara is used.

There are many legends associated

with the starting of this festival. One

relates to Vettathth Raaja who visited

the temple after the closing of the

temple. Since he insisted on seeing

the temple opened, the priest could not

294

refuse the request and opened it and

offered a .';a!kkanl-nivedyam. Even today

this paoja is held before 5 a.m. and

after that only the ni [maa/yam is

changed before commencing the

routine pooja. Yet another legend is

that a lJ,'ihi came here at night and he

was feeling very hungry. At that

moment DeviL,; were conducting Sakthi­

pooja to the Lord. Goddess Paa~vathi

who saw the ~shi in hunger served food

to him. It is said that to commemorate

this sa!kkur:J. pooja is held annually. It

is pertinent to mention that two

festivals used to be held earlier do not

exist at present, viz. Yaagabali which

was introduced by Saamoothiri as an

atonement for slaying Kaalati­

Bhattathiri and the other aataatl at the

Chamravattam river. The aa[aatt IS now

held at the cili[a.

Priesthood and temple staff: The idol IS

believed to have been installed by Lord

Parasuraama. The thanthris of earlier

centuries were from Kizhaprakaatt illam (near Pattambi). The present thanthri

belongs to Che!2l]as nJa!]a of Perumutisseri

of Eramanga!am (POD!2a!2i). The

§aanthikka[s are appointed from

Embraanthiris and they hold the post

hereditarily. The other staff includes

keezh§aanthi. kazhakam. atiyanthiram.

madda!am. e/aththaa!am. aticchu-thafi (inner

and outer), thrkkovil-nivedyakkaran, clerk

and Manager.

General remarks: The temple IS

administered satisfactorily.

(Datafumished by Manager and Secretary of Kshethra Samrakshal}a Samithi and collected by

SrcL' G. Sivadfisi111 of the Census Directorate).

I _ I I 1_

5.8 SREE MAHA SIVA TEMPLE, AADRSSERI • (PonmuQtam panchaayathth, Ponmuptam village, Pin -676106)

Location: Situated seven km. south east of Thiroo!, at Kaavappura on Karir:Ikalppaar a- Ki5zhicchena road and thence 200 metres south, the temple is accessible by tarred road up to Kaavappura and thence metalled road. Facilities for stay are available at Thiroor.

Brief history and temple administration: Datable to ancient period, the temple is claimed to have been consecrated by Lord Parasuraama. No other details on the origin of the temple are available. Earlier the temple was owned and managed by royal families and ooraa!ars. The forces of Tippu Sulththaan partially destroyed the sreekovii, mukha-ma!l9apam, namaskaara­mal}9apam, chu!!tambaiam and compound wall and mutilated the idols and sub­shrines. Daily poojas were affected for some period. The ooraa!ars had to flee

for safety and only very few devotees remained. In earlier period the temple had large extent of landed properties,

which fetched 12,000 paras of paddy as paattam. All these lands were either encroached upon by miscreants or affected by the implementation of the Kerala Land Reforms Act.

The devotees met in 1962 and

formed a Temple Committee to look after its affairs. The devotees meet once in a year to elect the Executive committee members consisting of President, Vice-President, Secretary, Joint-Secretary and Treasurer and five members. The Secretary of the

committee attends to the day-to-day affairs of the temple. For conducting

295

uthsavas) there is a separate uthsava­aghosha committee.

Structures: At present the temple owns two acres of land which includes 45 cents under temple tank also. The structures on the remaining land of 1.55 acres are c5reekoviJ, sub-shrines,

ruined namaskaara-mal}riapam and chu!!ambalam, valiya-balikkall, kokkaral}i, well, store, committee office and remnants of gopuram.

The circular dwi-thala sreekovil of saandhaara type and facing east has granite base with upa-pee!ham and adhish{haagam, laterite walls and concrete roof. The mOUldings of the upa-pec{ham are paadukam, jagathi and vfththa-kumudam, while those of adhisb{haagam are paadukam, jagathi, vfththa-kumudam, kumuda-pati, ga!am with motif and projection, gala-pali, vaJaru, kampam, ga!am with flower motifs, ga!a-pati, uththaram and patio The sopaagam has seven direct steps with vyaaji-face and ornamentation on banisters. The P!alJaa!am has vyaa!i face at the base, multi-faceted sUlJflu with rings and sliced end. The naala is supported by a pillar. The walls have three ghagadwaaras with embellish­ments. The roof of the eka-thala part is

concrete while that of the dwi-thala has corrugated sheets. The sub-shrine of Sree Maha GaI).apathi is attached to the southern wall of the sreekovii and it faces east. The namaskaara-ma1}9apam (side: 4.57 m.) had four pillars earlier but now there is no super structure.

The well is at the northeast of the akaththe-balivatlam.

The chUtli.1Il1baiam demolished

during the Mysorean invasion has now

only the adhishfhaa!]am. The lay-out of

the temple indicates that it has three

entrances, at east, west and north.

Thirappa!!j is at southeast. The ruined

ualiya-balikkall IS outside the cJ1U!!ambalaf11. The {jia deepa-.<;thambham,

installed in 1979 at the front, has three layers of lamps. The Maha Vish:t:Iu

shrine on the southeastern side faces

\vest, while the Naaga-thaIa is at the

southwest. The kokkaraI_1i is also at the

sou thwest. The stage is at northeast.

The compound wall is ruined and the

thaIa of the g6puram can be seen. The

committee office is at the front and

the temple tank at the rear.

Carvings and paintings: There is neither

carvIng nor painting in this temple.

Deities: The :Wa-linga idol of Lord Siva

has a height of 18 cm. above pEEfham.

The sanLJipa of the idol is of Sree

Aghoramoorththy. Wi thin the same

gilIolwgrham there are two other o.;[hhaaga . .", for Sree UDr:ti Gar:tapathi and

Sree Paar vat hi at sou theast and

northeast respectiyely of the main idol.

The idol of Sree Maha GaI)apathi in the

separate sub-shrine is in sitting pose

(height: 45 cm.), while that of Lord

I I

Vishr:tu is in standing pose (height: 75

cm.). The idols of Sree Naagaraaja and

Sree Naagayakshi are of sitting poses

with raised hoods of height 30 cm.

each.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 7 to 9-30 a.m. and

from 5 to 7 p.m., usha-pooja being held

at 7 a.m., uccha-pooja at 9 a.m. and

aththaazha-pooja at 7 p.m.

Offerings: JaJa-dhaara, GaI)apathi-ha'mam,

pushpaanja Ii, chanda!] am-chaa Iththal, koova!a-maala and nai-paayasam are the

main vazhipaats of which jaia-dhaara is

important.

Festivals: Sivaraathri and Nauaraathri are

observed. Some modern entertain­

ments are staged.

Priesthood and temple staff: It is believed

that Lord Parasuraama has installed the

idol. The thanthri belongs to Kalloo[

ma!]a of Perumar:tI)a (K!aari). Embraan­

thiris are the herditary saanthikkap,.

The other staff includes an a(icchu-thaii.

General remarks: The temple needs

urgent renovation.

(Data fu rn ished by Srce Chill1karalhth

Gi)pfilakr:"h~J:1n. Secretary and collected by Sn::e

R. Ch:mdrilchoodan of the Census Directorate).

5.9 SREE MAHA SIVA TEMPLE, KA~MAb'AM (VaJava!lDoo_r panchaayathth, VaJaVa[1DOOL village, Pin - 676 556)

Location: Situated 8 km. northeast of

Thirnor on Kuttika!athaal)i road and thence one km. southeast, the temple is accessible by tarred road except the last lap \vhich is metalled. Facilities fnr stay a;'e ayaila ble at Thiw()r.

Brief history and temple administration: Datable to ancient penod, the early

296

history of the temple IS obscure. It is

believed that the temple was built at

the time of the ancestors of Cherusolil

\1o()ssaus. As the Lord was very

powerful, a tank had to be dug at its

front to lessen the fierceness. This

temple and that at Thrkka'!tiyoo~ are

on the same latitude with difference

In direction only.

In 198 I a local committee took

over its administration as the Moossads

found it difficult to manage and also

because poojas had been discontinued.

The Secretary of the committee

attends to the day-to-day administra­

tion of the temple.

Structures: The temple owns 1.13 acres

of land of which 50 cents constitute

the temple complex. The structures

thereon are sreek6vii, namaskaara­

ma{l~apam, chu!!ambalam, sub-shrine,

ootlupura, valiya-balikkall, well and tank.

The circular dwi-thala sreeki5vil of

saandhaara type and facing west has

granite upa-pee[ham and adhish[haanam,

lateri te walls and concrete roof.

The mouldings of upa-pee!ham are

paadukam, padma-paadukam and pati,

while those of adhishrhaa!]am are

paadukam, jagathi, vrththa-kumudam,

kumuda-pati, ga!am with motifs, ga!a­

pati, kampam, ga!am with flower motifs,

gafa-pati, uththaram and vedika. The

s6paa!}am has six direct steps with vyaaji

face on top of banisters. The P!aIJaafam

has makara-!'iimha at the base, multi­

faceted .r;U{l~U with pearl rings and gi5-

mukha type end. The walls have three

gha!Jadwaaras besides the main

functional door. The namaskaara­

ma{]~/Jpam (side: 3.09 m.) has four

pillars. At the southwest corner of the

akaththe-balivattam there is a sub-shrine

facing east with idols of Lord Gat;lapathi

and Lord Saastha (with His consort Sree

Prabha and son Sathyaka).

297

The chu!!ambaJam has entrances

from all sides. The thitappa!!i is at the

usual place. The valiya-balikkall is

within the agra-maJ;ujapam. There are

two deepasthambhas, one at west and

the other at east. The well is at the

north-eastern side (outside the

chu!!ambaiam) and the tank at the

front. The oottupura is at the south­

western side. The earlier sthhaana of

Lord Ayyappa is on the western side of

the oottupura. The laterite compound

wall is incomplete.

Carvings and paintings: The

dwaarapaalas on either side of the main

sreek6vil are made of §jIa and

exquisitely carved.

Deities: The sila-liriga idol of Lord Siva

has a height of 67 em. The idol of Lord

GaI_lapathi is of sitting pose (30 cm.),

while those of Sree Saastha, Sree Prabha

and Sree Sathyaka are of linga-type of

15 cm. each.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 6 to 10 a.!ll. and from

5 to 6-30 p.m. Usha-pooja is held at 7

a.m. and aththaazha-pooja at 6 p.m.

Previously the temple had three poojas

and timings were also different.

Offerings: Dhaara, pin-vilakk and koovala-. . maala are the main vazhipaats of which

dhaara is popular and important.

Festivals: P!"athish[ha-day is observed on

Thiruvaathira asterisk of Mithhunam.

Sivaraathri is celebrated with special

poo)as. Once in three or four years

uthsavam is conducted.

Priesthood and temple staff: The details

of the priest who initially conducted

the consecration rites are not known.

The present thanthri belongs to AaI,ltalaati

mana of Pattambi. The saanthikkaaran is

appointed from Embranthiris. The

other staff includes a kazhakam.

General remarks: The temple is now

administered well with the very limited

income.

(Datafumished bySree V. Kuttinaarayal!an, Joint Secretary and collected by Sree MR. Sukumiiran

Nair of the Census Directorate).

I (_

5.10 SREE VE~KITA THEVAI! SIVA TEMPLE, KOTTAYKKAL (K~ttaykkaf panchaayathth, Kottaykkaf village, Pin - 676 503)

Location: Situated 750 m. south of

K6ttaykkal, the temple is accessible by

tarred road. Facilities for stay are

available at Kottaykkal.

Brief history and temple administration:

Datable to very ancient period, the

temple has a chequered history. In

olden days the place was known as

VeI,lkittakotta. There is a view that this

place and the one with the name

Swetha-Durg mentioned in 'Suka

Sandesa' of Lakshmidaasa are the

same. In course of time the temple

got ruined and the idol covered by

jungles. One day a person by name

Upmbotan saw a chaithagya in the

jungles and iocated a Siva-Jiriga. He

reported the fact to the VaHuva

Ko!_!aathiri who, in turn, renovated the

temple and entrusted its

administration to Kuruvaayoo! Moossad,

a chieftain of VaHuva Ko!_!aathiri. When

a branch of Saamoothiri, called

Kizhakke-ki5vilakam established its seat

at Kottaykkal in the fifteenth century,

the kovilakam took over the temple from

the Moossad family. Prior to their

shifting to Kottaykkal, the royal

members stayed at Kizhakke kovilakam

parumb, near the famous Tha!i temple

298

of K6zhikkode. When Tippu Sulththaan

attacked Kottaykkal in 964 K.E. (1789

A.D.), the family took refuge in the

El)I,lakkaatt palace of Mavelikkara and

stayed there for twelve years.

Since 1801 the Kottaykkal Kizhakke ki5vilakam owns and manages the

temple. For better management of

temples owned by the ki5vilakam, a

Trust called Kottaykkal Kizhakke

Kovilakam Trust was formed in 1963.

A member of the ki5vilakam functions

as the Manager of the temple. The

temple also receives annuity from the

HR&CE Department. The Manager is

responsible for the conduct of the day­

to-day affairs of the temple.

Structures: Prior to the Land Reforms

Act the temple had paddy fields, which

fetched 6000 paras of paddy as paattam.

Now the temple complex has an extent

of only 1.75 acres. The structures

thereon are sreekovil, namaskaara­

mal}9apam, chu!!ambalam, valiya­

balikkall, pradakshiIJa-vazhi, SUb-shrines,

agrasaala, paththaayappura, kala Va!8 , well, maryaada, gopuras and tanks.

The square dwi-thala sreeki5vil,

facing east and of saandhaara type, has

granite adhishrhaagam, laterite walls

and copper-sheet covered roof. The

mouldings of the adhish!haa!}am are

paadukam, jagathi, vrththa-kumudam,

kumuda-pati, kampam, ga!am, gala-pati,

ga!am with motif and vedi. The

s()paa!!am has six direct steps with

vyaa!i-face on top of banisters. The

PIal}aa!am has makara-simha face at the

base, multi-faceted .5ul}9u with rings

and tapered end. It is supported by a

Bhoothagal}a of standing pose. The walls

have three gha!}adwaaras besides a

functional door. Wooden trellis is flxed

around the sreek6vil to protect the

exquisite mural painting on the walls.

On either side of the pram.aada-dwaaram two beautifully carved dwaarapaalas are

fixed to the wall. The namaskaara­

mal}~apam (side: 4.77 m.) has sixteen

pillars, four inner and 12 outer. The

well is located at the northeast of the

akaththe-balivattam .

The chuttambalam has three

entrances, at east, west and north.

The thitappa!!i and store are in the

southem naalambalam. The sub-shrine

of Lord GaI)apathi is at southwest of the

western naalambalam. There is a

separate store at northeast for keeping

percussion and musical instruments.

On the outer side of chu!!ambalam metal

chu!!u-vi!akks are fixed on a trellis work.

The valiya-balikkall is outside the

chu!!ambaiam. The p[adakshi1}a-vazhi (width 1.6 m.) is made of granite

stones. There is no dhwajam as it is

prohibited as per deva-PFas!!a. There

are three bronze and two granite deepa­

sthambhas. The su b- shrine of Lord

Ayyappa facing east is located on the

299

southern side of p!adakshi~la-v:17hi.

Compound wall exists at the east and

north, other sides having other

structures. The agra§aala is on the

sou thern side while kalavara and

paththaayappura are at the western side.

There is a small tank with kU!:JppuTi.1 at

the northeast corner touching the

compound wall. Two g(>puras of dwi­

thala type are built at east and west.

There is another large tank at the front

of the eastern gopuram.

Carvings and paintings: Of the stone

carvings in the temple, the two

dwaarapaalas (Sree Nandikesan and Sree

Mahakaalan) on either side of the

praasaada-dwaara deserve special

mention. Nandi and figurines of heads

of elephants on the namaskaara­

ma{ujapam are the other stone carvings.

The wood carvings include episodes of

kiraatheeyam at the lower part, of Kaa!iya­

ma[ddaIJam on the upper portion of

sreek()vil and besides vyaaJis at corners.

The mural paintings of this

temple date back to ninteenth century.

According to an inscription these

murals were painted under the

patronage of one Makeeryam Thirunaa!

Eraa!ppad of Kizhakke kovilakam by

E!angamalham Sankaran Naayar assisted

by his disciple Aarngott Bharatha

Pisharati. The guru of Sankaran Nair was

PoonthaQaath Kfshlfa Pisharoti. A vivid

description on these paintings is given

in the book 'Murals of Kera!a' of M.G.

Shashibhooshal!. It took 12 years to

complete these paintings, i.e. from

1041 to 1053 K.E. (1866-1878 A.D.)

'The selection of su bj ects and the

manner of picturisation bespeak its

influence and precedence. It was a

product of Saktheya cult that had

imbibed a synthesis of Saivism and

Vaishl)avism'. The important paintings

are-- Lord Siva with Paarvathi (at left)

and Lord Gal)apathi and Lord Guha (both

at His feet) ,all underneath a Kalpa

vrksha and represent the dhyaana-sJoka

of the main idol i. e. Sakthi­

panchaakshan), Sree A~ddhanaareeswaran, Sree Aghora Siva (eight armed fierce

form), Sree Kiraatha and Arjuna, Lord

Varaahamoorththy (holding Earth in

hand), Lord Krshl).a {with flute) Lord

Gal).apathi with if.shis, Goddess

Saraswathi, Goddess Raajaraajeswari,

Sree Oakshilfamoorththy, Sree Dhanwan­

thari, Sree Durga, Sree Bhadrakaa~i, Lord

Saastha (riding on an elephant),

Goddess AQQapoo!,l)eswari, Sree

Mahishasura MarddiQi with her retinue,

Lord Vishr:m with Sree Oevi and Bhoo

Devi, Lord Narasimha, Goddess

Paa!vathi on horse back, Sree

Paarthhasaarathhy, Lord Prasuraama, Sree

Garu<;la, Sree Vishl)u Maaya, Lord Krshl)a

with Gopikas, Sree Raama with Goddess

Seetha, Lord Sankaranaaraayana, Sree

HaQumaan reading Raamaayana, Sree

Raama with Sugreeva etc. All these

paintings are of high quality and very

informative.

Deities: The .~ila-liIiga idol of Lord Siva,

the principal deity, has a height of

60 cm. and has the sankalpa of Sakthi­

Panchakshari. The §ila idol of Lord

Gal)apathi is in sitting pose (height:

45 cm.), while that of Lord Ayyappa is

of plain Iinga form (height: 27 cm.).

300

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open on all days from 4 to

8-30 a.m. and from 4 to 8-30 p.m. The

poojas held daily are usha-pooja at

6 a.m., uccha-pooja at 8 a.m. and

aththaazha-pooja at 8 p.m.

Offerings: Chathu-§atham, jaJa-dhaara, chanda!}am-chaa[ththaI, pushpaanjaJi, vi!akk-maala and mrthyufijaya-homam are

the main vazhipaats. Of these, jaJa­dhaara, pushpaanjaJi and vi!akk-maala are

popular.

Festivals: There is no festival at

present. Previously eight-day festival

used to be conducted commencing from

Thiruvaathira asterisk falling In

Kumbham}. At present Sivaraathri and

Thiruvaathira (in the month of Dha!}u) are

observed.

Priesthood and temple staff: The details

of the thanthri who installed the idol

are not known. The present thanthri

belongs to Kalloor m8!}a of K!aari. The

§aanthikkaaran post is hereditary and

belongs to three families, N atukkaat,

Karaat and Moosamboori illams. They

have to conduct poojas by turn of two

months each. Thus a member of a

family gets an opportunity to conduct

poojas for four months in a year (two

terms of two months). The other staff

includes kazhakam, vaadyam (Maaraar),

aticchu-tha!i, vazhipaat clerk and

watchman.

General remarks: The structures of the

temple need urgent renovation.

(Datafumished bySree K.C K. Raja, Devaswam Manager and collected by Sree R. Mfldharan Nair of the Census Directorate).

I , -SREE VISWAMBHARA (Mahi Vish_'u) TEMPLE, KOTTAYKKAL 5.11

(Kottaykkal panchaayathth, Kottaykkal village, Pin - 676 503)

Location: Situated one km. south of Kottaykkal Bus Stand, the temple is

connected by tarred road. Facilities for stay are available at Kottaykkal.

Brief history and temple administration: In the early years of the twentieth century, the members of Panniyampagi Vaaryam who own the renowned Kottaykkal Aarya Vaidyasaala decided to build a temple dedicated to Sree Viswambharan (Maha Vishnu) for the welfare of the people at large. But it was delayed for over a decade and ultimately on 21 st Makaram 1104 K.E.

(3fd February 1929 A.D) the foundation

stone of the temple was laid. It took three years to complete the construction. The consecration of the idol was held on ThiruvoIJ.am asterisk in the month of Meegam of 1107 K.E.

(corresponding to }St April 1932) and it was opened for public worship. The temple is managed by the Kottaykkal

Aarya Vaidyasaala, through the Manager.

Structures: The temple complex has an extent of ten cents. The structures thereon are sreekovil within apaattupura, kazhakappura, thitappa!!i, well, agra§aaJas and a small temple tank.

The square eka-thaia sreeki5vil of nirandhaara type and facing west has granite adhish{haagam, laterite walls

and tiled roof. It is to be noted that the sreekovil is at the eastern end of the rectangular paattupura. The

mouldings of the adhish!haa!}am of the sreekovil are paadukam, jagathi, octagonal kumudam, ga!am with flower

301

motifs, ga!a-pati, ga!am with flower motifs and uththaram. The sopaagam has

four direct steps. The PlaIJ.aa!am is of simplified type. The walls have three ghagadwa{1Tas besides a functional door. The kazhakappura is at the northeast side of the paattupura. while the well and the thitappa!!i are at its southeast. The two agrasaaJas are on the southem side of the thitappa!!i. The tank is towards southwest of the agrasaaJa. The bronze deepa-sthambham was installed in front of the paattupura in 1965. Metal lamps are fixed on the western side (front side) of the sreeki5vii.

Carvings and paintings: There are no carvings and paintings.

Deities: The main marble idol of Lord Viswambhara has the sankaJpa of Sree

Maha VishI)u. The idol is of standing pose (height: 60 em.) with four arms having disc and conch in upper hands and club and amrtha-kumbham in lower hands. There is no subsidiary deity here.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple is kept open from 5 to 11 a.m. and from 5-30 to 8-30 p.m. Three poojas are held daily. usha-pooja at 7 a.m., uccha-pooja at 9 a.m. and aththaazha-pooja at 8 p.m.

Offerings: The important offerings are pushpaanjaJi and paal-paayasam and both are popular vazhipaats.

Festivals: The seven-day festival commences on Thirovol}am asterisk in the month of Mee[!am and ends on the next Aswathi (reported to be the birth-

star of P.S. Vaaryar, founder of Aarya Vaidyasaala) Thaayambaka, Pancha­vaadyam, Me!am, Chaakyaa[-koothth, paathakam, octam-thu!!al, ezhunne!!ipp, kathhakali, music concerts, akshara-sloka sadass etc. are held on festival days.

Priesthood and temple staff: The thanthri belongs to Meletaththillam ofVeHalassery (Kozhikkode district). Two saanthikka[s

,

who conduct poojas in monthly turn come from hereditary Namboothiri families. The other staff includes kazhakam and aticchu-tha!i.

General remarks: The temple IS

administered well.

(Data furnished by Sree E.P. Raghava Waarner.

Assistant Manager and collected by Srce R.

Madhavan Nair o/the Census Directorate).

5.12 SI!EE (Paa-:,~amangalam) K~SH~ASWAAMY TEMPLE, KOTTAYKKAL (Kottaykkal panchaayathth, Kottaykkal village, Pin - 686 503)

Location: Situated one km. southeast of Kottaykkal, the temple is connected

by tarred road. Facilities for stay are available at Kottaykkal.

Brief history and temple administration:

The idol is datable to very ancient

period. It is believed that as instructed by Parasuraama a Sree Krshl)a idol was

installed for the worship of PaaI)9-avas.

The legend is that the place got the

name PaaI)9-amang<iUam after the stay of Paandavas here. At that time the idol

was at half a km. south of the present

temple site. A wild fire,that broke out,

gutted the structures. The site was neglected and the idol was covered with mud. The presence of the idol in

that place was unknown to the outside world. One day a member of Kottaykkal

k5vilakam (son of Man6rama Thampuraatti)

who was returning from his wife's

house happened to hear the sound of

a conch intermittently. As he could not see anyone in the vicinity, he was unable to locate the source of this

sound. Therefore after returning to the palace, he made arrangements to

302

conduct a p[as!]a. It was revealed

therein that an idol was lying in the

place from where the sound came.

After excavations a beautiful sila idol

of Lord KrshI)a was found. Thereafter

on an auspicious muhoorththam the

p!athish!ha was held. This incident

happened around the close of the

eighteenth century, at a time when

there was no progeny in the Kizhakke

kovilakam. Then they conducted an oott

on a Thiruvol}am asterisk. Thereafter

the family was blessed with children.

Even today devotees who have no

progeny conduct bhaja!]am here and get

blessed.

The temple is owned by Kottaykkal Kizhakke kovi/akam. In 1950 it was

entrusted to a local welfare committee

consisting of nine members, all

nominated by the k5viiakam. The

President of the committee looks after

the day-to-day administration of the

temple on honorary basis.

Structures: The temple owned large

extent of properties earlier. Now the

temple complex has only an extent of

90 cents. The structures here are

,~reekuvil, mal}9apam, su b- shrine,

chu!!ambalam, valiya-balikkall, dhwaj:nn, p!adakshi {la- vazhi, aaga-kotlif, gopuram, agrasaaJa, deepa-sthambhas and well.

When the family partitioned their

properties the temple tank was

separated from the temple complex.

After that, the owner sold the tank.

The square eka-thala sreekoviJ of

nirandhaara type and facing east has

granite adhishrhaagam, laterite walls

and copper-sheet covered roof. The

mOUldings of the adhishrhaa!]am are

paadukam, jagathi, vrththa-kumudam, kumuda-pati, kampam, ga!am, gala-pati, gafam and uththaram. The sapaa!]am has

four direct steps, with vyaa!i faces on

the sides of banisters. The pralJaa!am has makara-simha face at the base,

multi-faceted SUJ}9U with a ring and

slightly curved tip. The walls have

three gha!]adwaaras besides a functional

door. There is a rectangular mal}9apam at the front of the sreekoviJ instead of

the usual type of square namaskaara­mal}fjapam. The well is at the northeast

comer of the akaththe-balivatlam.

The chu!!ambalam has two

entrances, at east and north. The

thitappa!!i is at southeast. The valiya­

balikkall is outside the chu!!ambalam. The sub-shrine of Lord Siva is at the

northeast of the chu!Jambalam. Metal

lamps have been fixed on the front

outer wall of the chu!!ambalam. A teak

dhwajam (height: 12.6 m.) covered with

copper paras is installed at the front.

At the front (east) of the dhwajam, there

is an aaga-kottil which has two bronze

303

deepasthambhas. The PIadakshil}a-vazhi with a width of 1.8 tn. and a thickness

of 15 cm. is made of concrete. There

are three more deepa-sthambhas, one at

east, (outside the g6puram), one at west

and another at north. There is another

well at southeast and close to the

agrasaala. The Brahmarakshas is

installed at northeast and close to the

outer wall. The gapuram at the east is

a concrete structure. The laterite

compound wall has a height of 2.4 tn.

and a width of 75 cm.

Carvings and paintings: There are no

carvings and paintings.

Deities: The idol of Lord Krshl)a (height

of 75 cm.) has four arms with conch,

disc, club and lotus in hands and has

the sankaJpa of Sree Baalagopaala. The

sila-liIiga idol of Lord Siva has a height

of 45 em. while that of Brahmarakshas

is a plain jiiJga siJa with a height o(

15 cm.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 4 to 9 a.m. and

from 5 to 7-30 p.m. Three poojas are

done daily, usha-pooja at 6 a.m., uccha­

pooja at 8-30 a.m. and aththaazha-pooja at 7 p.m.

Offerings: PaaZ-paayasam, nai-paayasam, thrmadhuram, vel}l}a-nivedyam, malar­J1ivedyam and pushpaanjaJi are the main

vazhipaats. Of these, paal-paayasam is

popular and important.

Festivals: The annual festival IS held

for eight days from 30 th A1ee!!am to 7 th

lY1eram. It is a regional festival and has

all the temple rites, besides religious

discourses and entertainments.

Ash!ami-rohi{li, ekaadasi-vi!akk, mal)flala­period and p[athishrha-day are also

observed. Kathhakaji, i5ttam-thu!!al, chaakyaa[-koothth, paathakam, harikathha. ashtapadi-aattam and k(sh{laaUam are also

performed on festival days.

Priesthood and temple staff: The thanthri

of the temple belongs to Kalloo!, Warn of Etarikkot. There are three hereditary

I _

illams who attend to the daily poojas, who function by turn in every two

months in a year. The other staff

includes a kazhakam and an aticchu-thaJi.

General remarks: The chu!!ambaJam and

agrasaala need urgent renovation 0

(Data furnished by Dr. M.S. Vaaryar. President

and collected by Sree R. Miidhavan Nair of the Census Directorate).

5.13 SREE MAHA GA~APATHI TEMPLE, INDYANOOR (Kottaykkal panchaayathth, K6ttaykkal village, Pin - 676 503)

Location: Situated six km. southeast of Kottaykkal in Indya!!oo!, desam, the temple is connected by tarred road. Facilities for stay are available at Kottaykkal.

Brief history and temple administration: Datable to ancient period, the temple is famous. The present temple complex contains two shrines, of Lord Siva.and Lord Vishl)u. In very early times these two temples were in different desams , Siva shrine in Kottaykkal desam and Vish:r;m shrine in Achippra desam. Later these desams were united to form Indya!_:!oo!, desam. It may be noted that the structural aspects indicate that both these shrines are independent temples, the Sree Siva shrine being older and more important. Moreover the Sree Vishl)u shrine is built slightly at a lower level. Within the complex there is a sub-shrine of Lord GaI)apathi also, which is even more important than the other two shrines. The legend for its importance is that when the p!.'athishrha rites of Lord Siva was in progress, an incorporeal voice was heard saying that 'the consecration had to be done by Sree NaaraayaI}athth BhIaanthan'. But the orthodox priests refused to adhere

304

to the incorporeal voice. At this juncture Sree Naaraayal)athth Bhraanthan appeared there,took the sanctified kalasams and tried to leave the place quickly through the southern entrance. At that time Lord GaIJ.apathi appeared and pulled him by His trunk. To the surprise' of all present, a figure of Lord GaI}apathi appeared on the sou thern wall of the sreekovil. Sree NaaraayaI}athth Bh!aanthan performed rites to this figure of Lord GaI)apathi. This figure of Lord GaI)apathi is not drawn by anyone but swayambhoo. The present idol seen at this sub­shrine is a sila a[ccha!!a-vigraha of Lord GaI}apathi. It is a peculiar feature that every day morning the powers of the deity are invoked from the wall into the arcchaga-vigraha and re-invoked at night to the figure on the wall. After this incident the temple came to be known as Sree Maha GaI}apathi temple instead of Sree Mahadeva (or Sree VishI}u) temple.

Another peCUliarity of the temple is that the main entrance to the temple is closed. There is an interesting legend which explains the reason for it. It is said that Lord Siva entrusted

Sree Nandi and Ashtadikpaalas around

the valiya-balikkall to have an eye on Sree Baala SubramaI)ya who was playing

there. They failed to look after the lad properly and he fell down. Outraged by this incident Lord Siva threw away Sree Nandi and valiya-balikkall with the Devas to outside the agra-maJ}flapam and closed the front entrance. Even today Sree Nandi and the valiyo.-balikkall are outside the agra-maJ}flapam and the front entrance door is closed.

There are exquisite wooden vigrahas installed behind the sila-linga vigraha of Lord Siva. These wooden vigrahas have a height of 1.52 m.,Lord Siva in standing pose and Goddess Paarvathi holding Her child Lord Subramal)ya in Her arms.

It is believed that this temple was built by one Indu K6tha belonging to ancient Thamizhakam. Named after him the place got the name Indukothagoor. Later it was shortened as Indyagoor. In course of time the temple came into the hands of VaHuva Ko !}aathiri and later of Saamoothiri. There was an inscription in this temple, which has been taken over by the History Department of the University of Calicut for research.

In 1963 the kovi/akam formed a Trust by name K6ttaykkal Kizhakke K{ivilakam Devaswam Trust. The day­to-day affairs are managed by a

Manager appointed by the Trust. The Manager is a member of the family and functions in an honorary capacity.

Structures: Details of land owned by the temple prior to the Land Reforms Act are not known. At present the temple complex has an extent of two acres having two sreekc)viis with separate

3655 RGli03-21 A 305

namaskaara-ma.{19apams, chu{!ambaiam, sub-shrines, wells., valiya-balikkall, deepa-sthambhas, agrasaala, temple tanks and compound wall. As stated earlier there are two important shrines (of Lord Siva and Lord VishI]-u) side by side. Their details are as follows:

(i) Sree Siva shrine This shrine and its related

structures are on an elevated ground.The square dwi-thala sreeki5vi/ of saandhaara type facing east has granite adhishrhaagam, laterite walls and tiled roof. The mouldings of the adhish!haa[!.am are paadukam, jagathi, v(ththa-kumudam, kumuda-pati, ga!am with motifs and projected sides, ga!a­pati, ga!am with flower motifs and uththaram. The sopaa!}am has five direct steps with vyaaJi-faces on the sides of banisters. The p!alJaa!am has makara­simha face, multi-faceted sUlJ~u with three rings and a go-mukha end. The walls have five ghag3dwaaras besides the functional door. Attached to the southern side of the sreek5vil there is a sub-shrine for Lord Garyapathi facing the southern entrance of the chu!!amba/am. The namaskaara-malJflapam (side: 3.67 m.) has four pillars. The well is at northeast of the akaththe-balivatlam of this shrine.

(ii) Sree Vishl)u shrine

The circular eka-thaia sreekovil of nirandhaara type of Lord Vishnu also faces east. It has granite adhishthaanam, laterite walls and tiled roof. The mouldings of the adhish{haa!]am are padma-paadukam, v€di, paadukam, jagathi, v[Chtha-kumudam, ku.muda-pati, ga!am, ga!a-pati and uththaram. The sopaa[!.am has three direct steps. The P!ill}aafam is similar to that of Sree Siv~ shrine. The walls have ghl1!.!Jdwaara.'i

besides the main functional door. The namaskaara-mal}l}apam is small as compared to that of Sree Siva shrine and has only four wooden pillars. The well is at northeast. The thitappafJi is at northeast. There is a valiyambalam. The valiya-balikkall is outside the valiyambalam. From appearance it is seen that chu!!ambalams of both Siva and Vishl).u shrines were joined together after demolishing the southern naalambalam of Srec Vish:r:lU shrine. It is evident from the lay-out that the Lord Siva shrine had no valiyambalam. This may be due to the fact that the eastem entrance is kept closed. In all probability the chu!!a­mbalam of Sree Siva shrine was built later. The thitappa!!i is located at the northeast and on the northem side of the well. There is an agra-mal}l}apam at the east but the valiya-balikkall and Sree Nandi are outside.

There is a sub-shrine without roof at the southwest with deities of Sree Vettakkorumakan, Lord Ayyappa and Naaga!:. The agrasaala is at northeast corner. There are two temple tanks on the eastern side and outside the laterite compound wall (having a height of 3 ID. and width of 60 cm. and of the shape of elephant back at the top).

Carvings and paintings: There are navagrahas carved on the ceiling of the namaskaara-ma_r;ujapam of the Sree Siva

shrine. The stone dwaara-paalas at the Srcc Vishnu shrine are exquisite carvIngs.

Deities: The §ila-linga idol of Lord Siva has a height of 45 cm. and has the sanka/pa of Sree A!ddhanaareeswara. Behind this main idol and within the ga!_"bhagrha , there are two exq u isi te

306

daaru-silpa vigrahas of Lord Siva and Goddess Paa!:vathi (holding Lord Subramal).ya in hands), both in standing pose of height 1.52 m. from the pee{ham­level. The four-armed idol of Lord Vishl).u with conch, disc, club and lotus in hands has a height of 75 em. The idol of Sree Vettakkorumakan is of round sila, while that of Lord Ayyappa of sitting pose (45 cm.). The Naaga idol is as usual of sitting pose with raised hood (height: 27 cm.).

Time of worship and poojas: The temple is kept open from 6 to 10 a.m. and from 50-30 to 7 p.m. with three paojas, usha­pooja at 6-30 a.m., uccha-pooja at 9-30

a.m. and aththaazha-pooja at 6-45 p.m.

Offerings: The main vazhipaats are ogayappam and Gal).apathi-ho111am for Lord Gal).apathi, jaJa-dhaara for Lord Siva and paal-paayasam for VishI_1u and miila­vi!akk, sarkkara-paayasam and n:1i­paayasam for other deities. Of these o!!ayappam is famous and popular.

Festivals: There is no festival in this temple. However, p!achish{ha-day is observed on the Poayam asterisk of Itavam. On this day navakam, pancha­gavyam etc. are held. Sivaraachri also is observed.

Priesthood and temple staff: The details of the earlier thanthri are not known. The present thanthri belongs to Kalloo~ fl1H!}<1 of K!aari. The mel§aanthi belongs to a hereditary Embraanthiri family. The other staff includes keezhsaanthi, kazhakam and aticc11U-cha!i.

General remarks: The agra§aala and compound wall need urgent renovation.

(Datafumished by Sree K.Cu. Raja. Assistant

Manager and collected by .~ree R. Madhavan Nai! a/the Census Directorate).

3655 RGII03-21 B

5.14 I I

SREE SIVA TEMPLE, PONMA",A (Potlma!a panchaayathth, PO!_lma!a village, Pin - 676 528)

location: Situated 8 km. south of

~1alappu!:am at Ambalavattam on Kottaykal

road and thence about one and half

km. south of Muttippaalam, the temple is connected by tarred road. Katalury.ti

river flows about a km. north.

Facilities for stay are available at

Malappuram.

Brief history and temple administration: Datable to very ancient period the idol

of this temple is believed to have been

installed by Sage Khara. The temple had extensive properties earlier. Heavy damages to the temple were

made by the forces of Tippu Sulththaan A devotee who visits the

temple has to return with a heavy heart on seeing the broken idols and

the structures. The Moossad of Karipp6t illam, one of ooraa!a!s, rebuilt the sreekl5vii by using ajack tree measuring

17 koles. For some period, the temple

was maintained by the Cochin Royal

Family. In 1923 A.D. the kalasam of the temple was held by Pu!:!£~ asseri Nambi. The leaves of bael tree are

peculiar as they are small in size. It

is said that originally these plants were brought from Rameswaram (Tamil

Naadu). There are three ooraaiars, Chal)I)azhi illam, Karippot illam 'a~d Nemathth illam. In 1947 the HR&CE Department took over its control and

entrusted the management to a

Trustee Board consisting of nominees

of three ooranma families and three

members nominated by HR&CE

Department. The Executive Officer

attends to the day-to-day affairs of this temple.

J07

Structures: Prior to the Land Reforms

Act, the temple had large extent of

paddy fields, which fetched 12,000 paras of paddy as michavaaram. Now the temple O\vns an extent of five acres

comprising of 2.50 acres of temple

complex. The remaining area of 2.5 acre is covered by the temple tank. This temple complex and the tank have

the same extent as those of the famous

Sree Siva temple at Thfkari.tiyoo!. The structures of the temple complex are sreekaYiJ, namaskaara-maptjapam, ruined

chu!!ambalam and agra-maI}tjapam, sub­

shrine, valiya-balikkall, five deepa­sthambhas, well and a ruined tank for the use of saanthi.

The square eka-thala §reekiJvii of

saandhaara type and facing east has laterite adhishrhaa!}am and walls and

tiled roof. The mouldings of the adhish{haagam are padma-paadukam, paadukam, jagathi, Y(lhlha-kllmlldam, kumudapati, ga!am, ga!a-pati, kampam,

ga!am with flower motifs, gala-paci, uththaram and pari. The .... 6paanam has

five direct steps. V.vaaji faces are engraved on top of banisters. The old

p!a{Jaa!am is damaged and the lustral water flows through the side of the adhishrhaa!}am. The walls have three ghagadwaaras and a functional door.

There is an attached sub-shrine of Lord Gal)apathi. The namaskaara-malJtjapam has 16 pillars, four inner wooden pillars and 12 outer granite pillars. The

well is at northeast of the akarhthe­balivattam.

Of the chu!!ambaiam only the

thitappalli now exists. The rest has

only tha[a. At the southwest there is a sub-shrine with deities of Lord SubramaIfya and Lord GaIfapathi. The valiya-balikkall is within the ruined agra­malJ9apam. The top portion of the valiya­balikkall is broken and kept on the ground. Agra-mal}f}apam has only a tha[a now. Of the five deepasthambhas, three are at the front, one at the rear and the other at the front of Lord Ayyappa shrine (facing east), located at the southwest. The temple tank is on the eastern side. Formerly the temple had an agrasaaJa. There is no compound wall.

Carvings and paintings: The dwaara­

paalas are well-carved granite pieces.

Deities: The iila-linga idol of Lord Siva has a height of 75 cm. This idol is broken at the middle portion, the mu tilation having been done by the forces of Tippu Sulthhan. The sila idol of Lord GaI).apathi attached to the main shrine is of sitting pose and has a height of 35 cm. The other idol of Lord

Gal}apathi at the southwest of Naalambalam is also of sitting pose

(height 27 cm.). Lord SubramaI)ya idol was mutilated by the Mysorean Forces and the portions above the waist are

,

in pieces and the arms broken. The Sree Ayyappa idol is of sitting pose (30 cm.).

Time of worship and poojas: The temple is kept open from 5-45 to 8 a.m. and from 5-45 to 7 p.m. Two poojas are done daily-morning pooja at 7 a.m. and evening pooja at 6-40 p.m.

Offerings: JaJa-dhaara, nai-vi!akk, pin-vi/akk and pushpaaiijaji are the main vazhipaa(.s·. Of them, jala-dhaara is important.

Festivals: Sivaraathri is observed with special rites like Navakam and pancha­gavyam

Priesthood and temple staff: The PIathish!ha is believed to have been done by Khara Mahars~. The present lhanthri belongs to Njaaraass maga of Vaikkappa!!a. The §aanthikkaran belongs to a hereditary family. There is no other staff in this temple.

General remarks: The temple is in pitiable condition with broken idols and ruined structures. All the structures have to be renovated.

(Data furnished by Sree Vipin Embraanthiri and

collected by Srec G. Sivadiisan of the Census Directorate).

5.15 SREE BHAGAVATHI TEMPLE, KAATAAMPUZHA (Maaraakkara panchaayathth, Melmu,Ii village, Pin - 676 553)

Location: Situated two and half km. northeast of Vetticchira on NH-17, the temple is connected by tarred road. Those who prefer to travel by train to this prominent Bhagavathi temple in Kera!a can alight either at Kugippu[am or at Thiroo!, (equi-distant: 19 km.). Facilities for stay are available at Kaatam. puzha.

308

Brief history and temple administration: The origin of the temple is associated with the episode of Kiraatharjuneeyam in the famous epic of Mahabhaaratha. The story tells that when Paa1!9avas were wandering in forests while in exile, Sree Veda-Vyaasa appeared before them and told specifically to Arju!}a that he should meditate and please Lord Siva

and obtain the paasupathaasthra,the celebrated weapon in the form of arrow that has immaculate powers. Accordingly Arju!}a performed severe penance which generated heat and

even sages found it difficult to live. They approached Lord Siva and requested to bless A!:ju~a, As Lord Siva did not respond they approached His consort Goddess Paarvathi. She then approached Lord Siva cU1d pleaded in favour of the request of sages. Lord Siva told her that A!jU.Q3 still had ego and that it should be suppressed before he is blessed. Lord Siva then went to Arju!}a in disguise as a hunter (Kiraathan). Goddess Paarvathi also accompanied him as huntress (Kiraathi). At that time at the instance of Kauravas an Asura in disguise as a boar attacked A!ju!}a. Both Arju!}a and Kiraathan shot arrows on the boar which was then killed. Then quarrel broke out on the question as to who killed the boar and it ended in a fierce

battle. As A!:ju!}a could not succeed he made an earthen Siva-liriga and conducted poojas using the fallen leaves of trees, considering them as flowers. When he opened his eyes after the pooja he could see that those leaves coverted into flowers were adorning the head of the Kiraathan. Realising that Kiraathan was none other than Lord Siva, he prostrated before Him. Lord Siva blessed Arju.Qa with the paasupathaasthram. It is

believed that this incident took place at this site. It is also believed that during the divine couple's wandering, Sree Paarvathi _ once felt thirsty and the Lord brought forth holy water of Ganges through a well-directed arrow into the

309

earth. This incident is immortalised as Kaatan-ambu-eitha-a!a, where kaatan means hunter, ambu is arrow, eitha means shot and ala is hole. This was later colloquialized as Kaataampuzha.

The power of the Goddess was

revealed here in the early ninth century. The foHowing interesting legend is attributed to the origin of the temple.

Once the great Sree Adi Sankarachaarya was traversing in space, which he could do by his extra-ordinary powers and will, was attracted by an all pervading and glittering aura on the top of a dense undergrowth. He descended there and tried to approach the spot from where the aura had emanated. But he saw the aura moving to the valley of a hill. The heat generated from the aura _::.revented him from approaching the spot. He then meditated upon Lord Narasimhamoo~ththy who appeared and

gave him the power to approach the aura with the help of Suda!saga-chakra. When Sree Sankaraachaarya reached close to the aura the radiance vanished into a small hole having a diameter of about 3.8 cm.· on the ground. It is believed that this hole is the same that was made by Lord Siva to satiate the thirst of Sree Paarvathi while they were

wandering in the forests. He then meditated and by the grace of Lord he could realise the presence of Goddess Paa!vathi in the form of Sree Thwaritha, who blessed Sree ArjU!}3 in the popular episode related to givingpaasupaathaschra by Lord Kiraathamoo!:ththy to A~ju.Qa (the

story has been narrated earlier). Fully realising the sankalpa of the Goddess,

Achaarya Swaamika! decided to conduct

pooja. He sent a person to the nearby

Chaangaaliy6t1 illam for bringing

materials fDr pooja and nivedyam. Accordingly the kaanJ3Va[ of the illam with the assistance of the local Vaarya!

family brought all paoja materials.

Achaarya then took bath in the nearby

chula (small stream) and took abhisheka water from it. After abhisheka at the swayambhoo-sthhaagam, Achaarya put

thetti (Ixora coccinea) flowers into the

hole (where Goddess disappearedl

reciting manthras. This was performed

on ThrkkaaIthchika day (in the month of Vr§chjkam). Even today this ritual is

performed, known as poomootal.

Aacharya then prescribed the paoja system to be followed in the temple

and entrusted its management to the

Kaatampuzha Vaaryam. There is

another version that before the temple

came into thF hands of Maan!1ya­mangalath Kaatampuzha vaaryam it was

managed by the Wams of Chaangiliyot

Namboothiri and Paarm~l Bhattathiri.

During the Miippi!a riots of 1921 the temple was looted and movable

properties and records were taken

away. The aoraa!a! family ned to PaIay()o~ ( Erryaku!am district) for safety.

When the riots ,vere over they retumed and gave petitions to District

Collector, Malahar and at the Second

Class Magistrate Court at ThiroC}!. But

the results were disappointing. The

ooraa!ar.'i therefore had to acquire

fresh utensils and pooja materials.

When the Hindu Religious Endov.rment A.cr was implemented. this temple was taken over by the Board as a <listed'

temple. The implementation of the

310

Land Reforms Act also affected

considerably the income of the temple.

A deva-prasga was held at the temple on 19 th Ka[kkatakam 1149 KE (corresponding to 4th August 1974 A.D.).

It is mentioned in that document that

the Goddess's powers were first felt at

this place 1.880 years ago (in the first

century A.D.) on Revathi asterisk in

the month of Kumbham but was

revealed to a renowned Yogi much

later (probably in 800 A.D.). The history of the temple therefore begins only

from the ninth century. It flourished well from eleventh to seveteenth

century. The attack by forces of Tippu

during eighteenth century had it ov;rn repercussions in this temple also.

The sreekovj/ was completely

renovated in January 2002, follm~r:ing the traditional architectural style.

The renovation has been beautifully executed, particularly of the sreekoviJ.

The administration of the temple

is vested with the HR&CE Department since 1979. The day-to-day affairs are

managed by the Executive Committee, appointed by the Department.

Structures: Prior to the Land Reforms

Act the temple o>"ned 60 acres of land.

but now left with only six acres. Of

these, two acres constitute the temple complex. The temple is on the valley

of a hill. At the top terrace portion

which is connected by road, there are structures like the multi-storeyed

Devaswam office (with vazhipaat counter), a camp house, a smal1

sathram, a clock-room and toilets. At

the northeast corner of the terrace,

there is a separate entrance leading

to the temple. After descending down 60 steps at the second terrace, there

is a building with rooms for stores, Manager's office and space for p!asaada­oott. To its south is the tank for washing feet, hands and face before

proceeding further to the third terrace by descending down nine steps. On the right side of the steps, which leads to a natappura, there is a sub-shrine for Lord Saastha (with Sree Prabha and Sree

Sathyaka) and at the northem end of this terrace there is a sub-shrine for Sree Naagaka!}yaka, both facing east.

The chu ttambaiam and the nalappura are being renovated. On the eastern side of the natappura is the chu!!ambalam. The vaathilmaatam is a large structure and is used for keeping and cleaning flowers and also for keeping percussion instruments. There is one step down to the fourth terrace, which has an elevated tha!a (about 1.2 m.) having vigrahas of Sree

Narasimhamoo!:ththy and Sree Suda[sa!]a­Chakra. On the eastern side of this thar8 is the sreekovil. Within the sreekovil there is a portion at a lower

level (fifth terrace) with the sacred hole into which the Goddess Thwaritha's radiance vanished in the presence of Aadi Sankaraacharya.

The rectangular eka-thala sreekovil of nirandhaara type faces west. Its

structure resembles an ancient naaiukett with elevated four sides and a central portion open to the sky. The sreekovil has granite adhish!haa!]am and

walls and copper sheet covered roof except for the top portion above the 'sacred hole', which is open but grilled. The renovation work of 2002 was

J 11

exquisitely done keeping up the traditional Dravidian-Kerala style of architecture. The mouldings of the adhish{haa!]am are paadukam, jagathi, gaJam, uththaram, kampam, gaJam, ga!a­pati and vedika. There is no sopaa!]am as the front praasaada-dwaara is at the floor-level. However, at the southern side of the sreekovil there is a sopaa!]anJ with three steps and it has vyaa!i-face on top of banisters. There is no

pr8IJ.aa!am but provision is made to drain the lustral water. There are no niches or any ornamentation on walls. The roof has two sreemukhams, one each on western and eastern sides with wood carvings. There is a tiled eka-thala structure at the south which is used as thitappa!!i. There is also a well at

the southwest and a tank at east.

Carvings and paintings: There are no carvings and mural paintings which deserve special mention.

Deities: There is no consecrated permanent idol in the sreekovil. At the sreemoola-sthhaana there is a hole of

diameter 3.8 cm. Its depth is unknown. On the top of it a small silver-cover is placed and over it a pancha-loha idol of mirror type is kept when poojas are

done except at the time of Poomootal. The Goddess can be worshipped in three forms,as Paraasakthi, Moola-Du!ga and Va£1a-Du!'ga. But the most important and most benevolent form of the Goddess to worship is as Thwaritha or one who is swift in

granting blessings and favours. In the moming the pooja is done as Du!,ga Devi (with the s:.mJ.::J]pa of Sree Saraswathi), at pO(,'TIooto} and uccha-poojas as Sree

Moola-Du!,ga {with the sa,;Aaipa as

Thwaritha) and at aththaazha-pooja (with the sankalpa of Sree Va!!a-Du!ga).

There is also sankalpa-P!athish[ha of

Lord Siva and Lord Gal)apathi within the

ga!bhagrha. At the maIJflapa in front there are two iiJa vigrahas with

figurines, Sree Narasimha (at the

southern side) and Sree Suda!sa!!a

Chakra at the north with heights of

30 cm. each. The idol of Lord Saastha

is of iiIa without figure (height 30 cm.).

The idol of Naaga-kanyaka is also made

of iiia (with a height of 30 cm.) and of

sitting pose with raised hood.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 4-30 a. m.to 12-30

p.m. and from 3-30 to 7 p.m. The

vazhipaat counter is open from 6 to 11

a.m. and 3-30 p.m. to 5 p.m. daily. It

may be noted that mutta!ukkal will be

performed without noon-break in respect of all the vazhipaat tickets issued

from the vazhipaat counter up to 11 a.m.

Therefore in some days the time of

closing in the afternoon will be

extended. The important pooja timings

of this famous temple, are abhishekam and mala! flivedyam between 4-45 and

5-15 a.m., usha-pooja between 5-30 and

7 a.m., poomootal between 10 and 11-

30 a.m., uccha-pooja between 11-30 a.m.

and 12-30 p.m. and aththaazha-pooja between 5-30 and 6-45 p.m.

Offerings: The important vazhipaats are

poomootaJ. mutta[ukkaJ. raktha-pushpaaiijali, dEha-pushpaaiijali, thrkaala-pooja. vi!akk­maala, nai- vi!akk, GaIJapathi-homam. ia[kkar[!-paayasam, paaJ-paayasam, appam,

keta- vi!akk, ka[hi!]a-paayasam, thrma­dhuram, ni[a-maala. one-day's pooja etc.

312

Of these, special mention has to be made on poomootal and mutta!ukkal.

Poomootal is a unique offering and commemorates the first offering done to the Goddess by Sree Sankaraachaarya. It is a POO!IJa-pushpaaiijaii. Before this ritual the ga!bhagrha is thoroughly cleaned. The pancha-Ioha vigraha is removed from its place above the sacred-hole. After the preliminary rites the offering of Thechi (or Thettl) flowers is done. At a time one kutanna (taken in full in both cupped-palms) of Thetti flowers is taken and after chanting manthras is offered to the Goddess. Altogether 12 kutannas of flowers are used for one poomootal, held only once in a day. On Thrkkaa!thika day this offering is done by the Devaswam and for other days it can be booked by the public in advance.

Mutta!ukkal (literally means breaking away obstacles) is the most common vazhipaat. Even non-Hindus also visit this temple for conducting this offering though they are not permitted to go down the steps to the temple at top. The type of mutta!ukkal varies depending on each one's obstacle; the types are deha-mutt for health, thozhil­mutt for getting employment, vidya-mutt for proper education, mangalya-mutt for early mangalya, santhaa!]a-mutt for progeny, grha-mutt for prosperity in the house or for building a house, vaahaga­mutt for getting a vehicle or for safety in vehicles, visa-mutt for getting visa, sathru-muttu for relief from enemies or for change in the attitude of the enemy. The procedure is that one who wants to offer this vazhipaat has to bring coconut. Then wash it in the specified tank and give it to the priest for

breaking. The priest breaks the coconut, reading the name of the devotee, his asterisk and the purpose of offering. The breaking is done at a granite stone in front of the Goddess. If the coconut is broken into two pieces properly then the presumption is that his obstacle is over. Otherwise he has to purchase fresh coconut(s} and repeat all the above procedures till it is properly broken. Then only he could leave the place.

The other vazhipaats also have some significances e.g. deha-pushpaaiijali for cure from diseases, raktha­pushpaaiijaJi for relief from atrocities of enemies, thrkaala-pooja for misfortunes due to non-conduct of rites to manes, Gal)apathi-homam for removal of obstacles, thrmadhuram for the cure of mental depression, insanity etc. The ni.!a-maala is offered for specially bedecking the garbha grham with flowers and lights.

Festivals: There is no uthsavam in the temple. However, Thrkkaarththika is observed with all thaanthric rites. J!.g-vcda Lakshaa[cchaga is held in Dhagu

, !

or Makaram every year. DravyakaJasam is also held by the thanthri periodically.

Priesthood and temple staff: The consecration rites were first performed by Sree Sankaraachaarya. The present thanthn' belongs to AaI)talaati ma!}a, Maruthoor Pattambi. The meJsaanthi - , belongs to Puthurna!:!a ma[ham. The keezhsaanthi and kazhakam are recruited by the meJsaanthi and they are paid from the vazhipaat share. The other staff includes Manager, Temple superintendent, Head Clerk, Head Accountant, U.D. Clerks, L.D. Clerks, L.D. Typist, Attenders, Librarian, Driver, Watchman, Peon, Temple Sweepers, Pooja kottu, Medical Officer, Pharmacist, Nursing Assistant, Assis~ant Engineer etc. The Executive Officer supervises the administration of the temple.

General remarks: The' temple is functioning well.

(Data furnished by Sree M.K. RiijagopaJ and Sree

K. Koma!eswaran Executive Officers and Sree K. KuiiEikrshl}an and collected by Sree Thampi N.

Suresh and Sree G. Sivadiisan of the Census Directorate).

5.16 SREE (RSHIPUTHTHOOR) SIVA TEMPLE, ETAYOOR . - -(Etayoo.! panchaayathth, Etayoor vil.lage, Pin - 676 552)

Location: Situated six kIn. northeast of Va!aancheri junction at Chee!!icchot

junction and thence half a km. east, the temple is connected by tarred road up to Chee!!icchot. There is only a footpath thereafter and no public pathway exists. Facilities for stay are available at V a!aancheri.

Brief history and temple administration: This temple dates back to ancient

313

period. Early history of the temple is not available. The only legend available is that a great J!.shi meditated here and Lord Siva appeared as a swayambhoo idol and gave darsan to him. Thereafter this place is known as J3.shipuththoo[. The present deplorable condition of the temple indicates that the temple was wilfully destroyed during the period of Mysorean invasion and the subsequent Mappqa riots.

The temple was owned by

Ka!arikkal Puththoor ma!ham prior to 1970. At that time some local people took

initiative and managed the temple till the Kshethra Samrakshal}a Samithi officially

took over it in 1987. There are 154 members in the samithi. They meet

once in a year and elect an Executive

Committee consisting of 15 members inclusive of five office-bearers (President, Vice-President, Secretary, Joint Secretary and Treasurer). The

Secretary attends to the day-to-day affairs of the temple.

Structures: The details of land owned prior to the Land Reforms Act are not

known. At present the temple owns one acre of land which constitutes the temple complex. The structures

thereon are sreekovil and tharas of namaskaara-maIyjapam and chugambalam,

broken valiya-balikkall and dilapidated temple well and tank.

The circular eka-thala sreekovil of

nirandhaara type and facing west has granite adhish!haa!}am and laterite

walls. The roof of the temple was

recently concreted. The mouldings of the adhishrhaa!}am are paadukam, jagathi, v!ththa-kumudam, kumuda-pati, kampam,

ga!am, gala-pati, ga!am, ga!a-pati, uththaram and vedi. The sopaa!}am has six direct steps with vyaa!i face on the

top of banisters. On the sides of banisters full vyaaji-figurines have been

carved. The PIal}aa!am has makarasimha face at the base, multi-faceted SUl}9u with rings and gO-l11ukha tip. The walls have one gha!}adwaaram and three

niches besides the main functional door. The namaskaara-mal}9apam (side:

314

1.93 m.) has only a tha[a. The roof has

already collapsed. The well at the

northeast of akaththe-balivattam is also

ruined. The pieces of maathrsila and

balipee{has can be seen in the premises

of the temple.

The condition of the chuttambalam

also is pitiable. Only portions of tharas

exist. The granite and laterite stones

used previously for building the

chu!!ambalam, agra-maIJ9apam and valiya­balikkall are scattered all around. A

sila-deepasthambha is seen. At the

northwest there is a sub-shrine for

Lord Saastha facing west. The temple

tank also is in a pitiable condition.

The hills on all sides, paddy field

and a small stream at the front

proclaim that the temple had its own

glory at one time in the past.

Carvings and paintings: The dwaara­

paalas are good granite carvings but

partially ruined.

Deities: The swayambhoo sila-lioga idol

of Lord Siva has a height of 21 em. and

has the sankalpa of Sree Siva-Paarvathi.

The idol of Lord Saastha is of plain sila

of height 30 cm. with His consort

Sree Prabha (height: 15 em.) and son

Srec Sathyaka (15 cm.).

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 6 to 8-30 a.m. The

morning pooja is held at 7 a.m. JaJa­

dhaara, i!aneer-dhaara and pin-vi!akk are

the main vazhipaats of which ijaneer­dhaara is important.

Festivals: There is no festival in this

temple.

Priesthood and temple staff: Details of

the J3..shi who consecrated the idol are

not known. The present thanthri

belongs to Aantalaati ma!Ja. The

saanthikkaaran belongs to a hereditary

embraanthiri family. The only other staff is an atichhu-tha/i.

General remarks: The temple needs

urgent renovation;

(Data furnished by Sree K.M. Raman Embraanthiri, Saanthi and collected by Sree G.

Sivadasan of the Census Directorate.

5.17 J _

SREE (Pookkaattiyoo!) MAHA VISH~U TEMPLE, POOKKAATTIRI (Etayoo! panchaayathth, Etayoo! village, Pin - 676 552)

Location: Situated four km. northeast

of Va!aancheri at Pookkaattiri on Perinthalmal)l)a road and thence one km.

on Valiyakunnu road (in Athippatta desam) at I11apati and thence 200 m. on

panchaayathth road, the temple is

accessible by tarred road up to Illapati

and. thence earthen road. Kunthipuzha

flows fi:mr km. southwest of the temple.

Facilities for stay are available at Va!aancheri.

Brief history and temple administration: The temple was built in the eleventh

century for worship for the members

of Mooththamala ma!.!a. Till 1970 it was

owned and managed by them. After

the implementation of the Land

Reforms Act, the Mooththamala ma!!a found it difficult to manage the temple

and it was entrusted to the HR&CE

Department. The Manager appointed

by the Department administers this

Sree Vishl)u temple along with Sree

Mahadeva temple (vide 5.18). There is

also a local committee of devotees

called Pookkaattiyoor MahaJeva Kshethra

Committee and it elects annually an

Executive Committee consisting of 13

members inclusive of five office

bearers. For both Sree Vishl)u and Srcc

315

Mahadeva temple, the same committee

functions.

Structures: The area owned by the·

temple prior to the implementation of

Land Reforms Act is not known. At

present the temple owns l.33 acres of

which 92 cents constitute the temple

complex. The structures thereon

are sreeki5vij, namaskaara-malJ9apam, chu!!ambaJam with agra-malJ9apam, valiya-balikkall, su b- shrine, well,

pathchaayappura, and tank (called

Kal)tamkulam which is common to both

temples).

The circular dwi-thala sreekoviJ of

saandhaara type and facing east has

granite upa-pee{ham and adflisfl{haa!!am,

laterite walls and tiled roof. In 1982

the roof of the dwi-thala portion was

changed from circular to octagonal

type. The mOUldings of the upa-pee{ham

are kapotflam and pati, while the

adhishrhaa!.!am has mOUldings of

paadukam, jagathi, v[ththa-kumudam,

kumuda-pati, kampam, galam, gala-pati,

kampam, ga!am with flower motifs,

uththaram and patio The sopaa!}am has

six direct steps. The p!a~laa!am is

broken and now it has only makara-simha

base and a small portion of multi­

faceted SUIJ.flu. The walls have laterite

niches with lime plaster. The walls

have two gha!}adwaaras besides the

functional door. The namaskaara­ma1)f/apam (side: 2.93 m.) was renovated

in 1994. It has four pillars and cement

concrete roof. The well is at the

northeast of the akaththe-balivattam.

The chu!!ambaiam has entrances

from all sides. The thitappa!!i is at

southeast and there is a sub-shrine

at southwest for the deities, Lord

GaI)apathi and Sree Vettakkorumakan. The

north -eastem naalambalam is used for

Sree Saraswathi-pooja during Navaraathri

days. The valiya-balikkall is within the

agra-maIJ.cjapam. There is a sub-shrine

for Lord Gosaala-KrshI)an at northeast

facing east. The laterite compound

wall around these structures has two

gates, one at east and the other at

west. The paththaayappura, is outside

the compound wall but close to

northeast compound wall. The tank,

which is common for Sree Siva temple

also, has granite steps on one side and

concrete wall on other three sides.

Carvings and paintings: The niches,

faces of 1J.shies, Bhoothaga1)as, Dwaara­paa/as etc. are the important stone

carvings found in the sreekovil. The

wooden images of gaja-mukha and vyaa!i support the rafters of the sreekovil. The

mural paintings, which once existed,

are in a completely faded condition.

Deities: The ·sila idol of Lord Vi sht.lU ,

which was mutilated by some

miscreants, is now covered with a

316

pancha-li5ha kavacham. The idol is in

standing pose (75 em.) with four arms

having conch, disc, club and lotus in

hands. All the idols of subsidiary

deities are also made of sila. The idol

of Lord Gal!apathi is in sitting pose

(height 27 em.), while the idols of Sree

Vettakkorumakan and Sree Gosaalakrsht;lan

are of standing pose (height 27 cm. and

75 cm. respectively).

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 6 to 9 a.m. and from

5-30 to 8 p.m. Three poojas are held

daily, usha-pooja at 7-15 a.m., uccha­

pooja at 8-45 a.m. and aththaazha-pooja at 7-45 p.m.

Offerings: The important offerings are pushpaafijaJi and paal-paayasam of which

the latter is popular.

Festivals: The PIathishrha day is observed on Makeeryam asterisk in the month

of Metam. On this day navakam,

panchagavyam, sree-bhootha-bali etc. are

performed.

Priesthood and temple staff: Details of

the thanthri who installed the idol are

not known. The present thanthri belongs to Kaalati Patinnaretathth maga.

The saal1thik.kaaran is appointed from

Malayaa!a or Thu!u Brahmins. The other

staff includes a kazhakam, aticchu-thaJi

and watchman.

General remarks: All the structures

except namaskaara-map.~apam need

renovation.

(Data furnished by Sree K.P.M. Jayanthan

Namboothin. Manager and collected by Sr.:c G.

Sivadiisan afthe Census Directorate).

5.18 SREE (Pookkaattiyoo.~) MAHADEVA TEMPLE, POOKKAATTIRI (Etayoor panchaayathth, Etayoo.! village, Pin - 676 552)

Location: This temple is on the southern side of Sree (Pookkaattiyoo~) Maha Vish1).u Temple. The route to this temple is the same as for that temple. The temple is on a hill top. The western side has large paddy fields and on the eastern side is the hill called Maaraamkunnu. Within a radius of one km. there are three hills. There is a small stream flowing on the western side and a small shrine dedicated to Lord Ayyappa at southwest. On the whole the place has beautiful scenery.

Brief history and temple administration: This temple dates back to twelfth century. The legend on its origin says that the kaara1).ava~ of Mooththamala ma!!i:l used to go to the famous temple at Thrissoor for Thil)kal-bhaja!!anJ (which means worshipping in a temple on the penultimate day of a month and the first day of the succeeding month) covering the entire distance by walk. He continued his worship without any break for decades. When he became very old he found it difficult to keep up the time schedule. When one day he reached the temple it was too late and the temple had been closed for the day. Greatly disappointed he took rest at the premises of the temple and soon fell asleep. He woke up after a dream and saw Lord Vatakkunaathhan standing before him. The Lord told him that in future he should not travel to Thrssoo~

and instead he could worship an idol which would emerge as swayambhoo <?n the southern side of the existing Sree Maha VishI:lU shrine. He could not

317

believe his eyes. Before he returned

home an incident happened in this

place. A Cherumi (agricultural woman

of Che~uma Community) was cutting

grass at the Pookkat hills near the Sree

Vish1).u shrine. She sharpened her

sickle on a projecting sila on the ground

and was surprised to see blood oozing

out from it. Getting scared she ran for

about three km. loudly calling

'Pookaattil',fell into a tank and died.

The place got the name Pookkaattiri from

the the word 'Pookkaattil' which she

uttered. The tank where she ended

her life is known as Oturigaattu-ku!am

(otunguka means 'ending' life and ku!am

means tank). When the kaara{13Va!

returned from the Sree Vatakkunaathhan

temple, he came to know about the

inciden t of Che~umi locating a

swayambhoo idol. Realizing that all

these incidents are the blessings of

the Lord he made arrangements to

build a temple. Thereafter Sree Siva

temple became more famous than the

older Srce Vishl)u temple. The temple

was earlier managed by the Paarannaat

ma!]a and the Mooththamala m3!]a for

some time and when the former family

became extinct the latter took up the

management. It was taken over by the

HR&CE Department in 1970. Both the

temples are managed by the

Department through a Manager

appointed by the Department. They

are assisted by a local committee, the

details of which are given earlier

(under 5.17 supra).

Structures: The details of the land owned by the temple prior to the implementation of the Land Reforms Act are not known. The total area owned at present is 8.81 acres which form the temple complex (one acre), Maaraamkunnu (6.08 acres), tank (62 cents), Ayyappankaav (26 cents) and other dry lands (85 cents}. The temple tank is common for the Sree Vishzm and Sree Mahadeva temple.

The structures on the one-acre area of temple complex are sreekovil with mukha-ma1}9apam, chu!!ambaiam, sub-shrines, valiya-balikkall and compound wall. It is an elevated plot with flight of steps on the eastern and northern sides. The roof of sreek{')vii and chu!!ambalam were renovated more than 100 years ago.

The square dwi-thala sreekovil of saandhaara type and facing east has granite upa-pee{ham and adhish!haa!!am, laterite wa11s and tiled roof. The mouldings of the upa-peerham are kapotham and pati, while those for adhishJhaagam are paadukam, jagathi, vrththa-kumudam, kumuda-pati, ga!am with motifs, gala-pall, kampam, ga!am 'With flower motifs, ga!a-patl, uththaram and vedL As the upa-peetham and adhish!haa!]am together has a height of 1.79 m., the sopaagam of the mukha­ma{l9apam has eight direct steps. The side banisters of sopaa!!aIn, of single silas were installed on 22 nd Thulaam 1071 K.E. (November 1895 A.D.). It has vyaa!i face on the top and niches and flowers engraved at the sides of these banisters. The p[alJaa!am has makara­simha face, multi-faceted ,5Ul}~U with rings and go-mukha tip. The walls have

318

niches and three gha!!adwaaras besides a functional door. There are some remnants of mural paintings seen on these walls. The roof of first floor is made of dressed stones, wood and tiles. There is no namaskaara-maTJc;Iapam, as its purpose is served by the mukha­ma1}9apam. On the southern side of the mukha-malJ~apam and attached to it there is a small sub-shrine for Lord GaQapathi facing south.

The chuttambalam has entrances from all sides. Altogether there are seven doors (one each on east and west, two on southern side and three on northern side). The vaathilmaatam is very big (each side: 2.43 m.x2.23 m.) with projections to accommodate a Srec Bhagavathi shrine ,its ante-room on sou thern side and a large room on the northern side. The sub-shrine of Lord Ayyappa is at the southwest facing east. There are two siJa-deepa­sthambhas-one facing the main deity and the other facing Sree Bhagavathi. The laterite compound wall has a height of 3.6 m. and a width of 75 cm. The renovated gopuram exists at the eastern side.

Carvings and paintings: Two granite slabs carrying undeciphered inscriptions are seen on the northern side of the pathway of valiyambaZam. Deva-gal}as, heads of l!shis, animals and beautiful niches, all carved in stones are fIxed on the lower wall and upper greeva of the sreeki5vil. Woodcarvings of vyaa!is, elephant-faces etc.can also be seen. The mural paintings have completely faded.

Deities: The idol of Lord Mahadeva, as stated earlier, is swayambhoo of sila-

liriga type with a height of 41.5 em. above the Lowered peerham. This idol faces east. The sankalpa of the deity is

of Sree Siva-Paarvathi. The s.ila idol of Lord GaI)apathi facing south is of sitting pose and has a height of 37 em., while that of Lord Ayyappa (facing east) is of sila-liriga type (27 em). Goddess Bhagavathi (facing west) is made of iila of mirror type (height 63 em.).

Time of worship and poojas: The temple is kept open from 6 to 10 a.m. and from 5-30 to 8 p.m. Three poojas are performed daily, usha-pooja at 7 a.m., uc.cha-pooja at 9-30 a.m. and aththaazha­pooja at 7-30 p.m.

Offerings: The offerings include pushpaanjali, jala-dhaara, i!anee[-dhaara and mrthyui'ijaya-homam. All are important vazhipaats, but jala-dhaara is more popular.

Festivals: The important festival is Thaalappoli. The ritual commences with the beating of cheIJtas at the hill top of the Maaraamkunnu (located at north). The purpose is to inform Sree

Thirumandhaankunnu Bhagavthi about the festival. The festival starts on Makara Chovva day followed by ka!am­paatt for 13 days. There is no aa[aaU for this ritual. The Goddess is taken out with accompaniment of percussion instruments and thaalapoli up to ThaaiapoIi-pa[amb. Bhoothamkaji, Thira­ka1i. kari-veJa. kaaJa-vela and velicchapaat . . which accompanies the procession, are items of great attraction. Sivaraathri day is observed with special rites like navakam, panchagavyam etc.

Priesthood and temple staff: The details of the thanthri who did the initial rites to the swayambhoo idol are not known. The present thanthri. belongs to Kaalati Patiiiiiaaretathth ma!]a. The saanthikkaaran is appointed either from Embraanthiris or Namboothiris. The other staff includes a kazhakam and aticchu-lha!i.

General remarks: The temple needs urgent renovation.

(Data furnished by c~ree K.P.M. Jayanthan

Namboothiri. Manager and collected by Sree G.

Sivadiisan of the Census Directorate).

5.19 , - I

SREE (Thekkuthth) MAHA SIVA TEMPLE, IRIMBILIYAM (IrimbiJiyam panchaayathth, Irimbi!iyam village, Pin - 679 572)

location: This temple is located on the top of a hill facing Thoothappuzha, a tributary of Bhaarathapuzha (Nee!a river). It is four km. southeast of Va!aancheri via. Valiyakunnu-lrumbi!ayam road up to

Paalam junction and thence 500 m. on the top of the hill. Facilities for stay are available at Valaancheri or Ku!!ippu[am -(8 km.).

Brief history and temple administration:

Datable to very ancient period, it is

319

partially identified as one of the 64

graamams mentioned in Kera!othpaththi,

the name being IFbhyam in that record~ The legend says that many If.shis

worshipped the idol, which has the

sankalpa of Sree Rudra. It is also believed

that when a great J.?shi came here he

could not climb the hill as he found

the entire rocky region covered with

the jata (matted hair) of the Lord. So

instead of walking over the jata, he crept

on his knees to the idol to worship Him. As the idol was of very fierce nature and powerful especially when poojas were done systematically and

meticulously, devotees hesitated to worship that idol. So another idol of Lord Siva was installed at the rear and 'outside the chu!!ambaiam. Once the place had Brahmin settlements but they had to leave the place.

There are many teak trees on the top of the hill but none can be used as their trunks have kuththu (black-spots). Since the teak trees have kuththu, the hill got the name Thekkuthth and the temple Sree Thekkuthth Siva temple.

The temple was owned earlier by Irimbipyam graamakkaIs and later by Manjiri illam. After the implementation of the Land Reforms Act the temple was neglected and ruined. In 1994 a local committee of devotees, called Siva Kshethra Pu!]aruddhaaral}a Samithi, was formed to renovate the temple. The committee consists of 13 members inclusive of five office bearers (President, Vice-President, Secretary, Joint Secretary and Treasurer). The Secretary of the committee looks after the day-to-day affairs of the temple.

However, the ownership of the temple is still vested with the Manjiri iflam.

Structures: Details of land owned by the temple earlier are not known. At present the temple complex has an extent of one acre. The structures thereon are §reeknviJ, sub-shrines and dilapidated namaskaara-ma{l~apam and chllttambaJam.

The circular eka-thala §reek6vj] of nirandhaara-type and facing east has

320

granite a dhish!ha a!} am , laterite walls and tiled roof. The mOUldings of the

adhishrhaa!]am are built on a base with mouldings of paadukam, jagathi, vrththa­kumudam, kumuda-pati, kampam, ga!am, ga!a-pati, kampam, ga!am, ga!a-pati, uththaram and vedi. The sopaa!]am has

five direct steps with vyaap-face on the top of banisters and niches on their

sides. The PIalJaa!am has makara-simha face at the base, multi-faceted sU/;uju and go-mukha tip. The 5UlJrJU is supported by a pillar. There is a gha!!adwaaram at the west besides the

functional door at the east. The namaskaara-maIJrJapam (side: 3m.) has only a tha!.'a and no superstructure. There is no well in this temple. The

waters of Thootha-puzha is used for

temple purposes.

The chuttambalam IS ruined and only the thaIa remains. However, the office counter and thitappa!!i (at the

southeast portion of the chu!!ambaiam) were re-built in 1990. The valiya­balikkall is outside the chu!!ambalam­thaIa. It is made of laterite stones but broken in some parts. The sub-shrine of Lord Siva is at the western side of the temple and it faces east. There is

no other structure in this temple complex.

Carvings and paintings: There are no carvings and paintings.

Deities: The swayambhoo sila-linga of Lord Rudra has a height of only 7 cm.

The sila idol of Lord Gal)apathi is in

sitting pose (height 21 cm). The iila idol of Lord Siva at the rear of the main

shrine is of liriga-form and has a height of 45 cm.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 7 to 8-30 a,m. and

from 6 to 7-30 p.m. Tv.TO poojas are held daily, usha-pooja at 8 a.m. and

aththaazha-pooja at 7' p.m.

Offerings: The important vazhipaats are

koovafa-pflshpaanjali, ja1a-dbaara, i!anee!­dhaara, m(lhyufijaya-homam. thrkaala-pooja. nithya-pooja and muUarukkaJ. Of these

the fITst one is popular.

Festivals: No festival is held in this temple. However Sivaraathri-day is

observed with special poojas.

Priesthood and temple staff: The detail.s

of the i_?shi who did the initial rites are

not known. The present thanthri

belongs to Kaalati Pati nnaretathth 1lJ3Lld.

The saanthikkaaran belongs to Namboo­

thiri community. The other staff

includes a kazhakam.

General remarks: The temple needs

urgent renovH.tion.

(Data furnished by cSltX Al P Haridiis, Secretary

and collected fn/Sret' G S;. 'adiisJiJ ofth"" CenSllS

Directorate).

5.20 SREE (Manchara) SIVA TEMPLE, KUI:AMANGALAM (Va!aancheri panchaayathth, Kaattiparuththi village, Pin - 676 552)

Location: Situated one km. northeast of Valaancheri at Ku!arnangalam on

Perinthalma.Q.Qa road and thence two km.

on panchaayathth road, thE temple i:3 located on the top of a hill havi.r!g a

jungle and &'1.0\,'.'11 as Maatarhthara lUflnu.

The road up to Ku!amangalar n is taned

and thereafter up to the valley of the

hill the road is earthen. There is a

chula (stream) nearby. Facilities for

stay are available at V~!laancheri or- at Ku~!ippUIam (6 km.).

Brief history and temple administration; It is reported that on this hill many

lJ..s'/lis used to live and meditate. The

hm was owned by Maatarnb:.-,thth Nair tharavaat. Years later and sorne tirne

in the sixteenth cetltury an incident

OCcurred. A Chc~u!ni (agricultural

woman) went to the l:lJI to cut small

branches of trees and leaves for using

as rnanure in fields, \Vhile sh.e v ... ·at:,

sharpening her hatchet on a nearby granite stone, :.lJood oozed ()ut of it. Sh(~

3655 RG1!O:3-22,t,

iUlmediately ran into the house of

Maatambathth kaara~laVa! with the

blood-stained hatchet and told him in

ecstasy that in the jungle on the top

of the hill was lying a ';11a of a Lord and that irnmedjate steps should be taken

to bund a temple for the Lord. A deva­p[a,';t!8 was immediately held and it was revealed that the §ila related to a swayambhoo idol of Lord Mahildeva. The

kaara{J8Vat and family members

immediately set apart the entire hill

as the property of the Lord. A temple

was builT and the Lord was called

\1aflcha~a AppalL tTl course of time some

of the (I(lld8f}lna nH~n~bers who were

managing the teuJple) alienated the

propertie3 of the Lord. After this many

inisfortuncs happened to that

prornin en t f;~rn i ly. 'A/h En this was continued for years the family

metn bers an d SO!'.l e of t he local

d~VOl ees of the iemplc ,kcided to give

Inore atl:en1 ion to tr:m r1c matters. In 19BJ E, cnrnrrltH:';~' ~,,{10\.\';1 ;'S \1~1nchar,,!

Siva Kshethra Jee!:I)oddhaaraI)a Committee, was formed. The demarcation of the temple plot of 33.34 cents was done in 1988. In 1989 renovation of existing structures was done in addition to new constructions like namaskaara­mal}ljapam, sub-shrine, well, compound wall etc.

The temple is managed by an Executive Committee consisting of nine members, elected by the devotees once in a year. The nine members cosist of five office bearers, one lady member and three other members.The Secretary looks after the day-to-day affairs of the temple.

Structures: Previously the temple owned the entire Maataththara hill. But now the temple complex has an extent of 33.34 cents. The structures are at two levels (height difference: 1.75 m.) with two independent shrines, Lord Siva facing east and Lord Vishl)u facing west. The complex of Sree Siva shrine is on an elevated terrace. The structures within the temple complex of Lord Siva are sreekovi1, rectangular paattoott, well and a thee!thhaku!am while those within the Sree Vishl)u shrine complex are sreekovil, square namaskaara-malpjapam, sub-shrines, thitappa!!i and vaathilmaatam.

The circular eka-thala srceki5viJ facing east and of saandhaara type, of Lord Siva has laterite adhish!haa!}am and walls and concrete roof. The mouldings of the adhish!haagam are paadukam, jagathi, vrththa-kumudam, laJmuda-pati, kampam, ga!am, ga!a-pati, ga!am, ga!a-pati, uththaram and patio The granite sopaa!]am has five direct steps with vyaa!i-face at the top of the

322

banisters. The p!alJaa!am is of simplified type. The walls have three niches and one ghagadwaaram besides a functional

door. The paattoott (5 m. x 3.10 m.) has six pillars. The well is at northeast and the thee!thha-ku!am at southwest. Though thee!thha-ku!am is at a height of 1000 feet there is always perennial water.

The circular eka-thaJa .~reekovil of Sree Maha Vishnu faces west. The

structural details are similar to those of the sreekovil of Lord Siva. The namaskaara-mal;u!apam (side 3.10 m.} has four pillars. At the southeast of the akaththe-balivattam is the thitappa!!i. There is a sub-shrine at northeast with the deities of Lord GaI)apathi and Lord Saastha. At northeast is the Sree Bhagavathi shrine facing west. There is a vaathilmaatam for the Sree Vishnu shrine.

There are §i 1a deepa-sthambhas in front of both shrines. The compound wall enclosing both shrines has a height of 2.7 m. and a width of 45 cm. At southeast of the Sree VishI)u shrine and outside the compound wall, there is a tha!a for Naagar and Brahma­rakshas. There is another tank at northeast.

Carvings and paintings: There are no carv'lngs and paintings.

Deities: The idol of Lord Siva IS

swayambhoo of si/a-liriga type (height 45.50 cm.). All the other idols are made of {iIa - Lord VishI)u in standin g pose (height: 75 cm.); Lord GaI)apathi in standing pose (45 cm.), Lord Saastha, His consort Sree Prabha and son Sree Sathyaka (all in plain ,.,:i1a liriga of height

3655 RGI/03-22B

27 em., 15 ern. and 15 em.respectively;

Sree Bhagavathi in mirror t)'PC (45 em.);

Naaga in standing pose with raised hood (30 em.) and Sree Brahm arab has of

5i1a plain 1i.riga type (2 1 em.'!.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple is kept open from 6 to 9 a.m with moming pooja at 8 a.m. On lvfaJ:ujaJa days it is opened in the evening also between 5-30 and 8 p.m. with an aththaazha-pooja at 7-30 p.m.

Offerings: Jala-dhaara and Sankaabhi­sh§kam are important vazhipaat<; of which the former is popular.

Festivals: There is no festival. During manda/a-period special poojas are held.

Priesthood and temple staff: The details of the thanthri who initially conducted the rites are not knmvn. The present thanthri belongs to Aantalatt ma!]3 of Patt~imbi, The §aanthikkaa.z:cw is appointed from Tulu I Malayaa!a Brahmins. The otht-r staff includes a kazhakam.

General remarks: The temple 1S

administered satisfactorily.

(Data fumished by Srcc K Kurli.5ankaran Nai!. President and collected by !;rcc G. !;'ivadiisan of the Census Directorate).

5.21 SREE VANA-DURGA TEMPLE, THOZHUVAA~~OOE (VaJaa~cherY panch';;yathth. Kaattiparuththi village, Pil1 - 676 557)

Location: Situated 2 km. west of Va!aanchery at Kaavumpu~am on Kottaykkal road, the temple is on the southern side of NH-17 and therefore well connected by tarred road. Facilities for stay are available at Va!aanchery .

Brief history and temple administration:

Datable to very ancient period, it is believed that the cl1aitha!!y.1 of this temple was brought to the outside world by Lord Parasuraama. Its ch.1ifha!}ya

was further en hanred by the worship of the deity by Sree Vihvamangalathth Swaamiyaar· The temple has a swayambhoo idol of Goddess Durga. The

pecUliari.ty here is that the idol faces south. Another feature is that within the p eeth8m there is a hole covered with sand and to its east a small !fila­jiriga of swayambhoo of Goddess Du~ga. Over the sand-pit there is a bronz~ mirror type bimba of Goddess. Aa!!tJ­ezhunne/fip. veri, ve!icchappaat, gun;s! and red flowers are prohibited items ir. the temple.

The temple IS owned by Th(Jzhuvaa[!oOr ma!]?! a..1'ld Bhakthi-ma!!3 (PatiFiila!e-ma!la).In1970 the HR&CE

Department took over its control and is m811.aging it through a Trustee Board having fjve members, two hereditary members of the above families and three nomi!1ated non-hereditary members.

Structures: The temple complex at present has an extent of 3.54 acres. The structures thereon are within a kaav on three sides and include .";[eekr"ivii with an attached mukha­ma!19apam, chu!!ambaiam with :1gra­ma!1fiapam, dcepa-sthambham, natavazhis etc. The main entrance to the temple is from the side road of the NH-17.

The ci.rcular eka-thahl §reek()vij of

nirandhaara type and facing south has granite adln'siJ!ha:1!]aJn, laterite walls

and concrete roaf. The mouldings of adhish{haa!]am are paadukam. jagathi, vrtlilba-kumw.hlIn, kumuda pa;1, ,lcwnpam, g<J!~~m, gala-pati, kampan'. ,:;a_larn, gaja-pari,

uththaram and patio There is no s{ipaagaIll as swayambhoo idol is at the ground level. There is no pr81J8a!am and in its place a small granite ovu is

provided. The walls have niches and two ghagadw.qaras in addition to the mrun functional door. The sreekovii has an attached paattoott and a nata-panthal up to the chu!!ambaJam. The well is at the north of the a..kaththe-baliv8uam.

The chuttambalam has three

entrances, at east, west and north.

The thitappal!i is at 8outheast. There is no sub-shrine in this temple. The attached agra-mal}~lapam to the chu!!:lmbaJam has three !iiia deepa­sthambhas. There is also a natavazhi and gate at the front of the agra-ma(19apam. The office building is at the southwest curner. Around the kaau there is a compound wall made of laterite stone. There is also another arch-gate to the temple from the National Highway at its wesL

Carvings and paintings: There are no carvings a...T'Jtl paintings.

Deities: The idol of Goddess Du~gll is swayambhoo of siJa-liriga of height 13 en. To i;:~ west there is a bronze idol

of mirror type with. a pIabha-fluup!aJam at its rear,

Time of worship and poojas: The temple is kept open from 6-30 to 9-30 a.m. and from 5-30 to 7-30 p.m. Three poojas are held, usha-pooja at 7 a.nl., uccha­pooja at 9-15 a.m. and aththnazha-pooja at 7-30 p.m.

Offerings: Ka{higa-paayasam, paal­paayasam, nai-paayasam, nira-maala and

thrkaaJa-pooja are the important

\razhipaats of which ka.!JliE8-paayasam is

the most populal' one.

Festivals: There is no festival in this

temple. Navaraathri is important. On these days navakam and panchagavyam are specially performed besides GaJ?apathi-hava!!am.

Priesthood ~nd temple staff: It is believed

that the Ch:'1.ith:lIlya of the idol was first

made knm,vD to outside world by Lord

Parasuraama. The present thanthri belongs to Kaalati Patinnarctathth maya of Valiyakunnu. The saanthikkaaran is appointed from Malayaala Brahmins. The other staff includes a kazhakam.

General remarks: The temple is

administered well.

(Datafumished by Sree Easwaran Namboothri~ PPilad. Tf1.lstee and collected by STet: G. 5ivadiisan

of the Census Directomte/

5.22 SREE MAH.ADEVA TEMPLE, VA~KKATHTHOOR (Valaancheri panchanyathth; Kaattiparuththi village, Pin - 676552)

Location: Situated 750 ITL northeast of

\/ a 1 a a n c h e ry at V a j k kat h t h c, 0 ron

Perinth~ilmal)l/a road a;'ld thence 1 SO m.

\'.'Cst through a small lane, the temple

is surrounded by padd.y fields ori all

Rides. At ttle outer Iuuits nfthese padd:,'

tield'" there are four hiils, \fZ.

.124

and kotta-kunnu. The road up to

VaikkathlhoOf is tarred. Facilities for

stay are available at Va!aanchcri.

Brief history and temple administration:

This tt'rnple dates back to very ancient

period and its idol is believed to have been consecrated by the great Sage

Srec' V(t~,i"tha rYlaharshi. The legend

current in the locality is that the Sage

lived in a cave called Narimata in

Koovakunnu hills. After years of

meditation in this cave he installed the

idol of this temple at its valleys.

The temple was ransacked by the

forces of Tippu Sulththaan. Even :::he

granite p!aI}aa!am was cut into two

pieces. The temple was owned earlier

by Mazhavancheri illam. After the

implementation of Land Reforms Act

the ooraa!ars found it difficult to manage

the temple. Hence in 1975 the local

devotees formed a committee called

Srce Vaikaththoo[ ~lahiideva Kshethra

Samraksh8IJ8 Samithi and took over the

administration of the temple. The

samithi elects a 13-member cumrnittc('

for a term. of five years inclusive of five

office-bearers (President. Vice­

President, Secretary. ,Joint Secretary

and Treasurer).

Structures: Earlier the temple had

large extent of properties, but now left

with only 1.34 acres of which 1.09

acres constitute the temple complex.

Within this complex two important

shrines of Lord Siva and Lord Vi"hnu

are ,vithin a chu!!ambal:.tm and facing

east while another shrine for Lord

Subramalfya is installed in a separate

dlU!!Jmbalam facing west. A special

feature is that each shrine has all the

essential characteristics like

balipeethas, well or kokkara{li, vaJi_va­

bilJikkal1s, accp:J-sthamblws etc. In

addition, there are other sub·shrines,

,)ffice building and tank. The most

Important shrine is of Lord Siva.

:',15

cij S,'e{' Siva shrine

Tt.Lle circular c!wi-thalu sreeki5vil of

"Ia:.U1dhaarn type and facing west has

granne llpa-pee{ilam and adhis/Jrhaa!!am

and larente walls. The upa-pee[hafl1 has

f110Lddlngs of paodukarn, kf.Hnpam,

uththar-am and vcdi, while the

adhish!haagam has mouldings of

paadukam. jagathi, v!chthH-kamudam,

A.--umucia-pati, kampam. ga!3.JrJ, ga!d-pati. kwnpam, ga!am with flower motifs, gaj,1-

pati, uththaram and patio The S6pU8!!i.im

has five direct steps with vyua!i--fac.e

on top and niches on sides of bmlisters.

The prat;l3a!am wa.s cu t into two pieces

at its multi-faceted §w;U!u part by the

forces ofTippu Sulththaan. The makara­

"jmha face at the base and a portion of

~:{jl](jU only now exist. The laterite

'walls have two gha!!cldwaarits besides the

main functional dooy. Niches are

carved on the walls. The octagonal

roof has dressed laterite stones

covered over it by wood mld corrugated

sheets. The sthoopam is made of

terracotta. The namaskailra-malJflapam

(side: 2.09 m.) has only adbishthaanaIl1

and no superstructure. The kokkarari is at the northwest corner of the

akaththe-balivattam, \vhich is a rare

phenomenon.

(ii} Sree Vish'!u shrir.te

It is square eka-thala of saandlw.anl

type facing west. It has granite

adhi.sh[h:,w!._lam, laterite walls and tiled

roof. The mOUldings of the ddhishl:J.i:wam

are almost similar to those of the Srec

Sna shrine. The sthoopam is madt: of

copper. The namaska,U'ii-m;;fJqiapmn has

thaw only. At the northern sidf' of the

.';reck6vil and in bet,"veen the Srce

Vishnu shrine and Sr~e Siva shrine

there is a well, the water of which is

exclusively used for STee VishI)U shrine.

The single cfiU!!ambalam enclosing

the Sree Siva and Sree VishI)u shrines

has three e.atrances--two at west

facing the two shrines and the third

at the rear of Lord 5i va shrine. The

thitappa!!i is at northwest. There are

su b- shrines at southwest for Lord

GaI)apathi and Lord Baala-Saastha.

Both the shrines have valiya-balikkall

and deepa-sthambham ou tside the

chuttambalam.

(iii) Lord Subramal)ya shrine

At the western side there IS

another independent shrine dedicated

to Lord Subramal)ya. facing west. It has

a square cka-thala sreek6vii with granite

adhish!haa!}am and laterite walls and

tiled roof. \Vithin its akatlithe-baiivattam ,

there is a separate welL It has also a

chuttambalalIl. At the eastern side and

outside chu]!ambaiam, there is a deepa­

sthambham and also a valiya-balikkall.

The sub-shrine of Goddess

Bhagavathi is at northeast facing west

and there is a small Sree Saastha shrine

(with Srce Prabha and Sree Sathyaka)

at southeast facing east. The

compound \,fall of granite stone, exists

on the southern and western sides. It

has a height of 1.8 m. and width of 60

cm. The tempie tank is outside the

compound wall at northeast.

Carvings and paintings: The granite

dwaara-paalas in front of the Sree Siva

shrine deserve special mention.

326

Deities: All idols are made of iiia. The

sila-liriga idol of Lord Siva has a height

of 45 cnl. The idols of Lord Maha Vishr:tu

and Lord SuhramaI}ya are of standing

poses of height of 149 yavams each.

Goddess Bahgavathi is of mirror type

(height: 60 cm.). Lord GaI_1apathi and

Lold Baala-Saastha are of sitting poses

of height of 30 em. each., while Srce

Saastha, Sree Prabha and Sree Sathyaka

are of height 13 em., 7 em. and 7 cm.

respectively.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 6 to 10 a.m. and from

5-30 to 7 -30 p.rn, Three poojas are held

daily, usha-pooja (7 a,m.), uccha-pooja

(9-30 a.m.) and alhthazha-pooj<l (7 p.m,).

Offerings: Jala-dhaara, pin-vi/ald, iarkkara­

paayasam, ni!a-maala and thrkaaJa-pooja

are the important vf:iLhipaats of whieh

jala-dhaara is popular.

Festivals: Sivaraarhri IS observed with

special rites like Gal):lpathi-havdllam,

navakam, pancha.g;1vyam etc.

Priesthood and temple staff; The belief

is that the idol of Lord Siva was

installed by Sage Vasishtha. The

present thanthri belongs to Kaalati

m:.m3, The saanthikk.iiaran is appointed

from h1alayaa!a Brahmins. The other

staff includes kazhakam and a clerk

General remarks: The temple needs

urgent renovation.

(Data funLished by c5fCC' E.A. S:mk:1FaI1UIWi and

collected by 5rcc G. SiV:1 dii'i all of the Census Directoratej.

, 5.23 SREE (Nottanaalukkal) BHAGAVATHI TEMPLE, KUTTIPPURAM

(Kuttippur.am panchaayathth, Kuttippu!.am village, Pin - 679 571)

Location: Situated one km. south of

Kugippu!am, the temple is connected

by tarred road. Bharathapuzha flows about

half km. away from the temple.

Facilities for stay are available at

Kuttippu!,am.

Brief history and temple administration:

Datable to sixteenth century, the

origin of the temple is based on an

interesting episode. There was a great

devotee of Goddess, by name Nottan. Once during monsoon period, when he

swam across the flooded Bharatha­ppuzha, he saw a small peepul plant

floating on the water. Feeling some

divinity in the plant he took it from

the waters and reached home. He told

the members of his family that the Goddess had accompanied him and

should be given a seat and worshipped.

Further he planted the peepul plant which possessed divine power in the

present temple site. His advice to

worship the Goddess at home was

neglected and this led to great

misfortunes to the family. A P!asga which followed, revealed that the

powers of the Goddess had to be

invoked and transferred to a new idol

that should be installed beneath the

peepul plant. Accordingly a sila idol

with powers of Goddess was installed

there. Earlier the poojas were of

saaktheya type with sacrifices of

animals and cocks. In course of time

another P!asga was held and according to its directions saathvic paoja was

introduced. Even today the temple is

famous since the idol is very powerfuL

327

The temple was renovated in 1970. In 1975 the administration of

the temple was vested with a local committee consisting of 19 members.

The term of the committee is one year.

The Manager of the temple looks after the day-to-day affairs of the temple.

Structures: The temple complex has an extent of one acre. The structures

thereon are chu!!ambalam around the peepul tree, sub-shrine, committee office, kaJyaal}a-maI}9apam, g{)puras and

well.

The aalththa[a around the peepul

tree has a length of 9.1 m., width of 8.7 m. and a height of 1.7 m. The main

entrance is from the east. On the southern side of this tha!a, there is a

sub-shrine for Lord GaI)aparhi. There is a detached sub-shrine on the

southern side facing east with a

llwI}9apam and also a deepa-sthambham at its front. Two other deepa-sthambhas are installed at north and east of the aalththara. Around these structures,

there is iron trellis fence with two

entrances, one facing the main shrine and the other facing Lord Saastha. The

other structures at the front are a

kalyaal}a-mal} 9apam , a thara for Nottan

swaamy and a tank. At the southern

side is the tha!a for Naagar and Brahmarakshas, while at the northern

side are chicappa!!i, office, well and

counter. At the southeast corner there is vetippura. The laterite compound

wall has a height 1. 95 m. and a width 20 cm. The g6puras are built at east

and also at northwest.

Carvings and paintings: There are no

~:arvings and p.:llntings.

Deities. The 1001 of Goddess Bhct!:'a".rathi

is made of ~';;iJa of mirror type (height:

1-4.':; (Til.~ The i(}(l1 of Lord GaI.'apathi is in

idob of Lord AYYi::tppa, Sree Nottan­

sv.raan1Y and Brahmarak~has arc of plain j;ni:~ii t').rpe 'with height of l:-; em.

e;c,('n. The Nac)g;:~ idol is of sluing pose

with raised hood (height: 27 em.)

Time of worship and poojas: The tcrnple

is kept open from 6 to 10-30 <eLm. and

from 5-30 to 7-30 p.m. Three poo_jas

axe held daily, usha-po()jo.. at "1 -30 a.m.,

uccha pooja at 10 a.m. and aththaazho.· po(?ja at 7 p.m.

Offerings: Veti (ilre'\A/orkL vj!akk-mda]a,

pushpilaiij.'JJi, Inutciirukkul, kr::tii-n!akk,

thrkaa/a-poojo and {arkkara ,pi'ldJ'asiilll arc

the important vaz.bipaaL~. Of these veti

is very popular.

, J

Festi·.jais: Thaalappoli held for two days

(last Sunday and Monday) of Kumbhi.lm

.IS imponant. .All temple rites performed

besides staging c:ntcrtainrnents,

P_f:1thi"hrha-day is observed on first

Friday nf Mnkararn. Nauo.roa!hr-: days are

also ceh:hrated.

Priesthood and temple staff: The details

cf the rhonthn who mitially performerl

tbe rites are not known, The present

thaan thric iJ!i1n1 is Kai pp u zha of

ThrprangoL The .5ii3nthiJ...ki.wran IS

appointed from .\Ifahlyaa!a Brahmins.

The other sraff includes kazhako.m,

atkchu-th.1Jj, vllzhip<1at clerk, accountant

an d ITlanagel.

General remarks: The temple 15

adrniaistered well.

(D(J1Q fumi6iu::(1 by 5n:c: ;rHo V. ,SanJ...aJ J.n;;:araay[i~lilJl

Ndif. Afo.nager and collected by Sf(:e R '\.1:idfwl'aTJ

NaiI afthe Census Directorate).

5.24 SREE SIVA TEMPLE COMPLEX, PAI'!IKA~~OOft (KuHipPulam pancnaayathth, Ku!!ippu[am village, Pm - 679571)

Location~ Situated five km. northeast

of Kunippuram at Painkannoo!:, rhe

temple is connected by tarred road, Facilities for stay are avai.lable at

KUBippu!am.

Bri(~f history and temple administration:

TIllS temple complex contains three

import::lnt shrilics-Srcc SuhramaI.1ya shrine, Srce Siva shr'ine and Sree VishI)u

shri.ne. each one established at

different periods. The 01dest one is Srce Subramanv:l ternnlc. the idol of \,vhich

"" rI ~. ~

was consecrated. by the Sage K .... ll)Va

]\lahar.:.hi. L:Hf'.r the Siva ;;.nd Vlshnu

328

shrines ,,\retc buiit. Earlier each

temple was independent \'vith different

thanthris and p(]ojaris and all the

temples were renowned. But the attack on these temples by the forces of Tippu

Sulththi.la..n changed their destiny. All

the temples we-re ransacked and

structures demolished. In the hjstory

of these temples the next two

centuries can be termed as a black

period 1n the early decades of the

pret;ent century steps \.verc taken by ardent d(~votees to renovate the

temples. As part of renovatIOn, the Sree Sj'/J temple was first renovated with

all its related structures followed by the renovation of the shrine of Sree Vi shry.u temple that had the sankalpa of

Sree Narasimhamoorththy. By that time

the 1921 Miippi!a riots had started and

the renovation had to be stopped. Thus

the renovation of the oldest temple,viz. of Sree SubramaJ)yaswamy did not take

place and Sree Siva shrine rose to

importance. In] 979 the HR&CE

Department took over its admini­

stration from the Pa!athayil illam and is

now managing it through a Trustee

Board consisting of three members.

one from them being nominated as

Chairman. There is a local committee

which helps the administration. The

day-to-day affairs are managed by the

Chairman.

Structures: Earlier the temple had

properties fetching 12,000 paras of

paddy. Now the temple owns only 4.25

acres of which 2.15 acres constitute

the temple complex. Of these the

shrine for Lord SubramaI)ya is at

sO;"lthwest, while that of Lord VishI)u

is at northwest. The description of

Sree Siva shrine is given here. The

structures of this shrine are §reekovi/ with attached mukha-mu{]()apam,

chu!!ambaiam with agra-mal}rapam, valiya-balikkall, Nandikesan, Kokkara{li and temple tank.

The square dwi-thala ,ireckovi/ of

nirL1ndhaara type and facing east has

granite adhjsh!haagam, laterite walls

and tiled roof. The mouldings of the

adhish!haa!!i1m are paadukam, jagathi, vrththa-kumudullJ, ga!am with vaaja!._w. motif, kampam, ga/am v..-ith flower motifs

and z.ahtharamo The s6p:.wgwn has seven

329

direct steps with vyaafi-face on the top

of banisters. The p[aIJaa!am has makara­~jl11ha face at base, mu.lti-faceted §UJ:u!u

with a ring at its centre and a broken

end. A human figurine supports the

S?u;uju with his head. The walls have

13 ghag.,ddwaa.ras besides the functional door. The sreekovil has an attached

mukha-ma!1gapam .

The chuttambalam has two

entrances, at east and west. The

thitappa!!i is at southeast and mu!aya!a at northeast. The attached agra­maIJflapam has a valiya-balikkall in it.

At the front of agra-mar}f;Iapam, there is the image of Sree Nandikesan. The

rectangular kokkaraI}i 1S at the

northeast comer of the agra-mal)flapam, while temple tank is at its north. In 1985 a sila-dcepa-sthambham was

installed.

Carvings and paintings: The vyaali mukham at the greeva around the

sreekovil and dwaara-paalas deserve

special mention. The mural paintings are completely faded.

Deities: The idol of Lord Siva IS

made of Rudraksha-sila of Iiriga-type (height: 73 cm.) with the sankalpa of

panchakshara-Mahadeva. The ";i1a idol

of Sree N andikesan is of lying pose

(height: 75 cm.).

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 6 to 8 a.m. and from

5 to 8 p.m. Three poojas are held daily,

ushapooja at 7 a.m., uccha-pooja at 8

a.m. and aththaazha-pooja at 7-40 p.m.

Offerings: JaJa-dhaara, ijaneer-dhaara, pushpaaiijali, vi!akk-maaJa, sarkkara­paayasam, vel !a-nivcdyam, karuka-hom:lm

etc. are the important vazhipaacs. Of these, jaJa-dhaara and iJanee!-dhaara are

popular.

Festivals: Sivaraathri is the important

festival-day and all temple rites are

performed. Modem entertainments are

also staged. Thaipooyam for Lord SubramaI)ya and Ashtami-RohiIJi for Sree

Mahii VishI)u are also observed in this

temple complex.

Priesthood and temple staff: It is believed that some IJshi installed the shrine.

A

The present thanthri belongs to Kaalati Patiiiniiretathth mana. Two melsaanchis - -comIng from two hereditary illams

function in turn, the term of each being

six months. The other staff includes

thrkkovil-p!avrthlhi, kazhakam and

vazhipaat clerk.

General remarks: Renovation of temple

is urgently needed.

(Data F.J.mished by Sree C.K. Viisudevan Moossad, Vazhipaat-derk and collected by Sree R. Madhavan

Nair of the Census Directorate).

5.25 S~EE (Pishaarikkal) DU~GA BHAGAVATHI TEMPLE, PERASS~NNOOR -- -(Kuttippuram panchaayathth, Kultippuram village, Pin - 679 588)

~- - ~- -

Location: Situated three km. east of

Kugippuram at perassa!}!!Oor. the temple

IS connected by tarred road.

Bhaarathappuzha flows at the south

of the temple. Facilities for stay are

available at Kunippuram.

Brief history and temple administration: Datable to ancient period, the early

history of the temple is obscure. It is

believed that the idol of the temple was

consecrated by Lord Parasuraama.

Considering the presence of Lord

Parasuraama here, as per deva-p!as!la, a

su b-shrine was built for Him in 1 996.

Earlier the temple was owned and

managed by VaBaava!!aat .swaroopam.

The forces of Tippu Sulththaan

attacked this temple with machine

guns, ransacked the treasures,

destroyed the temple structures and

mutilated the idol. When this aspect

was considered at the dev<l-p!f:l,';!!a it

,130

came out that the broken idol should

not be changed and instead the idol

should be covered with a pancha-loha

go!aka.

Since 1979 a local committee

manages the temple. The committee

consists of seven members inclusive

of five office bearers. The President

and Secretary of the committee look

after the day-to-day affairs of the

temple.

Structures: The area owned by the

temple prior to the implementation of

the Land Reforms Act is not known.

At present the temple complex has an

extent of only one acre. The structures

thereon are sreekov iI, namaskaara­

maI}9apam, sub-shrines, thitappa!!i and

well. Part of the southern portion of

the temple complex has been affected

by soil erosion.

The square dwi-thala sreekovil of

saandhaara type and facing east has

granite a dhish!ha ag am , laterite walls

and tiled roof. The adlJish!haagam has

mouldings of paadukam, jagathi, vrththa­

kumudam, ga!am with vaajaga motif, ga/a­

pati, ga!am with flower motifs and

uththaram. The sopaa!]anJ has five direct

steps with vyaafi face on the top side of

banisters. The PIa!Jaa!am is broken into

two pieces. The remaining portion has

"yaa/i face as base and a portion of

multi-faceted sUIJrJu with a ring. The

walls have three gha!Jadwaaras besides

the functional door. The namaskaara­

mal}rtapam is ruined and now only the

adhish!haa!Jam exists. The thaIa of the

sub-shrine for Lord Gal).apathi a._'1.d Lord

AY'Yappa is at southwest comer of the

complex and close to the Bhaaratha­

puzha. The remnants of the ancient

chuttambalam now exist in the form of

thara. The thitappa!!i and well are

located at the northeast. The thaIa for

the idols of N aagar and Brahmarakshas

is at the northeast. The granite deepa­

sthambhal11 was installed in 1988.

Carvings and paintings: There are no

carvings and paintings.

Deities: The ,(ila idol of Goddess DUIga

in standing pose with four arms

(height: 75 em.) is now broken into

three pieces. In the deva-PI3sQ3 held

in 1983 it was revealed that the

Goddess is against changing the idol

and instead the idol had to be covered

with a pancha-16ha g6jaka. All the idols

of subsidiary deities are also made of

331

§iia-Lord GaJ;lapathi in sitting pose

(30 em.), Lord Ayyappa in plain liIiga

form (15 em.), Naaga! in sitiing pose

with raised hood (45 em.) and

Brahmarakshas in plain liIiga form

(15 ern.).

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 5 to 8-30 a.m. and

from 5 to 7 p.m. Three poojas are held'

daily, usha-pooja at 6-30 a.me, uccha­

pooja at 8 a.m. and aththaazha-pooja at

7 p.m.

Offerings: Nai-paayasam, puslJpaafijaJi,

GaJ!apathi-homam, vi!akk-maala,

muttaIukkal and chand8gam-chaaIthth are

the main vazhipaats. PushpaafijaJi and nai­

paayasam are more popular.

Festivals: Thrkkaarthtl1ika-vi!akk is the

most important festival as this day is

auspicious bing the birthday of the

Goddess. All temple rites are

performed on this day. Ezhunnc!!ipp is

also held on this day. Traditional

performing arts are also staged.

Priesthood and temple staff: The idol is

believed to have been consecrated by

Lord Parasuraama. The present thanthri

belongs to Kaalati Patinnaretathth maga

of Valiyakunnu. The saanthikkaaran is

appointed from Malayaala Brahmins.

The other paid staff includes an alicchu­

tha!i.

General remarks: The temple is in

complete ruins and needs renovation.

(Data furnished by c5rcc P. \( Di~'ikanm Ul}~li.

Ex-President and collected by Srcc R. MJdhaFi1l1

N:Ji[ of the Census Directorate).

I t

5.26 SREE (Namb.rathth) SIVA TEMPLE. NATUVATTAM {Ku~ippu!am panchaayathth, Natuvattam village. Pin - 679 592)

Location: Situated two km. east of

Thirunaavaaya at Rangaattoor on

Kunippu!am road and thence half a km. north, the temple is connected by

tarred road except the last lap.

Bharathappuzha flows 750 m. south of the temple. Facilities for stay are available at Kunippuram.

Brief history and temple administration: This temple dates back to eleventh century. The legend on its origin is

as follows. Once an agricultural woman

was sharpening her sickle on a granite

stone in her locality and to her surprise blood oozed out of it. Frightened by this incident, she cried

aloud calling 'Nambrathth Thevar' and

went to the Nair tha!8Vaat who owned

that land. The local people also followed

her. A P!as!}a was conducted and it was

decided to build a temple for Lord Siva, as revealed in the pras!!a. Centuries

later the Nair tharavaat handed over the

temple to a Namboothiri illam which

managed it for some time till it came

into the hands of the present ooraa!a! in 1976. Now the ooraa!a! administers

this temple directly.

Structures: The details of land owned

by the temple earlier are not known. At present the temple owns 20 cents

which constitute the temple complex.

The structures thereon are sreekovil.

namaskaara-mm.u!apam, sub-shrine, well,

valiyambalam, valiya-balikkall and compound wall. The namaskaara­maIJ9apam and well were renovated in

1959. The remaining ones are new structures.

332

The square eka-thala srcek6viJ of

niJ'andhaara type and facing west has

laterite adlJishrhaa!!am and walls and tiled roof. The mouldings of the

adhishrhaagam are jagathi. vrththa­kumudam, ga!am, ga!a-pati, ga!am, ga!a­pati and pati. There is neither S(Jpai:1!JanJ nor p!8IJ.0a!am. The walls have three

gha!]adwaaras and a functional door. The

sub-shrine of Lord Gal).apathi is attached to the main srecki5vii on its southern

side facing west. The namaskaara­ma{19apam (side: 1.93 m.) has four

pillars. The thitappa!!i and well are at northeast of the srcekoviJ. There is

comound wall at the place of

cJw!!dmbalam. There is a valiyambaZam.

The valiya-balikkall is outside the

churtambalam. There is a sub-shrine

for Lord Ayyappa at the front facing east. The sila deepa-sthambham was

installed in 1991.

Carvings and paintings: There are no

carvings and paintings.

Deities; The swayambhoo!Wa idol of Lord

Siva has a height of 15 em. The idol of Lord Gal)apathi is of sitting pose

(30 cm.) and that of Lord Ayyappa is of

plain Iinga form (15 cm.),

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 6 to 8 a.m. and from

6 to 7 p.m. Three poojas are done druly. usha-pooja at 6-30 a,m., uccha-pooja at

7-30 p.m. and aththaazha-pooja at 7 p.m.

Offerings: lala-dhaara, pU.-;hpaanjaiL, vIjakk­

maala and koovf4a-maala are the main

vazhipaats of which the first two are popular.

Festivals: There IS no festival m this

temple.

Priesthood and temple staff: The details

of the person who first conducted the rites to the sumyambhoo idol are not known. The present thanthd belongs to

Kalppuzha ma!!a. The saanthikkaaran is from a hereditary family. The other

staff includes a kazhakam who works voluntarily.

General remarks: The temple lS

managed satisfactorily.

(Data furnished by Srce A,P Viisudtlvan

Namboofhiri.Oorai1ja! and collected by Sree R.

MiidhavanNair of the Census Directorate).

I ,

5.27 SREE (Kai-Tha:kkovil) SIVA TEMPLE (Cave Temple), NATUVATTAM

(Ku!~jppuram panchaayathth, Natuvattam village, Pin - 679 592)

Location: Situated eight km. northwest

ofKunippu~am at Ko1aththo! via Cherikkal (on Thiroo! road), the temple is accessible by tarred road, except the last one and half km. Facilities for stay are available at Ku!!ippuram.

Brief history and temple administration:

This temple dates back to ancient period. From early times 1t belonged to Aazhuvaancheri Thambraakkal. There

is also a view that the idol was installed

by Sage KaI).va.

During the Mysorean invasion the forces ofTippu Sulththaan attacked the temple and destroyed it. The idols were

broken. Even today these broken idols are used as prescribed in the deva­p[aiga.

There IS an interesting legend

associated with the origin of the temple tank. Previously the priest had to walk

about four km. to bring water for the temple. When the priest became old he found it difficult to trek the

distance. One day when he was

bringing water he fell do\vn in exhaustion and slept for some time. At that time he had a dream and could

333

hear somebody telling that pure water

was available at the rear of the temple.

He got up and looked around, but could not see anyone. However when he

went to the rear of the temple, he saw

a beautiful spring close to the rock and

water gushing out of i.t, Amazed by the power of the Lord, he prostrated

before the Lord. Soon a small tank

was built there and water of this tank

is now used for all temple purposes.

It was the practice in the temple that koothth was held only if a pious

Brahmin was present. One day there was none and hence it was decided

to cancel that ritual. At that titne there

appeared a pious Brahmin who requested for commencing the koothth. The Brahmin remained there till it was

over and then disappeared into the

temple shrine. It is believed that God

Himself appeared there in disguise as

a Brahmin.

Smce the uoraa!ars (Aazhuvanchery maga) could not manage the temple

properly they entrusted its

adlninistration to a committee in 1992.

A nine-member committee elected by

devotees manages the temple. The committee includes five office­bearers-President, Vice- Presiden t, Secretary. Joint Secretary and Treasurer. The Secretary attends to the day-to-day affairs of the temple.

Structures: The temple had large exten t of properties prior to the Land Reforms Act. The paddy fields fetched 1000 paras of paddy as paattam. At present the temple complex has an extent of 90 cents. All the structures are close to the eastem side of a rock. In fact the garbha-grham is like a cave. surrounded by rock on three sides north, west and south. The other structures are sub-shrines. thec[thha­tank, namaskaara-maIJflapam, vaathil­maatam, vaJiya-baJiklcaJl, thitappa!!i, tank etc. in this twin temple complex there are two main shrines, of Lord Siva and of Lord VishJ}u. The Sree Siva shrine is more important and famous, the details of which are given below:

The square dwi-thala sreekovii of Lord Siva faces east and of nirandhaara type. It has an attached mukha­maIJflapam. Since the main sreekovil is a cave in a rock there is no adhish­{haa!] am. The sopaa!]anJ to the mukha­maIJflapam has six direct steps with vyaaJi-face on top of side banisters. As the walls on three sides of the sreekovjJ are of rock, the p!alJaa!am has to face east. It is of simplified type with curved end. The motif of the eka-thala part is rock, while the dwi-thala portion has tiled-roof. The namaskaara-maIJflapam and vaathilmaatam are completely ruined and now o!lly their tha!a exists. At the northern side of Lord Siva shrine there is a sub-shrine for Lord Subramaf.lya

334

facing east. Separate entrance from

east IS provided for it at the vaathilmaatam. To the northwest of this,

is the legendary theerchtha-ku!am, the

waters of which is used for temple rites.

On the northern side of the Sree Subramagya shrine there is

another shrine, for Lord Vishl).u.It appears that this Vishl)u shrine was a

separate complex in the past with a sreekoviI, namaskaara-malJflapam, separate vaathilmaatam, thitappa!li, mu!ayara etc. Separate valiyabalikkalls

exist for L"le shrines of Lord Siva and Lord Vishf.lu. There are two more sub­

shrines at the southern side, one

dedicated to Lord Ayyappa and the other for Sree Bhagavathi, Lord Gal)apathi, Sree Anthi Maha Kaa!an and

Sree Suda!sa!!a. The well is at northeast

and the tank at southeast.

Carvings and paintings: Dwaarapaalakas

made of granite stones at the fr-ont of

both Sree Siva and Lord Vishl).u shrines

deserve special mention.

Deities: The main idol of Lord Siva is made of fila of liriga type and has a

height of 60 cm. Lord Mahii Vishl)u idol

is made of sila in standing pose (75 cm.) with four arms and having conch, disc,

club and lotus in hands. All other idols

are also made of lila, Lord Subramal)ya

in standing pose (height 75 cm.). Goddess Bhagavathi of mirror type

(30 cm.), Lord Ayyappa in plain linga form (15 cm.), Lord Gal)apathi round sjla (7 cm.), Sree Anthi 11aha Kaa!an in

standing pose (60 cm.) and Sree

Suda!sa~a in round shape (15 cm.).

Time of worship and poojas: The temple is kept open from 7 to 9 a.m. The moming pooja is performed at 8 a.m.

Offerings: Iala-dbaara, vilakk-maala, sa[kkara-paayasam, paal-paaysam, poo­mootal and a[chhagB. are the important vazhippats. Of these, a[chhaga and vi!akk-maaJa are popular.

Festivals: There is no festival. However, special poojas are performed on Sivaraathri, Ashtami Rohil)i. Thai­pooyam etc.and also during maIJflala­period.

f I

Priesthood and temple staff: It is believed that the great Sage Kanva consecrated the iila idol of Lord Siva within a cave. The present thanthri belongs to Kalppuzha maga, Thrprangot. The saanthikkaaran is appointed from Malayaa!a Brahmins. There is no other paid staff in this temple.

General remarks: The temple structures are in pitiable condition and require urgent renovation.

(Datafumished bySreeK.P. KrshlJan NambiSsan,

Secretary and collected by Sree R. Madhavan Nai! o/the Census Directorate).

5.28 SREE (Netungottiri) SIVA TEMPLE, AATHAVANAAT (Aathavat'aat panchaayathth, Aathavanaat village, Pin - 676 310)

Location: Situated ten km. northeast of Thirunaavaaya at Maattummal junction on Vetticchi!a road and thence half a km. south through a foot-path and on the side of paddy fields, the temple is connected by tarred road

except the last lap. Facilities for stay are available at Thirunaavaaya.

Brief history and temple administration: The temple dates back to sixteenth century. The legend says that when

once an agricultural woman was sharpening her sickle on a granite

stone, blood oozed out. She cried loudly a.l'ld approached the owner of the land

and told him all about the incident.

The matter was then reported to Sree Aazhuvaancheri Thamp!akkal and as per

his directions consecration of the idol was done.

The temple was completely neglected after the Mysorean invasion

and even regular poojas were affected.

335

The structures were also ruined. At this stage the local devotees took initiative to renovate the temple. In 1986 the Kshethra Samrakshal}a Samithi took over its administration. It is now administered by a 12 member committee elected annually by a General Body consisting of 46

members. The Secrertary of the samithi looks after the day-to-day affairs of the temple.

Structures: The temple o"\\-'11S 50 cents of land. The structures thereon are §reekol'il, chu!!ambaJam, sub-shrines, well and tank.

The square eka-thala iireek5vil of nirandhaara type facing west has granite adhishrhaagam, laterite walls and tiled roof. The mouldings of the adhishrhaa!}am are paadukam, jagathi, v rthcha-kumudam, kumuda-pati, kampam, ga!am and patio The s6paa!}am has three direct steps. The PIaIJaa!am is of simplified type. The walls have three

ghal}aUvvaaras besides the functional

door.

The chu!!ambalam has roof only for

valiyambalam, thitappaffi and for the sub­shrine of Lord Gat,:lapathL There are two

decpa-sthambhas at the front of chuttambalam. The sub-shrine at the

east has deities of Lord Ayyappa, Lord

SubramaI)ya and Goddess Bhagavathi.

The well is at the northwest and the tank at southeast.

Carvings and paintings: There are no carvings and paintings.

Deities: The main idol of Lord Siva is swayamhoo and has a height of about 30 em. The idols of subsidiary deities are also made of ..fila. The idol of Lord GaI!apathi is in sitting pose facing east

(30 cm.), while Lord Ayyappa, Lord

Subramal}ya and Goddess Bhagavathi

are of plain round linga form of height 15 em, each, all fa.cing east.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple is kept open from 6 to 9 a.m. and froln

5-30 to 7 p.m. Two pOQjas are held daily, at 8 a.m. and at 6-30 p.m.

Offerings: Jala-dhaara (with niv§dyam) ~ mY·­vi!akk.pushpaanjaJi, Gal)apathi hamam and

muttarukkal etc. are the important offerings in this temple. Swayamvara­pushpaanjaJi is a special offering meant

for timely marriage of maidens.

Festivals: Sivaraathri is observed. No other festival is held in the temple,

Priesthood !And tempie staff: The details of the thanthri who performed the initial

rites to the swayambhoo idol are not known. The present thanthri belongs to KaiQikkara ilJam of IYfaJappu[am. The

.';aanthikkaarafl belongs to Malayaa~a

Brahmins. The other staff includes a kazrwkam ..

General remarks: The temple needs

urgen t renovation.

(Data furnished by Sree Diimodaran, Comrmttee

member and collected by.5rre Tharnpi N. Sure5h (lfthe Census Directorate).

5.29 SREE BHAGAVATHY TEMPLE COMPLEX, CHANDANAKAAV (Aathava~aat panchaayathth, Ku.!_umbaththoo,! village, Pin 676301)

Location: Situated six km. south of

PuthaDathaaI)i (on NH-17) at Chandanakaav on AathavaQaal road, the temple is

connected by tarred road. It is five

km. north of Thirunaavaaya. Facilities

for stay are available at Thiroor (Distance: 11 km.l,

Brief history and temple administration:

Datable to fourteenth century. this

temple complex has four important shrines, A1ele-kaav, Keezhe-kaav. Sree Maha Gdl:apathi shrine and Sree ~laldl

336

Vishryu shrine. These shrines have

subsidiary deities also. In earher days

this complex had an extent of 20 acres

but now its area has been reduced to

12 acres inc! u sive of 4 acres of

AmbaJapa[Ilmb. ;\flJJi3-kaav and Keczhe­

kaav are within a dense sacred grove.

The presence of divine power is always

felt there.

Chanlh.ll1iJ}((;J3.'y' rose- to jmportancc hI the sixteenth century because of its

association \\i.th the great celehrity Sree

Melpaththoor NaaraayaJ)a Bhattathirippad

(1559-1632 A.D.), who wrote the immortal work 'Naaraayal}eeyam'. His maga is hardly a kIn. southeast of Mele­kaav. In those days this maga had a prestigious position in Malabar. Even from his childhood days he was a daily worshipper of the deities of this temple complex. It is believed that Lord GaI)apathi of this temple complex was his llpaasaga-moo[ththy. Even today the rituals of this temple have some association with the Melpaththoor ma!}a though there is no progeny living there. The properties of Melpaththoor maga now form part of Maravancheri maga. Before commencing ka!amezhuthth-paalt on Uthram asterisk of Meegam, pUIJyaaha suddhi has to be done at the macchu (pooja room) of the MeIpaththoo! maga.

The temple was attacked by the forces of Tippu. All idols were broken and the shrines were damaged.

In earlier days this temple complex was owned by four Bhattathiri m8gas-MelpaththooI, Paakkathth, Paazhiyoti and Kizhakketathth. As stated earlier the right of MelpaththooI was transferred to Maravancheri mana. - -Later the latter was partitioned into Ma!avancheri Thekketathth and Maravancheri Kizhakketathth. Thus five families became the ooraa!ars of this temple. The ooraa!ars of the Sree Maha Vishl:m temple is at present Paakkathth mag8. For a short period the Melpaththoor ma!.}a was owned by a Muslim, from whom it was purchased by Guruvayoor Devaswam, while this temple was taken over by the HR&CE Department. The Executive Officer of the Department now attends to the day-to-day affairs of the temple.

3655 RGt/03--23A 337

Structures: As stated earlier the temple complex including the open ground (Ambaiaparamb) at the west bordering

the road has an extent of 12 acres. The details of the structures of the four shrines are given below:

(i) Mele-kaav

At the MeJe-kaav', the main sreeki5vij is square eka-lhala of nirandhaara type and faces east. It has laterite adhish{haagam with paadukam, jagathi,

ga!am and pati as mouldings. Around the laterite wall wooden trellis is fixed. The central portion of the roof is open. Within this sreekovij Goddess Kiraathi and Sree Kiraathamoorththy are installed. It has an attached agra-mal}~apam and as its continuation there is a paattupura. A granite deepasthambham

having five layers of lamps is installed within the paattupura. At the southeast there is a structure with a single room, its western portion used as thitappa!!i

and eastern portion as the space for ka!am-paatt. It may be noted that the sanctity of thitappa!!i is lost since the same room is used for different purposes, without any partition. There are two other su b-shrines on the northern side of sreek6vij, one

dedicated to Sree Kaaraya Bhagavathi and the other to Sree Eettillathth Bhagavathi. A sandal wood tree stands at the northwestern side of the sreekovil. There is a compound wall for Mele-kaav with gates at the western and eastern sides. Close to the eastern gate there is an office building­cum-receipt counter.

(ii) Keezhe-kaal'

A flight of steps from the A1eJe­

kaav leads to the Keezhe-kaav. On the

southeastem side of these steps there

is a small shrine for Lord Ayyappa. At

the bottom of a tree there is a sankalpa p!athishrha for Sree Va!!ikaav Bhagavathi.

(iii) Sree Maha Gal)apathi shrine

This shrine is in ruins. The

square eka-thala sreekovij of this shrine

is of nirandhaara type and faces west. It

has laterite adhish!haa!}am with

paadukam, jagathi, vrththa-kumudam, ga!am with projection, gala-pati, kampam, ga!a-pati, uththaram and patio The sopaa!]am has four direct steps with lotus motifs on the sides of banisters. The shrine has five deities, Lord Siva,

Lord Brahma, Lord Vishl)u, Lord

Gal).apathi and Goddess Saraswathi in

a row. All the idols are broken. Facing Lord Ga.r;tapathi there is a small window

(ki!i- vaathil) for facilitating worship.

The chu!!ambdam of this shrine is in complete ruins. The valiya-balikkall is broken. The thitappa!fi is at southeast

but no nivedyam is prepared here.

Nivedyam is prepared and brought from

Mele-kaav. The well is at the eastern

side of thitappa!!i.

On the south-western side of the

temple there is a sub-shrine without

roof and having three deities, Goddess

Bhagavathi, Lord SubramaI)ya and Lord Ayyappa.

(iv) Sree Maha Vishl)u shrine

To the south of Sree Maha Ga\lapathi shrine there is the Sree Maha VishI)u

shrine within a separate compound

wall. This circular dwi-thala sreekoviI of saandhaara type faces east. Its upa.­pee!ham, made of granite, has

mOUldings of paadukam and padma­paadukam, while the adhish!haa!]am has

338

mOUldings of paadukam, jagath.i, v(ththa­kumudam, kumuda-pati, kampam, ga!nm, ga!a-pati, kampam, ga!am with flower motifs, ga!a-pati, uththaram andpati. The

sopaa!Jam has seven direct steps. The

PIaIJaa!am is broken. The walls are made of laterite. On the southern wall

there is a mural painting. The roof is

covered with copper sheet. The

namaskaara-m,lIJ9apam has four pillars.

The well is at the northeast of the

akaththe-balivattam .

The chu!!ambaiam (a concrete structure) has three entrances. The thitappa!!i is at southeast. The ualiya­balikkall is outside the chu!!ambalam. The eastern gopuram has been

renovated. At the northern side there

is .an agra-saala and a well. The western

gopuram is ruined.

Carvings and paintings: On the southem

wall of Sree Maha VishI)u shrine there

are two beautiful mural paintings

depicting Lord Gal)apathi and Lord

Unni Krshnan sitting over Garuda. Both the'se ~ai~tings were drawn' by Sree

Melpaththoo!, Naaraayal)a Bhattathirippad.

Deities: Altogether there are 15 idols as stated below. (1) Kiraathamoorththy

(linga form, 35 cm.), (2) Kiraathi (mirror

type 60 cm.), (3) Kaaraya Bhagavathi

(15 cm.) and (4) Eegi11athth Bhagavathi

(15 em.), all in MeJe-kaav; (5) Lord

Ayyappa (sankalpa) and (6) Goddess

Bhagavathi (sankalpa beneath a tree), both at Keezhe-kaav; (7) Lord Siva, (8)

Lord VishI)u, (9) Lord Brahma, {I 0)

Lord Gat;lapathi and (II} Goddess

Saraswathi, (12) Lord SubramaI)ya, (13)

Goddess VaHikkaav Bhagavathi and (14) Lord Ayyappa, all in Sree Maha Gal)apathi

shrine and (15)Lord Vishl)u in Sree Mahi'i

3655 RGI/03-23B

VishI)U shrine. Except the first two all idols are broken. Nivedyam is also

offered to the mural paintings of Melpaththoo!: (Sree UI)I)i K[shI)an over

Garu~a and Lord GaI).apathi).

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 6 to 10 a.m. and from 5 to 7-15 p.m. Two poojas are held daily, usha-pooja (7-30 a.m.) and aththaazha-pooja (7 p.m.).

Offerings: Guruthi is the most important vazhipaat and is done to the Goddess with the sankalpa of Sree Bhadrakaa!i. Ka!am-paatt. pushpaaiijali and sooktha­pushpaaiijali are the other vazhipaats.

Festivals: Ka!am-paatt and thaalappoli are the main festivals. Ka!am-paatt commences on Uthram asterisk of

, -

Mee!]am and lasts for three months. On the concluding day thaalappoli is held with great pomp. Ve!icchappaat has a key role in the festival.

Priesthood and temple staff: The details of the thanthri who installed these idols are not known. The present thanthri belongs to Sree Kalpuzha maga. The saanthikkaran is from a hereditary Embraanthiri family. One of the two

kazhakams is hereditary. The other staff includes an aticchu-thafi and clerk.

General remarks: The temple is In complete ruins. All idols have to be replaced after conducting a deva­p[as!]a.

(Data fumished by Sree N. Kesavan Nambissan. Kazhakam and collected by Sree G. Sivadiisan of the Census Directorate).

5.30 SREE NAVA MUKUNDA TEMPLE, THIRUNAAVAAYA (Thirunaavaaya panchaayathth, Thirunaavaaya village, Pin - 676 301)

Location: Situated 200 m. southwest

of Thirunaavaaya junction (on

Ku!!ippu!am-Thiroo! road), the temple is

connected by tarred road. The

Bharathapuzha (Nee!a river) flows in

front of the temple. The Thirunaavaaya

Railway Station is about a km. north

of the temple. Facilities for stay are

available at Thirunaavaaya, Thiroo! (11

krn.) or at Kunippu[am (7 km.).

Brief history and temple administration:

This temple dates back to very ancient

period, prior to the period of

Ma[ka(ujeya. The legend associated

with Sree ~a!kaI.1<;leya Maharshi is

discussed in detail in the write-up on

ThrPIang6t temple. This temple finds

a place in the songs of the Vaishnava

339

Aa!wa!'s of 8 th and 9 th centuries A.D. The

legend tells that a great Yaaga was held by Brahmarshis under the

leadership of Lord Brahma. The site,

which they selected for the Yaaga, was

the southem bank of the Nee!a River.

Since many saints (Tapasvis) lived here, the place got the name

ThapaDooI, which was later corrupted as Thava!!oor. For the Yaaga both Lord Brahma and Lord Siva were present.

To commemorate this ritual attended by the two Lords, two temples were

built on the southem bank, dedicated to Lord Brahma and Lord Siva. Lord Vishl)u and His consort Sree Lakshmi

blessed the Yaaga by their presence and chose to stay on the northern bank of the river (across the Sree Brahma

and Sree Siva temples) where the present Sree Nava-Mukunda temple is

located. As temples for trinity are

located here at Thirunaavaaya, the place is considered important for pithr­tha!ppalJam.

The myth on the origin of the temple IS that Navayogis were

responsible for the consecration of the deity here. (Navayogis with names Kavi, Had, Anthareekshan, Prabuddhan,

Pipplaaya!!an, Aavih5th!:an, Drumqan, Chamasan anti Karabhaaja"Qan were sons

of Sree ~shabhadevan). Each one of them had a saa!agriim and they tried to install

them, one by one at this place. The myth continues that after installation of a saa!agraam by one Yogi, the temple

was closed for seven days for poojas by Devas. When it was opened on the

eighth day the saa!agram was found missing. Then the next Yogi installed

his saa!agraam. The same phenomenon

continued with regard to the saa!agriims of other Yogis also. When the temple

was opened after the installation of the ninth saa!agraam the Yogis could notice that the saa!agraam was disappearing into the earth. Thereafter

they left the place after declaring the

place as the sacred abode of Lord Vishr)u and Goddess Lakshmi. For some centuries there was no idol here

other than a partially visible saa!agraam.

In the early ninth century Sree Sankaraachaarya 'with his disciples came here. As there was no idol as such for worship by devotees, he installed an idol here, as he did for the Soree Mookaambika temple at Kolloor. Since Nava-y6gis (Nine saints) had i~stalled

340

the idol, the temple came to be known as Nava Mukunda temple and later as Navaa Mukunda temple.

The temple was an important place of worship during the Kulasekhara

period. It is believed that Perum Thacchan renovated the sreekovij and

other structures at the instance of

Vettaththunaat Raajas. The chisel used by Perum Thacchan can be seen

at the northern adhish!haagam of the :freekovil. At the same period a new pancha-loha idol was installed in the

place of the old :fila idol. The ma[ujapam

at the southeast corner is known as

pazhukka-maIJ9apam and one is· always at a confusion whether it lies within the maryaada or outside. This ma1}9apam

was earlier used by the Perumaa!s for witnessing the famous mamii1}kam festival. It is apt to give a brief

description on mamiil}kam here.

In ancient days Thapyaathiri s

(belonging to Namboothiri community)

ruled the graamas. In course of time it

happened that they paid little attention to the administration and it resulted

in anarchy and discontentment among the people. The conflict had further dimensions ending in rivalries between

Kalpakancheri Thambrakkats and Aazhuvancheri Thambrakka!s. To solve the

internal feuds it was decided to have

a congregation of all chieftains at the

sand bed of Nee!a river once in twelve years, presided over by a Raaja of the

neighbouring country. The Raaja was knOVlll as Perumaa!. The coronation of the first PerumaaL K0I1ganaat Raaja, was held on 113 B.C. The festival of coronation was called mahii-magham or

In short mamiiIJkam. For the next

thousand years this festival went on

smoothly. The last Perumaa!, Cheramaan

PerumaaL decided to divide the country

into Nads (Naats). Since Thirunaavaaya

was part of the territory owned by local

chieftain, by name Va!!uvakogaathiri,

Sree N aV3 Mukunda temple which was

the centre of all activities went to him.

Later war broke ou t between

VaHuvako!}aathiri and Saamoothiri over

political suzerainty and the former had

to surrender his rights in favour of the

latter. The last miimiiIJkam was held in

1755 A.D.

The temple was attacked by the

forces of Tippu Sulththaan, but they

damaged only the gopuram and some

of the outer structures. The sreek6viJ

was left untouched.

Now ihe temple is managed by

Saamothri with over all control by the

HR&CE Department. The Manager

appointed by Saarnoothiri attends to

the day-to-day affairs of the temple.

Structures: The details of land owned

by the temple prior to the Land Reforms

Act are not known. At present the

temple has an extent of 60 cents which

constitute the temple complex. The

temple :is of pancha-praakaara type with

akaththe-balivattam, anthhaara, madhyahaara,

baahyahaara and maryaada.

The square dwi-thala sreekovil of

saandhaara type and facing east has

granite upa-pee{ham and a dhish[haa!]am ,

laterite walls and copper sheet covered

roof. It has an attached mukha­

mapfJapam and suka-naasa. The upa­pee!ham has a height of 87 cm. above

the ground level. The mouldings of the

upa-pee{ham are paadukam, jagathi, triple-faceted kumudam, kampam, ga!am

with flower motifs, gala-pati, uththaram and kapotham. The mukha-map~apam,

also of dwi-thala type, is capped by a

gable front of the ornate wooden

pillars. The sopaa!}am has seven direct

steps with vyaa/i-face at the base of the

banisters, while the sides of banisters

have motifs of elephant, Goddess, doors

and flowers. The p!al}aa!am has makara­

sirnha face, multi-faceted sU{1~u with a

ring and tapering end. The sUl}ru of the

p!apaa!am rests on the head of the

figurine of a devotee. The walls have

beautiful plastered niches and 16

gha!}adwaaras'. There are false-doors at

the central point, at north and at south

and also a regular- door opening at the

rear and a functional-door at the east.

The rear door is always kept closed

after the legendary incident related to

the escape of Sree Maarkal].<;leya Maharshi

through that door when Sree Varna

Raaja was following him. After

allowing Srec Maarkal)<;lcya to escape,

the door was closed by Lord Mahii Visht)u

so that the former could reach Lord

Siva, the deity of Thfprangot temple,

before Sree Yama could reach there

since he had to take a longer route.

As Sree Maa!:kal)~eya was a small boy,

to help him to climb down through the

rear door, Nandi, the vehicle of Lord

Siva was made to lie down there. To

commemorate this episode a granite

bull has been installed at the rear

entrance of the temple. There is no

other struClure within the akaththe­

bali vwl:lm.

The dnth[lhaarJ (ciw!!ambalam) has

valiyambalam at the eastern side,

thitappa!!i at southeast, neeraFa at the

south, a small Sree Mahii GaI)apathi

shrine facing east, mu!ayara at the

north and a sub-shrine of Goddess

Maha Lakshmi at north. A peculiar

feature is that the images of

dwaarapaalas of the Sree Maha Gat)apathi shrine are of Sree GaI)apathi.

The madhya-haara (vi!akkumaatam) is a separate structure with metal

lamps fixed to its outer wall. At the

northern side the structure of

viJakkumaatam IS incomplete to

accomodate the sub-shrine of Goddess

Maha Lakshmi.

The valiya-balikkall is outside the

vi/akkumaatam. The dhwajam (height

about 12 m.) made of concrete and

covered with copper paras, was

installed in 1992. At the western side

of the dhwajam and facing the deity

there is a granite slab on the ground

with an image of Sree Maarka1)geya

prostrating before the Lord. There is a

stage at the northeast facing west.

Three deepa-sthambhas are installed, two

at east and one at west. There is a

small structure at the north used as

the distributing counter of p!,saadam. The agrasaala is at north with an

attached well at its east.

The maryaada (compound wall) is

made of laterite with a height of 3 m.

and a width of 75 cm. and of the shape

of elephant's back. The gopuras at east

and west were attacked by Tippu

Sulthhan and destroyed. The eastem

gopuram was rebuilt during 1991-92.

342

The vazhipaat counter at the sou th­

eastern side was newly built in 1988.

There is a sathram and an office

building also at the southern side.

There is also a tank on the northern

side of the maryaada, besides deepa­sthambhas on the east and west. There

are two peepul trees on the top of the

laterite steps leading to the bathing

ghat of the Nee!a river. These huge

trees are really very attractive with

their green leaves always quivering in

a background of blue-waters of the river

and the blue sky.

Carvings and paintings: The sreekovil is

rich in exquisite wood carvings

depicting themes taken from

Kiraatha[jugeeyam, dasaavathaaram etc,

Goddess, DEvas, Brahma and MahaIshis.

The two armed dwaara-paalas, made

of granite, deserve special mention.

The laterite paiiJaras plastered with

stones are also beautiful. There is no

mural painting in this temple.

Deities: The idol of Lord Vishnu, made

of pancha-/oha, is of standing pose

(height: 75cm.) with four arms having

conch, disc, club and lotus in hands.

The pancha-loha idol of Goddess Maha Lakshmi is also of standing pose (height:

75 cm.) with two arms, left hand in

lola pose and right one in abhaya pose.

It is said that formerly the left hand

was in varada pose. When Sree

Sankaraachaarya came there he crawled

on his knees to the shrine in reverence

to the nine saaJagraams installed by the Nava Yogis, instead of walking on foot.

Seeing this the local arrogant people

made some bad sarcastic comments

about it. The Achaarya then prayed to

the Goddess that their arrogance was

due to too much of prosperity and

wealth. It is said that suddenly Goddess changed the varada pose of

her left hand into that of lola. The sila idol of Lord GaI).apathi is in sitting pose (height: 45 cm.). It is believed that

the sankalpa of Lor.d GaI).apathi is Sree Aadi GaI).apathi .

Time of worship and poojas: The temple is kept open from 5-30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

and from 5 to 7-30 p.m. Five poojas are held, usha-pooja at 6 a.m., ethrthth­pooja at 6-30 a.m., pantheerati-pooja followed by navakam at 8-30 a.m., uccha­pooja at 10-30 a.m. and aththaazha-pooja at T p.m. Sreebali is conducted thrice

daily with accompaniments of cheIJta and chengala. During uthsava days the timing of sree-bali is changed.

Offerings: There are 58 items of vazhipaats in the temple, which include

adoming the Sree VishI).u idol with lotus flowers, nai-vi!akk, paal-paayasam, GaI).apathi -homam, thila-homam, thaamara­maala chaa!'ththal, chandanam-chaa!ththal, udayaasthama!!a pooja etc. Of these, the

thaamara-maala chaa!ththal and paal­paayasam are important as these

vazhipaats were instituted at the time

of P!athish!ha by Sree Karabhaajagan, the ninth Yogi. At that time he prayed that

he would offer thaamara flowers and paal-paayasam if the idol remained at

the same position without lowering itself into the earth, for the benefit of

the devotees. Thila-homam is a special

vazhipaat conducted by a person who performs pithrbaJi at the temple-ghat.

For conducting bali priests have been appointed.

343

Festivals: The ten-day festival of the temple commences on the last day of Mee!!am and ends on 9 th Metam. On the Vishu-day the sunlight directly falls on the idol. The usual temple rites are held on these festival days. Performing arts like Kathhakali, ottam­thul/al, chaakyaar-koothth, krshnanaattam

p,. - , .-

etc. and modern entertainments are staged on these days.

Ekaadasi-vijakk held on Ekaadasi day In the Suk!a-paksha in the month of Kumbham is celebrated with great pomp. Another important day is the P!athish!ha-day observed on Makeeryam asterisk in the month of Meenam.

The vaavu-bali (on New Moon day) in the month of Ka!kkatakam, Thulaam, Ku"!bham and ltavam attracts large number of Hindus, who come there for pithrbali. All Thursdays are important in the temple.

Priesthood and temple staff: The main idols of Lord VishI).u and Goddess Lakshmi were consecrated by Nava­Yogis. Details of thanthris who installed other idols are not known. The present thanthri belongs to Kalppuzha ma!Ja of Thrprangot. The saanthikka!s are hereditary priests of the Areekkara iliam. Other staff includes kazhakam, vaadyam, vazhipaat clerk, kalava!a clerk, typist, counter-clerk, attenders, peons and watchmen, besides the Manager.

General remarks: The temple is managed satisfactorily. More facilities

are to be provided for devotees

considering their large influx.

(Datafumished by Sree K.Riimachandra Menon, Manager and collected by Sree R. Madhavan Nai!

and Srec C; ~~jvadiis of the Census l)";;;?ctorate).

I

5.31 SREE IBHADRAKAAI:oI TEMPLE, VAIRA'!IKOT (Thirunaavaaya panchaayathth, Thirnaavaaya village, Pin - 676 301)

location: situated six km. north of Thirunaavaaya via. Patta!"natakaav, the temple is connected by tarred road. Facilities for stay are available at

Thirunaavaaya or at Thiroor.

Brief history and temple administration:

This temple dates back to fourteenth century. The legend on its origin is that once a karal}ava[ of Pu!!ayaathiri royal family, an ardent devotee of Sree Bhagavathi temple at Kotungalloor, went to that temple accompanied by his companion Maatambathth Naayar. The legend continues that the Goddess

was very much pleased with his devotion and decided to accompany him on his return journey. She accompanied him on a palmyra umbrella. The kaaral}ava! had an u uu su al experience of a divine pres~nce around him. When he reached his koviJakam the presence of

Goddess was all the more experienced. When he kept the umbrella at the verandah, the umbrella started trembling and Maatambi Naayar behaved

like an oracle and told that the Goddess had accompanied him and a proper place had to be given for Her. A

p[a§ga was then held at the kovilakam

and as decided therein a seat for the Goddess was specially provided in the macchu of the kovilakam. After some months Maatambi Naayar again ordered to all present there, as if he was an oracle, that a temple had to be built for the Goddess at the place shown by him. PuWyaathiri readily agreed to oblige and followed him. He showed the present site. An astrologer conducted

344

a P!asga and informed that it was the wish of the Goddess to be there so that everyone gets an opportunity to worship Her. Thus the present temple

came up and regular poojas were introduced falling under the categories of uththama, maddhyama and adhama. The poojas of uththama are performed by Namboothiris, maddhyama by Naaya[s and adhama by the communities of Velan and MaI).I).aan.

In 1976 the temple was taken over by the HR&CE Department and a Trustee Board was appointed as the owners found it difficult to manage the temple. The Trustee Board consists of four members of whom one is a hereditary m.ember (belonging to Pagiyaathiri family) and the remaining three are selected from the applicants of devotees by the HR&CE. The day­to-day affairs are managed by the

Execu tive Officer.

Structures: Earlier the temple had large extent of properties but now left with only 80 cents. Of these 30 cents constitute the temple complex having structures like sreekovil, chuttambalam, natapanthals, deepa-sthambhas, office building, well, compound wall etc.

The square eka-thala sreekovij of saandhaara type and facing west has

granite adhishrhaagam, laterite walls and tiled roof. The mouldings of the adhishrhaagam are paadukam, jagathi, kumudam, kumuda-pati, kampam, ga!am and uththaram. The sopaa!}am has four

direct steps with vyaa!i face on the top of banisters. The p!al}aa!am is simple

and has a curved end. There is no ornamentation on the walls but lamps are fixed around it with space for lighting them (chu!!uvi!akk maatam). The chu!fu-vi!akk is lighted every day. Within the sreekovil there are two idols, Sree BhadrakaaF and Sree Rudrappan (Lord Siva).

The chuttambalam has entrances from all sides, though the northern one

is close to the valiyambalam. The thitappa!!i is at southeast. The well is at northeast corner and outside the chu!!ambalam. There are altogether 16 deepa-sthambhas, seven on the western

side and three each on other sides. The PFadakshiI)a-vazhi has a width of 2.10 m. and plastered with cement. Nata-puras are seen, one on the western side of the valiyambalam and the other outside the compound wall and attached to the western entrance. The compound wall made of laterite stone has a height of 1.42 m. and a

width of 37 cm. having entrances from

all sides.

Carvings and paintings: There are no carvings and paintings.

Deities: The idol of Goddess BhadrakaaF and Lord Rudrappan are made of sila of mirror type with height of 45 cm. and 30 cm. respectively.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple is kept open from 6 to 10-30 a.m. and from 5-30 to 7-30 p.m. On Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays it will be kept open in the forenoon up to 11-30 a.m. Three poojas are held daily, usha-pooja at 7 a.m., uccha-pooja at 10 a.m. and aththaazha-pooja at 6-45 p.m.

Offerings: Poo-mootal, pushpaanjaJi, mutta[ukkal, sa[kkara-pa aya sam , kaJhi!Ja-

345

paayasam and ueti-vazhipaat are the important vazhipaats and all are popular.

Festivals: The thiyyatt uthsavam is a

regional festival held by Pallaar

desakkaaFs consisting of devotees of

AlIoo!:. Ku!:avoo!:, Kaithakkara, Valiya

pa[appura, Pallaar and A!}anthaavoo[. For

conducting the festival special

privileged persons from different walks

of life participate like Theyyam Naayars,

Velars, MaI:U)aa!:s, Aasaris, Pa1)ikkars,

Naayars who are authorized to bring

mefui (sacrificial wood), Thattaan who

cleanses lhiruvaabharaI)am (ornaments);

Antheri Naayars who are responsible to

bring utensils, Ve!uthetathth Naayar

(washerman) and representatives of Aarangottiri swaroopam, VeHaathiri PaHipata

Naya[, Thoppara Moossad, VeHaanisseri

Moossad, Kalpuzha thanthri and priests,

Vaadyakka!:s and komaram. This annual

festival lasts for six days and is

celebrated with great pomp and

splendour. The festival commences on

the first (Muppatt) Sunday in the month

of Kumbham and lasts for six days. The

important days are the third day

(Tuesday) and sixth day (Friday).

The rituals start on Sunday

morning by daubing with cow-dung the

compound within the maryaada by the

ladies of Panaattiri Naya!:s. At noon there

is a feast arranged by Aazhuvancheri

(ThambrakkaD ma!Ja. After aththaazha­

pooja the komaram declares the

commencement of the festival and it

is followed by an assembly at the

kovilakam for deciding the tree to be

cut for meiari. The tree is cut at

midnight after V[ksha-pooja. The

preparation of meIari is done on the next

day (Monday). On Tuesday the

devotees assemble at the temple for the rituals known as koti-varavu and

Pootham-kelti-ka!i. Before noon me}an is

brought in procession. Mter uccha-pooja thiyyaat-ko!!al (special pooja for thiyyatt) is held. Thottampaatt is then held. The festival of Tuesday is known as Cheriya­thiyyatt. In the afternoon there is a ritual called kaavu-thee!1taJ. In the

afternoon the sacrificial-fire is lighted. This is followed by a parade of

decorated koiams. The participants of che[iya-thiyyatt are confined to six desams only. On the fourth day the

kaI}alaallam ritual is performed followed by staging folk arts like Poothan, thi[a, kaattaa!an-varavu etc. The cutting of tree and preparation of melari for the valiya­thiyyaat is on Friday. On the last day fifty and odd theyyams and over twelve kaaja-ki51ams sponsored by all people

participate. The festival on the whole

is a breath taking spectacle in which

thousands of devotees and pu blie

enthusiastically participate.

Priesthood and temple staff: The

p[athishrha was done by a thanthri of

Kalpuzha illam in the presence of

Aazhuvancheri Thamb~akka!. The present

thanthri belongs to the same illam. The

saanthikkaaran belongs to Namboothiri

Brahmins. The other staff includes

kazhakam, vazhipaat-clerk, watchman

and aticchu-tha!i besides the Executive officer.

General remarks: The temple IS

administered well.

(Data furnished by Sree K. BiiJakp;hflan,

Vazhipaat clerk and collected by Sree R.

Madhavan Nai[ of the Census Directorate).

5.32 SREE ASWI~I.DEVA TEMPLE, AALATHIYOOR (Th!p[arigot panchaayathth, Thrprangot village, Pin 676 102)

Location: Situated eight km. south of Thiroo[ at Poozhikkunnu on Chamravattam road and thence 200 m. west, the temple is connected by tarred road up to Poozhikkunnu. Facilities for stay are available at Thiroo!'.

Brief history and temple administration: Datable to sixteenth century, this temple, located in the Aalaththiyoo~ Nambi iliam, is unique in Kera!a as it is dedicated to Sree Aswi!}idevas or Aswi!}i Kumaras, by name Sathya and Dasara, the two sons of Soorya (The Sun God). They are also called in short Aswi!_2i and they are physicians of Devas. Close to the Aalaththiyoo! Nambi illam there is an old temple, Sree Vaidyan Thrkk6vil Siva temple. In those days the Nambis

346

of the illam used to worship the deity there daily. One day the kara1)ava[ of the illarn, while returning after worship heard two birds chattering 'korukk' which in Sanskrit renders as 'kah arukk', which means 'who the person not having any disease'. To this Nambi replied to the birds in Sanskrit "kaale hithaIllithabhoji krtha chamkramaIJa k[ame1}8 vaamasayah, avidhrtha moothrapureeshah sthreeshuh yathaathma cha yo narah sorukk" which means that if a person takes the bare minimum food at specified times, walks for some time after meals, lies down on the left while taking rest, and avoids excessive desire in women, he is healthy. Satisfied with this answer the birds left. After some days two Brahmachaaris came to the illam

for studying Aayu!veda. They were highly intelligent, but behaved in a peculiar way. Though Aalathoor Nambi started teaching those Brahmachaaris, he

really became their student since he learned many things from them. They behaved in a peculiar manner very often. One day a boy of the illarn saw them treating a person with severe headache with the juice of some leaves plucked from the compound. When Nambi came to know about the incident from the boy the Brahmachaaris expressed their desire to leave the place. At the request of Nambi they revealed their identity as Aswi!}is and told Nambi that their mission was to encourage Aayu!veda. They then climbed the Aalththara in front of the Warn and disappeared. Before leaving they blessed him with a granthham. They instructed him to treat patients with devotion and love and also with sincerity, commitment and faith in them. Mter their departure the Nambi built a small shrine at the Aalththara for Sree Aswinidevas. Aalaththoo! Nambis are renowned Aayurveda physicians and one among the ashta-vaidyas. It is also said that the great Naaga King Thakshaka also blessed a kaarapava[ of the illam for treating Him. His presence also is always felt in the ilIam. Because of this Aayilyam asterisk is important in this temple. (Details of Aalathoor Nambis are available in Aithihyamaala ofKottaraththil SaI).kuI):ryi). Even today this temple belongs to Aalathoor Nambis and they manage it, though the iliam has lost its ancient glory since rituals and principles are not strictly followed as they should be.

Structures: This temple is located at the courtyard of the illam. The

347

Aalththara, from where Aswinis disappeared, is the temple. A laterite thara of height 1.65 m. is built around it. There is a peculiarity for the tree as well. One of its branches is that of Ilaiifii tree (Mimusops elengl). There is a small rectangular eka-thala malJ~apam at its front with laterite walls and tiled roof. Two laterite and cement plastered steps lead to the map~apam. A §ila deepasthambham of five layers of wicks is installed at its front. There is no other structure.

Carvings and paintings: There is no scope for any carving or painting.

Deities: There is no prathish!ha. The tree represents the deities.

Time of worship and poojas: There is no daily pooja. Only a lamp is lighted at 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Every month on Aayilyarn asterisk poojas are done from 3 to 5 p.m. The time may extend depending on vazhipaats.

Offerings: Appam, sarkkara-paayasam, paal-paayasam and elJIJa-vi!akk (for deepasthambham) are the important vazhipaats. Of these appam is popUlar.

Festivals: There is no festival. However Aayilyam in Ka!J.!Ji is important.

Priesthood and temple staff: The details of the person who first conducted poojas in this place are not known. The present thanthrf. belongs to Mooththetathth ma!J.a. Daily vi!akk is lighted by members of the illam.

General remarks: The malJ9apam needs renovation.

(Data furnished by Smt. Sreedevi AnthadaI]aIn

of Nambi iUam and collected by Sree G. Sivadiisan of the Census Directorate).

I

5.33 SREE KOORMAMOORTHTHY TEMPLE (Garudan kaav), VELLAAMAS'SERI - •

(TohrPJarigot panchaayathth, Th_rP!angot village, Pin - 676102)

Location: Situated six km. south of

Thiroof at Poozhikkunnu on Ku!!ippuram road and thence 700 m. west, the temple is connected by tarred road. Facilities for stay are available at

Thiroof.

Brief history and temple administration: This temple, dated back to eleventh century is dedicated to Sree

Koormamoorththy. But it is famous for its sub-shrine dedicated to Sree Garu~a, son of Kasyapan in Vinatha. Sree Garu~a is king of birds and the vehicle of Lord VishI)-u. The legend on the origin of the temple says that once Perumthacchan

presented a wooden image of Sree Garu<;la to Vettathth Raaja. The Raaja asked Perumthacchan whether this wooden bird has any peculiarity. Perumthacchan replied that the bird would fly provided a chaste wife touches it. Further he said that if it flies and sits at a place, a temple has to be built there. The Raaja agreed to this proposition and called his wife to touch. As she was feeding her child, she took time to come. When she

touched the image of the bird it did not fly. The Raaja then called all lady inmates of the house and they also touched it, but had no effect. Then Perumthacchan told that if permitted he will call his wife. The Raaj a agreed and sent a soldier to bring her. When the soldier reached that house she was drawing water from the well and it was only half way through. As and when the soldier told her about the desire of her husband. she left the bucket and

348

the rope as such and proceeded

straight reaching Perumthacchan without any loss of time. As directed

by Perumthacchan she touched the image of the bird in the presence of

all. Suddenly the bird flew. On the way the bird saw a tank and a white

tortoise (Ve//aama) in it. When Sree

GarusIa saw the tortoise he thought of the incarnation of Lord Vishl)u as

Koo!ma-avathaara. Suddenly Sree Garu<;la descended there. The legend continues that when the wife of

Perumthacchan returned home she saw the bucket and rope standing at the same position as she had left them. This happened because of her

chastity, which in other words means absolute faith in the words and deeds

of her husband on the part of a woman.

At the instance of the Raaja

Perumthacchan built a beautiful

temple about 100 m. east of the tank and installed sila idols of Lord VishI)-u

(facing east) in the sankalpa of Sree Koormavathaara and of Sree Garuda . - . (facing west). This is the only temple in Kera!a having Sree Garuda as one of

the important deities. Since Sree Garu~a saw ve!!aama (white tortOise) in the tank here, the desam came to be known

as VeHamasseri.

The temple is famous for getting protection from the evil effects of serpents (sa!ppa-di5sha). Some devotees

even bring snakes and leave them beneath the peepul tree at the west. The priest sprinkles pUJ}yaaha over

these snakes which thereafter slowly

move out of the temple premises and disappear.

This temple was also attacked by the forces of Tippu Sulththaan. They have broken the vigrahas including that of Sree Garw;ia, valiya-balikkall etc. The temple was partially renovated in 1991.

The temple was earlier managed by three ma!_!8s, Ka!uthetathth, Ambalappaaveri and MullappaW. In 1992,

they handed over the temple to the Oora~ma Devaswam Board. The Execu tive Officer appointed by them looks after the day-to-day affairs of the temple.

Structures: The details of property owned by the temple earlier are not known. At present the temple complex has an extent of 60 cents. The structures thereon are sreekovil, namaskaara-maiJtjapam, su b- shrines, chu!!ambaiam, valiyambalam, well and tank.

The square dwi-thala sreekovii of saandhaara type and facing east has granite adhl.-;hrhaa!.] am , laterite walls and concrete roof. The mouldings of the adhish!haa!!am are paadukam, jagathi, v!ththa-kumudam, kumuda-pati, ga!am with vaaja!!a motif, gala-pat], kampam, ga!am, ga!a-pati, kampam, uththaram and patio The s6paa!.]am has four direct steps. The PIal}aa!am has makara-simha face, multi-faceted .":UI}tjU with rings and tapering end. The walls have three gha!!adwaaras besides a functional door. The sub-shrine of Lord Gal)apal:hi is attached t6 the southern-side of the sreekc)vii. Within it deities of Lord Vettakkorumakan and KaarthaveerajuQan are also installed. The namaskaara-

349

maIJrJapam (side: 5.57 m.) has four

pillars. Two other independent sub shrines are also located on the southern side of the akalhthe-balivattam, dedicated to Lord Sank:aranaaraaya~a and

Lord Siva. The well is at the northeast corner of the akaththe-balivattam.

The chuttambalam has two

entrances at the east, one at west and another at north. The eastern entrances face Lord Siva and Lord SankaranaaraayaI,la. There is a small

window facing Lord Siva on the wall of southem valiyambalam. The thitappa!!i is at southeast. The valiya-balikkall is within the attached agra-malJrJapam.

Two deepa-sthambhas are seen in the temple, one of bronze installed on

10th Ka!!!!i 1102 K.E. (1927 A.D.) and the other of sila installed in 1992 A.D.}. There IS anDther sub-shrine at southwest of the temple complex (facing east) having deities of Lord Ayyappa and Goddess Bhagavathi. One

of the bell-metal lamp has a broken

image of Sree Garw;ia, on its top, which is very attractive. There is also a tank for the temple at the southern side.

Carvings and paintings: At the

gha!Jadwaara motifs of serpent are given.

Deities: All the idols except those of Sree KaarththaveeryarujuE!an and Sree

Bhagavathi are made of sila. The main

idol is Sree Maha Vishl)u in standing pose

(height 75 cm.) with two arms with the sankaJpa of Sree Koorma avathaar. The idol of Sree Garu<;ia is of standing pose,

but broken. It is covered with a pancha­luha g6!aka of height of 33 cm. The idol of Lord SankaranaaraayaI:la is also of

standing pose of height (45 cm.), while the idol of Lord Siva is broken. The

idols of Lord Gal)apathi and Sree

Vettakkorumakan are of sitting poses of

height 30 cm. and 27 cm. respectively. The idol of Lord Ayyappa is of sitting pose (30 cm.). There is only sankalpa pee!ham for Sree Bhagavathi and Sree

KaaEththaveeraEju~an.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 6 to 9 a.m. and from 6 to 7-30 p.m. Two paajas are done

daily, usha-pooja at 7-30 a.m. and

aththaazha-pooja at 7 p.m.

Offerings: Maiiiia-paayasam, pushpaaiijaJi and silver figure of serpent and its egg are the important offerings of this temple. Mafiiia-paayasam is very popular.

For relief from sa!pa-d6sha, devotees

bring eggs to this temple but they have to be kept ou tside the temple

compound. For cure of skin diseases, a basket filled with cucumber is

J

offered to Sree Garu<;la. All the above vazhipaats are for Sree GarU(;ia. Pushpaa­JijaJi and paal-paayasam are offered to Sree Koormavathaara.

Festivals: 12 th and 13 th of Dhanu are

important festival days. MalJrjaJa period

is also observed with special poojas.

Priesthood and temple staff: The details

of the thanthri who installed these idols are not known. The thanthri belongs to Kalpuzha maga. The saanthikkaaran is

appointed from Malayaa!a Brahmins. Other staff includes kazhakam and aticchu-cha!i.

General remarks: The temple requires

urgent renovation.

(Data furnished by Srec V. Naaraayal}an

Nambi§San, Executive Officer and collected by

Srce M. R. Sukumiiran Nair and Srcc G. Sivadiisan afthe Census Directorate).

5.34 SREE (Perumthrkkovil) RAAMA TEMPLE (Ha~umaankaav), AALATHTHIYOOR

(Th[P!arigot panchaayathth, Th[P!angot village, Pin - 676 102)

Location: Situated four km. south of Thiroor at Puthiyari.gaati on Thiroor road and thence half a km. southeast at Musaliyaa!angaati on Ku!!ippu!am road

and thence 700 m. south, the temple

is connected by tarred road. Facilities

for stay are available at Thiroor.

Brief history and temple administration: This temple dates back to very ancient period. Aalaththiyoo! was one of the 64

graamas believed to have been founded by Lord Parasuraama. This temple at the heart of this graamam was their graama­

ksherhra. The graamam became extinct

when the Namboothiri families had to flee for safety when the forces of Tippu

350

Sulththaan attacked the temple and

desecrated it, besides taking repressive

me asures to effect universal

conversion to Is!am. Tippu's forces

broke the Sree Raama idol into pieces

and now it is covered with a go!aka.

After the downfall of Tippu's

power in Malabar, Saamoothiri became

all-powerful with the help of the

British. With the annexation of

Vettaththnaat by Saamoothiri, the

temple also came into the hands of

Saamoothiri by 1793 A.D.

The sankalpa of the deity is related

to the famous episode in R,wmaaya!w

wherein Lord Raama gives secret instructions to Sree Ha~umaan before

the latter leaves for Lanka with the

ring (called Choodaamal}i)and also

words of identification,told by Raama

and which were only known to Seetha.

Since the temple was built with this sankalpa. Sree Lakshamar.la's idol is

installed outside the chu!!ambaiam as he was not (':xpected to hear those

secrete identification words. The idol of Sree Ha!!umaan is installed on the southern side of mukha-mal}l)apam in

the pose of hearing the secret words of Lord Raarna with sharp attention.

Though the temple is dedicated to Raruna it is famous for Sree Hanurnaan and the temple IS known as Ha~umaankaav. There is a granite stone

close to the southern PIadakshiJ;a-vazhi, which is believed to be the place from where Lord Ha!!umaan set forth for Lanka in search of Goddess Seetha. The temple is being renovated. The

HR&CE Department has now control over this temple though administered

by a Manager appointed by Saamoothiri.

Structures: The details of land owned by the temple earlier are not known. At present the temple complex has an extent of one acre exclusive of the temple tank which has an extent of 35

cents. The structures thereon are §reekoviJ, namaskaara-maI!t;1apam, su b­

shrines, chu!!ambaiam, well, deepa­sthambhas and tank.

The square dwi-thala sreekovil of saandhaara type and facing east has

granite adhish[haagam, laterite walls

and tiled roof. The mouldings of the

adhishrhaa!}am are paadukam, jagathi, vrththa-kumudam, kumuda-pati, gaJam with vaajaga motif, ga!a-pati, kampam,

351

ga!am with flower motifs, ga!a-pati, uththaram and patio The sopaa!JaID has six direct steps with vyaaJi-face on top and door-niches on sides of banisters.

The p!aIJaa!am has makara-simha face, multi-faceted sUIJl)u with rings and

decorations and tapered end. The walls have three gha!]adwaaras besides

a functional door. On the southern

side of the attached mukha-mal}9apam, there is a small shrine of Lord HaQumaan facing east. At the southern

wall of the mukha-maIJ9apam there is a

sankaZpa prathish!ha for Sree Bhadrakaa!i facing south. There is a well at

northeast of the akaththe-baJivattam.

The chuuambalam has three

entrances, at east, west and north.

The thitappa!!i with an attached projection to the akaththe-balivattam is at

the southeast. There is a sub-shrine at southwest for the deities of Lord Gal)apathi and Lord Ayyappa, both facing east. The valiya-balikkall is within the

agra-maIJcjapam. There are two su b­

shrines outside the chu{{ambalam. one

at the southeast dedicated to Lord Vishl)u facing west (built in 1989) and the other at northeast for Lord Lakshmal)a (facing east). There is a

tank at the north-eastern side of Sree LakshmaQa shrine. There are three

deepa-sthambhas (two bronzes and one

sila). The bronze one at the front is

very old and over it has an idol of Lord HaQumaan. The ii1a deepasthambhas were installed in 1974. The gopuram exists at the east and laterite

compound wall on all sides.

Carvings and paintings: There are two

beautiful dwaarapaalas in front of Sree Raama shrine. The wood carvings of

elephant, human figurine etc.

supporting the rafters are very attractive. The walls have mural paintings depicting p[adosha-nrththam, Sree Varaahamoo[ththy etc.

Deities: All the idols are made of sila. The broken sila idol of Lord Raama is covered with a pancha-li5ha go/aka. The idol of Sree Raama in standing pose (95 em.) is four-armed, while that of Sree LakshmaI)a and Sree VishI)u are also of standing poses of height 60 cm. each. The idols of Lord GaIJapathi, Goddess Bhagavathi and Lord Ayyappa are of sitting poses of height 30 cm., 41 em. and 35 em. respectively. The idol of Lord Ha!!umaan is of standing pose (height: 45 em.).

Time of worship and poojas: The temple is kept open from 5-30 to 11-45 a.m. and from 5 to 7 p.m. Three poojas are held daily,usha-pooja at 7-30 a.m., uecha-pooja at 11-30 a.m. and aththaazha-pooja at 7 p.m.

Offerings: The most important and popular vazhipaat is kuzhaccha-aval (consisting of soaked beaten-rice with molasses, grated coconut kernel, sugar, dry ginger and cumin-seed). The other offerings are kada!i plantain and nai-paaasam, besides the routine vazhipaats like pushpaanjaJi, eIJIJa-vi!akk etc.

Festivals: The p!athishrha-day is observed on Aththam asterisk of Mee!]am. Thiruv0l}8-mahothsavam, held on Thiruvol}am asterisk in the month of Thulaam, is important. As Sree Ha~umaan is found to be a very powerful deity thousands of devotees from other states and abroad reach this temple. On festival days chaakyaaF-kooth and ottam-lhu!!al are held. No other entertainment or festivals are held as Lord Raama, Sree HaDumaan and Sree Lakshma1)a are supposed to be in pensive mood since Goddess Seetha was missing.

Priesthood and temple staff: The details of the thanthri who installed the idol are not known. The present thanthri belongs to Kalpuzhamag8 ofThrp~angot. The saanthikkii!s are appointed from Malayaa!a Brahmins. The other staff includes three kazhakams, receipt clerk, storekeeper, aricchu-thafi and vessel cleaner besides Manager.

General remarks: The temple is administered well.

(Data furnished by Sn:e V. Raman Nambissan,

fonner kazhakam and collected by Sree M R. Sukumaran Nai! and Sree G. Sivadiisan of the Census Directorate).

I - ,

SREE KAALASAMHAARAMOORTHTHY (MAHA SIVA) TEMPLE, THRPRANGOT -

5.35

. - (Th!p!.angot panchaayathth, ThrPlangot village, Pin 671 108)

location: Situated 10 km. south of Thiroor railway station at ThrPIangot via. Aalaththiyoor-Kottaykkal road or five km. west of Thirunaavaaya railway station, this renowned temple is connected by good tarred road. Facilities for stay are available at Thiroor.

352

Brief history and temple administration:

Datable to very ancient period there

1S reference on this temple In

Ki5kilasandiHa of UddhaI).dha Saasthrika~.

According to this the old name of

Thrp!angot was Swethaara~yam. There

are five famous temples 'Within a radius

of seven km. VIZ. Sree Nava Mukunda

temple at Thirunaavaaya (four km. east),

Sree Chamravattathrh Ayyappan (four km.

south). Sree Aalaththiyoo[ Ha:Qumaankaav

(two km. north), Sree Gafl.1~ankaav (three

km. northwest) and Sree 'Thrkka:t;ttiyoor

Maha Deva temple (seven km. north).

The temple is closely associated

with the great Sage Marka1)geya. son

of~lrkandu. The story tells that Mrkandu

had no progeny for a long time. He did

penance for a long period to please vJrd Siva. One day Lord Siva appeared before

him in person and asked him whether

he wanted a virtuous, wise and pious child who would live up to 16 years or

a dull, evil natured son who would live

for 100 years. MrkaI}9u opted for the

first. Blessed by the Lord he got a child

and he taught the boy all vedas and

saasthras. Though the child mastered

all subjects in no time the parents

were greatly worried about his short

span of life. Before his sixteenth

birthday, one day Markal).geya noticed

his parents weeping. He enquired

about the reason, but they were very reluctant to answer. When he insisted

they told him the whole story. Thus

he knew that he would die on the day

when he attains 16 years. The boy

immediately renounced the world and

started penance by wearing valkalam,

(cloth made of inner bark of a tree)

with dandu and kamandalu in hands and . .. .. .-

growing matted hair. It is believed that

the penance was held at the Sree Nava Mukunda temple. Lord VishI).u (Nava Mukunda) appeared before him on his

sixteenth birthday and told him that

Lord Siva represents the power of

3655 RGtlO3--24A 353

destroyer and regenerator and that he

should be approached for getting his

life-span extended. Lord Vishlfu gave

him some sand for his safety till he

could reach Swethaaral}ya, the abode of

Lord Siva, which is at a little distance,

west of Thirunaavaaya. Lord Vish1)u

allowed him to use the western

P!3saada-dwaara of the srcekoviJ for his

escape. When he left the §reekovjJ the

Lord closed that door. (Even today the

western praasaada-dwaara of that

sreekoviJ is kept closed). The assistants

of Lord Yama, the God of Death, could

not approach MarkaI).geya as the

radiation from him was too hot for them.

Therefore Sree Yama Raaja himself

followed Marka'!geya with rope in his

hand. When he was about to approach

the Swethaaral}ya (ThrpraIlgot) he saw a

great peepul tree obstructing his

route. Lord Siva, satisfied with the

penance of his great devotee, made the

tree split and allowed Sree MarkaQ.<)eya to pass through it. By this time Sree

Yama Raaja almost reached him and

threw his rope in a loop to catch him.

At this juncture Lord Siva appeared as

a su./ayambhoo idol and allowed Srce

MarkaI).~teya to embrace it. The rope

put by Sree Yama Raaja fell on Sree

Ma.rkat:1geya and the Siva-/inga. Enraged by the act of tying the liriga, Lord Siva killed Srec Yamadha!"ma Raaja to save the boy. He then blessed Srec Markal)<)eya as chiranjeevi (immortal),

who would be sixteen years old for ever.

Thereafter Lord Siva is known as

Mrthyufijayan and Kaalakaalan. After this

incident, devotees startt'd worshipping

Him as the deity equipped with powers

either to extend or clHtajl the span of

life. Devotees even today does the vazhipaat of Sankaabhishekam for

longevity. Devotees who have ardent

faith in the Lord pray to Him either to cure the disease or end the life quickly if one is struggling for life and in a critical condition. For this, they set apart coins or money as ne[ccha, which

will be offered to the deity when their prayer is satisfied. It has been found that a patient in a very critical condition succumbs to death without his agony prolonged if such a nerccha is done.

There is an interesting legend on the origin of the offering of samkaabhishekam. Even after killing Sree Yama, Lord Siva continued to be angry. Therefore, the Lord Himself in disguise as an old Brahmin took waters of the thee!ththakufam in a pot and poured it over His head. Seeing the old Brahmin pouring water with difficulty, especially at noon, a small boy of the neighbouring

m8!]a came there. The boy offered to help the old Brahmin in pouring water.

The Brahmin agreed and told him that he should pour water daily in a conch

if he happened to be at the tank or on the swayambhoo idol of the Lord. The boy narrated this incident to his elders. They could easily guess that the Brahmin was none other than the Lord. Thereafter every day abhisheka of the idol with a conch of water is

done by reciting manthras. Even today the ritual is done by the thaanthric Namboothiri family of Kalpuzha or Thekketathth or Vatakketathth ma!]as, provided they have no pollution.

According to Annual Report on Epigraphy for 1895 (No.219), the

354

antiquity of the temple is affirmed from

the discovery of an inscription of the Chera monarch Kodai-Raviva!:,man (917-

944 A.D.). It records some gift of land

to this temple.

The temple was attacked by the

forces of Tippu and they destroyed the

structures, particularly the vi!akk­maatam. Of the pancha-praakaaras once

existed the vi!akk-maatam is now absent.

The temple was managed in early days by Namboothiri families of

Aalaththiyoor graamam and later by

Vettaththunaat Raajas. When this royal family became extinct the East

India Company took over its

administration. Later they entrusted it to Saamoothiri. The HR&CE

Department has also control on this

temple but the· day-ta-day affairs are

managed by a Manager appointed by Saamoothiri. The Thrprangot Ksherhra Samrakshal}a Samithi is always keen to

renovate the temple.

Structures: The details of land owned

by the temple prior to the Land Reforms

Act are not known. At present the

temple complex has an extent of three

acres, which includes three tanks of which one is thee[thha-kufam and

another exclusively for priests. There

is also a well. The other structures

are sreekovil, sub-shrines, chuJ!am­balam, tha!a of vilakk-maatam, P!adakshiIJa­vazhi, valiyabalikkall, maryaada, gopuram and deepa-sthambham.

The apsidal dwi-thala sreekovij faces west and is of nirandhaara type. The sreekovij has both upa-peeJham and

adhish!haa!]am. It is worth mentioning

3655 RGI/03-24B

that the present granite upa-pee!ham, consisting of mouldings of paadukam, jagathi, octagonal ku mudam, ga!a,

kampam and pati, has to be taken as the relnnant of an earlier structure

which has been completely lost. The

granite adhish!haa!}am has mouldings of

paadukam, jagathi, l/[thlha-kumudam,

ga/am with dentils. ga/a-pati, kampam, ga!am with motifs, ga!a-pati, uththaram and patio The sopaa!]am has five direct

steps with flower tnotifs on sides of

banisters. The p_Fa{18a!am has makar.1-simha base with a simplified c,-:U1}9U with a ring and go-mukha en d. The walls

have ghagadwaaras and pilasters.

Internally the sreek6vil is divided into

two parts-apsidal ga[t~ha-grham and an

oblong mukha-m;ll}~Japam. There is a

narrow passage in between. The roof

is covered 'Wi.th copper sheets. Abutting

the southern wall there is a small

shrine for Goddess Parvathi facing west.

The namaskaara-mJ.f.l9apam (side: 5.37

m.) has sLxteen pillars, four inner and

twelve outer. Formerlv Srec Ganaoathi and Srce Nandi were installed ~t' the

sou thwestern and northwestern

corner of the 111 i11_1¢apam , both facing

east. But now the idol of Lord Gai!apathi

is shifted to the southwest corner of

the chu!!:.tmbali1I11 facing east. There is

a well at northeas! of the akathlhc­balivatram.

The clw!!dmbalam bas entrances

on three sides, \,vest, north and east.

The thdappa!!i is at southeast and the

su b- shr i ne of Lord G ell) a:pathl at

sou1Jnvf'st (facing east). The valiya.­

balikka.ll is '.vithin the agra-mau9dpam. 'T'h /'1 1 ere a;-c <;1'i1 dcepasthornhha'; front and 8t the rFar

The p!adakshi~1i1-vazhi is made of

laterite and plastered with cernent

{thickness 12 em. and width 3.07 m.).

On the ou ter side of the northern

p!adakshiIY8-vazhi there are three sub­

shrines (all facing west) dedicated to

Lord Siva. Another sub-shrine

dedicated to Lord Nava Mukunda (also

facing west) is located on the sou them

side of the northern p!adakshil}El-vazhi.

Of the abmit' sub-shrines of Lord Siva the northernmost one is the most

impressive, square dwi-thala with

granite adhish!11aa!]am. It is believed that

the idol of this Lord Siva shrine was

consecrated by Lord Parasuraama. this

shrine IS also known as Srec Kaar:l{J:1lhthiJ Slva (ur .r;ret:'J110ula.,>ll1haa!}8m).

The myth says that Lord Siva of the

northcrtl1nost sub-shrine took four

steps towards south to be on the way

of Sree Maa!·kal.1geya. At each step a

temple was built later, in the first step

a circular eka-thala shrine, at the

second step a square eka-thala shrine

and at the third step a square eka-thala

shrine \vith mukha-lTJalp!apam. At the

final step is the main apsidal dwi-thala

where the Lord emerged as

swayambhoo is the main apsidaJ dwi­

thala. ,(:recJ;Jivil. For Srec NaVEl Mukunda

who protected Srec Maa!"kal)~eya till he

reached the feet of Lord Siva a small

square eki1-liJafa .srcek6\'jj was built later.

All these idols are almost in a ro\.v

facing west. /H the northeast of the

temple complex there is another shrine

with idols of Sree Vettakkorumakan and

On the

southern sid,;.- and within the

pr:ld:lk(·hi~la-v;;7h;. iherp is ~}n apsidaJ

~L1 D-sllril1e ricdicclte{1 to Lord S~Jast11~L

At the southwest there is a square

shrine for Sree Gosaala-KrshQan. The

gopura:n and office complex are at the

eastern side.

Carvings and paintings: The wood

carvings of vyaa!i figurines on the dwi­thala part deserve special mention,

besides the mural paintings on the

walls of the northernmost Lord Siva sub-shrine.

Deities: The swayambhoo idol of Lord

Siva of the main shrine is of Rudraksha­

fila of irregular form {height 15 em.}

and of the sankalpa of Sree Kaala

Samhaaramoo[ththy. All the other idols

are made of ii/a. Of these, the idols of

Lord GaI)apathi, Goddess Parvathi and

Lord Saastha are of sitting poses with

heights of 67 em., 67 em., and 37 em.

respectively. The idols of standing

poses are those of Sree Nava Mukunda

and Sree G6saala KrshI)an with heights

of 67 cm. each. Sree Vettakkorurnakan is

of §jJa-liIiga type (21 em.), and Sree

Brahmarakshas is of plain §iJa-liriga {21

em.). The idol of Goddess Bhadrakaa1i

(Bhagavathi) is of mirror type (21 cm.).

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 5 to 11-30 a.m. and

from 5 to 7-30 p.m. Five poojas are

done daily, usha-poojaat6 a.m., ethrthth­

pooja at 6-30 a.m., pantheerati-pooja at

9-30 a.m., uccha-pooja at 10-30 a.m. and

aththaazha-pooja at 7 p.m. Daily srce-baJi

is done after ethrthrh-poClja, uccha-pooja

and aththaazha-pooja.

Offerings: The important v[J?hip'lat<; of

the temple are §amkaabi1ishckam, dhaara,

kct5.-vi!akk, koova!a-maala, aayur-socktha-

356

pushpaaiijali, karuka-homam, mrthyuiijaya­homam, nava-graha-pooja, Uma­

Maheswara-pooja and Mahil GaI)apathi

homam. Samkiibhishekam is very popular

and meant for longevity or for mental

solace. lala-dhaara is specially done for

cure of diseas.es. pertaining to head.

Ketii-viJakk is lighted for fulfilment of

desires and for remedy from miseries

Offering of koova!a-maala is auspicious

before starting any new venture.

Ka[uka-homam is good for the cure of physical ailments of children. Uma­

Maheswara pooja is meant for happy

married life and also for getting good

spouses.

Festivals: LSivaraathri IS observed as a

three-day festival with the staging of

performing arts and modern

entertainments. The other important

days are Ash{ami-rohil}i, Vaikathth­

Ashtami, Thiruvaathira and Vishu.

Priesthood and temple staff: The present

thanthri belongs to Kalpuzha mag8. The

,~aanthjkkaaran belongs to hereditary

illams of Muntakkal, Thekketathth and

Vatakketathth mana. The other staff

includes, kazhakams, vaadyakkaa[s

(Chenta, kuzhal, madda!am. ilaththaa!am),

Kalav8ra (Store keeper), thrkk51. aticchu­

thaJj, clerks and watchman besides

Manager.

General remarks: The temple needs

renovation of \fiJakk-maatam and other

structures and improvements in pooja­

system.

(Dotofumtshcd bySrcc K. 'l/ijayan. Managerand

collected by Sret: M.R. Sukumiiran Nair and .~ree G. SivaJiisan o/the Census Directorate).

~ - I 5.36 SREE MAHA SAASTHA TEMPLE, CHAMRAVATTAM

(Thrp[angot panchaayathth, Th!!prangot village, Pin - 676 110)

Locoation: Situated eleven km. southwest of Thiroo!, the temple is

connected by tarred road except the

last lap of 700 m. The temple is in an

island surrounded by Bhaarathapuzha.

In non-rainy season, the sand-bed of the river and exten sive paddy fields

become exposed and facilitate easy

access. In rainy season the temple is

flooded and rituals are performed by

priests after crossing the swollen river

In a canoe. Facilities for stay are

available at Thiroor.

Brief history and temple administration:

The legend on this ancient temple says

that Sambhara Maha!_"shi meditated at

this place for many years. One day he

saw a radiance at the river-bed of the

Bhaarathapuzha which is known at

this place as peraa!_". With his

immaculate powers he could identify

the radiance as that of Lord Saastha. When he approached it he saw a very

small si/a idol, its bottom portion

covered with sand. He then conducted

initial installation rites. Since the

temple site resembled a vattam (a broad

round space) and also because it was

associated with Sambhara the island

took the name Sambhara-vattam. Later

the island and the nearby place came

to be knov.rn as Cham!a-vattam. Due to

centuries of inundation of river waters , both the size and the shape of the island have changed.

In 1925 the control of the temple was taken over by HR&CE Department

and it is now administered by the

Trtlstee Board. The day-to-day affairs

357

are mfu'laged by a Manager appointed

by the DepartmenL

Structures: The island in which the

temple complex lies has at present an

extent of 40 cents. The structures thereon are sreekovil with a mukha­nJ8{1,f/apcwJ and an attached thitappa!!i and natapura, all renovated in 1870. There are nine steps from the river at

the front to reach the complex. The square eka-thala sreekoviJ facing west

and of nirandhaara type has granite

basemen t and irall and tiled roof.

There is a deepasthambham at its front,

installed in 1970.

Carvings and paintings: There are no

ca..."Vings and paintings.

Deities: The main idol of Sree Saastha has

a height of about 3 cm. Within the

sreekovjJ there are three other idols Sree Prabha and Sree Sathyaka and Lord

Gal}apathi. In addition there are sankaJpa PIathis!J!has of Lord Maha Vishl!u, Lord Siva (two in number), Sree Du!ga and Lord

Subramal)ya within the sreek6vi1. Other idols like Sree Bhadrakaap, Lord Siva, Lord Vishnu and Goddess Paarvathi are kept outside.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 5 a.m. to 11 a.m.

and from 5 to 8 p.m. Three poojas are

held daily, usha-pooja at 7 a.m., uccha­

pooja at 10 a.m. and aththaazha-poqja at 7-30 p.m.

Offerings: Sa!kkara-paayasam, pus!JpaanjaJi and viJakk-maaJa are the main

uazhipaats. Of these the first one is very

popular.

F ... stivals: There is no festival in dus t;::rnple. But c1)U!!uvi!a)d~ IrOIn 1 '" ~o 11 tl,

Dhagu is important. Offering of coconut

is also a main v8zhipaat performed to

propitiate Lord Saastha for getting good

rains and also for plcasGnt cLirnate

\,vithou t rain in certain oc(:asions.

Priesthood and tempJe st.aff~ The :initial ntes to the slDuyambhoo idol are believed to have been done by Sree

Sambhara Maharshi. The present thc.nthri

belongs to Kai ~ik..l(ara Theketathth Dl<1!haJ11

of Thirunaavaaya. The usha-pocJa has

to be done by the GaraaIa!, while the

other two poojas are performed by

Cht:!:uvaW iIlaJn and VengasseIi ma!!a in

turn as fl,1eJ-saantlli and Keezh-saanlbi in

every fortnight. The other staff

includes a kazhakam.

General remarks: The temple is

managed satisfactorily.

(Data_tumished by SIn: K. V Raman l\Tambootilin',

Trustee Member and collected by Sree It1.R.

Sukumanw N:3ir and ,tirer: G .5ivadiisan of the Cen::>"!iS Directorate),

I 5837 SREE (Vema~pa) NARASiMHAMOORTHTHY TEMPLE, VETTAM

(Vettarn pancnaayathth, Vettam village, Pin - 676102)

Location: Situated eighi: Inn. sDurly,Vest

of Thiroo!: at VcmaI,ll.la via Vettarhth PurhiyaJigaati-Pariyaapuram junction ton

Vettam-Vaakkad road) and thence about 750 m. on Vettam Che_rppu road, the

temple is connected by tarred road.

The PO~Da!!ipuzha flows 500 m. east of

the temple, while the Lakshadweep Sea is at a distance of about two km.

on the west. Facilities for stay are

available at Thiroo_r.

Brief history and temple adminr·'Sii::r·~tion: Datable to sixteenth cent-uxy, account

on the early history of the telnple is not available except that it was owned

earlier by Vettathtl:. Royal family. Before the extinction of this royal

falnily the administration of the temple was vested with MullappaHi n18!Ja. In

1991 the HR&CE Department took over

its control and is managing it through

a Trustee Board. The Trustee Board is nominated as per the recommend­

ations of the Area Comrrlittec in every

five years. One of then'1 is made the

Chairman of the Board. Under the

saIne dc-;VClSH'Wl1 there are two other

temples,one dedicated to Lord Siva and

the other to Coddess Bhagav3lhi,

Structures: Earlier the ternple \-vas obtaining paattam to the tune of 1,500

paras of paddy. Now the temple O\.vns 2.48 acres of paddy fields and 7.50

acres of dry lands. The temple complex

has an extent of 1.24 acres of which

99 cents come in the temple tank.

The structures of the temple complex are sreekovil, nama,'ikaara-mal} tjapam , cbt1!!ambalam, valiYd-baJikkall, agIll-SaaJa, paththaayappura, sub-shrines, g6puram, well, tank etc,

The circular eka-thala sreek{5vii facing ,"vest and of l1irandhaara type has

granite adhishPJaa!]am , laterite walls

and concrete roof (tiled roof changed

into concrete in 1985). The mouldings

of the adhish!haa!}am are paadukam, jagathi, vrththa-kumudi1m, kumuda-pati, kampam, ga!am and ulhtharam. The

sopaa!!am has three direct steps with

vyaa!i-face on the top of banisters. The

p!al}aa!am has makara-simha face at the base, multi-faceted sUl}9u with rings and tapering end. The walls have three gha!ladwaaras besides the functional door. The namaskaara­mal}f/apam (side: 3.34 m.) has four pillars.

The chuttambalam has doors from all sides and has an attached and enclosed agra-mapf1apam. The thitappa!!i is on the eastern naalambalam and to its south is the sub-shrine of Lord GaI!apathi. The vaJiya-baJikkalJ is within the agra-ma{1f/apam. The well is at northeast projecting outside the northern naalambalam. The valiya­balikkall is within the agra-mal}flapam. The sub-shrine of Lord Ayyappa (facing east) is at northwest, while that of Sree (Kotiyil) Thevar at northeast (also facing east}. The agra-.(aaJa is on the northern side, while paththaayappura is at the northwest corner. There is gopuram at west while the temple tank is outside and at northwest.

Carvings and paintings: There are no carvings an d paintings.

Deities: The si1a idol of Lord N arasimha­moo!:fhthy is of standing pose (height: 90 em.) with four arms having conch, disc, club and lotus in hands. The idols

I

of Sree Maha Gal)apathi and Sree Kotiyil Thevar are of sitting poses of height 30

em each. For Lord Ayyappa there is

only a sthhaa!JaIll.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 6 to 8 run. and from

6 to 7 p.m. Three poojas are done daily,

usha-pooJa at 6-30 a.m, uccha-pooja at 7-30 a.m. and aththaazha-pooja at

6-30 p.m.

Offerings: Ala, thrmadhuram, sa!kkara­

paayasam and nai-vi!akk are the

important vazhipaats of which ata is very

popular.

Festivals: There is no fe stival bu t Ashtam-irohiI}i and Vishu days are

observed with special poojas.

Priesthood and temple staff: The thanthri of the temple belongs to Kalpuzha ma!]a of Thrprangot. The saanthikkfiran is

appointed from Malayaa!a BrahmiI)s. The

other staff includes two aticchu-thalis

and a clerk.

General remarks: The temple needs

renovation.

{Data furnished by Srec M.P. Nfir:wyal}!.1

A1enon, Chairman and collected by Sree R.

Chandrachoodan of the Census Directorate}.

5.38 SREE BHAGAVATHI TEMPLE (Vettathth-kaav), VETTAM (Vettam panchaayathth, Vettam village, Pin - 676 102)

Location: Situated 11 km. southwest of ThirooI Vettathth kaav junction via

Vettam Che~ppu road and thence half a km west, the temple is connected by tarred road up to Vettam kaav junction and thereafter earthen road.

Thiroorpuzha flows one and half km. east

359

and the Lakshadweep sea about

four km. west. Facilities for stay are

available at Thiroor.

Brief history and temple administration: Datable to thirteenth century, the

temple's origin is associated with

Vettathth Raajas. The Goddess here

was their tutelar deity. In those days

this temple was in the front courtyard

of the k6\/ilakam. The palace does not

eXIst now but its remnants can be

seen. When Vettam Royal family

became exhinct with the death of Vettaththunaad Raaja (Rama Varma} on May

24, 1793, the propprties of the kingdom

were taken over by the East India

Company. l'his temple alSD formed part

of their estate. After a short period

the estates were transferred to

Saamoothiri. It is reported that when excavation of §rccmooJa-sthhaa!Janl was

done to build a sub-shrine in 1985 at

lhe northeast, some bones and some

relics were found, presumably of the

last Maharaaja of Vettam ki"ivii[)Ram The

temple con. tin ued to be managed

directly by the Saamoothiri till 1980,

In that year its administration was

transferred to a local committee

elected by devotees. The committee

consists of President, Vice-President,

Secretary, Joint Secretary and Treasurer besides other members.

The day-to-day affairs are managed by

the Secretary.

Structures: During the reign of Vettam

Raajas the temple had large extent of

properties. Now the temple owns two

acres of land including the tank. The

structures thereon are sreck6vil, chu!!ambaiam, sub-shrines, nata-panthal,

wells, two tanks, deepasthambhas,

stage, committee office etc.

The square eka-thala §reek()vii

facing east and of saandhaara type has granite upa-pcc!ham, :ujhisil rhaa!} am , laterite walls and tiled roof The upa-­pee!han1 has a hejght of 33 em., over

360

which is the adhtsh!haa!Jam having

mouldings of paadukam. jagathi, vrththa­

kumudam, kumuda-pati, kampam, ga!am, gala-pali, kampam, ga!am, ga!a-pati and

uththaram. The sopaa!!am has seven

direct steps 'with vyaaJi face on the top

of banisters. The p[aI}aa./am has a granite makara-simha at the base and

a cement concrete ,<iUIJ9U with a

tapering end, The walls have three

gha!]adwaaras besides a functional door.

There is a well at the northeast of the akaththe-balivBttam.

The chu!Jambalam has entrances'

on all sides. The thitappa!!i is at

southeast. Close to it and to its west

is a sub-shrine for Lord Siva and

Goddess Paarvathi, both facing west. At

the southwest corner, there is a su b­

shrine for Lord GaI)apathi and to its

north are two separate shrines

dedicated to Sree Brahmarakshas and

Lord Ayyappa. The store is at

northeast. Metal and §jJa lamps are

fixed to the walls of chu!!ambalam. The

nata-panthal is a detached structure at the front of the cilUttambalam. A §ila deepa.'\{hambham is installed within it.

At the south-western side (outside chu!!ambaiam) is the §reemaoJa-sthhaa!Jam

with the idols of Lord GaI)apathi and Sree

Pat111riaare ka.lv Bhagavathi. To its

southwest is the Naaga-char3. There is

a big tank at the rear of the srcemoola­

sthhai1!Jam. There is another well at

the northeast. On the northern side

are a committee office, a stage and an

octagonal tank.

Carvings and paintings: There are no

cannngs and paintings.

Deities: The main idol of Goddess Bhagavathi is made of panci1:J·hJi1a of

mIrror type (height: 20 cm.). All the

remaining idols are made of siJa, the

idols of Lord GaI!upathi and Lord

Ayyappa in sitting poses of height 11

cm. and 13 cm. respectively; Lord Siva of liriga type (11 em,) and Goddess Paa!vathi and Goddess Bhagavathi of

mirror type (11 cm. each). For

Brahrnarkshas, there is no idol but only

a rhara.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 5-30 to 10 a.m. and from 4 to 8 p.m. Two poojas are done

daily, usha-pooja at 7 a.m. and aththaazha-pooja at 7 p.m.

Priesthood and temple staff: PushpaafijaIi, :-,(a[kkara-paayasam, ni[a-maala. Gal}apathi­

hr>mam and o!!a-appam are the main

vazhipaats of which sarkkara-paayasam and o!fa-appam are famous and popular.

I 4

Festivals: Thaalapoli festival is held on the first Sunday after loth Meegam. All tenlple rites associated with it are

held on this day besides staging performing arts like ZJttam-lhu!!al and chaakyaa[-koothth and al so modern

en tertainmen ts.

Priesthood and temple staff: The thanthri \vho did the initial consecration rites

belongs to Kalpuzha ma!}a and its members continlle to be the rhanthris even today. The §aanlhikkiiran is

appointed from Ernbraanthris. The

other staff includes aricchu-lha!i. kazhakam, watchman and receipt clerk.

General remarks: Temple is

administered satisfactorily.

(Data furnished by Srec V. V. Miidhavan,

Joint Secretary and collected by Sn:c R.

Chandrachoodan of the Census Directorate).

5.39 SREE SIVA TEMPLE, MANGALAM (Vettam panchaayathth, Mangalam village, Pin - 676 561)

Location: Situated 9 km. southwest of

Thiroo! at Mangalam junction (via

Aalathiyoorl and thence 300 m. north,

the temple is connected by tarred road

up to Mangalam and earthen road

thereafter. PODDa!_!i puzha flows one km.

west of the temple, which later j ains

Bhaarathapuzha. Facilities for stay

are available at Thiroor.

Brief history and temple administration:

Datable to ancient period, the early

history of the temple is still obscure.

There is a version that the present idol

was installed over a swayambhoo idol

by a great f!.shi. From early times the

temple is owned and managed by

Thekkumpaatt ma!Ja. For conductIng

36]

Thrkaa[rhrhika festival in Vrschikam a

separate Uthsava committee functions

in the temple.

Structures: In early times the temple

had paddy fields which fetched

thousands of paras of paddy as paaaam.

At present the temple owns 88 cents

including 20 cents of temple tank. The

structures of the temple complex

include two important shrines within

the same temple complex, besides

tha[a of namaskaara-malJf1apam, rhara of

chu!!ambaiam, sub-shrines, well, tank

etc.

The apsidal dwi-thala §ret:kov jJ

facing west and of saandhaara type has

granite upa-pee!ham and adhish!haa!}am,

burnt brick walls and fiber sheet roof

(previously it had tiled roof). The

mouldings of the upa-pee!ham are

paadukam, jagathi, ga!am, gala-pati, uththaram and va!al'u, while those of

adhishfhaa!}am are paadukam, jagathi, vrththa-kumudam, kumuda-pati, galam with

vaajana motif, ga!am, gala-pati, kampam, ga!am, ga!a-pati, uththaram and patio On

the whole the upa-pee!ham and

adhish!haagam are beautifully carved.

The sopaa!Jam has five direct steps with

carvings on banisters. The PIalJaa!am is a masterpiece with makara-simha at

the base, multi-faceted sundu with

rings and a curved end. It is supported by a Bhootha-galJa of sitting pose with

legs folded backwards and the hands

resting behind.The walls have two

gha!!adwaaras besides the functional

door. The namaskaara-maP9apam at its

front (side: 5.70 m.) has sixteen pillars

(four inner and 12 outer). The sub­

shrine of Lord Gal)apathi is at the

southeast of this apsidal shrine, facing

east.

The square shrine (with a mukha­malJljapam) of Lord Maha VishIfu is on

the northern side of the apsidal Sree Siva shrine. Its namaskaara-malJ9apam has only a thara.

The chuHambaJam IS dilapidated

and has a rha!a only. In between the

two shrines and towards west, there

is the thitappa!!i and a well. Facing Sree Siva shrine there is the valiya-balikkall. There is also a separate entrance facing the Sree Vishl)u shrine. The sub­shrine of Lord AYyappa is at the southern side of the chuttambaiam facing east. At southwest-~here is ~

362

small tha!a for Sree Bhagavathi (facing

east). At the northwest is the tha!" for

Brahmarakshas. The temple tank is

at the west, almost in front of the Sree VishZlU shrine. The !fjla deepasthambham of the temple was installed in 1993.

There is no compound wall at present.

Carvings and paintings: The stone

carvings of the upa-pee!ham and

adhis}J!haa!Jam deserve special mention.

The mural paintings around the sreekovil are faded.

Deities: The sila idol f Lord Siva has a

height of 55 em. over the peerham. The

idol of Lord Vishl)u is Chathu_!'baahu and

has a heihght of 80 cm. Lord Ayyappa

is of sitting pose (45 cm) for other idols

of Goddess Bhagavathi and Brahma­rakshas there are only tha[as.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 5 to 9 a.m. and from

5-30 to 7-30 p.m. Two poojas are done

daily, usha-pooja at 7 a.m, aththaazha­pooja at 7 p.m.

Offerings: Jala-dhaara. nai-paayasam and

pushpaaiijaJi are important vazhipaats. Of

these jala-dhaara is important. The mangaJya-pushpaaEjaJi of this temple is

famous and it is done for early

marriage of maidens and also for

happy married life.

Festivals: Thrkk,ulrthika is celebrated as

the PIathish!ha day. Chaakya!koorh and

thaayambaka are performed on this day. Sivaraathn' is also observed.

Priesthood and temple staff: The

PIathishrha of this temple was held by a

great ~shi. The present thanthri belongs to Kainikkara Thekketathth mana of

Poyilisseri. The saanlhikkiiran belongs to

Embranthiris. The only other staff is a kazhakam.

General remarks: The main temple and sub-shrines need complete renovation. The temporary roofing made of fiber

,

sheets to the sreek{)'Vil has to be replaced by tiles. The chu!!amba/am has to be rebuilt.

(Data furnished by Sree T. KrshT}Bn Ntnnboothiri, Truslee and Sree Kesavan Embraanthiri. Secreiary and collected by Sree R. Chandrachoodan and STee Sivadasan o[the Census Directorate).

5 .. 40 SREE DU~GA BHAGAVATHI TEMPLE, VAA~A-MARUTHOOR (Pu!aththoo_r panchaayathth, Mangalam village, Pin - 676 561)

location: Situated 11 km. southwest of Thiroor at Kurumpati on Purarhthoor road and thence half a km. east, the temple is connected by tarred road except the last lap. The Thiroo! puzha

flows two km. west of the temple. Facilities for stay are available at

Thiroo,[.

Brief history and temple administration: Datable to ancient period, it is believed that the idol of the temple was installed by Lord Parasuraama. There is also a sub-shrine for Lord Parasuraama here. The temple belongs to Ve1uththaatt iliam. Since 1932 the temple is controlled by the HR&CE Department.

The temple is administered by the hereditary trustee appointed by the department.

Structures: The details of the land owned by the temple prior to the Land Reforms Act are not known. At present the temple owns 2.75 acres which include the temple complex and the tank. The structures thereon are sreekovil, chu!!amba/am, sub-shrines, valiya-balikkall, well and tank.

The square dwi-thala sreekoviJ of nirandhaara type and facing east has

granite upa-peerham and adhishrhaa!]am, laterite walls and tiled roof. The upa-

363

peerham has mouldings of paadukam, jagathi, ga!all1, gala-pari and va!atv, while the adhishrhaa!]am has mouldings of

paadukam, jagathi. v[ththa-kumudam, kumuda-pati, ga!am with vaaja!]a motif, ga!a-pati, ga!am, ga!a-pati, uththaram and patio The s6paa!Jam has five direct steps.

The PIWlaa!am has makara-simha face at the base, multi-faceted ,rUl}9U with rings and curved end. A dwarf Bhaothaga!13 in standing pose supports the PIaflaa!am. The walls have three gha!]adwaaras besides a functional door. The .5reek6vil has an attached mukha­ma~J(Japam. The well is at northeast of the akaththe-bali vattam.

The chUltamhaJam which is in ruins has three entrances, at east, west and north. The thitappa/fi is at southeast. At the southwest

corner there is a sub shrine having four deities, Sree Maha Gal)apathi, Lord Siva, Sree Vettakkorumakan and

Sree Bhadrakaap. At the northern naalambalam there are two shrines, of

Brahmarakshas and Lord Saastha. The va/iya-ba/ikkaJl is very tall and it is

within the agra-mal}c;lapam. A §i/a deepasthambham was installed in this temple in 1989. On the outer northern side of the chuttambalam there are two

shrines, a circular shrine of Lord

Vishl).u and a square shrine of Lord Parasuraama (both facing east). The temple tank is at the western side.

Carvings and paintings: Wooden carvings of Lord Siva and Bhoothagal).a are

depicted on the wall of the sreekovij. The mural paintings on walls are faded.

Deities: The sila idol of Goddess Darga

is in a pose of standing over the head of Mahishaasura (in the form of head of a buffalo). The idol has a height of 1.8 m. and installed with the sankalpa of Sree Mahishaasurarnarddini. All the

other idols are also made of :fila, Lord Siva in Iiriga form (75 cm.), Lord Saastha in sitting pose (30 cm.), Lord Vishl).ll in standing pose (90 cm.) and Lord Parasuraama (90 cm.). The idols are of different heights, Lord Gal).apathi in sitting pose (73 yavams), Sree Vettakkorumakan of mirror type (39

yavams) and Sree Bhadrakaa~i of mirror type (39 yavams). The shrine of Lord Saastha is being shifted.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple is kept open from 4 to 8 a.m. and frOITl

364

5 to 7-30 p.m. Three poojas are held daily, usha-pooja at 6 a.m., uccha-pooja at 7-30 a.m. and aththaazha-pooja at

7 p.m.

Offerings: PushpaaiijaJi, sa[kkara-paayasam,

thrmadhuram. vi!akk-maaJa etc are the important vazhipaats of which the first two are popular.

Festivals: Thrkaa!ththika-vi/ak IS the important festival day and is held with special poojas and variety entertain­ment. The p[athish{ha day is observed in ltavam.

Priesthood and temple staff: The idol is believed to have been installed by Lord Parasuraama. The thanthri belongs to Vatakketathth mana. The §aanthikkaran is appointed from Malayaa!a Brahmins or Embraanthir~s. The other staff includes a kazhakam.

General remarks: The temple needs complete renovation.

(Data furnishc:d by Srce N.K. Subnlmal!yan

Namboothiri. Ooraa!a! and collected by Srcc R. Chandrachoodan and Srec G. Sivadiisan of the

Census Directorate).

6 IMPORTANT TEMPLES OF

PONNAtll TALUK --

6.1 SREE (Th.rkkaav) DURGA BHAGAVATHI TEMPLE, PO!ll~ANI (Po~ma!1i municipal town, Pin - 679577)

Location: Situated two km. East of Pl)Q!}3gi municipal bus stand at Thrkkav, the temple is connected by tarred road.

Bharathappuzha flows one km. north of the temple. Facilities for stay are a.vailable at Po!}!}a!! i.

Brief history and temple administration:

Datable to very ancient period, it is one of the 108 temples believed to have been established by Lord Parasuraama. After

consecration of the idol, the temple was handed over to Brahmins. This

settlement of Brahmins was a sub­

division of the renowned SUkapuram

graamam. As stated in Malabar Manuai

(vol.1I p. ccccv). "Tippu is said to have

plundered the temple during his

invasion of the country, broken the idol into pieces, and used the srr:ek()vil as

his powder magazine while halting at this place. On the restoration of peace

.Rnd order in the country, a few of former owners of the temple who had taken refuge in Travancore on Tippu's

365

approach, returned and discovering in the temple well the broken pieces of the original idol, repaired and re­

purified it; but later on, being unable to repair all the damages caused to the temple by Tippu, made it over to

the Zamorin of Calicut, who seems to have carried out all necessary repairs

in M.E. 1037 (1861 A.D.}. Within the precincts of this temple there is another {reek6vii, consecrated to Vishnu. The history of its foundation is interesting. Tradition has it that in olden days, while a Chetti and a

Muhammedan were sailing in their

ship laden with merchandize, a violent storm occurred, that they being

apprehensive of loss of their lives, took

vows to build a temple and a mosque respectively in the event of their being able to land safely and that they having

so landed at this place, in fulfilment of their vows, founded this VishQu temple and the present .Jamath mosque

in the town." The temple was directly

administered by the Saamoothiri till 1971, when Kshethra SamrakshuI)a Samithi

took over it for better administration.

It is managed by a committee elected

once in three years by devotees

consisting of 13 members with five

office-bearers. However, it may be

noted that the ownership of the temple

still vests with the Saamoothiri koviJakam, though the day-to-day affairs

are looked after by the President.

Structures: The details of land owned

by the temple earlier are not known. At present the temple con~plex has an

extent of one acre of which an area of

7 cents (wherein the temple structure

is located) is owned by Saarnoothiri

k6vilakam and the remaining 93 cents

by the KsherhnJ Samraksha~1i1 Samithi. The

structures within the temple complex are §reeki)"vil, namaskaara-mal}gapam,

chu!!ambalam, valiya-balikkall, sub­

shrines, g6puram. office, well and tank.

The square eka-thala c~reek6vil

facing east and of nirandhaara type has

granite 'l(jhish[hiW!.!~lll1, laterite wa11s

and tiled roof. The mouldings of the

adhish!haa[Jam are paadukam, jagathi,

vrthlhd-kumudam, kumuda-pali, ga!am

with vaaja!Ja motif, kampam, ga!i1m with

flower motifs, ga!a-par} , uththaram and

patio The s6paagam has four direct steps

with vyaa!i-face on the top of banisters.

The PI:u}aa!am has makara-simha face

at the base, multi-faceted sUJ}~U with

pearl rings and go-mukha end. The

walls have three ghagadwaara.<; besides

the functional door. The namaskaar:1-mal}~apam (side: 2.51 m.) has four

pill ars. The well is located at the

northeast of the ak:Jththe-balivaltam.

366

The chu!!ambi1Jam has entrances

from all sides. The thitappa!!i and the

sub-shrine of Lord Garyapathi are at the

southern naaJambaiam. At the northwest

corner a photo of Goddess Saraswathy

is kept and special poojas are done here

during Navaraathri days. The valiya­

balikkall is within its agra-ma[1~apam.

There is a nata-panthai at the front (built

in 1980). A siia deepasthambham is

located within it. There are three sub­

shrines at the northern side, of Lord

Ga!)apathi, Lord Vishryu (also worshipped

as Lord Krshl)a) and Lord HaQumaan.

The other shrines are Lord Ayyappa at

southwest and Sree Brahmarakshas at northwest. There is a laterite

compound wall. The g6pural11 exists at

the eastern side. An office building is built at the front (northeast part) and

outside the gCipuram. There is also a temple tank and by its side there are

PIathish!has of Lord Garyapathi and

Naagas.

Carvings and paintings: There are

wood carvings on the ceiling of the l1amaskaara-ma~l~apam and agra­

IJJa~J~apam .

Deities: All the idols are made of §ilB.

The main idol of Sree Durga Bhagavathi

is in standing pose (height: 77cm.) with

four arms having conch, disc and lotus

in three hands and varada pose for the

other. During Navaraathri days Goddess

is worshipped as Goddess Saraswathi

and also as Goddess Mahalekshmi. The

idol of Lord GaI}apathi within the

chuJ!ambalam is of sitting pose (30 cm.),

while the other Sree Gal,1apathi idol (at

the northwest side) also of sitting pose

has a height of 15 cm. The idols of

Sree Maha VishT)u and Lord Ha!!umaan

are of standing poses with heights of

75 em. And 45 cm. Respectively. The

Sree Gal)apathi idol and N aagaraaj a idols

near the tank have heights of 1.5 crn.

and 21 em. respectively.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 5 to 10 a.m. and from

5 to 8 p.m. Three poojas are done daily,

usha-pooja at 7 am, uccha-pooja at 9 a.m.

and aththaazha-pooja at 7-30 p.m.

Offerings: Chathussatham is the most important vazhipaat, which has

ingredients of gratings of coconut

kemel, raw rice, kadafi-plantain, ghee

and sugar. The other vazhipaats are nai­paayasam and pushpaanjali.

Festivals: Navaraathri festival observed with great pomp is a ten day festival. Thousands of devotees participate. Performing arts like chaakyaa[koothth, ottam-thu!!al etc. and modern entertainments are also staged on these days.

Priesthood and temple staff: The idol was installed by Lord Parasuraama. The thanthri of the temple belongs to Chennas illam. The saanthikkaran is appointed from Malayaa!a Brahmins. The other staff includes kazhakams, Maaraa_! , clerks, aticchu-tha!i and watchman.

General remarks: The temple IS

administered satisfactorily.

(Data jiLmished by Sax A. Gopi Menon. President

and collected by Sree 11l1.R. Sukumiiran Nair of the Census Directorate).

6.2 I ~

SREE SIVA TEMPLE, CHERUVAAYKKARA (Pormaoi municipal town, Pin - 679 589)

Location: Situated three km. northeast

of PO!! !!a !!i at Kal)takurumbakaav junction on ThavaQoo! road and thence half a

kID. east, the temple is connected by

tarred road, except the last lap which is earthen. Facilities for stay are available at Ponnani.

Brief history and temple administration: Datable to ancient period, this temple was built by the ancestors of the present Paarakkaatt maga. No other details are available on its origin. The

forces ofTippu Sulththaan attacked the temple and damaged the valiya-balikkall, chu!!ambaJam and dwaarapaalas. The temple was taken over by the HR&CE Department and is being managed through the herediary Trustee (Paarakkaatt maga, Kanniyampu!am,

367

Ogappalam). The day-to-day affairs are managed by a member belonging to the Trustee family.

Structures: The details of land owned prior to the Land Reforms Act are not known. At present the temple complex has an extent of one acre. The structures thereon are sreek()vil, dilapidated chu!!ambaJam, ruined valiya­balikkall, well, tank and deepa­sthambham.

The square dwi-thala cofrcekovij of nirandhaara type and facing west has granite adhish{haagam, laterite wall and tiled roof. The mouldings of adhishrhaa!l am are jagathi, vrththa­kumudam, kumuda-pa(i, ga!am with vaajaga-motif, gala-pati, kampam, ga!am with flower-motif, ga!a-pati, uththaram

and pati. The sopaagam has four direct steps with vyaafi-face on top of

banisters. The PIal}aa!am has makara­simha face at the base, multi-faceted sUIJ~u with rings and go-mukha end. The walls have three gha!]adwaaras besides the functional door. There is a well at the northern side of the akaththe-balivattam .

The chuHambalam is in ruins. There is a sub-shrine for Lord GaI}apthi at southwest. The valiya-balikkall is outside the valiyambalam, but in ruins. Sree Nandi is installed east of the valiya­balikkall. The siia deepa-sthambham is at the east of Sree Nandi. There is a sUb-shrine at the southwest, dedicated to Goddess Thwaritha. The remna...,ts of koolhlhambalam, gopuram and

compound wall can be seen.

Carvings and paintings: There are no carvings and paintings which deserve special mention.

Deities: The sila-liriga idol of Lord Siva has a height of 60 cm. and has the sankalpa of Sree Kiraathamoorththy. The idol of Goddess Thwaritha is of sjla

,

mirror type (height: 37 cm.), while the sila-idol of Lord Gal)apathi is in sitting

pose (height: 30 cm,).

Time of worship and poojas: The temple is kept open from 5 to 9 a.m. and from

5-30 to 7 -30 p.m. Three poojas are held

daily, usha-pooja at 6 a.tn., uccha-pooja at 9 a.m. and aththaazha-pooja at 7 p.m.

Offerings: Ni[amaala, pushpaafijaJi and

dhaara are the main vazhipaals of which ni[amaala is important.

Festivals: Sivaraathri and Thrkkarlhika days are observed. ChaakyaaI-koothth and modern entertainments are

staged on festival days.

Priesthood and temple staff: The thanthri belongs to Kalpuzha maya. The saanthikkaran (hereditary) belongs to

Embraanthiri community. The other staff includes kazhakam and aticchu-thafi.

General remarks: The temple needs

urgent renovation.

(Data furnished by Sree C. Garigiidbaran,

Kakzhakam and collected by Srct' M.K

Sukumiiran NaiF a/the Census Directorate).

6.3 SREE (Kat1taku_rumbakaav) BHAGAVATHI TEMPLE, EZHUVATHIRITHTHI

(PO[lDal]i muncipal town, Pin - 67~ 571)

Location: Situated three l<..m. northeast of Po!!!}aa~i at Kal)taku[umba temple junction on Thava~oor road the temple is connected by tarred road. Bharathapuzha flows about half a krn. west of the temple. Facilities for stay are available at po!!!!a!:!i.

Brief history and temple administration: This temple dates back to ancient period. From early times the inhabitants of the place belonged to

368

Paraya community. They used to visit the famous KotUl1galloo! temple very

often. One day a pious lady by name

Ku!umba of this community after

visiting Kotungalloo! kept her palmyra

um.brella on the ground at her place.

When she tried to take it back she

found it fixed to the ground. She

reported this fact to her elders who in

turn informed the naatu vaazhi of Thirumalasseri illam. Thereafter the

naatuvaazhi called astrologers and conducted a pfasga. It was revealed

therein that the sister of Goddess

Ku!:umba Bhagavathi of Kotungalloo!: had

accompanied the lady and that it was

essential to revere the Goddess by

building a temple. Accordingly a

temple was built for Her and poojas

introduced. The family of the lady who

first experienced the presence of the Goddess has even now some special

privileges in this temple.

The temple belongs to Thirumala­sserj illam which was ruling the

Panniyoo!: graamam.

Structures: The details of land owned by the temple earlier are not known. At present the temple complex has an extent of 1.45 acres on which sreek5vil, well, tank, kooththupura and deepasthambham existed earlier. Other

structures were built later-vetippura in 1974, natappura at east and north in 1979, ka!yaal}a-mal}9apam in 1991 and office room in 1992.

The square eka-thala sreekovil, facing east has granite adhish[haa!!am, laterite walls and tiled roof. The mouLdings of the adhish[haa!}am are

paadukam, jagathi, ga!am, kampam, ga!a­pati and uththaram. There is neither

sopaa!}am nor PIaIJaa!am. The walls have two gha!!adwaaras-one at the east and

the other at north. The eastern door

is opened daily, while the northern one

is opened only on Naattu-Guruthi day.

In front of these entrances natappuras are seen. The well is at northeast. In

the koothth--pura, paava-koothth is held

during festival days. There is a

ka!yaaIJa-maIJ9apam at the front. The

thitappa!/i is a separate structure at the

3655 RGII03-25A 369

southem side. There is an office-cum­

rest room also at southeast. The

temple tank is at northeast.

Carvings and paintings: There are no

carvings and paintings.

Deities: The PIathishfha of Goddess

BhadrakaaF is made of sila of mirror type

(height: 30 CIll.). There are no

subsidiary deities in this temple. The

temple is kept open from 5 to 11 a.m.

and from 5-30 to 7-30 p.m. Three

poojas are done daily-usha-pooja at

5-30 a.m., uccha-poojaat 10-30 a.m. and

aththaazha-pooja at 7 p.m.

Offerings: Chu!!uvi!akk, poomootal and

Bhagaathi-seva are the important

vazhipaats. Of these chuttuvi!akk IS

popular.

Festivals: Koo'thth and thaalappoli are

held from 1 st to 10th Mee!!am. Each day

is earmarked for a desam. Large

number of people participate in this

regional fest~val. On Makara-chovva day

kaa!a-vela is held. Ka!amezhuth-paatl and

paava-kkoothth are the important items

staged, besides kathhaka!i, chaakyaa[­koothth and modern entertainments.

Fire-work display also is conducted.

Priesthood and temple staff: The thanthri of the temple belongs to Kalpuzha ma!}a.

The other staff includes a hereditary

Em braan thiri as saanthikkiiran, a

kazhakam and aticchu-tha!i.

General remarks: The temple IS

administered satisfactorily.

(Data furnished by Sree R. Parameswaran Nair, Secretary (Uthsava Committee) and collected by Sree M.R. Sukumiiran Nai[ of the Census Directorate}.

r I

6.4 SREE (Om-Th-:kkaav) SIVA TEMPLE, EZHUVATHIRUTHTHI (PO[!!:IaOi Muncipal Town, Pin - 679 586)

Location: Situated four km. east of Po!}!}a!_!i at A. V. School junction on Etappa! road and thence two km. south at Theyyangaat, the temple is connected

by tarred road except for the last lap of about 500 m. which is earthen. Facilitie s for stay are available at Ponnani.

Brief history and temple administration: Dated back to ancient period, the early history of the temple is still obscure. I t is believed that this place had large Brahmin settlements till the Mysorean invasion. It is known that one great Brahmin Yogi installed the idol. When the Brahmins left the place the temple became a private one managed by an

individuaL Later it came into the hands of a local committee, which in 1975 transferred it to Kshethra Committee consisting of seven executive members elected by devotees. The President of the Committee looks after the day-to-day affairs of the temple.

Structures: No details about the extent of temple properties prior to the Land Reforms Act are known. At present

the temple owns 16 cents and this constitutes the temple complex. The structures are sreekovil, namaskaara­mal}papam, valiyambalam, thitappa!!i, sub­shrine and valiya-balikkall, well and tank.

The square eka-thaJa sreekoviJ of Ilirandhaara type and facing east has granite adhish{haagam, laterite walls and tiled roof. The moudings of the adhish{haa!Jam are jagathi, vrrhtha-

370

kumudam, kumuda-pati, ga!am with projections, ga/a-pati, ga!am, ga!a-pati, uththaram and pali. The sopaagam has four direct steps with vyaa!i-figurine on the sides of banisters. The pra1}aa!am is plain. The wall has three ghagadwaaras besides a functional door. The namaskaara-mal}iJ8pam (side: 2.55m.) has four pillars. The well is at northeast of the akaththe-balivattam.

The chu!!ambalam has entrances from all sides. Except the valiyambaJaro, thilappa!!i and a sub-shrine, the rest are in ruins. The thitappa!!i is at southeast. The sub-shrine at southwest has two idols (Lord GaQ.apathi and Lord Saastha). The valiya-balikkall is ou tside the valiyambalam. The §iJa­deepasthambham, installed in 1992, faces the main sreekovil. The temple tank is in good condition.

Carvings and paintings: There are no carvings and paintings.

Deities: The idol of Lord Siva is §ila-liJjga having a height of 45 em. with the sankalpa of Sree Uma-Maheswara. The sila idol of Lord Gal).apathi and Lord Saastha are in sitting poses (30 cm. each.).

Time of worship and poojas: The temple is kept open from 5 . to 8-30 a.m. and from 5-30 to 8 p.m. Three poojas are done daily, usha-pooja at 7 a.m., uccha­pooja at 8 a.m. and aththaazha-pooja at 7-30 p.m.

Offerings: Pushpaafijali, ka[uka-homam and Gal):apathi homam are the main vazhipaats of which pushpaafijaJi is important.

3655 RGII03-258

Festivals: The p£athish[ha day is observed on the Makam asterisk in the month of .AtJee!}am. Sivaraathri mahothsava is celebrated with great pomp. Modern entertainments are held. on the Sivaraathri festival period.

Priesthood and temple staff: The details

of the thanthri who installed the idol are not knoVvTI. The present rhanthri belongs to Aal)talaati ma!}a. The saanthikkaran is

,

appointed from Malayaa~a Brahmins. The

other staff includes vaarya~ and aticchu­thafi.

General remarks: The temple needs renovation, particularly the sreek6vil and chuttambalam.

{Data furnished by Sree A. Padmanahhan Nair.

President and collected by Srt;c: M.R. Sukum;1Iafl

Nai[ afthe Census Directorate}.

6.5 SREE BRAHMA TEMPLE, THAVA~OOR (Thavanoor panchaayathth, Thava(loo! village, Pin - 679 573)

Location: Situated one km. north of ThavaDOO! Agricultural Institute and on the bank of Bhaarathapuzha, one has to trek the distance to reach the temple. Facilities for stay are available at Ponnani.

Brief history and temple administration: This temple dates back to very ancient period. This temple along with Sree (Cheru Thirunaavaaya) Siva temple at west and Sree Thirunaavaaya Nava Mukunda temple on the other side of Bhaaratha­puzha makes the place most suitable for pithr-tha!ppal} am , because of the

presence of the Trinity. The temple is unique as very few shrines, either principal or subsidiary, exist of Brahma in the State. For a long period the temple was managed by the Thavanoor illam. In 1987 a local committee c~; into functioning with the name Sree Brahma-Siva Kshethra Samithi. The eleven-member committee members

are elected by devotees once in a year, one member always coming from the ooraaIJma (ThavaQooI ilJam).

Structures; The temple had large exten t of properties earlier but now

371

left ....vith only 50 cents. The structures thereon are sreekovil, namaskaara­maI}9apam, ruined ChU!!afllbafam, valiya­balikkall and well, besides a sub-shrine for Lord Gal)apathi.

The eka-thala circular sreek(,vil of nirandhaara type and facing east has granite adlJish[haayam, laterite walls and octagonal tiled roof. The mouldings of the adhish[haa!}am are vedi, paadukam. jagathi, v[ththa-kumudam, kumuda-pati, kampam, ga!am, ga!a-pati, kampam, ga!am with flower motifs and patio The sopaayam has three direct steps with niches on the side of banisters. The p!al}aa!am has makara­simha base, multi-faceted SUIJ~U with go-mukha end. The walls have only a gha!]adwaaram and a functional door. The namaskaara-mal}~apam has four pillars (plastered with cement).

The chuHambaiam has only the tha!a and the superstructure was completely destroyed at the time of invasion by the forces of Tippu Sulththaan. The sub-shrine of Lord Gal).apathi is located at southwest of the chu!!ambalam-tha[a. The valiya-balikkall is broken. The well is at southeast.

Carvings and paintings: There are no carvings and paintings.

Deities: The sila idol of Lord Brahma with four heads is in sitting pose over a lotus with four arms having kamal)~alu, granthham and ezhuthaal)i (style) in three hands and abhaya mudra for the fourth. It has a height of 120 cm. The idol of Lord Gat;apathi (37 cm.) is of sitting pose.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple is kept open from 5-30 to 8-30 a.m. Only if there is any offering to be done in the evening it is then opened. There is no fIXed time for pooja, as pooja is done by the saanthikkaran of the Sree Che!u Thirunaavaaya Siva Temple.

Offerings: Chanda!!am-chaarthth and

pushpaaiijaJi are the main vazhipaats,

the former being more popular.

Priesthood and temple staff: The details

of the thanthri who installed the idol

are not known. The present thanthri

belongs to Kalpuzha maQa. The saanthi­

kkaran is appointed from Malayaa!a

Brahmins. There is no other staff.

General remarks: The temple needs

complete renovation.

(Data furnished by Sree P. VCI}ugopiilan, Clerk

and committee member and collected by Sree G. Sivadiisan of the Census Directorate).

I I

6.6 SREE (Cheru-Thirunaavaaya) SIVA TEMPLE, THAVA~OOR (Thavaooo! panchaayathth, Thavaooo! village, Pin - 679 573)

Location: Situated about two km. north of Thava:goo!: Post office junction (after Agricultural Institute), the temple is connected by tarred road up to Thava!!oo!':. The temple is on the southem bank of Bhaarathapuzha and on the opposite side of Sree Nava Mukunda temple of Thirunaavaaya. Facilities for stay are available at Kugippu!,:am.

Structures: Datable to ancient period, the place was famous as the seat of Eraa!paats and an important centre of activity of the famous Maamal}kam festival. Thirunaavaaya is at the opposite or on the other side of Bhaarathapuzha. A sabha-ma!ham existed there previously. Once the

Namboothiris belonging to that marham went to attend the famous Katavalloor

372

a!!yonyam (Vedic scholastic assembly at the Sree Raama temple, Katavalloorl. Using this opportunity some miscreants set fire to the sabha-marham. At this juncture the Namboothippads of Thava!!OOr ma!]8 rendered their help by donating about 1.25 acres of land for building the sabha-matham. There were over 400 illams under this sabha, besides 19 temples. Among them were included this Sree Siva temple and Sree Brahma temple. Thirunaavaaya thus became famous because of the three temples dedicated to the Trinity, Sree Brahma, Sree Vishnu and Sree Siva, It is thus considered an ideal place for pithrtha!ppal}am (oblations to manes). It is worth mentioning that pithr­cha!ppal}am is performed on the northem bank of Bharathapuzha at the river-ghat of Sree Navamukunda temple

after praying Lord Siva and Lord Brahma located on the southem side.

A peculiar feature of this temple is that Sree Na:r:Hjikeswara (the Bull of

the Lord) is located in the southern naalambaJmD facing north instead of at the namaskaara-ma1)(fapam. The myth is that Sree N ar::t9ikeswara faces the river­bed as he was fond of seeing the Maamal}kaJD festival and also the fight between the soldiers of Saamoothiri and VaHuvakoQaathiri.

The temple is owned by Thavagoo! mana. Since 14th May 1988 it is administer.ed by a committee, known as Sree Brahma-Siva Kshethra Samithi. The members of the Executive committee are elected by devotees once in a year. The committee has President, Vice­President, Secretary, Joint Secretary and Treasurer as office bearers. The President and Secretary attend to the daily affairs of the temple.

Structures: At present the temple complex has only 50 cents, although earlier it possessed more. The structures thereon are sreekoviJ, namaskaara-ma1)papam, chu!!amba1am, valiya-balikkall, a vidya-pee!ham (known as Oththanmaar ma!ham) and compound wall.

The square dwi-thala sreekovi1 of saandhaara type and facing west was renovated in Vrschikam 1081 K.E.

(corresponding to November-December, 1905 A.D.). It has a granite adhish!haagam, laterite walls and tiled

roof. The mouldings of the adhishrhaagam are paadukam, jagathi, vfththa-kumudam, kumuda-pati, ga!am with vaajaga motifs, ga!a-pati, kampam,

373

ga!am with flower motifs, ga!a-pati, uththaram and patio The sopaagam has

four direct steps with vyaa/i face on top

of banisters. The PIal}aa!am has makara­simha face at the base, sUl}pU with rings

and go-mukha end. The walls have

three ghagadwaaras besides the main

functional door. The namaskaara­ma1)rIapam (side: 3.6 m.) has four pillars.

The chu!!ambaJam has entrances from

all sides. The thitappa!!i at southeast,

Sree Nandi at the southem chu!!ambaJam (facing north) and sub-shrine of Lord

Gal)apathi at southwest (facing east) are

the prominent characteristics of the

chunambalam. The vaCiya-balikkall is within the agra-mar;u!apam. (The agra­mal}papam, has no roof at present).

Around the walls of cflU!!ambaJam, si1a­lamps are fixed. Compound wall is

built on eastern, southern and western

sides. There is no well or tank. The

water of Bharathapuzha (at the

northern side) is used for temple

purpose.

Carvings and paintings: There are no carvings and paintings.

Deities: The sila-liriga idol of Lord Siva has ~ height of about 45 cm. The siJa idol of Lord GaI)apathi is in sitting pose (height: 30 cm.)

Time of worship and poojas: The temple is kept open from 6 to 7-30 a.m. and from 5-30 to 7-30 p.m. Two poojas are done daily, usha-pooja at 7 a.m. and aththaazha-pooja at 7 p.m.

Offerings: JaJa-dhaara, pin-vi!akk, pushpaanjaJi, kelii-viJakk and ,{a!kkara­paayasclm are the main vazhipaats of

which jala-dhaara is popular.

festivals: There is no festival in this temple.

Priesthood and temple staff: Details of the thanthri who installed the idol are not known. The pugah-p!athishrha was done in 1905 by Sree Parameswaran Namboothiri of Thavanoor mana. The - - -present thanthri belongs to Kalpuzhamaga of Thrprangot. The saanthikkiiran 1S

I (

appointed from Malayaa!a Brahmins. The other staff includes an aticchu-tha!i.

General remarks: The chuHambalam and compound wall have to be renovated. Agra-maIJgapam has to be rebuilt.

(Datafumished by Sree K. Riiman Nair. President and collected by Sree M Chandrasekharan of the Census Directorate).

6.7 SREE (Maaththoor) SIVA TEMPLE, ATHA,-OOR (Thava!:_loor panchaayathth, Thava!'oor village, Pin - 679 573)

Location: Situated two km. south of

Thava!}oo[ junction at Atha!oo! and thence one km. southwest, the temple is connected by tarred road, except the last 500 m. Facilities for stay are available at KUEippu~am (distance 10 km.).

Brief history and temple administration: Datable to ancient period, the temple is believed to have been consecrated by Lord Parasuraama. No other details are available. For some centuries, the temple flourished well and the annual festival of Naattu-thaalapoli was famous. The temple became completely ruined later. In 1956 the temple was renovated under the leadership of Sree K. Kelappan. The temple now belongs to K6zhikk6de Puthiya Kovilakathth Valiya Thampuraatti. On 8 th March 1991 the HR&CE Department took over its control and it is being managed through a Trustee Board. The Chairman of the Trustee Board attends to the day-to-day affairs of the temple.

Structures: The temple owns 3.08 acres of land which include the temple

374

complex. The structures thereon are sreekoviJ, namaskaara-mapflapam, thitappa!!i, sub-shrines, ruined chugambaiam} deepa-sthambhas} valiya­balikkall, compound wall, well and tank.

The circular dwi-thala sreeki5vij facing east and of saandhaara type has granite adhish!haagam and bumt-brick walls. The mouldings of the adhish{haagam are paadukam, jagathi, vrththa-kumudam, kumuda-pati, ga!am with vaajaga-motif, gala-pati, kampam, ga!am with motif, ga!a-pati, uththaram and patio The sopaagam has six direct steps with motifs of ghagadwaaras on the sides of banisters. The p!al}aa!am has makara-simha at the base, §ul}~u with pearl rings and go-mukha end. The walls have two gh8!}adwaaras (west and north) besides niches. Two functional doors are there, at east (the main one) and at south. The southern door opens to a sub-shrine that has the deities of Lord GaDapathi and Sree DakshiDa­moorththy. The roof of the eka-thala part is concrete while that of the upper one is tiled. The namaskaara-maLJ9apam (side: 5.17 m.) has four pillars. The well is at northeast of the akaththe-balivattam.

The chu!!ambaJam is completely in ruins. Only the thitappa!!i exists at the northeast. There is a vazhipaat counter at the southern side and also a sub­shrine for Lord GaI)apathi. The sila­deepasthambham (installed in 1955) at the front has five layers of lamps. The balipee{ham is at its east. The sub­shrine of Lord Ayyappa is at southeast facing east with a natappura at its front. The Maha Vish1)u shrine is at the

northern side facing east. The compound wall made of laterite has a height of 2.4 m.

Carvings and paintings: There are no

carvings and paintings.

Deities: The sila-liiJga idol of Lord Siva,

the principal deity, has a height of 60

cm. All the idols of subsidiary deities are also made of ii1a, Lord Ga1)apathi within the sreekovil is in sitting pose (height: 30 cm.), Lord DakshiI)amoo!ththy of iiriga type (15 cm.), Lord GaI)apathi (at the southwest corner of chu!!ambalam) in sitting pose (30 cm.), Lord Maha Vishr.1U in standing pose (75 cm.) and Lord Ayyappa in sitting pose (30 cm.).

I

Time of worship and poojas: The temple is kept open from 5-30 to 7 -30 a.m. and from 5 to 7-30 p.m. Two paajas are held daily-usha-pooja at 7 a.m. and aththaazha-poaja at 7 p.m.

Offerings: JaJa-dhaara, pushpaanjali, rudraabhishekam, mrthyuiijaya-homam and sankhabhishekam are the main vazhipaats of which rudraabhishekam is popular and important.

Festivals: 5ivaraathri and Ashtami-Rohi1)i are celebrated, the former being considered more important. Some modern entertainments are staged on this day.

Priesthood and temple staff: The idol was installed by Lord Parasuraama. The present thanthri belongs to Kaalati ma!Ja. The saanthikkaran belongs to Malaayaala Brahmins. The other staff includes a kazhakam and vazhipaat clerk.

General remarks: The temple needs complete renovation.

(Data furnished by Sree N.p. Ul}l}i Me!}on,

Chairman and collected by Sree M.

Chandrasekharan of the Census Directorate).

6.8 SREE ANTHI MAHAA KAALANKAAV, ATHALOOR . . -(Thavanoo! panchaayathth, Thava!'_!oo! village, Pin - 679 373)

Location: Situated 750 m. south of

Ma~hathilpati junction on Ku~!ippu!:am ThavaQooI road, the temple is connected by tarred road. Facilities for stay are available at Ku!!ippu!am.

Brief history and temple administration: The temple dates back to ancient period. It is reported that Sree Aadi Sankaraachaarya brought two idols, a Sree

375

Siva-Jiriga and a Sree VishJ!u vigraha after doing purificatory rites in Bhaarathappuzha. The Lord Siva idol was installed at the present place (Atha!oo!) and the Sree Vish1!u idol at AyaI)ka!am. Though both PIathishrhas originally had a height of 60 cm. each, at present the .{ila-liriga idol at Atha!oo!: has gone dO\vn into the earth and now there exists only a sm all hole. Only

the pec!iJam is visible. The sankalpa of the p[::ltilisi1!ila of the Sree Siva temple is of Sree Anthi-mahakaa!an (Lord Siva as

destroyer, Samhaara Rudran). Since the idol disappeared into the ea.."'"ih by

its own powers it is considered as

swayarnhoo in character.

After PIathishfha, Sree Sankaraa­

chaarya entrusted the temple to the local Brahmins. Thus it came into the

possession of Thava!!oo~ maya. As the

ooraa!aI found it difficult to manage,

particularly after the Land Reforms Act of 1963, the administration of the temple was entrusted to a local Kshethra

Committee. This committee elected by the local devotees, manages the

temple though the HR&CE Department

has overall control.

Structures: The temple owns three acres of land of which the temple

complex has an extent of 50 cents. The structures thereon are twin-sreekovils (Lord Anthimahaakaa~an and Lord Saastha), chuttambalam with agra­maI}c)apam, valiya-balikkaJJs. PIadakshiI}a­vazhi, agra-saala-cum-office, compound

wall, gopuram, well and ruined tank.

Both §reek6vils. of Lord Anthi­

mahaakaalan and Lord Saastha face east and of nirandhaara type and similar in

structural details. Shrines have granite adhish!haa!} am , laterite walls

having wooden trellis work around

them and copper sheet covered roof with a hole at the centre of the roof. The mOUldings of the adhishfhaa!}am are

paadukarn,jagathi, ga!am, uththararn and

patio There is no sopaa!}am and the PIaI}aa!am is a small outlet for draining

water at the ground level (length:

376

23 cm.). Thirty-four wooden pillars are

fixed on walls which have trelliswork.

Metal lamps of eight layers are fixed

on this trelliswork. These sreekovils have mukha-maIJflapams. The well is at

the northeast corner of the akaththe­

balivaltam.

The chuttambalam has four

entrances, two facing the idols, one at

the rear of the shrine of Sree Anthi

Mahaakaalan and one at the north. The

thitappa!!i is at northeast. Agra-maIJflapas are seen at the front of both shrines

with valiya-balikkall in each. There is

deepasthambham also within each agra­mandapam. The kooththambalam does

not exist now though its tha!a remains.

The p!adakshi1}8-V8Zhi is concreted with

a height of 15 em. and a width of 1.8 m. The agra-saala and the office are

at the northern side. The compound

wall has a height of 2.4 m. but it is ruined in some parts. At the east there

is a gate. The gopuram is at the western

side (rear).

Carvings and paintings: There are no

carvings and paintings.

Deities: The siJa-liliga idol of Sree Anthi mahaakaa!an is not visible. It has gone

deep into the earth and there is only

a hole in the place. At the shrine of Lord Saastha, three sila-linga (plain) idols

exist representing Sree Saastha at the

centre and His consort Sree Prabha and

His son Sree Sathyaka at the sides.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 6 to 9-30 a.m. and

5-30 to 7-30 p.m. Three poojas are held daily, usha-pooja at 7 a.m., uccha-pooja

at 9 a.m. and aththaazha-pooja at 7 p.m.

Offerings: Koottu-paayasam, koovaJa­pushpaaiijali, sarkkara-paayasam and

maala-viJakk are important vazhipaats of which the first one is considered important and meant for fulfilment of

desires.

Festivals: A!dra-da!sa!!am is held on the Makeeryam asterisk (previous day of

Thiruvaathira) in the month of Dha!!u. Performing arts like chaakyaa[koothth, ottamthu!!al, kootiyaattam, kathhaka!i etc. are held on this day besides other modern en tertainmen ts.

I j

Priesthood and temple staff: The

pralhishfha was done by Sree Aadi

Sankaraachaarya. The saanthikkaaran belongs to Embraanthiris. The other

staff includes kazhakam, aticchu-tha!i and

clerk.

General remarks: The temple needs urgent renovation.

(Data furnished by Sree K.K. Sahumiidhavan,

Retired Headmaster and collected by Srcc

MChandrasekharan of the Census Directorate).

6.9 SREE SIVA TEMPLE, MALLOOB (Thavanoo! panchaayathth, Thavarroo! village, Pin - 679 573)

Location: The temple is located one km.

southeast of Ku!!ippu!:am after crossing

the bridge over Bhaarathapuzha.

Bhaarathapuzha flows close to the

temple. Facilities for stay are available

at Kunippu!:am.

Brief history and temple administration:

In ancient days the area had thick

jungles. One day a hunter reached this

place very late in the evening and

fearing attack from wild animals he

took refuge on the top of a tree. There

was rain at night and he could not

sleep since there were ants also to bite

him. To drive away the ants he shook

the branches of the tree and the leaves

fell down. This happened on a

Sivaraathri day. When he got down on

the next day moming he saw that the

tree on which he sat for the whole

dreadful night was a bael tree and that

by shaking the branches and making

the leaves fall down, he had offered

the leaves of bael tree to a sila-liriga

377

idol of Lord Siva at the bottom. It is

said that by this act he got moksha,

though he did it unknowingly. Since

the name of the hunter was Mallan,

the place got the name MallooI. It is

believed that the idol here was

installed earlier by Khara.

The temple was owned by

ThavaQoo! ma!!a till 1980 when it was

transferred to a Trust of the Kshethra

Samithi, as the ooraa!ars found it difficult

to manage the temple due to the

implementation of the Land Reforms

Act. It is now managed by the Malloo!

Siva Temple Welfare Trust and day-to­

day affairs are looked after by its

secretary.

Structures: As per the Settlement

Register of 1895 (Mathilisseri

Settlement) the temple owned one acre

of land. At present the temple owns

68 cents of which 32 cents constitute

the temple complex. The structures

thereon are sreekovil, namaskaara­maI.1'japam, chuHambalam with agra­

maIJflapam, su b- shrines, valiya-balikkall,

and compound wall.

The square dwi-thala sreekovil of

saandhaara type and facing east has

granite a dhish rhaa[!. am , laterite walls

and tiled roof. The mouldings of the

adhish[haa[!.am are paadukam, jagathi,

vrththa-kumudam, kumuda-pati, ga!am

with motif, gala-pati, uththaram, kampam,

ga!am with flower motif, uththaram and patio The sopaa!}aID has six direct steps

with vyaa!i-face at the top of banisters.

The p!8{laa!am has makara-simha face,

plain sU1Jflu with rings and go-mukha­

end. The walls have 12 pillars. On

the walls of eka-thala part there are

eight niches. On the greeva part more

niches are carved. The walls have

three ghagadwaaras besides a functional

door. The namaskaara-ma1)9apam (side

3.65 m.l has four pillars.

The chuttambalam has three

entrances at east, west and north. The thitappa/fi and office are at the southem naalambalam, su b-shrines for Lord

Gal)apathi and Lord Ayyappa at

southwest and sub-shrines for

Goddess Bhagavathi and Sree Subramal)ya at northwest. The valiya­balikkall is within the agra-ma1)¢apam. The Naaga-tha!a is at southeast and Rakshas at northeast and outside

chu!!ambalam. Laterite compound wall has a height of 2.4 m. on three sides

except the eastern side where the Bhaarathapuzha forms the boundary.

Carvings and paintings: There are

carvings and paintings.

378

Deities: The main idol of Lord Siva is of

siJa-liriga type (height: 45 cm.). All the

idols of subsidiary deities are made of

sila. Of these, Lord Gat:tapathi and Lord

Ayyappa are of sitting pose (height: 30

cm. each), Goddess Bhagavathi

(Paafvathi) and Lord Murukan

(Subramal).ya) are of standing poses (of

height 23 cm. and 30 cm. respectively).

Naagaraaja is of sitting pose with

raised hood (30 em.) while Rakshas is

of plain liriga (15 cm.).

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 5-30 to 8 a.m. and

from 5 to 8 p.m. Two poojas are done

daily, usha-pooja (7 am.) and aththaazha­

pooja (7-30 p.m.).

Offerings: Jaladha ara , koova!a-maala,

vi!akk-maala, bhagya-sooktham and

mrthyunjaya-homam are important

vazhipaats, jaJa-dhaara being more

popular.

Festivals: Sivaraathri IS observed with

special rites.

Priesthood and temple staff: The idol is

believed to have been installed by

Khara. The thanthri belongs to Kakkaad

mana. The saanthikkiiran is appointed

from Malayaa!a Brahmins. The other staff

includes kazhakam (with allowance for

aticchu-thali and conch blowing) and

clerk.

General remarks: The sreekovil and

compound wall need renovation.

(Data furnished by Sree P.N. Chandrasekharan,

Secretary and collected by Sree M.

ChandraSekharan of the Census Directorate).

, I

6.10 SREE (Thirumaa~iyoo!) SIVA TEMPLE, PAALAPBA (Vattamku!am panchaayathth, Vattamku!am village, Pin - 679 582)

Location: Situated one km. east of Ka1)tamku!am junction (in Etappaa!­Ku!!ippu!:am road) on Aanakkara road at Paalap!:a, the temple is connected by tarred road except the last 200 m. Facilities for stay are available at Etappaa!.

Brief history and temple administration: Datable to ancient period, it is believed to be one of the 108 Siva temples consecrated by Lord Parasuraama. No

other details on the temple are available. The temple was an important one under Punnasseri Nambi. In 1973

the HR&CE Department took over its

control and it is being managed through a Trustee Board. The Chairman of the Trustee Board attends to the day-to-day affairs of the

temple.

Structures: The details of the land owned by the temple prior to the Land Reforms Act are not available. At present the temple owns 1.20 acres of

which 50 cents constitute the temple complex. The structures thereon are sreekovil, chugambalam, well, valiya­balikkall, deepasthambham, sub-shrines

and a ruined tank.

The square dwi-thala sreekovil of saandhaara type and facing west has granite adhisthaanam, laterite walls and tiled roof. It has an attached mukha­malJeJapam. The mouldings of the adhish!haagam are paadukam, jagathi, vrththa-kumudam, kumuda-pati, ga!am with vaaja!}a motif, ga!a-pati, uththaram, kampam, ga!am with flower motif, ga!a­pari, uththaram and patj. The sopaagam

379

has six direct steps with motifs of ghagadwaaras on the sides of banisters.

The p!al}aa!am has makara-simha face at the base, multi-faceted SU1}gU with nngs and go-mukha-end. It IS

supported by a granite pillar. The walls

have three gha!Jadwaaras besides a

functional door. These walls have also been decorated with niches. There is

an idol of Lord Krshl).a facing north installed at the southern wall of the sreekovil. It is a rare phenomenon. On

the southern side there is also an

attached sub-shrine for Goddess Bhagavathi (Sree Paa!:vathi) facing west. Nandi is installed at the front of the

mukha-maIJ9apam facing the deity. The chu!!ambalam. has three entrances, west, east and north. There are two

thitappa!!is, at south and northeast. The

northeast one is used as the well is at

the northeast corner touching the outer wall of chuttambalam. There is a

su b-shrine at the southwest

naalambalam for the deities of Lord Ga1)apathi, Lord Saastha, Sree Garu<;la and

Sree Ul).I)i Gal).apathi. There is a §iJa­

deepasthambham at the front. The valiya balikkall is outside the chu!!ambalam. The laterite compound wall has a

height 2.4 m. with its top in the shape

of elephant's back. Some portions of the wall are ruined.

Carvings and paintings: There are no carvings and paintings.

Deities: The main liIiga-idol of Lord Siva is made of Rudraksha-sila (height:57 em.).

All the idols of subsidiary deities are also made of sjla, Lord KrshI)a in

standing pose (15 cm.), Sree Paa!vathi of

mirror type (45 cm.), Lord Ga1)apathi

(75 cm.), Lord Saastha of plain linga type

(15 cm.), Sree Garuga (15 cm.) and Sree

UI)I)i GaI)apathi in sitting pose (15 cm.).

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 6 to 8 a.m. and

from 5-30 to 8 p.m. Two poojas are

held daily, usha-pooja 7-30 a.m. and

aththaazha-pooja at 7 -30 p.m.

Offerings: lala-dhaara, pushpaaiijali,

koovala-maala, mangalya-sooklha pushpaa­

iijaji, nai-vi!akk etc. are main offerings

of which jala-dhaara is more important.

, ,

Festivals: There is no festival in this

temple.

Priesthood and temple staff: The idol is

believed to have been consecrated by Lord Parasuraama. The present thanlhri belongs to Thekketathth ma!]a. The

saanlhikkiiran is appointed from Malayaa!a

Brahmins. The other staff includes a

kazhakam and an aticchu-thaJi.

General remarks: The chu!1amba1am and

compound wall are ruined and need

renovation.

(Data furnished by Sree Neelakantan

Nambaathiri, Chairman and collected by Sn;:c M. Chandrasekharan afthe Census Directorate).

6.11 SREE SIVA TEMPLE, KAUPRA (Vattamku!am panchaayathth, Vattamkutam village, Pin - 679 578)

Location: Situated one and half km.

north of Vattamku!am junction at

Kaup!a, the temple is connected by

tarred road. Facilities for stay are

available at Etappaa!.

Brief history and temple administration: This temple dates back to ancient

period. The details of its origin are not

available. From early times the temple

belonged to Kaupra maarathth and Kaupra

Ka1)ayoor ma!!as. In 1935 the HR&CE

took over its control and it is managed

through hereditary trustees. The

eldest member of these two maDas is

the Trustee, who manages the temple.

Structures: The temple owns 1.25 acres

of land of which 50 cents constitute

the temple complex. The structures

thereon are sreekovil, namaskaara­mal}ljapam, chu!! ambalam with agra-

380

mal}ljapam, sub-shrines, valiya-balikkall,

deepasthambhas, compound wall, well

and tank.

The square dwi-thala sreeka viJ,

facing east and of saandhaara type, has

granite adhishrhaaQam, laterite walls

and tiled roof. The mouldings of the

adhish{haagam are paadukam, jagathi,

v[ththa-kumudam, kumuda-pati, ga!am

with vaaja!Ja motif, ga!a-pati, uththaram,

kampam, ga!am with flower motif, ga!a­pati, uththaram and patio The sopaa!]am

has four direct steps with vyaa!i face

on top of banisters. The p!al}aa!am has

makara-simha face at the base, SU.{1~ll

with rings and go-mukha end. The walls

have twelve pillars besides three

gha!Jadwaaras, niches and a functional

door. On the southern side there is

an attached sub-shrine to the §reek6vii

with Lord Ayyappa facing east and Lord

Subramal)ya, Lord Gal)apathi and Lord

VeJ}l}a-Krshl}an facing south. The

namaskaara-maIJflapam (side: 2.89 m.)

has four pillars. In this maIJ~apam there

is a deepasthambham flanked on either

side by images of Nandi. The well is at

northeast of the akaththe-balivattam.

The chuttambalam has entrances

from all sides. The thitappa!!i is at

southeast. The valiya-balikkall is within

the agra-ma1Jflapam. There is a fiJa

deepasthambham with seven layers of

lamps. On either side of the agra­

mal}cjapam there are sub-shrines for

Mu!]eeswaran, the northern one has a

roof while the southern has only a rha_!8.

At the southern side there is a sub­

shrine with Lord Saastha (with His

consort Prabha and son Sathyaka)

facing east and it has a deepa­sthambham in front of it.

At the north-eastern side there

is an independent circular sreek6viJ for

Lord Vishl)u facing east with a

detached namaskaara-maJ}cjapam (now

only its tha!a exists) and a bali-pee[ham.

The laterite compound wall has a

height of 2.4 m. and it has the shape

of elephant's back on its top. The wall

is dilapidated. The paththaayapura and

tank are on the southeastern side and

outside the compound wall.

Carvings and paintings: There are no

carvings and paintings.

Deities: The sila-liriga idol of Lord Siva

has a height of 45 cm. It is worshipped

in the sankalpa of Sree DakshiI)amoo[ththy

and also as Lord Siva. All the idols of

381

su bsidiary deities are made of fila.­Lord Gal)apathi in sitting pose (15 cm.),

Lord Ayyappa in sitting pose (30 cm.),

Lord SubramaI)ya in standing pose

(15 cm.), Lord Ve.{JIJa Krsh.{Jan in

standing pose (15 cm.) and Lord Saastha,

Sree Prabha and Sree Sathyaka (23 cm.,

21 cm., 19 cm. respectively). The idol

of Swaamiyaar at the northeast has a

height of 30 cm., while at the southeast

there is only a thara with that sankalpa. The Maha VishI)u· idol in the circular

shrine is of standing pose with a height

of 75 cm.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 5 to 7-30 a.m. and

from 5-30 to 7-30 p.m. Two poojas are

held daily-usha-pooja at 7 a.m. and

aththaazha-pooJa at 7 p.m.

Offerings: Dhaara, pusbpaanjaJi and

thulaabhaaram are the main vazhipaats

of which dhaara is popular.

Festivals: There is no festival m this

temple.

Priesthood and temple staff: The details

of the person who installed the idol

are not known though its installation

is attribu ted to Kharaasuran. The

present thanthri belongs to Keezh­

mUI/tayoo!: maga (Thrssoo!). The daily

poojas are conducted by a member of

the ooraa!a! family. The other staff

includes a kazhakam.

General remarks: The chu!!ambalam and

compound wall need urgent

renovation.

(Data furnished by Sree K.M SarikaranaaraaYill}il

Somayaajippad and collected by .~ree M.

Chandra.(Ekharan afthe Directorate).

I f

6.12 SREE DAKSHn~AMOOI!THTHY TEMPLE, SUKAPURAM (Vattamku!am panchaayathth, Vattamkutam village, Pin - 679 576)

Location: Situated one km. southeast of Etappaa! (Chul}kam junction), the temple is connected by tarred road for the first 300 metres and thence earthen road. Facilities for stay are available at Ku!!ippu~am (distance 11 km.) and Etappaal.

Brief history and temple administration: This temple, datable back to very ancient period, belonged to one of the 64 graamams established by Lord Parasuraama. In earlier literatures the SUkapuram graamam was known by different names like Chovvaram, Coikaram, Kokinun etc. But of late it

has taken the name Sukapuram. In this context it is worth mentioning that Sukapuram graamam was an important

centre of Saivite faith unlike the Panniyoo! graamam (located in the neighbouring AaQakkara village of O~~appalam taluk of Paalakkat district), which propagated VaishI)avisam. It is said that Rashtrakutas backed Sukapuram graamakka[s, while Panniyoo! graamakka[s were supported by Chalukyas. Consequent on these influences there were vast differences in rituals and life styles of these graamakka[s. For centuries these

differences persisted. Sukapuram gave greater importance to Vedic studies· excluding Athha[va-veda.

There is an interesting legend on the origin of this temple. It is believed that the consecration of the idol of Sree Dakshil}amoorththy was done by Sree SUka Brahmar shi. The legend tells that Sree SUka Brahmarshi agreed to install the

382

idol and informed that the muhoorththam should be when a pea­cock was present there. Every arrangement was made and all waited eagerly for the arrival of the pea-cock. When the muhoo!ththam (auspicious time) was fast approaching a person came with a peeli-kaavati (bow shaped wood work decorated with tapestry and pea-cock feathers) on his shoulders. They mistook the peeli-kaavati as equivalent to pea-cock and requested Brahmarshi to install the idol of Lord Siva. Accordingly the siJa-JiIiga idol of Lord Siva facing east was installed by him for their satisfaction. This was done ahead of the auspicious time. At the stipulated auspicious time a pea­cock came and perched on the valiya­balikkal. Brahma~shi immediately installed another sila-linga idol facing south with the sankalpa of Sree DakshiI_1amoo~ththy. The temple thereafter came to be known as Sree DakshiI)amoorththy temple.

There are four main sankalpas for Sree Dakshi I)amoo!"ththy, viz. Vy aakhy aana-Dakshi I) amoo_!: t hthy, Y6ga-DakshiI)amoo!ththy, Veel}adhaara­DakshiI_1amoo!ththy and Jnana­DakshiI)amoo!ththy. It is not known under which sankalpa Sree Suka Brahmarshi installed this idol. Even from early times it had been stipulated that no festival should be held in the temple as it would disturb the Lord who was always in Yoga and meditation. For centuries the temple was a great centre of vedic-learning also. Thus it may be said that the idol possesses

powers of both Yoga and Hiana

characteris tics.

!t was the practice in earlier times

that the priest should be a Brahma­chaari, as the Lord Himself was in yogic mood. Of late, the administrators of

the temple, without knowing the sankalpa of the deity, are engagIng Malayaa~a Brahmins as priests without considering their aasrama (stage of life), knowledge in rituals etc. There was an instance in the past when a Brahmachaari who violated celibacy and wilfully entered the sanctum­sanctorum died of snake-bite within the sreekovil itself. Needless to mention sanctity, serenity and powers of the deity would be affected if rituals are not strictly followed.

It was the procedure in earlier times that the participants of a!.!!!yogyam in the Sree Raama temple, Katavalloo!: used to pray to the deity of

this temple for His blessings before they proceeded to Katavalloo!. The Annual Report on Epigraphy (1895),

Nos. 208-211 indicate that there are at least four inscriptions related to the temple. However, these inscriptions do not give any clue as to the period though they are of vattezhuthth. The stylistic considerations date the structures of the temple to the latter half of the thirteenth century. Some repairs were completed on 1 st Thulam 1162 K.E. (corresponding to October 1986 A.D.).

The temple belongs to five manas, viz. Aazhuvaancheri, Puzhabrathth, Karuthetathth, Udiyannoor and Thalamunta-Mooththetathth-~an;s. Due to

383

mismanagement of temple affairs during 1988-89 the temple was taken over by the HR&CE Department in March 1990. The temple is now administered by a Manager appointed by the HR&CE Department.

Till 1973 the temple was managed by a Tru stee Board under the Chairmanship of Aazhuvanchery Thambrakka!. Later in 1991 the local devotees met and framed a committee known as SUkapuram Sree DakshiI}ii­mooIththy Kshethra Samithi. They are doing good service to the temple.

Structures: The details of land owned by the temple prior to the Land Reforms Act are not known. At present the temple owns six acres of land which constitute the temple complex. The structures thereon are sreekovii with attached mukha-mal}9apas, chu!!ambaiam, baJikkall, sub-shrines, paththaayappura, compound wall, wells,

tanks etc,

The square dwi-thala sreekovi/ of saandhaara type is peculiar as it has two mukha-mal}~apas, one narrower, facing east (of Lord Siva shrine) and the other

broad mukha-mal)9apam facing south (of Lor<;l DakshiI)amoorththy). Close to Sree Dakshi1).amoo!ththy and to His southwest is the idol of Lord GaI)apathi. The sreek5viJ is of saandhaara type and has an ambulatory passage around the square ga[bha-grha. There is an upa­pee!ham with mOUldings of padma­paadukam and jagathi, while the adhishrhaa!]am has mOUldings of paadukam, jagathi, vrththa-kumudam, kumuda-pati, ga!am with vaaja!]a motif,

ga!a-pati, uththaram, kampam, again

ga!am with vaaja!]a motif, ga!a-pati, uththaram and patio The sopaa!!am has seven direct steps with vyaaji-face on

top of banisters. The PIa/Jaa!am has vyaa!i-face, multi-faceted sUl}9u without decorations and supported by a Bhootha­gal}a and a curved end. H. Sarkar in the frunous book Architectural Survey of

Temples of" Kera!a (p.193) mentions that the "walls are divided into five bays by means of hiiriintara recesses. Two corner pilasters carry cross-corbels showing incipient pushpa-potikas. Two such kw;tya-schamhhas flank the gha!}adwaaras, overtopped by simple

arches in the central bay. The hiiriintaras have shallow niches with siiJa­sikharas while the projected parts are embellished with tall siiJa-panjaras. KaIl}as have vfththa-sphu[ita, flanked on

either side by ku9ya-schambhas. It has a defined prastara sho\.ving uttara, viija!]a. va!abhi having the representations of Jupiis and kapota decorated with plain

kii9us. Above the kapota rises the

parapet with hiira decorations. Similar decorations are to be seen also on the greeva". The pyramidal roof is covered

with copper sheets and a copper sthoopa over it. The sub-shrine of Goddess

Bhagavathi is on the northern side facing east with a detached thara of

namaskaara-mal}9apam.

At the front of the mukha­ma-!19apam of Sree Dakshizulmoorththy shrine, there is the vaaha!]:.1 of the

Lord and a deepasthambham. The chuttambalam has entrances from all

sides. In the south-eastern vaathil­maatam there is a figure of Lord Krshlfa. At that corner there is a well also

projected outside with an attached

384

structure. There is another well at the akaththe-balivattam close to the north-eastem naalambalam. The balikkalJ

is outside, with a different shape. On the north-eastern side a Siva shrine

exists facing east, believed to be the tutelar deity of UdiyalJ!!oor ma!}a.

On the northem-side there is an entrance to a cave, blocked with a

granite stone. The belief is that this pathway formerly led to Vaaralfasi (Kaasi). Yet another legend is that the saanthikkiiran of the temple belonged to Vaaranasi and that he used this

passage for his routine visits to the

temple.

The temple has an extensive

compound wall which is not like the general type of maryaada found in

temples. Outside the compound wall and at its eastern side, there are two tanks and a paththaayappura.

Carvings and paintings: At the mukha­ma1J9apam the episode of paalaazhi­mathbanam is carved in wood. No mural

painting is seen.

Deities: The idol of Sree Dakshina­moorththy is iila-liriga having a height

of 30 cm. The idol of Lord Galfapathi is close to and south of it and of sitting

pose with a height of 45 cm. The Lord Siva idol facing east, also of sila-liriga type, has a height of 67 cm. The .<fila idol of Sree Paa~vathi is of standing pose

(45 ern.), while the idol of Lord Siva

(tutelar deity of UdiyaD,Doo!: ma!!a) has a height of 45 cm.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple

is kept open from 5 to 9 a.m. and from 5 to 7 p.m. Three poojas are done daily,

usha-pooja at 7 a.m., uccha-pooja at

9 a.m. and aththaazha-pooja at 7 p.m.

Offerings: The main offering is wli-vi!akk

for Sree D~ikshil.lamoorththy. It may be

noted that gingelly oil is not used for

lighting lamps in the Sree Dakshil)amoor ththy shrine .The other offerings are jaJa­

di1.:wra, kaVa/i-plantain, pu .... hpaa17jali and ";arha-.';allwIn (a cooked food made with

100 coconuts, 100 naazhis of nnv rice

and 100 palams of molassesj.

Festivals: There is no festival Hi this

temple as the conduct of festival IS

supposed to disturb the meditation of

the Lord.

Priesthood and temple staff: The idols

of Sree Dakshil)i:imuo_rththy and Lord SiV:1

were installed by Sree Suka Brahrnar~hi. the former at the auspicious time

and the latter before that time. The

present thanthri belongs to Kabti-ma£w.

The daily pooJas are held by

Namboothiris. The other staff includes

kazhakam, aticclw-cha!i and clerk.

General remarks: Renovation of tanks

and paththaayappura an: urgently to be

done. More attention may be given

to the correct execution of rituals.lt

has also to he ensured that only

brah machaari~ are engdged to perforn1

rites to Sree Dakshil)arnoorthlhy.

(Data furnished by c(;rt'c K,M. B:w/a Varricr.

Secretary and collected by Sn.:c N!.

ChaJ1dm"·L-;/...JJ:lf.1l1 ort,:1(' Celi3Lis D1'ncclorule).

I _

6.13 SREE (Pu!,amur,:ttekkaat) MAHA DEVA TEMPLE, VATTAMKUi:AM (Vattamkulam panchaayathth, Vattamkutam village, Pin - 679 578)

Location: Situated three km. east of

Etappaal and 500 m. south of Vattam­

ku!am j unction on Kakkitipuram r03(L

the temple is connected by tarred road

except the last 500 m, Facilities for

stay are Hyailab1c at Etappaa! or

Ku(!ippu!,am.

Brief history and temple administration:

Datable to ancient period, there IS

difference of opinion on the origin or the temple. AccordIng to one school,

the idol '.vas installed hy Lord Pc.>ru;: llr ,. 1· '. L- .., • '" .> ,dan13, W l11e rl.notJ ler opl1110n is

that it is one of the three temples

installed by Srcc Klt:lra 1\1aha[:-.hi (the

other t\",'O being ,-It Kaup~a and

Kaanth<.tltKl!' I. A d("'~a,pr.J.<i!!:J conducted

in 1994 revealed that the idol was

installerl bv d grc<11 ljshi.

3655 RGI/03--26A

The legend says tells that the

place had thick jur;,gles in those days,

Once some labourers came there to

collect firewood. They saw a radiance

at a distance. \Vhen they approached

It they found the radiance converging

into a small :Wa. They reported the

matter to the Brahmins of the place. They

inspected the site and commenced

regular poojas. For centuries the male

mClnbcrs of (lOrilf.1!a family used to

conduct llHl[i.l)apiJIn in this temple. Now

it 18 not prevalent. The ternple is

famous, since there is the popular

belief that. those who suffer from

epilepsy get cured if they take the

hhasma (Jffered to the Lord. Man v

devotees reside here and conduct

hhap~1dm for 1ongf:'yity.

The temple belongs to three families, Mekkaat maQa, Karivaatt mana

and Neddathth mana. Each mana

administers the temple by turn. The implementation of the Land Reforms

Act affected the income of the temple. Therefore in 1971 a local committee came into existence. The day-to-day

affairs are managed by this committee whose members are elected from

devotees annually. The temple is closely associated with the Sree Vishl,lu

temple of Mekkaat m8!Ja and MarkkaI_ltan­kaav with sankalpa of Srec Siva, Paa£vathi and Sree BhadrakaaF. Both of them are not listed in section 3 as they are not

open to public worship.

Structures: The temple owns one acre

of land of which 30 cents constitute

the temple complex. The structures thereon are sreek6vil, namaskaara­

ma~](!apam, chu!!ambalam, sub-shrines, ualiya-halikkaJl, agra-§aala, wells and

temple tank.

The square eka-lhala .~-:reek6vil of

nirandhaara type and facing east has

granite ndhishrhaa!]am, laterite wal1s

and tiled roof. The mouldings of the

adhishrhaa!}am are paadukam, jagathi,

vrthlha-kumudam, kumuda-pati, ga!am with vaajaga motif, gil!a-pati, uththaram,

kampam, gil/am with flower motif, ga!a­pati, uththaram and vedi. The s6paa!Jam has four direct steps with vyaa/i face

on top of banisters. The p![J{Jaa!am has makara-simha face at the base, sundu \\ith rings and gZ'i-mukham at the end. The .iU1:U)u IS supported by a bhoothaghal}a with his hands. The walls

have twelve pillars and three gha!]adv.aara.<; besides a functional door. The lli1maskaara-maer;lapam (side:

386

2.77 m.) has four pillars. Three vaaha!]as (Nandis) and a deepasthambham

are installed at the western side of

this mal}ljapam. The well is at the northeast of the akaththe-balivattam.

The chuflambalam has three entrances at east, west and north. The

thitappa!!i is at southeast. At the southwest corner there is a sub-shrine

for the deities of Lord GaI_lapathi and Lord Ayyappa. The ualiya-balikkall is

outside the chu!!8mbalam. At its east, there is a balance for the thulaabhaaram

(to weigh with a person on one side and with the offered item on the other side). The agra-saala is at the northeast

while there is a sub-shrine for Lord

K :shrya at northwest. The p!adakshil}:1-

vazhi has a height of 7 cm. and a

breadth of 1.B m. The maryaada (height 2.4 m.) has the shape of elephant's back at the top. The deepasthambhas

are made of §ila.

Carvings and paintings: The mural paintings on the walls of the .';reek6vij

are now almost faded and it is difficult to decipher them.

Deities: All the idols are made of §jla.

The main §ila-linga idol of Lord Siva has

a height of 45 cm. The idols of Lord Ga0apat~i and Lord Ayyappa are of

sitting poses (height 15 cm. and 30 cm.

respectively) and the idol of Lord

Krshl)a is of standing pose (height: 30 cm.).

Time of worship and poojas: The temple is kept open from 5 to 8-30 a.m. and

from 5-30 to 7 p.m. Three poojas are

done daily, first-pooja (6 a.m.), second­pooja (7 a.m.) and aththaazha-pooja

(7 p.m.).

3655 RGII03--26B

Offerings: Chathu,5.~athml1. kadaji-plautain

nivedyam, Sree Rudra-dhili1ra, chc[iya­dha:lra, nai-vilakk. koovaf;J-maala. . . pushpaaiijaJi, pin-vilakk. appa!11. sa[kkara paayasam, niramaala etc. are the main vazhipaats of which cha£hu{(arham and rudra-dhaara are famous.

Festivals: .~jvaraathri is observed with

pomp, with ezhunne.l!ipp and staging kathhakafi, chaakyaa!koothth etc.

Priesthood and temple staff: As stated earlier, the idol of Lord Siva was

consecrated by a great lJshi (either Lord

,

ParaSllraama or Khara). The present

rha!1lhri belongs to Kal Qikkara Thekketathth

mana of Kaalati. The saanthikkiiran is

appointed from Malayaa!a Brahmins.

Other stmI includes k:17hakam, aticchu­

thafi and vazhipoat clerk

General remarks: The temple tank

needs urgent renovation.

(Data furnished by .~rcc P.K. \'·iJ . ..,·UdL-;VZiIl

N.1mhoOfhiri. Chairman. Tnlstee Board alld

collected by !~r('c ,'-I. Chandra':(_'kh:lr;1l1 of tire Census Directomte).

6.14m SREE (Kotalil) NARASIMHAMOORTHTHY TEMPLE, VENGINIKKARA

(Etappaa! panchaayathth, EtappaaJ village, Pin - 679 576)

Location: Situated two km. west

of Etappaa!-ChUJ)kam junction vja

VaHathth61 College road, the temple is

connected by tarred road, except the

last lap of 500 m. Facilities for stay

are available at Kugippuram or Etapraa!

Brief history and temple administration:

Datable to ancient period, this temple

was attacked by the forces of Tippu

Sulththaan who destroyed it almost

completely. Later at the close of the

nineteenth century it was renovated

by Sree Ravi alias Itteeri SQmayaajippaat.

The temple belongs to three ma!}8S,

Venthrakkaat, Vengalloor and Karnu1)tal.

Now it is managed by a Manager

appointed unanimously by the three ooraa!a!s.

Structures: The temple O\\'11S 1.5 acres

of land of whIch 50 cents constitute

the temple complex. The str-uctures

thereon are ,srcek6\'iJ, 8U b -shrineR, namaskaara-malJrjapam, chu!! amba fdm,

ualiya-halikkall, maryaada, well and

tank.

The square eka-rfwla ,';rcck{ivil of

saandhilara type and frtcing west has

granite upa-paadam and adhi."ih{haa!] am ,

laterite walls and tiled roof. The upa­

paadam has a single moulding on which

the adhishthaanam is built with

mouldings of paadu.kam, jagathi, vfththa­kumudam, kumuda-pati, ga!am with

vaaja[l a motif, ga!a-patj, uththaram,

kampam, ga!C1m with flower motif, ga!a­pali, uththaram and vedi. The s{ipaa!!am

has six direct steps with vyaaji faces

at the top of banisters. The p!a~w.a!~ul1

supported by a pillar has vyaa!i-face at

the base, sundu ,.\lith rings and J:!.t)-I1Jukiw

end. The walls have 12 pillars, three

gha!_wdwaaI;I" and a functional door. On

each side of the wall there are two

niches. Attached to the southern "vall

of the .~-:rcck61/il there is a sub-shrine

having three deities. Lord Dakshill;l­

moorlhthy, Lord Gaf}aralhi and Lord

Saastha. The namaskaar:l-maI}9apam (side:

3.13 m.) has four pillars. The well is close to the northern naalambalam.

The chugambalam has entrances

from all sides, The thilappa!/i is at

northeast. The valiya-balikkall is at the centre of a platform paved "\vith granite stones, which is attached to the chU{lambalam. The sub-shrine with

idols of Lord Gal)apathi and Lord

Subramal)ya is at northeast facing west. The ruined compound wall has a height

of 1.32 m. at the west (front) and

1.8 m. on the other three sides. The tem.pIe tank is at sou thwest and

outside the compound wall.

Carvings and paintings: There are no car-;ings and paintings.

Deities: The main idol of Sree Narasimhamoo~ththy is in standing pose

(height: 90 cm.} v..rith four arms having

conch, disc, club and lotus in hands (similar to a Sree Maha Vish':lu dial).

However the sankalpa of Sree Narasimhamoo!ththy is one of pleasant

mood, in the act of blessing Prah!aada. The idol of Lord Dakshi I)amoorththy is of plain 1iriga form (75 cm.). The idol of

Lord Ga~lapathi is in sitting pose (height: 60 em.), white Lord Ayyappa is of iiriga­type with a height of 7 cm. The idols

of Lord GaQapathi (in sitting pose) and Lord Subrama~lya (in standing pose) in the separate shrine at northwest

have heights of 27 em. and 75 em. respectively.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple is kept open from 6 to 9-30 a.m. and from 6 to 7-30 p.m. Three poojas are held daily, usha-pooja at 7 a.m., uccha­pooja at 9 a.m. and aththaazha-pooja at

7 p.m.

Offerings: Ni[amaala, pal}a-paayasam, pushpaaiijaJi and naazhi ariyurn oru­pitiyum (a measure of 20 cubic inches and one handful of rice) are the main vaz}Jipaats. Of these, niramaala IS

important.

Festivals: There IS no festival In this

temple.

Priesthood and temple staff: The thanrhrj of the temple is from MUl:1teri ma!]a even

from the time of its first consecration. The daily poojas are held by a member

of Kaasippi!!i illam. The other staff includes a kazhakam.

General remarks: The temple needs

complete renovation.

(Data fumished by Snx V. Ravi Namho(.lchilj,

Manager and collected by Srcc M. Chandra§Ekharan ofihe Census Directorate).

I _

6.15 SREE (Perumutisseri) VETTAKKORUMAKAN TEMPLE, ERAMANGALAM

(Ve!lyamkot panchaayathth, Veliyamkot village, Pin - 679 587)

location: Situated ten and half km. southeast of Po!:!!!a!!i at Thaazhathel pati

junction on GUl'uvayoo! road (via

KUr}iUkc[uv} and thence one and a half km. south-west, the temple ts

connected by tarred road. Facilities

for stay are available O.t Ponnani.

388

Brief history and temple administration: Datable to ancient period, this temple

is locally known as Perit:1t!i temple. The

temple originally belonged to Malayaala

Brahmins in whose family there was an ascetic who installed a shrine for Lord

Si va, facing east. YeaTs later another

shrine for Lord VishI).u was built on the southem side of the Sree Siva temple. For centuries they conducted poojas in both temples meticulously but later generations neglected the temple and thereby the family became extinct as there was no progeny to carryon the tradition. The temple was then taken over by the local chieftains and later came into the hands of PUD!}aththoo! N ambiti. It is to be noted that one of those chieftains prayed for the blessings of Lord Vettakkorumakan for victory over his enemies. One day while that chieftain was worshipping in the temple complex of Lord Siva and Lord Vishl}u, he had a da[san of Lord Vettakkorumakan at the vaJiyambaJam of this temple and after that he saw the Lord disappearing into its eastem wall.

As the Lord's presence was felt there an idol of Lord Vettakkorumakan was

installed there facing west. Thereafter the temple became popular as Sree

Vettakkorumakan Temple.

In 1957 the temple was taken over by the HR&CE Department. It is managed through a committee consisting of five members who are elected once in five years by devotees.

The Chairman of the committee attends to the day-to--day management of the temple.

Structures: The details of the land owned by the temple earlier are not available. At present the temple owns two acres of land of which one acre constitute the temple complex. The structures thereon are sreekovils, su b­shrines, chu!{ambalaII1, valiya-balikkalJs, deepasthambham, well and tank. Three shrines are located in the akathtlle­baJivaltam of the temple complex viz.

38Q

Lord Siva, Goddess Bhagavathi and Lord VishZlU.

Of the se, the shrine of Lord Siva is square eka-thala (with mukha· ma!l~lapam) facing east and of nirandhaara type. It has granite adhishthaagam, laterite walls and tiled roof. The sopaagam has four direct

steps. The pralJaa!am has makara-simha face at the base, sundu with rings and sliced end. The walls have ghaga­dwaaras besides a functional door. This shrine has saptha-mathrkka!s and bali­pee!has.

To the north of the Lord Siva shrine there is a small eka-thala shrine for Goddess Bhagavathi facing east and almost opposite to that of Lord Vettakkorumakan. This shrine has no

balipeetham.

The northemmost shrine of Lord

VishI.lU, built after the consecration of Sree Siva shrine is square Eka-thaJa facing east and of nirandhaara type and without mukha-malJ¢apam. It has bali-peethas around it. The mouldings of the granite adhisht/wagam are

paadukam, jagathi, kumudam. ga!am, gala-pati, uththaram and pati. The sl'ipaagam has four direct steps and pral}-aa!am is of the usual type.

Though built later, the shrine of Sree Vettakkorumakan is important and

it is built on the eastern valiyambalam. This square Eka-thaJa shrine facing west and nirandhaara type, has laterite adhishthaa!!anl, walls and laterite stone roof. The mouldings of the adhishthaa!!.'1In are paadukam, jagathi, ga!am, uththarwn and vedi. The snpaa!}aID has three direct steps without any decorations or carvings on banisters. There is only a

small ovu (outlet) for draining lustral water. The usual type of prapaa!am is absent. The walls have three ghaga­dwaaras besides functional door. It has an attached paattoott of size 6 mx5.5m. with six pillars. There is a well at the akaththe-balivattam .

The chu!!ambalam has three entrances, two at the east facing Lord Siva and Lord Vishl)u and the third at west facing Lord Vcttakkorumakan.

As stated earlier, the famous shrine of Sree Vettakkorumakan is at the valiyambaJam. The sub-shrine of Lord GaJ.1apathi at south-west. Two valiya­balikkalls are installed facing Lord Siva and Lord VishJ.1u. Three deepasthambhas are installed, two at east of vuliya­balikkall and the other at west facing Sree Vettakkorumakan. There are two

other sub-shrines-one at north-west dedicated to Lord Ayyappa and the other at northeast for Brahmarakshas. There is a temple tank for the temple.

Carvings and paintings: There are stone carvings on the front wall of the sreekl)vij, but not of exquisite nature.

Deities: The siJa-linga idol of Lord Siva has a height of 60 cm. The idol of

Goddess Bhagavathi is in sitting pose

of height 30 em., while the idol of Lord Vishl)u is of standing pose (height 75 cm.) with four arms having conch, disc, elu b and lotus In hands, Srec

Vettakkorumakan, the important deity, of the temple is made of pancha-Ioha in standing pose (height 30 em.) with bows and arrows in hands. The idol of Lord GaQapathi and Lord Ayyappa are of

sitting poses of height 30 cm. and 60 em. respectively.

390

Time of worship and pooja: The temple

is kept open from 5 to 9 a,m. and from

5 to 7-30 a.m. Three poojas are done

daily, usha-pooja at 6-30 a.m., uccha­pooja at 8 a.m. a.."1d aththaazha-pooja at 7-30 p.m.

Offerings: Pushpaanjali, maalaJ vi!akk, dhaara, sa[kkara-paayasam, ol!a -appam, kootta-appam and Gal)apathi-homam are

the main vazhipaats of which o!!a-appam is famous and meant for fulfilment of

all desires.

Festival: The festival is held for four

days, the final day falling on fir3t

Saturday in the month of Dhagu. On

the first three days Ka!ampaatt is held

and on the last day 12,000 coconuts

are broken by the oracle continuously.

This offering is considered as bali to

BhoothagalJ8:; of Sree Vettakkorumakan.

Every year it is done as a vazhipaat by

the Ko~aati Nair tharavaac. Offering three

tender-coconuts to the Lord before the

commencement of breaking of coconut

is believed to satiate the thirst of the

Lord who was engaged in hunting.

Priesthood and temple staff: The details

of the tlwnthri who performed the

installation of idols are not known.

The present thanthri belongs to Chennas

m;1I1Ll. The §aaillhikkaran is appointed

from Malayaa!a Brahmins. The other staff

includes a Nambissan, aticchu-thafi and

clerk.

General remarks: The tempie IS

administered well.

(Data furnished by .sre~c A.P. G6vindan Naj[.

Manager and collected by Srce Thampi N. Suresh of the Census Directorate).

J ,

6.16 SREE (KoyappuJJi) SIVA TEMPLE, PERUMPATAPP (Perumpatapp panchaayathth, Perumpatapp village, Pin - 679 580)

Location: Situated 15 km. south-east ofPoQQa!!i at PuththanpaHi on Guruvayoo! road and thence one km. north, the temple is connected by tarred road. At north-east is the KoyappuHi kayal. Facilities for stay are available at Ponnani.

Brief history and temple administration: This temple dates back to ancient period. Chith!akootam in Vanneri (in Perumpatapp village} was the original seat of the Cochin Royal family and on this account they took the title Perumpatapp swaroopam. When the Saamoothiri invaded VaHuvanad in the latter half of the thirteenth century, the Perumpatapp swaroopam abandoned Vanneri palace and shifted to MahiSdayapuram. In 1405 their capital was shifted to Cochin.

The legend on the temple is related to the period when the members of the family lived in the Perumpatapp. Once a Raaja of Cochin and his lieutenant Thacchakathth Naayar went for hunting in the nearby forests of Perumpatapp. They, by accident, mistook a cow for a deer and killed it. In those days killing a cow was a heinous and unpardonable crime. Therefore both of them decided to do penance for pleasing Lord Siva and Lord Vishl!u. It is believed that the Gods were pleased and appeared before them and blessed them. To commemorate this incident, they built a temple. complex having shrines of Lord Siva and Lord Vishl!u of equal importance. When the Perumpatapp swaroopam migrated from here the administration of the temple came into

391

the hands of Thacchakkathth tha!avaat. For this they adopted some dubious methods, the result of which was that the family ceased to have progeny. The P!asga conducted by them also revealed that this was due to cheating the Raaja. Thereafter the members of the Naaya! family met the Raaja of Co chin and requested for pardon. The Raaja pardoned them and the family thereafter got progeny. Even today many devotees visit this temple and pray for progeny.

The temple was managed directly by the Co chin Royal family till 1950 when it was transferred to the newly constituted Cochin Devaswam Board. The day-to-day affairs are managed by a Devaswam Officer appointed by the

Board.

Structures: The temple owns six acres of land of which one acre constitutes the temple complex. The structures thereon are sreekovils, ruined chu!!ambaJam, valiya-balikkalJ , su b­shrines, deepasthambhas and well.

In the akaththe-balivattam there are three shrines-two principal shrines dedicated to Lord Siva (at the northem side), Lord Vishl!u (at the southern side) and Lord Gal!apathi (at the centre). The shrines of Lord Siva and Lord

Vishl!u are identical in structural aspects, except for natural changes produced over centuries.

Both <§reekovils are square dwi­thala of saandhaara type with attached mukha-ma1}9apam, facing west. The granite adhishthaa!!am has mouldings of paadukam, jagathi, vrththa-kumudam,

k.utnuda-pafi, kampam, ga!am and vedi. The s(5paa!]am has five direct steps with vyaa!i-face on top of banisters. The praIJaa!am of Lord Siva temple is broken at the sundu portion. The walls have 12 pillars and 1.1 gha!]adw3aras with niches. The roof is tiled and has carvings on greevQ. Well is at north­west of the akaththe-balivattam. The sub­

shrine of Lord GaI)apathi is very small and it faces east.

The ruined chu!!ambaiam has SIX

entrances-two at west facing the main deities, one at the rear (east), two on north (one of which is at valiyambaJam) and one at south (for

. vaJiyambaJam). There is no roof for the eastern and southern naalamboJams. The thitappa!!i is at north-east, Two valiya-balikkalls and two deepastham­bhams are installed at the western side facing deities. There is a sub­shrine at the south-west for Lord Ayyappa, facing east. The maryaada is ru.ined, only partly seen.

Carvings and paintings: There are some wood canrings on the CODlcrs of greeua.

Deities: All idols are made of sila. The idol of Lord Si va, of Jmga-[orm, has a heigh t of 90 em., while that of Lord VishQu is in standing pose (height: 120 cm.) v.rith four arms having conch, disc, club and lotus in hands. The idols

of Lord GaI)apathi and Lord Ayyappa are of sitting poses of height 60 cm. each.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple is kept open from 6 to 8.30 a.m. and from 5-45 to 7 -15 p.m. Two poojas are done daily, usha-pooja at 7-30 a.m. and ath.thaazha-pooja at 6-30 p.m.

Offerings: fala-dhaara, pllshpaa iijali, o!!a­appam, nai-paayasam and paarpaayasam are important vazhipaal.r-;. Of these, nai­paayasam is popular,

Festival: Sivaraathri is observed in this temple. Vela held on third Saturday of Makaram is an important one-day festival with the-yymn. fhi!;] and vela-kafi, being salient features, besides nlOdern entertainmen ts.

Priesthood and temple staff: Details of the thanthri who installed the idol are

not knmvn. The last kalasam was held in 1990 by the ri][lnthri of Cheriyathth Chendamangaiam iJIam. The present thanthri belongs to MullappuHi ilJam. The §a.anthikkaran belongs to Malayaala Brahmins. The other staff includes a kazbakam and 8tkchu-thafi.

General remarks: The temple needs renovation of chuttamUaiam and

maryaada.

(Data furnished by Sree Veliiyudhan N:1i[ and

coUected by Srec Thampi N. Suresh of the Census Directorate).

, i J -

6.17 SREE (Kaattumaatam) MUTHTHASSI AMMA TEMPLE, VANNERI (Perumpatapp panchaayathth. Perumpatapp village, Pin - 679 580)

location: Situated 500 m. west of

Vanneri .High School junction on POQUal}i-Gunlvayoo! road, the temple is

connected by tarred road. FaciE ties for stay arc available at Ponnani (IS kIn.),

392

Brief history and temple administration: The temple dates back to fifteenth century_ Once a member of Kaattumaatam magu and known earlier as MaI)akkad Muththassi Amma, went to

Payynrmala (near Pcramba in Koyilaa,:lti

taluk) and invoked Goddess BhadrakaaF

of Aadivaasis and brought Her and kept

at the bound~.1 of the illam, as she feared that objections would come from the kBM8l}(1V8[ and other elders of the

ma[!8. At night the Goddess appeared in vision as a beautiful lady to all male

members of the family and told them that they had shown disrespect to Her

who had come in response to the

prayers of a member of that family. N ext day they built a room at the

antharaaja of their maga and consecrated Her. Next day when the kaaral}ava[ was

taking bath, the beautiful lady emerged

from the midst of the tank and directed him to shift Her place to the

vaathilmaatam of Sree Vish.l).u shrine.

After a P!as!)a this was done and thus a beautiful daaru-vigraha of Goddess Bhadrakaa!i was installed there.

Structures: The details of land owned

prior to the Land Refornls Act are not

known. At present the temple owns

2.75 acres of which 60 cents constitute the temple complex. The structures thereon are sreekovil, ruined chu!!ambaiam, namwi,kaara-maJ,u)apam,

maryaada, sub-shrines, office building,

well and tank.

Within the akaththe-balivattam, there are two circular eka-thala shrines

(the northern one dedicated to Sree Dha~wantharimoo!ththy and the

southern one dedicated to Sree Narasimhamoo!-ththy), both facing west and of saandhaara type. They have

granite adhishthaagam, laterite walls

and tiled roof. The mouldings of the

adhishthaagarr1 are paadukam, jagathi,

vrthcha-kumudam, kumuda-pati, kampam,

393

ga!am and patio The sopaa!]am has three

direct steps with vyaa!i-face on the top

of banisters. The PIaal}a.huI1 has makara­simha face at the base, multi-faceted

sundu and sliced end. The walls have

eleven gha!Ju-dwaaras with niches,

besides the functional door. The

shrine of Sree Dhanwantharimoo!ththy has

a namaskaara-mal}tjapam (side: 1.95 m.)

having four pillars. The well is at

north-west of the akaththe-balivattam.

The chultambaJam has four

entrances, two at west facing the

deities of Sree DhaQwantharimoo!:ththy

and Sree Narasimhamoorththy and one

each at north and east. At the north­

west portion of valiyambalam, the idol

of Godde~s Bhadrakaali is installed

facing west. After the consecration of

this idol the temple came to be known

after the Goddess as Kaattumaatam

Muththassi Amma Temple. There is a

sub-shrine at the southem naalambalam having deities of Lord Saastha and Lord

GaI)apathi. Separate valiya balikkalls are

installed facing Sree Dhanwanthari­

moorththy and Sree Narasimhamoo!ththy.

There are two sub-shrines located

outside the chu!!ambalam,one of Lord

Siva at north-west facing east, and

the other of Lord Saastha at south-west

facing east. The office building is at

north-west corner of the ruined

maryaada. The temple tank is outside

the maryaada and at south-west. There

are ,~iJa-deepasthambhas installed in

front of Goddess Bhadrakaa!i and Lord

Saastha shrines.

Carvings and paintings: There are no

carvings and paintings.

Deities: Al1 the idols are made of iiia. The idols of Sree DhaDwantharimoo!ththy (height: 90 cm) and Sree Narasimha­moo!ththy (150 crn). have four arms ",ith conch, disc, club and lotus in hands. The important idol of Goddess Bhadrakaati is daaru-iilpa and this idol has only the portion above the waist and it has a height of 75 ern. The idols of Lord GaI)apathi, Lord Saastha etc. are all of sitting pose with a height of 45 em. The sila-linga idol of Lord Siva has a height of 60 cm.

Time of worship and poojas: The temple is kept open from 5-30 to 9 a.m. and from 5-30 to 8 p.m. Two poojas are done daily, usha-pooja at 7 a.m., uccha­

pooja at 8-30 a.m. and aththaazha-pooja at 7-45 p.m.

I

Offerings: Guruthimaala, sarkkara­

paayasam and mala! nivedyam are the

important offerings of this temple.

Priesthood and temple staff: The

prathishtha day is observed on 15th

MeegaID. The details of the thanthri who

installed the idols are not known. The

present thanthri belongs to Chennas ma!Ja

(of Perumutisseri). There is a hereditary

,rfaanthikkaran, besides a kazhakam.

General remarks: The temple needs

urgent renovation.

(Data furnished by Sree K.N. Namboothirippaad,

Ooraa!ar and collected by Sree Thampi N. Suresh of the Census Directorate).

6.18 SREE (Ka~!,ankaav) BHADRAKAAl:-1 TEMPLE, MOOKKUTHALA (NatlDamukk panchaayathth, Nar:mamukku village, Pin - 679 574)

Location: Situated three km. west of Changaramkulam (on NH-17) at

Mookkuthala on NaraI)ipuzha road, the temple is connected by tarred road. Facilities for stay are availa bIe at Changaramku!am.

Brief history and temple administration:

It is one of the five temples in and

around Mookkuthala, consecrated by Sree Jagad Guru Sankaraachaarya. The

other temples are Melekaav, Keezhkkaav, Ku!ancheri temple and

Raktheswaram temple. Kannankaav is owned by Aazhuvancheri ma!]iJ. The day­to-day affairs are administered by a kaarvaschhan of the mana. No other ~. -

details OIl this temple are available.

Structures: At present the temple owns

1_ 50 acres of which 50 cents constitute

394

the temple complex. The structures

thereon are §reekovil, vaJiyambaJam, sub­

shrines, well and deepasthambham.

The square eka-thala sreckovil of

nirandhaara type and facing east has granite and laterite adhishthaagam, laterite walls and tiled roof (with centre top portion open). The paadukam is gran;.te and jagathi is of laterite. (the

total height being 57 cm.). There is only one direct step to the tempfe without any banister. There is only a small water outlet at the place of pral}aaJam. The wells have three gha!]adwaaras, besides a functional door. At the southern side there is a sub­shrine with deities of Lord Gal)apathi and Lord Saastha. There is a iila deepasthambham at the front of the deity.

There is only a valiyambalam with two entrances, from east and south.

The chilappa!fi is at north-east. The sub­shrine of Bhoothath than is at the

south-west. The well is at the north­east and outside the northern wall. The bhaja!!a-mal}gapam is at the north­

east and a kaJyaal}a-mal}gapam at the

front. The maryaada exists partially.

Carvings and paintings: There are no carvings and paintings.

Deities: All the idols are made of §iJa. The main idol of Goddess Bhadrakaa!i is

in sitting pose (height: 60 cm.) with four arms having sword, trident, head of Asura, and disc in hands. The

Goddess is of fierce sankalpa. There

is also another pee{ham within the ga!bh~l-g!ham with the sankalpa of Sree

Bhadrakaa!i. The idol of Lord GaI)apathi is in sitting pose (height: 15 cm.), while

that of Lord Ayyappa is of plain liuga t)rpe (15 cm.). Srce Bhoothaththaan is

a carved figure on a §jJa having a height

of 60 crn.

Time of worhip and pooja: The temple is kept open from 5 to 11 a.m. and from

I

5 to 8 p.m. Three poojas are done daily,

usha-pooja at 6 a.m., uccha-pooja at

10-30 a.m. and aththaazha-pooja at

7-30 p.m.

Offerings: Raktha-pushpaaiija/i, katum­paayasam, mutta!ukkal, lhr-chandagam and

veti are important vazhipaats. Of these

the first three are famous and popular.

Festival: The Pooram uthsavam is

celebrated on the first Friday and

Makaram with thaalapoli, kalam-paatt and

fire-works.

Priesthood and temple staff: The idol was

consecrated by Sree J agad Guru

Sankaraachaarya. The thaIlthri belongs to

Al!imangalam illam (MaataayikoI)am,

Iringalakuda). The (:aanthikkiiran belongs

to a traditional Namboothiri family.

The other staff includes a kazhakam and

aticc]IU-thap.

General remarks: The temple needs

renovation.

(Data furnished by _~rcr.: K.S.N. E!aycdwn and

collected by Sree Thampi N Suresh of the Census Directorate).

6.19 SREE BHAGAVATHI (Aadi Paraasakthi) TEMPLE, MOOKKUTHALA (NaQr)amukk panchaayathth, Nal}l}amukk village, Pin - 679574)

Location: This renowned temple

is located three km. west of

Changaramku!am (on NH-17) and 28 km.

north of Guruvayoo!:. Facilities for stay

are available at Kunnamku!am and

Guruvayoo! .

Brief history and temple administration:

Datable to very ancient period, the

origin of the temple is shrouded in

mystery. It is believed to be one of the

395

108 Du!ga temples, the then name

being MookkOla. In all probability the

Goddess appeared as swayambhoo

to Lord Parasuraama. However for

cen turies the place was neglected and the place had thick jungles. The legend tells that In early

ninth century, Sree Jagad Guru

Sankaraachaarya happened to pass through this place during his journey.

\Vhen he came here he noticed an

unusual effulgence in the nearby

woods. Attracted by this rare

phenomenon and feeling the divine

presence he decided to meditate for

finding out the truth. He selected a

nearby rock for meditation, which has

been preserved as an ancient relic. He

first meditated Lord Siva and the Lord

appeared before him but the effulgence

emanating from the woods did not

abate even after the Lord's appearance.

This implied that the effulgence was

not associated with the powers of the

Lord. Then he continued meditating

on other manifestations, Lord

Narasimhamoo!ththy, Sree Durga

Bhagavathi and Sree Bhadrakaa!i. They

all gave him du[san. but the mystery of

effulgence continued \\rithout any loss

of power. Therefore he gave up

meditation consoling himself and

reaching the conclusion that the

never-diminishing power could be that of Sree Aadi Parasakthi. He then praised

the Goddess who blessed him and

he could locate the swayambhoo rock

of the Goddess. He conducted the

initial rites to this rock and made

arrangements for the smooth conduct

of subsequent poojas. This shrine is

known as meJc-kaav. Srce "Jagad Guru

then installed all deities who gave him

da!san at different locations, Lord Siva

(of the present Sree Raktheswaram

temple), Lord NarasimhamooIththy (of the

Kolanchery temple) and Sree Du~ga (of

the present Keezh-kaav). Among all

the temples mele-kaav continued to

be supreme as its character is

swayambhoo of Sree Aadi Parasakrhi apart

from the benevolence shown by the

Goddess to Lord Parasnraarna and Sree

Jagad Guru Sankaraachaarya. At the

396

front of the swayambhoo rock there is

an idol of Goddess sitting on a Lion. Abhishekam, chandagamchaa!ththal etc.

are done to this idol.

There are some unusual features

In the rituals of the temple. As the

manifestation of the Goddess was of a

very calm nature even from the

beginning , no festivals with pomp are

conducted here. Elephants and drums

are avoided. Even malJi-korti-pooja (ringing of handbell with pooja) is not

done. Sreebhoorha bali is also not done.

A notable feature is the absence of

subsidiary deities. Another feature is

that the temple premises are always

be kept tidy. To ensure purity of the temple premises rneaJs are served only

at the agra-saaJa of the Keezh-kaav.

A small crystal-like stone, known

to outside world as Mookola-kallu or

Mookkuthala stone occasionally falls

ou t of the swayambhoo rock located

below the feet of th e deity. I t is

gathered by the priest at the time of

abhishekam and given to ardent

devotees who wish to wear it as a

pendent to ward off ill-luck and .';ath!u­baadhas.

Many great men of letters have

come here to offer prayers and to seek

the blessings of the Goddess. They

include Melpaththoo~ N aaraayaI!a Bhattathiri. Poonihaanam NamboothirL UJdhal)9a Saasthrika!, Kotungalloo!:

Kunnukuttan Thampuraan, Kootalloo! Kunnikaav Namboothirippad, Rama

Panivadan and Erkkara Raman Namboo­

thiri. Of them, Mclpaththoo!, the great

composer of Naaraayal}eeyam. carne to

this temple at the end of his life as directed Lord Guruvaayoorappan for

attaining moksha. He spent his last

days here by worshipping the Goddess. He composed Sree Paada Sapthathi, which

describes the feet of the Goddess in

seventy verses. At last he attained

moksha in 841 K. E. (there is a view

that it was in 823 K.E.) from the temple

itself and the spot lies between l\.fele­

kaav and Kcezh-kaav temples. When

he was going to Keezh-kaav after

worshipping in lvleJe-kaav, he felt great

fatigue and sat on the ground.It is said

that suddenly his soul left the body

and reached the feet of the Lord.

This spot is still worshipped by

devotees with great veneration. Since MeIpaththoo!' got mukthi (liberation) the

place has another name also, 'mukthi­sthhala'.

The ternple was renovated

about a century back by Kunnikkaav

Namboothirippaad of Kootalloo!, maQa,

while the building of maryaada and

renovation of temple tank were done

by Pakaravoor Jathavedan Namboothiri.

The Keezh-kaav is at the northern

side of .Mele-kaav. It was renovated

completely by the Eraa1paat of Saamoo­

thiri k5vilakam. Its period is recorded

as the Kali-yuga year of Suddhobhivrdhi siddhya.

The temple belonged to 36

ooraa!a.!:s at a time. Most of the families

have become extinct. Of late it is

managed by Mangalathoo!' and Pa!!avoo!:

mag8s. In 1963 the HR&CE Depart­

ment took over its management and

now administers it through a Trutee

Board consisting of a representative

from each of the ooraaJa! farnilies and

three nominated members. The

397

Chairman, a nominee of the Depart­

ment attends to the day-to-day affairs

of the temple. There is a local

committee known as Sree fvfookkurhala

Bhagavathi Kshethra Paripaalalla Samithi

which functions very efficiently

makeing improvements in the temple.

Structures: The temple complex has an

extent of eight acres, of which five

acres form a miniature forest. A rare

tree vazha grown abundantly in this

complex is considered sacred and its

fallen leaves are treated as De"'i­

p[asaadam. Devotees collect them and

preserve them for getting properity.

The structural pattern of this

temple is peculiar and does not conform

to the general pattern. The temple

faces west and it is in the midst of the

forest. There is a compound wall built

over the rock. The sreek[)vil has no roof

or other structures.At its front there

is a vaathilmaatam with an attached agra­

maIJ9apam with trellis walls. The

thitappa!!i is at north-west. There is a

mal}9apam with an image of Sree

Sankaraachaarya at the south-east of this

thitappa!/i. There is a tiled nata-panthal

at the front of the agra-ma1}f/apam. The

office building and Saraswathy

ma1}~apam are at south-west of the

sreeki'ivij.

Carvings and paintings: There are no

carvings and paintings.

Deities: Within the sreek5vii there is a

swayambhoo rock with the chaithaQya

of Sree Aadi Pariisak[hi. There is a version

that the figure of the Goddess, which

became clear in dhyaaua of Jagad Guru

was of Sree VishJ!umaaya. This concept

is now unanimously accepted. Poqjas

are done to a bahuvera-vigraha of

Goddess on a lion. There is no other

subsidiary deity here.

Time of worship and pooja: The temple

is kept open from 5 to 9-30 a.m. and

from 5 to 7-30 p.m. Two nivedya-poojas

are done daily, at 7 a.m. and at 7 p.m.

Deepaaradha!!a is held at 6-30 p.m.

Offerings: The main vazhipaats are

pusflpaafijaii. rf1r-chandanam. flcyyappam,

malar-para. nai-paayasam, thr-madhuram and 108 maala. Of these, nai-paayasam is popular.

Festival: Navaraathri is observed with great enthusiasm conducting cultural programmes.

Priesthood and temple staff: The idol is swayambhoo. The present thanrhri belongs to Anmangalathth illam of Maap[ aal)am of Thrssoor district. The .5aanthikkaran is appointed form Malayaa!a Brahmins. The other staff includes

kazhakam, clerk, aticchu-thafi (inner and

outer).

General remarks: The temple IS

administered satisfactorily.

(Data furnished by ,r;ree K.PS. Ul}l}i. Trust­

Member and collected by Sax Thampi IV, SaTcsh or the Census Driectorate).

I _

6.20 SREE (Ashtayil) NARASIMHA TEMPLE, AALA~KOT (AalaQkot panchaayathth, Aalar:ekot village, Pin - 679 585)

Location: Situated two and half km. east of Maanthatam junction of National

Highway-17, through a Panchaayathth road the temple is connected by tarred road. Facilities for stay are available

at Kugippuram (10 kIn.).

Brief history and temple administration:

This temple dates back to eleventh

century and belonged to eight illams, Cherumukk, Chaangaliyot--Vaaddhyaan, KariyaQ Qoor, Ezhikk5t, Pookkuzhi. Chaangaliot, Kaavapra and Kakkaat. The

first four illruns from those mentioned

above migrated from this village. Of

the migrated families Cherumukk family

settled near ShO!<U;lOO! with the name

Thraangali-Cherumukk. In that fanlily, there was a great ascetic by name Sree Athyaas[ami. He was a contemporary

of Sree Melpaththoo!. Sree Poonthaa !! am, Sree Ku[ooramma and Sree Vilwama-

398

ngalathth Swaamiyaa[. It is said that just

after his upa-nayagam he renounced

the world and became a siddhan (an

accomplished ascetic). He did not see

any difference between a rich or poor,

hot or cold, happiness or misery, palace

or hut, Raaja or low caste. He was

always pleasant. Becau se of his

attitude and way of life, he was made

an outcaste by the orthodox

Narnboothiri community. Athyaasrami

cursed that all those who entered

through the eastern door of the

sanctum-sanctorum wou~d be

outcastes. When the priest and others

experienced the powers of Athyaasrami the eastern door was permanently

closed. This was confirmed in a deva­p[aS!!8 held in 1972. Further it was

revealed therein that as an expiatory

rite, Sree Alhyaas!:ami has to be installed

facing the Lord at north-west corner

(outside the chu!!ambalam). Accordingly

the prathishtha of Athyas! ami was held

on Anizham asterisk in the month of Thulaam of 1155 K.E. (corresponding to

October 1979). The procedure of da!s8!!8 in the temple was also changed thereafter. The Lord likes to see His great devotee (Sree Athyaas!ami) being worshipped first before He is worshipped. It is believed that Sree Athyaas!ami wrote commentary to Sreemad Bhagavatha puraal).a without referring to the original Sanskrit text,as the kaara{18Va[ of the Kootalloo~ ma!}8 refused to give him a copy of Sreemad Bhagavatham, as Sree Athyaas!ami was considered an outcaste and therefore not eligible to handle scriptures. This commentary is called K[sh1}apadi and at the end of this book he reveals that his original

name was Raaghavananda Mu!:!i. His last

days were at the Thrcchambaram temple. Since the temple was built by the eight

(ashta in Sanskrit) renowned Namboothiri families it is known as

Ashtayil temple. The temple is owned and managed directly by the PerumpaHi iIlarn.

Structures: At present the temple owns

1.50 acres of which 50 cents constitute the temple tank. The structures of the temple include §reekovii, namaskaara­mal}rjapam, chu!!ambaJam, sub-shrine,

valiya-balikkall, shed, deepasthambham, maryaada, well and tank.

The square Eka-lhaJa sreekovil of nirandhaara type and facing west has granite adhi."hthaagam, laterite walls

and tiled roof (with laterite and wood base), The mOUldings of the adhish-

399

lhaagan1 are paadukam, jagathi, V!lhtha­kumudam, kumuda-pati, ga!am with

vaaja!]a motif, ga!a-pati, uththaram, kampam, ga!am with flower motifs, ga!a­pati, uththaram and patio The sopaa!]am has four direct steps "vith 'vyaaJi face on top and niches on sides of banisters.

The praJ}aa!am has makara-simha face at the base, multi-faceted sanda with rings and tapering go-makha end.

There are three niches on walls with mural paintings. There is a ghaQ8-

dwaaram at the rear besides the

functional door at the west. The sub­shrine of Lord GaI_lapathi, facing west, is attached to the southern wall of the sreeki5viJ. The namaskaara-mal}rjapam (side: 2.50 m.) has four pillars. The well is at north-west of the akalhthe­balivattam.

The chu!!ambaiam has six

entrances, four from the four sides and

in addition one each on northern and

sou thern side of valiyabalam. The

thitappa!!i is at the north-west. The

mulayara is at the north-east corner.

The valiya-balikkall is outside the

c11U!!ambaJam. At the front there is a

shed. The sub-shrine of Sree Athyaas!ami (Sree Raghava!}anda Mu!}i) is

at north-west comer facing east. The

!~ila-deepasthambhamis built at its front.

The maryaada has a height of 4.8 m.

and a width of 1.2 m. with the shape

of elephant's back at the top. The large

temple tank is on the western side.

Carvings and paintings: Dwaara-paalakas

made of granite stone are beautifully

carved. Mural paintings can be seen on the three niches depicting Kaa!iya­llw[dda!]aIn and other episodes from the childhood days of Sree Krshl!a.

Previously the entire outer wall of the §reekovij had exquisite mural paintings, but now the wall has been white­

washed. There is an inscription in Sanskrit on the top of Sree Gal}apathi

shrine stating that the idol is that of Sree Bala Narasimha. There is also a prayer to [he Lord in the insciption.

Deities: The fila idol of Lord N arasimhamoo!ththy of standing pose (height: 72 em.) has four arms with conch, disc, club and lotus in hands. The sankalpa of the deity is of Sree Baala-Narasimha. The idol of Lord

Gal,lapathi is of sitting pose (height: 30 cm.), while that of Sree Athyaas~ami is in standing po~e (height: 4S em.).

Time of worship and pooja: The temple is kept open from 6 to 8 a.m; and from 6 to 7-30 p.m. Usha-pooja is held at

7 -30 a.m. Evening nivcdyam is offered at 7 p.m.

400

Offerings: Pushpaafijali and sa!kkara­paayasam are the vazhipaacs of which pushpaanjali is important.

Festival: There is no festival in this temple.

Priesthood and temple staff: The details of the thanthri who installed the idol are not known. It is believed that ancestors of all eight illakka!s participated in the rites. The present thanthri belongs to AIfimangalam illam of Thp;soof. The saanthi is held hereditarily by the

ooraa!a!. The only other staff is a kazhakam.

General remarks: The temple needs complete renovation for which an

amount of Rs. 10 lakhs is required. Paucity of funds affects the renovation.

(Data furnished by Srec Perumpa!!i Niiniya~uUl Namboolhiri, Ooraa!a! and collected by Sree G.

Si'ladiis,m of the Census Directorate).

THIROORANGAATI TALUK

PLATE 1

SREE (Niramkaithakotta) BHAGA V ATHI TEMPLE~ V A~~IKUNNU

SREE (Nira~kaithakotta) SAASTHA TEMPLE, V A~~IKUNNU

PLATE 2

, , -SREE (Kur_Jtoorchola) SIVA TEMPLE, VALIYORA

CAVE TEMPLE AT RIGHT EXTREME

". , . SREE (Thrkku~am) SIVA TEMPLE, THIROORANGAA TI

PLATE 3

~

APSIDAL SREEKOVIL - REAR VIEW (Sree Siva temple, Venniyoor)

. DILAPIDATED DWI-THALA SREEK()VIL , (Sree Subramat:'ya temple., K~aari-Ambalavattam)

PLATE 4

ANOTHER VIEW OF SREEKOVIL (Sree Subrama~ya temple, K!aari.Ambalavattam)

MUTILATED DWAARAPAALA (Sree Subrama~ya temple, K!aari.Ambalavatlam)

ERNAAT TALUK

SREE (Chevaayoor) SUBRAMA~YA TEMPLE, PUl,JKKAL FRONT VIEW

I _

SQUARE DWI ·THALA SREEKOVIL (Sree Chevaayoor Subrama~ya temple, Pu!ikkal)

PLATES

PLATE6

, . DWAARAPAALA (Sree Chevaayoor Subramal)ya temple, Pulikkal)

SQUARE EKA-THALA SREEKOVIL AND PATTOOTT (Sree Karumakan kaa,f, Azhinnilam)

CLOSE VIEW OF SREEMUKHAMOF PATTOOTT (Sree Karumakan kaav, Azhinnilam)

, - ""'''' SREE MAHA VISH~U TEMPLE, AZHINNILAM

PLATE 7

PLI

PLATE 8

SREE (Kottaku!:umba) DURGA-BHAGA VATHI TEMPLE, PUTHUKOT

SREE (Neermangaat) NARASIMHAMOORTHTHY

TEMPLE, VI~A YIL

PLATE 9

, CA VE WHERE. SAGE KA~V A MEDITATED (Sree NeermangaatNarasimhamoorththy temple, Vi~ayil)

PLA PLATE 10

SOUTHERN SQUARE DWI-THALA SREEKOVIL OF LORD SUBRAMANY A

(Sree Subrama .... ya temple complex, Karikkaat) .

- - -- - ~--~--...

j

NORTHERN CIRCULAR DWI-THALA SREEKOVIL OFLORDSUBRAMA~YA

(Sree Subrama .... ya temple complex, Karikkaat)

PLATE 11

SREE SAASTHA SHRINE (Sree Subramal)ya temple complex, Karikkaat)

~ ~I-

SREE VISH~U TEMPLE, KOT ASSERI

PLATE 12

ASHTA-DIKPAALAS (Sree Vish-:,u temple, Kotasseri)

SREE SIVA TEMPLE, PUTHUKOJ...,J...,I

, CIRCULAR SREEKOVIL OF LORD SIVA ON HILL TOP

(Sree Siva temple, PuthukoHi)

CONCH-SHAPED WELL (Sree Siva temple, PuthukoHi)

PLATE 13

PLATE14

SREE DURGA BHAGAVATHI TEMPLE, PANTHALOOR

(;OPURAM (Sree Durga Bhagavathi temple, Panthaloor)

.PLATE 15

SREE (Kaa! i kaal') BHADRAKAAJ..I TEMPLE, MELAAKKAM

, SREE (Moothrakunnathth) DURGA BHAGA V ATHI TEMPLE,

MANJERI

PLATE 16

SREE (Perumthrkkovil) MAHA SIVA TEMPLE, TH~PPA~ACCHI

ANOTHER VIEW (Sree Perumthrkkovil Maha Siva temple, Thrppa!!acchi)

NILAMBOOR TAL UK

PLATE 17

SREE AYYAPPA TEMPLE, KAUKKAAT

SREE VETTAKKORUMAKAN TEMPLE, NILAMBOOR

PLATE 18

CLOSE VIEW OF GOPURAM (Sree Vettakkorumakan temple, N'ilamboor)

, , SREE (Kailaasa) SIVA TEMPLE, THIRUV AALI

PLATE 19

ANOTHER VIEW (Sree Kailaasa Siva temple, Thiruvaali)

, , SREE SIVA TEMPLE, W ANTOOR . -

PLATE20

SREE VISHNU SHRINE ; ,

(Sree Siva temple, Wal)toor)

" -SREE SIVA TEMPLE, POROOR

PERINTHALMANNA TALUK . .

THE ILLAM OF THE RENOWNED POONTHAA~AM NAMBOOTHIRI

MACCHU OF POONTHAANAM ILLAM

PLATE 21 E23

1

PLATE22

SACRED SPOT

(From where Lord KrshI_l3 took Poonthaa!!am to VaikuI_l!ham)

SREE MAHA VISH~U TEMPLE, POONTHAA~AM

GRANITE SLAB USED BY POONTHAANAM FOR SOORYA -NAMASKAARAM

" -

SREE (Muthukku!:issi) SAASTHA TEMPLE, KEEZHATTOOR

PLATE 23

PLATE 24

.TI

SREE (Kovilakam) SIVA TEMPLE, MA~KA T A

, ,...,,...,

SREE (Kaaratt Thrkkovil) SIVA TEMPLE, PATINNA TTUMURI

CARVINGS OF NA V AGRAHAS ON AGRAMAIYPAPAM (Sree Kaaraatt Thrkkovil Siva temple, Patinna!!umur i)

'" " ......, '" SREE (Mel-Thrkkaav) SIVA TEMPLE, PATINNAATTUMURI

PLATE 25

PLATE 26

SREE (Aalikkalmal)l)a) DHANW ANTHARI TEMPLE

VALAMBOOR

SREE (Etaththupurathth-Poonthaa!:!am) K~SH~A TEMPLE VALAMBOOR

GRANITE SLABS WHERE POONTHAANAM PERFORMED . SOORYA-NAMASKAARAM

Etaththupurathth temple

SREE (Thirumandhaamkunnu) BHAGA V ATHI TEMPLE ANGAATIPPURAM

PLATE 27

PLATE 28

\.1

ANOTHER VIEW

(Sree Thirumaandhaamkunnu Bhagavathi temple, Angaatippuram)

' . .

SREEMOOLASTHHAANAM (Sree Thirumaandhaamkunnu Bhagavathi temple, Arigaatippuram)

PLATE 29

SREE (Thali) SIV A TEMPLE, ANGAATIPPURAM

, SREE SUBRAMANYASWAAMY TEMPLE ERAVIMANGALAM

PLATE 30 - --... ._. ~ ---

SREE RUDRA DHANW ANTHARI TEMPLE PULAAMANTHOL

TRADITIONAL NAMASKAARA-MA~PAPAM (Sree Rudra Dha~wanthari temple, PulaamanthoD

THIROOR TAI_,UK

- SREE (GaJ.lapathiyaan kaav) MAHA VISH~U TEMPLE ERANAAKARANELLOOR . -

_ .. _--------

SREE '(ThrkkaikaU) SIVA TEMPLE, ERA~AAKARANELLOOR

PLATE 31

PLATE32

MUTILATED DWAARAPAALAS (Sree Thrkkaikaat Siva temple)

, - - , SREE K~SH~A TEMPLE, KERALADHEESW ARAPURAM

, - , .

SREE MAHA SIVA TEMPLE, TH~KA~TIYOOR

APSIDAL DWI-THALA SREEKOVIL (Sree Maha Siva temple, Thrkkal)tiyoor)

PLATE 33

PLATE 34

ENTRANCE TO 1'HUNLIIANPARAMB ....

MANDAPAM . . (Thunchan paramb)

--KAANNIRA TREE (where Thunchathth Ezhuththacchan

wrote his immortal works)

SREE MAHA SIVA TEMPLE, AAD~SSERI

PLATE 35

PLATE36

DWARAPAALAS WITH MUTILATED HANDS , ,

(Sree Maha Siva temple, Aadrsseri)

CLOSE VIEW OF DWAARAPAALA , ,

(Sree Maha Siva temple, Aadrsseri)

PLATE 37

SREE VE~KITA-THEV AR SIV A TEMPLE, KOTT A YKKAL

DWAARAPAALAS (Sree Vel)kita- Thevar Siva temple, Kottaykkal)

PLATE38

T

TWO EXQUISITE MURAL PAINTINGS (Ha!_!umaan reading Raamaaya!1a and Sree Krshl).a with opikas)

SREE V ARAAHAMOORTHTHY ~ ,

(Sree Vel)kita-Thevar Siva temple, Kottaykkal)

LORD VISH~U WITH GODDESS SREEDEVI AND SREE HHOODEVI

SREE PARTHHASARATHHY AND SREE BHADRAKAJ.-I (Sree Vel)kita- Thevar Siva temple, Kottaykkal) .

PLATE 39

PLATE: 40

PRADOSHA NJ.lTHTHAM (Sree Vel}kita .. Thevar Siva temple, KoUaykkal)

, - "" -SREE PARVATHI , LORD SIVA AND SREE VISH~UMA YA (Sree Venkita- Thevar Siva temple, KoUaykkal) ,

PLATE 41

SREE VISWAMBHARA TEMPLE, KOTTAYKKAL

SREE (Pal)<Jamangalam) K~SH~A TEMPLE, KOTT A YKKAL

PLATE42

, -SREE (Indya!!oo[) MAHAGA~APATHI TEMPLE

KOTTAYKKAL

, SREEBHAGAVATHITEMPLE,KAATAAMPUZHA

PLATE 43

ANOTHER VIEW

(Sree Bhagavathi temple, Kaataampuzha)

SREE (Thekkuthth) MAHA SIVA TEMPLE, IRIMBI~IY AM

PLATE 44

'" SREE BHAGA V ATHI TEMPLE, THOZHUV AA~OOR

ANOTHER VIEW '" (Sree Bhagavathi temple, Thozhuvaa!!oor)

PLATE 45

, , SREE SIVA TEMPLE, PAI~KA~~OOR

, (with Sree Vishnu shrine at the back drop)

KOKKARANI , , (Sre~ Siva temple, Pail)kar:lI:lOor)

PLATE 46

, , SREE (Kaithrkkovil) SIVA TEMPLE

(Cave temple), NATUV ATT AM

A VIEW OF SUB·SHRINES , , . (Sree Kaithrkkovil Siva temple, Natuvattam)

SREE BHAGAVATHI TEMPLE, CHANDA~A KAA V

SREE MAHA VISH~U SHRINE (Sree Chanda~akaav temple complex)

PLATE 47

PLATE 48

MURAL PAINTINGS OF MELPATHTHOOR (Sree Maha Vishnu shrine, Sree Chanda!:!a kaav temple complex)

SREE NA V A MUKUNDA TEMPLE, THIRUNAA V AA Y A FRONT VIEW

SREE NA VA MUKUNDA TEMPLE, THIRUNAA V AA Y A REAR VIEW

DWI-THALA SREEKOVIL

(Sree Nava Mukunda temple, Thirunaavaaya)

51

PLATE 49

PLATESO

'" - ' REAR OF THE SREEKOVIL WITH NANDI (Sree Nava Mukunda temple, Thirunaavaaya)

PRANAALAM . . (Sree Nava Mukunda temple, Thirunaavaaya)

CHISTLE OF PERUMTHACCHAN (Sree Nava Mukunda temple, Thirunaavaaya)

, SREE GANAPATHI AS DWAARAPAALA OF .

SREE GA~APATHI SHRINE (Sree Nava Mukunda temple, Thirunaavaaya)

PLATE 51

PLATE 52

SREE MAARKKANDEYA PROSTRATING LORD- SIDE VIEW - . '" (Sree Nava Mukunda temple, Thirunaavaaya)

PAZHUKKA MAlYpAPAM (Sree Nava Mukunda temple, Thirunaavaaya)

SREE ASWINI-DEVA TEMPLE, AALATHTHIYOOR

SREE KOO~MAMOORTHTHY TEMPLE, (Garu~ankaav, Vellaamasseri)

PLATES3

PLATE 54

, -SREE MAHA VISHNU SHRINE

(Garudankaav, Vellamasseri) • •• I

, AN IMAGE OF SREE GARUDA

(Garu"ankaav, V e! !aamasseri)

PLATE 55

.. SREE (Perumthrkkovil) RAAMA TEMPLE (Ha~umaankaav), AALATHTHIYOOR

" -DWI-THALA SREEKOVIL (Ha!!umaankaav, Aalaththiyoor)

PLATE 56

MURAL PAINTINGS

(Ha!!umaankaav, Aalathithiyoor)

LORD HANUMAAN ON ABELL-METAL LAMP

(same pose as of the idol in the shrine)

SREE MAHA SIVA TEMPLE, TH~PRANGOT FRONT VIEW

REAR VIEW (Sree Maha Siva temple, Thrprarigot)

PLATE 57

PLATE 58

SREEMOOLASTHHAANAM , , (Sree Maha Siva temple, Thrprangot)

, , SREE SAASTHA SHRINE, CHAMRA V A TT AM

PLATE 59

, SREE BHAGA V ATHI TEMPLE (Vettaththkaav), VETTAM

, SREE SIVA TEMPLE, MANGALAM

PLATE60

SREE MAHA VISHNU SHRINE _,. _,.

(Sree Siva temple, Mangalam)

A BROKEN PRANAALAM -. . , , (Sree Siva temple, Mangalam)

PONNANITALUK -- -

SREE (Thrkkaav) DURGA BHAGAVATHI TEMPLE, PO~~A~I

PALAZHIMADHANAM CARVINGS ON CEILING OF ON NAMA,~KARA.MAIY~)APAM

(Sree Thrkkaav temple, Po!!!!igi)

PLATE 61

) PLATE 62

, SREE BRAHMA TEMPLE, THA VA~OOR

SREE (Cheru Thirunaavaaya) SIVA TEMPLE, THA VA~OOR

PLATE6~

~

SREE ANTHI MAHAAKAA~AN TEMPLE, ATHA~OOR

SREE SIVA SHRINE (Sree Anthi Mahaakaa!an temple, Athaloo[)

[>LATE 64 \ '

, , SREE SAASTHA SHRINE

(Sree Anthi Mahaakaa!an temple, A!!aloor)

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SREE THIRUMA~IYOOR SIVA TEMPLE, KALATI

PLATE 65

,,- ' SREE DAKSHI~AMOORTHTHY TEMPLE, SUKAPURAM

WOOD CARVINGS ON MUKHA-MAIYpAPAM , . - . ~

(Sree Dakshll)amoorththy temp.le, Sukapuram)

PLATE 66

MUKHA-MANDAPAM - ANOTHER VIEW . . , , (Sree Dakshi~amoo!'ththy temple, Sukapuram)

SITE OF CAVE WHERE SAGE SUKA DID PENANCE (Sree Dakshil).amoo!'ththy temple, Sukapuram)

PLATE 67

THE ENTRANCE OF THE CAVE (Sree Dakshil}amoorththy Temple, Sukapuram)

, , , SREE (KaUumatam) MUTHASSI AMMA TEMPLE,

PERUMPATAPP

PLATE 68

SREE DHA~W ANTHARIMOORTHTHY SHRINE (Sree Kaattumaatam Temple, Perumpatapp)

SREE NARASIMHA SHRINE (Sree KaUumatam temple, Perumpatapp)

SECTION 3

TEMPLE DIRECTORY

1 Thiroorangaati taluk 402-427

2 Eranat taluk 428-469

3 Nilamboor taluk 470-491

4 PerinthalmaQlJa taluk 492-533

5 Thiroor taluk 534-585

6 Ponnani taluk 586-613 -- -

401

3655 RGIJ03-27A

I

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

THIROORANGAA TI TALUK KEY TO MAP SHOWING NAMES OF PANCHAA YATHTHS AND VILLAGES *

V ALLIKKUNNU 11 PARAPPA~ANGAATI

1 Ariyalloo!" 12 Netuva

2 Vallikkunnu 13 Parappa!}ungaati (Part)

CHELAMBRA 12 THAA~OOB (PART) @ 3 Chelambra 14 Parappa!!angaati (part)

PALLIKKAI. THIROORANGAATI

4 PaHikkal 13

15 Thiroorangaati

THENNIPPAALAM 5 Thennippaalam 14 NA~~AMBBA

16 Nannambra -- -PERUVAI_..I .. OOB 6 PeruvagooE IS THE~~ALA

KANNAMANGALAM 17 Ther!r!ala (Part)

7 Kal).l).amangalam 16 ETARIKKOT

OORAKAM 18 Thc!!!!ala (Part)

8 Oorakam 17 PA_BAPPOOB

VENGARA 19 Pa!appoo!

9 Verigara 18 OTHUKKUNGAL

ABDU RAHIMAAN NAGAR 20 Othukkungal

10 Abdu Rahimaan Nagar

MOONNIYOOg 11 Moonniyoo!

* There is no municipal town in this taluk @; Remaining part in Thiroo~ taluk

402 3655 RGtlO3-27B

KDZHIKKOOE 1'AlUK (KOZHIKKOOE Oj5T~ICT)

... ~ ... ...

B 0 UNO A R!_f~ \

Olstnct ...

Totuk .• , ..

Pon, hayot.hU, ..

VillClge with number. ... _ _ E.. _ _ _

e:8ANAT TAlUK

THIROOB TALUI<

Th~ mop is drowl'I'nattr1 san.'.E"unh .. rall boundari .. s or ..

al)proKlmate- 0"" should nat b~ tol<er1 as auti14t\1Iic·

ROUGH MAP OF THIROORANGAATI TALU~ (NOi TO SCAl E)

S1. no.

1

2

3

1 • THIROORANGAATI TALUK

Type of Name of sreekovil of Time of temple; Principal deity; principal worship; Fe stival/ location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam

2 3 4 5 6

1 VALLIKKUNNU PANCHAAYATHTH .. 1 Ariyalloo! village

Sree (Raviman-galam) Maha Vishnu temple

1.5 km. NWof Vallikunnu RS and on the eastern side of Katalunti road.

Sree Siva temple

Onekm. SWof Vallikunnu RS. and on the western side of Parappanangaati road

LordMaha Vishnu

Eleventh century

Lord Siva

Seventeenth century

2 Va!!ikkunnu village

Sree(Niramkaitha kkotta) Bhaga­vathi temple

Four lan. S of Feroke or 12 km. N of Parappanan­gaati and one kIn. SW of Ambalam junction on Kot­takatav road.

Goddess

Bhagavathi

Ancient temple

Square dun-thala

Square dwi-thala

Rectangular eka-thala

All days (5 to 11 a.m. and 5 to 8 p.m.)

Usha-pooja (7 a.m.) Uccha-pooja (10-30 a.m.) Aththa=ha­pooja (7 -30p.m.)

All days (5 to 9 a.m. and 5-30 to 7-30 p.m.)

Usha-pooja (7 a.m.) Aththaazha­pooja (7 p.m.)

All days (5 to 11-30 a.m.and 5 to 6-30 p.m.)

Usha-pooja (9 a.m.) Aththa=ha­pooja (6 p.m.)

403

Prathishtha­day on 14th July

Sivamathri

Thaalappoli on either the First Tuesday or Friday in Kumbham

Ownership! management;

Sub-group; Remarks

7

President, Sree Ravimangalam Maha Vishnu Temple Samrak­shana Samithi, Katalunti Nagaram Pin - 673 314

Suh-group C-2 (vide section 2, sl. no. 1.1)

President Sree Siva Temple Committee Ariyalloor Pin - 676 312

Sub-group E

Trustee (under Sarunoothiri) Calicut Niram­kaithakkotta Sree Bhagavathi Temple, Vallikkunnu North Pin - 6433]4

Sub-group C-4 (VIde section 2, sl.no. 1.2)

Type of Ownership! Name of Principal sreekouiI of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival! Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsauam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

4 Sree (Niram- Lord Ayyappa Square All days (5 to Annual Trustee kaithakkotta) Fifteenth eka-thala 11-30 a.tn.and festival for (under Saamootbiri) Ayyappa temple. Century 5 to 8 p.m.) 4 days from Calieut Sree Niram

Fourkm. S of Usha-pooja Makara- Kaithakotta

Feroke or 12 kIn. (6-50 a.m.) samkramam Ayyappa Temple.

N of Parappanan- Uccha-paaja Vallikkunnu North

gaati and one km. (lla,m.) Pin - 673314

SW of Ambalam Aththaazha- Sub-group C-l junction of pooja (7 -30p.m.) (vide section 2, Kottakatav road. st. no. 1.3)

5 Sree (Pishaarik- Goddess Circular New temple No festival Secretary kal) Durga temple Durga Devi dwi-thala under Sree Pishaarikkal

250 m. S of Ancient temple construction Durga Temple

Katalunti Railway Katalunti Nagaram

Station Pin-673314

Sub-group D-2 (A temple destroyed during Mysorean invasion)

6 Sree (Cherukun- Lord Maha Square Once in a Ashtami Secretary, Kerala nathth) Maha Vishnu eka-thala month on lsi Rohini Kshethra Samrak-Vishnu temple Sixteenth Thursday shana Samithi,

250 m. S of century (6 to 10 a,m,) Sree Maha Vishnu

Aththaani In. on Single paoja Temple,

Ohpramkatav (9 a.m.) Vallikkunnu

road Pin-673314

Sub-group E

7 Sree (Thekkil) Lord Square All Sundays and No festival President Subramanya Subramanya eka-thala festival days Sree Subramanya temple Eleventh (8 to 11 a,m.) Temple Committee

1.6 kIn. E of century Single paoja Vallikkunnu

Aththaani In. on (10 a.m.) Pin - 673 314

Olipramkatav Sub-group E road.

2 CHELAMBBA PANCHAAYATHTH 3 Chelambra village

8 Sree (ltimoozhik- Lord Maha Rectangular All days Mandalam President kal) Maha Ganapathi eka-thala (5 to 11-30 a.m. 41 days Sree Maha Ganapathi temple

Ancient temple and 5 to Sivaraathri. Ganapathi Temple 17 kIn SE of 7-30 p.m.) Committee Kozhikkode Malamivedyam Chelambra ltimuzhickal on Uccha-poaja Pin - 673634 NH-17 and thence (11 a.m.) Sub-group D-2 50mSE D£epaaradhana

(7p.m.)

404

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival! Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

9 Sree (Ittiyaatt) Lord Maha Square All days (Mom- No festival President

Maha Vishnu Vishnu eka-thala ing and evening) Sree Ittiyaattu Maha

temple Ancient temple Time not Vishnu Temple

18 kIn. SE of specified Committee

Kozhikkode at Chelambra

Kaukunda stop Pin - 673 634

on NH-17 and Sub-group E

thence 750 m. towards S via Spinning Mill road and Paddy fields

10 Sree (Vennaayoor) Lord Square All days Thaip- President

Subramanya Subramanya dwi-thala (Momingand pooyam Vennaayoor

temple Ancient temple evening) time Sree Subramanya

18.5 kIn. SE of not specified Temple Committee

Kozhikkode at Ailckarappati

Vennaayoor on Pin -673637

NH-17 and thence Sub-group 0-2

about 1.5 km. N via paddy fields

11 Sree (Peruman- Lord Subra- Circular All days (6 to Thaip- Private Temple,

nasser.i.) Subra- manya eka-thala 8-30 a.m. and pooyam Ooraalan,

manya temple Ancient temple 5 to 6 p.m.) only Neelamana illam,

Two and a half Nivedya paoja at Pullipparamb

km. SWof momingand Pin - 673 634

University In. on evening Sub-group 0-2

NH-17 at Am-balapati on Pull-liparamb road.

12 Sree (Peruman- Lord Sankara Square All days (only No festival President nasseri) Sankara Naaraayana eka-thala Nivedyamon Sree Naaraayana Twentieth Momingand Sankaranaaraayana

temple century evening) Temple

250 m. N of Sree Pullipparam bu

Perumannasseri Pin - 673 634

Subramanya Sub-group E temple

13 Sree (Elannum- Lord Siva Apsidal All days Sivaraathri President

mal) Siva temple Ancient eka-thala (Moming only) Sree Elannummal

19 km. SE of temple Time not speci- Siva Temple Com-

Kozhikkode at fied mittee

Kolakkaat In via Kolakkaatu -Chaalil

ltimuzhikkal-Pin - 673 634

Kolakkaat Sub-group 0-2

Chaalil road and thence 200 m. S

405

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management:

Sl. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival/ Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

3 PALLIKKAL PANCHAAYATHTH . . 4 Pa~~ikkal village

14 Sree (Manakkaatt) Lord Siva Square All days Sivaraathri President Siva tmple Ancient temple eka-thala (Moming only) Sree Manakkaatt

Five km. SE of Siva Temple Com-

Ramanaattukara mittee

at Kaakkancheri Pallikkal

on NH-17 and Pin - 673653

thence 1.5 m. E Sub-group E on VKC Pati

15 Sree (Vaariyatl1.th) Lord Maha Circular All days Annual President, Sree Maha Vishnu Vishnu eka-tha/a (5 to 8-30 a.m. festival on Vaariyathth Maha temple Eleventh and 5-30 to Prathistha Vishnu Temple

Three km. E of century 8p.rn.) day on Committep

Kaakkancheri on Usha-pooja Makorn in Pallikkal

NH-17 at Pallik- (6-30 a.m.) Metom Pin - 673653

kal and thpnce Uccha-pooja Sub-group C-2 one km. Son (8 a.m.) (vide section 2, Alinnalasseri road Aththaazha- sl.no. 1.4)

pooja (7-30p.m.)

16 Sree (Thalak· Lord Square All Mondays Any day Private temple kuthth) Subra- Subramanya eka-thala and Fridays before Thalakkuthth manya temple Eighteenth

(Moming only) Pooyam in family, Pallikkal

300 m. E of Sree century Makaram Pin - 673653

Vaariyath Maha Sub-group E Vishnu temple across paddy fields

17 Sree (Vennaayoor) Goddess Square All days No festival President Shaarikkaav Durga eka-thala (Moming only) Sree Vennaayoor Durga Bhagavathi Bhagavathi Timings not Shaarikkaav Durga temple specified Bhagavathi Temple

Four km. E of Ancient temple Mandalam days Committee,

Kaakkancheri at evening only Aikkarappati (via)

Aikkarapati In. Pulikkal

and thence 1.5 Pin - 673637

km. on Vennayoor Sub-group E road

18 Sree (Pallikkal Lord Maha Square All days (Mom- Annual President theru) Maha Ganapathi eka-thala ing and evening) festival on Sree Pallikkal theru Ganapathi temple Sixteenth Time not speci-

lOth Dhanu Ga:b.apathi Temple

300 m. S of century fied Committee

Pattikkaat Pallikkal

junction Pin - 673653

Sub-group E

19 Sree Bhagavathi Goddess Durga Square All days No festival Private temple, temple

Nineteenth eka-thala (Moming only) Paarappurathth

500 m. E of century Time not speci- mom, Pallikkal

Pattikkaat at fled Pin - 673653 Kaavumpati stop Sub-group E

406

Type of Ovmership) Name of Principal sreekovilof Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival) Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsauam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

20 Sree (Puththoor Lord Siva Square All days No festival President Ealothth) Siva Twentieth eka-thala (Morning and Sree Ealothth Siva temple century evening only) Temple Committee

Six km. SE of Time not Puththoor

Kaakkancheri(on specified Pin - 673636

NH-17)-Pallikkal Sub-group E In. at Puthoor and thence one kIn.S

21 Sree (Unnyaalun- Lord Ayyappa Square Only on special No festival President gal) Ayyappa Twentieth eka-thala days and Sree Unnyaalungal temple century Mandalam41 Ayyappa Temple

Three km. SE of days (Morning Committee

Pallikkal on Gnly) Kumminiparambu

Koonolmaatroad Pin - 673638

at Sraambya Sub-group E Bazaar In and thence 100 m. E

22 Sree (Netungot- Lord Maha Square All days No festival President Sree tumatt) Maha Vishnu dwi-thala (6 to 8-30 a.m. Nctungottumaat Vishnu temple Ancient temple and 5-30 to Maha Vishnu

Chettiyaarmaat 7 p.m.) Temple Committee

In (on NH-17) Morning pooja Pal1ikkal

and thence one only Pin - 673653

kmSE Sub-group E

23 Sree (Kurunthalal Lord Ayyappa Square All Saturdays No festIval President Ayyappa temple Sixteenth eka-thala morning only except Sree Kurunthala

One km E. of century Mandalam Ayyappa Temple

Pallikkal Bazaar period Committee

on College road Pallikkal Pin - 673 653

Sub-group E

N '"

4 THENNIPPAALAM PANCHAAYATHTH

5 Thennippaalam village

24 Sree Lord Siva Square All days Sivaraathri President, (Thrkkannan) Eleventh eka-thala (6 to 9 a.m. and Sree Thrkkannan Siva temple century 6 to 7-30 p.m.) Siva Temple

Two km. Waf Usha-pooja Committee,

Chelan at (8 a.m.) Chenakkal-Angaati

Chenakkal- Aththa=ha- Pin - 673636

Angaati. pOOjQ (7 p.m.) Sub-group D-2 (A ruined temple, attacked by Mysorean invations and riotsj

407

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekouil of Time of Management;

SI. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival/ Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

25 Sree Vettakkoru- Lord Vettak- Circular No poojas No festival President, makan temple korumakan eka-lhala Sree Vettakkoru-

One krn. N of Ancient temple makan Temple

Chenakkal Committee,

Angaati. Chenakkal-Angaati Pin - 673636

Sub-group D-2 (A temple destroyed by Mysorean forces and riots)

26 Sree (Molancherl) Goddess Square All days (6 to No festival Secretary, Bhagavathi Bhagavathi eka-thala 9 a.m. and 5-30 Now a days Sree Molancheri temple Sixteenth to 7-30 p.m.) Bhagavathi Temple

3.5 kIn. NWof century Usha-pooja Committee,

Chelaari on (8 a.m.) Chenakkal-Angaati

lrirn boththi- Aththaazha- Pin - 673636

kalkatav road. pooja (7 p.m.) Sub-group E

27 Sree (Param- Goddess Square All days (6-30 to Annual Secretary baththkaav) Bhagavathi eka-thala lOa.m.) festival for Sree Parambathth-Bhagavathi Sixteenth Usha-paoja 3 days from kaav Bhagavathi temple. century (9a.rn.) Uthraatam Temple Committee

Three krn. W of to Avittam in Chelambra

Calicut University Meenam Pin - 673634

In. on NH-17 Sub-group C-l towards Katak- (vide section 2, kaattpaara and s1.no. 1.5) thence one km. N on Parambathth-kaav road

28 Sree (Villooniyaal) Goddess Square All days No festival Secretary Paradevatha Paradevatha eka-thala (5-30 to 9 a.m. Sree Paradevatha temple Tenth and 5-30 to Temple Committee

Half a krn. W of century 8p.rn.) Thenjippaalam

Calicut University Usha-pooja Pin - 673636

Junction on (Sa.m.) Sub-group E NH-17. Aththa=ha- Renovated in the

pooja (7 p.m.) Twentieth century

29 Sree (Chovvayil) Lord Siva Square All days (5-30 to Sivaraathri Secretary, Sree Siva temple Fourteenth eka-thala 9-30 a.m. and Chowayi] Siva

Three krn. W of century :5 to 7 p.m.) Temple Committee

Calicut University Usha-pooja Thenjippaalam

junction. (Sa.m.) Pin- 673636

Aththa=ha- Sub-group D-2 pooja (6-30p.m.)

408

Type of Ownership I Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

SI. temple; deity; principal worshi.p; Festival! Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

30 SreeMaha Lord Square All days Vinaayaka Secretary,

Ganapathi temple Ganapathi dwi-thala (6 to 8 a.m. and Chathurththi Sadaanandaasrama

At Kohinoor Twentieth 6 to 8 p.m.} Committee,

junction on century Usho.-pooja Kohinoor

NH-17 (7 a.m.) Pin-673635

Aththaazha- Sub-group E

pooja (7 p.m.)

31 Sree Lord Siva Square All days (9 to No festival Private Temple, iMotappilasseri) Nineteenth eka-thala 10-30 a.m.) Motappilaaseri Siva temple century Single-pooja family,

Half a kIn. E of (10 a.m.) Tbenjippaalam

Kohinoor on Pin - 673636

Neerolpalam road. Sub-group E

32 Sree (Koyappa) Lord Maha Square All days (5-30 Annual President Maha Vishnu Vishnu eka-thala to 8-30 a.m. festival on Sree Koyappa Ma-temple Ancient temple and 5-30 to Thiruvonam haa Vishnu Temple

Half a km. E of 8-30 p.m.) in Meenam Committee,

Paanampara Usha-pooja (Prathi- Thennhippaalam

junction on (7-30 a.m.) shtha-day) Pin - 673- 636

NH-17 Aththaazha- Sub-group D-2 pooja (A temple ruined (7-30 p.m.) during Mysorean

invasion)

5 PERUVAlLOOR PAN CHAAYATHT H .. . -6 PeruvaHoo! village

33 Sree (Keranalloor) Goddess Circular All days Thaalappoli President Durga Devi Bhagavathi eka-thaia (6 to 9 a.m.and ()n Punar- Sree Keranalloor temple Very ancient 5 to 8 p.m.) thamin Durga Devi Temple

29 km NE of temple Usha-pooja Dhanu Committee

Thiroor at Panik- (7 a.m.) Peruvalloor

kattu pati junc- Uccha-pooja Pin - 673638

tion (on NH17) (6-30 a.m.) Sub-group C-2 and thence Five Aththaazha- (vide section 2, kIn. Eat pooja sl.no. l.6) Kaatapati (on (7-30 p.m.) Kontotti road) and thence 250m. N.

34 Sree (Etap- Lord Maha Circular All days No festival Private temple parambu) Maha Vishnu eka-thala (7 to 8 a.m.) Mangalasseri illam

Vishnu temple Ancient temple Single pooja Peruvalloor

Three and half Pin - 673638

krn. SE of Sub-group E Kaatapati on Mullapati road

409

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

SI. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival/ Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

6 KANNAMANGALAM PANCHAA YATHTH .... 7 Ka~!,amangalam village

35 Sree (Perandak- Goddess Circular 1st Sunday of all Prathishtha Secretary kal) Bhagavatbi Bhagavathi eka-thala months (8-30 day on Sree Bhagavatbi temple Ancient temple a.m.to 2 p.m.) Makayiram Temple Committee,

Two km. N of Usha-pooja in Chingam Kannamangalam

Acchanam balam (11 a.m.) Pin - 679305

(on Vengara- Uccha-pooja Sub-group D-2 Kunnumpuram (1 p.m.) According to road) sankalpas the idol

has combined pow-ers of Goddesses Lakshmi, Kaali and Saraswathi

36 Sree (Vaalakkutal Lord Square All Mondays One day Private temple Subramanya Subramanya eka-thala and Fridays before Kizhakkepurakkal-temple Sixteenth (9 to 11 a.m.) Thaipooyam family,

Half a km. NW of century Nivedya pooja Tbottasseriyara

Etakkaparamb (IOa.m.) (via) A.R. Nagar

(on Vengara- Pin - 676305

Kunnumpuram Sub-group E road)

37 Sree Goddess Square lsI day of all Annual Private temple Karinkaalikaav Karinkaali eka-thala Malayaala festival in Chelaat, Cheroor

One and half km SL"teenth months Kumbham (via) Vengara

E of Chinnamma century (9 to 10 a.m.) or Meernam Pin - 676305

pati (on Vengara- Nivedya-pooja Sub-group E Kunnumpurarn (lOa.m.) road) at Kleena-akkot

38 Sree Narasimha- Lord Circular All days No festival Secretary moorththi Narasimha- dwi-thala (6-30 to 8 a.m.) Sree Narasimha-temple moorththy Usha-pooja moorththi Temple

At Chinnamma Ancient temple (7-30 a.m.) Committee, Cheroor

pati on Vengara- (via) Vengara

Kunnumpuram Pin- 676305

road. Sub-group D-2 (A ruined old temple)

39 Sree Subramanya Lord SquaIe 1 st day of all No festival Private temple, temple Subramanya eka-thala Malayaala Cherathth Parambil

At Chinnamma Twentieth months Per-oor

pati on Vengara- century (6 to 9 a.m.) (via) Vengara

Kunnumpuram Malar pooja Pin - 676 305

road (8 a.m.) Sub-group E

40 Sree (Thonniyill Lord Siva Square All days Paattuuth- Private temple, Siva temple

Eighteenth eka-thala (9 to 10 a.m.) saufor 3 Thonniyil family,

One km. S of century Nivedya-pooja days from Kannamangalam

Acchanambalam (10 a.m.) Thrkketta in Pin - 676318 (on Vengara- Vrschikam Sub-group E Kunnumpuram road)

410

Type of Ownership I Name of Principal sreckovil of Time of Management;

Sl. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival I Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsauam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

41 Sree (lringalatht- Lord Square 1 st Monday and No festival Private temple, hoor) Subramanya Subramanya eka-thala last Friday in all Poliyetathth temple Eighteenth months 110 a.m. Palliyaalil family

At Theentekkad century to 12 noon) Kannamangalam

In. on Vengara- Malar Niuedyam Pin - 676318

Kunnumpuram (11 a.m.) Sub-group E road.

42 Sree (Iringalatht- Lord Maha Circular 1st Thursday on Paattu Manager hoor) Maha Vishnu eka-thala all Malayaala uthsavin Sree lringalaththoor Vishnu temple Antiquity not months pO a.m. Meenam Maha Vishnu

At Theentekkad specified to 12 noon) Temple

In. on Vengara- Malar Nivedyam Kannamangalam

Kunnumpuram (10-30 a.m,) Pin - 676318

road. Sub-group E

7 OORAKAM PANCHAAYATHTH

8 Oorakam village

43 Sree (Kuttaaloor) Lord Maha Square All days No festival Secretary Maha Vishnu Vishnu eka-thala (6 to 9 a.m.) Sree Maha Vishnu temple Nineteenth Single pooja Temple Committee,

16 km. NWof century (8 a.m.) Oorakam,

Malappuram at Keezhmuri

Ku ttaaloor on Pin-676515

Parappan angaati Sub-group E road and thence 500 m NE.

44 Sree (Kottumala) Lord Rama Square All days No festival President, Ramaswaamy Nineteenth eka-thala (6 to 8-30 a.m.) Sree Kottumala temple century Single pooja Ramaswami Temple

11 kID. NW of (8a,m,) Committee

Malappuram at Kuttaaloor

Kaarathot In. Keezhmuri

and thence Pin - 676515

1.5 km. Son Sub-group E Kottumala road

45 Sree (Thiru Lord Ayyappa Square All days (8-30 to Annual Chairman Archanaamkunnu Ancient temple eka-thala 10-30 a.m.) festival on Trustee Board mathaththinku - Single-pooja Thiruvonam HR&CE, langara} Ayyappa (9-30 a.m.] in Kumb- Sree Ayyappa temple ham temple, Melmuri

500 m. N from Pin-676519

Puththanpeetika Sub-group E J n. (on Parap-panangati road]

411

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

S1. temple', deity; principal worship; Festival/ Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

46 Sree Subramanya Lord Square All days Thaipooyam Under HR& CE temple Subramanya dwi-thala {6-30 to department

OnekmNWof Sixteenth 10 a.m.) Sree Subramnya

Govt. LPS century Usha-pooja temple

(7 a.m.) Paarakkanni Oorakam Uccha-pooja Pin - 676519 (9-45 a.m.)

Monthly once Sub-group E

47 Sree (Amman- Goddess No sreekovil Monthly once No festival Private temple cheri) Bhagavathi Bhagavathi (under (Kuttepurath temple Seventeenth renovation) tharavaat)

750 m N of village century Sree Bhagavathi

extension office temple committee Ammaancheri Oorakam Pin - 676 519

Sub-group E

48 Sree (Thiru Lord Sankara- Square Once in a year Annual Trustee Board Archanankunnu) naaraayana eka-thala Th.iJuuonam in festival in Chairman under Sankaranaaraa- Ancient temple Thulaam Thiruuonam HR&CE Sree yana temple (3 a.m. to 2p.m. in Thulaam Sankara

Seven km. N of Thiruvona pooja Naaraayana Temple

Ayurvedic (9 a.m.) Oorakam, Melmuri

Dispensary jn. on Pin - 676519

Nediyiruppu road Sub-group E (Situated on the top of a hill) _ ..

8 VENGARAPANCHAAYATHTH 9 Vengara village

49 Sree (Karinkaali) Goddess Square 1st Tuesday in Annual Secretary temple Bhadrakaali eka-thala all Malayaala festival on Kshethra

250 m. Nfrom Sixteenth months Chothiin Samrakshana

Pakkadapuray century (6 to 10 a.m.) Meenam Samithi

road junction on Usha-pooja Kooriyaat

NH-17. (ge.m.) Pin- 676304

Sub-group E

50 Sree (Kaarayil) Goddess Square 1 st Tuesday in Annual fes- Private temple, Bhagavathi Bhadrakaali eka-thala all Malayaala tival on Kaarayil family, temple Nineteenth months ( 8 a.m. Anizhamin Kooriyaat

At Kooriyaat on century to 12 noon) Kumbham Pin- 676304

Thiroor - Vengara Uccha-pooja Sub-group E road and thence (12 noon) 100 m. S.

51 Sree (Paarayil) Lord Square All Amaavaasis Any Tues- Private temple Muththappan Muththappan eka-thala (7 to 10 p.m.) day and Paarayil family, temple Sixteenth Malarpooja Friday in Veliyora

100 m. SE ofVen- century (lOp.m.) Kumbham (via) Vengara

gara Kaccheri pati Pin - 676304

junction. Sub-group E

412

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival/ Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

52 Sree Lord Square First Friday in Annual Private temple, Muththappan Muththappan eka-thala all months festival in Kariyaatan family, temple Sixteenth (6 to 8 a.m.) Kumbham Vengara

100m. Sof century Niuedyu pooja Pin - 676 304

Parambil pati Sub-group E junction.

53 Sree (Thali) Siva Lord Siva Circular All days No festival President temple Eleventh dwi-thala (8 to 9-30 a.m.) Sree Siva Temple

Half a km SE of century Nivedya-pooja Committee,

Vengara- (9 a.m.) Kannaattippati

Kaccheripati Pin-676304

junction on Pak- Sub-group E kadappuray road.

54 Sree (Kuntuchola) Lord Siva Square All days (7 to No festival President (Siva) temple Ancient temple eka-thala 8-30 a.m. and Sree Kuntuchola

250 m. SWof 6 to 7 p.m.) Siva Temple

Kaccheripati Usha-pooja Committee

junction. (7 a.m.) Veliyora

Deepaara.:z- (via) Vengara

dhana Pin- 676304

(6-30 p.m.) Sub-group C-l (vide section 2, sl.no: 1.7)

55 Sree (Amman- Goddess Square First Friday in Annual Manager

cheri) Bhagavathi Bhadrakaali eka-thala all Malayaala festival for Sree Ammancheri temple Ancient temple months 1st day Bhagavathi Temple,

100 m. NW of (4 to 6 p.m.) before 15th Vengra

Parambil pati In. Nivedya-pooja of Kumbham Pin- 676 304

on Vengara- (6 p.m.) Sub-g"Oup E Kakkaat road.

9 ABDU RAHIMAAN NAGAR PANCHAAYATHTH

10 Abdu Rahimaan NagaI village

56 Sree Muththap- Lord Square Once in a No festival Private temple, pan temple Muththappan eka-thala month Pookkotan family,

Half a lan. E of Twentieth (8 to 10 a.m.) Mamburam

Thalappara on century Nivedya-pooja Pin - 679 305

Kozhikkode road. (9 a.m.) Sub-group E

57 Sree (Keez- Lord Siva Square Nopoojas No festival Private temple, hatathth) Siva \Kiraatha- eka-thaln Keezhatathth Karolil temple moorththi) family,Olakara

Two lan. NE of Sixteenth Pin - 676 305

Thalappara via century Sub-group E Kunnathth.

413

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival! Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

58 Sree (Kotu- Lord Square All days (5 to No festival President, vaayoor) Subra- Subramanya dwi-thala 8-30 a.m. and Sree Subramanya manya temple Ancient temple

5 to 7-30 p.m.) Temple Paripaalana

One km. NE of Usha-pooja Sangham

Kolappuram (on (6 a.m.) A.R. Nagar

NH-17) on Uccha-pooja Pin - 676305

Kontotti road. (8 a.m.) Sub-group C-2 Aththaazha- (vide section 2, pooja (7 p.m.) sLno. 1.8)

59 Sree Lord Siva Square All days (5-30 to Siuaraathri President, {Kotuvaayoor) Ancient temple eka-thala 8-30 a.m. and Sree Kotuvaayoor Siva temple 5-30 to Siva Temple Com-

One km. NE of 7-30 p.m.) mittee, A.R. Nagar

Kolappuram Usha-pooja Pin - 676 305

(on NH-17) on (7 a.m.) Sub-group E Kontotti road Aththaazha- An old dilapidated

pooja (7 a.m.) temple

10 MOONNIYOOB PANCHAAYATHTH

11 MoonniyooI village

60 Sree (Velimukku) Lord Circular All days Shashtiin President,

Subramanya Subramanya dwi-thala (5to 8-30 a.m. Vrschikam Sree Velimukku

temple Ancient temple and 5-30 to Subramanya

Half a km. W of 7 p.m.) Temple Committee,

Velimukku on Usha-pooja Velimukku South

Thiroor - Kozhi- (6 a.m.) Pin- 676 317

kkode road via Nivedyam Sub-group E

Chemmaat (6-30 p.m.)

61 Sree (Kaattuvaac- Goddess Square All days 1st Tuesday President, Sree

chira) Kurumba Bhagavathi dwi-thala (6 to 8-30 a.m. or Friday Kaattuvaacchira

Bhagavathi Ancient temple and 4-30 to after Vishu Kurumba

temple 6-30 p.m.) Bhagavathi Temple

Half a km. E of Malarpooja Committee,

Velimukku on (7-30 a.m.i Velimukku South

Thiroor Kozhi- Nivedyam Pin-676317

kkode road via (6p.m.) Sub-group E

Chemmaat

62 Sree (Kaliyaattak- Goddess Square Mandalam41 Kaliyaattam Private temple, kaav) Amman- Bhadrakaali eka-thala days Uthsavfor Velivalli and

cheri Bhagavathi Ancient temple 17 days from 17 days Puthiyaveedu temple 1st Monday in fromlst Ooraazhma

Two and a half ItQuam Monday in Moonniyoor

km. W of Muttic-No poojas Itavam Pin - 676317

chira (on NH-l7) Sub-group E towards Kaliyaatta road.

414

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal worship; Fe stiv all Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

63 Sree(Paappan- Lord Siva Circular All days (5-30 to Sivaraathri President noor) Siva temple Very ancient eka-thala 9 a.m. and 6 to Paappannoor

Onekm. Wof temple 7-30 p.m.) Temple Samrak-

Panikkottupati on Usha-pooja shana Samithi,

Kozhikkode road [7 a.m.) Velimuklru

Uccha-pooja Paappannoor

(9 a.m .. ) Pin-676317

Sub-group C-l (vide section 2. m.no. 1.9)

64 Sree (Kuttiyil) Lord Maha Circular All Thursdays No festival President, Sree Maha Vishnu Vishnu dwi-thala (9 to 10 a.m.) Maha Vishnu temple Antiquity not Niuedyam Temple Committee,

At Pottammei on specified (10 a.m.) Velimukku

Thacchilkkatav Pin - 676 317

road Sub-group E

11 PARAPPA~ANGAATIPANCHAAYATHTH

12 Netuva village

65 Sree (Cheraman- Lord Maha Square All days No festival President galam) Vishnu Vishnu eka-thala (5-30 to 8-30 Sree Chiramangalam temple Eighteenth a.m. and 5-30 Temple Paripaalana

2.5 km. S of century to 7-30 p.m.) Samithi. Netuva

Parappanangaati Moming pooja Pin - 676303

and on the east- (7-45 a.m.) Sub-group E em side of railway lines

66 Sree (Karim- Goddess Rectangular All Tuesdays Thaalappoli Private temple kaalikaav) Bhaga-

Bhagavathi ekn-thala (6-30 a.m. to on 2nd Kizhakkepurakkal vaW temple 7-30 p.m.} Tuesday in Netuva

Half a km. E of Eighteenth

Moming pooja Makaram. Pin- 676 303

Puthenpeetika In. century (ll a.m.) Sub-group E

(Parappanangaati) on Thiroor-Katalunti road.

67 Sree Goddess No structure Nopoojas No festival Private temple Muntiyankaav Muntiyan Sree Muntiyankaav Two and a half Bhagavathi Netuva km. of Parap- Antiquity not Pin - 676303 panangaati at known Sub-group E Ullanam junction.

68 Sree (Ullanam) Lord Siva Square All days No festival President Siva temple

Sixteenth eka-thala (5-30 to 10 a.m. Sree (Chira-Three km. NE of century and 5-30 to rnangalammana) , Parappanangaati 8-30 p.m.) Ullanarn Siva Temple at Ullanam North Moming pooja Committee junction. (9 a.m.) Ullanam North

Aththaazha- Pin - 676 303

pooja (8-15p.m.) Sub-group E

415

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Managemeot;

S1. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival/ Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsauam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

69 Sree Lord Dharma Rectangular All days (5-30 No festival Trustee, Ayyappankaav Saastha eka-thala to 9-30 a.m. Sree Mookambika temple Sixteenth and 5-30 to Religious Trust

One and a half century 7-30 p.m.) Ayyappankaav

km. E ofParap- Morning pooja Chettippati

panangaati In. at (8 a.m.) Pin - 676319

Ayyappan kaav Sub-group C-6 junction. (vide section 2,

s1.oo. 1.10)

70 Sree(Veeraraayan Lord Mahaa Rectangular All days Thaalappoli President Pazhayatheru) Ganapathi eka-thala (6 to 9 a.m. and mahothsau Sree Veeraraayan Maha Ganapathi Eighteenth 5 to 7 p.m.) for one day pazhayatheru temple century Morning pooja on 10th Ganapathi Temple

Half a km. N of only (8 a.m.) Dhanu Committee

Ayyappan kaav Chettippati

In. Pin-676319

Sub-group E

71 Sree Kurumba Goddess Square No poojas No festival President, Bhagavathi Kurumbha eka-thala Sree Kurumba temple Bhagavathi Bhagavathi Temple

At Chettippati In. Nineteenth Committee

on Thiroor- century Chettippati

Parappanangaati Pin - 676 319

road. Sub-group E Being renovated

72 Sree Puthentheru Lord Maha Rectangular All days Sivaraathri Secretary, Sree Maha Ganapathi Ganapathi eka-thala (5 to 10 a.m. Puthentheru Maha temple Eighteenth and 6 to 7 p.m.) Ganapathi Temple

250 m. NE of century Morning pooja Committee

Chettipati In. (8-30 a.m.) Chettippati Pin - 676 319

Sub-group E

73 Sree Paradevatha Lord Square All days Sivaraathri Secretary temple Paradevatha eka-thala (6 to 10 a.m.) Sree Paradevatha

250 m. NE of Eighteenth Morning pooja Temple Committee,

Chettipati century (9 a.m.) Chettippati

junction. Pin - 676319

Sub-group E

74 Sree (Kottiyaattu) Goddess Square All days Sivaraathri Secretary Bhagavathi tem- Kurumba eka-thala (6 to 10 a.m. Sree Kottiyaattu pie Bhagavathi and 6 to 7 p.m. Bhagavathi Temple

300 m. NE of Eighteenth Morning pooja Committee, Chettip-

Chettipati century (9 a.m.) pati

junction. Pin - 676 319

Sub-group E

75 Sree (Haripuram) Lord Square All days No festival Secretary, Maha Vishnu Maha Vishnu eka-thala (6 to 10 a.m. Kshetra Sevaa temple Sixteenth and 5-30 to Samithi, Manipuram

500 m. E of century 1-30 p.m.) Maha Vishnu

Chettipati Ushapooja Temple, Chettippati

junction. (9 a.m.) Pin - 676 319

Aththaazha- Sub-group E pooja (7 p.m.)

416

Type of Ownership I Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

Sl. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival/ Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

76 Sree (Polppaayil) Lord Siva Square All days Sivaraathri President

Siva temple Fourteenth eka-thala (6 to 10 a_m,) Sree PoJpaa:yil Siva

One km_ E of century Moming pooja Temple Committee,

Chettipatl (9 a,ID.) Chettippati

junction. Pin - 676 319

Sub-group E

77 Sree (Pishaari- Goddess Square All days (5 to Navaraathri Trustee,

kkal) Mookaam- Mookaambika e.lca-thala 10-30 a,m, and Sree Mookaambika

bika temple Devi 5 to 8 p.m.) Religious Charitable

250 m. SE of Sixteenth Usha-pooja Trust, Netuva

Ayyappankaav century (7-30 a.m.) Chettippati

junction. Uccha-pooja Pin-676319

(9-30 a.m.) Sub-group C-6 Aththaazha- (vide section 2, pooja (7-30p.m.l sLno. 1.11)

78 Sree Lord Ayyappa Rectangular Last Saturday Last Satur- Private TempI!"

(Thattaankanti) Nineteenth eka-thala in all months day in Vellotathth

Ayyappa temple century (6 to 8 p.m.) Makaram Thattankan ti,

500 ID. SE of Evening pooja Villakku Chettippati

Chettipati (7-30 p.m.) mnhothsav Pin - 676319

junction. Sub-group E

79 SrfCe (Koyrunku- Lord Rectangular Only on festival No festival Secretary

lam) Muththa- Muththappan eka-thala days Sree Koyamkulam

ppan temple Nineteenth Muththappan

750 m. SE of century Temple Committee

Chettipati Netuva

junction. Pin - 676303

Sub-group E

13 Parappa!!angaati village (Part)

80 Sree (Kaaraaklm- Goddess Square All days (5-30 to No festival President

langara Durga eka-thala 9-30 a.m. and Sree Kaaraakku-

Variyathth) Durga Bhagavathi 5 to 7 -30 p.m.) langara Variyathth

temple Fifteenth Usha-pooJa Durga Temple

One km. N of Century (9 a.m., Committee

Chettipati on Aththaazha- Chettippati

Vallikunnu road pooja (7 p.m.) Pin - 676319

Sub-group E

81 Sree (Kaattikko- Goddess Square All days Annual Private Trust, lathth) Kurumba Kurumba eka-tha!a (No poojas) festival for Kaattikkotathth Bhagavathi Bha.gavathi On festival days 1 ,t day family, Chettippati temple

Eighteenth only before Pin - 676319

Near Chettipati century Bharolliin Sub-group E junction. Kumbham

417 3655 R GI/03-28A

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekouil of Time of Management;

Sl. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival} Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

82 Sree (Kollamthoti) Goddess Square All Sundays Prathishtha Secretary

Bhagavathi Bhagavathi eka-thala (5-30 to day on Sree Kollamthoti

temple Sixteenth 8-30 a.m.) Rohiniin Bhagavathi Temple

250m. Waf century Moming pooja Makaram Committee

Kotappaati (Sa.m.) Chettippati

junction on Pin - 676 319

Beech road. Sub-group E

83 Sree (Kurumba) Goddess Rectangular 1 sl Tuesday in No festival Private temple,

Bhagavathi Kurumba eka-thala all months (6 to Aaviththaan family

temple Bhagavathi 10 a.m.) Parappanangaati

250 m. Wof Nineteenth Moming pooja Pin - 676303

Parappanangaati century (9-30 a.m.) Sub-group E

R.S.

84 Sree (Netum- Goddess Square Nopooja No festival President

parambu) Maan- Bhadrakaali eka-thala due to Sree Netumparambu

naali Bhagavathi Twentieth renovation Mannaali

temple century Bhagavathi Temple

500 m. W of NCC Committee,

Road junction on Parappanangaati

Thiroor-Pin - 676303

Parappanangaati Sub-group E

road.

85 Sree Lord Siva Square All days (5-30 to No festival President

(Cheramangalam) Seventeenth eka-thala 8-30 a.m. and Cheramangalam

Siva temple century 5-30 to 7 p.m.) Kshethra Pari-

At Puthenpeetika Usha-pooja paalana Samithi,

on Thiroor- (8 a.m.) Netuva

Parappanangaati Aththaazha- Pin- 676 303

road pooja (7 p.m.) Sub-group 0-2

86 Sree Vettak- Lord Siva Rectangular All days (5-30 to No festival President,

karankaav Seventeenth e1ca-thala 8-30 a.m. and Cheramangalam

At Puthenpeetika century 5-30 to 7 p.m.) Kshethra

on Thiroor- Usha-pooja Paripaalana Samithi,

Parappanangaati (8-15 a.m.) Netuva

road Aththaazha- Pin - 676 303

pooja (7 p.m.) Sub-group D-2

87 Sree (Kooriyil) Lord MalIa Square All days Prathishtha President

Vishnu temple Vishnu eka-thala (6 to 8-30 a.m. day on Sree Kooriyil Vishnu

One and half km. Su.teenth and 5-30 to Guru- Temple Committee,

WofPuthen- century 7-30 p.m.) vaayoor Netuva,

peetikajunction Usha-pooja Ekaadasi Pin- 676 303

at Kooriyiljunc- (8 a.m.) day Sub-group 0-2

tion. Aththaazha-pooja (7-15 p.m.)

418

3655 RGI/03-28B

Type of Ownership I Name of Principal sreekovilof Time of Management;

81. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival/ Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

88 Sree (Neythalloor) Goddess Square 1 st Friday of all Annual Private temple, Kurumba Bhaga- Kurumba eka-thala months festival on Aavaththan family, vathi temple Bhagavathi (7 to 10 a.m.) Bharaniin Kurumba Bhaga-

Three and a half Sixteenth Single pooja Kumbham vathi Temple

kIn. W of Kurikkal century (9 a.m.) Netuva

junction on Ku-Pin - 676 303

rikkal road. Sub-group E

89 Srt"e (Neythalloor) Lord Siva Square All days (6 to 8 No festival Private temple Rameswaram Siva Fifteenth eka-thala a.m. and 6 to Thrukkaikaattu -temple century 7-30 p.m.) matham

Three and a half Morning-pooja Ramabrahmaananda

km. Wof (7-45 a.m.) Theertha Swamikal,

Cheramangalarn Pariyaapuram

junction. Pin - 676 302

Sub-group E

90 Sree (Uppinipu- Goddess Square 1 st Friday of the No festival President ram) Kurumba Kurumba eka-tha1a Malayaala Sree Uppinipuram Bhagavathi Bhagavathi month Kurumba temple Eighteenth (7 to 9 a.m.) Bhagavathi Temple

Three and a century Morning pooja Committee

half km. Wof (8 a.m.) Neythalloor, Netuva

Cheramangalarn Pin - 676303

junction. Sub-group E

12 THAANOOR PANCHAAYATHTH (PART)®

91

92

14 ParappaDangaati village (Part)

There is no temple in this part of the village.

13 THIROORANGAATI PANCHAAYATHTH

15 Thiroorangaati village

Sree (Kallingal) Goddess Bhagavathi temple Bhagavathi

Three km. W of Twelfth century Thinlrangaati junction and close to Parappanan-gaati road on Bhagavathi temple junction.

Sree (V atakkepu- Goddess rakkal) Bhaga- Bhagavathi vathi temple Eighteenth Three km. Wof century Thirurangaati junction and close to Parappanan-gaati road on Bhagavathi temple junction.

Square eka-thala

Square eka-thala

All days (8 30 to No festival 9 a.m. and 5 to 5-30 p.m.)

Vellari pooja (8-30 a.m.) and 5-30 p.m.)

Once in a No festival month (evening) Malar Nivedyam (8 p.m.)

<2> The remaining portion of Thaanoor Panchaayathth lies in Thiroor taluk. 419

Manager Sree Kallingal Bhagavathi Temple, Thrkkulam Devaswom Thiroorangaati Pin - 676306

Sub-group E

Private temple, Vatakkepurakkal family, Thrkkulam Thiroorangaati Pin - 676306

Sub-group E

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovilof Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival! Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

93 Sree (Naalukan- Goddess Square Only on special Thualappoli Secretary

tam) Kurumba Kurumba eka-thala occasions Uthsavon Sree Naalukantam

Bhagavathi temple Bhagavathi (evening only) 3 ed Friday in Bhagavathi Temple

Three km. W of Seventeenth Makaram Committee

Thirurangaati century Panthaarangaati

junction and close Thiroorangaati

to Parappanan-Pin- 676 306

gaati road on Sub-group E

Bhagavathi temple junction.

94 Sree (Rhushi- Goddess Square All days Last Private temple,

parambu) Bhad- Bhadrakaali eka-thala (6 to 9 a.m. and Tuesday in Cheruparambathth

rakaali temple Twentieth 6 to 7 p.m.) Makaram family, Thrkkulam

Three km. W of century Malar Nivedyam Thaalappoli Kariparambu,

Thirurangaati (8 a.m.) Thiroorangaati

junction and Deepaaraa-Pin - 676306

close to Parap- dhana Sub-group E

panangaati road (6-45 p.m.)

on Bhagavathi temple junction

95 Sree (Thekkepu- Goddess Square All days Prathishtha- Private temple,

rakkal) Kurumba Kurumba eka-thala (6 to 6-30 p.m.) day on Thekkepurakkal

Bhagavathi temple Bhagavathi Daily no poojas Chiththira in family

Three km. W of Eighteenth Mithhunam Karipararnbu,

Thirurangaati century Panthaarangaat

junction and close Pin -676306

to Parappanan- Sub-group E

gaati road on Bha-gavathi temple junction.

96 Sree (Thrkkularn) Lord Siva Circular All days (5-30 to Sivaraathri Manager,

Siva temple Very Ancient eka-tha!a 9 a.m. and 5 to Sree Siva Temple,

Fourkm. Wof temple 7-30 p.m.) Thrkkulam,

Thirurangaai Usha-pooja Thiroorangaati

junction via (6-30 a.m.) Pin - 676306

Chemmaaton Uccha-pooja Sub-group C-l

Parappanangaati (8-45 a.m.) (vide section 2,

road. Aththaazha- sl.no< 1.12)

pooja (7 p.m.)

97 Sree (Kaippallil) Lord Square Mandalam No festival Private temple,

Maha Ganapathi Ganapathi eka-thala 41 days Kaippallil family,

temple Eighteenth Thrkkulam

Two and a half century Thiroorangaati

km. W of Thirura-Pin - 676306

ngaati junction via Sub-group E Chemmaat

420

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekoVll of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival! Sub-group;

no. location antiquity deity poojus Uthsauam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

98 Sree (Valiyaalak- Goddess Square Once in a Thaalappoli Secretary

kal) Bhagavathi Bhagavathi eka-thala month Niuedya in Meenam Sree Valiyaalakkal,

temple Seventeenth pooja Bhagavathi Temple

Two and a half century Committee,

km. Wof Thrkkulam,

Thirur angaati Thiroorangaati

junction via Pin- 676 306

Chemmaat Sub-group E

99 Sree (Kaacchatik- Goddess Rectangular Alldays Thaalappoli Private temple

kal) Bhagavathi Bhagavathi eka-thala (7 to 8 a.m. and on 3 ed Aththiyakkal family

temple Nineteenth 5 to 7 p.m.) Tuesday in Venniyoor

Near Kakkaat century Niuedya pooja Makaram Pin - 676508

junction on NH-17 (7-30 a.m.) Sub-group E Deepaaraa-dhana (7 p.m.)

100 Sree (Kakkaat) Lord Thripu- Square All days Siuaraathri Secretary, Sree

Thripuraanthaka raanthakan eka-thala (6 to 8 a.m. and Thripuraanthaka

temple (Sivan) 5 to 6-30 p.m.) Temple Commititee

100 m. SWof Sixteenth Moming pooja Kakkaat,

Kakkaat junction century (7-30 a.m.) Pin - 676306

on NH-17 Evening pooja Sub-group E

(6-30 p.m.)

101 Sree (Kaalangaat) Goddess Square All days (5-30 to Thaalappoli Private temple,

Bhagavathi temple Bhagavathi eka-thala 6-30 p.m.) and on 2nd Kaalangaat family

200 m. SWof Eighteenth Mandalam Friday on Venniyoor

Karumbil junction century 41 days Makaram Pin - 676 508

on NH-17 Sub-group E

102 Sree (Malayam- Goddess Square All months on No festival Private temple balli) Durga Durga Devi eka-thala Aswathi (9-30 Malayamballi fam-temple Seventeenth a.m. to 12 noon) ily, Venniyoor

Near Venniyoor century Niuedya pooja Pin - 676 508

junctioon on (11-30 a.m.) Sub-group E NH-17

14 NANNAMBRAPANCHAAYATHTH 16 Na!mamb!a village

103 Sree Goddess Square All days (6-30 to Annual Secretary (Chaaththankaat) Kurumba eka-thala 7 a.m. and 5-30 festival on Sree Kurumba Kurumba Bhagavatbi to 7p.m.) last Tues- Bhagavatbi temple Bhagavathi Twentieth Usha-pooja day in Committee temple century (7 a.m.) Dhanu Thayyaalingal

Three km. W of Aththa=ha- Veliyaambram

Venniyoor on pooja (6 p.m.} Pin - 676320

NH-17 on Sub-group E Thaanoor road.

421

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekouil of Time of Management;

8l. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival/ Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

104 Sree (Thiruni- Goddess Square All days Annual Private temple

lathth) Kurumba Kurumba eka-thala (5 to 6-30 p.m.) festival on Ooraalan

Bhagavathi Bhagavathi Aththaazha- Friday in l'hirunilathth

temple Eighteenth pooja Makaram Kurumba

Fourkm. Wof century (6 p.m.) Bhagavathi temple

Venniyoor on Thayyaalingal

NH-17 at Thay-Pin- 676320

yalingaI in Thiroor Sub~group E

road and thence two km. Non Vengaat Ambalam road.

105 Sree Maha Lord Maha Circular All days Annual Ooraalan

Vishnu temple Vishnu eka-thala (6 to 9 a.m. festival on Sree Nannambra

500 ill. N of Twelfth century and 5-30 to Thiruvonam Maha Vishnu

Vengaatt 7-30 p.m.) in Thulaam temple

Ambalam Usha-pooja Thayyaalingal

junction. (6 a.m.) Pin - 676320

Aththaazha- Sub-group C-2

pooja (vide section 2,

(6-30 p.m.) s1. no. 1.13)

106 Sree (Velliyaam- Goddess Square On festival days Annual President

bram) Bhagavathi Bhagavathi eka~tha[a and Manda/am festival on Sree Bhagavathi

temple Thirteenth 41 days Meenam temple C(Jmmittee

At Ambalapati century (6 to 7 p.rn) Velliyaambram,

junction on Thayyaalingal

Thanoor road. Pin .- 676 670

Sub··group E

107 Srce (Thalavcettil) Goddess Square All Tuesdays, Annual Private Trustee

Bhagavathi Bhagavathi eka-thala Fridays and festival on Sree thala family

temple Fifteenth Sundays Tuesdays in Bhagavathi temple

300 m. N of century (6 to 8 a.m. and Makamm Tnayyaalingal

Ambalapati 5 to 7 p.m.) (via) Vellyaambram

junction Usha-pooja Pin - 676320

(6-30 a.m.) Sub-group E

Aththaazha-

pooja (6 p.m.)

108 Sree (Kannan- Lord Siva Circular All days Swaraathri Pres;dent

thali) Siva temple Seventeenth eka-tha[Q (7 to 9 a.m. and Sree Kannanthali

150m.Nof century 6 to 7 p.m.) Siva Temple

Arnbalapati Usha-pooja Committee

junction. (7-30 a.m.) Thayyaalingal

lvia) Vellyaambram Pin - 676 320

Sub-group E

422

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival I Sub-group; no. lClcation antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

15 THENNALA PANCHAAYATHTH

17 Thennala village (Part)

109 Sree (Kannam- Goddess Square All Tuesdays Thaalappali Private temple, barambathth.) Bhagavathi eka-thala (7 to 10 a.m.) on 2nd Tues- Kannambarathth Bhagavathi Seventeenth Malar Nivedyam

day in family, Thennala, temple century (9 a.m.)

Makaram Pin- 676511

Seven km. NW of Sub-group E Etarikkot (on NH-17) at Arakkal.

110 Sree lThaaz- Goddess Square All days No festival Private temple,

haththe Kataay- Bhagavathi eka-thala Nopaojas Thaazhaththe-ikkal) Bhagavathi Seventeenth

kataayikkal family,

temple century ThennaJa

Seven kIn. NW of Pin- 676511

Etarikkot (on NH- Sub-group E

17) at Arakkal.

111 Sree ('venniyoor) Lord Siva ApsidaJ All days Sivaraathri Managing Trustee

Siva temple Very ancient dwi-thala (5 to 9 a.m. and under HR&CE,

Four km. SW of temple 5 to 7-30 p.m.) Sree Siva Temple,

Venniyoor Usha-pooja Venniyoor,

(on NI-l-17) (7 a.m.) Ath- Thennala

thaazha-paoja Pin-676511

(7-15 p.m.) Sub-group C-2 (vide section 2, sl.no. 1.14)

112 Sree (Nannaattu) Goddess Rectangular All Fridays Thaalappoli Private temple, Bhagavathi Bhagavathi eka-thala (6 to 7 -30 a.m.) on 2nd Nannaattu family

temple Sixteenth Malar Nivedyam Friday in Thennala

500 m. NW of century (7 a.m.) Kumbham Pin- 676 511

Kozhichena Sub-group E junction (on NH-17)

113 Sree (Kallitumbil) Goddess Rectangular AIIdays (evening No festival Private temple Kururuba Bhaga- Kurumba Bha- eka-thala only) Mandalam Kallitumbil family vathi temple gavathi 41 days Thennala

Onekm. NWof Twentieth Moming only Pin - 676511

Kozhichena junc- century No poojas Sub-group E tion (on NH-17)

114 Sree (Paarengal) Goddess Square All Tuesdays Thaalappoli Private temple, Bhagavathi Bhagavathi eka-thala and Fridays on 1st Paarengal family temple

Twentieth (6 to 7-30 p.m.) Friday in Thennala

750m. W of century Malar Nivedyam Makaram Pin-676511

Pookkiparamb (7 p.m.) Sub-group E (on NH-17)

423

Type of Ownership I Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival I Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poo)as Uthsauam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

115 Sree (Aalungal) Goddess Square All Tuesdays Thaalappoli Private temple

Bhagavathi Bhagavathi eka-thala and Fridays on a Aalungal family,

temple Eighteenth (6 to 8 a.m.) Tuesda.yor Vaalakkulam

One km. NE of century Nivedyapooja Friday in Pin - 676508

Pookkiparamb (7-30 p.m.) Makamm Sub-group E

(onNH-17)

116 Sree Vaalakku- Lord Siva Square All days Sivamatri Sccretruy

lam) Siva temple Very Ancient dwi-thala (6 to 8-30 a.m. Sree Siva Temple

One and half km. temple and 6 to Committee,

E ofPookki- 7-30 p.m.) Vaalakkulam

paramb Usha-pooja Pin- 676508

(on NH-17) (7-30 a.m.) Sub-group C-6

Malar Nivedyam (vide section 2

(7 p.m.) s1.no.I.15)

16 ETARIKKOT PANCHAAYATHTH

18 Theooaia village (Part)

117 Sree (Vaalakku- Lord Square All pooyam Annual Secretary. lam) Subra- Subramanya eka-thala nakshathrams festival on Vaalakkulam Sree

manyaswami TWentieth (7 to 9 a.m.) Pooyamin Subramanyaswami

temple centurty Nivedya-pooja Metam Temple Committee,

Five krn. NW of (8-30 a.m.) Naarththalam

Kottakkal via Puththupparambu

Etarikkot -Pin - 676 501

Puthupparamb Sub-group E

road.

118 Sree (Kalloorku- Lord Square All. days Pmthishtha Private temple

langara) Vishnu Narasimha- eka-thala (6 to 8 a.m. and day on Kalloormana.

temple moorththi 6 to 7-30 p.m.) Avittam in Etarikkot

One km. SE of Fifteenth Usha-pooja Makar-am Pin - 676501

Etarikkot on Century (7 Hm.) Sub-group D-2

Ambalavattam Uccha-pooja road (8 a.m.)

Aththaazha-pooja (7 p.lO.)

119 Sree IKlaari Lord Square All days Thaipooyam Secretary

Ambalavattam~ Subramanya dwi-thala (6 to 9 a.m. and Sree Subramanyas-

Subrarnanyas- Very ancient 6 to 8 p.m.) warni Temple

wami temple temple Usha-pooja Committee,

One and (7 a.m.) Klaari-

half km. SE of Aththaazha- AInbalavattam.

Etarikkot on Am- pooja (7-30p.m.) Etarikkot

balavattam road Pin - 676501

Sub-group C-2 (vide section 2, s1. no. 1.16)

424

Type of Ownership/ Name of PrinClpal sreekovil of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival;' Sub-group: no. locatIon antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

17 PARAPPOOR PANCHAAYATHTH

19 Pa!appoo! village

120 Sree (Kattiyakaav) Goddess Square Daily no poojas No festivaJ Secretary Bhagavatlu Bhagavathi eka·thala Sree Kattiyakaav temple Antiquity not Bhagavathi Temple,

Five kIn. S of specified Iringalloor

Vengara at Vengara

lringalloor on Pm - 676 304

Parappoor road Sub-group D-2

121 Sree Lord Ayyappa Square Thiruuonam in No festival Secretary, (Ku ttith thara) Thirteenth eka-thala all months Sree Ayyappa Ayyappa temple century (9 to 11 a.m.) Temple Committee,

Three and a half Nivedya-pooja Iringalloor

kIn. N of (lOa.m.) Pin - 676304

Kottakkal at Sub-group E Kuttiththara on Vengara road.

122 Sree (Aasraman - Lord Thrupu- Square All days (7-30 to Sivamathri Secretary galam) Thrupu- raanthakan dwi-thala 10-30 a.m.) Sree Aasraman-raanthaka temple (Siva) Moming pooja galam

Five and a half Ancient temple (10 a.m.) Thru puraanthaka

krn, N of Temple Committee,

Kottakkal at Kottaparambu

Kottaparamb on lringalloor

Vengara road and Pin -676304

Thence SOOm. E. Sub-group D-2

123 Sree (Kurumba) Goddess Square All days (6-30 to Thaalappoli Secretary Bhagavathi Kurumba eka-thala 7 a.m. and on- on Tuesday Sree Kurumba temple Bhagavathi Manda/am or Friday Bhagavathi Temple

Two and a half Sixteenth evening also) Kumbham Committee,

krn. N. of Kottak- century Vella Nivedyam Parappoor

kal at Veenaaluk- (7 a.m.) Pin - 676304

kal on Parappoor Sub-group E road

124 Sree (Pallippu- Goddess Square All days No festivals Private temple rathth) Bhaga- Bhagavathi eka-thala (6 to 6-30 p.m.) Pallippurathth vathi temple Twentieth No poojas family. Parappoor

Two and a half century Pin- 676 304

kIn. NW of Sub-group E Kottakkal at Thekke kolamb

425

Type of OwnershipJ Name of Principal sreekovilof Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal worship; Festivalj Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

125 Sree Subra- Lord Square All days No festival Manager, manyaswaami Subramanya eka-thala (6 to 7 a.m.~ Kizhakkekovilakam temple Sixteenth Nivedya-pooja Trust, Kottakkal

Three km. NW of century (7 a.m.) Pin - 676304

Kottakkal at Sub-goup E Kottupaarammel via Veenaalukkal.

• 18 OTHUKKUNGALPANCHAAYATHTH

20 Othukkungal village

126 Sree (Kuruniyal- Goddess Rectangular All Fridays Thaalappoli Private temple parambu) Bhaga- Kodungalloor eka-thala (7 to 9 a.m.) on 2nd Tues- Pandaarathotiyil vathi temple Bhagavathi Nivedya-pooja day in family, Kuruniyal

Six km. N of Twentieth (8-30 a.m.) Kumbham Mattaththoor

Kottakkal at century Pin - 676 528

Kuruniyal on Sub-group E Nettichaati road.

127 Sree (Kilivaayil) Lord Ayyappa Square All days No feistival Private temple Ayyappa temple Twentieth eka-thaia (5 to 7 a.m.and Kilivaayil family

Seven km. N of century 5 to 6-30 p.m.) Mattaththoor

Kottakkal on Malar nivedyam Pin - 676 528

Nettichaati road. (6-30 a.m.) and Sub-group E (6 p.m.)

128 Sree (Thotu- Goddess Rectangular All Tuesdays Thaalappoli Private temple, kuththa Kodungalloor eka-thala and Fridays on a Friday Vetiyathth family Parambu) Bhaga- Bhagavathi (6 to 7 p.m.) in Kumb- Thotuku thth-vathi temple Twentieth No pooja ham pararnbu

Seven km. NE of century Mattaththoor

Kottakkal at Pin - 676 528

Mattaththoor. Sub-group E

129 Sree (Mattatht- Goddess Square All Tuesdays Thaalappoli Private temple, hoor Vatakkum- Kodungalloor eka-thala and Fridays on a Friday Pulikkal family, manna) Bhagavathi (7 to 8 a.m.) in Kumb- Vatakkummanna, Bhagavathi Nineteenth Malar nivedyam ham Mattaththoor temple century (7-30 a.m.) Pin - 676528

Eight km. NE of Sub-group E Kottakkal at Mattaththoor

426

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekouilof Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival I Sub-group;

no. location antiquiry deity poojas Uthsavarn Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

130 Sree Goddess Square All days No festival Secretary

ICherukunnu) Annapooroes- eka-thala (5-30 to 9 a.m. Sree Annapooroes-

Annapoomeswari wan and 5-30 to wari Temple

temple Ancient temple 7-30 p.m.) Committee

Three and a half Usha-pooJa Cherukunnu,

km. N of (8 a.m.) Othukkungal

Kottakkal Hi Aththaazhu-Pin - 676 528

Cherukunnu on pooja (7 p.m.) Sub-group C-2

Malappuram road (vide section 2,

and thence s1. n~. 1.17)

500 m. SE.

131 Sree (Mun- Goddess Square 1 st day of all Thaalappoli Secretary

doththuparambil) Bhagavathi eka-thala Malayaala on any Sree Mundothth-

Bhagavathi Eighteenth months Tuesday parambil Bhaga-

temple century (9 to 11 a.m.) and Friday vathi Temple

Six krn. N of Kot- Nivedya pooja in Kumb- Committee

takkal at Othuk- (10-30 a.m.) ham Othukkungal

kungal on Mclap-Pin - 676528

puram road and Sub-group E

thence one krn. W on Ncttichaati road.

132 Sree Goddess Square All days (Mom- Annual Private Temple,

(Cherukunnu Bhagavathi eka-thala ing and evening) poojaon Natuvil purakkal

Rudmmaala) Twentieth No poojas Pooyamin family, Cherukunnu

I3hagavathi century Kumbham Othukkungal

temple Pin - 676528

Three km. N of Sub-group E Kottakkal on

Cherukunnu road

133 Sree Karimkutty- Lord Square No poojas No festival Paraya Community

mandapam Karimkutty eka-thala Temple, Muthuthala

Two krn. N of Twentieth family, Puththoor

Kottakkal on Per- century Pin - 676503

inthalmanna road Sub-group E at Arichol.

134 Sree (Karup- Goddess Rectanguiar 1 st day of all Thaalappoli Private temple, panaamkun- Kodungalloor eka-thala Malayaala on 2nd Tues- Chettali family nathth) Kodungal- Bhagavathi months day in Karuppanaam-loor Bhagavathi

Twentieth (6 to 10 a.m.) Makaram kunnathth temple

century Nivedya-pooja Puththoor

One and half a (9-30 a.m.) Pin - 676503

km. N of Kottak- Sub-group E kal on Aattin road

427

ERANAATTALUK KEY TO MAP SHOWING NAMES OF PANCHAAYATHTHS AND VILLAGES

1 CHEBUKAAV u KAAVA~OOB

1 Cherukaav 16 Kaavanoor

2 Vaazhayoo! (Part)

2 VAAZHAYOog

3 Vaazhayoo!: (Pan)

3 VAAZHAKKAAT

4

5

4 Vaazhakkaat

PU~"IKKAL

5 Pu!ikkal

KO~TOTTI

6 KOl)t6tti

6 KlJZHIMA~~A

7 KuzhimaI_lI).3

7 CHEEKKOT

13 TH~KKALANGOT 17 Kaarakunnu

18 Thrkkalangot

19 ElaI)koo[

14 PAA~TIKKAAT

20 Chembrasseri

21 PaaI).tikkaat

22 Vettikkattiri

15 AA~AKKA Y AM 23 Panthaloor 24 Aa!}akkayam

MANJERI MUNICIPAL TOWN

16 PULPATTA

8 Muthuvalloor 25 Pulpatta

8

9

9 Cheekkot

KEEZHPAB_AMB 10 Keezhparamb

ARIKKOT 11 Arikk6t

10 OOBNGAATTIRI 12 Oorngaattiri 13 Vegi1appaa!a

II ETAVA~~A

14 Perakama1) 1)a

15 EtavaI).I_la

428

17 MOgA YOO!!

26 Morayoor

IS NETIYIRUPPU

27 Netiyiruppu

19 POOKKOTTOO R

28 Pookkottoor

MALAPPlJRAM MUNICIPAL TOWN

KOZHIKKOO£ TALLJK (~OZHIKKOClE OISTRICr)

jHIROORANGAATI TALUK

TOol u' Po"<hoYQ\~tl1_

S(lUtWARIES

Village- Win n-umber. 20

tHLAMIlOOg TAlUK

THIROOg lA lUI( PERI"'THALMAI':I~A TALUK

1he mop is drawn'_.tt CR :wol .. ~ f-.r1.he-r 011 boundo""h on appn:lJcimote Md shCt,llldnDl betoken C~ outhit'ntic

ROUGH MAP OF ERANAT TALUK (NOT TO seAL E)

SI. no.

11

1

2

3

Name of temple; location

2

2 -ERANAATTALUK

Principal deity; antiquity

3

Type of sreekouilof principal

deity

4

Time of worship; poojas

5

Festival/ Uthsauam

6

1 CHERUKAAVPANCHAAYATHTH

1 Che.rukaav village

Sree (Chevayoor) Lord Square All days Thaip-Subramanya Subramanya dwi-thala (5-30 to 10 a.m. pooyam, temple Very ancient and 5-30 to Prathisfltha

23 Ian. SE of temple 8-30 p.m.) day festival

Kozhikkode or Usha-pooJO for three

6km. SEof (7·30 a.m.) days ending

Raamanaattukara Uccha-pooja on Rohiniin

at Pulikkal on (9-30 a.m.) Meenam

Malappuram road Aththaazha-and thence 500 m. paoJa SE on Kotikunji- (7-30 p.m.) paramb road

Sree (Puvakkaatt) Lord Siva Square All days Mandalam Siva temple Twentieth eka-thala (Morning only) 41 days and

Five and a half century Sivaraathri

km. SE of Raamanaattukara at Kuriyaat on Malappuram road and thence 200 m. N of it

Sree (Thirumala) Goddess Circular All days No festival Devi temple Vana Durga eka-thala (Morning and

One km. from Sree Nineteenth evening), Time

(Chevayoor) Siva century not specified

temple and on the side of a hill

429

Ownership! management;

Sub-group; Remarks

7

President, Sree Su bramanya Temple Committee, Chevayoor, Pulikkal, Pin -673637

Sub-group C-2 (vide section 2, sl.no.2.1) There is a cave very near to the temple

President Sree Puvakkaatt Siva Temple Committee. Aikkarappati Pin - 673637

Sub-group E

President, Sree Thirumala Devi Temple Committee Pulikkal Pin - 673637

Sub-group E

Type of Ovmershipj Name of Principal sreekovilof Time of Management;

SL temple; deity; principal worship; Festival! Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

4 Sree (Shaarikkaav) Goddess Square All days (6 to 9 Naz'orathri Private temple Durga Bhagavathi Durga eka-thala a.m. and 5-30 Sree Shaarikkaav temple Sixteenth to 7-30 p.m.) Durga Bhagavathi

One and half km. century Usha-pooja Temple Committee,

SE of Raamanaat- (5 a.m.) Vennaayoor

tukara on Kuri- Aththaazha- Pin - 673637

yetam Pullikkal paoja (7 p.m.) Sub-group E road

5 Sree (Vaikuntham) Lord Maha Square All days (5-30 to Ekaadasiin President, Maha Vishnu Vishnu eka-thala 9 a.m. and 5-45 Vrschikom Sree Vaikulltham temple Ancient temple to 7-45 p.m.) Maha Vishnu

Five Ian. SE of Usha-poo)o Temple Committee,

Raamanaattukara (7 a.m.) Pulikkal,

at Siyaamkantam Uccha-pooja Pin - 673637

via Ekkarapati (8-30 a.m.) Sub-group D-2 Alhlhaazha- (An ancient re-pooja (7 p.m.) nowned temple

now in ruins)

6 Sree (Aralipprom) Lord Maha Square All days (Morn- Annual President, Vishnu temple Vishnu eka-thala ing and evening) festival on Sree Aralipram

Five kin. SE of Antiquity not Time not speci- 4th April Vishnu Temple

Raamanaattukara specified fied Committee

at Aralipram and Puthukkot

thence 200 m. N Pin - 673633

near ANUP School Sub-group E

7 Sree (Nechhiyil) Lord Narasim- Circular All days (Marn- No festival President Narasimha- hamoorththy eka-thala ing onlyl Time Sree Nechhiyil moorththy temple Sixteenth not specified Narasimha-

Six kIn. SE of century moorththy Tpmple

Raamanaattukara Cornmitt~e,

at Aakkarapati on Kannamvettikkav,

Malappuram road Pin - 673 637

and thence a kIn. Sub-group E N at N ecchiyil temple In. on Aroor road

8 Sree (Putht- Lord Lakshmi Square All days Thiruvathira President, hooththencheeri) Naaraayana eka-thala (Morning only) in DhanuJ Sree Puththoo-Lakshmi Sixteenth Time not Mandalam ththencheeri Naaraayana century specified Lakshmi temple Naaraayana Temple

Six kID. SE of Committee,

Raamanaattukara Aikkarappati

at Aikkarapati on Pin - 673637

Malappuram road Sub-group E and thence a kIn. N at Pulththoo-ththencheeri on Aroorroad

430

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival/ Sub-group;

no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

9 Sree Laksl'.Jl1i Lord Lakshmi Square All days (5-30 to No festival President,

Nara!>imha- Narasimha- eka-thala 8-30 a.m. and Sree Lakshmi

moorththy temple moor+...hthy 5-30 to 7 p.m.) Narasimha-

Four km. SE of Seventeenth Usha.-poojn moorththy Temple Committee

Raamanaattukara century (6 a.m.} Paravoor,

at Periyambalam Aththaazha-Pulikkal,

and thence three paoja Pin - 673637

km. NEand (6-30 p.m.) thence 250 m. on Sub-group E

ParavoOl' road

2 Vaazhayoo! village (Part,

10 Sree Karu- Lord Square l·t Saturday of No festival President,

makankaav temple Karumakan eka-thala all Malayaala Sree Karumakan-

12 kin. SE of Nineteenth months kaav Temple

Feroke at Perin- century (Morning only) Committee,

gaav via Kakkov-East Vaazhayoor

Vaazhayoor An-Pin - 673633

gaati and thence Sub-group E

100 ill. E

2 VAAZHAYOORPANCHAAYATHTH

3 Vaazhayoo! village (Part)

11 Sree Karu- Lord Siva Square All days (6 to 9 Annual Trustee Board makankkaav Kira- [Kiraatba- eka-thala a.m. and 5-30 to festival on Chairman, atha-moorththy moorththy) 7 p.m.) Rohinim Sree Karumakan-temple Fifteenth Usha-pooja Meenam kkaav Farook

Three km. NE of century (7-30 a.m.) Azhffijilam

Feroke on Kaaraat Aththaazha- Pin - 673 632

road pooja (6-30p,m.) Sub-group C-l (vide section 2, s1.no,2.2)

12 Sree Thali Maha Lord Maha Square No poojas now Temple President Vishnu temple Vishnu d'U.!i-thala under rcno- Sree Thall Maha

Two km. N of Very ancient vation; No Vishnu Temple

Raamanaattukara temple festival Committee

at Azhinjilam Farook Azhinjilam Pin - 673632

Sub-group C-2 [vide section 2, sLno.2.3)

13 Sree Krishna- Lord Krishna Square All days (5-30 to Ashtami PresIdent, puram temple Fifteenth eka-thala 8-30 a.m. and 6 Rohini Sree Krishnapuram

One and half km. Century to 7-30 p.m.) Guruvaayoor- Temple Committee,

N of Raamanaat- Usha-pooja; Ath- Ekaadasi Azhinjilarn,

tukara thaazha-pooja Manda/am Pin - 673632

(Time not speci period Sub-group E ticd)

431

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival! Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

14 Sree (Kottaku· Goddess Square All days Kaarthika Sree Kottakurumba rumba) Durga dwdhala (5 to 9 a.m. and vilakk in Bhagavathi Temple Bhagavathi temple Very ancient 5 to 7·15 p.m. Makaro.m Samrakshana

One and half km. temple Usha-pooJa Samithi, Puthukot

N of Raamanaa- (5-30 a.m.) Sub-group C-2 ttukara at Uccha-poo)Q (vide section2, Puthukot (8 a.m.) and sl.no. 2.4)

Aihtha=ha-pooJa (7 p.m.)

15 Sree Vairamaha· Goddess Square All days (5-30 to Kalamez· President akaali temple Bhadrakaali eka-thala 9 a,m. and 5-30 huththu Sree

Four km. NE of Eleventh to 7-30 p.m.) Pattu on Vairamahaakaali

Feroke at Kaaraat Century Usho-pooja and 20 th Mo- Temple Committee,

In. on Kaaraat Millar Nivedyam karam Kaaraattuparambu,

road and thence Guruthion Pin - 673632

50 m. towards S. Tuesday in Sub-group E Makaram

16 Sree (Ariyill Siva Lord Siva Square All days (6 to Sivaraathri President, temple Ancient tetnple eka-thala 9 a.In. and 5-30 Sree AriyB Siva

Three and a half to 7 p.m.) Temple Committee,

km. N of Feroke at Moming pooja Azhiojilam,

AriyiI on kaaraat and eVf'ning Pin - 673632

road and thence pooja (Time not Sub-group C-l two km. SE on specified) (vide secti.on 2, temple road sl.no.2.5)

17 Sree (Kaaraat) Lord Dharma Rectangular 1 st Saturday of Prathi.':~hta President Dharma Saastha Saastha eka-thala all Malayaala day Sree Dharma temple Twentieth months, Saastha Temple

Four kIn. NE of century Usha-pooja; Committee,

Feroke at Uccha-pooja, Kaaraattu parambu,

Kaaraatpararn b Aththaazha- Pin - 673632 pooja (Time not Sub-group E specified)

18 Sree (Arubalak- Lord Maha Square 1st Thursday of No festival President, kanti) Maha Vishnu eka-thala all Malayaala Sree Ambalakkanti Vishnu temple Twentieth months (only Maha Vlshnu

Five and a half century one pooja) Temple Committee,

kIn. NE of Feroke Kaaraattuparambu,

at Ponnempaatarn Pin - 673632

Kaaraat- Sub-group E Thiruththiyaat Rd.

19 Sree (Peroththin- Goddess Square All days (Mom- No festival Private temple, kaav) Durga Durga eka-thala ing only) Time Ammoththu family Bhagavathi temple Bhagavathi oat specified Vaazhayoor

Six km. NE of Seventeenth Pin - 673633

Feroke at Kakkov century Sub·group E In. and thence 2 km. N on top ofa h11l

432

Type of Ownership I Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

Sl. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival! Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

20 Sree (Thrkkovll) Lord Square All days (6 to Annual President,

Subramanya Subramanya eka-thala 8 a.m. and 5-30 festival on Sree Thrkkovil

temple Nineteenth to 7-30 p.m.) 28th Subramanya

Sixkm. NEof century Morning-pooja Makaram Temple Committee

Feroke at Kakkov only Vaazhayoor, Pin - 673633

In. on Etavannap-para road and Sub-group E

thence one kIn. N

21 Sree (Vattancheri) Goddess Rectangular No Poojas Annual Private temple

Bhagavathi temple Bhagavathi eka-thala festival on Sree Vattancheri

At Kakkov In. and Twenti~th 8th Meenam Bbagavathi Temple,

thence SOO m. N century Vaazhayoor Pin - 673633

Sub-group E

22 Sree (Cherupan- Sree Vettak- Rectangular 1 st Saturday of No festival Assistant Commis-nikkot) Vettak- korumakan eka-tha[a all Malayala sioner, HR&CE, korumakan temple Nineteenth months Kozhikode,

Seven km. NE of century (Moming only) Vaazhayoor East,

FeToke at Pun-Pin - 673633

chappaatam In on Sub-group E Vaazbakkad and thence 300 m. S

3 VAAZHAKKAATPANCHAAYATHTH 4 Vaazhakkaat village

23 Sree (Petangal) Sree Durga Rectangular First Tuesday of Thira and Sree Petangal Bhagavathi Twentieth eka-thala Malayaalam Thaalappoli Bhagavathi temple century month in Kumbham Temple

12 km. NE of 6 to 8 p.m. Karumarakkal

Feroke at Virip- AththaazhQ- Pin - 673640

paatam stop on pooja (7 -30p.m.) Sub-group E Vaazhakkad road and thence 50 m. N

24 Sree (Purayoor) Lord Subra- Square All Tuesdays Thaipooyam President, Subramanya manya dwi-thala (Moming only) Sree Purayoor temple Eleventh Subramanya

12.5 lan. NE of Century Temple Committee,

Feroke at Vaalil- Vaazbakkaat

lappuzha on Pin - 673640

Freekot road and Sub-group E thence 100 m. S

25 Sree (Natakka1\ Lord Square Mandalam. 4 l Thira in Private temple, Karumakankaav Karumakan eka-thala days (Time not Meenam Arangu thoti family, temple Seventeenth specified) Cheruvaayoor

13 km. NE of century Pin - 673645

Feroke at Cheeni Sub-group C bazaar on Areek-kot road and thence 2.5 km. S on Ponnaatt road

433 3655 RG1/o.'__29A

Type of Ownership / Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival/ Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

26 Sree (Karu- Lord Siva Square All days Navaraathri President

makankaav) Siva Sixteenth dwi-thala (6 to 8-30 a.m. Sree Karu-

temple century and 6-30 to makankaav Siva

13 km. NE of 7-30 p.m.) Temple Committee,

Feroke at Cheeni Momingonly Cheruvaayoor

bazaar on Arikkot Pin- 673645

road and thence Sub-group 0-2 2.5 km. S on Pon-naat Toad

27 Sree (Valiyakut- Lord Maha Circular All days Thaalappoli, President,

tisseri) Vishnu Vishnu eka-thala (6-30 to 9 a.m. Kalampaattu Sree Valiyakuttis-

temple Very ancient and 5 to B p.m.) in Kumbham seri Vishnu Temple

12.5 km. NE of temple Usha-pooja Committee,

Feroke at Vaalil- (7-30 a.m.) Cheruvaayoor

laappuzha on Aththaazha- Pin - 673645

Arikkot road and pooja (7 p.m.) Sub-group C-2

thence 100 m N (vide section 2, sLno.2.6)

28 Sree (Cherukut- Lord Maha Square All days Prathishta President,

tisseri) Vishnu Vishnu eka-thala (6 to 8 a.m. and day on Sree Cherukuttis-

temple Ancient temple 5-30 to 7-30 Makamin seri Vishnu Temple

14 km. NE of p.m.) Mithhunam Committee,

Feroke at Etavan- Usha-pooja Cheru vaayoor

nappaara and (6-30 a.m.) Pin - 673645

thence 250 m. N Uccha-pooja Sub-group C-2

on Elamaram (7-30 a.m.) (vide section 2,

road Aththaazha- s1.no.2.7) pooja (7 p.m.)

29 Sree (Cherukut- Lord Vettak- Square All days (6 to 8 Annual President

tisseri) Vettak- korumakan eka-thala a.m. and 5-30 festival Sree Cherukutti-

korumakan tem- Eleventh to 7 -30 p.m.) "Vettakko- sseri Vishnu pIe Century Usha-pooja rumakan Temple Committee

14 km. NE of (7-30 a.m.) paattu" on Cheruvaayoor

Feroke at Etavan- Deepaaraad-12th Kumb- Pin - 673645

nappara and hana (Evening) ham Sub-group E thence 250 m. N on Elarnaram road

30 Sree (Marakkaat- Lord Siva Square All days Last President, tiri) Siva temple Sixteenth eka-thala (Momingand Tuesday or Sree Marakkaattiri

14 km. NE of century on Monday eve- Friday in Siva Temmple

Feroke at Etavan- ning also Time Kumbham Committee

nappara and not specified Cheruvaayoor

thence 3 kID. SE Pin - 673645

at Vettathooran- Sub-group E gaati and thence 250 m S.

434 3655 RGI/03-29B

Sl. no.

31

32

33

34

Type of Name of Principal sr-eekovil of Time of

temple; deity; principal worship; Festival!

location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam

2 3 4 5 6

4 PULIKKAL PANCHAAYATHTH ...

5 PuJikkal village

Sree (Aanthi- Lord Vettak- Square All Saturdays No festival

yool'kunnu) korumakan eka-thala (Evening) and

Vettakkorumakan Sixteenth on Sunday

temple century Moming only

Eight km. E of Raarnanaattukara at Pulikkal Junc-tion on Manjeri road and thence one kIn. N at Aanthiyoorkunnu stop and thence 150 m. E

Sree (Thiruththik- Goddess Rectangular All days (Mom- Annual fes-

kuththJ Bhaga- Vana Durga eka-thala ing and Eve- tival on 1st

vathi temple Nineteenth ning) Time not Tuesday or

Four kIn. SE of century specified Friday in

Etavannappaara at Meenam

Panacchipalliyaati on Areekkot road and thence 300 m. NE on top of a hill

5 KONTOTTIPANCHAAYATHTH •

6 Kontotti village

Sree Ayyappa temple

SOO m. Wof Kontotty private bus stand

Lord Ayyappa

Twentieth century

Square eka-thala

All days (5-30 to 9 a.m. and 5 to 8-30 p.m.)

Usha-pooja (7-30 a.m.) Uccha-pooJa (8-30 a.m.) Aththaazha­pooja (7-30 p.m.)

Prat his hta day on Ma­kayiram in Meenam

6 KUZHIMANNA PANCHAAYATHTH

7 Kuzhima~~a village

Sree (Keezhsseri) Durga Devi temple

Seven km. NE of Kontotti on Arikkot road

Goddess Durga

Sixteenth century

. .

Square eka-thala

435

All Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays (6 to 9 a.m.)

Morning-pooja (8-30 a.m.)

No festival

Ownership! Management; Sub-group;

Remarks

7

President, Aanthiyoorkunnu Sree V ettakkoru -makan Temple Committee Pulikkal Pin - 673637

Sub-group E

Private Temple Thiru ththikku thth family,Olavattoor (via) Kondotty Pin - 673638

Sub-group E

President, Sree Ayyappa Temple Committee, Kontotti Pin - 673 638

Sub-group D -2

President, Srce Durga Devi Temple Committee, Keezhsseri Kuzhimanna Pin - 673641

Sub-group E

Type of Ownership I Nrune of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival I Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

35 Sree Vishnu Lord Vishnu Circular All days (5-30 to Sivaraathri President, temple Fourteenth eka-thala 9 a.m. and 6 to Sree Krishna Sree Vishnu

Three kIn. NE of century 8p.rn.) Jayanthi Temple Committee,

Kontotti at Usha-pooja PuUancheri,

Valappakuntu on (8 a.m.) Kuzhimanna

Areekot road and Aththaazha-pooja Pin - 673641

thence 1.5 km. E (7-30 p.m.) Sub-group D-l on Puliancheri Rd.

36 Sree Lord Circular All days No festival President, Sree Sankaranaaraay- Sankaranaara eka-thala (7 to 9 a.m.) Sankaranaaraa-ana temple ayana Usha-pooja yana Temple

Nine km. NE of Ancient temple (8 a.m.) Committee

Kontotti at Katun-Chrunrakkaattoor

gaIloor on Arikkot Pin - 673639

road and thence Sub-group D-l SOm. S

37 Sree (Chithra- Lord Lakshmi- Square Last Sunday of a No festival President kootam) Lakshmi- naaraayana eka-thala month Sree Lakshmi-naaraayana Eleventh (8 to 9 a.m.) naaraayana temple Century Single pooja Temple Committee,

Five km. NE of (8-30 a.m.) Aakkaparam bu

Kontotti at Pin-673641

Kizhsseri on Sub-group D-2 Arikkot road and thence 5 km. SE at Puliyakot and thence 100 m. N at Aakkaparamb

38 Sree (Mundakkal) Goddess Rectangular All days (7-30 to Thaalappoli Manager (Ooranma Karimkaalikaav Karimkaali eka-thala 11-30 a.m,) uthsavon Temple) Sree temple Ancient temple Single pooja 16th Thu- Karimkaali-kkaav

Near to Sree Lak- (9 a.m.) laam Temple

shmi N aaraayana Aakl<apparambu.

temple Pin - 673 641

Sub-group D-2

39 Sree (Pulloor) Lord Vishnu Square All days (7 -30 to No festival Secretary, Sree Vishnu temple Eleventh eka-thala 8-30 a.m.) Puliool' Vishnu

500 In. from Century Single pooja Temple Committee,

Sree Lakshmi (8 a.m.) Aakkaparrunbu

Naaraayana Pin - 673641

temple Sub-group E

7 CHEEKKOTPANCHAAYATHTH 8 Muthuvalloo! village

40 Sree (Perum Lord Circular All days No festival President, Sree Thrkkovil) Subramanya eka-thala (6 to 8 a.m. and Perumthrkkovil Subnllnanya Ancient temple 6 to 8 p.m.) Committee temple Usha-poojQ Muthuvailoor

Two kID. NE of (7 a.m.) Pin - 673 640

Kontotti at Neerot Aththa=ha- Sub-group D-2 and thence one pooja (7 p.m.) Temple desecrated km.E by forces of

Tippu Sultan

436

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovilof Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival! Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity paojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

41 Sree Durga Devi Goddess Circular All days (6 to No festival Managing Trustee

temple Durga Devi dwi-thala 7 -30 a.m. and underHR&CE

Two km. NE of Very ancient 6 to 7-30 p.m.) Sree Durga Devi

Kontotti at Neerot temple Usha-pooja Temple Muthuvalloor

and thence one (7 a.m.) Pin - 673 650

km.E Aththaazha-paoja (7 p.m.) Sub-group C-4

(vide section 2, s1.no.2.8)

42 Sree Ayyappa Lord Ayyappa Square Once in a week No festival PreSident, temple Twentieth ek.a.-thala. either Saturday Sree Ayyappa

Five km. NE of century or Sunday Temple Committee,

Kontotti at (7-30 to 9-30 Muthuvalloor

Muntakkulam a.m.) Pin - 673650

and thence 200 Pooja (8 a.m.) Sub-group E m. Eon Muthu-paramb road

43 Sree (Paalettippu- Lord Maha Circular All days (7-30 to No festival Private Temple ram) Maha Vishnu eka-thala 8 a.m.) Thaleeththoti fllam Vishnu temple Thirteenth Pooja (8 a.m.) Vilayil

Nine km. NE of century Pin - 673652

Kontotti at Katun- Sub-group E galloor on Arikkot road and thence 3km.W

44 Sree (Illancheeri) Lord Ayyappa Square All days No festival President, Ayyappa temple Eleventh eka-thala (7 to 8 a.m.) Sree Ayyappa

Ten kIn. NEor Century Single pooja Temple Committee

Kontotti Haajiar- (7-30 a.m.) Ilancheeri

patikkal on roik- Vilayil

kot road and Pin - 673652

thence 3.5 km. W Sub-group E

45 Sree (Kottammul) Lord Square Once in a month Mandalam Secretary, Sree Kirathamoorththy Kiraathamoort eka-thala (10 to 11 a.m.) 41 days Kiraathamoorththy temple hthy Single pooja

Temple Committee,

11 kIn. NE of Kon- Eleventh (10-30 a.m.) Parappoor, Vilayil

totti at Elavanna- century Pin - 673652

ppara and thence Sub-group E 3 lan. SWon Poonkutikkat Rd.

46 Sree (Kalarilckal- Goddess Rectangular Mandalam41 No fe'stival Private temple kalari) Bhagavathi Bhagavathi eka-thala dayspooja Aattasseli temple Ancient temple (Sa.m.) Vilayil family,

Near Sree Kotta-Pin - 673652

mmul Kiraatha- Sub-group D-2 moorththy temple (same route]

47 Sree Thrupuraan- Lord Siva Square 1 st Saturday of No festival President, thaka temple Elf'venth eka-thala all months Thrupuraan thhaka

Near Sree Kira- cf'ntury (7 to 8 a.m.) Temple Committee

athamoorththy Single-pooja Vilayil

temple. (7-30 a.m.) Pin - 673656

Sub-!!;rQup E

437

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival/ Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsauam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

4B Sree (Vilayil) Goddess Circular All days No festival Secretary, Kerala Bhagavathi Bhagavathi eka-thala (7 to 9-30 a.m. Kshetra Samrak-temple Ancient temple and 6 to 7 p.m.) shana Samithi

One and a half Usha-pooja Vilayil

km. Wof (Sa.m.), Pin- 673652

Haajiaarpati on Uccha-pooja Sub-group E Arikkot road (9 a.m.), Ath-

thaazha-pooja (6-30 p.m.)

49 Sree (Eas"!'ara- Lord Siva Square All days No festival Private Temple, mangalam) Siva Fifteenth eka-thala (7 to 8 a.m.) Paalakkal Iilam, temple century Usha-pooja Vilayil

Nine km. NE of (7-30 a.m.) Pin - 673652

Kontotti at Sub-group E Omaanoor on Etavannappara road and thence five km. NW at Muntakkal

50 Sree (Chata- Goddess Square All days No festival Trustee Board, manta) Bhaga- Bhagavathi eka-thala (7 to B a.m.) Sree Chatamanta vathi temple Sixteenth Morning pooja Temple, Vila}il

Near Sree (Eas- century (7-30 a.m.) Pin- 673652

waramangalam) Sub-group E Siva temple (same route)

51 Sree (Neereman- Lord Narasim- Square All days No festival Trustee Board gaat) Narasim- hamoorththy eka-thala (6 to 8 a.m. and HR&CE hamoorththy tem- Very ancient 6 to 7 p.m.) Sree Neermangaat pIe temple Usha-pooja Narasim-

Ten km. SWof (7 a.m.) hamoorththy

Areekot on Vilayil Uccha-pooja Temple, Vilayil

road at Thalethoti (8 a.m.), Pin - 673 652

Aalinchuvattil Aththaazha- Sub-group C-4 stop and thence pooja (7 p.m.) (vide section 2, anekm. W 51.nQ.2.9)

9 Cheekkot village

52 Sree (Kunnathth) Goddess pevi Square Once in a year Annual fes- Private Temple, Thekkankaavil Nineteenth eka·thala in 1 st Vrschikam tiva1 on 26 th Kunnathth family, temple century (6 a.m. to 6p.m.) or 27th Cheekkot

11 km. NE of Pooja (10 a.m.) Kumbham Pin - 673 640

Kontotti on Sub-group E Etavannappaara -Cheekkot road

53 Sree (Vaavoor Lord Siva Circular All Mondys No festival Secretary vatetathth) Siva Fifteenth eka-thala (7 to 10 a.m.) Sree Vaavoor temple century Single-pooja Vatetathth Siva

14 km. NE of Kon- (10 a.m.) Temple Con .. mittee

totti on Arikkot Cheekkot

road (via Etavan- Pin- 673640

nappara) at Sub-group D-2 Vaavaor and thence 200 m. S

438

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival/ Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 .,

4 5 6 7 "

54 Sree (Earambra) Lord Siva Square All days Sivaraathri Secretary,

Maha Siva temple Fifteenth eka-thala (6 to 7-30 a.m.) Kshetra Samrak-

12 km. NE of century Usha-pooja shana Samithi

Kontotti Via (7 a.m.) Bhagavathi-

Etavannappara at pparamb

Theatle stop and Cheru vaachoor

thence 200 m. E Pin - 673 640

on top of a hill Sub-group D-2

8 KEEZHPARAMBPANCHAAYATHTH 10 Keezhpa!amb village

5S Sree (Pazham- Goddess Square Only on festival No festival Executive Officer,

paramb) Karim- Karimkaali eka-thala occasions and HR&CE,

kaalikkaav Ancient temple Mandalam41 Thrukkayoo:r

Sixkm. NW of days (Time not Devaswam,

Areekot via Kut- specified) VaaliUapuzha

tooli (on Muk-Pin - 673639

kamroad) and Sub-group E thence via Keezhuparamb-Pazhaparamb

56 Sree (Thrklayoor) Lord Siva Circular All days No festival Executive Officer, Mahadeva temple Ancient temple eka-thala (5 to 9 a.m. and HR&CE, Thrklayoor

Eight km. NW of 5-30 to Devaswam

Areekkot at 7-30 p.m.) Vaalillaappuzha

Kallaayi and Usha-pooja Pin - 673639

thence 750 m. W (6-30 a.m.) Sub-group C-l on Kunnil road Pantheerati (vide section 2,

pooja (7-30a.m.) sLno.2.1O) Uccha-pooja (8-30 a.m.) Aththa=ha-pooja (7 p.m.)

57 Sree (Kakkuzhi Lord Krishna Square 1 st day of all Thiru- President Khoshaalakkal) Nineteenth eka-thala Malayaala vaathira in Sree Kakkuzhi Krishna temple century months Dhanu, Khoshaalakkal Sree

Three kIn. NW of (Morning only) Ashtami Krishna Temple

Arikkot at Kuttoli and on festival rohini Committee

and thence 3 km. days both Kizhuparamb

SW on Kuniyil Morning and Pin - 673639

road and thence evening Sub-group E 250m. NW

58 Sree (Easwara- Lord Siva Square All days (7 to Sivaraathri President, Sree mangalam) Siva

Twentieth eka-thala 8 a.m. and 6 to Easwaramangalam temple

century 7 p.m.) Siva Temple

Two km. NWof Morning pooja, Committee

Arikkot at Po ova- Evening pooja Vaalillaappuzha

aththikanti stop (Time not Pin - 673639

and thence specified) Sub-group E 500 m. S

439

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovilof Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival! Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

9 ARIKKOT PANCHAAYATHTH

11 Arikkot vi "age

59 Sree (Elambilaak- Goddess Square Once in a month Thaalappoli Private temple kuthth) Durga Durga eka-thala (6 to 7-30 p.m. on 3 ed Sree Elambilaak-Bhagavathi Bhagavathi (Single pooja Tuesday in kuthth Durga Devi temple Eighteenth (7 p.m.) Makaram Temple,

Three and a half century Ugrapuram

kIn. SW of Arikkot Pin - 673639

on Ugrapuram Sub-group E road at Aalimkal and 100 m. S

60 Sree (Nalloorpalli) Lord Narasim- Square All days (6 to No festival President Narasimha- hamoorththy eka-thala 8-30 a.m. and N alloorpalli moorththy temple Eleventh 5-30 to Sree Narasimha-

Three km. W of Century 7-30 p.m.) moorththy Temple

Arikkot at Usha-pooja Committee

Perumparamb on (7 a.m.) Ugrapuram

Ugrapuram road Alhthaazha-pooja Pin - 673639

and thence one (7 p.m.) Sub-group D-2 km.N

61 Sree (Saali- Lord Narasim- Square All days (5-30 to No festival Trustee Board. graama) hamoorththy dwi-thala 9 a.m. and 5-30 Saaligraama Sree Narasimha- Very ancient to 7 -30 p.m.) Narasimha-moorththy temple temple Usha-pooja moorththy Temple

One krn. S of (7 a.m.) Arikkot

Arikkkot at Uccha-pooja Pin - 673639

Puththalam on (8-30 a.m.) Sub-group C-2 Manjeri road Aththaazha-pooja (vide s('ction 2

(7 p.m.) sLno.2.11)

62 Sree (Aattupu- Goddess Square All days (5-30 to No festival Private temple ram) Durga Devi Durga Devi eka-thala 7 -30 a.m. and Aattupuram family temple Sixteenth 5-30 to Arikkot

Two krn. SW of century 7-30 p.m.) Pin - 673 639

Arikkot at Usha-pooja Sub-group D·2 Kozhakkottoor on (7 a.m.) Kontotti road Aththaazha-pooja

(7 p.m.)

63 Sree (Pulloor- Lord Circular All days (6 to 9 No festival Private temple manna) Subra- Subrarnanya eka-thala a.m. and 5-45 to Pulloormanna mam, manya temple Fourteenth 7-35 p.m.t Chammrakkaattoor

Three km. SWof century Usha-pooja Pin - 673639

Arikkot at (7 a.m.) Sub-group D-2 Chemrakaattoor Uccha-pooja on Kontotti road (8 a.m.)

Aththaazha-pooja (7p.m.1

440

3655 RGI/03-298

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

81. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival I Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

. 10 OORNGAATTIRI PANCHAAYATHTH

12 Oorngaattiri village

64 Sree (UnnimuraJ Lord Vaamana Square All days Pmthishtha Managing Trustee, Vaamana temple Eleventh eka-thala (5-30 to 8 a.m. day on (Unnimura) Sree

Three km. E of century and 5-30 to Makayiram Vaamana temple.

Arikkot on Moork- 7-30 p.m.) in Itavam Karippathth,

kanaat-Maithri Usha-pooja Maithri

road (7 a.m.) Pin - 673639

Uccha-pooja Sub-group C-6 (7-30 a.m.) (vide section 2, Aththaazha-pooja stno.2.12) (7 p.m.)

65 8ree (Muththam- Lord Maha Circular All days Sivaraathri President, Sree kot) Vishnu temple Vishnu eka-thala (7 to 8 a.m.) Vishnu Temple

At Chelakot In. on Eighteenth Usha-pooja Committee

Othaayi road and century (7-30 a.m.) Oomgaattiri

thence 100 m. SE Pin - 673 639

Sub-group E

66 8ree (Thorathth) Lord Circular All days (6 to No festival Managing Trustee, Subramanya Suhramanya eka-thala 7-30 a.m. and Thorathth Subra· temple Sixteenth 6 to 7 p.m.) manya Temple,

Fourkm. E of century Usha-pooja Maithri

Arikkot on Moork- (7 a.m.) Pin - 673639

kanaat-Maithri Aththaazha-pooja Sub-group E road (7 p.m.)

67 Sree (Vezhakkot) Lord Dharma Square All days No festival Treasurer Ayyappankaav Saastha (No roof) (8-30 to lOa.m., Sree Ayyappankaav temple Eighteenth Usha·pooja Temple Committee,

Eight km. E of century (9-30 a.m.) Thekkinkara,

Arikkot at Choola- Poovaththikkal

attippaara on Pin - 673639

Othaayi road and Sub-group C-I thence 1.5 km. E (vide section 2, on panchaayathth s1.no.2.13) road

68 Sree Karimkaalik- Goddess Square All days Thaalap- Secretary, Sree kaav Karimkaali eka-thala (7 to 8 a.m.) poli-uthsav Karimkaalikkaav

Seven and a half Fourteenth Single-pooja on 15th Temple Samrak-

km. E of Arikkot at century (7-30 a.m.l Dhanu shana Samithi,

Poovaththikkal In Poovaththikkal

on Etavannappara Pin - 673639

road and thence Sub-group E 500 m. S

69 Sree Krishna Lord Krishna Square All days No festival Private temple, temple Sixteenth eka-thala (6 to 7 a.m.) Thaamarakkulam

Seven kIn. E of century Usha-pooja Illam

Arikkot at Paaloth (6-30 a.m.) Poovaththikkal

on Othaayi road Pin- 673639

iUld thence three Sub-group E km. S on Aathati road

441

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sr-eekouil of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival/ Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsauam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

70 Sree (Aathaati) Lord Siva Circular Once in a month No festival Private temple,

Siva temple Fourteenth eka-thala (5 to 6-30 p.m.) Thaamarakkulam

Seven km. E of century Single-pooja illam

Arikkot at Paaloth (6 p.m.) Poovaththikkal

on Othaayi road Pin- 673 639

and thence 3 km. Sub-group E

S on Aathaati road and thence one kIn. through open ground

71 Sree (Panthalak- Goddess Square All days Pmthishta- President

kaati) Bhagavathi Bhagavathi eka-thala (7 to 9 a.m.) day on 5 th SEee Panthalakkaati

temple Sixteenth Usha-pooja April Bhagavathi Temple

Seven km. NE on century (8 a.m.) Committee,

Vettilappaara road Vettilappaara (via)

and thence one Arikkot

km N Pin- 673639

Sub-group E

13 Vettilappaara village

72 Sree (Panthalan- Goddess Square All days Annual President

gaati) Devi temple Bhagavathi eka-thala (6 to 8 a.m. and festival in Sree Panthalangaati

One km. NE of Nineteenth 5-30 to 8-30 Meenam Devi Temple

Vettilappaara century p.m.), Moming Committee

junction on Thot-pooja, Evening- Vettilappaara

tumukham road pooja Pin - 673639

Sub-group E

11 ETAVANNAPANCHAAYATHTH • .

14 Perakamanna village . . 73 Sree (Vatasseri Lord Ayyappa Square All days (only Paattu uth- Private temple,

Aattupuram) Antiquity not eka-thala one pooja) sau (once Vatasseri Aattupu-

Ayyappa temple specified No fixied time in a year) ram Sree Ayyappa

14 km. NWof Temple, Pannippara

Manjeri at Pin - 676 541

Vatasseri In. via Sub-group E

Etavanna on Arikkot road and thence one km. N

74 Sree (Patinjaarae Lord Vishnu Circular· 1 st day of all Xalame- Private tempe Chaath thalloor) Sixteenth eka-thala MaZayaa/a zhuththu- (Paalakkal illam) Vishnu temple century months (Moming paattu Sree Vishnu

Ten km. NW of only) 1st 12 days Temple.

Manjeri at Eta- in Chaaththalloor

vanna Bridge and Vr-schikam Pin - 676 54l

thence SW 500 m. Sub-group E on Panchaayathth road

442

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekouil of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal. worship; Festival/ Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

75 Sree (Patinjaarae Lord Vetta- Square All Saturdays Mandalam President Chaaththalloor) kkorumakan eka-thala (Morning only) period Sree Vettakkorumakan Twentieth Vettakkorumakan

temple century Temple committee,

13 km. NEof Chaaththalloor

Manjeri via Pin - 676541

Othaayi Sub-group E

15 Etaval)!1a village

76 Sree (Villaththoor) Lord Square All days Annual Secretary.

Raamaswaamy Sree Raman eka-thala (7 a.m. only) festival on Villaththoor Sree

temple 1Wentieth Punartham Raamaswaami

12 kro. N of Man- century in Metam Temple Committee,

jeri at Panthapalli Paththappiriyam

on Etavanna road Manjeri

and thence one Pin - 676 123

km. W on Paanti- Sub-group D-I

yaat road and (An ancient dilapi-

thence 500 m. N. dated temple)

77 Sree (Perinku- Lord Siva Rectangular Once in a month No festival President

laththinkal) Siva Ancient temple eka-thala (Morning only). Sree Perinkula-

temple Nivedya-pooja ththinkal Siva

11.5 km. N of Temple Committee,

Manjeri at Patbtbappiriyam,

Paththapiriyam Manjeri

Library In. and Pin - 676 123

60rn. Eon Sub-group D-l

Evakkaatroad (A dilapidated ancient temple)

78 Sree (Paththap- Goddess Square All days Mandalam President piriyrun Siva- Bhadrakaali, eka-thala (Morning) Nive- 41 days Sree Perinkula-

Vishnu- Lord Siva and dya-pooja ththinkal Siva

Bhadrakaali Lord Vishnu Temple Committee,

temple (equal imp or- Pathtbappiriyam,

11.5 km. N of tance) Manjeri

Manjeri at Very ancient Pin - 676 123

Paththapiriyam temple Sub-group D-l

In.

79 Sree (Kolappaatt Lord Siva Square All days Pruthishtha Private temple Dharmasthaapana Antiquity not eka-thala Usha-pooja day on 8 th (Kizhakke Maattara) mathaml Siva specified (8-30 a.m.) May Dharmasthaa -

temple Aththaazha-pooja panamatbam

14 kIn. N of (7-30p.m·1 Eranhikkot

Manjeri at Pin - 676541

Kuntuthot In. on Sub-group E

Nilamboor road and thence cross-ing Chaaliyaar river and thence 500 Ill. N

443

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival! Sub-group; no. location antiqUlty deity pOOjas UthsafJam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

12 KAAVANOORPANCHAAYATHTH - -16 Kaava_!100r village

80 Sree (Konoolu) Goddess Square 15t to 12th Thaalappoli Private temple, Bhagavathi Bhagavathi eka-thala Vrschikom and on Aswathi Sree Konoo1u temple Eighteenth on festival days in Kumbham Bhagavathi Tempie

18 kIn. NWof century Nivedya-pooja Kaavannoor

Manjeri at Haaji- (8-30 p.m.) Pin - 673 644

yaarpeetika stop Sub-group E on Arikkot road and thence one km.E

81 Sree (Vaakk:aa- Lord Maha Square All days Ashtami Secretary, Sree loor) Maha Vishnu eka-thala (7 -30 to 9 a.m.) rohini Vaakkaaloor Maha Vishnu temple Fourteenth Usha-pooja Vishnu Temple

18 km. NWof century (8 a.m.) Committee

Manjeri at Haa- Kaavanoor

jiarpeetika stop Pin - 673644

on Arikkot road Sub-group E and thence one km.E

82 SI"ee (Challiyaali- Lord Thekkan- Square Only on festival Special Private temple, )'il) Thekkan Parangotan eka-thala day in Kumb- poojas in Sree Challiyaaliyil Parangotan Nineteenth

ham (Time not Kumbham Temple, Kaavanoor temple century specified) Pin - 673644

20 km. NW of Sub-group E Manjeri on Arikkot road at Puththalam and thence 2 ktn. SE on Etavanna road

83 Sree (Marakk:aat- Goddess Square Any Tuesday in Thaalappoli Private temple, tupurathth) Bha- Bhagavathi eka-thala a month uthsav in Sree Marakk:aattu-gavathi temple Twentieth (6 to 7 a.m.) Meenam purathth temple,

14 kIn. NWof century Malar Niuedyam Kaavanooc

Manjeri at (7 a.m.) Pin - 673644

Kaavanoor In on Sub-group E Arik kot road and thence 2 kIn. on Pookkottchola road

84 Sree (Paarem- Goddess Square All days Thaa/appoli Private Temple manthoti) Bhaga- Bhagavathi eka-thala (Evening only). on 15th Sree Paaremman-vathi temple Twentieth Special poojas Kumbham thoti Bhagavathi

14 km. NWof century on festival days Temple, Kaavanoor

Manjeri at and from 1 st to Pin - 673644

Kaavanoor In on 12'h Vrschikam Sub-group E Arikkot road and thence two km. on Pookkottchola road

444

Type of Ownership! Name of Principal sreekovilof Time of Management;

81. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival! Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

85 8ree (Valiyaruak- Goddess Square Special poojas Three days Pnvate temple, kal) Bhagavathi Bhagavathi eka-thala 00 uthsava in Meenam Sree Valiyaalakkal temple Eighteenth days, 12 days in (Oottu Bhagavathi

Tn'o km. Sw of century Vrschikam and uthsav) Temple, Kaavanoor

Kaavanoor In on 1St Metam Pin -673644

Paalakkaparam b Sub-group E road

86 Sree (Pariyaarak Lord Circular All days Shashtiio Secretary, kal) Subra- Subrarnanya eka-thala (6 to 9 a.m.) Vrschikam Sree Pariyaarakkal manyaswamy Ancient temple Usha-pooja Subramanya temple (8 a.m.) Swamy Temple

Three km. SWof Committee,

kaavanoor Kaavanoor Pin - 673 644

Sub-group 0-2

87 Sree (Ambalavat- Goddess Square 1 sl Tuesday or Thaalappoli Private temple, taththu Kalarik- Kurumbha eka-thala Friday in a uthsalJ for Sree Ambalavat-kal~ Kurumba Bhagavathi month 8 days in tathth Kalarikkal Bhagavathi Seventeenth Nivedya-pooja Kumbham/ Temple temple century (8 a.m.) Meenam Kaavannoor

Three and a half Pin - 673644

km. SWof Sub-group E Kaavanoor

88 Sree (Maattata- Lord Siva Rectangular 2 nd Monday of No festival Private temple, ponaati) Siva) Eighteenth eka-thala all Malayaala Sree Maattatapo' temple century months naati Siva Temple,

Three and a half (8 to 10 a.m.), Kaavanoor

kIn. SWof Nivedya-pooja Pin - 673 644

Kaavanoor In on (9-30 a.m.) Sub-group E Arikkot road

89 Sree (Thrkkaip- Lord Siva Circular All days (6-30 to SilJaraathri Secretary patta) Siva temple Seventeenth eka-thala 8-30 a,m.) Sree Thrkkaippatta

13 kIn. NWof century Usha-pooja Siva Temple

Manjeri at (8 a.m.) Committee

Kaavanoor Kaavanoor

Ambalapati on Pin - 673 644

Arikkot road and Sub-group E thence 200 m. W

90 Sree (Thaazhe- Goddess Square All days during Annual Private temple, Erannikkuththu) Bhagavathi eka·thala mandalam (eve- festival in Sree Thaazhe Bhagavathi Nineteenth ning) No poojas Kumbham Erannikkuththu temple century Bhagavathi

Doe kIn. W of Temple, Kaavanoor

Kaavanoor Pin - 673644

Ambalapati Sub-group E

91 Sree (Vattap- Goddess Square All days (6-30 to Thaalappoli Private temple, parambil) Bhagavathi eka-thala 8 a.m. and 5 to uthsavon Sree Vattapparam-Bhgavathi temple Twentieth 8 p.m.) lOLh bil Bhagavathi

12.8 km. NWof century Morning pooja Kumbham Temple, Kaavanoor

Manjeri at (7-30 a.m.), Pin - 673644

Kaavanoor Hospi- Evening pooja Sub-group E tal In on Arikkot (7 p.m.) road and thence one km. W

445

Type of Ownership) Nrune of Principal sreekoVll of Time of Management;

SI. temple: deity; principal worship; Festival) Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsauam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

92 Sree (Moozhi- Lord Si.va and Circular 15t Monday i.Tl No festival Secretary, prom) Siva Lord Vishnu eka-thala all months nowa day Sree Moozhiprom Vishnu temple Ancient temple (7 -30 a.m. to Siva Vishnu

13 km. NW of 12 noon), Temple Committee

Manjeri at Niuedya-pooja Kaavanoor

Kaavanoor In. on (11 a.m.) Pin -673644

Arikkot road and Sub-group D-2 thence one km. W (Temple under

renovation)

93 Sree (Iruvetti) Goddess Square All days (6-30 to Last Monday Managing Trustee Karinkaalikkaav Karinkaali eka-thala 8-30 a.m. and and Tuesday under HR&CE, temple Ancient temple 6 to 7-30 p.m.), in Meenam Iruvetti, Sree

One ruld half kIn. Usha-pooja Karinkaalikkaav

E of Kaavanoor In (Sa.m.) Thottilangaati

on Arikkot road Aththaazha- Pin - 673639

pooja (7 p.m.} Sub-group D-2

94 Sree (Elayoor) Lord Square All Shashri's No festival Private temple, Subramanyas- Subramanya eka-thala (before full nowadays Elayoor Sree wamy temple Eightet:>nth noon) Subramanya-

Ten km. NE of century (9 to II-30a.m.) swaatny Temple,

Manjeri at Elayool' Niuedya-pooja. Iruvetti

Angati on Arikkot (11 a.m.) Pin - 673639

road and thence Sub-group E onekm. SW

95 Sree (Elayoor) Lord Maha Square All days Ashtami Secretary, Maha Vishnu Vishnu eka-thala (6 to 8 a.m. and rohini Sree Maha Vi.shnu temple Sixteenth 5-30 to 8 p.m.), Temple Committee,

300 m. SWof century Nivedya-pooja ElayooI', Iruvetti

E1ayoor Angaati (7-30 a.m.) Pin - 673639

Sub-group D-I (The idols were desecrated during riots)

96 Sree (Chengara Lord Siva Square All days (6 to Sivaraathri Manager Puthiya Thrkkovil) Ancient temple eka-thala 9 a.m.) and all Chengara Puthiya Siva temple Sundays, Thrkkovil Siva

Nine km. NW of Evening also, temple, Iruvetti

Manjeri at Nivedya-pooja Pin - 673 634

Chengara on (8-30 a.m.] Sub-group D-2 Arikkot road and thence one km. NE

97 Sree Kurumba Goddess Square AU Tuesdays Thaalappoli Private Tt:>mple, Kantakaali temple Kurumba eka-thala and Fridays (6 on 3 rd Sree Kurumba

300 m. E of Bhagavathi to 10 a.m.) and Tut:>sday in Bhagavathi

Chengara Nineteenth on Mandalam Kumbham Temple,

century Evening also, lruvetti Niuedya-pooja Pin - 673 639 (9a.m.J Sub-group E

446

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekouil of Time of Management;

81. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival! Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsauam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

-13 THRKKALANGOTPANCHAAYATHTH .. 17 Kaarakunnu village

98 Sree Bhagavathi Goddess Square All days Thaalappoli Secretary, Sree temple Karinkaali eka-thala (6 to 10 a.m. uthsavin Bhagavathi Temple

Eight kIn. N of Eleventh and 5 to 8 p.m.) Meenam Committee

Manjeri at century Usha-pooja Kaarakunnu

Aamayoor In and (7 a.m.) Pin - 676123

one lan. NW Aththaazha- Sub-group D-2 pooja (7-30 p.m.)

99 Sree (Mannam- Lord Maha Sreekovil 1 st Thursday of No festival Secretary, thala) Maha Vishnu under all Malayaala Sree Mannrunthala Vishnu temple Eleventh renovation months Maha Vishnu

Ninekm. N of century (7 to 11 a.m.) Temple Committee,

Manjeri at Niuedya-pooja Kaarakunnu

Cheenikkal on (10-30 a.m.) Pin - 676123

Nilamboor road Sub-group E and thence 700 m. Son Kanjaalapatta Rd.

18 Thrkkalangot village

100 Sree (Chirakkara) Lord Narasim- Circular All days (5-30 to Prathishta Private temple Maha Vishnu hamoorththy eka-thala 8-30 a.m. ana day on Sree Maha Vishnu temple

Ancient temple 5-30 to 7 p.m.) Rohiniin Temple

Four km. NE. of Usha-pooja Metam lAtikalayetathth

Manjeri on (7-30 a.m. mana),

Elarnkoor road at Aththaazha- Thrkkalangot

Vaidyarpati In pooja 6-30 p.m. Pin - 676 127

and thence one Sub-group D-2 km.N

101 Sree (Kaavil) Lord Saastha Square All days Mandalam Private temple, Ayyappa temple

Eleventh eka-thala (6-30 to 8 a.m.) (Chuttu- Secretary, Sree

Four km. NE of century Usha-pooja uilakku) Kaavil Ayyappa

Manjeri Vaidyar- (7-30 a.m.) Temple Committee,

peetika on Elam- Thrkkalangot koor Toad and Pin - 676 127

thence 300 m. N Sub-group E

102 Sree (Karikkaat) Lord Circular All days (4 to 10 Thmpooyam Executive Officer, Subramanya Subramanya dwi-thala a.m. and 3 to for 8 days HR&CE, Sree Swaamy temple

Very ancient 8 p.m.) from Aswathi Suhramanya

Six kIn. NE of temple Usha-pooja to Pooyam in Swaami Temple,

Manjeri at (6 a.m.) Makaram Karikkaat

KarikkaRt on Uccha-pooja Thrkkalangot

Nilamboor road (10 a.m.) Pin - 676 127

Aththaazha- Sub-group C-4 pooja (8 p.m.) (vide section 2,

sl.no.2.14)

447

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreeloovil of Time of Management;

81. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival/ Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

103 Sree (Natuvathth) Lord Siva Circular All days Sivaraathri Manager, HR&CE, Siva temple Ancient temple eka-thala (5 to 9 a.m. and Sree Siva Temple,

Five km. NE of 6 to 8 p.m.) ThrkkaIangot

Manjeri at Usha-pooja Pin - 676 127

Thrkkalangot and (7 a.m.) Sub-group C-6 thence 400 m. W Aththaazha- (vide section 2,

pooja (7 p.m.) sl.no. 2.15)

104 Sree (Maanapu- Lord Maha Circular All days Ashtami- Manager under raththl Maha Vishnu dwi-thala (5 to 9 a.m, and Rohini HR&CE, Sree VishnU temple Ancient temple

6 t08 p.m.) Maanapurathth

Five km. NE of Usha-pooja Malla Vishnu

Manjeri at (7-30 a.m.) Temple

Thrkkalangot and Aththaazha-Tbrkkalangot

thence 400 m. W paoja (7-30p.m.) Pin - 676 127

Sub-group D-2

105 Sree (Maane- Lord Vettak- Square All days No festival Private temple, tathth) Vettak- korumakan eka-thala (8 to 9-30 a.m.) (Maanetathth korumakan Sixteenth Nivedya-pooja family). Sree temple century (8-15 a.m.) Vettakkorumakan

Five km. NE of Temple

Manjeri at Thrkkalangot

Thrkkalangot on Pin- 676127

Nilarnboor road Sub-group E and thence half a km.W

106 Sree (Melaetathth) Lord Siva Circular All days Paattu uth- Manager Siva temple Sixteenth dwi-thala (5 to 8 a.m. and savon 19th Sree Melaetathth

Near Maanetathtb century 5-30 to 8 p.m.) Vrschikam Siva Temple,

Sree Vettakkoru- Usha-pooja Thrkkalangot

makan temple (7 a.m.) Pin - 676 127

Aththaazha- Sub-group D-2 pooja (7 -30p.m.l

107 Sree (Thiru- Lord Krishna Circular All days Prathishta Manager, manikkara) Ancient temple eka-thala (4 to 11 a.m. day uthsav Thirumanikkara Guruvaa- and 5-30 to from Uthrut- Sree Guru-yoorappan temple 7 p.m.) tathi to rohini vaayoorappan

Six kID. NE of Usha-pooja in Makaram Temple

Manjeri at (6-30 a.m.), Ekadasiin Thrkkalangot

Maraththani on Uccha-pooja Vrschikam Pin - 676 127

N ilamboor road (10-30 a.m.) Sub-group C-6 and thence 2 km. Aththaazha- (vide section 2, W pooja (6-30p.m.) sl.no.~.16)

108 Sree (Valli- Goddess No sreekovil All days No festival Manager yankaav) Bhaga- Bhagavathi Under con- (8 to 8-30 a.m.) Sree Valliyankaav vathi temple TwentIeth struction Malar Nivedyam Bhagavathi Tern-

Six km. NE of century (8-15 a.m.) pie, Thrkkalangot

ManJen at Pin - 676 127

Thrkkalangot on Sub-group E Nilaroboor road and thence two km.W

448

Type of Ownership/

Name of Principal sreekovilof Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival I Sub-group;

no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

109 Sree (Chirammal) Goddess Square All Tuesdays Thaalappoli Secretary,

Bhagavathi Bhagavathi eka-thala and Fridays uthsavon Sree Chirammal

temple Eighteenth (8 to 10 a.m.) 1st Friday Bhagavathi Temple

after 10 th Co~ttee, Seven kIn. NE of century NivedyCl-pooja

Kumbham ThrkKalangot Manjeri at (9-30 a.m.) Pin - 676 127 Kaarakkulmu on Nilamboor road Sub-group E

and one km. W on Aanakottupuram road

19 Ela9koo! village

110 Sree(~ap- Lord Square All Mondays Annual Private Temple

parambu) Subra- Subramanya elca-thala and Fridays festival on (Manalaayi family)

tnanyaswaamy Nineteenth (6 to 7 a.m.) Rohiniin Sree Kanhirap-

temple century (Time not Makaram parambu

Twelve km. NE of specified) Subramanya-

Manjeri on swaruny Temple,

Vantoor road and Mannhappatta

thence 500 m. N Pin - 676 122

SUb-group E

111 Sree (Eranna- Lord Narasim- Circular All days No festival Private temple, manna) Maha hamoorththy eka-thala (5 to 8 a.m. and (Kaavumkal) Vishnu temple Ancient temple 6 to 7 p.m.) Sree Maha Vishnu

11.5 kIn. NE at Usha-pooja Temple, Elankoor

Elankoorpalli (7-30 a.m.) Pin - 676 122

pet"tika and Aththaazha- Sub-group D-2 25 rn. S pooja (7 p.m.)

112 Sree (VeUaam- Lord Ayyappa Square All Saturdays No festival Executive Officer patta) Ayyappa Seventeenth eka-thala (7 to 8 a.m.) under HR&CE, temple century Nivedya-pooja Sree Subramanya-

12 kIn. NE of (Ba.m.) swaaroy Temple

Manjeri at Karikkaat

Nirannaparambu Thrkkalangot

on Vantoor road. Pin - 676 127

Sub-group E

113 Sree (Paathirik- Lord Square All Mondays Shashtiin Private temple kot) Subramanya Subramanya eka-thala and Fridays Dhanu (Paalayangara Swaruny temple, Eighteenth (7 to 8 a.m.) family)

14 kIn. NE of century Nivedya-pooja Subramanya-

Manjeri at Etak- (8 a.m.) swaamy Temple,

kaat on Vantoor Paathirikkot,

road and thence Elankoor

one kIn. N Pin - 676 122

Sub-group E

114 Sree (Paathiri- Goddess Square All Tuesdays, Annual Private temple, kkot) Bhagavathi Bhagavathi eka-thala Fridays and festival in (Parambil family), temple

Twentieth Sundays Kumbham/ Sree Bhagavathi

14 kIn. NE of century (7 to 8 a.m.) Meenam Temple

Manjeri at Paathinkkot

Etakkaat on Elankoor

Vantoor road and Pin-676 122

thence one km. N Sub-group E

449

3655 RGI/03-30A

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival! Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

115 Sree Brahmarak- Sree Square Once in a No restival Private temple shas temple Brahma- eka-thala month (Puthen family)

Ten km. NE of rakshas Nivedya-pooja Sree Brahmarak-

Manjeri via Kut- Twentieth (8 a.m.) shas'Temple,

tippara and near century Elankoor

Elankoor H.S. Pin - 676 122

Sub-group E

116 Sree (Cheruvan- Lord Paarththa Square All days Rohiniin Private temple noor) Maha Saaraththi eka-thala (6 to 8-30 a.m. Vaisaakham Sree Cheruvan-

Vishnu temple Very ancient and 5-30 to noor Maha Vishnu

Ten km. NE of temple 7p.m.) temple, Kaavungal,

MaI'jeri via Usha-pooja Mangalasseri

Kuttippara and (6-30 a.m.) mana, Elankoor

thence SE of Uccha-pooja Pin-676 122

Elankoor H.S. on (8 a.m.) Sub-group C-2 Panchaayathth Aththaazha- (vide section 2, road pOOja (7 p.m.) s1.no. 2.17)

117 Sree (Kulanelloor) Lord Siva Circular All days (7 to Sivaraathri Private temple, Siva temple Seventeenth eka-thala 8 a.m. and 5-30 Sree (Kaavungal,

13 krn. NE of century to 6-30 p.m.) Mangalasseri

Manjeri on Nivedya-pooja mana) Siva

Cherukote road (7-30 a.m.) Temple, Elankoor

via Cherukulam Pin - 676 122

Sub-group E

118 Sree (Kulanelloor) Lord Sankara- Circular All days Sivaraathri Private temple,

Sankaranaaraa - naaraayana eka-thala (7 to 8 a.m. and Sree (Kaavungal

yana temple Very ancient 5-30 to Mangalasseri

13 krn. NE of temple 6-30 p.m.) mana) Sankara-

Manjeri on Nivedya-pooja naaraayana

Cherukot and via (Sa.m.) Temple, Elankoor

Cherukulam Pin - 676 122

Sub-group C-l (vide section 2, s1.no.2.18)

14 PAAf>.JTIKKAAT PANCHAAYATHTH

20 Chemb!asseri village

119 Sree (Maranaatt- Lord Square All days No festival Private temple, mana) Maha Ganapathi eka-thn[a \6 to t2 noon Sn~e Maraanatt Ganapathi temple Nineteenth and 6 to 8p.m.). Mana Temple,

17 km. E of century Ushu-poaja Chembrasseri

Manjeri (via (7-30 a.m.) Pin - 676521

Paantikkaatj at Uccha-pooja Sub-group E Chembrasseri (11-45 a.m.) Maranaattpati Aththaazha-stop and thence poo}a (7-30p.m.j 300 m. E

450 3655 RGIJ03-30B

Type of Ownership!

Name of Principal sreekoviI of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival! Sub-group;

no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

120 Sree (Kotasseril Lord Maha Circular All days Prathishta Trustee under

Vishnu temple Vishnu eka-thala (6 to 8 a.m. and day on Ro- HR&CE,

19 km. E of Eleventh 7 to 8 p.m.) hini in Sree Kotasseri

Manjeri at century Usha-pooja Metam Vishnu Temple,

Chembrasseri Kotasseri (via (7 a.m.), Pin - 676 521 Chembrasseri) Aththaazha-

and thence 2 km. pooja (7 p.m.) Sub-group C-4

E on temple road (vide section 2, sl.no.2.19)

121 Sree (Vengathaat- Goddess Circular All days No festival Trustee under

til) Bhagavathi Bhagavathi eka-thala (6 to 8 a.m.) HR&CE, Sree

temple {Durga) Morning-pooja Kotasseri Vishnu

19 km. E of Eleventh (7 a.m.) Temple, Chembrasseri

Manjeri at century Pin - 676 521 Kotasseri on Theyyampaati Sub-group E

road and 2 km. E

122 Sree (Brahmaan- Lord Krishna Circular All days No festival Trustee under

andapuram) Eleventh eka-thaia (6 to 8 a.m.), HR&CE, Sree

Krishna temple Century Morning-pooja Kotasseri Vishnu

One km. NWof (7 a.m.) temple

Kotasseri In. (on Chembrasseri

Kotasseri Pin - 676521

Pulamanna road) Sub-group 0-2 on temple road

123 Sree Ayyap- Lord Ayyappa Square 1 st Saturday of No vestival. Private temple, pankaav temple Eleventh eka-thala the Malayaala Karuththetathth

Twu km. N of century month Mana,

Chembrasseri (6 to 8 am. and Chembrasseri 6 to 8 p.m.) Pin - 676521

Morning-pooja Sub-group E (7 a.m.) Evening-pooja (7p.m.)

124 Sree Bhagavathi Goddess Square l·t Friday of Thaaiappoli Srecrertary . temple Bhagavthi eka-thala Malayaala on lot Friday Sree Bhagavathi

Two and a half Nineteenth months in Meenam Temple

kIn. N of century i6 to 8 a.m.) Chembrasseri

Chembrasseri Morning-pooja Pin - 676521

(7 a.m.) Sub-group E

125 Sree (Nama- Lord Siva Square First Monday of No festival President sivaayathth) Siva Fourteenth eka-thala Malayaala Namasivaayathth temple century month Siva Temple

22 km. E of (8a.m. to 2p.m.) Committee

Manjeri at Single pooja Chembrasseri East

Koraththotika In (11 a.m.) Pin - 676521

Sub-group E (A ruined temple having granite stone roofing)

451

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival/ Sub-group;

no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

126 Sree (Pulivettik- Lord Square All days Thaalappoli Private temple, kaav) Veerab- Veerabhadra, eka-thala (8 to 9 a.m. and on 1st Sree Pulivettikkaav hadra temple Nineteenth 6-30 to 7 p.m.) Monday in Veerabhadra

One and half lan. century Moming-pooja Meenam Temple

E of Chembrasseri (8-30 a.m·l. 'Chembrasseri

East In. Aththaazha- Pin - 676521

pooja (6-4Sp.m.) Sub-group E

127 Sree (Puthukkolli) Lord Siva Square AU days Sivamathri Private temple Siva temple Sixteenth eka-thala (6 to 8-30 a.m.) M aranaattu mana ,

18 km. E of century Morning-pooja Chembrasseri

Manjeri (via (7 a.m.) Pin - 676521

Vantoor) at Sub-group C-l Kaakkaathot (vide section 2, bridge and thence s1.no.2.20) one km. Eat Puthukkolli

21 Paal}tikkaat village

128 Sree Maha Vishnu Lord Circular All days No feistival Trustee Board temple Narasimha- eka-thala (6 to 7-30 a.m. Chairman, HR&CE

Five kIn. NE of moorththy and 6 to 8 p.m.) Sree Maha Vishnu

Paantikkaat at Fourteenth Moming pooja Temple

Poolrunanna on century (7 a.m.) Ath-Poolamanna

thuvoor road and thaazha-pooja Paantikkaat

thence 250 qt. W Pin - 676 521

(7 p.m.) Sub-group E

129 Sree (Peringottu- Lord Siva Square All days No festival Trust Chairman, kunnu) Sixteenth eka-thala (6 to 7 a.m.) HR&CE Siva temple century Morning-pooja Sree Peringottu-

Onekm. Wof (6-30 a.m.) kunnu

Poolru:nanna Siva Temple Poolamanna Paantikkaat Pin - 676521

Sub-groups E

130 Sree (Keezhu Lord Siva Circular All days No festival Tru 9t Chairman Thrkkovil) Siva Sixteenth eka-thala (6 to 7 a.m.) under HR&CE, temple century Morning-pooja Sree Keezhu

Four kID. E of (6-30 a.m.) Thrkkovil Siva

Paantikkaat at temple,

Kizhakke Paan tikkaat

Paantikkaatand Pin - 676521

thence 200 m. at Sub-group Cl Peruvakkaat (vide section 2.

sl.no.2.21)

131 Sree Thall Siva Lord Siva No structure No poojas No festival Temple in a demol-temple

Antiquity not ished condition

Near Sree Keezhu specified Pin - 676 521

Thrkkovil Siva Sub-group E temple (A ruined temple)

452

Type of Ownership/ Name of Pl;incipal sreekouil of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival/ Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

132 Sree Vettakkoru- Lord Vettak- Square One Monday in No festival Managing Trustee

makan) temple korumakan eka-thala a month under HR&CE,

500 m. S from Sixteenth (7 to 8 a.m.), Sree Mammavu

Kizhakke century Nivedyam Bhagavathi

Paantikkaton (7 a.m.) Temple,

Melathoor road Angaatippuram Paantikkaat Pin - 676521

Sub-group E

133 Sree (Thruppak- Lord Maha Circular All days No festival Private temple, kata) Maha Vishnu eka-thala (6 to 8 a.m. and Aandampishaarati Vishnu temple Seventeenth 6 to 7-30 p.m.) family, Chiraaya,

Two km. S of century Usha-pooja Palakkaat

Kizhakke Paan- (7 a.m.) Pin 676521

tikkat and on the Aththaazha- Sub-group E bank of Olippuzha pooja (7 p.m.) (A ruined temple)

134 Sree (Mammaav) Goddess Durga Square All days Vilakkuma- Managing Trustee, Bhagavathi temple Bhagavathi eka-thala (6-30 to 8 p.m.) hothsavon HR&CE, Marnmaav

Six km. SE of Sixteenth Morning-pooja last Tuesday Bhagavthi Temple,

Paantikkaat at century (7 a.m.) in Kumbham Angaatippuram

Peruvakkaat In. Pin - 679 321

and thence Sub-group E 500 ill. N

135 Sree (Kantampalli) Goddess Square All Tuesdays Gurusion Managing Trustee Bhagavathi temple Bhagavathi eka-thala (Morning) Nive- last Tuesday under HR&CE,

West. of Mammaav Eighteenth dya-pooja (Time in Makaram Sree Mammaav

Bhagavathi temple century not specified) Bhagavathi Temple, Angaatippuram Pin - 679321

Sub-group E

136 Sree (Payyam- Lord Siva Square All days No festival President, Sree parambu Kantap- Sixteenth dwi-thala (7 to 8-30 a.m. Payyamparambu panthoti) Siva century and 6 to Kantappanthoti temple 7-30 p.m.) Siva Temple

One km. NE of Usha-pooja Committee

Paantikkaat at (7-30 a.m.) Paantikkaat

High School In. Aththaazha- Pin - 676521

and thence one pooja (7 p.m.) Sub-group D-l km.N (A ruined temple)

22 Vettikkattiri village

137 Sree (Valaraat) Lord Siva Square All days No festival President, Sree Thrpuraan- Sixteenth eka-thala (7 to 9 a.m.) Valaraat Thrpu-thakankaav century Morning pooja Taan thakankaav

One km. S of (7-30 a.m.l Temple Committee,

Paantikkaat at Paantikkaat

Choorakkaat In Pin - 67f. :';21

and thence Sub-group E 1.5 km. E

453

Type of Ownership} Name of Principal sreekovilof Time of Management;

SI. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival} Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsauam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

138 Sree (Valluvan- Goddess Baala Square All days (6-30 to No festival President, gaat Vellekkaat) Durga eka-thala 8-30 a.m. and Natuvathth Durga temple Ancient temple 6 to 7 p.m.) Devaswam

13 km. SE of Usha-pooja Paantikkat

Manjeri at (8 a.m.) Pin - 676521

Tham panangati Aththaazha- Sub-group C-I and thence SOOm. pooja (6-30p.m.) (vide section 2, on Karaatapati s1.no.2.22) road

139 Sree Goddess Square All days Thaalappoli Natuvathth (Karinkaalikaav) Karinkaali eka-thala (9 a.m.) mahQthsav Devaswam

One km. N of Ancient temple Nivedya-pooja in Vrschikam Sree Valluvangaat

Thampaanangaati (9 a.m.) Vellekkaat Durga Temple, Paantikkaat Pin - 676521

Sub-group E

140 Sree Mantakak- Goddess Square First Sunday in No festival Private temple, kunnu temple Karimkaali eka-thala a month (8-30 Manni! Puththen

18 km. E of Fourteenth a.m. to 2 p.m.) Veedu family,

Manjeri at Ko- century Uccha-pooja Mantakakkunnu

tasseri on Vantoor (1-30 p.m.) Paantikkat

road and thence 3 Pin - 676521

km. W on Kuttip- Sub-group E paara road and thence 750 ill E on Kakkaathot road

15 AANAKKAYAMPANCHAAYATHTH

23 Panthaloo! village

141 Sree Kaaraya Lord Siva Only a thara No pooja No festival Private temple (Siva) temple Ancient temple Sree Kaaraya Siva

500 ffi. E of Temple, Now only a

Aakkapura In. thara and tank exist. Pin- 676 121

Sub-group E

142 Sree (Thennhi- Goddess Square No poojas No festival Private temple, sseri) Bhagavathi Bhagavathi eka-thala Ath thikkaattil temple Eighteenth family, Panthaloor

14 km. SE of century Katambot

Manjeri at Pin~676 121

Panthaloor (via) Sub-group E Aanakkayam)

454

Type of Ownership I Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival/ Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

143 Sree Bhagavathi Goddess Square All days Prathishtha- Manager temple Bhagavathi dwi-thala (5-30 to 9 a.m. day Sree Panthaloor

12 kIn. SE of Ancient temple and 5-30 to Ashtami Bhagavathi

Manjeri at 8 p.m.) rohini Temple, Katmnbot

Panthaloor via Usha-pooja Sivaraathri Pin-676121

Aanakkayam (7 a.m.) Sub-group C-2 Uccha-pooja (vide section 2, (8-45 a.m.) s1.no.2.23) Aththaazha-pooja (7 p.m.)

144 Sree (Maruvak- Lord Square Once in a No festival Private temple, kaat) Kuttichhaa- Kuttichhaa- eka-thala month (no fIxed Maruvakkaat ththan temple ththan time) family, Katambot

14 km. E of Nineteenth Nivedya-pooja Pin - 676 121

Malappuram at century Sub-group E Panthaloor via. Aanakkayam

145 Sl'ee (Pulikkal) Goddess Square All Tuesdays Thaalappoli Private Temple. Bhagavathi Bhagavathi eka-thala and Fridays on 3 rd Friday Kannanjaamthoti temple (Kodungalloor (8 to 9 a.m.) in Kumbham family. Katambot,

15 km. E of Bhagavathi) Deepaaraa- Panthaloor

Maiappuram at Nineteenth dhana Pin-676 121

Panthaloor via. century (8-30 a.m.) Sub-group E Aanakkayam

146 Sree (Kanak- Lord Square On festival Last Sunday Private temple, kancheri) Muththappap eka-thala days, flaneer- and Monday, Kanakkancheri Muththan temple Twentieth pooja (No flXed Muththan family, Katambot

16 km. E of century time) vela in Pin - 676 121

Maiappuram at Kumbham Sub-group E Panthaloor via. Aanakkayam

24 Aattakkayam village

147 Sree (Kaakkarak- Goddess Square Tuesdays and Thaalappoli Private Temple, kaall) Bhagavathi Bhagavathi eka-thala Fridays on l"t Sree Vennekottil temple Nineteenth (6 to 7 a.m.) Tuesday in family, Kaakkara-

Eight km. NE of century No poojas Kumbham kaali, lrimbuzhi

Malappuram at Pin - 676513

Irimbuzhi post Sub-group E office In. on Manjeri road and 2km.N

148 Sree (Kannaththu) Lord Siva Square 1st Sunday in all Sivaraathri Private Temple, Thrpuraanthaka Nineteenth eka-thala months (5 a.m. Kannaththu family. temple century to 12 noon) Paappinappaara

Eight km. NE of Nivedya-pooja Pin - 676 122

Malappuram at (12 noon) Sub-group E Irimbuzhi post office In. on Manjeri road and thence 2.5 km. N

455

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival/ Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

149 Sree (Ruthhira- Goddess Rectangular 1 st Friday in all Annual Private Temple, kaali) Bhagavathi Bhagavathi eka-thala Malayaala festival on Adhikaaraththu temple Eighteenth months 15th Vrschi- family, lrimbuzhi

Eight km, NE of century (4 to 11 a.m.) rom Pin- 676573

Malappuram at Nivedya-pooja Sub-group E lrimbuzhi post (lOa.m.) office junction and 400 m. N

150 Sree Muththap- Lord Square Once in a year Annual Private temple, pan temple Muththappan eka-thala (nopooja) festival in Thottaththil family,

Eight km. NE of Twentieth Kumbham Irimbuzhi

Malappuram at century Pin - 676 513

lrimbuzhi post Sub-group E office junction and 300 m. N

151 Sree Muththa- Lord Square Only on festival 1st Sunday Harijan Commu-

ppan temple Muththappan eka-thala days in Kumbham nityTemple

Seven km. NE of Twentieth Nivedya pooja Sree Muththappan

Malappuram at century Temple,

Irimbuzhi lrimbuzhi Pin - 676513

Sub-group E

152 Sree (Thekke- Lord Siva Rectangular lot Sunday of all No festival Private Temple

tathth) Thrpu- Eighteenth eka-thala Malayaala Thekketathth

raanthaka temple century months (8 a.m. family, Thalaappil

Eight km, NE of to 12 noon) house, lrimbuzhi

Malappuram at Nivedya-pooja Pin - 676513

lrimbuzhi post (11-30 a.m.) Sub-group E office In, and 250 m. NW

153 Sree (Veththottll Goddess Rectangular lot Sunday of all No festival Private temple, Vatakketathth) Bhagavathi eka-thala Malayaala Thalaappil family, Janthraalamma Eighteenth months (9 a.m. lrimbuzhi temple century to 12-30 noon) Pin - 676513

Two km. N of Nivedya-puoja Sub-group E Irimbuzhi post (12 noon) office junction

154 Sree (Melattin) Lord Siva Rectangular 1 st Sunday of all No festival Private Temple, Thrpuraanthaka Eighteenth eka-thala Malayaala Itaththotiyil family, temple century months Inmbuzhi

Two and a half (9 a.m. to Pin - 676513

km, NW of 12 noon) Sub-group E Irimbuzhi post Nivedya-pooJa office junction (11-30 a,m,)

456

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

81. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival/ Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

155 Sree (Avinoor) Lord Ayyappa Square All days Mandalam Manager, Ayyappa temple Ancient temple eka-thala (6 to 9 a.m. and 41 days 8ree Avinoor

Four km. Wof 5-30 to Ayyappa Temple,

Manjeri at 7-30 p.m.) Paappinippaara

Paappinippaara Usha-pooja Pin - 676 122

on Pookottoor (9 a.m.) Sub-group Col road Uccha-pooja (vide section 2,

(8-30 a.m.) s1.no.2.24) Aththaazha-pooja (7 p.m.)

156 Sree Goddess Square 1 st day of all ThaaIappoli Private Temple, (Chaaththappaa - Bhagavathi eka-thala Malayaala on 3 ed Chaaththappaa-ruthoti) Bhaga- Twentieth

months Sunday in ruthoti, vathi temple century

(8 to 9 a.m.) Kumbham Vatakkummuri,

Two km. N of lrimbuzhi

lrimbuzhi post Pin - 676513

office junction Sub-group E

157 Sree (Poola- Goddess Square Any Monday in Annual Private temple, kuthth) Bhagavathi eka-thala a month feistival on Kaavengaat family, Karinkaali Bhaga- Eighteenth (Moming) 25th Metam Paappinippaara vathi temple century Nivedya-pooja

Pin - 676 122

One km. N of (7 a.m.) Sub-group E lrimbuzhi post office junction

158 Sree (Pereekkaat) Goddess Square Any day in a Prathishtha- Private Temple, Bhagavathi Bhagavathi eka-thala month day on Thi- Pereekkaat family, temple Eighteenth (Moming) rnvonam in lrimbuzhi

Three kIn. NE of century Nivedya-pooja Meenam Pin - 676513

lrimbuzhi post (lOa.m.) Sub-group E office junction in Vatakkummuri

159 Sree (Irimbuzhi) Lord Maha Square All days Ashtami Secretary Vishnu temple Vishnu eka-thala (6 to 9 a.m. and rohini, Sree Vishnu

Half a km. NE of Sixteenth 5-30 to 7 p.m.) Guruvaayoor Temple Committee

lrimbuzhi post century Usha-pooja Ekaadasi lrimbuzhi

office junction (6-30 a.m.) Pin - 676513

Uccha-pooja Sub-group E (8-30 a.m.) Aththa=ha-pooja (7 p.m.)

160 Sree (Man· Lord Siva Square 1 st day of all Aaraattuvela Private temple, naththaankunnu) Eighteenth eka-thala Malayaala on 1st Friday Kariyaakkot family, Chaalakkalthoti century months and on ru:Id Satur- Paappinippaara Siva temple festival days day in Pin - 676 122

Two km. NE of (evening) Kumbham Sub-group E Irimbuzhi post Nivedya-pooja office junction (7 p.m.)

161 Sree (Itamalap- Lord Siva Rectangular 1 st day of all Aaraattuvela Private Temple, parambu) Muth- Eighteenth eka-thala Malayaala in any Malayancholakkan than temple century months (Eve- Tuesday or family

Two km. NE of ning) pooja Friday in Paappinippaara

lrimbuzhi post (8 a.m.) Kumbham Pin - 676 122

office junction Sub~group E

457

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

SI. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival! Sub-group;

no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsauam Remarks

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

162 Sree Goddess Square All Tuesdays Thaalappoli Private temple,

(Meenkolaththi) Bhagavathi eka-thala (6 to 10 p.m.} in Kumbham Illikkathoti family,

Bhagavathi Nineteenth Bhagavathi VengaaIoor

temple century pooja (7 p.m.) Aanakkayarn Pin - 676509

Seven kID. NE of Malappuram at Sub-group E

Paanaayi on Manjeri road and thence one krn. N towards Vengaaloor

163 Sree Goddess Square Only on festival Thaa/appoli Private temple,

(Illikkath thoti) Bhagavatbi eka-thala days on any Illikkoththoti

Bhagavathi Nineteenth Bhagavathi Sunday in family, Vengaaloor

temple century pooja (7 p.m.) Kumbham Aanakkayam Pin - 676509

One km. N of Paanaayi on Sub-group E

Manjeri road

MANJERI MUNCIPAL TOWN

164 Sree (Oorana- Lord Siva Apsidal All days (7-30 to Sivaraathri Executive Officer,

atathth) Very ancient eka-thala 10 a.m.) HR&CE,

Siva temple temple Nivedya-pooja Ooranaatathth

Onekm. Waf (8-30 a.m.) Siva Temple

Manjeri town on Manjeri Pin-676 121

Kozhikkode road Sub-group C-l (vide section 2, sLno.2.25)

165 Sree {Naru- Goddess Square All days (6 to Kaarthika Secretary

karanaru) Madhura- eka-thala 10-30 a.m. and viiakku in Narukaranaru

Madhura Meena- Meenaakshi 5-30 to 8 p.m.) Vrschikam Madhura-

akshi temple Durga Devi Usha-pooja meenaakshy

Fourkm. Wof Ancient temple (7 a.m.) Temple Committee,

Manjeri town on Uccha-pooja Narukara, Manjeri

Kozhikkode road (9-30 a.m.) Pin - 676122

Aththaazha- Sub-group D-2 paoja (7-30p.m.) (It is a twin temple

complex having a circular eka-thala Sree Durga Shrine also)

166 Sree (Karuvan- Goddess Square All days Thaalappoli Managing Truste

bram) Karinkaali eka-thala (6-30 to 9 a.m.) uthsav either under HR&CE,

Karinkaalikkaav Sixteenth Nivedya-pooja on the 1st Sree Karinkaali,

Three km. NW of century (8-30 a.m.) Tuesday or Karuvambram

Manjeri town on Friday in West, Manjeri

Keezhsseri road Metam Pin - 676 123

Sudb-group E

458

Type of Ownership/

Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

81. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival! Suo-group;

no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

167 Sree (Karuvam- Lord Square All days No festival Managing Trustee,

bram) Maha Narasimha- eka-thala (7 to 9 a.m.) HR&CE

Vishnu temple moorththy Nivedya-pooja Sree Maha Vishnu

Three kIn, NW of Ancient temple (Ba,m.) Temple, Karuvam-

Manjeri town on bram West

Keezhsseri road Manjeri Pin - 676 122

Sub-group E

168 Sree(Mukathaama Lord Siva Circular All days Siuaraathri Executive Officer,

nna) Siva temple Ancient temple eka-thala (9 to 9·30 a,m.] HR&CE

One and a half Malar Nivedyarn Mukathaamanna

krn. of Manjeri on (9.15 a.m.) Siva Temple

Nilamboor TOad Manjen-3 Pin - 676 121

Sub-group C-l (vide section 2, 81.no.2.26)

169 Sree (Melakkam- Goddess Square All days Annual festi- Executive Officer

kaaIikaav) Bhagavathi eka-thala (5-30 to 12-30 val on 12th HR&CE Trustee

Bhagavathi (Bhadrakaali) noon and day after 1 s, Board, Melakkam-

temple Very ancient 5-30 to 9 p.m,) Tuesday in kaalikaav

Onekm. N of temple Usha-pooja Makaram Bhagavathi

Manjeri on (7 a,m.) Temple, Manjeri

Nilamboor road Uccha-pooja Pin-673121

(12 noon) Sub-group C-1 Aththaazha- (vide section 2, pooja sl.no.2.27) (7-30 p.m.)

170 Sree (Meenku- Goddess Square All days Thaalappoli Private temple,

lathth) Bhaga- Bhagavathi eka-thala (5 to 8 a.m.) uthsav on Meenkulathth

vathi temple Eighteenth Malar-Fruits 3rd Sunday Bhagavathi

Three km. NWof century Nivedyam in Kumbham Temple

Manjeri town on (7-30 a.m.) Karuvambram

Keezhsseri road West, Manjeri Pin - 676122

Sub-group E

171 Sree Subramanya Lord Square All days Thaipooyam Private temple,

temple Subramanya eka-thala (5 to 8 a.m.) (Therpooja Sree Subramanya

Three km. NW of Eighteenth Niuedya-pooja uthsav) Temple, Karuvam-

Manjeri town on century (7 a.m.) bram West

Keezhsseri road Manjeri Pin - 676 123

Sub-group E

172 Sree (Puthrott) Lord Ayyappa Square All days (Time No festival Secretary,

Ayyappa temple Fourteenth dwi-thala not specified) Puthrott Sree

Three km, N of century Ayyappa Temple

Manjeri town on Karuvambram

Kozhikkode road West, Manjeri Pin - 676 123

Sub-group E

459

Type of Ownership! Name of Principal sreekouilof Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival I Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsauam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

173 Sree (Chaak- Goddess Square All days (5-30 to Thaalappoli Secretary,

karathth) Bhaga- Bhagavathi eka-thala 6-30 a.m.) and on last Sree Chaakka-

vathi temple Twentieth 5 to 7 p.m.) Tuesday in rathth Bhagavathi

Two and a half century Kumbham Temple Committee,

km. N of Manjeri Karuvambram

town on West, Manjeri

Kozhikkode road Pin - 676 123

Sub-group E

174 Sree Vettakkoru- Lord Vettak- Square All days (10 to No festival Private temple,

makan temple korumakan eka-thala 10-30 a.m.) Sree Vettakkoru-

One km. from Eighteenth Nivedya-pooja makan Temple,

Manj eri town century (10-15 a.m.) Manjeri

junction Pin - 676 121

Sub-group E

175 Sree (Vaakke- Goddess Square All days Mandalam Secretary, Sree

ththoti) Karinkaali eka-thala (7 to 10 a.m. 41 days Karinkaalikkaav

Karinkaalikkaav Ancient temple and 6 to 8 p.m.) Temple Committee

temple Usha-pooja Vaakkeththoti,

Three km. Wof (9 a.m.) Manjeri

Manjeri town via Aththaazha-Pin -676 121

Pookkottoor pooJa (7 p.m.) Sub-group D-2

176 Sree (Mullan- Goddess Square All days (6-30 to Annual Private temple,

paara) Mookaam- Mookaambika eka-thala 7 am. and 6 to festival on Sree Mookaarnbika

bika temple Devi 9p.m,) Revathi in Devi Temple

Three km. Wof Twentieth Deepaaraa- Kumbham Mullanpaara, Man-

Manjeri town In century dhana jeri

on Pookottoor (7a.m,) Pin-676121

road Deepaaraad - Sub-group E hana (7 p.m.)

177 Sree (Kunnathth) Goddess Circular All days Pooram from Fit person under

Bhagavathi Durga eka-thala (5-30 to 9-30 Makayiram HR&CE

(Moothrkunnu Bhagavathi a.m. and 5-30 to Uthram in Sree Kunnathth

Durga) temple Seventeenth to 7-30 p.m.) Meenam Bhagavathi

Twokm. SWof century Usha-pooja Temple, Manjeri

Manjeri Town on (7 a.m.) Pin - 676 121

Malappuram road Uccha-pooja Sub-group C-2, (8-45 a,m.) (vide section 2 Aththaazha- s1.no. 2.28) pooja (7 p.m.)

178 Sree (Etiyotta) Lord Ayyappa Square All days Ayyappan Private Temple of

Ayyappa temple Eighteenth eka-thala (6 to 8 a.m. and vilakku on Manjeri Kovilakarn

Halfakm Won century 6 to 8 p.m.) 10th Dhanu Pin - 671 121

Kozhikkode road Morning pooja Sub-group E

(7 a.m.) Deepaama-dhana (7 p.m.)

460

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

SI. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival I Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsauam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

179 Sree (Arukizbaayi) Lord Siva Circular All days Siuaraathri Managing Trustee, Siva temple Ancient temple eka-thala (5 to 9 a.m. and Arukizhaayi Siva

Twokm. Eon 5 to 8 p.m.) Temple, Manjeri

Perinthalmanna Usha-pooja Pin - 676 121

road (6-30 a.m.) Sub-group C-2 Uccha-pooja (vide section 2, (8 a.m.) section 2.29) Aththaazha-pooja (7-1Sp.m.)

180 Sree (Vaaypaara) Lord Maha Square All days (5-30 to Ashtami- Private temple, Maha Vishnu Vishnu eka-thala 10 a.m. and 6 Rohini Manjeri Kovilakam temple Eleventh to 8-30 p.m.) Pin - 676 121

Half a km. W of Century Morning-pooja Sub-group D-2 Manjeri Town In. (9 a.m.),

Deepaaraad-hana(7 p.m.)

181 Eranaatkaalan Lord Siva Square All days No festival Private temple, (Siva) temple Twentieth eka-thala (8 to 8-15 a.m.) Manjeri Kovilakam

Two km. S of century Naruk1cila Pin-676121

Manjeri town Nivedyam Sub-group E (8-15 a.m.)

182 Sree (Thiru vitaik- Lord Siva Square All days Siuaraathri Manjeri Kovilakam kal) Siva temple Twentieth eka-tha!a (6-30 to 8-30 Pin - 676 121

Twokm. SWof century a.m. and 5-30 Sub-group D-2 Manjeri on to 8-15 p.m.)

Malappuram road Usha-pooja (7 a.m.) Uccha-pooja (8 a.m.) Aththaazha-pooja (7 p.m.)

183 Sree (Pazhukkara) Lord Siva Square All days (7-45 to Siuaraathri Trustee Board Siva temple Ancient temple eka-thala 8-30 a.m. and Chairman, HR&CE

Six km. E of 6 to 6-30 p.m.) Sree pazhukkara

Manjeri on Moming Siva Temple

Paantikkaatroad Deepauraa- Payyanaat

dhana (8 a.m.) Pin - 676 122

Evening Sub-group D-2 Deepaaraa-dhana (6-15 p.m.)

184 Sree {Kappaat Goddess Square All days Annual Tru stee Board Oottu Brahrnas- Karinkaali eka-thala (5-30 to 8-30 festival on Chairman, HR&CE worn) Bhagavathi Sixteenth a.m. and 5-30 last Tuesday Sree Kappaat Bha-(Karinkaali) century to 7-30 p.m.) in Makamm gavathi temple Usha"pooja Temple, Payyanaat

Six km. E of Man- (6-30 a.m.) Pin - 676 122

jeri at Payyanaat Aththaazha- Sub-group E Aththaanikkal on pooja (7 p.m.) Paantikkaat road alld thence half a km. S

461

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekouil of Time of Management;

81. temple; deity; principal worship; Festivalj Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsauam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

185 Sree (Pazhukkara) Lord Subra- Square All Tuesdays Thaalappoli Secretary 8uhramanya manya eka-thala (6 to B p.m.) on last (Perumannan Swami temple Twentieth Malar Nivedyam Friday in Samudayam),

Six and a half kJ11. century (7 p.m.) Makaram Sree pazhukkara

E of Manjeri via. Subrarnanya

Paantikkaat Temple Committee, Payyanaat Pin - 676 122

Sub-group E

186 Sree (Mungathth) Lord Square Daily no pooja Thaipooyam Secretary Subramanya Subramanya eka-thala (Chettiyaar Samu-temple Eighteenth da~yam) Mun-

Six and a half kro. century gathth Sree

Eon Paantikkaat Subramanyawaami

road Temple Committee. Payyanaat Pin - 676 122

Sub-group E

187 Sree (Mundi- Goddess Square Only on uthsava Thaalappoli Secretary (111atDan yankaavil) Bhaga- Bhagavathi eka-thala days on second Samudaayam) Sree vathi temple Antiquity not (Time not Tuesday in Bhagavathi Temple

Seven kIn. E of specified specified) Kumbham Committee, Mundi-

Manjeri at Tha- yankaavU family.

amarasserial on Payyanaat

Pantikkaat road Pin - 676 122

Sub-group E

188 Sree (Kunna- Lord Square All Tu esdays Thaalappoli Secretary, Aasaary kkaattil) Muththappan eka-thala and Fridays on Samudaayam Muththappan Eighteenth (6 to 8 p.m.) Ammaavaasi Sree Muththappan temple century Painlcutty-pooja day in Temple, Kunnak-

Five kIn. E of (7-30 p.m.) Kumbham kaat, Payyanaat

Manjeri at Pin - 676 122

Cholakkal on Sub-group E Pantikkaat road

189 Sree (Ooth- Lord Rectangular All Tuesdays Muththan Secretary, thaalakkan) MUththappan eka-lhala and Fridays vela on 1" (Kanakkan Muththan temple Twentieth (5-30 to 10 a.m. Frid.ayand Samudaayam)

Five km. E of century and 6 to 8 p.m.) Saturday in Sree Muththan

Manjeri at Morning poojas Kumbham Temple Committee,

Cholakkal on (Sa.m.) Cholakkal

Paantikkaatroad Evening-pooja Payyanaat

and thence (7 p.m.) Pin - 676 122

400 m. Sub-group E

190 Sree (Kizhakke- Lord Squme Only on Hindu Muththan- Pricvate temple kunnathth) Muththappan eka-thala festival days Vela on 1st (Kizhakke Muththan temple Sixteenth (Time not speci- Sunday in Kunnathth family)

Seven kIn. on century fied) Kumbham Sree Muththan

Paantikkaat road Temple, Payyanaat

at Thaamarasseri Pin - 676 122

and thence 2 krn. Sub-group E S

462

Type of Ownership I Name of Principal sreekol.u of Time of Management;

81. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival! Sub-group;

no_ location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

191 Sree (Kihyanthoti) Lord Square Last Friday in Thaalappali Secretary,

Muththappan Muththappan ek.a-thala all months on 2nd Fri- Sree Kiliyanthoti

temple Fifteenth (Morning only) day in Muththappan

Onekm. on century Malar Nivedyam Kumbham Temple Committee, (8 a.m.) Payyanaat

Thaamarasseri Pin - 676 122 Pilakkal road

Sub-group E

16 PULPATIA PANCHAAYATHTH

25 Pulpa~a village

192 Sree (Narahari- Lord N arasim- Square All days Prathishta Trustee under mangalam) harooorththy eka-thala (9 to 11 a.m.) day on HR&CE, Sree Vishnu temple Ancient temple Usha-pooja Uthramin Naraharimangalam

Sixkm. NW of (10 a.m.) Mithhunam Vishnu Temple,

Manjeri at Pulpatta, Manjeri

Kantamkulam on Pin - 676 126

Pookkulaththoor Sub-group D-2 road and thence 250 m. N

193 Sree Siva temple Lord Siva Circular All days (5-30 to Sivaraathri Trustee Board , Six kIn. NW of Ancient temple dwi-thala 9 a.m. and 5-30 under HR&CE,

Manjeri at to 7-30 p.m.), Sree Siva Temple,

Kantamku1am on Usha-pooja Pulpatta, Manjeri

Pookkulaththoor (7-30 a.m.) Pin - 676 126

road and Uccha-pooja Sub-group C-1 250 m. N (9 a.m.} (vide section 2,

Aththaazha- s1.no.2.30) pooja (7 p.m.)

194 Sree (Palliyarak- Goddess Square All days Annual Trustee under kaav) Bhagavathi Bhagavathi eka-thala (8 to 11 a.m.) festival for HR&CE, temple Ancient temple Usha-pooja 4 days from Sree Palliyarakkav

At Palliyarapati on (10 a.m.) 12th to 15th Bhagavathi Temple,

Pookkulaththoor Kumbham Pulpatta

road and thence Pin - 676 126

100 m. E Sub-group E

195 Sree (Thrppanac- Lord Vishnu Circular All days No festival Executive Officer, chi) Krishna Ancient temple eka-thala (6 to 10 a.m. HR&CE, Sree temple and 6 to 8 p.m.) Krishna Temple,

Ten km. NW of Usha~pooja Pulpatta

Manjeri at (Sa.m.) Pin - 676 126

Thrppanacchi on Aththaazha- Sub-group 0-1 Keezhisseri road pooja (7 p.m.) and thence 750m. N

196 Sree (Perum Lord Siva Circular All days Sivaraathri Executive Officer, Thrkkovil) Maha Very ancient eka-tha/a (6-30 to 8-30 HR& CEo Sree Siva temple temple a.m. and 5-30 to Perumthrkkovil

500 m. N of 7-30 p.m.) Maha Siva Temple,

Thrppanacchi Usha-pooja Pulpatta

(7-30 a.m.) Pin - 676 126

Aththaazha- Sub-group C-6 pooja (7 p.m.) (vide section 2,

sl.no.2.31)

463

Type of Ownership! Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal worship; Festivalj Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsauam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

197 Sree (Paalakkaatl Goddess Square All days Last Secretary, Sree Karinkaalikkaav Bhagavathi eka-thala (7 to 9-30 a.m. Tuesday in Karimkaalikkaav Bhagavathi temple Eighteenth Usha-pooja Kumbham Bhagavathi Temph

Eight km. NE of century (8-30 a.m.l ( Thaa/appall) Paalakkaat (via)

Manjeri at Kuzhimanna

Palakkaat on Pin - 673641

Keezhsseri road Sub-group E and thence 200 m. N

17 MORAYOOR PANCHAAYATHTH -26 MorayOO! village

198 Sree Subramanya Lord Subra- Square All Mondays and Sunday to Secretary swaamy temple manya eka-thala Fridays Tuesday Sfee Subramanya-

Two km. N. of Nineteenth (6 to 7-30 a.m.) before swaami Temple

Morayoor Junc- century Single pooja Thaipooyam Committee

tion (on Manjeri- (7 a.m.) Ozhukoof

Kozhikkode roadl Pin - 673649

on Kuzhimanna Sub-group E road

199 Sree Maha Siva Lord Siva Circular All days Sivaraathri Secretary, Sree temple Ancient temple dwi-thala (5-30 to 9-30 Maha Siva Temple

At Morayoor a.m. and 5-30 to Committee,

Junction on 7-30 p.m.j Morayoor

Malappuram- Usha-pooja Pin- 673 649

Kozhikkade road (7a.m.) Sub-group C-2 Uccha-pooja (vide section 2, (9a.m·1 s1.no.2.32) Aththaazha-pooja (7 p.m.)

200 Sree (Pazhangara) Goddess Durga Circular Last Friday of No festival President, Sree Durga Bhagavathi Bhagavathi eka-thala the month Durga Bhagavathi temple Seventeenth (8 to 9-30 a.m.) Temple Committee,

Three km. S of century Single pooja Arimbra

Morayoor junction (9 a.m.) Pin - 673 638

at Arimbra Sub-group E

18 NETIYIRUPPU PANCHAAYATHTH

27 Netiyiruppu village

201 Sree (Poyili) Goddess Square All days 1st Tuesday President, Sree Karinkaali temple Karinkaali eka-thala (5-30 to 8-30 or Friday Poyilikarinkaali

Two km. E of Ancient temple a.m. and 5-30 to after 11 th Temple Committee,

Kontotti on Sp.rn.) Dhanu Netiyiruppu

Malappuram road Usha-pooja Pin - 673638

at Netiyiruppu (6-30 a.m.) Sub-group C-2 Uccha-pooja (vide section 2, (8 a.m.) s1.no.2.33) Aththaazha-pooja (7-30p.m.)

464

Type of Ownership,!

Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival! Sub-group;

no. location antiquity deity poojas UthsaIJam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

202 Sree (Thaannik·· Lord Siva Circular All days Sivaraathri Pres~dent,

kaatt) Maha Siva Ancient temple elca-thala (7 to 8 a.m. and Sree Malia Siva

temple 6 to 7-30 p.m.) Temple Committee,

Three km. E of Usha~pooja Netiyiruppu

Kontotti at (7-30 a.m.) Pin - 673638

Thaannikkaat Aththaazha- Sub-group C-l

pooja (7 p.m.) (vide section 2,

51.no.2.34)

203 Sree Lord Mala- Square 1 st day of all 2nd Tuesday President, Sree

Malamuththappan muththappan eka-thala Malayaala in Makaram Malamuththappan

temple Twentieth months Temple Committee,

Six km. S of (5 to 8 a.m.) Arimbra

century

Netiyiruppu Single pooja Pin- 673638

(7 a.m.) Sub-group E

204 Sree (Mucchik- Lord Square During 25 th President

kuntu) Muththappan eka-thala Mandalam (6 to Makaram Sree Mucchikkuntu

Muththappan Twentieth 9 p.m.) Muththappan

temple century Pooja (8 p.m.) Temple Committee,

Tenkm. S of Arimbra

Netiyiruppu Pin - 673638

Sub-group E

19 POOKKOTTOOR PANCHAA Y ATHTH

28 Pookkottoo! village

205 Sree (Velloor Lord Saastha Rectangular All days 2 nd Wednes- President

Elam bulaakkaat) Eighteenth eka-thala (5-30 to 8 a.m. day in Kshethra Samra-

Saastha Bhaga-century and 5-30 to Vrschikam kshana Samithi

vathi temple 7-30 p.m.) Velloor

One km. Swof Usha-pooja Pin-676517

Aththaanikkal (7 a.m.) Sub-group E

junction (on Deepaaraad -

Malappuram- hana (6-45p.m.)

Cali cut road) at Aththaazha-

Velloor Angaati pooja (7-15p.m.)

206 Sree (Velloor Lord Maha Circular All days No festival Private Temple,

Kalaththil) Vishnu Vishnu eka-thala (8-30 to Velloor kalam

temple Sixteenth

9-30 a.m.) Velloor

One km. SWof century Nivedya-pooja Pin - 676517

Aththaanikkal (9 a.m.) Sub-group E

3655 RGI/03-31 A 465

Type of Ownership / Name of Principal sreekouil of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival/ Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsauam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

207 Sree Thrpuraan- Lord Square All days Paattu Secretary,

thaka temple Thrpuraan- dwi-thala (5-30 to 8-30 uthsaufor 2 Kshethrapari -

One km. E of thaka (Siva) a.m. and 5-30 days on 9 th paalana Committee,

Pookkoottoor Seventeenth to 7 p.m.) and 10th in Nilamboor

Junction on century Usha-pooja Kumbham Kovilakam

Manjeri road (7 a.m.) Pookkoottoor

Uccha-pooja Pin-676 S17

(8-30 a.m.) Sub-group D-2 Aththaazha-pooja (7 p.m.

208 Sree (Erames- Lord Subra- Square All days No festival Nilamboor warrun) Subrama- manya eka-thala (6 to 7 -30 a.m. Kovilakrun, nya temple Seventeenth and 6 to 7-30 Erameswaram

One krn. NE of century p.m.) Subramanya

Pookoottoor on Usha-pooja Temple

Pullaara- (6-30 a.m.) Pookkoottoor

Pookkoottoor road Uccha-pooja Pin-676S17

(7-30 a.m.) Sub-group E Nivedya-paoja (7 p.m.)

209 Sree (Changa- Lord Maha Square All Sundays Ashtarni President, HR&CE, mangalam) Vishnu dwi-thala (7-30 to rohini Sree Vishnu Vishnu temple Ancient temple 11-30 a.m.) Temple, Mongam,

500 m. N of Nivedya-pooja Valluvambram

Aththaanikkal (9-30 a.m.) Pin-676517

Junction Sub-group E (A temple dese-crated by forces of Tippu Sulththaan)

210 Sree (Pullaanoor) Goddess Durga Square All days No festival Natu vilmatham Durga Devi temple Devi dUJi-thala (5 to 7-30 a.m. Devaswam, Sree

At Pullaara junc- Ancient temple and 5-30 to Durga Devi Temple,

tion on Manjeri- 7 p.m.) Valluvarnbram

Kozhikkode road Usha-pooja Pin-676517

(6-30 a.m.) Sub-group E Aththaazha-pooja (6ASp.m.)

211 Sree (Karinkaali) Goddess Square All days No festival Natuvilmatham Devi temple KarinkaaliDevi eka-thala (7 to 7-45 a.m.) Devaswarn

At Pullaara Ancient temple Usha-pooja Sree Karinkaali Devi

junction on (7-30 a.m.) Temple

Manjeri- Valluvambram

Kozhikkode road Pin - 676517

Sub-group E

212 Sree (Nambuthoti) Goddess Square 1st Tuesday in No ftxed day Private temple Bhagavathi temple Bhagavathi eka-thala all Malayaa/a Sree Nambuthoti

One kIn. Wof (Bhadrakaali) months Bhagavathi Temple

Aththaanikkal Sixteenth (IOa.m. to Velloor

junction on century 1 noon) Pin-676517

Malappuram- Vellaripooja Sub-group E Kozhikkode road (1 noon)

466 3GSCSPrm/o3- 3J -8

Type of Ownership/ Nameo! Principal sreekovilof Time of Management;

81. temple; deity; principal worship; Festivalj Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

MALAPPURAM MUNCIPAL TOWN

213 Sree (Cheecchip- Goddess Square All days Not speci- Private temple, paara) Bhagavathi Bhagavathi eka-fha/a Single pooja (No fied Vallyaali family, temple

Twentieth specific time) Melmuri

Two kIn. E of century Pin - 676514

Aalaththoorpati of Sub-group E Kozhikkode road

214 Sree (Ponnikkaatt) Lord Circular All days (Mom- Ashtami President Dhanwanthari- Dhanwantha- ern-thala ing 7 to 9 am.) rohiniand Sree Ponnikkaatt moorthtlu temple rimoorththy Moming pooja Dasami Temple Committee,

Near Potiyaatt In. Ancient temple l8a.m.) Melmuri

of Kozhikkode Pin - 676514

road Sub-group E

215 Sree Potiyaatt Siva Lord Siva Square All days Siuaraathri Executive Officer, temple

Sixteenth dwi-thala (6 to 9 a.m. and Sree Potiyaatt Siva

Near Potiyaatt century 6-30 to 8 p.m. Temple, Melmuri

Junction on Usha-pooja Pin - 676 514

Kozhikkode road (7-30 a.m.) Sub-group E Aththaazha-

pooja (7-30p.m.)

216 Sree (Potiyaatt) Lord Ayyappa Square l<t Saturday of Ayyappan Private temple, Ayyappa temple

Twentieth eka-thala all months vilakku in Mataththoti family, 380 m. NW of century (Morning) Dhanu Melmuri Potiyaatt Junction Pin - 676514

Sub-group E

217 Sree (Konom- Goddess Square All days Annual Chairman paara) Karinkaali eka-thala (Moming and festival in Thripuraanthaka Karinkaalikaav

Antiquity not Evening) Dhanu Temple, temple

known Usha-pooja Kunnummal 500 m. Wof (7-30 a.m.) Pin - 676 505 Konompaara In. Aththaazha- Sub-group E on Kozhikkode pooja (7 p.m.) road

218 Sree (Cheraattu- Lord Vishnu Square All days Ashtami President kuzhi) Vishnu (Narasiro- eka-tha/a (Mornmg and rohini Sree Cheraattu-temple hamoorththi) Evening) Guruvayoor kuzhi Vishnu 750 m. on Nineteenth Usha-pooja ekaadasi Temple Committee Kuntipati road centUI}' (8-30 a.m.) Down hill

Aththaazha- Pin - 676519

pooja Sub-group E (7-30 p.m.)

467

Type of Ownership! Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity;· principal worship; Festival! Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

219 Sree (Kottammal) Lord Ayyappan Square All days No festival President Ayyappa temple Twentieth eka-thala (Momingand Sree Kottammal

Near Malappuram century Evening) Ayyappa Temple

Bus stand Morning pooja Committee

(8 a.m.) Downhill

Aththaazha- Pin - 676515

pooja (7 p.m.) Sub-groupm E

220 Sree (Mannoor) Lord Siva Apsidal All days Paattu Secretary Siva temple Antiquity not eka-thala (6-30 to 8 a.m. uthsavon Sree Mannoor Siva

300m. Wof specified and 6 to 7-30 5th Temple Committee,

Malappuram on p.m.) Makaram Downhill

Tirur road Usha-pooja Pin -676519

(7 a.m.) Sub-group E Aththaazha-pooja (7 p.m.)

221 Sree (Tbaamarak- Goddess Rectangular All days Annual President Sree kuzhi) Maariam.- Maariamman eka-thala (5 to 7-30 p.m.) festival on Thaamarakkuzhi mankovil Ancient temple Dasamiin Maariammankovil,

250 m. from Kanni Malappuram

Collector ate Pin - 676 505

Sub-group E

222 Sree (Chunkap- Lord Hanuman Square Nopooja No festival Private temple, palli Katinji) Ancient temple eka-thala Chunkappalli Hanuman temple family,

280 m. from Malappuram

Collectorate Pin - 676 505

Sub-group E

223 Sree Chunkappalli Goddess Square All Tuesday and Any Friday Private temple, Devi temple Kodungal- eka-thaln Fridays (No in Kumb- Chunkappalli

Near Malappuram looramma poojas) ham family, Malappuram

junction and Nineteenth Pin - 676 505

behind Collector's century Sub-group E bungalow

224 Sree Kurumba Goddess Rectangular No pooja No festival Private temple, Bhagavathi temple Kurumba Bha- eka-thala Karuvamparambil

Near Malappuram gavathi family, Malappuram

junction and Nineteenth Pin - 676505

behind Collector's century Sub-group E bungalow

225 Sree Thripuraan- Lord Thripu- Square All days (Mom- Annual Chairman, Sree thaka temple raanthaka eka-thala ing and evening) feistival for Thripuraanthaka

500 m. from Ancient temple Usha-pooja 10 days Temple Committee,

Malappuram In. (7-30 a.m.) from Aniz- Kunnummal,

on Perinthal- Uccha-pooja ham in Malappuram

manna road (10-30 a.m.) Metam Pin - 676 505

Aththaazha- Sub-group C-2 pooja j7-30p.m.) (vide section 2,

sl.no.2.35)

468

Type of Ownership I Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

81. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival I Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

226 Sree (East Vel- Lord Siva Square Only on festival No festival Private temple, laatt) Siva temple Ancient temple eka-thala days East Vellaatt family,

Behind Malappu- Malappuram

ram D.S.P. office Pin - 676505

Sub-group E

227 Sree (Kaarakkun- Goddess Square Nopoojas No festival Private temple, nathth) Karinkaali Karinkaali eka-thala Puththen house, temple Ancient temple Kunnummal,

25 m. Wof Malappuram

D.S.P. 's office Pin - 676505

Sub-group E

228 Sree (Chennathth) Lord Square All days (6 a.m. No festival Private temple Dakshina- Dakshina- eka-thala to 9 a.m.) Thaamarasseri illam

moorththy temple moorththi Usha-pooja Munduparambu,

2.5 kIn. NE via Ancient temple (7 a.m.) Malappuram

Muntuparamb (on Pin - 676509

Manjeri road) Sub-group C-6 (vide section 2 s1.no. 2.36)

469

NILAMBOOR TALUK KEY TO MAP SHOWING NAMES OF PANCHAA YATHTHS AND VILLAGES '"

1 CHAALIYAAR 9 NILAMilOOR

1 PuHipaatam (Part) 17 Nilamboor

2 Akampaatam

3 Ku.!:umbala:ri.got (Part) 10 MAMBAAT

18 PuHippaatam (Part)

2 CHUNKATHTHA_RA 19 Mambaat

4 Ku.!:umbala:ri.got (Part) 20 Wantoor (Part)

5 Chunkaththara (Part) . -11 THIRUVAALI

3 POTHTHUGAL 21 Thiruvaali

6 Kurumbalangot (Part)

7 ChUl)kaththa!a (Part) 12 WA~TO()B

8 Etakkara (Part) 22 Wal).too! (Part)

4 ETAKKARA 13 POROOR

9 Chunkaththara (Part) 23 Poroor

10 Etakkara (Part) 14 KAALIKAAV

5 V AZHIKKA T A V 24 VeHayoo!

11 Vazhikkatav 25 Kaalikaav (Part)

6 MOOTHTHETAM 15 CHOKKAAT

12 Etakkara (Part) 26 Ch6kkaat

13 Karu!aayi (Part) 27 Kaa!ikaav (Part)

7 KARUI/AAYI 16 KARUVAARAKUNTU

14 Karu!aayi (Part) 28 Kera!a Estate

15 Amarambalam (Part) 29 KaruvaarakUl:ltU

8 AMARAMBALAM 17 THOOVOOR

16 Amarambalam (Part) 30 Thoovoor

" There is no municipal town in this taluk

470

NiLAGIRI DISTRICl l' (TAMIL NADUl ~

(j .,"1

l "

"", /._

/.~' .......... _, L-.) ,.-~\

/ t

80UNrJA illES

Sia te ..

District

Taluk.

Pancha~Qthth

Village with nUfnber:

... ._- .. -- .i

!. ' __ .-_ c ~ .. ...

30

o 8.

ROUGH MAP OF NllAMBOOB TAlUK (NOT TO SCALE)

S1. no.

2

3

3

NILAMBOOB TALUK

Name of temple; location

2

Principal deity; antiquity

3

Type of sreekovil of principal

deity

4

Time of worship; poojas

5

Festival/ Uthsavam

6

1 CHAALIYAAB PANCHAAYATHTH

1 Pu'~ipaatam village (Part)

There is no temple in this part of village.

2 Akampaatam village

Sree (Vailaasseri) Kaalimuththa-ppan kaav

13 kIn. NW of Nilamboor via Namboothiripetti I"oad

Sree (Konamunta) Durga Bhagavathi temple

14 kIn. NW of Nilamboor at Konamunta on N amboothiripetti I"oad

Sree (Motavanna) Kuttichchaa­ththan kaav

At Eranhimangaat via Akampaatam and thence 2 lem. on Motavanna I"oad

Lord Kaalimuth-thappan

Twentieth century

Goddess Durga Bhagavathy

Twentieth century

Lord Kutti­chchaaththan

Nineteenth century

Square eka-thala

Rectangular eka-thala

Square eka-thala

471

All days (4 to 10 a.m. and 6 to 8 p.m.)

Morning poo}a, Evening pooja

15t Tuesday of all months (Morning only)

All 1'uesdays (9 a.m. to Sp.m.) Single pooja

Annual festival on Pooram in Kumbham

Daivam pooja on 6 th Metam

Second Saturdays in Meenam

Ownership/ management;

Sub-group; Remarks

7

Private temple Sree Kaalimuththa-ppankaav Vailaasseri Eranhimangaat Pin - 679343

Sub-group E

President, Sree Durga Bhagavathi Temple Commi-ttee, Konamunta Elambilaakot Pin - 679343

Sub-group E

President, Sree Motavanna Kutticb­cbaaththankaav Committee Eranhimangaat Pin - 679 343

Sub-group E

Type of Ownership/ Name of sreekovil of Time of management;

S1. temple; Principal deity; principal worship; Festival/ Sub-group; No. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsauam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

4 Sree (Paingaak- Lord Maha Circular l,.t Thursday of No festival President, kat) Vishnu Vishnu eka-thala all Malaayaala Sree Paingaakkot temple Antiquity not months Vishnu Temple

One and halfkm. specified Usha-pooja Committee

W of Eranhiman- (7 a.m.) Eranhirnangaat

gaatroad Uccha-pooja Pin - 679343 (10 a.m.) Sub-group E Aththaazha-pooja (7 p.m. I

5 Sree (Earaattu- Lord Kiraatha- Square l,.t Sunday of No festival P.rivate temple, kalam) moorththy eka-thala all months Kaattuthaayi Paradevatha Nineteenth (Morning only) Kovilakam, temple century Eranhimangaat

At Akaampaatam Pin- 679343

Thaazhe Junction Sub-group E

6 Sree (Paarekkaatt) Goddess Rectangular All Fridays Annual festival President. Durga Bhagavathi Durga eka-thala (Morning only) in Makaram Sree Paarekkaatt temple Bhagavathi Bhagavathi

At Akampaatam Twentieth Temple

Thaazhe Junction century Committee

and thence 1.5 Eranhimangaat

km. on Etavanna Pin - 679343

road Sub-group E

3 Kurumbalangot village (Part)

7 Sree (Perum- Goddess Square All Tuesdays Annual festival President, baththoor) Durga Durga eka-thala (Morning only) on Makamin Sree Durgaa Bhagavathi tem- Bhagavathi Meenam Bhagavathi pIe Twentieth Temple

25 km. NE of century Committee

Manjeri at Nilam- Erumamunda

boor and thence Pin - 679334

4km. Wto Sub-group E Perumbaththoor on Mylaati bridge-N am boothiripetti road

2 CHUNKATHTHARAPANCHAAYATHTH . ~ ,

4 Ku,rumbalangot village (Part)

8 Sree (Dharmagiri) Lord Vishnu Octogonal 1 st Wednesday No festival President, Vishnu temple Twentieth eka-thala of all months Sree Dharmagiri

lSkm. NWof century (Morning only) Vishnu Temple

Nilamboor at Committee,

Pottukal and Bhoothaanam

thence 1.5 km. W Pin - 679 334

crossing Chaaliyar Sub-group E river

472

Type of Ownership/ Name· of sreekovil of Time of management;

Sl. temple; Principal deity; principal worship; Festival/ Sub-group; No. location antiquity deity poojas UthsaVGm Remarks

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

9 Sree (Pananka- Lord Dharma Square All days (Mom- Annual festival President, yam) Dharma Saastha eka-thala ing only) on Aswathi in Sree Dharma Saasthaa temple Twentieth Meenam Saastha Temple

16km. NWof century Committee

Manjeri at Panankayam,

Nettikulam and Paanaar

thence 1.5 km. on Pin - 679 334

Panankayam road Sub-group E

10 Sree (Tharamut- Lord Krishna Square 1 st day of all Annual festival President, tam) Krishna Twentieth eka-thala months and on 10th Metam Sree Krishna temple century mandalam41 Temple

Ten km. SWof days (3 times) Committee,

Perumbaththoor Tharamuttam

at via Nam- Chunkaththara

boothiripetti and Pin- 679 334

thence half a km. Sub-group E at Erumamunta junction

11 Sree (Man- Goddess Square All days (6-15 Annual festival President, naaththi) Durga Durga dwi-thala to 10 a.m. and on Revathi in Sree Mannaaththi Bhagavathi Bhagavathi 6 to 7-30 p.m.) Kumbham Durga Bhagavathi temple Ancient Usha-pooja Temple

14 km. NWof temple (7 a.m.) Committee,

Nilam boor at Uccha-pooja Kurumbalangaat

Kaippini via (9-30 a.m.) Pin - 679 334

Chunkaththara- Aththaazha- Sub-group C-2 Erumamunta road pooja (7 p.m.) (vide section 2,

sl. no. 3.1)

5 ChulJkaththa!a village (Part)

12 Sree (Thambu- Lord Dharma Rectangular 15t day of all Annual festival President, raattikkallu) Saastha eka-thala Malayaala on 1st Sree Dharma Dharma Saastha Twentieth months Makaram Saastha Temple temple century (Evening only) Committee,

2.5 km. N of Thamburaatti -

Chunkaththara kkallu Munteri Pin -679 334

Sub-group E

13 Sree (Uppata) Lord Dharma Square All days (5-30 .No festival. President, Dharma Saastha Saastha eka-thala to 7-30 a.m. Sree Dharma temple 'Twentieth and 5-30 to Saastha Temple

2.5 krn. N of century 7-30 p.m.) Committee,

Chunkaththara at Pooja time not Uppata

Uppata specified Pin - 679354

Sub-group - E

473

Type of Ownership/ Name of sreekovil of Time of management;

S1. temple; Principal deity; principal worship; Festival/ Sub-group; No. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

14 Sree (Poovathth- Sree Durga Square Once in a Bharaniin Private Temple katav) Durga Devi Bhagavathi eka-thala month on Kumbham Sree Poovaththi-temple Antiquity not Thirnvathira katav Durga Devi

3.5 km. N of known asterisk Temple, Pookkot-

Chunkaththara (Moming pooja tumana,

near Poovaththi- only) Chunkaththara

katav Pump Pin- 679334

house Sub-group E

15 Sree (Nallam- Goddess Square All days Annual festival President, Sree thannij Kuraththi- eka-thala (Momingand on Bharani in Kuraththiyamma Kuraththiyamma yamma Devi Evening only} Kumbham Devi Temple Devi temple Twentieth Committee,

2 kID. N of century N allamthanni,

Chunkaththara at Paathirapaatam

Maalangaati and Pin - 679 354

thence 200 m. W Sub-group E

16 Sree (Netumbuz- Goddess Square All days Annual festival President, Sree haayi) Durga Durga eka-thala (Moming and in April Netum buzhaayi

Bhagavathi Bhagavathi Evening) Pooja Durga Bhagavathi temple Twentieth timings not Temple

At Chunkaththara century specified Committee,

and thence 2 kIn. Chunkaththara

SE on Priya Pin - 679334

Talkies road Sub-group E

3 POTHTHUGALPANCHAAYATHTH

6 Kurumbalangot village (Part)

There is no temple in this part of the village.

7 Chunkaththara village (Part)

There is no temple in this part of the village.

8 Etakkara village (Part)

There is no temple in this part of the village.

4 ETAKKARA PANCHAAYATHTH

9 Chunkaththara village (Part)

There is no temple in this part of the village.

474

Type of Ownership I Name of sreekovilof Time of management;

S1. temple; Principal deity; principal worship; Festival/ Sub-group; No. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

10 Etakkara village (Part)

17 Sree Krishna Lord Krishna Circular All days (5 to No festival for President,

temple Twentieth eka-thala 8 a.m. and the last few S.N.D.P. Saakha

Ten km. NE of century 5-45 to 8 p.m.) years No. 1490,

Nilamboor at Usha-pooja Etakkara

Etakkara and (7-30 a.m.) Pin - 679331

thence 500 m. on Aththaazha- Sub-group E

Police Station pooja

road (7-30p.m.)

18 8ree (Utbirakku- Lord Uma- Square All days Sivaraathri President

lam) Uma- Maheswara eka-thala (5-30 to 8-30 Uma-Maheswara

Maheswara Twentieth a.m. and 5-30 Temple

temple century to 8 p.m.) Committee

2.5 km. N of Usha-pooja Uppata

Chunkaththara at (6 a.m.) Pin - 679331

Uppata and Uccha-pooja Sub-groups E

thence 2 km. E (8 a.m.)

via Chembankolli Aththaazha-pooja (7 p.m.)

19 Sree (Mayilaa- Lord Saastha Rectangular All days Annual festival President

tumkunnu) Twentieth eka-thala (Nopoojas) on Uthram in Sree Saastha

8aastha temple century Metam Temple

Five km. N of Committee.

Etakkara at Mayilaatum-

Paalemaat on kunnu,

Marutha road and Paalemaat

thence W Pin - 679331

Sub-group E

20 Sree (Paalemaat) Lord Dharma Rectangular All days Annual festival President,

Dharma Saastha Saastha eka-thala (5-30 to 9 a.m. on Uthram in Sree Dharma

temple Twentieth and 5 to 9p.m.) Dhanu Saastha Temple

250 m. Waf century Usha-pooja Committee,

Paalemaat on (6 a.m.) Paalemaat

Sankaramkulam Uccha-pooja Pin - 679331

road (8-45 a.m.) Sub-group E Aththaazha-paoja (7 p.m.)

21 8ree Durga Goddess Square All days (5-30 Annual festival President

Bhagavathi Durga eka-thala to 10 a.m. and on Bharan~ Sree Durga

temple Bhagavathi 5-30 to Kaarthika in Bhagavathi

500 m. SE of Twentieth 8-30 p.m.) Kumbham Temple

Etakkara junction century Usha-pooja Committee

on Nilamboor- (6 a.m.) Etakkara

Ootty road Aththaazha- Pin - 679 331

paoja Sub-group E (7-30p.m.)

475

S1. No.

22

23

24

25

Name of temple; location

2

Sree (Kaukkaatt) Ayyappa temple

Twokm. NWof Etakkarajunction

Principal deity; antiquity

3

Lord Ayyappa

Twentieth century

Type of sreekovil of principal

deity

4

Rectangular eka-thala

Time of worship;

poojas

5

All days (5-30 to 8-30 a.m. and 5-30 to 8 p.m.)

Usha-pooja (6 a.m.) Uccha-pooja (8 a.m.) Aththaazha­pooja (7-30 p,m.)

Festival! Uthsavam

6

Annual festival on Uthramin Meenam

5 VAZHIKKATAV PANCHAAYATHTH

11 Vazhikkatav village

Sree(Kaarakkot) Goddess Square All days (3 to Puththari on Durga Devi Durga Devi eka-thala 10-30 a.m. and 10th Thulaam temple Sixteenth 5 to 8-30 p.m.) 12th Vrschikam

At Kaarakkot In. century Usha-pooja on Vazhikkatav (5 a.m.) road and thence Uccha-pooja 50 m N.E. (10 a.m.)

Aththaazha-pooja (8 p.m.)

Sree (Marutha) Goddess Square All days (5 to Prathishtha Bhagavahi temple Durga eka-thala 9-30 a.m. and day on 5th

At Maruthankatav Bhagavathi 6 to 8-30 p.m.) April

and thence 750 Twentieth Morning pooja Friday after

m. E and after century (6-30 a.m.) 20th Kumbham

crossing the river Aththaazha-and then 100 m. pooja (7-30 E p.m.)

Sree (Muntap- Lord Krishna Square Mandalam- Annual festival potti) Krishnas- Twentieth eka-thala 41 days only on Rohiniin waamy temple century 2 poojas Meenam

At Muntapotti In. on Maru tha road and thence 500 m. Son-Paathirappara road and thence 50m.

6 MOOTHTHET AM PANCHAA YATHTH

12 Etakkara village (Part)

26 Sree (Nam­boothiri -petti) Malla Dcva temple

Seven km. SE of Etakkara via Kaarapuram Kalkkulam

Lord Siva

Twentieth century

Square eka-thala

476

lst day of all Sivaraathri Malayalam months (7 to 8-30 a.m.)

Momingpooja (7 a.m.)

Ownership/ management;

Sub-group; Remarks

7

President Sree Kaukkaat Ayyappa Temple Committee, Etakkara Pin- 679 33l

Sub-group C-2 (vide section 2 s1. no. 3.2)

Sree Raantaa-nanda Saraswathi Sree RaaJJlaan-andaasranuun, Kaarakkot Pin- 679 333

Sub-group C-6 (vide section 2 s1. no. 3.3)

President, Sree Bhagavathi Temple Commit-tee, Marutha Pin - 679 333

Sub-group E

President, Sree KrishnaswaaIlli Temple Commit-tee, Muntappotti Marutha Pin~ 679 333

Sub~group E

President Sree (Nam­boothiripetti) Maha. Siva temple Committee N amboothiripetti Pin ~ 679 331

Sub-group E

51. No.

1

27

28

29

30

Type of Name of sreekovil of Time of temple; Principal deity; principal worship; Festivall location antiquity deity poojas Uthsauam

2 3 4 :; 6

13 Karu~aayi village (Part)

There is no temple in this part of the village.

7 KARULAAYIPANCHAAYATHTH •

14 KaruJaayi village (Part)

Sree (Nellikkot) Goddess Square

Bhagavathi Bhagavathi eka-thala

temple (Kodungalloo-

11 kIn. E of ramma)

Nilamboor at Nineteenth

Thontiyil In. on century

Kaalikaav road

and thence 500 m. E

Sree Kurumbak- Goddess Square

kaav Bhagavathy Kurumba eka-thala

temple Bhagavathi

11.5 kIn. E of· Twentieth Nilamboor at century

Nilampathi In.

and thence 750m. E

Sree (Kozhala- Lord Siva Square

munta) Thampu- Twentieth eka-thala

ratty temple century 12 km. NE of

Nilamboor at

Kinattungal In. on Karulaayi road

and thence one

lan.S.

Sree (Chemman- Goddess Square

thitta) Bhagavathi Bhagavathi eka-thala

temple (Durgaa)

11 kIn. NE of Eleventh Nilamboor at century

Ambalapati In. on

Karulaayi road and thence].5

lon. N

15 Amarambalam village (Part)

There is nu temple in this part of the village.

477

All Tuesdays

and Fridays

(10 a.m. to

6 p.m.)

Uccha-pooja

(1 p.m.)

All Tuesdays

and Fridays

(6 a.m. to 12 noon)

Uccha-pooja (12 noon)

All days (6 to 8 a.m.

12 to 1 p.m.

and 6 to 7p.m.)

Uccha-pooja

(11 to 12) only on Tuesday

and Fridays

All days (6 to

11 a.m. and 6 to 8 p.m.

Usha-pooja (8 a.m.,

Annual festival

on last

Tuesday in Makaram

Annual festival on 1 st Tuesday

in Kumbham

Annual festival on 13t Friday

in Kumbham

Annual festival

for 3 days from Kaarththika in Meenam

Ownership I management;

Sub-group; Remarks

7

Manager Nellikkot

Bhagavathi

Temple Amarambalam

Pin - 679 344

Sub-group E

Manager, Sree

Kurumbakkaav, Amarambalam

Pin - 679 344

Sub-group E

President, Sree Kozhala-

munta Siva

Temple Committee, Karu-

laayi

Pin - 679 344

Sub-group E

Chairman,

HR&CE Temple Committee

Karulaayi Pin - 679344

Sub-group C-l

(vide section 2, s1.no.3.4)

Type of Ownership/ Name of sreekovil of Time of management;

S1. temple; Principal deity; principal worship; Festival/ Sub-group; No. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 AMARAMBALAM PANCHAAYATHTH

16 Amarambalam village (Part)

31 Sree {Villwathth) Lord Siva Circular All days Annual festival Secretary, Siva temple Tenth century eka-thala (6-30 to 10-30 on ThirullOnam Sree Villwathth

Nine kIn. SE of a.m. and 5-30 in Kumbham Siva Temple

Nihunboor at to 7-30 p.m.) Committee,

Pookkottum- Usha-pooja Pookkottum-

paatam In. on (7-30 a.m.) paatam

Kaalikaav road Uccha-pooja Pin - 679 332

and thence (10 a.m.) Sub-group C-2 500 m. S Aththaazha- (vide section 2,

pooja sl.no.3.5) (7-15 p'm.]

32 Sree (Ambalak- Lord Maha Square All days Annual festival President, kunnu) Maha Vishnu eka-thala (6-30 to 9 a.m.) on Aswathi on Sree Ambalak-Vishnu temple Ancient Uccha-pooja Dhanu kunnu Maha

Eight kro. SE of temple (9a.m.) Vishnu Temple

Nilamboor at 5 th Committee,

mile junction on Amarambalam

Kaalikaav road Pin - 679 332

and thence two Sub-group E krn. S (Temple rebuilt in

1991)

33 Sree Siva temple Lord Siva Square All days Sivaraathri President,

Nine km. SE of Eighteenth dwi-thala (6 to 9 a.m. and Sree Siva Temple

Nilamboor at century 6 to 8 p.m.) Committee,

Puzhakkara via Usha-pooja Puzhakkara,

5 th mile- (8 a.m.) Aroarambalam

Nilamboor road Aththaazha- South

pooja Pin - 679 332

(7-30 p.m.) Sub-group E

34 Sree (Ayyap- Lord Ayyappa No stIucture. Last Saturday No festival Private temple, pankulam) Nineteenth A thara with of all months Chekkanaathth Dharma Saastha century deity Uccha-pooja family temple (12 noon) Pookkottum-

Two km. SE of Aththaazha- paatam

Pookkottum- paoja (6 p.m.) Pin - 679332

paatam on Sub-group E Chuthyot road

35 Sree Siva-Vishnu Lord Siva and Circular All days (8 to Prathishta day Kovilakam temple Lord Vishnu eka-thala 9-30 a.m.) on 17 th Aroarambalam

Eight lan. SE of Eighteenth Usha-pooja Meenam south

Nilamboor at 5 th century (9 a.m.) Pin - 679332

milejn. and Sub-group E thence 3 kIn. S on Vantoor road

478

Type of Ownership! Name of sr-eekovil of Time of management;

S1. temple; Principal deity; principal worship; Festival! Sub-group; No. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

36 Sree Vettakkoru- Lord Vettak- Square All days (6 to 8 Annual festival Kovilakam, makan temple korumakan eka-thala a.m. and 5-30 for 3 days from Amarambalam

Eight km. SE of Twentieth to 7-30 p.m.) I st to 3 rd South

Nilamboor at 5 th century Usha-pooja Kumbham Pin-679332

mile jn. and (7 a.m.) Sub-group E thence 3 km. S on Uccha-pooja Formerly this Vantoor road (8 a.m.) temple was near

Aththaazha- Sl'ee Siva Temple, pooja Puzhakkara but (7 -30 p.m.) later shifted to

the present site near the Kovilakam

9 NILAMBOOB PANCHAAYATHTH

17 Nilamboo! village

37 Sree Vettakkoru- Lord Vettak- Square All days (5 to Paattu uthsav Private temple, makan temple kOTUmakan eka-thala 9 a.m. and for 6 days from Nilamboor

25 lan. NE of Eighteenth 5 to 7 -30 p.m.) 20th to 25 th Kovilakam

Manjeri at century Usha-pooja Dhanu Nilamboor

Nilamboor In. (6-30 a.m.) Pin - 679 329

and thence Uccha-pooja Sub-group C-2 500m. N on (9 a.m.) (vide section 2, Kovilakam road Aththaazha- sl.no.3.6)

pooja (7-30

p.m.)

38 Sree Viraadu Siva Lord Siva Square All days (5 to No festival Private temple, temple

Seventeenth eka-thala) 10 a.m. and Nilamboor 25 km. NE of century 5 to 8 p.m.) kovilakam, Manjeri at Usha-pooja Nilamboor Nilamboor In. (6 a.m.) Pin - 679329 and thence Uccha-pooja Sub-group 0-2 250 m. Non (10 a.m.) kovilakam road Aththaazha-

pooja (7-30 p.m.)

39 Sree Viraadu Lord Vishnu Square All days (5 to No festival Private temple, Vishnu temple

Seventeenth eka-thala 10 a.m. and Nilamboor 25 lan. NE of century 5to 8 p.m.) kovilakam, Manjeri at Nilam- Usha-pooja Nilamboor boor In. and (6 a.m.) Pin - 679329 thence 250 m. N Uccha-pooja Sub-group 0-2 on kovilakam road (10 a.m.)

Aththaazha-pooja (7-30 p.m.)

479

Type of Ownership! Name of sreeloouil of Time of management;

81. temple; Principal deity; principal worship; Festival! Sub-group; No. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

40 Sree Bhagavathi Goddess Square All days (5 to No festival Private temple, temple Bhagavathi eka-thala 10 a.m. and Nilamboor

25 kIn. of Manjeri Seventeenth 5 to 8 p.m.) kovilakam,

at Nilamboor In. century Usha-pooja Nilarnboor

and thence (6 a.m.) Pin ~ 679329

250m. Non Uccha-pooja Sub-group D-2 kovilakam road. (10 a.m.)

Aththaazha-pooja (7-30 p.m.)

41 Sree Subramanya Lord Square All days (5-30 Annual festival President temple Subramanya eka-thala to 9 a.m. and on 4th April Sree Subrarnanya

At Nilamboor Nineteenth 5-30 to 8 p.m.) Temple Commit-

town (near Keer- century Usha-pooja tee, Nilamboor

ththi Talkies (6-30 a.m.) Pin ~ 679329

Junction} Aththaazha- Sub-group E pooja (7-30 p.m.)

42 Sree (Chettiyan- Goddess Vana Square All days (5 to Annual festival President, gaati) Bhagavathi Durga eka-thala 9 a.m. and on Makayimm Sree Chettiyan-temple Nineteenth 5-30 to 9 p.m.) in Makaram gaati Bhagavathi

100 m. S of century Usha-pooja Temple Commit-

Nilamboor Bus (7 a.m.) tee, Nilamboor

Stand Uccha-pooja Pin ~ 679329

(9 a.m.) Sub-group D-2 Aththaazha-pooja (8-30 p.m.)

43 Sree (Kulaththin- Goddess Square All days (1)1 st Tuesday Private temple, gal) Bhagavathi Bhadrakaali eka-thala (7 to 9 a.m. and in Kumbham Kulathingal temple Eighteenth 6 to 8-30 p.m.) (2) Prathishtha family, Nilamboor

One lan. SoC century Nivedya-pooja day on Rohini Pin ~ 679329

Nilamboor on V.K. (8 a.m.) in Thulaam Sub-group E road Deepaaraad-

hana(6-30 p.m.)

44 Sree (Mootaanam- Goddess Square All days (5 to Chuttu vilakk:u Private temple, patta) Bhagavathi Bhadrakaali eka-thala 10 a.m. and and Thaalap- Kalaripparam bil .temple Twentieth 5 to 8 p.m.) poli for 2 days family, Nilamboor

century Usha-pooja during last Pin - 679329

Twokm. Sof (7-30 a.m.) week in Sub-group E Nilamboor on Aththaazha- Kumbham

Panchaayathth pooja road by the side of [7-30 p.m.) Jyothi theatre

10 MAMPAATPANCHAAYATHTH 18 PU!!ippaatam village (Part)

There is no temple in this part of the village.

480

Name of S1. temple; Principal deity;

No. location antiquity

1 2 3

19 Mampaat village

45 Sree Paalaa- Lord Ayyappa parambill Ay- Twentieth yappa temple century 15 kIn. NE of Manjeri at Thaali-poyil on Nil am -boor road and thence one kIn. E on panchaayathth road

46 Sree (Choolayilj Lord Ayyappa Ayyappa temple Twentieth Three ktn. E of century Mambaat at Natukkaat and thence 500 m. S

20 Wa(ltoo! village (Part)

47 Sree (Thrkkek- Lord Siva kuthth) Siva Twelfth temple Century 14 kID. NE of Manjeri at Mambaat and thence 2.5 lan. E on P.W.D. road at Thrkkuthth

Type of sreekovil of principal

deity

4

Square eka-thala

Square eka-thala

Square eka-thala

Time of worship;

poojas

5

All Saturdays 1 st Friday of the month and on festival days (Morning and evening)

All days (Nopoojas)

All days Usha-pooja (7-30 a.m.)

Festival/ Uthsavam

6

Mandalam period only special poojas

No festival

Sivaraathri

11 THIRUVAALI PANCHAAYATHTH

21 Thiruvaali village

48 Sree Karinkaalik- Goddess kaav temple Bhadrakaali

Ten km. NE of Sixteenth Manjeri (via) century Etavannaat Eranni on Thiru-vaali road and thence 50 m. S

49 Sree Vishnu Lord Vishnu temple Sixteenth Ten kIn. NE of century Manjeri (via Eta-vanna) at Eranni on ThinlVaali road and 50 m. SE

3655 RGII03-32A

Square eka-thala

Square eka-thala

481

All days (9-30 to 11 a.m.)

Nivedya-pooja (10-30 a.m.)

NopoojQ

Vilakku on Mandalam period

No festival

Ownership/ management;

Sub-group; Remarks

7

President Sree Paalaaparambil Ayyappa Temple Committee Vatapuram Pin - 676 342

Sub-group E

President, Choolayil Sree Ayyappa Temple Committee Mambaat College Pin -676 542

Sub-group E

President, Sree Thrkkekkuthth Siva Temple Committee, Kaappil (via) Vantoor Pin - 679328

Sub-group D-1 (A ruined old temple)

Secretary, Temple Samrak­shana Samithi Path thiriyaal Pin - 676 123

Sub-group E

Private temple Thiroormatham, Paththiriyaal Pin - 676 123

Sub-group E

Type of Ownership/ Name of sreekovil of Time of management;

S1. temple~ Principal deity; principal wQrship; Festivall Sub-group~

No. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

50 Sree lThrkkep- Lord Siva Square All days Sivaraathri, Secretary

patta) Maha Siva Sixteenth eka-thala (6 to 10 a.m. Mandalam Sree Maha Siva

temple century and 5-30 to period Temple Sanu:ak-

11 km. NE of 7 p.m.) shana Samithi,

Manjeri at Thiro- Nivedya pooja Thiruvaali

vaali In. on Van- (9 a.m.) Pin - 679 348

toor road and Nivedya-pooja Sub-group D-1

thence one kIn. N (6-30 p.m.) (under renova-tion)

51 Sree (Mannuk- Lord Narasim- Square All days No festival President

kara) NarasiIn- hamoorththi eka-thala (7 to 9 a.m. and now-a-days Sree Narasimha-

hamoorththi 6to 7 p.m.) moorththi Temple

temple Thirteenth Nivedya-pooja Committee

Nine kIn. NE of- century (Sa.m.) Paththiriyaal

Manjeri (via Eta-Pin - 676 123

vanna) at Path- Sub-group E

thiriyaal In. on Vantaar road and thence 200 m. S.

52 Sree Kunnathth- Lord Naagar Square All days (7 -30 No festival Private Temple,

kaav temple Eighteenth e'ka-thala to 10-30 a.m. Trustee,

Nine krn. NE of century and 6-30 to Kunnarnpalli

Manjeri (via Eta-7-30 p.m.) family

vanna) at Path- Nivedya-pooja Paththiriyaal

thiriyaal In. on (10-30 a.m.) Pin - 676 123

Vantoar road and Nivedya paoja Sub-group E

thence 250 m. SE (7 p.m.)

53 Sree Thrpuraan- Lord Siva Square All days (No No festival Kovilakrun

thaka temple Seventeenth eka-thala poojas) Nilamboor

200m. S of century Thiruvaali

Thotaayam In. on Pin - 679340

Thiruvaali- Sub-group E

Vantoor road

54 Sree Kailaasa Lord Siva Circular All days (5-30 Paattu uthsav Secretary

temple Very ancient eka-thala to 9 a.m. and for 3 days on Sree Kailaasa

At Poothottam In. temple 5-30 to 7-30 18th to 20th Temple

on Thiruvaali road p.m.) Dhanu Samrakshana

and thence Usha-pooja Samithi

500 m. Non (7 a.m.) Paththiriyaal

Panchaayathth Uccha-pooja Pin - 676 123

road (8-30 a.m.) Sub-group C-6

Aththaazha- (vide section 2,

pooja sl.no.3.7) (7-30 p.m.)

482 3655 RGI/03-32B

1)lpe of Ownership/

Name of sreekovil of Time of management;

Sl. temple; Principal deity; principal worship; Festival/ Sub-group;

No. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

55 Sree (Aalpettil) Lord Lakshmi Square All days (5 to 9 No festival Temple Samrak-

Lakshmi Narasimha- eka-thala a.m. and 5-30 shana Samithi

Narasimha- moorththi to 7 -30 p.m.) Reg. No.193/92

moort.hthi temple Sixteenth Usha-pooja Thiruvaali

750 m. NE of century (6 a.m.) Pin - 679348

Thiruvaall In. on Uccha-pooja Sub-group D-2

Aalpettil Toad (9 a.m.} Nivedya-pooja \7 p.m.)

56 Sree Lord Ayyappa Square Once in a No festival Private temple,

(Chaat.hthakkaatt) Eighteenth eka-thala month Payyanaatt

Ayyappa temple century Nivedya-pooja family, Elangoor

Two krn. from (time not Pin - 676 122

Thiruvaali In. on specified) Sub-group E

Chaaththakkaat road

57 Sree (Punnap- L<lrd Siva Square ~

All days Sivaraathri Chairman under paala) Siva temple Twelfth eka-thaLa (5-30 to 9 a.m. HR&CESiva

At Mele Kozhi- century and 5-30 to Temple, Punnap-

paramb In. on 8-30 p.m.) paala, Thiruvaali

Thiruvaali-Vanoor Usha-pooja Pin - 679348

road and thence (7-30 a.m.) Sub-group C-l

one km. Son Uccha-pooja (vide section 2,

panchaayathth (8-30 a.m.) sl.no.3.8) road Aththaazha-

pooja (8 p.m.)

58 Sree (Ariprom) Lord Vishnu Square All days (6-30 No festival Private temple, Vishnu temple Seventeenth eka-thala to 7-30 a.m. Sree Arippu-

At Thaazhe century and 6-30 to raththumana,

Kozhipramb on 7-30 p.m.) Punnappaala,

Vantoor road and No poojas Thiruvaali

thence one km. S Pin - 679348

on panchaayathth Sub-group E rORd

S9 Sree (Vaalorangal) Goddess Square All days (8-30 No festival President Bhagavathi Bhagavathi eka-thala to 9-30 a.m.) Sree Vaalorangal temple

Twentieth Nivedya-pooja Bhagavathi

At Eriyaat In. on century (9 a.m.) Temple

ThlIuvaali- Committee

Van to or road and Punnappaala

thence one kIn. S Thiruvaali Pin - 679 348

Sub-group E

60 Sree (Painkulan- Lord Vishnu Square All days (6-30 No festival President, Sree gam) Vishnu Seventeenth eka-thala to 7-30 a.m.) Painkulangara temple

century Nivedya-pooja Vishnu Temple

At Enyaat on (7 a.m.) Committee

Vantoor road and Punnappaala,

thence two kIn. S Thiruvaali Pin - 679 348

Sub-group E

483

Type of Ownership I Name of sreekovil of Time of management;

Sl. temple; Principal deity; principal worship; Festival! Sub-group; No. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

51 Sree IChatangam- Lord Vishnu Square No regular No festival Private temple kulam) Vishnu Seventeenth eka-tOOla pooja Natavaththu-temple century mana, Natuvathth

At Natavathth In. Pin -679 328

on Vantoor- Sub-group E Nilamboor road and thence 1.5 kIn. W

62 Sree (Easwara- Lord Siva Square All days 'Vilakku.' for President mangalam) Siva Ancient eka-tOOla (6-30 to 8-30 41 days from Sree Easwara-

temple temple a..m. and 6 to 1'" Vrschikam mangalam Siva

At Natavathth In. 7-30 p.m.) Temple

on Vantoor- Nivedya-pooja Committee

Nilarnboor road (7 a.m.) Natavathth

and thence AththaazOO- Pin - 679 328

500m. NW pooja (7 p.m.) Sub-group D-2 (A temple de-stroyed by the forces of Tippu Sulththaan)

63 Sree (Thiruvam- Lord Siva Square All days No festival President

baati) Siva temple Eighteenth eka-thala (7 to 8 a.m.) Sree Thiruvam-

At Natavathth In. century Malar baati Siva Temple

and thence two Nivedyam Committee

lan. E towards Natavathth

Thiruvampaati Pin - 679328

Sub-group E

12 WANTOOR PANCHAAYATHTH .. -22 Waqtoo! village (Part)

64 Sree (Baanaapu- Goddess Square All days Annual festival President, Sn:e ram) Thrpura- Thrpura- eka-thala (Morning and on kaarthika in Baanaapuram sundari temple sundari evening) Vrschikam Temple Samrak-

One km. N of Ancient Usha-pooja shana Samithi,

Vaaniyambalam temple (7 a.m.) Vaaniyambalam

Railway gate Pin- 679339

Sub-group C-5 (vide section 2, sl.no.3.9)

65 Sree Mutappi- Goddess Square All days (Mom- Annual festival Trustee laassery) Bhadra- Bhadrakaali eka-thala ing only) on 17th Dhanu Sree Bhadakaali kaali temple Antiquity not Paoja time not Temple

Halfkm. S of specified speCified Committee

Vaaniyambalam Vaaniyambalam

Ju. Pin - 679 339

Sub-group E

484

Type of Ownership/ Name of sreekouil of Time of management;

81. temple; Principal deity; principal worship; Festival/ Sub-group; No. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

66 Sree (Perumun- Goddess Square Once in a No festival Trustee

tasseri) Bhaga- Bhagavatbi eka-thala month now-a-daYs Perumuntasseri

vathi temple (Thirumaand - Bhagavatbi

Three km. N of haamkunnu Temple,

Vaaniyambalarn Bhagavatbi) Vaaniyambalam

In. at Saanthina- Nineteenth Pin - 679339

gar on Amaram- century Sub-group E balam road and thence one kn. E.

67 8ree (Perumun- Lord Square All Fridays and Annual festival Private Temple tasseri) Subrama- Subramanya eka-thala Mondays (6 to in Makaram Perumuntasseri nya temple Eighteenth 10 a.m.); 1st to Subramanya

Three kIn. N of century 12th Vrschikam Temple

Vaaniyambalam (Morning and Vaaniyambalam

at Saantbinagar Evening) Pin- 679 339

on Amarambalam Sub-group E road and thence one lan. E

68 Sree (Njarakkovil) Lord Vishnu Square All days Ashtami rohini Private temple Vishnu temple Nineteenth eka-thala (Momingand Karumaarappat-

One km. N of century Evening) tamana, Vantoor

Vantoor at Amba- No ftxed time Pin - 679328

Iapati on Nilam- Sub-group E boor road and thence 500 m. N

69 Sree (Shaariyil) Goddess Square All days No festival Private temple, Durga Bhagavathi Durga eka-thala (6-30 a.m.) Sree Kitangazhi-temple Bhagavathi Moming pooja

mana, Vantoor

1.5 km. N of Antiquity not Pin - 679328

Vantoor at Pulik- known Sub-group - E kal on Nilamboor road and thence 1.5 km. NE

70 Sree (Kaappil) Goddess Devi Rectangular All days Annual festival President Karimkaalikkaav (Karimkaali) eka-thala (Moming and on either 1st Sree Kaappil temple Ancient evening) Sunday, Karimkaalikkaav

L7km.Nof temple Tuesday or Temple Commit-

Vantoor at Mooc- Friday after tee, Vantoor

chi on Nilamboor lOth Metam Pin - 679328

road and thence 3 Sub-group E km.E

71 Sree Siva temple Lord Siva Circular All days Paattu uthsav Execu tive Officer,

One km. N of Ancient eka-thala (6 to 9 a.m. and on 4th and 5 th HR&CE, Vantoor

Vantoor at temple 5-30 to 8 p.m.) Kumbham Devaswam

Ambalapati on Usha-pooja Sivaraathri Vantoor

Nilamboor road (7 a.m.) Pin - 679328

and thence Uccha-pooja Sub-group C-2 300m. E (9 a.m.) (vide section 2,

Aththaazha- sLno.3.10) paoja (7-30 p.m.)

485

Type of Ownership! Name of sreekovil of Time of management;

S1. temple; Principal deity; principal worship; Festival/ Sub-group; No. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsauam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

72 Sree (Mel.e- Lord Dharma Square All days Paattu uthsav Executive Officer mathom) Dharma Saastha eka-thala (Morning only) on 7111 HR&CE, Saastha temple Antiquity not

Kumbham Karikkaattu

1.5 kIn. N of Van- known Devaswam

toor at Pulikkal Vantoor

and thence Pin-679328

500 m. E and Sub-group E thence 300 m. N.

73 Sree (Vaaniyam- Lord Ayyappa Rectangular All days No festival Karikkaatt balam Kuttiyil) Antiquity not eka-thala (Momingand now-a-days Devaswom Ayyappa temple specified

Evening) Kuttiyil Ayyappa

500 m. N of Morning pooja Temple

Kuttiyil on only Vaaniyambalam

Vantoor-Kaalikaav Pin-679339

road Sub-group E

~

13 POROOR PANCHAAYATHTH

23 Poroo! village

74 Sree Vettakkoru- Lord Vettak- Square 1st Wednesday Prathishtha- President makan temple korumakan eka-thala of all Malayaala day on Sree Vettakkoru-

20km. NE of Nineteenth months Anizhamin makan Temple

Manjeri at century (6 to 9-30 a.m. Meenam Committee,

Ayanikkot via. and 4-30 to Chaaththaththo-

Paantikkaat- 8 p.m.) ttupuram

Vantoor road and Usha-pooja Pin - 679328

thence 800 m. W (7 a.m.) Sub-group E

at Veethanasseri Uccha-pooja (9 a.m.) Aththaazha-pooja (7 p.m.)

75 Sree Bhagavathi Goddess Square Once in a No festival Private temple. temple Bhagavathi eka-thala month on Sree Natuvil

24 km. NE of Twentieth kaarththilca lllam,

Manjeri at Cheru- century (9 to 11 a.m.) Chaaththaththot -

kot via Paanti- Single pooja tupuram

kkaat-Vantoor (10 a.m.) Pin - 679 328

road and 300 m. Sub-group E W on High School road

76 Sree (Perin- Goddess Square 1 st Sunday of No festival President jamunta) Bhaga- Durgaa eka-thala all months (6 to Sree Arippuram vathi temple Bhagavathi 7 a.m.) Devaswom,

Three km. W of Eleventh Single pooja Chaaththaththo-

Cherukot on century (6-30 a.m.) ttu pu ram

Chaaththaththo- Pin - 679 328

ttpuram road and Sub-group E thence two km N. (Dilapidated

temple)

486

Type of Ownership/ Name of sreekovil of Time of management;

S1. temple; Principal deity; principal worship; Festivall Sub-group; No. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

77 Sree (Paalakkot) Goddess Square Only on No festival Secretary

Karinkaalikkaav Karinkaali eka-thala Sundays Sree Karinkaalik-

temple Eleventh (6 to 10 a.m.) kaav Temple

Onekm. Nof century Single pooja Committee,

Cheriparambil (9 a.m.) Chaaththaththott upuram Pin - 679 328

Sub-group E

78 Sree (Saast- Goddess Rectangular All days Thaalappoli Manager haavangottupu - Bhagavathi eka-thala (5-30 to 10-30 uthsav from 1 st Dharma Samrak-ram) Thiru- Fourteenth a.m. and 5 to Tuesday to last shana Trust, maandhaam- century 8 p.m.) Tuesday in Thirumaandhaa-kunnu Bhaga- Usha-pooja Metam mkunnu Temple, vathi temple (7 a.m.) Chaaththaththo-

17 km. NE of Pantheerati ttupuram

Manjeri at pooja (9 a.m.) Pin - 679 328

Cheripparamb on Uccha-pooja Sub-group C-6 Vantoor road via. (10 a.m.) (vide section 2, Saasththaavan- Thirinna- sl.no.3.II) gottu puram and pantheerati thence 2 Ian. S pooja (6 p.m.)

Aththaazha-pooja (7c30p.m.)

79 Sree (Kuntata) Lord Siva Square All days Sivaraathri President, Siva temple Ancient eka-thala (6 to 9-30 a.m.) Kshethra

1.5 Ian. S of temple Usha-pooja Samrakshana

Cheripparamb (8 a.m.) Samithi, Kuntata Siva Temple, Chaaththaththo-ttupuram Pin - 679 328

Sub-group E

80 Sree (Etakkaat- Lord.Vishnu Square All days Ashtami Rohini Secretary, mana) Vishnu Ancient eka-thala (7 to 8 a.m.) Sree Vishnu temple temple Usha-pooja Temple

100 m. S of (7-30 a.m.) Committee

Cheripparamb Chaaththaththot-tupuram Pin - 679 328

Sub-group E

81 Sree Dharma Lord Saastha Square All days (5 to 8 Prathishtha- Managing Trustee Saasthaa temple Twentieth eka-thala a.m. and 5-45 day on Uthram under HR&CE

23 kID. NE of century to 7-30 p.m.) in ltavam Sree Dharma

Manjeri at Usha-pooja Saastha Temple,

Cherukot In. on (7 a.m.) Poroor

Paantikkaat- Aththaazha- Pin - 679 339

Vantoor road and pooja (7 p.m.) Sub-group E thence 2 km. E

487

Type of Ownership/ Name of sreekovil of Time of management;

SI. temple; Principal deity; principal worship; Festival/ Sub-group; No. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

82 Sree Vishnu Lord Vishnu Square All days No festival Trustee Board.

temple Ancient eka-thala (7 to 8 a.m.) HR&CE, Sree

Twokm. Eof temple Usha-pooja Vishnu Temple,

Cherukot In. (7-30 a.m.) Poroor Pin-679339

Sub-group E

83 Sree Siva temple Lord Siva Square All days (5 to 9 Annual festival Trustee Board

Three kIn. E of Ancient Dwi-thala a.m. and 5-30 for 7 days from HR&CE, Sree Siva

Cherukot In. on temple to 8 p.m.) Punartham in Temple, Paroor

Paantikkaat- Usha-pooja Kumbham Pin- 679339

Vantoor road (7 a.m.) Sub-group C-2 Uccha-pooja (vide section 2, (8-30 a.m.) sl.no.3.12) Aththaazha-pooja (7-30 p.m.)

14 KAAI:-IKAAV PANCHAAYATHTH

24 Ve!!ayoo! village

84 Sree Siva teJIlple Lord Siva Circular All days No festival Private Temple,

Nine km. E of Nineteenth eka-thala (6 to 8-30 a.m.) Payyoormana,

Vantoor at century Usha-pooja Poongot

Karutheni on (8 a.m.) Pin - 679 327

kaalikaav road Sub-group E

and thence 1.5 kIn. SE at Vellayoor on Ayilasseri road

85 Sree (Malayaala- Lord Siva Square All days Annual festival President

muththan) Siva Eighteenth eka-thala (7 to 10 a.m.) on 2nd Sunday Sree Malayaala-

temple century Nivedya-pooja and Monday in muththan Temple

Eight km. E of (8 a.m.) Meenam Committee

Vantoor at Uccha-pooja Anchachaavati,

Venthotampati (10 a.m.) (via) Kaalikaav

In. on Kaalikaav Pin - 676525

road and thence Sub-group E

150m N

86 Sree (Paalappan) Goddess Square Only on festival Annual festival Secretary

Bhagavathi Bhagavathi eka-thala days on 2 nd Sree Paalappan

temple Nineteenth Tuesday in Temple

Eight kIn. E of century Meenam Committee,

Vantaar at Anchachaavati,

-Venthotampati on (via) Kaalikaav

Kaalikaav road Pin - 676525

and thence Sub-group E 200m.

488

S1. No.

87

88

89

90

Type of Name of sreekovil of Time of temple; Principal deity; principal worship; Festival/ location antiquity deity poojas Uthsauam

2 3 4 5 6

Sree (Paingaakot) Lord Maha Square All days No festival Vishnu temple Vishnu eka-thala (6 to 8 a.m. and

Eight kIn. NE of Nieneteenth 6 to 7 p.m.)

Vantoor at century Usha-pooja

Karutheni and (7 a.m.) thence one kIn. S Nivedya-pooja

at Poongot (7 p.m.)

Sree{VellayoorJ Goddess Circular All days (6 to 8 Annual festival

Bhagavathi Durga eka-thala a.m. and 6 to in Vrschikam

temple Bhagavathi 7-30 p.m.)

Ten kIn. NE of Eighteenth Nivedya-pooja

Vantoor on century Karutheni-Poongot Ayilasseri road

25 Kaalikaav village (Part)

Sree Bhagavathi Goddess Square All days (5-30 Paattu uthsav

temple Bhagavathi eka-thala to 8-30 a.m. on 2nd , 3 rd and

11 kIn. E of Twentieth and 6 to 8p.m.) 4th February

Vantoor at century Uccha-pooja

Kaalikaav and (8 a.m.}

thence 300 m. NE Aththaazha-pooja (7-30 p.m.)

15 CHOKKAAT PANCHAAYATHTH

26 Chokkaat village

Sree Siva temple

12 kID. SE of Nilamboor at Chokkaaton Kaalikaav road and thence 3 km. Eon pan­chaayathth road and cross the river

Lord Siva

Antiquity not known

27 Kaa!ikaav village (Part)

Square eka-thala

There is no temple in this part of the village.

All days No festival (7 to 8 a.m. and 7 to 7-30 p.m.)

Nivedya-pooja (7-30 a.m.)

489

Ownership/ management;

Sub-group; Remarks

7

Private Temple, Maranaattumana, Poongot Pin- 679327

Sub-group E

Private Temple Mooththetathth mana, Vellayoor Pin- 679327

Sub-group D-l

Secretary Sree Kaalikaav Bhagavathi Temple Commit-tee Kaalikaav Pin- 676525

Sub-group E

Private Temple Desamangalam ilIam, Chokkaat Pin - 679355

Sub-group E

Type of Ownership! Name of sreekouil of Time of management;

S1. temple; Principal deity; principal worship; Festival/ Sub-group; No. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

16 KARUVAARAKU~TUPANCHAAYATHTH

28 Kira!a Estate village

There is no temple in this village

29 Karuvaarakul)tu village

91 Sree (Bhavanam-parambu) Siva Vishnu temple

14 kID. NEof Perintalmanna at Punnakkaat Chungamon Karuvaarakuntu road

92 Sree (Kuththa-nazhi) Siva temple

13 km. NE of Perintalmanna at Kuththanazhi In. on Karuvarakuntu road and thence 500 m. SE

93 Sree (Neelaam­kurissi) Ayyap­pankaav

16 km. NEof Perintalmanna at Karuvarakuntu Angadiand thence one km. E after crossing Olippuzha bridge

Lord Siva and Lord Vishnu (Both equal importance)

Ancient temple

Lord Siva

Ancient temple

Lord Ayyappa

Ancient temple

Square eka-thala

Square eka-thala

Rectangular eka-thala

All days (6-30 to 8 a.m. and 6 to 7-30 p.m.)

Usha-pooja (7 a.m.) Aththaazha­pooja (7 p.m.)

All days (Moming only)

Moming pooja

Sivaraathri President, Ashtami rohini Sree Bhavanam­

parambu Siva Temple Commit­tee, Karuvaara­kuntu

Siuaraathri

Pin - 676573

Sub-group D-2

President Sree Kuththa­nazhi Siva Temple Committee

lringaattiri Pin - 676 523

Sub-group E

All days Kalam Paattu (6 to 8 a.m. and on Uthramin

President, Sree Neelaamkurissi Ayyappankaav Temple Commit­tee, Pulvatta

6 to 8 p.m.) Kumbham

Usha-pooja (7-30 a.m.) Aththaazha-paoja (7-30 p.m.)

Pin - 676 523

Sub-group C-l (vide section 2, s1.no. 3.13)

17 THUVOOB PANCHAAYATHTH

30 Thuvoo! village

94 Sree Vettakkoru- Lord Vettak-makan temple korumakan

30 km. E of Nineteenth Manjeri at ThU- century voor Kamaanam on Karuvaarak-kuntu road and thence 500 m. N

Square eka-thala

490

All days (5 to 9 a.m. and 5-30 to 7-30 p.m.)

Usha-pooja (8 a.m.) Aththaazha­pooja (7 p.m.)

Thaalappoli on 11th Dhanu

President, Sree Vettakkorumakan Temple Committee, Thuvoor Pin - 679 327

Sub-group E

Type of Ownership I Name of sreekovil of Time of management;

S1. temple; Principal deity; principal worship; Festivall Sub-group; No. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

95 Sree (Thekkum- Lord Siva Circular All days (6 to No festival President

puram) Siva Nineteenth eka-thala 7-30 a.m.) Sree Thekkumpu-

temple century Usha-pooja ram Siva Temple

30km. E of (7 a.m.) Committee

Manjeri at Thuvoor

Thuvoor Pin - 679327

Kamaanamon Sub-group E

Karuvaarakuntu

road and thence 500 m. S

96 Sree (Kaattam- Lord Siva Circular All days Sivaraathri President

balam) Siva Fourteenth eka-thala . (7 to 9 a.m. and Sree Kaattam-

temple century 6 to 8 p.m.) balam Siva

31 km. E of Usha-pooja Temple

Manjeri at (8 a.m.) Committee

Maampuzha on Athth.aazha- Paalakkalvatta

Karuvaarakuntu pooja Pin - 679 327

road and thence (7-30 p.m.) Sub-group D-2

2km. Non

Akkarakulam

road

491

PERINTHALMANNA TALUK KEY TO MAP SHOWING NAMES OF PANCHAA YATHTHS AND VILLAGES

1 ETAPPAIIA 10 ANGAA TIPPURAM

1 Etappa!!a 12 Valamboor

13 Angaatippu!aJ11

2 MELAAITOOB 2 Melaattoor PERINTHALMA~~A

MUNICIPAL TOWN

3 KEEZHAA!!OOR 3 Keezhaattoor II VETTATHTHOOR

4 NemmiQi 14 Kaaryaavattam

15 Vettaththoor

4 MANKATA 5 MaI)kata 12 THAAZHEKKOT

16 Arakkuparamba

5 MAKKARAPARAMB 17 Thaazhekkot

6 Vatakkaangara 13 AALIPABAMB

6 KOOTTILANGAATI 18 Aaliparamb

7 Koottilannaati 19 Aa!!amangaat

7 KOTOOR 14 ELAMKUI.~AM

8 Kotoo!: (Part) 20 Elamku!am

8 KURUVA 15 PULAAMANTHOL

9 Kottoor (Part) 21 Pulaamanthol 10 Kuruva 22 Kuruvambalam

9 PUZHAKKAA TTIRI 16 MOORKKA~AAT

11 Puzhakkaattiri 23 Moorkkanaat - -

492

TAL U K

THIBOOS TAlUK

eOUNOIl.RIES

OTTAPPALAM TAL U K

The map IS drQw"',,ot to ~{a\". FUftr.er nil bO<lndari .. are

approximote and should not be to ken as authenlic.

Distrl ,I. ...

Toluk

ponchayothth ..••

Village with number.

ROUGH MAP OF PERINTHALMANNA TALUK (~OT TO SC ALE)

~ -.-~-.-.-

__ 2.Q._ __

4

PERINTHALMANNA TALUK . . Type of Ownership/

Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management; Sl. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival I Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

1 ETAPPATTA PANCHAAYATHTH

1 Etappa~a village

1 Sree (Eappakkaat) Lord Narasim- Square All days No festival Private temple,

Vishnu temple hamoorthtliy dwi-lhala (Morning only) Mallissirimana

Three kIn. NE of Eleventh (7 -30 a.m., Etappatta

Melaatoor. century Pin- 679 326

Sub-group E

2 Sree (Aayoor) Siva Lord Siva Apsidal I sl day of all No festival Secretary

temple (Kiraatha.- eka-thala Malayaala Sree Aayoor Siva

Two km. N of moorththi) months Temple Committee

Melaattoor via Very ancient Thiru vaathira Etappatta

Puththamkulam. temple in Dhanu and Pin - 679 326 Sivaraathri Sub-group C-2 pooja (7-30 to (vide section 2 11 a.m.) sLno.4.1)

3 Sree Lord Siva Square All days Sivaraathri Chairman under

(Kaattupuththoor) Eleventh eka-thala Morning pooja HR&CE Siva temple century (7a.m.) Kaattupuththoor

Four km. N of Siva Temple,

Melaattoor via Paathirikkot

Puthth amku lam. Pin - 679 326

Sub-group E

493

Type of Ownership! Name of Principal sreekouil of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal woship; Festival/ Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

4 Sree (Vettatht- Lord Siva Square All days (Morn- No festival Private temple,

hoor' Siva temple Tenth eka-thala ing only] Time Mallissirimana,

Fourkm. Nof century not specified Etappatta

Melaattoor at Pin - 679326

Pottiyorathaal on Sl;lb-group E

Paantikaat road and thence four kIn. NE and on the bank of Ollppuzha.

5 Sree Karinkaali- Goddess Square All days (9 to Thaalappoli in President

kkaav Karinkaali Devi eka-thala 10 a.m. and Dhanu Sree

Fourkm. N of Sixteenth during Vrschi- Karinkaalikkaav,

Melaattoor at century kam6 to Etappatta

Pottiyoraththal on 8 p.m. also) Pin - 679 326

Paantikkat road Pooja Sub-group C-2

thence 1.5 kIn. (9 to 10 a.m.) (vide section 2,

NE. sl.noA.2)

2 MELAATTOOR PANCHAAYATHTH

2 Melaa!!oo! village

6 Sree (Thottekkata) Lord AJlYappa Square All Saturdays No festival Private temple, Ayyappankaav Sixteenth eka-thala (morning only)' Panayoor illaIn,

Sixkm, S of century Time not Chemmaaniyot

Melaattoor at specified Pin - 679325

Chemmaanniyot Sub-group E on Perinthal- (Temple faces manna. north)

7 Sree Kurumba Goddess Square All Tuesdays ThaaJappoli in Owned by 25 Bhagavathi temple Kurumbha eka-thala and on festival Kumbham Sambava families,

Two and halfkm. Devi days Sree Kurumba

NE of Melaattoor Eighteenth (5 to 8 p,m.) Bhagavathitemple,

via Pullikkuthth. century Aththaazha- Melaattoor

pooja (7 p.m.) Pin - 679326

Sub-group E

8 Sree (Aattu Lord Maha Square All days (5-30 Sivaraathn Secretary Thrkkovil) Siva deva eka-thala to 8 a.m. and Sree Aattu temple Ancient temple 5-30 to 7-30 thrkkovil Samrak-

Near to Melaattoor p.m.) shana Samithi

Bus stand, Usha-pooja Melaattoor

(6 a.m,) Ath- Pin - 679 326

thaazha-pooja Sub-group D-2 [7 p.m,)

494

Type of OwneI"ship/ Name of Principal s,-eekovilof Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal woship; Festival I Sub-gI"Oup; no, location antiquity deity poojas Uthsauam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

9 Sree (Puthi- Lord Siva Square Alldays 9-30 to Annual festi- Secretary, yetathth) Siva Eleventh eka-thala 9 a.m. and val onpra- Puthiyetathth Siva temple century 5-30 to 7 p.m.) thishtha-day Temple Committee,

12km. N of Usha-pooja in Meenam Chemmaaniyot

Perinthalmanna at (6 a.m.) Pin-679325

Chemmaaniyot on Uccha-pooja Sub-group C-2 Melaattoor road. (8-30 a.m.) (vide section 2,

Aththaazha- s1.no.4.3) pooja (6-30p.m.)

10 Sree (Kaippulli) Lord Vishnu Square All days Kalampaattu Secretary, Vishnu temple Ancient temple eka-thala (5 to 11 a.m. in Makaram Sree Kaipplli

Twokm. NE of and6to8 Vishnu Temple

Meelaattoor at p.m.) Committee,

Aththaani on Usha-pooja Melaattoor

Karavaara kuntu (5a.m,) Pin - 679 326

road. Uccha-pooja Sub-group C-2 (11 a.m.) (vide section 2, Aththaazha- 81.no.4.4) pooja (7-30 p.m.)

11 Sree (Kaaraappul) Lord Maha Square All days No festival Secetary, Guru vaayoorap- Vishnu eka-thala (Morning and Sree Kaaraappulli pan temple Sixteenth evening) Pooja Guruvaayoorappan

Two and half NW century (once in a Temple Committee,

of Melaattoor via month) Melaattoor

Cholakkulam. Pin - 679 326

Sub-group E

12 Sree (Njarakku- Lord Vishnu Square All days Ashlami- President, langara) Vishnu Ancient temple eka-thala (5-30 to 8 a.m. rohini Sree Njarakkulan-temple and 6 to 7-30 gara Vishnu

250m. Wof p.m.) Temple SaJIlTak-

Melaattooor on Usha-pooja shana Samithi

Iringaattiri - Karu- (7-30 a.m.] Melaattoor

vaarakuntu road, Pin - 679326

Sub - group E

13 Sree (Patinjaare- Lord Ayyappan Square All days No festival Private temple, kkara) Ayyappa Nineteenth eka-thala (Morning pooja Kovilakam, temple century (7 a.m.) Melaattoor

One kIn. SWof Evening pooja Pin - 679326

Melaattoor (7 p.m.) Sub-group E junction.

14 Sree (Puthar- Lord Sadasiva Circular Only on Sun- No festival Trustee Chairman manna) Siva sakthi eka-thala days (10 a,m. underHR&CE temple

Ancient temple to 12 noon) Sree Pururmanna

Twokm. SoC Siva Temple,

Melaattoor at Melaattoor

Putharamanna Pin - 679326

and 200m. E. Sub-group C-I (vide section 2, s1.no.4.5)

495

Type of Ownership I Name of Principal sreekovilof Time of Management;

Sl. temple; deity; principal woship; Festival! Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsauam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

15 Sree (Easwara- Lord Siva Square All days No fiestival Trustee under mangalam) Siva Seventeenth eka-thaZa Morning pooja HR&CE

temple century (7a.m.) and Sree Easwara-

Seven km. SW of Evening pooja mangalam SlVa

Melaattoor at (7 p.m.) Temple, Etayattoor

Etayaththoor via Pin - 679326

Cholakkulam. Sub-group E

3 KEEZHAATTOORPANCHAAYATHTH

3 Keezhaa~oo! village

16 Sree (ThatI?-palak- Lord Siva Circular No pooja No festival Private temple,

kott) Siva temple Eleventh dwi-thala P.v. Govinda

Nine krn. NW of century Varrier

Perinthalmanna at Retd. Sale Tax

Aakkapararo b and Officer, Paalakkaat

thence 3km. SW Pin - 679325

on Keczhaattoor Sub-group D·2

road. (Temple in ruined)

17 Sree (Keez- Lord Maha Circular Nopooja No festival Private temple

hetathth) Vishnu Vishnu eka-thala Moossad family,

temple Ancient KeezhaaUoor

Nine ktn. NW of temple Sub-group E

Perin thalmanna at Pin - 679 325

Poonthaanam and (A completely

thence one and ruined temple)

halfkm. SW

18 Sree (Vazhangot) Lord Siva Circular No pooja from No festival Private temple

Siva temple Ancient dwi-thala September Moossad family

Nine krn. NW of temple 1992 Keezhaattoor

Perinthalmanna at Sub-group E

Poonthaanam and Pin-679325

thence one km. E (A completely ruined temple)

19 Sree Lord Circular No pooja now- No festival Hereditary Trustee,

(Baaladevapuram) Baalabhadran eka-thala a-days (Vazhangot

Vishnu temple Ancient vaaryam)

Nine km. NW of temple Baaladevapuram

Perinthalmanna at Devaswom

Aakkaparamb and Keezhaattoor

thence four lan. E. Pin - 679325

Sub-group E

496

Type of Ownership} Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

Sl. temple; deity; principal woship; Festival! Sub-group;

no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsauam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

20 Sree (Poon- Lord Maha Circular All days Ashtami- Secretary

thaanam) Maha Vishnu eka-thala (7-30 to 9 a.m. rohini Sree Poonthaanam

Vishnu temple Sixteenth and 5-30 to Maha Vishnu

century 7-30 p.m.) Temple Committee

Eight kIn. NW of Usha-pooja Poonthaavanarn

Perinthalmanna at (7-30 a.m.) Kcezhaattoor

Poonthaanam Aththaazha-Pin ~ 679 325

junction on pooja (7 p.m.) Sub-group C-6

Paantikkad road (vide section ~2,

and thence sl.00.4.6)

25m. E

21 Sree (Muthukurs- Lord Ayyappa Square All days Kalampaattu Trustee,

sikkaav) Ayyappa Ancient eka-thala (S to 10 a.m. (Mandalam in Sree Muthukuri-

temple temple and 5-30 to Dhanu) ssikkaav Ayyappa

Nine Ian. NW of 7-30 p.m., Temple

Perinthalmanna at Usha-pooja Keezhaattoor

Aakkaparamb on (6 a.m.) Pin ~ 679325

Paantikkaat road Uccha-pooja Sub-group Col

and thence (10 a.m.) (vide section 2,

3km. SE Aththaazha- sl.no.4.7)

pooja (7 p.m.)

22 Sree (Kotuvalliyot) Lord Narasirn- Square All days No festival Hereditary Trustee,

Vishnu temple hamoorththy eka-thala (Morning pooja Sree Kotuvalliyot

Seven km. NW of (7 a.m.) Vishnu Temple,

Perinthalmanna at Tenth Keezhattoor

Mukkaampati on century Pin ~ 679325

Paantikkaat road Sub-group E

and thence

SOO m. W

4 Nemmi!:,li village

23 Sree (Oravampu- Lord Ayyappa Square All days ~o festival Manager,

rathth) Ayyappa Eighteenth eka-thala Morning pooja Sree Oravampu-

temple century (7a,m.) rathth Ayyap-

13 km. NW of pankaav,

Perinthalmanna at Thacchinganaatam

Oravampuram on Pin ~ 679325

Paantikkaat road Sub-group E

and thence two km.W

24 Sree (Konnoor~ Lord Narasim- Circular All days No festival Secretary, Vishnu temple hamoorththy eka-thala Morning pooJa Sree Koonoor

13 kIn. NWof (7-15 a.m.) Vishnu Temple

Perinthalmanna at Ancient Committee

Oravampuram. temple Nemmini Pin - 679 325

Sub-group E

497

3655 RGlr03-33A

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal woship; Festival/ Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsauam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

25 Sree Akhileswari Goddess Square All days Mandalam Secretary,

Bhagavathi temple Bhagavathi eka-thala (4-45 to 9-30 Sree Akhileswari

12 kIn. NWof Ancient a.m. and 4-30 Bhagavathi Temple

Perinthalmanna at temple to 8 p.m.) Committee

Arikantampaakk Usha-pooja Nemmini

on Paantikkaat - (5 a.m.) Pin - 679 325

road and thence Uccha-pooja Sub-group C-6

4km. SW (9 a.m.~ {vide secticn 2,

Aththaazha- sl.nQ.4.8)

paoja (8 p.m.)

26 Sree (Kailott) Siva Lord Siva Square All days No festival Mathaprom

temple Ancient eka-thala Moming pooja devaswom

12 kIn. NW of temple (7a.m.) Sree Kailott Siva

Perinthalmanna at temple

Arikantampaakk Nemmini

on Paantikkaat Pin - 679325

road and thence Sub-group Col

2km.W (vide section 2,

s1.00.4.9)

27 Sree (N alloor) , Goddess Square No pooja No festival Manager,

Karinkaalikkaav Karinkaali eka-thala (closed for Sree Nalloor

temple Sixteenth the last 20 Karinkaalikkav

12 km. NW of century years) temple,

Perinthalmanna at Thacchinganaatam

Arikantampaakk Pin - 679 325

on Paantikkaat Sub-group E

road and thence one km. NE

28 Sree (Chemman- Lord Krishna Square All days Mom- Ashtami- President,

thitta) Krishna Seventeenth eka-thala ingpooja rohini Sree Chemman-temple century (7,30 a.m,) thitta Krishna

13 km. NW of Temple Committee,

Perinthalmanna at Nemmini

Oravampuram Pin - 679325

road and thence Sub-group E 4 km. NW at Chemmanthitta.

29 Sree (Konti- Lord Ayyappa Square AU days No festival Thanthri, parambu) Ayyappa Nienteenth eka-thala (Moming) Sree Konti-temple century Usha-pooja parambu Ayyappa

Ten km. NE of (Time not temple, Nemmini

Perin thalmanna at specified) Pin - 679325

Kontiparamba. Sub-group E

498 3655 RGII03-33B

Type of Ownership! Name of Principal sreekavilof Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal woship; Fe stival j Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poajas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

4 MANKATAPANCHAAYATHTH •

5 Ma[lkata village

30 Sree (Vellila) Lord Maha Circular No paoja No festival Private temple,

Vishnu temple Vishnu eka-thala now-a-days N aaraeyanaIIlangal

15 km. NE of Nineteenth aththmana

Perinthalmanna at century Mankata

Nirav junction on Pin - 679324

Manjeri road and Sub-group E

thence one km. S

31 Sree (Manjerik- Lord Ayyappa Square All days No festival Secretary,

kaav) Ayyappa Ancient temple No roof (Morning only) Sree Manjerikkaav

temple Ayyappa Temple

15.3 km. NE of Committee

Perinthalmanna at Mankata

Nirav on Manjeri Pin - 679324

road. Sub-group C-l (vide section 2 , sl.no. 4.10)

32 Sree Ayyappa Lord Ayyappa Square All days No festival Secretary.

temple Twentieth eka-thala (Morning and Sree Ayyappa

14 km. NE of century Evening) Temple Committee

Perinthalmanna at Usha-pooja Mankata

Aazhiraazhi pati Aththaazha- Pin - 679324

on Manjeri road paoja (time not Sub-group E

and thence specified)

100 rn. N

33 Sree (Vatakkini- Goddess Circular All days No festival Trustee Board

yetathth) Bhaga- Bhagavathi eka-thala (Morning and under HR&CE,

vathi temple (Durga) Evening) time Sree Vatakkini-

12 km. NE of Thirteenth not specified yetathth Bhaga-

Perinthalmanna at century vathi Temple,

Katannamanna on Mankata

Manjeri road and Pin - 679324

thence two km. N Sub-group C-2 (vide section 2, sl.no.4.11)

34 Sree (Thekkini- Lord Siva Circular All days No festival Private temple yetathth) Siva

Thirteenth ~ka-thala (Morning and Katannamanna temple

century Evening) Kovilakam,

12 km. NE of Usha-pooja Mankata

Perinthalmanna at Aththaazha-Pin - 679324

Katannamana on pooja (Time not Sub-group C-2 Manjeri road and specified) (vide section 2, thence two km. S s1.no.4.12)

499

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekouilof Time of Management;

Sl. temple; deity; principal woship; Festival} Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

35 Sree (Karkkita- Lord Siva Circular All days No festival Private temple,

karo) Siva temple Eighteenth eka-thala (Moming and Karkkitakam

11 lan. NE of century Evening} Mooththetathth,

Perinthalmanna Pooja time not Mankata

on Manjeri road at specified Pin - 679324

Karkkatakam Sub-group E

junction and thence one kIn. SE

36 Sree (Kovilakam) Lord Siva Square All days No festival Private temple,

Siva temple Eighteenth eka-thala (Momingand Kovilakam

Ten lan. NE of" century Evening) Mankata

Perinthalmanna Usha-pooja Pin - 679 324

on Manjeri road at (time not Sub-group C-2

Mankata Thaazhe specified) (vide section 2,

junction and sLno.4.13)

thence 500m. NE

37 Sree (Koottil) Siva Lord Siva Circular All days Sivaraathri Private temple,

temple Eighteenth eka-thala (Momingand Thrukkekkaat

Ten km. NE of century Evening) Mathaprarn,

Perinthalrnanna at Usha-pooja Mankata

Mankataon Aththaazha Pin - 679324

Manjeri road and pooja (time not Sub-group C-l

thence 2 km. NE specified) (vide section 2 sl.no. 4.14)

38 Sree (Kunnatht- Lord Ayyappa Apsidal All days Mandalam Private temple, hoar) Ayyap- Eighteenth eka-thala (Moming and period Kovilakam pankaav century Evening) Mankata

Ten kIn. NE of Usha-pooja Pin - 679 324

Perinthalrnanna at (time not Sub-group C-1 Mankata Thaazhe specified) (vide section 2 junction on sLno.4.l5) Manjeri and thence 500 nl. N

5 MAKKARAPARAMBPANCHAAYATHTH

6 Vatakkaangara village

39 Sree (Aarangot) Lord Siva Circular All days No festival Secretary, Siva temple Ancient temple eka-thala (Morning and Aarangot Siva

Seven lan. NE of Evening) Temple Committee,

Perinthalmanna at Usha-pooja Vatakkaangara

Makkarapararnb Aththaazha- Pin - 676324

In. and thence pooja (time not Sub-group C-6 100m. N specified) (vide section 2

s1. no. 4.16)

500

Type of Ownership! Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal woship; Festival/ Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

40 Sree (Kola- Lord Maha Square All days No festival Kolaththaara ththaara) Vishnu Vishnu eka-thala (Moming only) Vishnu Temple temple Sixteenth Usha-pooja Committee,

One kIn. N of century (time not Vatakkaangara

Makkaraparamb specified) Pin - 676324

junction. Sub-group E

41 Sree Karinkaalik- Goddess Square All days (Mom- Annual Secretary, kaav Bhagavathi Karinkaali eka-thala ing only) and festival Sree Karinkaali

temple Eighteenth in Vrschikam Thaalappoli in kkaav Bhagavathi

One km. NW of century (Moming and Vrschikam Temple

Makkaraparamb Evening) Committeee

junction. Usha-pooja Vatakkaangara

(time not Pin - 676324

specified) Sub-group E

42 Sree (Kaacchinik- Lord Square All Tuesdays Annual Secretary, kaat) Muththap- Muththappan eka-thala and Fridays festival in Muththappan pan temple Fifteenth (8 a.m. to Kumbham Temple Committee,

Six Ian. SE of century 6p.m.) Vatakkaangara

Malappuram at Pin - 676324

Kaachinikkaat on Sub-group E

Perinthalmanna road and thence onekm. N

~

6 KOOTTILANGAATI PANCHAAYATHTH

7 Koottilarigaati village

43 Sree (Katakkottil) Lord Ayyappa Square All days Annual Privatetemple

Karinkaalikkaav Eighteenth No roof (Moming only) festival from Motappilaappalli-

Seven km. N of century Usha-pooja 1 st to 12th mana, Patinjat-

Malappuram at (7-30 a.m.) Kumbham tummuri

Patinjattummuri Pin - 676506

via Koottilangaati Sub-group E - Pallippuram road and thence onekm. NW

44 Sree (Kaaraattu) Lord Siva Square All days Sivaraathri Private temple, Thrkkovil Siva Twelfth century eka-thala (6 to 9-30 a,m. Motappilaappalli-temple and 4-30 to mana, Patinjat-

Seven km. N of 7-30 p.m.) tummuri

Malappuram at Usha-pooja Pin - 676506

Paatinjattummuri (7 a.m.) Sub-group C-2 via koottilangaati Uccha-pooja (vide section 2, -Pallippuram road (9 a.m.) s1.no. 4.17) and thence one Aththaazha-and half km. NW pooJa (7 r m.)

SOl

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

31 temple; deity; principal woship; Festival/ Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

45 Sree (Motappilaa Lord Maha Square All days Ashtami- Private temple, Thrkkovil) Vishnu Vishnu eka-thala (6 to 9 a.m. rohini Motappilaappalli-temple Ancient temple and 5 to mana,

Seven lan. N of 7-30 p.m.) Patinjaattummuri

Malappuram at Usha-pooja Pin - 676506

Patinjattummuri (7 a.m.) Sub-group C-2 via Koottilangaati Uccha-poo)a (vide section 2 - Pallippuram and (8-30 a.m.) s1.no. 4.18)

thence one and Aththaazha-halfkm. W at pooja (8 p.m.) Kaaraattuparamb.

46 'Sree (Mel Lord Siva Circular All days Annual festi- Managing Trustee, Thrkkovil) Siva Sixteenth elca-thala (5-30 to 9 a.m. val for 10 to Sree Mel Thrkkovi1 temple century and 5-30 to 12 days in Siva Temple,

Seven km. N of 7 p.m.) Makaram Patinj aattummuri

MalappuraII1 at Usha-pooja with Pin - 676506

Patinjattummuri (7 a.m.) Thaalappoli Sub-group C-2

via Koottilngaati - Uccha-poo)a on the last (vide section 2, Pallippuram and (9 a.m.) day s1.no. 4.19) thence one km. W Aththaazha-

pooja (7 p.m.)

47 Sree (Keezh Lord Narasim- Circular All days Ashtami- Managing Trustee, Thrkkovil) Maha hamoorththy eka-thala (5-30 to 9 a.m. rohiniand Sree Keezh

Vishnu Temple Sixteenth and 5-30 to Chuttuviiakk Thrkkovil Maha

Seven lan. N of century 7-30 p.m.) for Ayyappan Vishnu temple,

Malappuram at Usha-pooja during Man- Patinjattummuri

Patinjattumrnuri (7-30 a.m.) dalam Pin - 676506

via Koottilngaati - Uccha-pooJO Sub-group C-2

Pallippuram and (8-30 a.m.) (vide section 2 thence one krn. W Aththaazha- s1.no. 4.20)

pooja (7 p.m.)

48 Sree (Kulame Lord Maha Square All days No festival Private temple, Thrkkovil) Vishnu Vishnu eka-thula (6 to 7-30a.m.) Cheerakkuzhi -temple Sixteenth Usha-pooja mana

Seven lan. N of century (7 a.m.) Patinjatturnmuri

Malappuram at Pin - 676506

Patinj attummuri Sub-group D-2 via Koottilngaati -Pallippuram and thence 750m. W

49 Sree (Cherak- Lord Square Once in a Annual President, keparambathth) Muththapp8Il eka-thula month festival on 15t Sree Cherakka-M u ththappankovil Ninteenth (evening) Sunday and pararnbu

Six kru. SE of century Monday in Muththappan

Manjeri at Kumbham Temple Committee,

Kaannarnana Vallikkapatta Pin - 679324

Sub-group E

502

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal woship; Festival/ Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsauam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

50 Sree (Mundian Lord (Siva) No stnIcture No poojas No festival Trustee,

tharal Siva temple Sixteenth only a now Naaraayana-

Five km. SE of century platform inangalam,

Manjeri at made out of Vallikkappatta

Naaraathth pati" stone Pin - 679 324

on Peinthalmanna Sub-group E

road. (A ruined temple of great importance)

51 Sree (V ennakkot- Lord Muth- RectaI]ogular 3 days in a Annual festi- Private temple, til) Muththa- thappan eka-thala week on Sun- val either on Chavarengal family ppankovil Twentieth day, Tuesday 3 ed Tuesday Vallikkaappatta

Five km. SE of century and Friday or 3 rd Friday Pin - 679 324

Manjeri at (8 to 10 a.m.) in Kumbham Sub-group E

Naaraathth pati Muththappan

on Peinthalmanna pooja (10 a.m.)

road and thence 300 m. E

52 Sree (Kakkaatt) Lord Ayyappa Square All days No festival Private temple,

Ayappa temple Eighteenth eka-thala (6 to 8 a.m. Naaraayanama-

Five km. SE of century and 6 to 8 ngalammana,

Manjeri at p.m.) Vallikkaappatta

Naaraathth pati Usha-pooja Pin- 679324

on Peinthalmanna (7-30 a.m.) Sub-group D-2

road and thence Aththaazha-

300 m. E pooja (7-30 p.m.)

53 Sree (Vallikkaap- Lord Maha Square All days Ashtami- Private temple,

patta) Vishnu Vishnu eka-thala (7 to 8-30 rohini Perumballimana,

temple Eghteenth a.m.) Guruvaayoor Vallikkaappatta

Five and half km. century Usha-pooja Ekaadasi Pin - 679324

E of Manjeri at (8 a.m.) Sub-group E

Bhind School stop on Perinthal-manna road.

54 Sree Aaryaambilca Goddess Rectangular All days No festival Manager,

temple Bhagavathi eka-thala (7 to 8 a.m.)" Sree Aaryaambika

Sixkm. E of Ancient temple Usha-pooja temple,

Manjeri at (7-30 a.m.) Vallikkaapatta

Poonkutil Pin - 679324

Manapati. Sub-group E

55 Sree (Thiyyaatik- Lord Ayyappa Square Nopooja No festival Private temple,

kaav) Ayyappa Eighteenth eka-thala Maayancheri

temple century family,

Six km. SE of Mankatapalli -

Manjeri at ppuram

Pallippuram road Pin - 679324

and one and Sub-group E halfkm.E

503

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal woship; Festival/ Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

56 Sree (Thirunaa- Lord Maha Square All days Ashtami- Trustee, raayanapuram) Vishnu eJca-thala (6 to 8 a.m.) rohini Payyappilly mana, Maha Vishnu Nineteenth Morning pooja Prathishtha Patinjaattummuri

temple century (time not day Avittam Pin- 676506

Five and balf kIn. specified) in Makaram Sub-group E SE of Manjeri at during

Vilangapuram and sarnkramam 3

thence one km. E poojas

57 Sree (Katun- Lord Maha Square No pooja No festival Private temple, goothth) Vishnu Vishnu eka-thala Pulikkaamathth, temple Seventeenth Katungoothth,

Four km. E of century Koottilangaati

Malappuram at Pin - 676506

Katingoothth on Sub-group E Angaatipuram road.

7 KOTOORPANCHAAYATHTH

8 Kotoo! village (Part)

58 Sree (Kozhiyoor) Lord Siva Square All days (6-15 No festival President, Siva temple Eighteenth eka-thala to 8 a.m.) Sree Kozhiyool"

One and halfkm. century Usha-pooja Siva Temple

W of Kuruva illam (7-30 a.m.) Committee, pazhamalloor

patio Pin - 676506

Sub-group C-l (vide section 2. sl.no.4.21)

59 Sree Lord Maha Square All days No festival President, (Pu thrakkovii) Vishnu eka-thala (Momingand Sree Maha Vishnu Maba Vishnu Ancient temple Evening} Temple Committee, temple Usha-pooja Kotoor

SOOm. Wof (7-30 a.m.) Pin - 676504

Cheloor on Aththaazha- Sub-group E Malappuram- pooja (7 p.m.) Kulaththoor road.

60 Sree Ayyap- Lord Ayyappa Square All days Chuttuuilakk President, pankaav Ninteenth No roof (Moming only) during Ayyappankaall

SOOm. W of century Single pooja mandalam Temple Committee,

Cheloor on (time not Kotoor

Malappuram - specified) Pin - 676 504

Kulaththoor road. Sub-group E

504

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekouil of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal woship; Festival/ Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

8 KURUVA PANCHAAYATHTH

9 Kottoo[ village (Part)

There is no temple in this part of the village

10 Ku!'uva village

61 Sree Siva temple Lord Siva Circular All days Siuaraathri President,

Five lan, SE of Eighteenth eka-thala (6 to 8 a.m.) Sree Siva Temple

Malappuram at century Usha-pooja Committee,

Kaacchinikkot on (8 a.m.) Makkaraparamba,

Paang road. Kuruva Pin - 679338

Sub-group E

62 Sree (Chittatik- Lord Ayyappa Rectangular All days (6 to No festival Private temple, kaav) Ayyappa Eighteenth eka-thala 8 a.m. and 6 to Velloti family temple century 8 p.m.) Vengaat

Seven km. SE of Usha-pooja Moorkhanaat

Malappuram at (7 a.m.) Pin - 679338

Paang Market and Aththaazha- Sub-group E thence on km. E pooja (7 p.m.)

63 Sree Ayyappan- Lord Ayyappa No structure Once in a Mandalam Private temple, kaav Seventeenth only a plat- month (either period Kizhakkepaattu,

Tenkm. NE of Century form Momingor Chuttuuilakk Paangu, (via)

Kottakkal at Evening) Kulaththoor

Patapparamb on Pin - 679338

Kolaththoor road Sub-group E and thence one km. SE on Bhaaskran pati shop on Pookkaa-ttiri road.

64 Sree (Pishaariye- Goddess Square All days No festival President, kkal) Bhagavathi Bhagavathi eka-thala (6 to 8 a.m. Sree Pishaariyek-temple (Durga) and 6 to 8 kal Bhagavathi

10.5 km. NE of Ancient temple p.m.) Temple Committee,

Kottakkal at Usha-pooja Paangu South (via)

Paang on Ambala- (7-30 a.m.) Kulaththoor

pati Aththaazha- Pin- 679 338

pooja Sub-group C-3 (7-30 p.m.) (vide section 2

sl.no. 4.22)

505

Type of Ownership! Name of Principal sreekouil of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal woship; Festival! Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

65 Sree (Patikka- Lord Subra- Square All days Therpooja on Private temple,

parambu) Subra- manyaswaamy eka-thala (Morning and Thiruvaathira Maampulaakkal

mania temple Fifteenth Evening) in Makaram family, Chekanti,

Ten km. NE of century Moming pooja (via) Kulaththoor

Kottakkal on Evening pooja Pin - 679338

Paang road at (time not Sub-group E

Patapparamb and specified)

thence one krn. on Kataampuzha road.

66 Sree (Mathaththil) Goddess Square All days 12 days from Manager, Bhadrakaali Bhadrakaali eka-thala (6 to 8 a.m. 1st Tuesday Sree Mathaththil temple Seventeenth and 6 to 8 in Kumbham Bhadrakaali Tem-

One and halfkm. century p.m.) (Kalampaattu) pIe, Chekanti (via)

SW ofPaang. Usha-pooja Kulaththoor

(7-30 a.m.) Pin - 679338

Aththaazha- Sub-group E pooja (7-30 p.m.)

67 Sree (Kokkarnik- Lord Ayyappa Square No pooja No festival Private temple, kaav) Ayyappa Ancient temple eka-thala Puthiyamatham -temple (No roof) family,

Onekm. SWof Paangu -Chekanti

Chekanti on Pin -679 338

Kaatampuzha Rd. Sub-group E

9 PUZHAKKAATTIRI PANCHAAYATHTH

11 Puzhakkaatliri village

68 Sree Mutbtbap- Lord Square All days 1st Tuesday Private Temple pankaav Muththappan eka-thala (Morning and in Kumbham Aalpaara family

Four lan. W of Twentieth Evening) (Via) Angaati-

Angaatipuram at century Usha-pooja ppuram

Puzhakkaattiri on (7 a.m.) Puzhakkaattiri

Paang road Aththa=ha-Pin - 679321

and thence two pooja (7 p.m.) Sub - group E km. SE

69 Sree (Kozhikkott) Lord Siva Circular All days Kalampaattu President, Thrkkovil Siva Fifteenth eka-thala (6 to 8 a.m. uthsav for 12 Sree Kozhikkott temple century and 5-45 to days from Thrkkovil Temple

Fourkm. Waf Sp.rn.) 21 st Kumb- Committee,

Angaatipuram at Usha-pooja ham Puzhakkaattiri

Puzhakkaattiri on (7 a.m., Pin - 679321

Paang road and Aththaazha- Sub-group C-3 thence one and pooja (7 p.m.) halfkm. SE

70 Sree (Kottuvaat) Lord Ayyappa Square All days (Mom- No festival Private temple AyYappankaav Antiquity not eka-thala ing only) Kizhakkethil family

One km. SE of specified Puzhakkaattiri

Puzhakkaattiri Pin - 679321

Panchaayathth Sub- group E Office

506

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal woship; Festival/ Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

71 Sree (Katunga- Lord Subra- Square All days Thaipooyam Private temple, puram) Subrama- mania eka-thala (Morning and Ayanikkaat family, niankovil Sixteenth Evening) Katungapuram

Five km. W of century Usha-pooja Pin - 679321

Angaatipuram at Uccha-pooja Sub-group E Katungapuram Aththaazha-

High School junc- paoja

tion and thence (Time n.ot speci-

250 m. W .fied)

72 Sree (Akaayil, Lord Maha Circular Nopooja No festival Private temple. Vishnu Temple Vishnu eka-thala Akaayilfamily.

SOD m. W of Lak- Ninteenth Katungapuram

sham veedu In. at century Pin-679321

Katungapuram. Sub-group E

73 Sree (Velliyaam- Lord Siva Circular All days (9 to Sivaraathri Privatetemple, buram) Siva Eighteenth eka-thala 10 a.m.) Puthumana temple century Usha-pooja Ramanapuram

Five kIn. Wof (9-30 a.m.) Pin - 679350

Perinthalmanna Sub-group D-2 on Malappuram road at Raama-puram and thence 500 m. S

74 Sree Siva temple Lord Siva Square All days Kalampaattu President,

Four km. Wof Ancient temple dwi-thala (6 to 9 a.m. in Kumbham Sree Siva Temple

Angaatipuram at and 5-45 to Committee,

Puzhakkaattiri 7-30 p.m.) Puzhakkaattiri

(Near Village Usha-pooja Pin - 679 321

Office) (7 a.m.) Sub-group C-2 Uccha-pooja (vide section 2, (8-30 a.m.) sl.no. 4.23) Aththaazha-pooja (7 p.m.)

75 Sree Lakshmana Lord Circular All days No festival Privatetemple, temple Laksharnana eka-thala (6 to 7-30 a.m. Meleppaattumana

Five and half km. Eleventh and 6 to Raarnapurarn

W of Perinthal- century 7-30 p.m.) Pin - 679350

manna at Usha-pooja Sub-group D-2 Panangaankara (7 a.m.) junction and Aththaazha-Sam. E. pooja (7 p.m.)

76 Sree (f{aamapu- Lord Circular All days Ekaadasiin Chairman, ram) Raamaswami Raarnaswami dwi-thala (5 to 9 a.m. Kumbham Sree Raamaswami temple Eleventh and 5 to (Thi- Temple Committee,

100 m. S of century 7-30 p.m.) runaavaaya Raamapuram

Raamapuram on Usha-pooja Ekaadasl) Pin - 679350

Perinthalmanna - (7 a.m.) !,?ub-group C-2 Malappurarn road. Uccha-pooja (vide section 2,

(9 a.m.) sLno.4.24) Aththaazha-pooja (7 p.m.f

507

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal woship; Festival/ Sub-group;

no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 S 6 7

77 Sree (Raamapu- Lord Narasim- Circular All days No feistival Chairman,

ram) Maha Vishnu hamoorththy dwi-thala (5 to 8 a.m. Sree Maha Vishnu

temple Eleventh and 5 to Temple Committee,

100 m. S of century 7-30 p.m.) Raamapuram

Raamapurmn Usha-paoja Pin - 679350

junction on (7-30 a.m.) Sub-group D-2

Perinthalmanna - Aththaazha-

Malappuram road. pooja (7-30

p.m.)

78 Sree Lord Square All days No festival Private temple,

(Naaraanathth) Sathrukhna eka-thala (6 to 7-30 a.m. Thekketaththmana

Sathrukhna Eleventh and 6 to 7-30 Raamapuram

temple century p.m.) Pin - 679350

Five knl. W of Usha-pooja Sub-group D-2

Perinthalmanna at (7 a.m.)

Naaraanath and Aththaazha-

thence 200 m. S pooja (7 p.m.)

79 Sree (Pananghaa- Lord Siva Circular All days No festival Private temple,

ngara) Siva temple Eleventh dwi-thala (5 to 8-30 a.m. Kuttalloormana,

Three km. W of century and 5 to 8 Raamapuram

Angaaipuram at p.m.) Pin- 679350

Panangaankara Usha-pooja Sub - group C-2

and thence (7 a.m.) (vide section - 2,

100m. N Uccha-pooja sl.no.4.25)

(8 a.m.) Aththaazha-pooja (7 p.m.)

. 10 ANGAA TIPPURAM PANCHAA Y ATHTH

12 Valamboo! village

80 Sree (Aalikkal- Lord Dhan- Square All days Annual festi- Private temple,

manna) Dhanwan- wanthari- dwi-thala (6-30 to 8-30 val for 8 days Panthalakkot

thari temple moorththy a.m. and 5-30 trom 24th mana

Fourkm. W of Ancient temple to 6-30 p.m.) Kumbham to Valamboor

Perinthalmanna at Usha-pooja 1st Meenam Pin - 679325

Oaraatam bridge (7 a.m.) Sub-group C-2

on Malappuram Aththaazha- (vide section 2,

road and thence pooja (6-30 s1.no. 4.26)

one and halfkm. p.m.)

at Paalakkot junc-

tion on Valamboor

road.

508

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

Sl. temple; deity; principal woship; Festivall Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

81 Sree (Meenku- Goddess Bha- Sqiuare All days Mandalam Private temple,

laththikkaav) Bha- gavathi (Kaali) eka-thala (6 to 11 a.m. 41 days and Paccheeri family,

gavathi temple Sixteenth and 6 to Thaalappoli Valamboor

Fourkm. Waf century 8-30 p.m.) on 41 st day Pin - 679325

Perinthalmanna at Usha-pooja Sub-group E

Oaraatam bridge (7~30 a.m.)

on Malappuram Aththaazha-

road and thence pooja (7-30

two and half kIn. p.m.)

on Valamboor road.

82 Sree (Paalakkot) Lord Siva Circular All days Annual Manager,

Siva temple Ancient temple eka-thala (6 to 8 a.m. festival for Sree Paalakkot

Five and half kID. and 6to one day on Siva Temple,

W of Perinthal-7 p.m.) 1st Kumbham Valamboor

manna at Usha-pooja Pin- 679325

Paalakkot via (7-30 a.m.) Sub-group D-2

Oaratam bridge. Aththaazha-pooja (6-30 p.m.)

83 Sree (ltaththuppu- Lord Krishna Square All days Ashtami- President,

rathth) Poon- Seventeenth eka-thala (5 to 10 a.m. rohini Sree ltaththupu-

thaanam Krishna century and 5 to rathth Poon-

temple 8 p.m.) thaanam Krishna

Three km. W of Usha-pooja Temple Committee,

Perinthalmanna at (5 a.m.) Valamboor

Angaatippurrun Uccha-pooja Pin - 679 325 railway gate and (9-30 a.m.) thence one kIn. N Aththaazha-

Sub-group C-6

on Ilaththupuram pooja (vide section 2,

road. (7-30 p.m.) s1.no. 4.27)

84 Sree (Thonikkara Lord Siva Square All Mondays No festival President,

Paccheeri) Siva Sixteenth eka-thala (6 to 8 a.m.) Sree Paccheeri

temple century Usha-pooja Siva Temple

Fourkm. Wof (7 a.m.) Committee

Perinthalmanna at Thiroorkkaat

Oaraatam bridge Pin -679351

and thence two Sub-group E

km. N on Valamboor road.

85 Sree (Thonikkara) Lord Siva Square No poojas No festival Private temple,

Siva temple Nineteenth eka-thala Patinjaaru family,

Fourkm. Wof century Thiroorkkaat

Perinthalmanna at Pin - 679351

Oaraatam bridge Sub-group E and thence two lan. N on Valamboor road.

509

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreelcovilof Time of Management;

SL temple; deity; principal woship; Festival/ Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

86 Sree (Thiroork- Lord Siva Circular All days (5 to Mandala ma- Executive Officer,

kaat) Siva temple Ancient temple dwi-thala 10-30 a.m. hothsav (14th HR&CE

Six and half km. W and 5 to Vrschikam to Sree Siva Temple

of Perinthalmanna 8p.m.) 11th Dhanu Thiroorkkaat

at Thiroorkkaat Usha-pooja Pin - 679351

and about 10m. S (7 a.m.) Sub-group C-l

Uccha-pooja (vide section 2,

(10 a.ni.) sLno.4.28)

Aththaazha-pooja

(7-45 p.m.)

87 Sree (Thiroork- Lord Square Once in a Thaalappoli Private temple

kaat) Subramania Subramania eka-thala month on on last Friday Sree Thamatham,

temple Eighteenth Poumami in Kumbham Thiroorkkaat

One km. NW of century Pin - 679 351

Thirookkaat Sub-group E

junction.

88 Sree (Aripra) Maha Lord Maha Circular All days Prathishta President,

Vishnu temple Vishnu eka-thala (6 to 8 a.m. day in Itavam Sree Aripra Maha

Seven km. NW of Seventeenth and 6 to Vishnu Temple

Perinthalmanna at century 7 p.m.) Committee, Aripra

Aripra School Usha-pooja Pin -679321

junction on (7-30 a.m.) Sub-group D-2

Manjeri road and Aththaazha- (A ruinedtemple)

thence half kID. W pooja

(6-45 p.m.)

89 Sree (Aripra) Goddess Square All days (6 to Thaalappoli Private temple,

Muththappankaav Karinkaali elca-thala 10 a.m. and on 2 nd Aranjilckal family,

Eight km. NW of Twentieth 5-30 to B p.m.) Tuesday in Aripra

Perinthalmanna at century Usha-pooja Kumbham Pin - 679321

Aripra on Manjeri (7-30 a.m.) Sub-group E

road. Aththaazha-

pooja

(7-30 p.m.~

90 Sree Maha Vishnu Lord Narasim- Circular All days Prathishtha Private temple,

temple hamoorththy eka-thala (7 to 9 a.m. day on Rohini Sree Maha Vishnu

Seven kID. NW of Seventeenth and 6 to in Makaram temple, Aripra

Perinthalmanna at century 7-30 p.m.) Pin - 679321

Aripra School Usha-pooja Sub-group D-2

junction and (7-30 a.m.)

thence one and Aththaazha-

halfkm. N pooja (7 p.m.)

510

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovilof Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal woship; Fe stival I Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

13 Angaatippu!am village

91 Sree (Raavara- Lord Siva Circular All days Sivaraathri President, manna) Siva Eleventh eka-thala (5-30 to 8-30 Sree Raavara-temple century a.m. and 5-30 manna Siva

Three kIn. W of to 8 p.m.) Temple Committee

Perinthalmanna at Usha-pooja Angaatippuram

Thirumand- (7-30 a.m.) Pin - 679 321

haankunnu and Aththu02ha- Sub-group C-l thence one km. pooja (7-30 (vide section 2, NW p.m.) sl.no. 4.29)

92 Sree (Thiru- Goddess Rectangular All days Pooram for 11 Temple trustee maandhaartl- Bhadrakaali eka-thala (4-45 to 11 days from underHR&CE kunnu) Very ancient a.m. and 4 to Makayiram in Sree Thirumaan-Bhagavathi temple temple 8 p.m.) Meenam dhaankunnu

Three km. W of Usha-pooja Bhagavathi

Perinthalmanna at (6 a.m.) Temple, Angaatip-

Thirumaand - Pantheerati puram

haamkunnu. (9-30 a.m) Pin-679321

Uccha-pooJa Sub-group A-3 (11 a.m.) (vide section 2, ThirinJa- s1.no. 4.30) pantheerati (4-30 p.m.) Aththa02ha-pooja (8 p.m.)

93 Sree ('Thali) Siva Lord Siva Square All days \5 to Sivaraathri Secretary, temple Very ancien t dwi-thala 11 a.m. and 5 Prathishtha Sree Thali Temple

Three krn. W of temple to 8-15 p.m.) day on Cultural Trustee,

Perinthalmanna at Usha-pooja Makayiram in Angaatippuram

Angaatippuram (7 a.m.) [tauam Pin - 679 321

junction, Uccha-pooJa Sub-group C-4 (lOAS a.m,) (vide section 2, Aththaazha- sl.no. 4.31) pooja (8 p.m.) (Idol very ancient)

94 Sree Vettek- Lord Vettak- Square All days No festival Trustee under karankaav korumakan eka-thala (6-30 a.m. to HR&CE, Sree

250m. S of Ancient temple 7.30 am.) Thirumaandhaam-

Angaatippuram Moming pooja kunnu Bhagavathi

junction. (6,45 am.) Temple, Angaatip-puram Pin - 679 321

Sub-group E

95 Sree (Muthuvara) Lord Maha Circular All days (6 to 9 Guruvayoor President, Vishnu temple Vishnu eka-thala a.m. and 5-30 Ekaadasi Sree Muthuvara

2.5 km. Wof Eleventh to 7 p.m.) Ashtami- Vishnu Temple

PerintbRlmanna century Usha-pooja rohini Bhakthajana

and close to (7 a.m.) Committee,

Angaatippuram Aththaazha- Angaatippuram

railway gate. pooja (6-30 Pin - 679321

p.m.) Sub-group D-2

511

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

SI. temple; deity; principal woship; Festival! Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsauam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

96 Sree (Maanikya- Lord Ayyappa Square All days (6 to Mandala President, Sree

puram) Ayyappa Sixteenth eka-thala 8-30 a.m. and uiIak1cu Maanikyapuram

temple century 6 to 7-30 p.m.) Temple Committee,

SOOm. S of Usha-pooja Angaatippuram

Angaatippuram (7 a.m.) Pin - 679 321

junction. Aththaazha- Sub-group D-2 pooja (7 p.m.) (Lord Ayyappa in

riding pose on horse)

97 Sree (Maanikyapu- Lord Maha Square All days (6 to No festival President

ram) Maha Vishnu Vishnu eka-thala 8-30 a.m. and Sree Maanikyapu-

temple Sixteenth 6 to 7-30 p.m.) ram Maha Vishnu

century Usha-pooja Temple Committee,

SDOm. S of (7 a.m.) Angaatippuram

Angaatippuram Aththaazha- Pin - 679321

junction. pooja (7 p.m.) Sub-group D-2

98 Sree (Pattikkunnu) Lord Maha Square No poojas No festival Private temple,

Vishnu temple Vishnu eka-thala Maaniyot family,

Three kID. SE of Eighteenth {via) Angaati-

Angaatippuram century ppuram

junction. Puththanangaati Pin - 679321

Sub-group E

99 Sree (Vailongara) Goddess Square Once in a No festival Mankata kovila-

Devi temple Bhadrakaali eka-thala month kam, Sree Vailon-

Five kID. W of Sixteenth (Morning only) gara Devi temple

Perinthalmanna at century Vailongara on

Angaatippuram

Puzhakkattiri Pin - 679 321

road. Sub-group E-

100 Sree (Cherakka- Lord Ayyappa Square All days (6-30 No festival President, paramb) Ayyappa Fifteenth eka-thala to 8-30 a.m.) Sree Ayyappa temple century Morning pooja Temple Committee,

Four km. Waf (7-30 a.m.) Cherakkaparamb

Perinthalmanna at Pin - 679321

Ooraatam bridge Sub-group E

and thence 500 W

101 Sree (Katungal- Lord Maha Circular All days (7 to 9 No festival President,

loor) Vishnu Vishnu eka-thala a.m. and 5-30 Sree Katungalloor temple Ancient temple to 7 p.m.) Vishnu Temple

One and half km. Usha-pooja Committee,

W of Ooraatam (7-30 a.m.) Cherakkaparamb,

bridge. Aththaazha- (Via) Angaati-

pooja (6-30 ppuram

p.m.) Pin - 679 321

Sub-group D-2

512

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekouil of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal woship; Festival/ Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

PERINTHALMA~~A MUNICIPAL TOWN

102 Sree (Poothrkkovil) Lord Maha Square Nopoojas No festival Private temple, Maha Vishnu Vishnu eka-thala Cherukunnathth temple Seventeenth family,

One and half km. century Perinthalmanna

NW of Perinthal- Pin - 679322

manna Town junc- Sub-group E tion on Sangeetha Theatre road.

103 Sree (Otuvil~ Lord Rectangular All days Thaipooyam Private temple, Subramanyas- Subramanya eka-tha/a (7 to 10-30 Otuivil family, waamy temple Nineteenth a.m. and 6 to Muthungal,

One and half km. century 8 p.m.) Perinthalmanna

NW of Perinthal- Deepaaraad- Pin - 679322

manna Town junc- hanaonly Sub-group E tion on Sangeetha (Momingand Theatre road. Evening)

104 Sree (Chiratta- Lord Siva Square All days Sivaraathri Private temple manna) Siva Seventeenth eka-tha/a (Moming only) (Chirattamanna temple century Nivedya-pooja family) Sree Siva

Twokm. NWof (time not Temple

Perinthalmanna specified) Chirattamanna,

Town junction on Valamboor

Chirattamanna Pin -679 325

road. Sub-group E

105 Sree (Kanna- Lord Dhan- Square All days Rohini-vilakku Private temple, manna) Dhanwan- wanthari- eka-thala (Evening after (Chirattamanna thari temple moorththy 5 p.m.) Moose) Dhanwan-

Twokm. NWof Sixteenth Malar Nive- thari temple,

Perinthalmanna century dyam Chirattamanna,

Town junction on Valamboor

Chirattamanna Pin - 679 325

road. Sub-group E

106 Sree (Muththanaa- Lord Square All days Pooja Thaalappoli Private temple, paramb) Muththappan eka-tha/a on all on any Tues- Kottekot family,

Twentieth Tuesdays and day in Kumb- Muththanaa-Muththappan century Fridays (5 to - ham paramb, temple 6-30 p.m.) Perinthalmanna

One and half kIn. Pairtkutty-pooja Pin - 679322

NWat (6-30 p.m.) Sub-group E Muththanaa-paramb.

107 Sree (Kalluva- Lord Square All days (6 to Thaipooyam Private temple, rambu) Subrama- Subramania eka-tha/a 10 a.m. and 6 N allatiparambu niaswaamy temple

Eighteenth to 8 p.m.) family,

One and half kIn. century Moming-pooja Perinthalmanna NWat (9 a.m.) Pin - 679322

Muththanaa- Evening pooja Sub-group E paramb at Kal1u- (8p.m·1 varamb.

513 3655 RGI/03-34A

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal woship; Festival/ Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 - 4 5 6 7

108 Sree (Thiruvallk- Lord Narasim- Circular All days (7 -30 Ashtami- Secretary, kaat) Vishnu hamoorrhthy eka-thala to 8 a.m.) rohini Kshethra Samrak-temple Fifteenth MOrning-pooia Navaraathri shana Samithi

One and half kIn. century (Sa.m.) under HR&CE,

NWat Maanaththuman-

Muththanaa- galam

paramb at Perinthalmanna

Maanaththuman- Pin - 679 322

galam. {West of Sub-group D-2 Ootty road.)

109 Sree (Thiruvallik- Lord Siva Circular All days (8-15 Sivaraathri Secretary, kat) Siva temple Fifteenth dUJi-thala to 8-30 a.m.) Kshetra Samrak-

One and half km. century Morning pooja shana Samithi

NWat (8-15 a.m.) under HR&CE,

Muththanaa- Sree Siva Temple.

paramb at Maanaththuman-

Maanaththuman- galam

galamlWest of Perinthalmanna

Ootty road) Pin - 679322

Ssub-group D-2

110 Sree (Alayakkaat) Lord Narasim- Square All days (6-30 No festival Chairman, Board Maha Vishnu hamoorththy eka-thala to 8-30 a.m.) now-a-days of Trustee under temple Nivedya-pooja HR&CE, Sree

Twokm. NWof Fifteenth (8 a.m.) Alayakkaat Maha

Perinthalmanna century Vishnu temple

town on Perinthalmanna

Sangeetha Theatre Pin - 679322

road. Sub-group E

111 Sree Siva temple Lord Siva Circular All days (5-30 Prathishtha Secretary,

One km. SWof Ancient temple dUJi-thala to 8-30 a.m. day on Sree Siva Temple

Perinthalmanna and 5-30 to Punartham in Committee

town. 7-30 p.m.) Makaram Perinthalmanna

Usha-pooja Pin - 679322

(7-30 a,m.l Sub-group C-2 Aththaazha- (vide seection 2, poDia (7 p.m.) sLno.4.32)

112 Sree (Vellaat Lord Siva Circular Alldays (5-30 Thaalappoli Manager, Puththoor) Siva Ancient temple dwi-thala to 9-30 a.m. on Kaarth- Sree Vellaatt temple and 5-30 to thika in Pu th thoor Siva

Half a km. SE of 9 p.m.) Meenam temple,

on Pattarnbi road. Usha-pooja Perinthalmanna

(7-30 a.m.) Pin - 679 322

Uccha-pooja Sub-group C-2 (9 a.m.) (vide section 2, Aththaazha- s1.no. 4.33) pooia (8-30 p.m.l

514

3655 RGI/03-34B

Type of Ownership/ Name of Princlpal s reeko vii of Time of Managernen t;

8l. temple; deity; principal woship; Festival/ Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

113 Sree (Kayanikkaat) Lord Maha Circular All days (6 to No festival Chairman, Board Maha Vishnu tem- Vishnu eka-thala 8-30 a.m. and of Trustee under

pIe Ancient temple 5 to 7 p.m.) HR&CE

Two km. from Usha-pooja Sree Kayanikkat

Perinthalmanna (7-30 a.m.) Maha Vishnu

via Jubili road. Aththaazha- Temple, Perin-

pooja (7 p.m.' thalmanna Pin - 679322

Sub-group D-2

114 Sree (Aattuthotika) Lord Siva Circular All days (8 to Sivamathri Secretary Siva temple Ancient temple eka-thala 9-30 a.m.) Sree Aattuthotika

Three and half Nivedya-pooja Siva Temple Com-

kIn. Sat Valan- (9 a.m.) mittee, Kunnap-

mucchi and pally

thence two and Pin - 679322

halfkm. W Sub-group E

115 Sree (Pallathth) Lord Maha Square All days (9 to No festival Thirumaandfiaam -

Vishnu temple Vishnu eka-thala 10 a.m.) kunnu Devaswom,

Three and half Ancient temple Moming pooja Perinthalmanna

km. S at Valan-Pin - 679322

mucchi and Sub-group E thence one and halfkm. W

116 Sree (Eraviman- Lord Subra- Square All days (5 to Thaipooyam Trustee Board galam) Subra- manya dwi-thala 9 a.m. and 5 Chairman under manyaswaruny Ancient temple to 8-30 p.m.) HR&CE, Sree temple Usha-pooja Subramanyas-

Five km. SE of (7 a.m.) waamy temple,

PerinthaImanna Aththaazha- Eravimartgalam,

on Cherplasseri pooja (8 p.m.) Perinthalmanna

road. Pin- 679322

Sub-group C-2 (vide section 2; s1.no. 4.34)

117 Sree (Pariccha- Lord Maha Circular All days (6-30 No festival Secretary, yappilli) Maha Vishnu elca-thala to 7-30 a.m.) Sree Paricchayap-Vishnu temple Nineteenth Nivedya-pooja pilll Maha Vishnu

Three km. SE of century (7-30 a.m.) Temple Committee,

Perinthalmanna Paathaaykkara,

on Paathaaykkara Perinthalmanna

road. Pin - 679322

Sub-group E

118 Sree (Paathaayk- Lord Maha Circular All days (5-30 No festival Secretary kara thaazhe) Vishnu eka-thala to 8-30 a.m. Sree Vishnu Vishnu temple Fourteenth and 5 to 8 Temple Committee,

Three km. SE of century p.m.) Paathaaykkara,

Perinthalmanna at Usha-pooja Perinthalmanna

Paathaayakkara (7-30 a.m.l Pin - 679322

Aththaazha- Sub-group D-2 pooJa (7 p.m.)

515

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal woship; Festival/ Sub-group; no, Location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

119 Sree (Korakkulam) Lord Ayyappa Square All Saturdays No festival Secretary,

Ayyappa temple Fifteenth No roof (5-30 to Sree Korakkulam

Three kIn. SE of century 6-30 a.m.) and Ayyappa Temple

Perinthalmanna at Mandalam Committee

Paathaayakkara period Paathaaykkara

Morning pooja Perinthalmanna (6 a.m.) Pin - 679322

Sub-group E

120 Sree (Paathaayk- Lord Narasim- Circular All days Ashtami- Secretary,

kara Katabot- hamoorththy eka-thala (5-30 to 8 a.m. rohini Paathaaykkara

taaya) Vishnu Fifteenth and 5-30 to Katabottaaya

temple century 7-30 p.m.) Sree Vishnu

Three km. SE of Usha-pooja Temple Committee,

Perinthalmanna at (7-30 a.m.) Paathaaykkara,

Paathaayakkara Aththaazha- Perinthalmanna

pooja (7 p.m.) Pin - 679 322

Sub-group E

121 Sree Goddess Square All days (5-30 Kalampaattu Private temple,

(Paathaaykara) Bhagavathi eka-thala to 7-30 a.m. for 30 days Paathaaykkara-

Bhagavathi temple Ancient temple and 5-30 to from 1st to mana

Three lan. SE of 7-30 p.m.) 30th Thulam Paathaaykkara,

Perinthalmanna at Usha-pooja and Thaalap- ferinthalmanna

Paathaayakkara (7 a.m.) poli on the Pin - 679 322

Aththouzha- last day Sub-group E

pooja (7 p.m.)

122 Sree (Chakkuvara) Lord maha Circular All days (5 to Prathishtha- Secretary,

Vishnu temple Vishnu eka-thala 8 a.m. and day on Rohini Sree Chakkuvara

Four km. SE of Ancient temple 5-30 to in Meenam Vishnu Temple

Perinthalmanna at 7-30 p.m.) Committee

Olinkara on Usha-pooja Eravimangalam

Cherplasseri road (7 a.m.) Pin - 679 340

and thence one Aththaazha- Sub-group D-2

kIn. on pooja (7 p.m.}

Kunnappilli road.

123 Sree (Unniyantha- Lord Rectangular All days (9 to Thaalappoli Secretary.

Tan) Baalagopaala Baalagopalan eka-thala 10 a.m.) uthsavfrom Sree Unniyantha-

temple Eighteenth Nivedya-pooja lOth to last rankaav Temple

Two and kIn. S at century (9-30 a.m.) Wednesday in Committee,

Kunnappilli MaJcaram Kunnappalli

Ativaram on Pin - 679 322

Pattarnbi road Sub-group E

and thence 500 m. W

516

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal woship; Festival! Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

11 VETTATHTHOOR PANCHAAYATHTH

14 Kaaryaavattam village

124 Sree(P~aartin) Lord Rama Circular All days (6-30 No festival Secretary Rama temple Thirteenth eka-thala to 8 a.m.) Sree Rama Temple

Five kIn. NE of century Usha-pooja Committee,

Perinthalmanna at (7-30 a.m.) Thelakkaat

Thelakkaat on Pin - 679325

Mannaraghat road Sub-group E and thence 200m. S

125 Sree (Thekkaatt) Lord Vishnu Square All days (5-30 No festival Ooraalans Vishnu temple Sixteenth eka-thala t07 a.m,) Paruththinlana

Five km. NE of century Nivedya-pooja Thelakkaat

Perinthalmanna at (6-30 a,m.) Pin-679325

Thelakkaat on Sub-group E Mannarghat road and thence 500m. N

126 Sree (Mannaar- Lord Vishnu Square All days (6 to No festival ManjeIi kovilakam,

mala) Vishnu Eighteenth eka-thala 7-30 a.m. and Mannaarmala (via)

temple century 5-30 to 6-30 Perinthalmanna

Seven km, NE of p.m.) Pin - 679322

Perinthalmanna at Usha-pooja Sub-group E

Baalavaati Stop on (7 a.m.) Pulari road. Aththaazha-

pooja (6-30 p.m.)

127 Sree (Paccheeri) Goddess Square Nopoojas No feistivals Private temple

Bhagavathi temple Bhagavathi eka-thala Sree Bhagavathi

Seven kIn. NE of Eighteenth temple

Perinthalmanna at century PaccheeIi

Baalavaati Stop on Perinthalmanna

Pulari road. Pin - 679322

Sub-group E Temple not functioning, need renovation

15 Vettaththoo.! village

128 Sree (Veloar) Lord Vishnu Square No poojas No festivals Private temple Vishnu temple Eighteenth eka-thala Sree Vishnu

Eight km. NE of century temple

Perinthalmanna at Veloor

Unnjyan stop on Pin - 679 322

Mannarghat road. Sub-group E Temple locked for the last few years

517

Type of Ownership! Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

81. temple; deity; principal woship; Festival/ Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

12 THAAZHEKKOTPANCHAAYATHTH 16 Arakkuparamba village

129 Sree (Cherupatht- Lord Ayyappa Square All days (7 to 8 No festival Secretary,

hoor) Ayyappa Nineteenth eka-thala a.m. and 6 to Sree Cherupath-

temple century 7 p.m.) thoor Ayyappa

Fifteen km. NE (at No poojas Temple Committee,

55 th Bus stop) on Arakkupramba,

Mannargr'1at road (via) Perinthal-

and thence one manna

and half km. W Pin - 679322

Sub-group E

130 Sree (Nerpatht- Lord Siva Circular All days No festival Execu tive Officer,

hoor) Siva temple Sixteenth eka-thala (6 to 7 a.m.) HR&CE, Sree Siva

Three km. W of century Usha-pooja Temple,

55th Bus stop. (7a.m.) Arakkaparamba Pin - 679322

Sub-group C-l (vide section 2, sl.noA.35)

131 Sree (Maattarak- Lord Square All days Annual fiesti- Private temple,

kal) Subramanya Subramanya eka-thala (6-30 to 8-30 val starting Maattarakkal

temple Twentieth and 6 to from Sunday 8ree Subramanya

15 km. NE of Per- century Sp.m.) ending on 3 rrl Temple

inthalmanna at Usha-pooja Tuesday in Maattarakkal

Maattarakkal (7 a.m.) Kumb1tam (via) Perinthal-

junction on Aththaazha- manna

Arakku pararn ba pooja (7 p.m.) Pin - 679322

road. Sub-group 0-2

132 Sree (Thirunaaraa- Lord Maha Square All days (6 to No festival Manager

yanapuram) Maha Vishnu eka-thala 9-30 a.m. and Sree Thirunaraa-

Vishnu temple Ancient temple 5 to 7 -30 p.m.) yanapuram Maha

15 km. NE of Nivedya-pooja Vishnu Temple,

Perinthalmanna at (8 a.m.) Ath- Maattarakkal, (via)

Ibraahim pati and thaazha-pooja Perinthalmanna

thence one kID. N (7-30 p.m) Pin - 679322

Sub-group D-2

133 Sree (Mooth- Goddess Square ,lUI days Kaarthika Private temple,

thetathth) Bhagavathi eka-tha/a (7 to 8 a.m. vilakku Mooththetathth

Bhagavathi temple (Bhadrakaali) and 6 to mana,

15 km. NE of Nineteenth 7 p.m.) Maattarakkal, (via)

Perintbalmanna at century Usha-pooja Perinthalmanna

lbraahim pati and (7-30 a.m.) Pin - 679322

thence one krn. N Niuedya-pooja Sub-group E (6-30 p.m.)

518

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal woship; Festival I Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

134 Sree (Velingot) Lord Siva Square All days Sivaraathri SecretaIy , Siva temple Seventeenth No roof (5 to 8 a.m. Sree Velingot Siva

16km. NEof century and 5 to Temple Committee,

Perinthalmanna at 6-30 p.m.) A;'akkuparamba

Kuttippuli on Usha-pooja Pin - 679322

Vettaththoor road (6 a.m.) Sub-group C-J and thence 250 m. Aththaazha- (vide section 2, NW paoja (6 p.m.) s1.no.4.36)

135 Sree (Kalaththil) Goddess Square No poojafor No festival Kozhikode Bhagavathi temple Bhagavathi eka-thala the last few Saamoothiri

16 km. NE of (Paarvathij years Kovilakam,

Perinthalmanna at Eleventh Arakkuparamba

Kuttippuli on century Pin - 679322

Vettaththoor road Sub-group E and ~ence one km.E

136 Sree (Valapu- Lord Maha CircuLar All days (8 to No festival Kozhikkode rathth) Maha Vishnu eka-thala 10 a.m.) since 1981 Saamoothiri Vishnu temple Eleventh Nivedya-pooja Kovilakam,

16 km. NEof century (9 a.m.) Arakkuparamba

Perinthalmanna at Pin - 6793:22

Kuttippuli on Sub-group E Vettaththoor road and thence one km.E

137 Sree (Mangalsseri) Lord Square No poojafor No festival Kozhikode Subramanya Subramanya eka-thala the last 75 Saamoothiri temple Eighteenth years Kovilakam,

16 km. NE of century Arakkuparamba

Perinthalmanna at Pin - 6793:22

KuttIppuli on Sub-group E Vettaththoor road (Temple in

'" and thence one complete ruins) and. l:1alfkm. W

138 Sree Krinkaalikaav Goddess Bhad- Square Alldays Annual festi- Secretary,

16 km. NE of rakaaIi eka-thala (5 to 6 a.m.) val for 12 Sree Karinka

Perinthalmanna at Nineteenth Nivedya-pooja days from 1 st alikaav Temple

Kuttippuli on century (6 a.m.) to 12th Committee,

Vettaththoor road Vrschikam Arakkuparamba

and thence two Pin - 679322

km.W Sub-group E

17 Thaazhekkot village

139 Sree (Uppumkaav) Lord Ayyappa Square All days (9 to Annual Secretary, Ayyappa temple

Sixteenth eka-thala 11 a.m., festival on Sree Uppumkaav

Eight km. E of century Nivedya-pooja 10th , 11 th and Ayyappa Temple

Perinthalmanna at (10 a.m., 12th Dhanu Committee,

Amminikkaat on Ammanikkaat (via)

Mannarghat road Perinthalmanna

and thence 500 m. Pin - 679322

N Sub-group E

519

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreek:ouilof Time of Management;

Sl. temple; deity; principal woship; Festival/ Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojus Uthsallam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

140 Sree (Valaakursi) Lord Siva Square All days (7-30 No festival Executive Officer.

Siva temple Eleventh dwi-thala to 8-30 a.m.) HR&CE

Nine km. E of century Nivedya-pooja Sree Valaakursi

Perinthalmanna at (Sa.m.) Siva Temple.

Thaazhekkot and Thaazhekkot West

thence 250 m. S Pin- 679 322

Sub-group E

13 AALIPARAMB PANCHAAYATHTH

18 Aaliparamb village

141 Sree (Ponnum- Goddess Square All days (8 to Kaarthika in Manager kaav) Bhagavathi Bhagavathi eka-thala 10 a.m.) Vrschikam Sree Ponnumkaav

temple (Durga) Morning-pooja Bhagavathi

14 kIn. NE of Sixteenth (9 a.m.) Temple. Thootha

Perinthalmanna at century Pin - 679357

Thootha(Vakkil Sub-group E pati) on Cherpla-sseri road and thence 250 m. S

142 Sree (Kotta) Goddess Square All days (8 to Thaalappoli President Bhagavathi temple Bhagavathi eka-thala 9-30 a.m.) on Mandalam Sree Kotta

14.5 km. NE of (Bhadrakaali) Usha-pooja last in Dhanu Bhagavathi Temple

Perinthalmanna Sixteenth (8 a.m.) Committee,

at Thoothajunc- century Aalipararnb

tion and thence Pin - 679 357

two km. NE at Sub-group E Village office and thence one and ha1fkm. N

143 Sree (Vaazhen- Lord Narasim- Circular All days (6 to Annual Manager kata) Narasimha- hamoorththy eka-thala 8 a.m. and 5 to festival f~r Sree Vaazhenkata moorthy temple Fourteenth Sp.rn.) 7 days from Vishnu Temple,

Four and half km. century Usha-pooja Thiruvonam Vaazhenkata

NE of Thootha at (6 a.m.) in Dhanu Pin - 679357

Vaazhenkata Uccha-pooja Sub-group C-2 Ambalapati stop (7-30 a.m.) (vide section 2,

Aththaazha- sl.no. 4.37) pooja (7-30 p.m.)

144 Sree Thali Maha Lord Siva Square All days Niramaala on President Deva temple Ancient temple Thri-thala (6 to 8 a.m.) last Monday Sree Kotta

Three kIn. NE of Usha-pooja in Vrschikam Bhagavathi Temple

Thootha junction, (6-30 a.m.) Committee,

Village office road and on festival Aaliparamb

and thence 250 m. days Pin - 679357

N of Aaliparamba Sub-group C-6 High School. (vide section 2,

sLno.4.38)

520

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreek:ovil of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal woship; Festival/ Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojus Uthsauam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

145 Sree (Tbruppoo- Lord Siva Circular All days No festival President thampuzha) Siva Ancient temple ek:a-thala (9 to 10 a.m.) Sree Thruppoo-temple Usha-pooja

thampuzha Siva

One and half km. (9-30 a.m.) Temple Committee,

SWof Aaliparamb

Aaliparamba High Pin- 679357

School. Sub-group D-2

, 146 Sree (Peranta- Lord Siva Square All days (6 to Sivaraathri President

manna) Siva Seventeenth ek:a-thala 8-30 a.m. and Sree Perantam temple century 6 to 8 p.m.) anna Siva Temple

Three km. SE of Usha-pooja Committee,

Aaliparamba High (Sa.m.) Aaliparamb

School through Aththaazha- Pin- 679 357

the right bank of pooja (7-30 Sub-group-E

Thoothappuzha. p.m.)

147 Sree Lord Vishnu Square All days (Morn- No festival Family temple,

(Poothrukkovil) Eighteenth ek:a-thala ing only) Pooththillathth -Vishnu temple century matham,

Four km. NE of Aaliparamb

Thootha junction Pin - 679357

on Village office Sub-group E

road.

148 Sree (Paalasseri) Lord Maha Square All days (Morn- Ashtami- Private temple,

Vishnu temple Vishnu ek:a-thala ing only) rohini parambot family,

150 m. N of Eighteenth Aaliparamb

Thali temple. century Pin - 679357

Sub-group E

149 Sree (Paaral) Siva Lord Siva Square All days No Festiual President temple Seventeenth ek:a-thala (6 to 8 a.m. Sree Paaral Siva

Four km. SW of century and 5-30 to Temple Committee

Vaazherikata 7-30 p.m.) Thootha

junction at Paaral Usha-pooja Pin - 679357

(7a.m,) Sub-group E Aththaazha- (Renovated com-pooja pletely from ruins (7 p.m.) in 2002 A.D.)

19 Aanamarigaat village

150 Sree (Chittatij Lord Maha Circular All days (6 to No festival President

Maha Vishnu Vishnu ek:a-thala 7-30 a.m.) Sree Chittati Maha temple

Seventeenth Usha-pooja Vishnu Temple Committee

Twokm. SWof century (7a.m,) Aanamangaat

Aanamangaat

junction on Pin - 679357

Perinthalmanna - Sub-group E

Cherplassery road.

521

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sr-eekovil of Time of Management;

Sl. temple; deity; principal woship; Festival/ Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

151 Sree (Muzhanga- Lord Maha Square All days No festival Private temple,

manna) Vishnu Vishnu eka-thala Nopoojas Avanoormanna,

temple Eighteenth Aanamangaat

Onekm, SWof century Pin - 679357

Anamangaat Sub-group E

junction.

152 Sree (Mahadeva- Lord Maha Circular All days (6 to Chuttuvilakk President

mangalam) Vishnu Vishnu eka-thala 8 a.m. and 5 to during Sree Mahadeva

temple Forteenth 7-30 p.m.) mandalam41 mangalam Temple

At Aanamangaat century Usha-pooja days and Committee

junction. (7 a.m.) Thaalappali Aanamangaat on last Pin - 679 357

Aththaazha- Tuesday pooja (Mandatam)

Sub-group E

(7-30 p.m.)

153 Sree (Aththikkot) Lord Narasim- Square All days No festival Private temple,

Vishnu temple hamoorththy eka-thala (Morning) Muntakkaatmana

One kIn. N of Ancient temple USha-pooja Eravimangalam

Aanarnangaat (7 a,m.) Pin- 679 357

junction. Su b-grou p D-2

154 Sree (Kunnummal) Goddess Square All days Kalampattu Secretary

Bhagavathi temple Bhagavathi eka-thala (Morning and for 1st Ma- Sree Kunnummal

One and half kIn. (Bhadrakaali) Evening) kar-amand Bhagavathi Temple

SE of Aanamangat Ancient temple Usha-pooja Thaalappoli Committee

junction. (6-30 a.m.) before Manalaaya

Uccha-pooja Makayir-am in Pin - 679357

(8 a.m.) Meenam Sub-group C-2

Aththaazha- (vide section 2,

pooja (7 p.m,) s1.no. 4,39)

155 Sree (Punnakkot) Lord Siva Square All days Sivaraathri President,

Siva temple Ancient temple eka-thala (6 to 9 a.m. Sree Punnakkot

Half a km. SE of and 6 to Siva Temple

Aanamangaat on 7p,m.) Committee

Manalaayi road. Usha-pooja Manalaaya

(7 a.m.) Pin - 679 357

Uccha-pooja Sub-group C-l

(9 a.m.' (vide section 2, Aththaazha- s1.no. 4.40) paoja (7 p.m.)

156 Sree (Etaththara Lord Raama Circular All days No festival Private temple, Mooththetathth) Nineteenth eka-thala (6 to 7 a.m.) Etaththaramooth -Vishnu temple century Nivedyam thetathth mana,

Half kIn. S of (6-30 a.m.) Thootha, (via)

Etaththara Aanamangaat

junction on Perin- Pin - 679357

thalmanna - Cher~ Sub-group D-2 plassery road.

522

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal woship; Festival/ Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

157 Sree (Manalaaya) Lord Siva Square All days Sivaraathri Private temple,

Siva temple Eleventh eka-thala (6 to 7 a.m.) Manalaaya kalam,

Two and half kIn. century Usha-pooja Manalaaya

SE of (7 a.m.) Pin- 679 357

Aanamangaat at Sub-group E

Manalaayi.

158 Sree (Kainaari) Lord Ayyappa Rectangular All days No festival Private temple,

Ayyappa temple Nineteenth eka-thala (6 to 8 a.m.) Katambott

Three km. NE of century Usha-pooja Kovilakaql

Aanamangaat on (7 a.m.) Aan am an gaat

Vaalankulam Pin-679357

road. Sub - group E

...-14 ELAMKULAM PANCHAAYATHTH .

20 Elamku!am village

159 Sree (Elaatt) Siva Lord Siva Square All days (6 to Sivaraathri President

temple Sixteenth eka-thala 9 a.m. and 6 to Sree Siva Temple

14 km. SE of century 7 p.m.) Committee, E1aatt

Perinthalmanna at Usha-pooja Pin - 679340

Muthukurissi and (7-30 a.m.) Sub-group E

200 m. SW Aththaazha-

paoja (6-45 p.m.)

160 Sree (Katannavan- Lord Maha Square All days Annual President,

kaav) Ayyappa Vishnu eka-thala (8 to 9 a.m.) festival in Katannavankaav

temple Seventeenth Morning-po~;a Kumbham Ayyappa Temple

One km. SE of century (7-30 a.m.) Committee,

Muthukurissi Koozhanthara

junction at Elaatt

Mappaattukara. Pin - 679340

Sub-group E

161 Sree Subramanya Lord Square All days (5 to 8 Kaavati Privat temple,

temple Subramanya eka-thala a.m. and 6 to ~ahothsav Thazheththethil

Near Muthu- Twentieth 7 p.m.) before family, Elaatt

kurissi Pan- century Morning-pooja Pooyamin. Pin - 679 340

chaayathth Saam~ (7-30 a.m.) Makaram Sub-group E skaarika Kendra. Evening-pooja

(6-45 p.m.)

162 Sree (Puthuk- Lord Ayyappa Square All days Makara- Secretary kurissi) Ayyappan Eighteenth eka-thala (Morning only !lilakku Sree Puthukkurissi kaav temple century 6 to 8 a.m.) Ayyappankaav

15 kIn. SE of Moming pooja Committee,

Perinthalmanna at (7 a.m.) Elaatt

Puthukurissi. Pin - 679 340

Sub-group E

523

Type of Ownership! Name of Principal sreekouil of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal woship; Festival! Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsauam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

163 Sree (Maattaayak- Goddess Square All days (5 to Annual Managing Trustee, kunnul Bhaga- Bhagavathi eka-thala 11 a.m. and festival on a Sree Maattaayak-vathi temple (Bhadrakaalil 5-30 to 7-30 Tuesday in kunnu Bhagavathi

Six km. SEof Ancient temple p.m.) Makaram Temple

Perinthalmanna at Usha-pooja before Rohini Paalaththole

Elamkulam (6a.m,) paattu in Pin-679304

railway gate and Uccha-pooja Thirumaan- Sub-group C-2 thence 2 km. S (10-30 a,m.} dhaamkunnu (vide section 2, along the railway Aththaazha- temple s1.no. 4.41) track. pooja (7 p.m,)

164 Sree Mangaattam- Lord Narasim- Square All days No festival President balam Vishnu hamoorththy elca-thala (8 to 10 a.m.) now Sree Mangaattam temple Sixteenth Morning pooja balam

Two and half lan. century (8-30 a.m.l Paalaththole

S of Railway Gate Pin - 679304

Sub-group E

165 Sree (Paalaththole) Lord Maha Circular All days Thiruvonam Trustee under Vishnu temple Vishnu dwi-thala (6 to 8 a.m. oottu in H.R&C.E, Sree

8 km. SE of Sixteenth and 6 to Thulaam Paalaththole

Perinthalmanna at century 7p,m.) Vishnu Temple,

Cherukara on Usha-pooja Paalaththol

Pattambi road and (7-30 a.m.} Pin-679340

thence 2 km. upto Aththaazha- Sub-group C-2 Railway Gate (on pooja (vide section 2 Muthukurissi {6-45 p,m.) sl. no. 4.42) road) and thence one km. on a by-lane.

166 Sree Lord Siva Circular All days (no No festival President (Mezhthrkkovil) Sixteenth dwi-thala poojas Sree Mezhtbrkkovil Siva temple century Siva Temple

Onekm, Wof Committee

Ealamkulam Kunnakkaav

Panchaayathth Pin -679340

Office and near Sub-group D-2 Ealamkulam (There is a cave mana. with a passage of

about 500 m. connecting Naalambalam of the temple ,vith the Ealamkulam mana. The passage is now closed.

167 Sree Lord Rama Circular All days (7 to No festival Trustee under (Keezh thrkkovil) Sixteenth eka-thQ/a 7-30 a.m.) HR&CE, Ramaa temple century Moming-pooja Keezhthrkkovil,

One km. Wof (7~.m.) Ealamkulammana,

Eala.rnkulam Pan- Kunnakkaav

chaayathth Office Pin - 679340

and near Ealam- Sub-group D-2 kulam mana.

524

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal woship; Festival I Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

168 Sree (PuUaanik- Lard Anthima- Square All days No festival President koothth) Anthi haakaalan eka-thala (6 to 8 a.m.) Sree Anthimaha-Mahakaalan (Siva) only Morning- akaaIan Temple temple Fifteenth pooja Committee

Five kIn. S of century (7-30 a.m.) Kunnakkaav

Perinthalmanna at Pin- 679 340

Cherukara RS Sub-group E junction on Pattambi road and thence one km. NE

169 Sree (Pulinkaavil) Lord Ayyappa Square All days (6 to No festivill Trustee under

Ayyappa temple Fifteenth eka-thala 8-30 a.m. and HR&CE

Seven and half century 6to 7 p.m.) Elamkulam mana,

km. Sof Moming pooja Kunnakkaay

Perinthalmanna at only (7 -30n.m.) Pin - 679 340

Pulinkaav on Su b-group 9-1 Pattambi road. (vide section 2,

s1.no. 4.43}

170 Sree (Kaarakkap- Lord Square All days (6 to Thaipcoyam Private temple,

palliyaal) Subra- Subramanya dwi-thala 11 a.m. and Kaarakkarapalli-

manya temple Eighteenth 6 to 8 p.m.' yaal family

Five krn. S of century Uccha-pooja Cherukara

Perinthalmanna at (7 a.m.) Pin - 679340

Cheukara and Uccha-pooja Sub-group D-2

thence half a km. (10-30 a.m.) SE Aththaazha-

pooja (7-30 p.m.)

171 Sree (Pallithoti) Goddess Rectangular All days (Mom- Thaalappoli President,

Bhagavathi temple Bhagavathi eka-thala ing only) (6 to for one day Sree Pallthoti

Five kIn. S of (Thirumaand - Sa.m.) before Thi- Bhagavathi Temple

Perinthalmanna at harunkunnu Morning pooja rumaand- Cherukara

Cherukara. Bhagavathi) (7 a.m.) haamkurmu Pin - 679340

Eighteenth uthsav Sub-group E

century

172 Sree (Karuththa Lard Siva Square All days (5-30 Prathishtha President, verrier) Siva Seventeenth eka-thala to 7 a.m. and day on ThiTU- (Ooraanma) temple century 6 to 8 p.m.) uathira in Sree Karuththavar-

Five km. S of Per- Usha-pooja Makaram ier Siva Temple

intha1manna at (6-30 a.m.) Committee,

Cherukara and Aththaazha- Kunnakkaav,

thence four kIn. at pooja(7-30 (via) Cherukara

Kunnakkaav p.m.) Pin - 679340

paramb on Mut- Sub-group E hukurissi road and thence 750 m. on Panchaayathth road.

525

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovilof Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal woship; Festival/ Sub-group; no, location antiquity deity poo)as Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

173 Sree (Kunnak- Lord Ayyappa Square All days (7 to No festival President

kaav) Ayyap- Seventeenth eka-thala 7 -30 a.m. and only mandala Sree Ayyap-

pankaav temple century (roof open) 6-30 to 7-30 pooja pankaav Temple

Halflan. N of pm.) Committee

Kunnakaav Usha-pooja Kunnakkaav

junction on (7 a.m.) Pin - 679340

Cherukara -Aththaozha- Sub-group E

Muthukurissi paoja (7 p.m.)

road.

15 PULAAMANTHOLPANCHAAYATHTH 21 Pulaamanthol village

174 Sree (Paaloor Lord Subra- Square All days (S to 8 Annual festi- Private temple,

Kalarikkal) manyaswaami dwi-thala a.m.) and 5-30 val for 3 days Kalarikkal family,

Subramnya Nineteenth to 7 p.m.) ending in Pulaamanthol

temple century Morning-pooja Pooyamin Pin - 679323

Two and half kID. (7-30 a.m. Makaram Sub-group E

NW of Pulaaman- Evening pooja

thol Paaloor junc- (5 a.m.)

tion on Kula-ththoor road and thence 200 ID. W

175 Sree (Puthusseri· Lord Square All days Annual Private temple

parambil) Subra- Subramanya dwi-thala (Morning pooja festival on Puthusseri

manya temple Eighteenth only) Rohini in Ma- Parambil family

500 ID. Wof Century kamm Pulaamanthol

Paaloor junction Pin - 679 323

on Pulaarnanthol - Sub-group E

Kulaththoor road.

176 Sree (Poothrkkovil) Lord Narasim- Square Nopooja No festival Chairman under

Vishnu temple hamoorththy eka-thala HR&CE Vishnu

200m. E of Paa- Antiquity not Temple,

loor junction. specified Pulaamanthole Pin - 679323

Sub-group E

177 Sree (Aalancheri) Goddess No smekovil All days pooja Annual festi- Manager,

Bhagavathi temple Bhagavathi Deity is only for one val for one Alancheri

300 m. Wof (Bhadrakaali) placed at the month from 1 st month from Bahgavathi

Paaloor H.S. junc- Ancient temple bottom ofa Kumbham 1st Kumbham Temple

tion at puzhak- banyan tree Pulaamanthole

kara. Pin- 679323

Sub-group C-l (vide section 2, sl.no. 4.44)

526

Type of Ownership! Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal woship; Festival/ Sub-group; J.o. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

178 Sree (Sankarapu- Lord Siva Sqaure AlL Days No festival President ram) Siva temple Ancient temple eka-thala (5 to 7 a.m. Sathsangavedi

Near Thirunara- and 5-30 to Reg.No.37 (1984,

yanapuram In. in 7-30 p.m.) Pulaamanthole

Pattambi - Perin- Usha-pooja Pin - 679323

thalmanna road. (6-30 a.m.) Sub-group D-2 Aththaazha-paoja (7 p.m.l

i79 Sree Rudra Dhan- Lord Rudra Circular All days (5 to No festival Private temple,

wanthari temple Dhanwanthari eka-thala 9 a.m. and Pulaamanthole

Ancient temple 5-30 to 8 p.m.) mana

125m. S of Usha-pooja Pin - 679323

Pulamanthole (6-30 a.m.) Sub-group C-2

junction. Uccha-pooja (vide section 2, (8-30 a.m.) sl.no. 4.45) Aththaazha-pooja (7-30 p.m.)

180 Sret' (Thi- Lord Vishnu Square All days No festival President

runaaraayanapu - Nineteenth eka-thala (6 to 8 a.m.) Thi-

ram) Vishnu century and 6 to 7 runaaraayanapu -

temple p.m.) ram Vishnu

100 m. SE of Usha-pooja Temple Committee.

Thirunaaraa- (8a.m·1 Pulaamanthole

yanapuram Mill -Pin - 679323

pati junction. Sub-group E

181 Sree (Kaaraatt) Lord N arasim- Square All days No festival Private temple,

Vishnu temple hamoorththy eka-thala (7 to 8 a.m.l Paalanattumana,

Near Thirunaa- seventeenth Moming pooja Chelakkat

raayanapuram century (8 a.m.) Pin - 679323

junction. Sub-group E

182 Sree (Vatuvacho1a) Goddess Square Once in a year Annual President

Bhagavathi temple Bhadrakaali eka-thala and on request festival from Sree Vatuvachola

200 m. W of Kat- Seventeenth of devotees 30 th Thulaam Bhagavathi Temple

tupaara junction century to 3 rd Vrschi- Committee

on Pattambi- kam Chelakkaat

Perinthalmanna Pin - 679323

road. Sub-group E

183 Sree (Chelakkaat) Lord Siva Circular All days (6 to Prathishta Private temple, Siva temple Sixteenth eka-thala 7 -30 a.m. and day on Paalanaattumana

500 m. W of Kat- century 6 to 7 p.m.) Aththam in Chelakkaat

tupaara junction Usha-pooja Metam Pin - 679 323

on Pattambi- (7 a.m.) Sivaraathri Sub-group E Perinth alm anna Aththaazha-road. pooja

(6-30 p.m.)

527

Type of Ownership! Name of Principal sreekDuil of Time of Management;

SL temple; deity; principal woship; Festival! Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsauam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

173 Sree (Kunnak- Lord Ayyappa Square All days (7 to No festival President kaav) Ayyap- Seventeenth eka-thala 7 -30 a.m. and only mandala SreeAyyap-pankaav temple century (roof open) 6-30 to 7-30 pooja pankaav Temple

Half km. N of pm.) Committee

Kunnakaav Usha-pooja Kunnakkaav

junction on (7 a.m.) Pin - 679340

Cherukara - Aththaazha- Sub-group E Muthukurissi pooja (7 p.m)

road.

15 PULAAMANTHOLPANCHAAYATHTH 21 Pulaamanthol village

174 Sree (Paaloor Lord Subra- Square All days (5 to 8 Annual festi- Private temple,

Kalarikkal) manyaswaami du.ri-thala a.m.) and 5-30 val for 3 days Kalarikkal family,

Subramnya Nineteenth to 7 p.m.} ending in Pulaamanth01 temple century Moming-pooja Pooyamin Pin- 679323

Two and half kIn. (7-30 a.m. Makar-am Sub-group E NW of Pulaaman- Evening pooja.

thol Paaloor junc- (6 a.m.) tion on Kula-ththoor road and thence 200 m. W

175 Sree (Puthusseri- Lord Square All days Annual Private temple

parambil} Subra- Subramanya dwi-thala (Morning pooja festival on Puthusseri manya temple Eighteenth only) Rohmiin Ma- Param bil fruniiy

500m. Waf Century karam Pulaaman thol

Paaloor junction Pin - 679323

on Pulaamanthol - Sub-group E Kulaththoor road.

176 Sree (Poothrkkovil) Lord Narasim- Squrue Nopooja No festival Chairman under Vishnu temple hamoorththy eka-thala HR&CE Vishnu

200m. E ofPaa- Antiquity not Temple,

loor junction. specified Pulaamanthole Piu- 679323

Sub-group E

177 Sree (Aalancheri) Goddess No sreekouil All days pooja Annual festi- Manager, Bhagavathi temple Bhagavathi Deity is only for one val for one Alan cheri

300 m. Wof (Bhadrakaali) placed at the month from 1 st month from Bahgavathi

Paaloor H.S. junc- Ancient temple bottom ofa Kumbham }SlKumbham Temple

tion at puzhak- banyan tree Pulaamanthole

kara. Pin-679323

Sub-group C-l (vide section 2. stno. 4.44)

526

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal woship; Festival/ Sub-r:,'Ioup; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

178 Sree (Sankarapu- Lord Siva Sqaure All. Days No festival President ram) Siva temple Ancient temple eka-thala (5 to 7 a.m. Sathsangavedi

Near Thirunara- and 5-30 to Reg.No.37/1984,

yanapuram In. in 7-30 p.m.) Pulaamanthole

Pattambi - Perin- Usha-pooja Pin - 679323

thalmanna road. (6-30 a.m.) Sub-group 0-2 Aththaazha-paoja (7 p.m.)

179 Sree Rudra Dhan- Lord Rudra Circular All days (5 to No festival Private temple,

wanthari temple Dhanwanthari eka-thala 9 a.m. and Pulaamanthole

Ancient temple 5-30 to 8 p.m.) mana

125m. S of Usha-pooja Pin - 679323

Pulamanthole (6-30 a.m.) Sub-group C-2

junction. Uccha-pooja (vide section 2, (8-30 a.m.) sl.no. 4.45) Aththaazha-paoja (7-30 p.m.)

180 Sree (Thi- Lord Vishnu Square All days No festival President runaaraayanapu - Nineteenth eka-thala (6 to 8 a.m.) Thi-

ram) Vishnu century and 6 to 7 runaaraayanapu -

temple p.m.) ram Vishnu

100 m. SE of Usha-pooja Temple Committee,

Thirunaaraa- (8 a.m.) Pulaamanthole

yanapuram Mill -Pin - 679 323

pati junction. Sub-group E

181 Sree (Kaaraatt) Lord Narasim- Square All days No festival Private temple,

Vishnu temple hamoorththy eka-thala (7 to 8 a.m.) Paalanattumana,

Near Thirunaa- seventeenth Morning pooja Chelakkat

raayanapuram century (8 a.m.) Piu- 679323

junction. Sub-group E

182 Sree (Vatuvachola) Goddess Square Once in a year Annual President Bhagavathi temple Bhadrakaali eka-thala and on request festival from Sree Vatuvachola

200 m. W of Kat- Seventeenth of devotees 30th Thulaam Bhagavathi Temple

tu paara junction century to 3 rd Vrschi- Committee

on Pattambi - kam Chelakkaat

Perinthalmanna Pin -679 323

road. Sub-group E

183 Sree (Chelakkaat) Lord Siva Circular All days (6 to Prathishta Private temple, Siva temple Sixteenth eka-thala 7-30 a.m. and day on Paalanaattumana

500 m. W of Kat- century 6 to 7 p.m.) Aththamin Chelakkaat

tupaarajunction Usha-pooja Metam Pin -679323

on Pattam bi - (7 a.m.) Sivaraathri Sub-group E Perinthalmanna Aththaazha-road. paoja

(6-30 p.m.)

527

Type of Ownership! Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal. woship; Festivalj Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

184 Sree (Kolliyathth) Goddess Square All days No festival Private temple, Paangil kalari Durga (Bhaga- eka-thala No poojas Kolliyathth Paangil temple vathi) family

100 m. SWof Eighteenth Pulaamanthol

Paaloor junction Pin - 679 323

on Kulahthoor century

Sub-group E road.

185 Sree (Pothu- Lord Siva Square No pooja No festival Private temple, vaayamana) Siva Eighteenth eka-thala Paaloormana, temple Chemmalasseri

Onekm. Wof century Pin - 679 323

Paaloor junction Sub-group E

186 Sree (Krishna- Lord Maha Square All days No festival President puram) Vishnu Vishnu eka-thala (Morning and Sree Krishna-temple Seventeenth evening) puram Vishnu

One and halfkm. century Usha-pooja Temple Committee,

W of Paalooor (7 a.m.) Kuruvambalam

junction. Aththaazha- Pin - 679338 pooja(7 p.m.) Sub-group E

187 Sree Subra- Lord Subra- Square Once in a year Thaipooyam Private temple, manyan kovil manyaswaami eka-thala (Time not Ayyaaliparambil

Onekm. E of Eighteenth specified) family

Chemmalasseri century Chemmalasseri

Palli-pati on Pin - 679 323

Kolaththoor road. Sub-group E

188 Sree Maariamman Goddess Square Once in a year Maariamman Private temple, kovil Maariyamma eka-thala pooja either Pallyaarthoti

One kID. E of Ninteenth in Kumbham family,

Chammalasseri Century or Meenam Chemmalasseri

Palli-pati on Pin - 679 323

KolaththooT Toad. Sub-group E

189 Sree (Malankiz- Lord Maha Square All days ~o festival Trustee hanaattu) Vishnu Vishnu eka-thala (7 to 8 a.m.) Vellanimana temple Nineteenth Morning-pooja Chemmalasseri

200 m. E of century (8 a.m.) Pin - 679323

Chemmalasseri Sub-group E junction.

190 Sree (Malankizha- Lord Siva Square All days (6-30 Sivaraathri Private temple, naatt) Siva temple Nineteenth duJi-thala to 9 a.m.} Malankizhanaattu

200 m. E of century Morning-pooja Vaariam,

Chemmalasseri (8 a.m.) Chemmalasseri

junction. Pin - 679 323

Sub-group E

528

Type of Ownership! Name of Principal sreekollil of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal wOship; Festival! Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

191 Sree (Kilikunnu- Goddess Rectangular All days (7 to Annual President,

kaav) Bhagavathi Bhagavathi eka-thala 9 a.m. and 6 to festival for 30 Kilikkunnukaav

temple Ancient temple 7 p.m.) days from 1st Bhagavathi Temple

One kIn. S of Morning-pooja Kumbham Commi ttee ,

Mananganaat on (8-30 a.m.) Chemmalasseri

Valapuram road Pin - 679 323

Sub-group E

22. Kuruvambalam village

192 Sree (Kauk- Goddess Square All days Kaarthika in Private temple,

kaanikkot) Bhaga- Bhagavathi eka-thala (6 to 7 a.m. Vrschikam Avannikkaatt-

vathi tern pIe (Van ad urga) and 6 to mana, Valapuram

Five kIn. NW of Eleventh 7 p.m.) (via) Pulaamanthol

Pulamanthol at century Usha-pooja Pin - 679 323

Kaukkanikkaat in (7 a.m.) Sub-group C-J

Valapuram road Aththaazha- (vide section 2,

and thence pooja (7 p.m.) s1.no. 4.46)

10 m. S

193 Sree Siva temple Lord Siva Circular All days (5 to 8 Pmthishtha Chairman,

Half a km. S of Ancient temple du)i-thala a.m. and 5-30 day on Kuruvambalam

Kokkaanikkaat to 8 p.m.) Punarlhamin Devaswom, Kuru-

junction. Usha-pooja Midhunam vambalam

(7 a.m.) Sivaraathri Pin - 679 338

Uccha-pooja Sub-group C-l

(7-JO a.m.) (vide section 2,

Aththaazha·· s1.no.4.47)

pooja

(7-30 p.m,)

194 Sree (Maalaap- Lord Ayyappa Square All Sundays Annual Manager

parambu) Ayyappa Eighteenth eka-thala ,"fandalam 4 1 festival in Sree Maalaapara

temple centuI}' days Kumbham mbu Ayyappa

Nine km. SWof Single paoja Temple, Paalacchot

Angaatippuram at Pin - 679 338

Paalarhuvat on Sub-group E Valancheri r03d and thence one and half km, v-,' OIl

Paaloorkotta road and thence 300 m, N

195 Sree Subramanya Lord Square All days No festival Private fempie, temple Subramanya eka·thala (7 a.m. and Kunnaththoti

Eleven krn. SWof TwentJcth 6 p,m.) Morn- family,Oanaputa

Angatippuram at century jng-pooja Pin - 679338

Onaaputa and Sub-group E thence 300 lll. NE

529 3655 RGli03--35A

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

Sl. temple; deity; principal woship; Festival/ Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

196 Sree Tbaliyil Lord Maha Circular All days (Mom- No festival Chairman, Vishnu temple Vishnu eka-thala ing only) Kuruvambalam

Five and half km. Ancient temple Single pooja Devaswom

NW of Pulaman- Kuruvambalam

thol at Kuruvam- Pin - 679 338

balam and thence Sub-group D-2 500 m. N

16 MOOBKKANAATPANCHAAYATHTH 23 Moorkkanaat village

197 Sree (Kizhak- Lord Subra- Square All days Therpooja Secretary, kekara) Subra- manyan eka-thala (6 to 10 a.m. uthsavon Kizhakkckara manyaswaamy Twentieth and 5 to Kaarthika in Suhramanya-temple century 8p.rn.) Makaram swaamy Temple

Twelve km. SW of Usha-pooja Committee,

Angaatipuram - (7 a.m.) Kolaththoor

Kulaththoor on Uccha-pooja Pin - 679338

Valanchery road (9-30 a.m.) Sub-group E and thence one Aththaazha-kIn. NWon pooja (7 p.m.) Puzhakkattiri road and thence 100m. N

198 Sree (Kolaththoor) Lord Maha Circular All days (6 to Ashtami Secretar Govindapurarn Vishnu and eka-thala 9-30 a.m. I rohini and Sree Goviudapu-temple Siva Usha-pooja Sivaraathri rarn Temple

Twelve km. SW of Sixteenth (8-30 a.m.) Committee, Ko-

Angaatipuram at century laththoor

Kolaththoor. Pin - 679338

Sub-group D-2

199 Sree (Kotti- Lord Ayyappa Squaree All days (6-30 Mandala- Secretary yaarkaav) temple Twentieth eka-thala to 8-30 a.m.) vilakku on Sree Ayyappa

One kIn. NW of century Usha-pooja 11th Dhanu Temple Committee,

Kolaththoor. (8 a.m.) Kottiyaarkaav, Kolaththoor Pin - 679 338

Sub-group E (A new temple built on an old temple site)

200 Sree (Kaaraattu- Goddess Devi Square All days No festival Private temple, pararnbu) Durgaa Twentieth eka-thala (6 to 8 a.m,) Chekka1ap-Bhagavathi temple century Moming-pooja pararnbu family.

One kIn. NW of (7 a.m.) Kolaththoor

Kolaththoor. Pin - 6792 338

Sub-group E

530

3655 RGI/03-35B

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovilof Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal woship; Festival/ Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

201 Sree (Puththarik- Lord Ayyappa Square 1 st Saturday in Mandala Secretary kaav) Ayyappa Eleventh eka-thala all months pooja on 11 th Sree Puththari temple century (8 to 11 a.m.) Dhanu kkaav Ayyappa

250m. W of Nivedya-pooja Temple Committee

Kolaththoor. (10 a.m.) and Kolaththoor

on Manda/am Pin - 679338

41 days Sub-group E

202 Sree (Vayarnbatta) Lord Maha Square All days (6 to Kalamez- Secretary Vishnu temple Vishnu dwi-thala 8-30 a.m. and huthth Paattu Sree Vayambatta

Sixteenth 6 to 7-30 p.m.) from 1st Vishnu Temple

One kIn. Wof century Usha-pooja Tuesday in Committee

Kolaththoor. (7-30 a.m.) Meenam Kolaththoor

Nivedya-pooja Pin - 679338

(7-15 p.m.) Sub-group E

203 Sree (Cheruthr- Lord Siva Square All days (9 to No festival Private temple, kkovil) Siva temple Ancient temple eka-thala 9-15 a.m.) Vayarnbatta

Thirteen km.NE Malar Vaariam,

of Angaatipurarn Nivedyam Ko1aththoor

at Murkkanaat (9-15 a.m.) Pin - 679338

Panchaayathth Sub-group C-l

office and thence (vide section 2,

one kIn. W sl.no. 4.48)

204 Sree (Raariman- Lord Siva Circular All days (6 to Siuaraathri Secretary, galam) Siva temple Sixteenth

eka-thala 8 a.m. and 5 to Sree Raariman-

Twokm. Wof century 7p.m.) galam Siva Temple,

Kolaththoor. Usha-pooja Kolaththoor

(7-30 a.m.) Pin - 679 338

Aththaazha- Sub-group E pooJa (7 p.m.)

205 Sree (Katannam- Lord Narasim- Square All days (6-30 Ashtami Secretary batta) Narasimha- hamoorththy eka~thala to 8 a.m. and rohini Sree Katannam-

moorththi temple Eighteenth on festival batta Narasimha-

Three kIn. SW of century days evening moorthi Temple

Kolaththoor at also, Committee

Katannapatta. Nwedya-pooja Kolaththoor, (7-30 a.m.) Pin - 679338

Sub-group E

206 Sree (Paathiram- Lord Siva Circular All days No festival Private temple, kunnatthu-

Eighteenth eka-thala (8 to 9 a.m.) Paathiraakun -Vatakkeppaattj Malar nive- nathth family, Siva temple

century dyam Vengaat

Four km. S of (8-30 a.m.) (via) Kolaththoor

Kolaththoor and Pin- 679 338

thence one kIn. E Sub-group 0-2 on Moorkkanaat road.

531

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal woship; Fe stival j Sub-group;

no. location antiquity deity poojus Uthsauam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

207 Sree (Paathiram- Goddess Bha- Square All days (8 to No festival Private temple kkunnathth- gavathi eka-thala 9 a.m.) Malar Paathiramkkun -

Vatakkeppaatt) (Thiruman- Nivedyam nathth family. Bhagavathi temple dhaamkunnu (8-40 a.m.) Vengaat

Four kIn. S of Bhagavathi) (via) Kolaththoor

Kolaththoor and Eighteenth Pin - 679338

thence one kIn. E century Sub-group E on Moorkkanaat road.

208 Sree (Chen nelli- Lord Siva Square All days (No No festival Secretary ppuram) Siva Fourteenth eka-thala pooja) Sree Chennelli-

temple century ppuranl Siva

Half a km. N of Temple Committee

Moorkkaanad Vengaat

Panchaayathth (via) Kolaththoor)

Office. Pin - 679338

Sub-group D-2

209 Sree Lord Maha Square All days Ashtamirohini Private temple. (Lakshmeekaan - Vishnu eka-thala (8 to 9 a.m.) Thrukkaikkaattu thapuram) Vishnu Eleventh Morning pooja Matham, Thaanoor temple century (8-30 a.m.

Pin - 679338

Near Vengotjunc-Sub-group E

tion on Valancheri - Angaatippuram road.

210 Sree (Sivaman- Lord Siva Square All days Sivaraathri Executive Officer. galam) Siva temple Ancient temple LJi.L'i-thala (7 to 9 a.m.) and HR&CE, Sree

One kIn. N ofVen- Morning pooja Manda/am Sivamangalam

got on Valancheri (Sa.m.) Siva temple

- Angaatippuram Vengaat

road. Pin - 679338

Sub-group C-l (vide section 2, sl.no. 4.49)

211 Sree (Cheeram- Lord Siva Square All days (7-30 Sivaraathri Secretary baththoor) Nineteenth eka-thala to 8-30 a.m.) Sree Cheeram Mahaadeva temple century Nivedya-pooja

baththoor,

soo m. Wof (5 a.m.) Mahadeva Temple

Onapata junction. Committee, Kolaththoor Pin - 679338

Sub-group E

212 Srec (Kottayil) Lord Kiraatha- Square All days Annual Secretary Vcttekkaran moorththy and eka-thala (7 to 8 a.m.) festival on Sree I..: 0 ttayil (Kiraatha- Goddess

Nivedya-pooja 11th Dhanu Temple Committee,

moorththy) temple Kiraatha (7-30 a.m.) (Chuttu- Vengaat

Half a km. E of Paarvathi vilakku) Pin - 679338

Vengot on Moork- Eighteenth Sub-group E kanat road. century

532

Type of Ownership! Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal woship; Festival/ Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

213 Sree (Paattukottil) Goddess Bha- Square All days Paattu and Trustee Board Bhagavathi temple gallathi eka-thala (7 to 9 a.m. thaalappoli under HR&CE,

Three km. E of Seventeenth and on festival from 1st Sree Paattu kottil

Vengot on Moork- century days evening Tuesday to Bhagavathi temple,

kanat raod. also Nivedya- 3 rd Tuesday Moorkkanaat pooja (8 a.m.) in Kumbham Kolaththoor

Pin - 679 3:18

Sub-group C-6 (vide section 2, sl.no. 4.50)

214 Sree (Anthima- Goddess No sreekovil All days Paattu uthsav Secretary, layaarkaav) Bha- Bhagavathi (Square hall (8 to 9 a.m.) from 1st to Sree Anthinlala-gavathi temple Seventeenth only) Nivedya-pooja 15th Vrschi- yaarkaav

About a km. E of century (8-30 a.m.} learn Bhagavathi Temple

Vengoton Committee,

Moorkkanat road. Vengaat. Kolaththoor Pin -679338

Sub-group C-l (vide section 2, sl.no.4.51)

215 Sree (Chettoop- LOI:d Saastha Square 1 st Saturday in No festival Secretary, paara) Ayyappa Ancient temple No roof a month (6 to Sree Chettoo-Temple 7 a.m.) and on ppaara Ayyappa

One kIn. SE of Mandalam(6 Temple Committee,

Vengot on chettu- to 8 a;m.) Nive- Vengaat

paara raod. dya-pooja (6- (via) Kolaththoor 30 a.m.) Pin- 679338

Sub-group C-l (vide section 2, sl.no, 4,52)

533

THIROOR TALUK KEY TO MAP SHOWING NAMES OF PANCHAAYATHTHS AND VILLAGES *

1 THAA~OOR (PART) @ 12 MAARAAKKARA 1 Pariyaapuram 13 Maar aakkara

2 Thaanoor 14 Melmuri

2 OZHOOR 13 ETAYOOB

3 Ozhoor 15 Etayoo~

THAA~AALOOR 14 IRIMBII;IY AM

3 16 Irimbi!iyam 4 Thaanaaloor - -

15 V AI;AANCHERI 4 NIBAMARUTHOOB 17 Kaattipparuththi

5 Ni~amaruthoo~ 16 KUTTIPPURAM

THIROOR MUNICIPAL TOWN 18 Kunippu!am 19 Natuvattam

5 CHEBIY AMU~TAM 6 Che[iyarnu1}tam 17 AATHAVA~AAT

20 Aathavanaat

6 PO~MU~TAM 21 Kurumbaththoor - -

7 Po!!muI)tam 18 THIRUNAA V AA Y A

22 Ananthaavoor VAI;AVA~~OOB 7 - - -

23 Thirunaavaaya 8 Va!aV3!!!!Oo!_'

19 TH~PRANGOT PERUMA~~A-KI;AARI 24 Th!l'!:aIigot 9 PerumaI) I) a-K!aari

20 THALAKKAAT 9 KALPAKANCHERI 25 Thalakkaat

10 Kalpakancheri 21 VETTAM

10 KOTTAYKKAL 26 Vettam

II K6ttaykkal 27 Mangalam (Part)

11 PO~MAI/A 22 PURATHTHOOg

12 Ponmala 28 Mangalam (Part) 29 Puraththoor

@ Remaining part in Thiroorangaati taluk

534

THIROORANGAAil iAlUK

The mop is drow!'l'not to scoli.FlIrthlZr 011 boundaries

clrlZ opprolCmatlZ should not'taklZn as authlZntlc.

OTT8PPALAM TALUf< (PALA KKAD DISTRICT)

BOUNDARIES

Dist ri ct .

Taluk _ ...

Pancnayathth ..

Village wIth number_

.-_ .. -,.-

29 . __ ....._--

ROUGH MAP OF THlROOB TALUK (NOT TO SCALE)

S1. no.

1

2

3

Name of temple; location

2

5

THIROOR TALUK -Type of

Principal sreekouilof Time of deity; principal worship;

antiquity deity poojas

3 4 5

Festival/ Uthsavam

6

1 THAANOOR PANCHAAYATHTH

1 Pariyaapuram village

Sree (Chirakkal) Bhagavathi temple

12 kIn. NW of Thiroor at Chirakkal In. on Parappanangaati road

Sree (Erana-akaranelloor) Ganapathiyan-kaav temple

14.5 km NW of Thiroor at Muk-kola School In. on Parappanangaati road

Sree (Thrkkai-kaattu) Siva temple

14.5 kIn NW of Thiroor at Muk-kola School In. on Parappanangaati road and thence 100 r:l. E.

Goddess Bhad- Square rakaali eka-thala

Sixteenth century

Lord Maha Square Vishnu and dwi-thala

Ganapathi

Eleventh century

Lord Siva Square

Eleventh dwi-thala

century

All Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays (6-30 to 9 a.m.)

Morning pooja (8-45 a.m.)

All days (6 to 9 a.m.and 6 to 7-30 p.m.)

Moming pooja (8 a.m.)

All days (6 to 9 a.m. and 6 to 6-30 p.m.)

Morning pooja (8-45 a.m.)

535

Bhagavathi­yaattu uthsavin Kumbham

Vishu

Sivaraathri

Ownership/ management;

Sub-group; Remarks

7

President Sree Chirakkal Bhagavathi Temple Committee, Thaanoor Pin - 676 302

Sub-group E

Mathaadhipathi, Thrkkaikkaattu -matham, Pariyaapuram Pin - 676 302

Sub-group C-2 (vide section 2, s1. no. 5.1)

Mathaathipathi Thrkkaikkaattu -matham, Pariyaapuram (via) Thaanoor Pin - 676 302

Sub-group Col (vide st><.:vm 2, sl. no. 5.2)

Type of Ownership/ Nallle of Principal sreekovilof Time of Management;

SI. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival/ Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity pooJas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

4 Sree (Thrkkaik- Lord Raama No separate All days No festival Mathaadhipathi, kaattumatham) Fourteenth sreekovil (3 times) Thrkkaikkaattu -Raama temple century No specified matham,

14.5 km NW of time Pariyaapuram

Thiroor at Pin - 676302

Mukkola School Sub-group E In. on Parap-panangaati road and thence 250 m E.

5 Sree (Poorap- Goddess Square All days Pooram. for President paramb) Bhaga- Thanneer eka-thala (6-45 to 1 day on 3 rd Ksherra vathi temple Bhagavathi 8-15 a.m.) Tuesday in Sarnrakshana

15 km. NW of Thirteenth Moming-pooja llJakaram Sarnithi

Thiroor at century (8 a.m.) Pariyaapuram (via)

Oalappettika In. Thaanoor

on Parappana- Pin - 676 302

ngaati road and Sub-group E thence 500 m. on Veliyambram road

6 Sree (Morya) Lord Narasim- Circular All days (6-30 to No festival President Narasimhamoor- hamoorththy eka-thala 9-30 a.m.) Kshethra thy temple Eleventh Morning pooJa Samrakshana

Four krn. E of century (9 a.m.) Samithi, Morya

Oalapeetika In. Narasimha temple,

at Morya on Pariyaapuram

Veliyambram road Pin - 676302

Sub-group D-2

7 Sree (Morya) Goddess Bhad- Square All days (6-30 to Bhagavathi- President Bhagavathi rakaali eka-thala 9-30 a.m.) yaattu Kshethra Samrak-temple Eleventh Moming pooja Uthsavfor shana Samithi,

Four km. E of century (9-30 a.m.) 1 day on 3 ed Morya Bhagavathi

Oalapeetika In. Friday in Temple,

at Morya on Kumbham Pariyaapuram

Veliyambram road Pin- 676302

Sub-group E

8 Sree (Thiyyathth) Goddess Square Once in a Annual President Maanja Bhaga- Maanja eka-thala month festival on Sree Thiyyathth vathi temple Bhagavathi 2 nd Friday Maanja Bhagavathi

Two km. SE of Nineteenth in Makaram Temple Committee

Oalapeetika at century Pariyaapuram

Kunnumpuram Pin - 676302

Sub-group E

2 Thaanoor village

9 Sree (Raayiriman- Lord Narasim- Circular All days No festival Hereditary Trustee galam) Maha hamoorththy eka-thala (10 a.m. to 12 under HR&CE, Vishnu temple Ancient temple noon) Elamkulam mana,

11 km. N of Morning pooja Thaanoor

Thiroor at Block (no fixed time) Pin - 676502

Office In. and Sub-group C-6 thence 500 m E. (vide section 2 after crossing sl. no. 5.3) railway line.

536

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekoviI of Time of MaIl-agement;

S1. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival/ Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

10 8ree (Kaattila- Lord Maha Square All days (5-30 to Thaalappoli President ngaati) Maha Ganapathi eka-thala 10 a.m. and mahothsav Sree Maha Ganapathi temple Seventeenth 6 to 8 p.m.) for I day on Ganapathi Temple

One km. E of century Morning pooja 31"<\ Tuesday Committee, Kaatti-

Thaanoor railway (8-30 a.m.) in Makaram langaati, Thaanoor

station Pin - 676302

Sub-group E

11 Sree (Kaattila- Goddess Rectangular All days (5-30 to Thaalappoli President ngaati) Durga Durga eka-thala 10 a.m.) on 3nl TUes- Sree Maha Bhagavathi Bhagavathi Morning pooja day in Ganapathi Temple temple Eighteenth (8-45 a.m.) Makaram Committee

One km. E of century Kaattilangaati ,

Thaanoor railway Thaanoor

station Pin - 676 302

Sub-group E

12 8ree (Vatakke- Goddess Than- Rectangular All days Thaalappoli President theru) Thanneer neer Bhaga- eka-thalo. (6 to 10 a.m.) on 3 rd Tues- Sree Maha Bhagavathi vathi Morning pooja day in Ganapathi Temple temple Eighteenth (9 a.m.) Makaram Committee, Kaatti-

One kIn. E of century langaati, Thaanoor

Thaanoor railway Pin - 676302

station Sub-group E

13 Sree {Tbekke- Goddess Than- Rectangular All days Thaalappoli Ooraanma theru) Thanneer neer Bhaga-_ eka-thala (5 to 8 a.m. and in Kumb- Thekketheru Bhagavathi vathi 5 to 7-30 p.m.) ham 8ree Thanneer temple Sixteenth Usha-pooja Bhagavathi Temple.

One and half km. century (7-45 a.m.) Thaanoor

E of Thaanoor Aththaazha- Pin - 676302

railway station pooja Sub-group E (7-30 p.m.)

14 Sree Vettak- Lord Kira- Rectangular All days No separate Ooraanma, kaaran temple athamoorththy eka-thala (7-30 to 8 a.m.) festival Thekketheru

One and half km. Niviedyam only Sree Thanneer

E of Thaanoor Fifteenth Bhagavathi Temple.

railway station century Thaanoor Pin - 676302

Sub-group E

15 Sree (Manappu- Goddess Square Once in a Annual President ram) Bhagavathi Bhagavathi eka-thala month festival on Manappuram temple Ninettenth Kaarththika Bhagavathi Temple

Two and a half century in Kumb- Committee

km. NE of ham Panangaattoor

Thaanoor Railway Pin - 676302

station at Kan- Sub-gr~up E namthali In. on Thayyaala road and thence half a km. N.

537

Type of Ownership; Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

51. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival; Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

16 Sree (Panangaat- Goddess Rectangular All Tuesdays Bhngauathi.- President toor Kotta) Koorumba eka-thala (7 to 9 a.m.) yattu Ma- Sree Panangaattoor Koorumba Bhaga- Bhagavathi Morning pooja hothsavin Kotta Koorumba vathi temple Seventeenth (8-45 a.m.) Kumbham Bhagavathi Temple

Two and a half century Committee,

km. NEof Panangaatoor

Thaanoor Railway Pin-676302

station at Sub-group E Kannamthali In. on Thayyaala road and thence 750m. N.

17 Sree Ayyap- Lord Ayyappan Rectangular All days No festivals Secretary, pankaav temple Fifteenth eka-thala (6 to 8 a.m.) Kshetra Samra-

Two and a half century Moming pooja kshana Samithi

km. NEaf (7-30 a.m.) Ayyappankaav

Thaanoor Railway Temple,

station at Panangaatoor

Kannamthali In. Pin - 676 302

on Thayyaala road Sub-group C-I and thence half a (vide section 2 lan.N. 81. no. 5.4)

18 Sree (Thanneer) Goddess Rectangular Nopoojas No festival Secretary. Bhagavathi Bhagavathi eka-thala Sree Maatha Am-

temple Seventeenth ruthaanandamayi

Opposite to century Devi Matham,

Thaanoor Bus Thaanoor

stand Pin - 676302

Sub-grpup D-2 (Being renovated in a large scale)

19 Sree Goddess Rectangular All days Ponkaala for Secretary (Sobhaparamb) Koorumba eka-thala (5 to 8 a.m. and I day in Ksbefura Kshema Koorumba Bhaga- Bhagavathi 5 to 7-30 p.m.) Dhanuon Samithi Reg. No. vathi temple Eleventh Moming pooja either 284/83, Thaanoor

One km. S. of century (7-30 a.m.) Tuesday or Pin - 676 302

Thaanoor at Friday after Sub-gt'oup E Bhagavati temple Mandalam

stop.

2 OZHOORPANCHAAYATHTH 3 Ozhoo! village

20 Sree (Thiruvan- Lord Siva Square All days Sivaraathri Hereditary gaat) Siva temple Sixteenth eka-thala (6-15 to 8 a.m.) Ooraalan, Sree

At Kuruvattisseri century Usha-pooja Thiruvangaat Siva

on Thiroor- (7 a.m.) Temple, Ozhoor

Chern baat road Pin - 676313

Sub-group E

538

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

Sl. temple; deity; principal worship; Fest val/ Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

21 Sree (Kuruvaam- Lord Maha Square All days Annual Hereditary Trustee, kulangara) Vishnu dwi-thala (7 to 8 a.m.) festival on Sree Kuruvaamku-Vishnu temple Sixteenth Usha-pooja Thintoonam langara Vishnu

At Kuruvattisseri century (7-30 a.m.) in Kanni Temple, Ozhoor

on Thiroor- Pin-676313

Chembaat road Sub-group E and one kIn. W.

22 Sree (Kuruvattis- Lord Maha Square All days (6-30 Thintoonam Hereditary Trustee, seri) Maha Vishnu Vishnu eka-thala to 9 a.m. and in all Kuruvattisseri temple Eighteenth 5-30 to 7 p.m.) months Sree Maha Vishnu

At Kuruvattisseri century Usha-pooja Temple. Ozhoor

on Thiroor- (7 a.m.) Pin - 676313

Chembaat road Aththaazha- Sub-group E paoja (6-30 p.m.)

23 Sree (Ayyap- Goddess Square All days (9 to For Ayyap- Private temple, pankaav) Bhagavathi eka-thala 10-30 a.m.) pan Reuathi Hereditary Ooraalan Bhagavathi tem- Eighteenth in Kumb- Sree Ayyappankaav pte century ham Bhagavathi temple,

Three km W. of For Bhaga- Ozhoor

Vayalaththoor at vathi Uthrut- Pin - 676313

Njaattuthottipaara taathiin Sub-group E Kumbham

24 Sree Vishnu Lord Maha Circular All days Annual fes- Herilitary Ooraalan, temple Vishnu eka-thala (6 to 9-30 a.m.) tival on Sree Vishnu

One and half km Nineteenth Usha-pooja Uthruttaathi Temple, Ozhoor

E of Puthentheruv century (7-30 a.m.) in Makaram Pin - 676313

Sub-group E

25 Sree (Oamac- Lord Maha Square lot day of all Ashtami- President chappuzha Anan- Vishnu eka-thala Malayaala rohini Sree Vishnu Temple thapuram) Vishnu Eighteenth months and on Committee, temple century Mandalam Oamacchappuzha

Three kIn. W of (6 to 8 a.m.) (via) Thayyaaia

Vayalaththoor at Usha-pooja Pin - 676320

Njaattuththotti- (7 a.m.) Sub-group E ppara

26 Sree (Manalip- Lord Ayyappa Square All Saturdays Annual President puzha) Ayyappa Eighteenth eka-thala and Wedm,:s- festival for Sree Manalippuzha temple century days one day Ayyappa Temple,

Six km S of (7 to 9 a.m.) before Oamacchappuzha

Theyyaala Usha-pooja 'Makara (via) Thaanoor

(7 a.m.) vilakk'in Pin - 676 302 Dhanu or Sub-group E Makaram

27 Sree (Kminkap- Lord Maha Square All days (6-30 to No festival Hereditary Trustee, paara) Maha Vishnu eka-thala 8-30 a.m.) Sree Malla Vishnu Vishnu Temple Sixteenth Usha-pooja Temple

At Karinkapaara century (7 a.m.) Oomacchappuzha

Junction. Pin - 676 320

Sub-group E

539

Type of Ownership I Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal worship; Fe stival I Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

28 Sree (Kaakkanaat- Goddess Rectangular All days Annual Hereditary Trustee, tukunnathth) Bhagavathi eka-thala (6 to 8 a.m.) festival on Sree Kaakkanaat-Bhagavathi Eighteenth Usha-pooja Aswathi and tukunnathth Bha-temple century (7 a.m.) Bharaniin gavathi Temple,

One lan. Wof Meenam Oamacchappuzha

Karinkapaara Pin - 676 320

junction. Sub-group E

29 Sree (Kundi- Goddess Rectangular All days Annual Hereditary Trustee, lakathth) Bhaga- Bhagavathi eka-thala (6 to 9 a.m. and festival on Sree Kundilakathth vathi temple Eighteenth 5 to 7 p.m.) Aswathiand Bhagavathi Temple,

On the eastern century Usha-poo)a Bharaniin Oamacchappuzha

side of Karinkap- (7 a.m.) Meenam Pin - 676320

para junction Aththaazha- Sub-group E pooja (7 p.m.)

3 THAA~AALOORPANCHAAYATHTH

4 Thaaraaaloor village

30 Sree Narasimha Lord Narasirn- Square All days Navakam Executive Officer, temple hamoorth t..'1y dwl-thala (9-30 to pancha- HR&CE,

Five kIn. N of Eleventh 10-30 a.m.) gavyam on Sree Narasim-

Thiroor at century Usha-pooja Thiruvonam hamoorththy

Vattathaani on (10 a.m.) in Thulaam Temple

Thaanoorroad Thaanaaloor

and thence one Pin-676307

km.. Eon Sub-group E Vayalaththoor road

31 Sree (Puththen- Goddess Square All days (5-30 to Sivaraathri President theru) Bhagavathi Bhagavathi eka-thala 8-30 a.m.) Sree Puththentheru temple Nineteenth Usha-pooja Bhagavathi Temple

Sixkm. N of century (8 a.m.) Committee,

Thiroor at Puthen- K.puram (via)

theruvu on Thaanaaloor

Thaanoorroad Pin- 676 307

Sub-group E

32 Sree (Puththen- Lord Rectangular All days Sivaraathri President, theru) Maha Ganapathi eka-thala (5 to 9 a.m.) Sree Puththentheru Ganapathi temple Nineteenth Usha-pooja Ganapathi Temple

Six lan. N of century (8-30 a.m.) Committee,

Thiroor at Kpuram

Puthentheruvu on Pin - 676307

Thaanoorroad Sub-group E

33 Sree Ayyap- Lord Ayyappa Square All days Prathishtha President pankaav temple Thirteenth eka-thala (7 to 9 a.m.) day on Sree Ayyappan

Five km N. of century Usha-poo)a Pooyamin kaav Temple

Thiroor at (8 a.m.) Metam Committee

Vattathooni and Kepuram

thence one km. W Pin - 676307

after crossing Sub-group E railway line.

540

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival/ Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

34 Sree (Veluvil) Goddess Square All days Kaarthika in Secretary, Durgaa Bhaga- Durga eka-thala (5 to 9 a.m. and Vrschocam Sree Veluvil Durgaa vathi temple Bhagavathi 5-30 to 7 p.m.) Bhagavathi Temple

Five and half km. Nineteenth Usha-pooja Committee

W of Thiroor at century (Sa.m.) K.puram

Kampanipati and Aththaazha- Pin - 676 307

thence 750 m W. pooja (7 p.m.) Sub-group E

35 Sree (Puthuku- Lord Siva Square All days Siviaraathri Srecretary langara) Siva Ancient temple eka-thala (6 to 7-30 a.m. Sree Puthukula-temple and 5-30 to ngara Siva Temple

Two and half lan. 6-30 p.m.) Committee

N of Thaanoor at Usha-pooja Puthentheru

Moolikkal and (7 a.m.) (via) Thaanaaloor

thence four and a Aththaazha- Pin - 676 307

halfkm. W. pooja (6 p.m.) Sub-group D-2

36 Sree (Puthukku- Goddess Square All days No festival President langara) Bhaga- Bhagavathi eka-thala (8 to 11 a.m. Sree Puthukkulan-vathi temple Nineteenth and 6 to 7 p.m.) gara Bhagavathi

Onekm. Wof century Usha-pooja Temple Committee,

Kampanipati (IOa.m.) K.puram

Aththaazha- Pin-676307

pooja (6-30p.m.) Sub-group E

37 Sree (Chendanku- Goddess Square All days Annual fes- President, langara) Bhaga- Bhagavathi eka-thala (5 to 8-30 a.m. tival on 1st Sree Chendanku-vathi temple Fifteenth and 5-30 to Tuesday in langara Bhagavathi

Eight kIn. N of century 7-15 p.m.) Makaram Temple Committee,

Thaanoor at Usha-pooja Thallasseri,

Moolakkal and (8 a.m.) Kpuram

thence 250 m SW. Aththaazha- Pin - 676307

pooja (7 p.m.) Sub-group E

38 Sree (Keralaad- Lord Krishna Square All days Annual fes- Temple Committee heeswarapuram) Ancient temple eka-thala (5 to 8-30 a.m. tival for 8 under Saamoothiri Krishna temple and 5-30 to days from Trust, Sree Kera-

One and a half 7-30 p.m.) 1 st to 8 th laadheeswarapuram

km. SWof Usha-pooja Vrschikam Krishna temple,

Moolakkal (6-15 a.m.) K.Puram

Uccha-pooja Pin- 676 307

(8-30 a.m.) Sub-group C-2 Aththaazha- (vide section 2, pooja (7 p.m.) sl. no. 5.5)

39 Sree (Kunnuku- Lord Siva Square All days No festival Temple Committee langara) Siva Ancient temple eka-thala (S to 8-30 a.m. under Saamoothiri temple and 5-30 to Trust, Kunnukulan-

One and a half 7 p.m.) gara temple,

km. SWof Usha-pooja Kpuram

Moolakkal (6-30 a.m.) Pin- 676307

Uccha-pooja Sub-group E (8 a.m.) Ath-thaazha-pooja (6-30 p.m.)

541

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

Sl. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival/ Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

4 NIRAMARUTHOOR PANCHAAYATHTH

5 Niramaruthoo! village

40 Sree (Konderam Lord Siva Square All days No festival Secretary kulangara) Siva Sixteenth eka-thala (7 -30 to 9 a.m.) Sree Konderamku-temple century Usha-pooja

langara Siva Temple

Two and half km. (8 a.m.l Committee

N of Thiroor at Niramaruthoor

Moozhikkal and Pin - 676 109

thence half a kIn. Sub-group D-2 W at Paththam-paat and thence 100 m. N.

41 Sree (Kaalaattul Lord Apsidal All days No festival Secretary Vaamanamoor- Vaamana- eka-thala (6 to 8-30 a.m.) Kaalaattu ththy temple moorththy Usha-pooja

Vaamanamoorththy

Onekm. Wof Nineteenth (8 a.m.) Temple Committee,

Moozhikkal at century Kpuram

Kundungal Pin - 676 307

Sub-group E

42 Sree (Budhamku- Goddess Square All days Annual Secretary . langara) Mookaambika eka-thala (7 to 9-30 a.m.) festival on Sree Mookaambika Mookaambika Devi Usha-pooja

Chiththira in Temple Committee, temple Nineteenth (9 a.m.) Kumbham Niramaruthoor

Two kIn. Wof century Pin - 676 109

Moocchikkal Sub-group E

43 Sree Lord Ayyappa Square All days No festival Private temple, Ayyappankaav Nineteenth eka-thala (6 to 7 a.m. and Etamara lllam,

Twokm Wof century 6 to 7 p.m.) Niramaruthoor

Moocchikkal at Usha-pooja Pin - 676 109

Mangalampaati (6-30 a.m.f Sub-group E and thence Aththaazha-750m. E. pooja

(6-30 p.m.)

44 Sree (Manath- Lord Siva and Circular All days No festival Private temple, thala) Siva temple Goddess eka-thala (5 to 8 a.m. and Etamara ilIam,

Parvathi 6 to 7-30 p.m.) Niramaruthoor

Twokm Wof Nineteenth Usha-pooja Pin - 676 109

Moocchikkal at century (7-30 a.m.) Sub-group D-2 Mangalampaati Alhthaazha-and thence pooja (7 p.m.) 750m. S,

45 Sree (Kondem- Goddess Square All days (5-30 to Annual Secretary baattl Bhagavathi Bhagavathi eka-thala 8 a.m. and 5-30 festival on Sree Kondembaatt temple Twentieth to 6-45 p.m.) Chiththim in Bhagavathi Temple

Half a km. S of century Usha-pooja Meenam Committee

Mangalampaati (7-30 a.m.) Niramaruthoor

Aththaazha-Pin - 676 109

pooja (6 p,m.) Sub-group E

542

Type of Ownership/ Name of . Principal sreekouil of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival/ Sub-group;

no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsallam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

THIROOR MUNICIPAL TOWN

46 Sree (Kottamku- Goddess Square A.ll days No festival President

langara) Bhaga- Durga eka-thala (6 to 8 a.m.) Sree Kottamkulan-

vathi temple Bhagavthi Morning pooja gara Bhagavathi

Two and half km. Eighteenth (7-30 a.m.) Temple Committee, Ezhoor

N at Ezhoor on century Ezhoorroad

Thiroor Pin - 676 101

Sub-group E

47 Sree (Kumara- Lord Square Nopoojas No festival Saamoothiri,

mangalam) Subramanya eka-thala Kozhikkode

Subrarnanya Sixteenth Thiroor

temple century Pin - 676 101

Behind Centre Sub-group E

Theatre

48 Sree (Pullaanik- Goddess Rectangular Friday after No festival Secretary,

kaat) Bhagavathi Bhagavathi eka-thala 1 st Tuesday in Sree Pullaanikkaat

temple Eighteenth Makaram, Bhagavathi Temple

Two kIn. N at century Morning and Committee,

Muthoor on Evening, Muththoor, ThirooT

EzhoOT road Momingpooja Pin - 676 101

(7 a.m.) Sub-group E

Night-pooja (7 p.m.,

49 Sree Subrama- Lord Siva and Circular All days Thaipooyam Ooranma

nyaswaarny Subrarnanya eka-thala (5-30 to 9-30 Punnakal family,

temple Sixteenth (two a.m. and 5-30 Muththoor, Thiroor

Three lan. N at century sreekouils) to 7-30 p.m.) Pin - 676 10 I

EzhoOT bridge In. Usha-pooja Sub-group C-l

(8 a.m.) (vide section 2 Aththaazha- sl. no. 5.6)

pooja (7 p.m.)

50 Sree Narasimha- Lord Narasim- Circular All days No festial Private temple,

moorththy temple harnoorththy eka-thala (6 to 8 a.m. and Vannerimana,

Two and half km. Thirteenth 6 to 8 p.m.) Thekkumuri,

S at Police Lines century Usha-pooja Thiroor

on Kuttippurarn (7-30 a.m.) Pin - 676 101

road Aththaazha- Sub-group D-2

pooja (7-30p.m.)

51 Sree (Paattu- Goddess Square All days Thaalappoli Secretary, Sree

parambu) Bhaga- Durga eka-thala (6 to 9 a.m. and on Makay- Paattuparambu

vathi temple Nineteenth 6 to 8-30 p.m.) iram in- Bhagavathi Temple

Three and half km century Usha-pooja Makaram Committee, Thek-

S at Boy's High (7-30 a.m.) kummuri, ThirooT

School stop 'on AththaazhQ-Pin - 676 101

Kuttippuram Toad pooja (8 p.m.) Sub-group E

543

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

SL temple; deity; principal worship; Festival! Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity paojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

52 Sree Ayyappa Lord Ayyappa Rectangular All days Mandala Saamoothiri, temple Fourteenth No roof (6 to 8 a.m. and pooja Calicut.

l.2 km. Wof century 6 to 8 p.m.) Thrikkantiyoor,

Thiroor railway Usha-pooja Thiroor

station. (7 a.m.) Ath- Pin - 676 101

thaazha-pooja Sub-group E

(7-30 p.m.)

53 Sree (Cheru Lord Krishna Square All days Prathishtha Secretary Thrkkovil) Sixteenth eka-thala (5-30 to 9 a.m. day on $Tee Cheru Krishna temple century and 5 to Revathi in Thrkkovil Krishna

1.2 kIn. Wof 7-30 p.m.) Makaram tmPle Committee,

Thiroor railway Usha-pooja . rikkantiyoor, 1'hiroor station. (8 a.m.) Pin- 676 101 Aththaazha-

paoja Sub-group E (7-15 p.m.)

54 Sree (Chenthala) Lord Nara- Square All days (6-30 to Poorama- Private temple Vishnu temple simha -Krishna eka-thala 7 a.m. and 6-30 hothsavfor !tamana illam

100 m. W of Police and Goddess to 7 p.m.) 7 days from Trikkan tiyoor

Line In. Bhagavathi Morning pooja Kaarththika Thiroor (equal impor- (7 a.m.) to Pooram in Pin - 676 101 tance) Meenam Sub-group E Sixteenth century

55 Sree (Arubalakku- Goddess No structure All days No festival Ooraanma, langara) Bhaga- Bhagavathi (only a kaav) (6 a.m. to 7p.m. Thrikkantiyoor vathi temple (No idol)

No pooja Siva temple

One km. on Taluk Ancient temple ThrikkantiyoOf,

Office road Thiroor Pin - 676101

Sub-group E

56 Sree (Bhan- Goddess No stru ctu re Amaavasiin No festival Ooraanma daarakkaav) Pflarvathi Only a kaav Thulaam Thrikkantiyoor Bhagavathi (No idol)

Evening pooja Devaswom temple Ancient temple only Thrikkantiyoor,

Opposite to Taluk Thiroor

Office Pin - 676 101

Sub-group E

57 Sree (Thrikkanti- Lord Siva Apsidal All days (4-30 to Vaavu- Ooraanma yo or] Siva temple Ancient temple dwi-thala 9-30 a.m. and uthsavamin Sree Maanavilaama

1.2 kIn W of 5to 8-30 p.m.) Thulaam Saamoothiri Raap

Thiroor railway Usha-pooJQ Thrikkantiyoor Siva

station. (6 a.m.) temple, Thiroor

Ucchapooja Pin-676101

(8-45 a.m.l Sub-group 8-3 Aththaazha- (vide section 2; pooja (7-30p.m.) sl. no. 5.7)

58 Srec Vcttakkoru- Lord Vettak- Rectangular All days (5-30 to No festival Manager makan temple korumakan eka-thala 8-30 a.m. and Devaswom

Near Thrikkanti- Eleventh 5-30 to 730 Thrikkantiyoor

yoar Siva temple century p.m.) Thiroor

Usha-pooia Pin-676101

(7-30 a.m.) Sub-group E Aththaazft(!· paOla (7 IS p.m)

544

Name of Sl. temple; no. location

2

59 Sree Thunchan Smaaraka tern pIe

Twokm. SWon Thaazhepaalarn road

60 Sree (Karuvaattu-kaav) Bhagavathi temple

Two and half kIn. from Punnakka-pati

61 Sree Narasunha temple

North of Thunchan smaarakam

62 Sree (Ayyap-pankaav temple)

Two km E on Kallingal road from Natu vilangaati

63 Sree (Mandalam-parambu) Bhaga-vatlli temple

Two and half km. from Pookkayil bazaar on Paarayil road.

64 Sree (Thumarak­kaav) Bhagavathi temple

Two and half km. N. at Micchab­hoomi stop on Thaanoor road

3655 RGI/03-16A

Principal deity;

antiquity

3

Goddess Saraswathi

Antiquity not specified

Goddess Durga Bhagavathi

Sixteenth century

Lord Narasim-hamoorththy

Antiquity not specified

Lord Ayyappa

Twentieth century

Goddess Durga Devi

Eighteenth century

Goddess Vana-Durga

Seventeenth century

Type of sreekovil of principal

deity

4

Square eka-thala

Square eka-thala

Square eka-thala

Square eka-thala

Rectangular eka-thala

Square eka-thala (No roo:l)

Time of worship; Festival!

poojas Uthsavam

5 6

3 days in a year Navaraathri on (Navaraathri) pooja for 3 Ashtami, Na- days varni & Dasami

All days No festival (6 to 8-30 a.m. and 5-30 to 7-30 p.m.)

Usha-pooja (7-30 a.m.) Aththa=ha-pooJa (7·30p.m.)

All days No festival (6 to 8-30 a.m. and 6 to 7-30 p.m.j

Usha-pooja (7 a.m.) Aththa=ha-pooja (7 p.m.)

All Sundays No festival (7 to 8 a.m.)

Moming pooja (7-30 a.m.)

1 st day of all No festival Malayaala months (6 to 8 a.m.)

Morning pooja (7-45 a.m.)

All days [6-30 to No festival 7-30 a.m.)

Moming pooja (7 a.m.)

545

Ownership! Management; Sub-group;

Remarks

7

Superintendent, Thunchan Smaaraka Committee Annaara. Thirour Pin - 676 101

Sub-group E

(Details included under writeup sl. no. 5.7)

Trust President, South Annaara Thiroor Pin-676 101

Sub-group E

President Sree Narasimha-moorththy Temple Committee, An-naara, Thiroor Pin - 676101

Sub-group E

Private temple Vatakkumpaattu family, KaUingal, Pookkayil Bazaar, Thiroor Pin - 676 101

Sub-group E

Private temple, Mandalamparambu family, Pookkayil bazaar, Thiroor Pin-676 101

Sub-group E

Privatetemple, Pu ththoormana, Pookkayil bazaar, Thiroor Pin - 676 101

Sub-group E

Sl. no.

65

66

67

68

69

Type of Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of temple; deity; principal worship; Festival/ location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam

2 3 4 5 6

Sree (Thumarak- Lord Maha Square All days No festival kaav) Vishnu Vishnu elca-thala (6 t07-30 a.m.) temple Sixteenth Morning pooja Two and half km. century (7 a.m.) N. at Micchah-boomi stop on Thaanoorroad

5 CHERIYAMUNTAM PANCHAAYATHTH - . 6 Che!iyamur:-tam village

Sree (Iringaavoor) Lord Siva Square All days (7 to Siuaraathri Siva temple Ancient temple dwi-thala 10-30 a.m.)

Four km. N of Usha-pooja Thiroor on (9 a.m.) Katungaathth -kuntu road (via Payyanangaati)

Sree Kurumba Goddess Square All days (7 -30 to Tuesday or Bhagavathi Bhagavathi eka-thala 9-30 a.m.) Friday after temple Ancient temple Usha-pooja Bharaniin

Four km. N of (9a.m.) Meenam

Thiroor on Katungaathth-kuntu road (via Payyanangaati)

Sree Lord Square All days No festival Hanumaan kaav Hanumaan elea-thara (5 to 9 a.m. and

Five km. NE of Eleventh 5 to 7 p.m.)

Thiroor at century Usha-pooja BangIa kunnu on (8 a.m.) Vayalaththoor Aththaazha-road and thence pooja (6 p.m.) half a km on Am-balappara road

6 PONMUNTAM PANCHAAYATHTH

7 Poomul)tam village

Sree Bhagavathi temple

One km. Waf Mannatikaav on Chilayil Siva temple road

Goddess Bhagavathi

Sixteenth century

Rectangular eka-thala

546

Occasionally (No pooja)

No festival

Ownership/ Management; Sub-group;

Remarks

7

Private temple, Puththoormana, Pookkayil bazaar, Thiroor Pin-676101

Sub-group E

Secretary Sree Siva Temple Committee lringaavoor Pin - 676 103

Suh-group E

Secretary Sree Kurumba Bhagavathi temple Committee lringaavoor Pin - 676 103

Sub-group E

Secretary, Sree Hanumaan-kaav Temple Com-mittee Cheriyamuntam Pin - 676 111

Sub-group D-2

Managing Trustee, Sree Bhagavathi Temple, Athrusseri (via) Ponmuntam Pin - 676 106

Sub-group E

3655 RGlf03-36B

Type of Ownership} Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

81. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival/ Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

70 Sree (Athrusseri) Lord Siva Octagonal All days Sivaraathri Secretary Maha Siva temple Ancient temple dwi-thala (7 to 9-30 a.m. Sree Maha Siva

Three km NE of and 5 to 7 p.m.) Temple Committee,

Vailaththoor on Usha-pooja Athrusseri (via)

Karinkappara (7 a.m.) Ponmuntam

road Uccha-pooja Pin - 676 106

(9 a.m.) Sub-group C-6 Aththa=ha- (vide section 2, pooja (7 p.m.) s1. no. 5.8)

71 Sree (ChilaviJ) Lord Siva Square All days Vettakkoru- Hereditary Trustee, Siva temple Sixteenth dwi-thala (6 to 9 a.m. and makan Sree Chilavil Siva

Three km. N of century 6 to 7 p.m.) Paattu on 1 st Temple, Athrusseri

Vailaththoor at Usha-pooja Makaram Pin - 676 106

Parambil mukalil (7-30 a.m.) Sub-group E In. and thence Nivedyam onekm W. (6-30 p.m.)

72 Sree (Akkara) Lord Maha Circular All days (9-30 to No festival Managing Trustee, Vishnu temple Vishnu eka-thala 10 a.m.) Sree Akkara Vishnu

Three kIn N of Sixteenth Nivedyam Temple, Athrusseri

Vailaththoor at century (9-45 a.m.) pm - 676 106

Parambil mukalil Sub-group E In. and thence onekm W.

73 Sree (Puththoor) Lord Siva Square All days (5-30 to Sivaraathri President Siva temple Eleventh eka-thala 8 a.m. and 6-30 Sree Puththoor Siva

At Kazhunigal on centuD' to 7-15 p.m.) Temple Committee

Kottakkal road Usha-pooja Kuttippaala

and thence (6-30 a.m.) Pin - 676 371

250 ill S. Nivedyam Sub-group E (7 p.m.)

74 Sree (Thanneer) Goddess Square 1st day of all Thira on Secretary, Bhagavathi Bhagavathi eka-thalo Malayaala Kumbham Sree Thanneer-temple Thirteenth months Bhagavathi Temple

At Kazhunigal on century (7 to 8 a.m.) Committee

Kottakkal road Usha-pooja Kuttippaala

and thence (7-30 a.m.) Pin - 676 371

250 m S. Sub-group E

7 VAlAVANNOORPANCHAAYATHTH . -- -

8 Va!ava!!!1oo! village

75 Sree (Manak- Lord Siva Square 1 st and last day No festival Private temple kaam) Siva temple Twentieth eka-thala of all months Manakkaam family

Twokm NW at century Pooja (6 p.m.) Valavannoor

Mayyerichira on Pin - 676555

Katungangaththu Sub-group E kunni - Etarikkod road and 2 km. W

547

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekouil of Time of Management;

SI. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival/ Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

76 Sree Siva temple Lord Siva Square All days (8-30 to Siuaraathri President

Nine lan. E of Nineteenth eka-thala lO a.m.) Sree Siva Temple

Thiroor at century Usha-pooja Committee

Kurukkolon (9-30a.m.) Valavannoor

Puththanathan Pin - 676555

road and one Sub-group E

km.NE

77 Sree (Kanmanam) Lord Siva Circular All days Siuaraathri Secretary

Maha Siva temple Ancient temple dwi-thala (6 to 10 a.m. Sree Maha Siva

Eight kIn NE of and 5 to Temple Committee

Thiroor at Karu- 6-30 p.m.) Kanmanam

vaththukunnu on Usha-pooja Pin - 676 556

Kuttikalaththaani (9a.m.) Sub-group C-6

road Aththaazha- (vide section 2, pooja (6 p.m.) sl. no. 5.9)

78 SreF Prabhaakara Lord Vishnu Square All days No festival Managing Tru stee

temple Twentieth eka-thala (6 to 8-30 a.m. Sree Prabhaakara

Eigh t km NE of century and 5·30 to Temple, Kanmanam

Thiroor at Karu- 7 p.m.) Pin - 676556

vaththukunnu on Usha-pooja Sub-group E

Kuttikalaththaani (8 a.m.)

road Aththaazha-pooja (6-30 p.m.)

8 PERUMANNA-KLAARI PANCHAAYATHTH . . . 9 Perumal)l)a-K!aari village

79 Sree (Klaari Lord Circular All Thrusdays No festival President Mucchikkal) Maha Maha Vishnu eka-thala (7 to 8 p.m.) Sree Klaari Vishnu temple Sixteenth and on Thiru- Mucchikkal Maha

At Moochikkal In. century [lonam Vishnu Temple

on Thiroof- (6-30 to 8-30 Committee

Kottakkal road a.m. and 7 to Kuttippaala 8-30 p.m.) Pin - 676 371

Usha-pooja Sub-group E (7 a.m.) Aththaazha-pooja (7-30p.m.)

80 Sree (Perumanna- Lord Square All days Thaipooyam Trustee under Klaari) Su brama- Subrwuanya eka-thala (6 to 8-30 a.m.) HR&CE niaswaamy temple Fourteenth Morning pooja Sree Subramania-

500 m. N of century (8 a.m.) swaami temple

Moocchikkal In. Klaari

on Thiroor- Pin - 676 SOl

Kottaykkal road Sub-group 0-2

548

Type of Ownership! Nar.le of Principal sreekovilof Time of Management;

81. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival/ Sub-group;

no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

81 Sree (Perumanna Lord Siva Square All days Sivaraathri Secretary

Klaari) Siva Fifteenth eka-thala {6 to 8 a.m. Sree Perumanna

temple century and 5-30 to Klaari Siva temple

750 m. NW of 7-30 p,m.) Klaari

Moocchikkal In. Moming pooja Pin - 676501

(7-30 a.m.) Sub-group E Aththa=hu-pooJa (7 p.m.)

82 Sree (peru manna) Lord Maha Octogonal All days Sreekrishna President

Maha Vishnu Vishnu dwi-thala (6 to 9 a.m. Jayanthi Sree Perumanna

temple Fifteenth 5-30 to 7 p.m.) Maha Vishnu

L5km SWof century Moming pooja Temple Committee

Kozhichana In. (8 a.m.) Valakkulam

Aththa=ha- Pin - 676501

pooja Sub-group D-2 (6-45 p.m.)

83 Sree (Puththur) Lord Siva Circular All days Sivaraathri President

Siva temple Sixteenth eka-thala (6 to 8-30 a.m. Sree Puththur Siva

One km. Wof century 5-30 to Temple Committee

Moocchikkal J n. 7-30 p.m.) Kuttippaala

Usha-pooja Pin - 676501

(7-30 a.m.) Sub-group D-2 Aththa=ha-pooja (7 p.m.)

84 Sree Narasimha- Lord Narasim- Rectangular All days No festival Hereditary Ooraalan

moorththy temple hamoorththy dwi-thala (8 to 9 a.m.) Sree Narasimha-

Eight kIn. NE of Sixteenth Moming pooja moorththy

Thiroor at century (8-30 a.m.) Temple

Karinkalpaara and Vaalakkulam

thence one kIn. Pin - 676 508

SE Sub-group E

85 Sree (Kuruka) Lord Ivanthran Square All days Prathistha President

Ivanthran temple (Kiraatha Siva) eka-thala (9 to II a.m.) day on Ivanthran Temple

Ten km. NE of Nineteenth Uccha-pooja Uthram in Committee,

Thiroor at century (9-30 a.m.) [tavam Kuruka

Mucchikkal and Pin - 676508

on Maiappuram Sub-group E

road and thence one and half kIn. east.

86 Sree (Kannikkuz- Lord Siva Square 1 st day of all No festival Hereditiary

hingara) Siva Eighteenth eka-thala Malayaala Ooraalan

temple century months Sree Kannikuzhin-

Ten km. NE of (7 to 9 p.m.) gara Siva Temple

Thiroor at Aththa=ha-Committee, Klaari

Mucchikkal and poo)a (7 p.m.) Pin - 676501

thence two km. N Sub-group E

of Health Centre Road

549

S1. no.

87

88

89

90

91

Type of Narue of Principal sreekovilof Time of temple; deity; principal worship; Festival! location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam

2 3 4 5 6

9 KALPAKANCHERIPANCHAAYATHTH 10 Kalpakancheri village

Sree (Ivanthran) Paradevathaa temple

11 km W of Vallaancheri at Kaavumpati on Thiroor road

Lord Ivanthran (Paradevatha)

Sixteenth century

Rectangular eka-thala

All days (6 to 11 a.m. and 5·30 to 7 p.m.)

Morning pooja (7 a.m.)

No festival

10 KOTTAYKKALPANCHAAYATHTH 11 KOttaykkal village

Sree (Patinjaak- Lord Square All days Thaipooyam kara) Subramam- Subramanya eka-thala (5-30 to 9 a.m. aswamy temple Nineteenth and 5-30 to

500 m. S of century 8 p.m.)

Kottaykkal Usha-pooja junction (7-30 a.m.)

Aththaazha-pooja (7-30p.m.)

Sree Vettakkoru- Lord Square All days Annual fes-makan temple Vettakkoru- eka-thala (5 to 9 a.m. and tival for 8

750 m. S of makan 5 to 8 p.m.) days from

Kottaykkal Bus Eighteenth Usha-pooja Ashtamiin

Stand century (6 a.m.) Makaram

Uccha-pooJa (8 a.m.) Aththaazha-pooja (7-30p.m.)

Sree Thiru- Goddess Bha- Square All days Navaraathri valayallaatkaav gavathi (Kaali) eka-thala (5 to 9 a.m. and in Kanni Bhagavathi Eighteenth 5 to 8 p.m.) (9 days) temple century Usha-pooja 750 m. S of (6 a.m.) Kottaykkal Bus Uccha-pooja Stand (8 a.m.)

Aththaazha-pooja (7-30p.m.)

Sree Venki- Lord Siva Square All days No festival taththevar temple Very ancient dun-thala (4 to 8-30 a.m. now-a-days

750 m. S of Kot- temple and 4 to taykkal Bus Stand 8-30 p.m.)

Usha-pooja (6 a.m.) Uccha-pooJa (8 a.m.) Aththaazha-pooja (Bp.m.)

550

Ownership/ Management; Sub-group;

Remarks

7

President under HR&CE, Cheriyeri Parambaththkaav Committee Katungaaththu­kuntu Pin - 676551

Sub-group E

Secretary, Sree Patinjaakkara Subramania Temple Committee, Kottaykal Pin - 676503

Sub-gruup E

East Kovilakaru Trust, Kottaykal Pin - 676503

Sub-group D-2

East Kovilakam Trust, Kottaykkal Pin - 676503

Sub-group D-2

Manager East Kovilakaru Devaswom Trust, Kottaykkal Pin - 676503

Sub-group C-2 (vide section 2, sl.no.S.lO)

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival/ Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsauam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

92 Sree Viswamb- Lord Viswa- Square All days Annual fes- Manager hara temple mbhara eka-thala (5 to 11 a.m. tival on Aryavaidyasaala

One km. S of Twentieth and 5-30 to Pool"(lmin Kottaykkal

Kottaykkal Bus century 8-30 p.m.) Meenam Pin - 676503

Stand Usha-pooja Sub-group C-6 (7 a.m.) (vide section 2, Uccha-pooja sl.no.S.II) (9 a.m.) Ath-thaazha-pooja

(8 p.m.)

93 Sree (Kaattumun- Goddess Rectangular Any Tuesday in Thaalappoli Private temple

dakkal) Bhaga- Bhagavathi eka-thala a month uthsauon Kaattumundakkal

vathi temple Twentieth (6 to 8 a.m.) 4th Tuesday family, Indianoor

Four and a half century Nivedya-pooja in Mo:karam Pin _:_. 676 503

km. E of Kottay- (7-30 a.m.) Sub-group E

kkal at VelIoor

94 Sree (Paanda- Lord Krishna Square All days Annual President,

mangalam) Ancient temple eka-thala (4 to 9 a.m. and festival for East Kovilakam,

Krishnaswamy 5 to 7-30 p.m.) 8 days from Kottaykkal

temple Usha-pooja 30 th Pin - 676503

One km. SE'of (6 a.m.) Meenamto Sub-group C-2

Kottaykkal Uccha-pooja 7th Metam (vide section 2 (8-30 a.m.) sLno.5.12) Aththaazha-pooja (7 p.m.)

95 Sree Kuttippu- Goddess Square All days Annual Secretary

raththkaav Bhagavathi eka-thala (6 to 9-30 a.m.) festival on Sree Kuttippu-

Bhagavathi Fifteenth Moming-pooja Bharaniin raththkaav Temple

temple century (9 a.m.l Meenam Committee, Kutti-

Three and a half ppuram, Kottaykkal

km. S of Kottayk-Pin - 676503

kal Bus Stand Sub-group E

96 Sree (Kaavanaatt) Lord Siva Square All days No festival Private temple,

Siva temple Eighteenth eka-thala (5 to 7 a.m. and Kaavanaattmana,

Four km. S of century 6 to 7 p.m.) Kottaykkalku tti-

Kottaykkal Bus Usha-pooja ppuram

Stand (7 a.m.) Pin - 676503

Deepaaraad- Sub-group E hana (7 p.m.)

97 Sree (Kaavanaatt) Goddess Square All days No festival PrlVate temple,

Bhagavathi Bhagavathi dwi-tha!a (5 to 7 a.m. and Kaavanaattmana,

temple Seventeenth 6 to 7 p.m.) Kottaykkal

Four km. S of century Usha-pooja Kuttippuram

Kottaykkal Bus (7 a.m.) Pin - 676 503

Stand Deepaaraad- Sub-group E hana (6-45 p.m.)

551

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekouil of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival! Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

98 Sree (Vaaryathth) Lord Narasim- Square All days Ashtami- Secretary,

Narasimha- hamoorththy eka-thala (6 to 9 a.m.) rohini Sree Narasimha-

moorththy temple Seventeenth Usha-pooja moorththy Temple

Three and a half century (Sa.m.) Committee

km. S of Kottay-Kottaykkal

kkal Bus Stand at Pin - 676503

Kuttippuram Sub-group E

99 Sree (Kuttippu- Goddess Square All days Samkramarn Private temple

rathth) Bhaga- Bhagavathi eka-thaia (7 to 7-30 a.m.) in Karkita- Kottaykkal

vathi temple Eighteenth No pooja kam Pin - 676 503

Three and a half century Sub-group E

km. S of Kottayk-kal Bus Stand at Kuttippuram

100 Sree (Jrimbu- Goddess Square Only on im- No festival Private temple

laaseri) Bhaga- Bhagavathi eka-thala porta..'lt days Nallaattu family,

vathi temple Twentieth Kuttippu ram ,

Three km. S of century Kottaykkal

Kottaykkal Bu s Pm- 676503

Stand Sub-group E

101 Sree (KUItippu- Lord Square All days Thaipooyam Private temple

ram) Subra- Subramanya eka-thala (5 to 7 a.m. and Paalaththinkal

manyaswamy Fifteenth 6 to 6-30 p.m.) family, Kuttippurarn

temple century Morning pooja Kottaykkal

Three km. S of (6-30 a.m.) Pin -- 676 503

Kottaykkal Bus Deepaamad- Sub-group E

Stand hana (6-30p.m.)

102 Srec (Nallaattu) Goddess Square All days Thaalappoli Privatetemple

Kurumba Bhagavathi eka-thala (5-30 to 8 a.m. on 15t Nallaattu family Bhagavathi Eighteenth and 6 to 7 pm.) Tuesday in Kuttippuram temple century Malar nivedyam Ku 'llb ham Kottaykkal

Three km. S of (7-30 a.m.) Pin - (,76 503

Kottaykkal Bus Sub-group E

Stand at Kuttippuram

103 Sree (Kottoor) Lord Square All nays Thaipooyam Secretary, Subramanya- Suhramanya dtoi-trza/a (S-30 to 7-30 Kshetra Samrak-swami temple Ancient temple a.m. and 5-30 shana Samilhi

Three km. Sf:<: of to 7 p.m. Srt'e Subramanya

Kottaykkal at Usrzapooja templE', Kottoor

Kottoor (6-30 a.m) lndianoor

Deepaaraad-Pin - 676503

hWlQ (6-30p.m.) Sub-group E

104 Sree Kotungalloor Goddess Rectangular 151 Tuesday in Thaalappoli Private temple, Bhagavatbi Kodungalloor eka-thala all months (7 to m Chaalil family, temple Bhagavathi 10 a.m.) K11mhharn Villoor, lndyanoor

Five km. E of Kot- Twentieth Niuedya-pooja Pm- 676503

taykkal at Vllloor century (9 a.m.) Sub-group £

552

Type of Ownership/ Nmne of Principal sreekouilof Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival/ Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Utr..savam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

105 Sree (Vellilaa- Goddess Rectangular All days No festivals Private temple, parambil) Bhagavathi eka-thala (6 to 8 a.m.) Vellilaaparambil Bhagavathi Twentieth No poojas family, Indyanoor temple century Pin - 676503

Five kIn. E of Sub-group E Ko_p:aykkal at Villoor

106 Sree (Indyanoor) Lord Siva Square All days Prathishtha- Manager, Maha Ganapathi (and Lord dwi-thala (6 to 10 a.m. day on East Kovilakam, temple Ganapathi and and 5-30 to Pooyam in Kottaykkal

Sixkm. SE of Lord Vishnu) 7 p.m.} [tavam Pin - 676503

Kottaykkal Bu s Seventeenth Usha-pooja Sub-group C-2 Stand at century (6-30 a.m.) (vide section 2, lndyanoor Uccha-pooja sl.no. 5.l3}

(9-30 a.m.) Aththaazha-pooja (6-45 p.m.)

11 PONMALA PANCHAAYATHTH - . 12 Po!]ma!a village

107 Sree (Keezhmuri) Lord Siva Square All days Sivaraathri Trust Chairman Siva temple Very ancIent eka-thala \6 to 8 a.m. and Prathishtha- under HR&CE

Four kIn. S of temple 6 to 7-30 p.m.) day in Sree Siva Temple,

Malappuram at Mommgpooja Meenam Ponmala

Ponmala on Tirur only (7 a.m.) Pin - 676528

road and thence Malar-nil)edYl1m Sub-group C-6 1.5 km. SW (6-40 p.m.) (vide section 2,

s1. no. 5.14

108 Sree (Melmuri) Lord Siva Square All days Sivaraathri Secretary Siva temple Sixteenth eka-thala (6 to 8 a.m. and SI:ee MelmuI:l Siva

1.75 kill. SWof century 6 to 7-30 pm.) Temple Committee,

Ponmala Usha-pooja Ponmala

(7 a.m.) Pin - 676.528

Aththaazha- Sub-group E pooja (7-lSp.m.)

109 Sree (Poovil) Goddess Square Only on Annual fes- President Bhagavathi temple Durga Devi eka-thala Tuesdays and twal on Sree Poovil

12 km. S of Eighteenth Fridays Bharaniin Bhagavathi Temple

Malappuram of century (6 to 8-30 a.m.) Meenam Committee

Vattaparamb In. Morning-pooja Thottappaaya

via Chaappanan- (7-30 a.m.) Chengottoor

gaat and thence Pin - 676503

4.5 kIn. on Sub-group E Vattaparamb-Kottaparamb road

553

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovi! of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival I Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

110 Sree TIlalakkav No idol Only a thara No pooja No festival Only remnants of an Siva temple Ancient temple old temple exist

Near Poovil Sub-group E Bhagavathi temple

111 Sree Subramanya Lord Square All days Thaipooyam Private temple swaamy temple Subramanya eka-thala (7 to 8-30 a.m.) Sret" Subramanya-

Five km. S of Nineteenth Morning pooja swamy temple,

Vattaparamb century (7-30 a.m.) Kottappuram,

junction Chengottoor Pin - 676 503

Sub-group E

112 Sree (Mannazhi) Lord Siva Circular All days No festival Secretary, Siva temple Eleventh eka-thala (7 to 9 a.m. and Kshetra Samrak-

Two km. S of century 6 to 8 p.m.) shana Samithi

Vattaparamb at Usha-pooja No.752/82

Mannazhi (7 a.m.) Chengottoor

Aththaazha- Pin- 676503

pooja Sub-group D-l (7-30 p.m.) (uattezhuthth in-

scriptions on adhi-shthaana and on a stone of temple tank)

113 Sree (Chengottoor) Lord Siva Square Only on No festival Secretary Siva temple Eleventh eka-thala Saturdays Kshetra

Half a km. S of century (6 t08 a.m.) Samrakshana

Mannazhi Siva Morning-pooja Samithi,

temple (7-30 a.m.) Chengottoor Pin - 676503

Sub-group E

12 MAARAAKKARAPANCHAAYATHTH

13 Maa!aakkara village

114 Sree (Etakku tal Lord Siva Square All days No festival Exe.Officer Siva temple Ancient temple dwi-thala (9 to 1O-30a.m.) HR&CE

Two km. SE of Niuedya-pooja Sree Etakkuta

Rantathaani In. of (lOa.m.) Siva temple

NH-17 on Rantaththaani

Chelakkuththu (via) Kottakkal

road Pin - 676 SlO

Sub-group E

115 Sree Durga- Goddess Square All days Prathishtha President Bhagavathi temple Durga Devi eka-thala (6 to 8 a.m.) day on Sree Durga Devi

One km. SE at Ancient temple Usha-pooja Kaarlhika in Temple Committee

Paatath on (7 a.m.) Metam Rantaththaani

CheIakkuththu (via) Kottakkal

road Pin-676SlO

Sub-group E

554

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekouil of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival! .Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

116 Sree Bhagavathi Goddess Square Once in a Annual Private temple

temple Bhagavathi eka-thala month festival in Kallarmangalathth

500 m E of Nineteenth (7-30 to 8 a.m.) Kumbham family

Chelakkuththu century Nivedyapooja Kallarmangalam

road (Sa.m.) (via) Kaataambuzha Pin - 676553

Sub-group E

117 Sree (Kallarman- Lord Circular No pooja No festivals Private temple galam) Vishnu Maha Vishnu eka-thala Panthal mam family

temple Fourteenth Kallaarmangalam

500 m E of century (vial Kaataambuzha

Chelakkuththu Pin - 676553

road Sub-group E

118 Sree (Maruthil) Lord Siva Square All days Sivaraathri Trustee Board

Siva temple Eleventh eka-thala (5 to 7 a.m. and Chairman

One kIn. NE of century 7-30 to 9 p.m.) HR&CE

Chelakkuththu at Nivedyapooja Sree Maruthil Siva

Maruthinchira. (7a.m·1 temple

Nivedyapooja Maaraakkara

(8-30 p.m.) Pin - 676518

Sub-group D-2

119 Sree (Maruthil) Lord Maha Square All days Ashtami Trustee Board

Vishnu temple Vishnu dwi-thala (5 to 7 a.m. and rohini Chairman

One km. NE of Ancient 7-30 to 9 p.m.) HR&CE

Chelakkuththu at temple Nivedyapooja Maruthil Vishnu

Maru thinchira. (6-30 a.m.) temple

Nivedyapooja Maaraakkara

(8 p.m.) Pin - 676518

Sub-group D-2

120 Sree (Moork- Lord Siva Square All days Sivaraathri Private temple kanaat) Siva Sixteenth eka-thala (7 to 9 a.m.) Panthalmana temple century Nivedya-pooja Maaraakkara

At Ambalapati In (8 a.m.) Pin - 676 518

on Kaatampuzha- Sub-group E

Rantathaani road

121 Sree (Maatam- Lord Siva Square First Saturday No festival Private temple biarkaav) Siva Sixteenth eka-thala of all month Thekkamcheri

temple century (6 to 8 a.m.) family

At chettarakunnu Nivedya-pooja Kallarmangalam

via Kaatambuzha- (7 a.m.} Pin - 676553

Ammacchal- Sub-group E Palliyal road

555

Type of Ownershipj Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal worship; Festivalj Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

122 Sree (Thirunelloor) Lord Maha Square All days No festival Privte temple Mahaavishnu Vishnu eka-thala (6-30 to 7-30 Thekkancherifrunily temple Sixteenth a.m. and 6 to Kallarmangalam

At chettarakunnu century 7 p.m.) Pin - 676553

via Kaatambuzha- Uccha-pooja Sub-group D-2 Ammacchal- (7-30 a.m.l Palliyal road Aththaazha-

pooja (7 p.m.)

123 Sree (Earkkara) Goddess Square All days No festival Private temple Durga Parallles- Durga eka-thala (5-30 to 6-30 Patinjattukara wari temple Parameswari p.m.) mana

Near Vattapara- Nineteenth Nivedya-pooja Maaraakkara

mbil In. on century (6-30 p.m.) Pin - 676518

Kaataambuzha - Sub-group E Kottakkal road

14 Melmuri village

124 Sree (Brah- Lord Circular All days No festival Private temple machaari) Vflamana- eka-thala (8 to 9 a.m.) Vatakkaththmana Vaamanamoorthy moorththy Nivedya-pooja Kaataalllbuzha temple Sixteenth (8-30 a.m.) Pin -676553

One and half km. century Sub-group E N of Kaatambuzha at Mukkile-peetika

125 Sree (Chaaliyak- Lord Square All days No festival Private temple kutam) Mahav- Maha Vishnu eka-thala (8 to 9 am and Vatakkaththmana ishnu temple Sixteenth 6 to 7 p.m.) Kaataambuzha

One and half kID. century Nivedya-pooja Pin - 676553

N of Kaatarnbuzha (9 a.m.) Sub-group E at Mukkile-peetika Nivedya-pooja

(7 p.m.}

126 Sree (Maankolan- Lord Vishnu Circular All days No festival Private temple gara) Vishnu Sixteenth eka-thala (7 to 9 a.m. and Owned by Arunni-temple century 6 to 6-30 p.m.) kkaattumana

One kIn. N of Usha-pooja Chaangiliyot mana

Kaatambuzha on (9a,m.) Punnappuraththu

Mukkilapeetika Nivedyam mana

road (6-30 p.m.) Kaataambuzha Pin - 675553

Sub-group E

127 Sree rCherunellik- Goddess Upsidal No poojas No festivals Private temple kaat) Bhagavathi Durga eka-thala Sree Cherunellik-temple Bhagavathi kaat family

750 m. N of Ka- Ancient temple Kaataambuzha

atambuzha at Pin - 676553

Munambhathth Sub-group E

556

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekouilof Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal worship; Festlval/ Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

128 Sree (Kaataam- Goddess Rectangular All days Kaarthika in Exe. Officer buzha) Bhagavathi Paarvathi eka-thala (5 to 1 noon and Vrschikam HR&CE temple Ancient temple 3-30 to 7 p.m.) Sree Bhagavathi

Five km. SE of Usha-pooja temple

Vellichira (9 a.m.) Kaataambuzha

(on NH-17) at Uccha-pooja Pin - 676553

Kaataambuzha (1 a.m.) Sub-group A-3 {19 krn. from Aththaazha- (vide section 2, Thiroor railway pooja (7 p.m.) sl. no. 5.15) station)

129 Sree (Vennaan- Lord Siva Square Once in a Sivaraathri Secretary gara) Siva temple Eighteenth eka-thala month Sree Vennaangara

Three km. NE of century (8 a.m. to Siva temple

Kaataambuzha at 12 noon) Committee

Karayakkaat Nivedya-pooja Karekkat

bridge. [9 a.m.) Pin - 676553

Sub-group - E

13 ETAYOO.R PANCHAAYATHTH

15 Etayoo! village

130 Sree (Rshipu- Lord Siva Circular All days No festival President ththoor) Siva Ancient temple eka-thala (6-30 to Kshethra temple 8-30 a.m. only) Samrakshna

Six km. NE of Moming pOOja Sarnithi

Valaancheri at (7 a.m.) Etayoor North

Cheemichot on Pin - 676552

Paang road and Sub-group C-l thence half (vide section 2, akm.N s1. no. 5.16)

131 Sree (Pookkaatti- Lord Maha Circular All days Prathishtha Manager yoor) Maha Vishnu dwi-thala (6 to 10 a.m. day on HR&CE Vishnu temple Eleventh and 5-30 to Makayiram Sree Pookkattiyoor

Four km. NE of century Sp.rn) in Metam Vishnu temple

Valaancheri at Usha-paoJa Etayoor

Pookkaatiri In. (7-15 a.m.) Pin - 676552

and thence one Uccha-pooja Sub-group C-2 kIn S at IIlathth- (9-45 a.m.) (vide section 2, pati stop on Aththaazha- sl. no. 5.17) Valiyakunnu road pooja

(7-45 p.m.)

132 Sree (Pookkaatti- Lord Siva Square All days Thaa/appali Manager yo or) Mahaadeva Twelfth dWl-thala (6 to 10 am and ma hot h...<;(lV HR&CE temple century 5-30 to 8 p.m.) for 13 days Sree Pookkaattiyoor

Four km. NE of Usha-pooja from 1st Mahaadeva temple

Valaancheri at (7 a.m.) Tuesday in Etayoor

Pookkaatiri In. Uccha-pooja Maka,nm Pin - 676552

and thence one (9-30 a.m.) Sub-group C-l kIn Sat Illathth- Aththaazha- (vide section 2, pati stop on pooja s1. no. 5.18) Valiyal<unnu road (7-30 p.m.)

557

Type of Ownershipj Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

Sl. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival/ Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

133 Sree (Paalachhot) Goddess Square All days Vishu President Bhagavathi temple Bhadrakaali eka-thala (6 to 7 -30 a.m.) Sree Paalachhot

One km. S of Sixteenth Moming pooja Bhagavathi Temple

Pookkaatiri century (7-15 a.m., Committee Pookkaattiri Etayoor Pin - 676 552

Sub-group E

134 Sree Mahaadeva Lord Siva Square Nopoojas No festivals Private temple temple Eighteenth eka-thala Mooththamala mam

One and half km century Pookkaattiri

SE of Pookkaattiri Etayoor

In. Pin-676552

Sub-group E

135 Sree (Rshiputht- Lord Circular All days (6 to Etayoor President hoar) Vishnu Maha Vishnu eka-thala 8 a.m. and 5-30 Pooram for Sree Rshipuththoor temple Eleventh to 7-30 p.m.) 1 day on Vishnu temple

One km SE of century Usha-pooja last Sunday committee

Pookkattiri In. (7 a.m.) in Etayoor North

Aththaazha- Kumbham Pin - 676552

pooja Sub-group D-2 (7 p.m.)

136 Sree Subra- Lord Circular Only nivedya No festivals Trustee under manyaswaaJI1Y SubraJI1 any a eka-thala (Moming and HR&CE temple Sixteenth evening) Sree Subramanyas-

6.5km NE of century No specific time waamy temple

Valaancheri at Etayoor North

Cheenichot on Pin - 676552

Perinthalmanna Sub-group E road

137 Sree (Mathiyathth) Idol destroyed Circular No pooja at No festival Private temple temple Ancient temple eka-thala present at present (The temple having

One and half krn all prakaaras was

SE of Pookkaattiri completely

at Mathiyathth- destoryed by the

kunnu on forces of Tippu

Valiyakunnu road except the sreekovil. The remnants can be seen in the site)

Sub-group E

138 Sree (Paappinis- Goddess Rectangular Nivedyam No festivals Trustee under serikkaav) Bhad- Bhadrakaali No roof (Momingand HR&CE rakaali temple Sixteenth Evening) Sree Pappinisseri-

One km. N of Post century No specific time kkaav

office In. on Maavantiyoor

Maavantiyoor road Etayoor North Pin - 676552

Sub-group E

558

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovilof Time of Management;

Sl. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival I Sub-group;

no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

139 Sree (Thintalam) Lo,d Siva Circular All days Mahaa Trustee under

Siva temple Fourteenth dwi-thala (6-30 to Sivaraathri HR&CE

Four and half km. ceJ'ltury 7-30 a.m.) Sree Thintalam

N ofValaancheri Moming pooja Siva Temple

at Valaarththpati (7 a.m.) Etayoor

In. on Kaarekkaat Pin - 676552

road Sub-group D-2

140 Sree (Neythalap- Lo,d Ayyappa Square All days No festival President

purathth) Ayyappa SiXteenth em-thala (8 to 9 a.m.) During Sree N eythalappu-

temple century Moming pooja Mandalam rathth Ayyappa

Ten km. N of (7-30 a.m.) two poojas temple Committee

Valaancheri at (Moming Vatakkumbram

Chaaththankaav and eve" (via) Thintalam

Paara In. and ning) Pin- 676552

thence 500 m. W Sub-group E

141 Sree Yaksheswara Lord Siva Square All days No festival Private temple

temple Eleventh eka-thala (7 to 8-30 a.m.) Thozhuvaanoor

Eleven km. N of century Morning paoja Mana

Vaalunti at (Sa.m.) Vatakkurnbram

Nambooripati In. Pin - 676 552

Sub-group - E

142 Sree (Kurissiyil) Goddess Square No poojas No festivals Private temple

Bhagavathi temple Durga eka-thala Kottakkal

Eleven km. N of Bhagavathi Puzhiththarakkal

Vaalunti at Seventeenth Karekkaatt

Nambooripati In. century Vatakkumbram

and thence 200 m. Pin - 676552

Sub-group - E

14 IRIMBILIYAM PANCHAAYATHTH . 16 Irimbiliyam village

143 Sree (Vantalloor) Lord Circular All days No festival President

Mahavishnu Maha Vishnu eka-thala (6-30 to Sree Vantalloor

temple Sbcteenth 7-30 a.m. and Mahaa Vishnu

One and half km. century 6 to 7 p.m.) temple committee

E of Va alan cheri Usha-pooja lrimbiliyam

at Aalanchot on (7 a.m.) Pin - 679572

Pattambi road and Aththaazha- Sub-group D-2

thence three km S pooja

on temple stop on (6-45 p.m.) Ventaloor road

559

Type of Ownership! Name of Principal sreekouilof Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival! Sub-group: no. location antiquity deity paojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

144 Sree (Param- Goddess Square All days Kalamez- President baththkaav) Bhadrakaali no roof (8 a.m. to huththu Sree Parambathth-Bhagavathi temple Fifteenth 12 noon) paattu on kaav Bhagavathi

One and halfkm. century Moming pooja 1st Tuesday temple committee

E of Vaalancheri (9-30 a.m.) in Meenam Vantalloor

at Aalanchot on lrimbiliyam

Pattambi road and Pin-679572

thence three kIn S Sub-group E on temple stop on Vent«loor road and t.':Jree and half km. S

145 Sree (Natuvap- Lord Siva Square All days No festival President petti) Siva temple Sixteenth eka-thala (6 to 7 a.m. and Sree Natuvappetti

One and half km. century 6 to 7 p.m.) Siva temle

E of Vaalancheri Usha-pooja Committee

at Aalanchot on (6-45 a.m.) VantaIIoor

Pattambi road and Aththaazha- lrimbiliyam

thence three km S paojo Pin - 679572

OIl temple stop on (6-45 p.m.) Sub-group - E Ventaloor road and three and half kIn. S and thence one kIn W

146 Sree (Thiru- Goddess Rectangular All days (6 to No festival Secretary maanaamkunnu) Durga eka-thala 7 a.m, and 5-30 Sree Thiru-Bhagavathi temple Bhagavathi to 7-30 pm.) maanamkunnu

Four km. S of Eighteenth Us ha-p 0 oja. Bhagavathi temple

Valiyakunnu (on century (7 a.m.) Committee

Pattambi road) at AththaazrlQ- lrimbihyam

Mankeri In. on pooja Pin - 679572

ltimbiliyam road (Ya.m.) Sub-group E

147 Sree (Mukeri Goddess Square Once in a No festival President Arackall Rudra Rudra eka·thala month Sree Rudra Mahaakaali Mahaakaali (6-30 to Mahaakaali temple temple Sixteenth 7-30 a.m.) Committee

Four km. S of century Morning pooja Irimbihyam

Valiyakunnu (on (7 a.m.) Pin - 679572

Pattambi road) at Sub-group E Mankeri In. on ltimbiliyam road

148 Sree (Kanak- Goddess Bhad- Rectangular All days Poorama- President karakkaav) Bha- rakaali eka-thala (6-30 to 9-30 hothsav for Sree Kanakkarak-gavathi temple Sixteenth a,m. and 5-30 one day on kaav Bhagavathi

Three km. S of century to 6 p.m.) 1st Tuesday temple committee,

Valiyakunnu at Usha-pooja or Friday lrimbiliyam

Shoppunipati (7-30 a.m,) after Vishu Pin - 679 572

Aththaazha- Sub-group E pooja (6 p.m.)

560

Type of Ownership / Name of Principal sreekauil of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival) Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

149 Sree (Thekkuthth) Lord Siva Circular All days (7 -30 to Sivaraalhri Secretary Mahaadeva temple Very ancient eka-thala 8-30 a.m. and Sree Siva temple

Four km S of temple 6 to 7-30 p.m.) renovation

Valiyakunnu at Usha-pooja committee

Paalam stop and (Ba.m.) lrimbiliyam

thence 500 m E. Aththaazha- Pin - 679572

paoja Sub-group C-1 (7 p.m.) (vide section 2,

s1. no. 5.19)

150 Sree Ayyappa Lord Ayyappa Rectangular All days 'Vilakku' President temple Seventeenth eka-thala (7 -30 to 9 a.m. during man- Sree Ayyappa

One km. S of century and 5-30 to dalam Temple Committee

Valiyakunnu on 6 p.m.) Valiyakunnu

lribiliyam road Usha-pooja Pin - 676552

(8 a.m.) Sub-group E Aththaazha-pooja (6 p.m.)

151 Sri (Vaaryathth Lord Siva Square All days No festival Secretary Vaileesseeri) Siva Sixteenth eka-thala (7-30 to Sree Vaaryathth temple century 8-30 a.m.) Vaileesseeri Siva

Two km. S of Moming-pooja temple committee

Valiyakunnu at (8 a.m.) Irim biliyam

Vaariyathpati stop Pin - 679572

Sub-group E

152 Sree (V aliya- Lord Circular All days Prathishtha Trustee under kunnu) Narasim- Narasimha- dwi-thala (6-30 to 8 a.m. day on HR&CE, hamoorthy temple moorthy and 6 to Chiththira in Sree Valiyakunnu

One kID. S of Fourteenth 7 p.m.) Meenam N arasimhamoorthy

Irimbiliyam and century Usha-paoja temple

behind (7-30 a.m.) Irimbiliyam

panchaayathth Aththaazha- Pin - 679 572

office pooja Sub-group D-2 (6-45 p.m.) (A renowned temple

now in ruins)

153 Sree (Valiya- Lord Guru- Circular All days Vishu Private temple kunnu) Guru- vaayoorappan eka-thala (8-30 to VeUaappalli family vaayoorappan Twentieth 9-30 a.m.) Kottappuram temple century Morning pooja Valiyakunnu

Two km. E of (9 a.m.) Pin - 676552

Valaancheri at Sub-group E Kottapuram In. and then 200 m. N

154 Sree (Kottayil) Siva Lord Siva Rectangular All days Mandalam Ooraanma temple Sixteenth eka-thala (7 to 9 a.m.) 41 days Sree Kottayil Siva

Two km. N of century Moming pooja Temple

Kottapuram In. (8-30 a.m.) Valiyakunnu

and thence one Pin - 676552

km. E Sub-group E

561 3655 RGI/03-37A

Type of Ownership! Name of Principal sreekouil of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival! Sub-group;

no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

155 Sree (Purakkata) Lord Square All days No festival President Vishnu temple Narasimha- eka-thala (7 to 8 a.m.) Sree Purakkata

Three kIn. N of moorththy Moming-pooja Vishnu temple

valiyakunnu at Sixteenth (7-30 a.m.) committee Valiyakunnu

Ambaal road junc- century Pin - 676552 tion on Pookkaat-tiri road Sub-group E

156 Sree (Patinnaak- Lord Siva Square All days No festival Secretary kara) Siva temple Fifteenth eka-thala (7 to 8 a.m.) Sree Patinnaakkara

Three kIn. N of century Moming pooja Siva temple

valiyakunnu at (7 a.m.) committee

Arnbaal wad Valiyakunnu

junction on Pin - 676552

Pookkaattiri road Sub-group E

157 Sree Ayyappa Lord Ayyappa Square No poojas now No festival President temple Nineteenth eka-thala Sree Ayyppa Temple

500 m. N of century Committee

Valiyakunnu Valiyakunnu

junction Pin - 676552

Sub-group E

158 Sree (Valiya- Lord Siva Square All days No festival President kunnu) Thripu- (Thripuraan- eka-thala (8 to 9 a.m. Sree Thripuraan-raanthaka temple thakan) only) thaka Temple

500 m. N of Seventeenth Moming pooja Committee

Valiyakunnu century (8-30 a.m.) Valiyakunnu

junction Pin - 676552

Sub-group E

-159 Sree (Kotumutik- Goddes Square All days Thaalappoli Secretary

kaav) Bhagavathi Bhadrakaali eku-thala (6 to 10 a.m. on 1st Sree Kotumutikkaav temple Eighteenth and 6-30 to Tuesdayin Bhagavathi Temple

Half a kIn. E of century 7-00 p.m.) Kumbham Committee

Valiyakunnu at Usha-pooja Valiyakunnu

Kotumuti and (8-30 a.m.) Pin - 676552

500 ro. N Aththa=ha- Sub-group E pooja (6-30 p.m.)

160 Sree Vishnu Lord Square All days No festival Private temple temple Santhaana- dwi-thala (8 to 8-30 a.m.) Kakkaattuman a

Half a krn. E of gopaalan Morning-poo}a Valiyakunnu

Valiyakunnu at Sixteenth (8-15 a.m.) Pin - 676552

Kotumuti and century Sub-group E 400 m. N

161 Sree (Thekkaatt) Goddess Square All days No festival Secretary Bhagavathi temple Durga eka-thala (7-30 a.m.) Sree Kotumutikkaav

Half a krn. E of Sixteenth Morning pooja Bhagavathl Temple

Valiyakunnu at century (7-30 a.m.) Committee

KotUlIlUti and Valiyakunnu

60 m. N Pin - 676552

Sub-group E

562

3655 RGI/03-378

Type of Ownership! Name of Principal sreekouilof Time of Management;

Sl. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival! Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

15VA~AANCHERIPANCHAAYATHTH

17 Kaattipparuththi village

162 Sree (Manchara) Lord Siva Circular All days No festival President Siva temple Sixteenth eka-thala (6 to 9 a.m.) Sree Manchara Siva

One km. NE of century Moming pooja temple committee

Valaancheri at (8 a.m.) Kulamangalam

KuIamangalam Valaancheri

and thence Pin ~ 676552

one km. E Sub-group C-l (vide section 2, s1. no. 5.20)

163 Sree Maha Vishnu Lord Vishnu Thara No poojas No festival Sree Palli temple Ancient temple

Devaswam (Moopil

Fourkm NE of Nair family)

Valaancheri at Kumuttikulam

Kumithikulam on Valaanchery

Perinthalmanna Pin ~ 676552

road Sub-group E (A ruined temple, now in litigation)

164 Sree Durgaa Goddess Square All days Kaarthika in Chairman temple Durga eka-thala (6-30 to 9-30 Vrschikam Sree Durgadevi

Near Karuna Seventeenth a.m. and 6 to Trust

Hospital In on century 7 p.m.) Valaancheri

Pattambi road and Usha-pooja Pin ~ 676552

500 m. S. (Sa.m.) Sub-group E Aththaazha-paoja (6-45 p.m.)

165 Sree (Kattattiyoor) Lord Maha Square All days No festival Ooraanma, Mahaa Siva tem- Deva dwi-thala (6-30 to 8 a.m.) Sree Kattattiyoor pIe Fourteenth Morning pooja Mahaa Siva temple

Halfkm. S of century (7-30 a.m.} Valaancheri

Valaancheri at Pin -676552

Moochikkal In. on Sub-group E Ku ttipuram road and thence one km. W on Kaattip-paruththi road

166 Sre (Thozhu- Goddess Circular All days No festival Managing Trustee vaanoor) Bhaga- Durga eka-thala (6-30 to 9-30 Under HR&CE vathi temple Bhagavathi a.m. and 5-30 Sree Thozhuvaanoor

Two km. NWof Very ancient to 7-30 p.m.) Bhagavathi temple

Valaancheri at temple Usha-pooja Thozhuvaanoor

Kaavumpuram on (7 a.m.) Pin ~ 676552

Thiroor road Uccha-pooja Sub-group C-I (9-15 a.m.) (vide section 2; Aththa=ha- sl. no. 5.21) poofa (7-30 p.m.)

563

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovilof Time of Management;

Sl. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival/ Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

167 Sree (Paccheeri) Lord Square All days ThaaZappoli President Mahaa Vishnu Maha Vishnu eka-thala (5-30 to 7 a.m. in Kumb- Sree Paaccheeri temple Sixteenth and 5 to 7 p.m.) ham Mahavishnu Temple

One km N of century Usha-pooja Committee

Valaancheri at (6-45 a.m.) Vaikkaththoor

Vaikaththoor on Aththaazha- Valaanchery

PerinthalInanna pooja Pin - 676552

road and thence (6-45 p.m.) Sub-group E

one krn Won Panchaayathth road

168 Sree (Vaikkatht- Lord Siva Circular All days Sivaraathri Secretary hoor) Mahaadeva Very ancient dwi-thala (6 to 10 a.m. Sree Mahaadeva temple temple and 5-30 to Kshetra Samrak-

On km. N. of 7-30 p.m.) shana Samithi

Valaancheri at Usha-pooja Vaikkaththoor

Vaikaththoor (7 a.m.) Valaartchery

Uccha-pooja Pin - 676 552

(9-30 a.m.) Sub-group C-2 Aththaazha- (vide section 2; pooja sl.no. 5.22) (7 p.m.)

169 Sree (Thrkkovi1) Lord Vishnu Square All days No festival Secretary Vishnu temple Fourteenth dwi-thala (6-30 to 8 a.m.) Sree Thrkkovil

Twolan. NW of century Morning pooja Vishnu temple

Valaancheri at (7-30 a.m.) committee

Kaavumbram on Kaavumpuram

Thiroor road and Thozhuvaanoor

thence half km SW Pin - 676552

Sub-group E

170 Sree (Vallikkaav) Lord Siva Square All days No festival Oorawma Siva temple Sixteenth eka-thala (7 to 8 a.m.) Sree Vallikkav Siva

Onekm. Wof century Usha.-pooja temple

Kaavumbram (7-30 a.m.) Kaavuropuram Thozhuvaannoor Pin - 676552

Sub-group E

171 Sree (Vallikkaav) Lord Maha Square All days No festival Ooraartma Maha Vishnu Vishnu eka-thala (7 to 8 a.m.) Sree Vallikkaav temple Sixteenth Usha-pooja Maha Vishnu

Onekm. Wof century (7-15 a.m.) temple

Kaavumbram Kaavu:rnpuram Thozhuvaanoor Pin - 676552

Sub-group E

564

S1. no.

Name of temple; location

2

Principal deity;

antiquity

3

Type of sreekovil of principal

deity

4

Time of worship;

poojas

5

Festival/ Uthsavam

6

16 KUTTIPPURAM PANCHAAYATHTH ... - -18 Kunippuram village

172 Sree Vettakkoru­makan kaav

One kIn. Nof Kuttippuram on Thiroor road

173 Sree (Nottanaa­lukkal) Bhaga­vathi temple

One kIn. Sof Kuttippuram

174 Sree (Kambaala) Siva temple

Near Kuttippuram Bus stand

Lord Vettak­korumakan

Eighteenth century

Goddess Bhagavathi

Sixteenth century

Lord Siva

Ancient temple

175 Sree (Aalukkal) Goddess Bhagavathi temple sBhgavathi

Two and half km Thirteenth NE of Kuttippu­ram at Kolakkaat and thence one km. N.

176 Sree (Kitaappil) Siva temple

Four km. NE of Kuttippuram at Etacchaal

century

Lord Siva

Sixteenth century

Square eka-thala

Square eka-thala

Square eka-thala

Sreekovil under renovation

Square dwi-thala

All days No festival (8 to 8-30 a.m.)

Nivedya-pooja (8-30 a.m.)

All days Thaalappoli (6 to 10-30 a.m. on last and 5-30 to 7-30 p.m.)

Usha-pooja (7-30 a.m.) Uccha-pooja (10 a.m.) Aththaazha­pooja (7 p.m.)

All days (8-30 to 9 a.m. and 5-30 to

7-30 p.m.)

Moming pooja (8-30 a.m.) Evening pooja (7 p.m.)

Sunday in Kumbham

Sivaraathri

1 st and last day No festival of all

565

Malayaalam month (8 to 10 a.m.)

Malar nivedyam (9-30 a.m.)

All days (6-30 to 8-30 a.m.)

Nivedya-pooja (8 a.m.)

Sivaraathri

Ownership/ Management; Sub-group;

Remarks

7

Private temple Elassery Vaariam Kuttippuram Pin - 679571

Sub-group E

Secretary Sree Nottanaalukkal Bhagavathi temple committee Kuttippuram Pin - 679571

Sub-group C-2 (vide section 2, s1. no. 5.23)

Secretary Sree Kambaala Siva temple Committee Kuttippuram Pin - 679571

Sub-group E

Secretary Sree Aalukkal Bhagavathi Temple Committee Kulakkaat Kuttippuram Pin-679571

Sub-group E

Secretary Sree Kitaappil Siva temple Itappaalam Perassannoor Pin - 679 588

Sub-group E

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekollilof Time of Management;

81. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival! Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

177 Sre (Painkannoor) Lord Square All days Thaipooyam Trustee Board Subramanya- Subramanya dtvi-thala (6-30 to 8 a.m. Chairman swaamy temple Ancient temple and 6-30 to Under HR & CE

Five km NE of 8 p.m.) Sree Painkannoor

Kuttippuram at Usha-pooja Subramanya-

Paantlkasaala (7 a.m.) swaamy temple

Uccha-pooja Painkannoor

(7-45 a.m.) Pin - 679590

Aththaazha- Sub-group D-2 pooja (A ruined old and (7-30 p.m.) independent tem-

ple, details included under section 2, s1. no. 5.23))

178 Sree (Painkan- Lord Narasim- Square All days Ashtami Trustee board noor) Vishnu hamoorthy dwi-thala (7 to 8 a.m. and rohin.i Chairman

temple Ancient temple 6 to 8 p.m.) Under HR &CE

Five km NE of Usha-pooja Vishnu temple

Kuttippuram at (7-15 a.m.) Painkannoor

Paantikasaala Uccha-pooja Pin- 679590

(7-30 a.m.) Sub-group D-2 Aththaazha- (A renowned inde-pooja pendent temple now (7-15 p.m.) in ruins, details of

which included under section 2, 81. no. 5.23)

179 Sree (Painkan- Lord Siva Square All days Sivaraathri Trusteee Board noor) Siva temple Very ancient dwi-thala (6 to 8 a.m. and Chairman

Five krn NE of temple 5 to 8 p.m.) Under HR& CE

Kuttippuram at Usha-pooja Sree Siva temple

Paantikasaala and (7 a.m.) Painkannoor

thence 300 m. Uccha-pooja Pin - 679590

(8 a.m.) Sub-group C-2 Aththaazha- (vide section 2, pooja sl. no. 5.24) (7-40 p.m.)

180 Sree (Perassan- Goddess Square All days Kaurthika Secretary noor) Pishaarikkal Durga Devi dwi-thala (5-30 to 8-30 Vilakku. in Sree Durgaa temple Durga devi temple Ancient temple a.m. and 5-30 Vrschikam committee

13 km. NE of to 7 p.m.) Perassannoor

Perassanoor via Usha-pooja Pin- 679588

PHCjn. (6-30 a.ro.) Sub-group C-2 (on NH-17J Uccha-pooja (vide section 2,

(8 a.ro.) s1. no. 5.25) Aththaazha-pooja (7 p.m.)

566

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; prinClpal worship; Festival! Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity pooJas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 S 6 7

181 Sree (Arakkal) Goddess Bhad- Square Last Friday of No festivals Secretary Bhadrakaali rakaali eka-thala all Malayaalam Sree Arakkal temple Eleventh months Bhadrakaali Temple

13 km. NE at century (8 to 11 p.m.) Committee

Mukkila peetika Niuedyapooja Perassannoor

on Kuttippurrun - (10-30 p.m.) Pin- 679 588

Perssannoor road Sub-group E

182 Sree (Kaankun- Lord Ayyappa Square No poojas Mandalam Secretary nathth) Ayyap- Ancient temple No roof nowadays 41 days Kshethrasamrak -pankaav (Vana- (vilakku) shna Samithi

Eight km. SW of saastha) Sree Kaanku-

Val:aancheri at nnathth

Mukkilapeetika Ayyappankaav

and thence one Painkannoor

km S on Peras-Pin- 679590

sanDor road Sub-group E

19 Natuvattam village

183 Sree (Maaniyam- Goddess Square Once in a year Last Friday Secretary kaat) Bhagavathi Durga no roof in Meenam Sree Maaniyamkaat temple Seventeenth (Van a Bhagavathi temple

Nine km Waf century Durga) Committee

Kuttippuram at Natuvattam

Maaniyankaat on Pin - 679592

Thiroor road Sub-group E

184 Sree (Erumap- Goddess Square Once in a Thaalappoli Private temple paara) Bhagavathi Bhagavathi eka-thala (no month on Tues- on 2 nd Tues- Erumappaara family temple Seventeenth roof) day or Friday day in Natuvattam

Seven km. W of century (6 to 8 a.m.) Makaram Pin- 679592

Kuttippuram at Vellari-pooja Sub-group E

Ramgaattoor on (7-30 a.m.)

Thiroor road and thence 750 m. N.

185 Sree (Rangaattoor) Goddess Square All days No festival Private temple Durga Bhagavathi Durga Devi dwi-thala (6 to 8 a.m.) Karingamanna temple Ancient temple Nivedya-pooja

family

Five km. W of Kut- (7-30 a.m.) Raangaatoor

tippuram at Pin - 679592

Kirangattoor Tile Sub-group E Works In. (It is believed to be

one of the 108 Durga shrines but now in ruins)

186 Sree (Nambrathth) Lord Siva Square All days No festival Private temple Siva temple Eleventh eka-thala (6 to 8 a.m. and Sree Nambraththe

Five kIn. W of Kut- century 6 to 7 p.m.) Siva temple

tippuram at Ushapooja Natuvattam

Kirangattoor Tile (6-30 a.m.) Pin - 679 592

WorksJn. Uccha-poo;Q Sub-group C-l (7-30 a.m ) (vide section 2. Aththaazhu· sl. no. 5.26J pooja (7 p.m.)

567

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal worship; Festivalj Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsauam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

187 Sree Rudhirama- Lord Square All days 1) Sivaraa- Secretary haakaalan temple Rudhiramaha- eka-thala (7 to 8 a.m.) and thri Sree Rudhiram-

Eight km. W of akaalan (Siva) on Karkitakam 2) Ayyap- ahaakaalan temple

Kuttippuram at Eleventh and Mandalam panvilakku committee

Rangattoor In. century Evening also on last Sat- Natuvattam

and thence Nivedyapooja urday in Pin-679592

two kIn. N (Sa.m.) Vrschikam Sub-group E

188 Sree Vettakkoru- Lord Vettak- Square Mandalam41 No festival Private temple makan temple korumakan eka-thala days Mambaththethil

Eight km. W of Eighteenth Evening pooja family

Kuttippuram at century Daily no poojas Natuvattam

Rangattoor In. Pin - 679592

and thence two Sub-group E km.N

189 Sree (Param- Lord Siva Square All days Sivaraathri Secretary bathrkkovil) Siva. Ancient temple dwi-thala (7 to 8-30 a.m.) Sree Param-temple and on bathrkkovil temple

Fourkm. Wof Mondays committee

Kuttippuram at (5-30 to 7 p.m. Natuvattom

Chern bikkal and also Pin - 679592

thence four km. Usha-pooja Sub-group E NE via Naaga- (8 a.m.) pararnb

190 Sree (Kalaththil- Goddess Square 1st day of all Thaalappoli Secretary paramb} Bhaga- Bhagavathi eka-thala Malayaala on 3 rd Sree Kalaththil-vathi temple Twentieth month Friday in paramb Bhagavathi

Fourkm. Wof century (7 to 8 a.m.) Makaram Temple Committee

Kuttippuram at Morning-pooja Natuvattam

Chembikkal and (7 -30 a.m.) and Pin - 679592

thence four km. on Mandalam Sub-group E NE via Naaga- Evening also parrunb and thence two km. on Natuvattrun road

191 Sree (Krishnapu- Lord Krishna Square All days No festival Private temple ram) Krishnas- Fifteenth eka-thala (7 to 7-30 a.m.) Aazhvaancheri waami temple century Malamiuedyam mana

Four km. Waf (7-15 a.m.) Aathavanaat

Kuttippuram at Pin - 676310

Chern bikkal and Sub-group E three km. on Kat-tipparuththi road

192 Sree Kaithrkkovil Lord Siva Square All days No festival Secretary Siva temple Ancient temple dwi-thala (7 to 9 a.m.) Sree Kaithrkkavil

Four kIn. Waf Niuedya-pooja Siva temple

Kuttippuram at (8 a.m.) Committee

Chembikkal and Kolaththole

three and half kIn. Natuvattam

N Pin - 679 592

Sub-group C-2 (vide section 21 s1. no. 5.27)

568

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekouil of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival I Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

193 Sree (Paazhoor) Lord Vishnu Square All days Prathishtha Secretaty Vishnu temple Eleventh eka-thala (6-30 to 8 a.m.) day on Sree Paazhoor

Four km. Wof century Nivedya-pooja poojas in Vishnu temple

Kuttippuram at (7-30 a.m.) Metam committee

Chembikkal and Paazhoor

three and half km. Pin - 679571

N and thence one Sub-group E kro.N.

194 Sree Anthimahaa- Lord Anthima- Square On first, 10th , No festival Private temple kaalan temple haakaalan No roof 20th and 30th of Kolloti family

Three and half km (Siva) every month Chelloor

NW of Kuttipuram Sixteenth (Morning only) Paazhoor

via KSDC In. on century Nivedyapooja Pin-679571

Valaancheri road tIO a.m.) Sub-groupE

195 Sree Rudhirama- Lord Square All days Niramaala Private temple haakaalan temple Rudhiramaha- eka-thala (8 to 10 a.m. and chuttu- Karingamanna

Fourkm Wof akaalan (Siva) and 6 to 7 p.m.) vilakku on family

Kuttippuram at Nineteenth Nivedya-pooja Mandalam Raangaattoor

Chembikkal and century (9-30 a.m.) 41 days Natuvattom

thence one km. N Aththaazha- Pin - 679592

on Kaattiparuththi pooja (7 p.m.) Sub-group E road

196 Sree (Muththap- Lord Square All Tuesdays Thaalappoli Secretary pan kaav) Muththappan eka-thala and Fridays on 2 nd Tues- Sree Mutthap-

Fourkm Wof Eighteenth (5 to 7 p.m.) day in pankaav temple

Kuttippuram at century Painkutty-pooja Makaram committee

Chembikkal and (7 p.m.) Pakaranelloor

thence two kIn NE Paazhoor

on Kaattiparuththi Pin - 679571

road Sub-group E

197 Sree (Parakkun- Goddess Bhad- Square All days Last Secretary nathth) Devi rakaali eka-thala (7 to 10 a.m.) Thursday Sree Parakkun-temple Nineteenth Vellari Nivedyam and Friday nathth Devi temple

Fivekm NW of century (9 a.m.) in Malcaram Chelloor

Kuttippuram via Paazhoor

Chettanmootalil Pin -679 571

In.on Sub-group E Valaancheri road

198 Sree (Parakkun- Lord Square Daily no poojas 'Vela' on Private temple naththkaav) Muththappan eka-thala Aththrequioty of last Friday Parakkunnathth Muththappan Antiquity not the disciples in Makaram family temple specified CheLloor

Five and half km. Paazhoor

NW of Kuttippu- Pin -679571

ram via Chettan- Sub-group E mootalil In. on Valaancheri road

569

Type of Ownership! NaIIle of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival I Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojus Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

199 Sree (Chelloor) Lord Ardha- Square All days No festival Secretary Siva temple naareeswaran dwi-thala (6 to 9-30 a.m. Sree Chelloor Siva

Three km NW of Ancient temple and on Temple Committee

Kuttippuram in Mandalam paazhoor

KSDCJn on (evening also) Pin - 679571

Vallancheri road Nivedya-pooja Sub-group D-2 (9 a.m.)

200 Sree (Chelloor Goddess Square All days No festival Community temple, Aasaarikkaav) Bhagavathi eka-thala (Nopoojas) Vatakkepurakkal Bhagavathi temple Eighteenth family, Chelloor,

Fivekm W of century paazhoor

Kuttipuram at Pin - 679571

Chettanmootalil Sub-group E In. on Valaancheri road

17 AATHAVANAATPANCHAAYATHTH

20 Aathavan.aat village

201 Sree (Netungottiri) Lord Siva Square All days Sivaraathri Temple Protection Siva temple Sixteenth eka-thala (6 to 9 am. and Committee

Ten km. NEof century 5-30 to 7 p.m) Sree Netungottiri

Thirunaavaya at Usha-pooja Siva temple

Mattummal In. on (Ba.m.) Aathavanaat

Vettichiera road Aththaazha-(via Thirllnavaaya)

and thence half a pooja Pin - 676 310)

kID. S (6-30 p.m) Sub-group C-l (vide section 2, sl. no. 5.28)

202 Sree (Konnalloor) Lord Siva Square All days No festival Private temple Siva temple Nineteenth eka-thala (11 a.m. to Aazhvaancheri

Nine kIn. NE of century 12 noon) mana

Thirunaavaaya at Nivedyam Aathavanaat

Aazhuvancheri (12 noon) Pin - 676310

mana pati on Sub-group E Aathavanaat road

203 Sree Ayyappa tem- Lord Ayyappa Square All days No festival President ple Seventeenth eka-thala (6 to 7 a.m. and Sree Ayyappa tem-

Nine km. NE of century 5 to 5-30 p.m.) pIe Committee

Thirunaavaaya at Nivedya-pooja Aathavanaat

Aazhuvancheri (7 a.m.) Pin- 673 310

manapati on Nivedya-pooja Sub-group E Aathavanaatroad (5-30 p.m.)

204 Sree (Mazhoor) Lord Square All days Prathishtha President Vishnu temple Maha Vishnu eka-thala (7 to 8-30 a.m. day Thiru- Sree Mazhoor

Nine and a half Sixteenth and 5-30 to uonamin Vishnu temple

km NE of Thi- century 7-30 p.m.) Midhunam Committee

runaavaya at Usha-pooja Aathavanaat

Mazhoor bridge on (Sa.m.) Pin - 676310

Kanjippura road Deepaaraa- Sub-group E and thence half dhana kIn N. (6-30 p.m.)

570

Type of Ownership! Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

81. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival! Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

205 8ree (Thekkanoorj Lord Maha Square All days No festival Private temple Vishnu temple Vishnu eka-tha/a (9 to 10 a.m.) Patinjaarematham

Seven kIn. NE of Sixteenth Malar nivedyam Aathavanaat

Thirunavaaya at century (9-30 a.m.) Pin - 676 310

Kaavungal on Sub-group E Aathavanaatroad and thence one kID. SE.

206 Sree (Vatakkan- Lord Siva Circular Once in a No festival Private temple noor) Siva temple Seventeenth eka-thala month (no Pulpatta

Seven kIn. NE of century special time) Varriam

Thirunavaaya. at Aathavanaat

Kaavungal on Pin - 676310

Aathavanaat road Sub-group E and thence on kID. SE and th~nce one km. N.

207 Sree Muththassi- Goddess Bhad- Square Tuesday in 1st Tuesday Private temple yaar kaav rakaali eka-thala Makaram in Makaram Kunnanaathth

Seven kIn. NE of Sixteenth (8 to 10 a.m.) family

Thirunavaaya at century Aathavanaat

Kaavungal on Pin - 676310

Aathavanaat road Sub-group E and thence on lan. SE and thence 250 m. sw

21 Ku!umbaththoo! village

208 Sree (Cheloor) Siva Lord Siva Square All days (5 to 7 No festival Private temple temple Eighteenth eka-thala a.m. and 5-30 Aaloor Valliyalil

One and half km century to 7 p.m.) family

SW of Vettichira at Nivedya-pooja Punnaththala

Karuvaamkuthth (7 a.m.) Pin-676522

and thence half Nivedya-pooja Sub-group E km.N (6-30 p.m.)

209 Sree (Chandanak- Goddess Square All days (5-30 to Annual Executive Officer, kaavil) Bhagavathi Bhagavathi eka-thala 10 a.m.and 5 festival on HR&CE, Sree Chan-temple Fourteenth t07 p,m,) Uthramin danakkaavil Bhaga-

Four kIn, N of century Usha-pooja Meenam vathi temple

Thirunavaaya at (7a,m.) Kurumbaththoor

Chandanakaav Uccha-pooja Pin - 676 301

In. on Puthanan- (9-30 a.m.) Sub-group C-2 gaati road and Aththaazha- (vide section 2 thence 200 m, SE pooja (7 p.m.) s1. no. 5.29) via Melppaththoor road.

210 Sree (Chandanak- Lord Maha Square All days (5-30 to No festival Executive Officer, kaavil) Maha Ga- Ganapathi eka-thala 8 a.m.) HR&CE, Chan-napathi temple Sixteenth Nivedya-pooja danakkaavil Maha

Four km. N of century (7-30 a,m.) Ganapathi Temple,

Thirunavaaya at Kurumbaththoor

Chandanakaav Pin - 676 301

In. on Puthanan- Sub-group D-2 gaa,ti road and Sub-group D-2 thence 200 m. SE (Details included in via Melppaththoor section 2 of road. s1. no. 5.29)

571

Type of Ownership! Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

SI. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival! Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

211 Sree (Chandanak- Lord Maha Circular All days No festival Executive Officer,

kaavil) Maha Vishnu dwi-thala (5-30 to 8 a.m.) HR&CE

Vishnu temple Sixteenth Usha-pooja Sree Chandana-

Fourkm. N of century (8 a.m.) kkaavil Maha

Thirunavaaya at Vishnu Temple

Chandanakaav Kurumbaththoor

In. on Puthanan-Pin - 676301

gaati road and Sub-group D-2

thence 200 m. SE (Details included in

via Melppaththool' section 2 of

road. s1. no. 5.29)

212 Sree (Bhaanupu- Lord Maha Square Nopooja No festival Private temple

ram) Vishnu Vishnu eka-thala Paakkaththumana

temple Sixteenth Kurum baththoor

Three lan. S of century Pin - 676301

Pu thanangaati on Sub-group E Kurumbaththoor road

213 Sree (Etasserik- Goddess Shad- Square All days Annual Manager

kaav) Bhagavathi rakaali eka-1hala (6 to 8 a.m. and festival in Etasserikkaav temple Eighteenth 6-30 to 7 p.m.) the last Kurumbaththoor

Five km SE of century Nivedya-pooja Friday in Pin - 676301

Pu thanangaati on (7.30 a.m.) Kumbham Sub-group E Kurumbaththoor road

214 Sree (Kootasseri) Goddess Square All days No festival Private temple Durgaa temple Durga Devi dwi-thala (6 to 8 a.m.) Pulpattavaariam

Four and half km. Sixteenth Nwedya-pooja Kurumbaththoor

SE of Puthanan- century (8 a.m.) Pin - 676301

gaati and near Sub-group E Kurumbaththoor village office

215 Sree (Vatasseri) Lord Maha Square No poojas No festival Private temple Vishnu temple Vishnu dwi-thala Paakkaththumana

Three km. S of Sixteenth Kurumbaththoor

Puthanangaati on century Pin - 676301

Kurum baththoor Sub-group E road

216 Sree (Aarikkunnu) Lord Siva Square No poojas No festival Private temple Siva temple Sixteenth eka-thala Paakkaththumana

One and half km E century Kurumbaththoor

of Chandanakaav Pin - 676301

In. on Puthanan- Sub-group E gaati -Thi-runaavaya road

572

Type of Ownership! Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

SL temple; deity; principal worship; Festival/ Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

18 THIRUNAAVAAYA PANCHAAYATHTH

22 A!J_anthaavoo! village

217 Sree (Paalakkaay) Goddess Square All days Annual fes- Private temple, Kotungalloor Kotungalloor eka-thala Nopoojas tival on 3rd PaaIakkaay family, Bhagavathi Bhagavathi Tuesday in Kalmanam Thek-mandapam Eighteenth Makaram kummuri

Six km. N of century Pin - 676 301

Thirunaavaya via Sub-group E Pattarnatakkav -Chandanakaav road

23 Thirunaavaaya village

218 Sree Ayyappa Lord Ayyappa Square All days (6-30 to No festival Secretary temple Nineteenth eka-thala 10 a.m. and Sree Ayyappa

500 m. NWof century 5 to 7-30 p.m.) Temple Committee,

Thirunaavaya on Usha-pooja Thirunaavaaya

Kuttipuram (8 a.m.) Pin -676 301

Thiroor road Aththaazha- Sub-group E pooja (7 p.m.)

219 Sree Navaa Lord Maha Square All days (5-30 to 'Vishu' Manager Mukunda temple Vishnu dwi-thala 11 a.m. and 5 festival on Sree Navaa Mu-

Close to Very ancient to 7-30 p.m.) Meenam kunda temple, Thi-

Thirunaavaya temple Usha-pooja Metam runaavaaya

junction on the (6 a.m.) Pin - 676301

bank of Prabhaatha- Sub-group A-I Bhaarathapuzha pooja (6-30a.m.) (vide section 2

Pantheerati s1. no. 5.30) (8-30 a.m.) Uccha-pooja (10-30 a.m.) Aththaazha-pooja (7 p.m.)

220 Sree (Vengaaloor Goddess Rectangular All days (No 1st Monday Community temple, paramb) Bhaga- Bhagavathi eka-thala poojas) in Makaram Vengaayiparamb vathi temple Nineteenth

family

One and half km century Kotakkal

NW ofThi-Pin - 676 301

runaavaaya at Sub-group E Ajithapati on Thiroor road and thence half kIn. N

221 Sree (Illapparam- Lord Square All days No festival Community Temple, bil) Subramanias- Subramanya eka-thala (No poojas) Illapparamb family waami temple Twentieth

Kaaraththoor,

One and half km century Kotakkal

NW of Thirunaa- Pin - 676301

vaaya at Ajithapati Sub-group E on Thiroor road and thence half km.N

573

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival/ Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsauam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

222 Sree (Vengaalik- Goddess Square Nopoojas 'Vela' on 1 st Private kaav, kaav) Bhagavathi Bhagavathi No roof Tuesday in Veluththaattumana,

temple Antiquity not Makaram Kotakkal

One and half km specified Pin - 676301

NW ofThi- Sub-group E

runaavaaya at Ajithapati on Thiroor road and thence half kID. N

223 Sree (Mankuzhik- Goddess Square All days Thaalappoli Private temple, kaav) Bhagavathi Bhagavathi eka-thala (7 to 9 a.m.) and Kalam- Mammiliyathth temple Seventeenth Nivedya-pooja paattu on family

One and half km. century (8 a.m.) last Friday Thirunaavaaya

N of Tbirunaavaya in Kumb- Pin - 676301

on Etakkulam ham Sub-group E

road

224 Sree (Velu- Goddess Square All days No festival Private temple ththanaat) Bhaga- Bhagavathi eka-thala (6-30 to 7 -30 Veluththanaatt-

vathi temple Sixteenth a.m. and 6 to mana, Kotakkal

Three kIn. NW of century 7 p.m.) Pin - 676 301

Thirunaavaaya at Usha-pooja Sub-group E Kaaraththoor on (7 a.m.) Thiroor road and Niuedya pooja thence one km. N. (7 p.m.)

225 Sree (Kaaratht- Goddess Bhad- Square All Tuesdays Annual fes- Private temple,

hoor) Bhadrakaali rakaali eka-thala and Fridays (6 tival on 2nd lllapparamb family, temple Eighteenth to 10 a.m. and Tuesday in Kotakkal

Three kIn. NW of century 5-30 to 6-30 Makaram Pin - 676301

Thirunaavaaya at p.m.) Sub-group E KaaraththooT on Nivedya-pooja

Thiroor road and (8 a.m.)

thence one kIn. N. Deepaaraad -hana (6-30p.m.)

226 Sree (Rudrappan) Lord Rudrap- Square Either morning No festival Executive Officer Siva temple pan (Siva) eka-thala or evening, under HR&CE,

Six km. NWof Ancient temple Narukkila Vairangotu Devas-

Thirunaavaaya via nivedyam warn

pattarnatakkaav - (8·30 a.m.) Vairangotu

Vairankot road Vellari nivedyam Pin - 676301

(6 p.m.) Sub-group E

227 Sree (Kollancheri) Lord Subra- Square All days No festival Executive Officer Subramanias- manya eka-thala (8 to 9 a.m,) under HR&CE waami temple Ancient temple Narukkila niue- Vairangotu

Sixkm. NW of dyam (8-30a.m.) Devaswam

Thirunaavaaya via Vairangot

pattarnatakkaav - Pin - 676301

Vairankot road Sub-group E

574

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

81. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival/ Sub-group; no. location antiquit) deity poojas Uthsauam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

228 Sree 01 airangot) Goddess Square All days (6 to Annual fes- Executive Officer

Bhagavathi temple Bhadrakaali eka-thala 10-30 a.m. and tival under HR&CE,

Six kIn. NW of Fourteenth 5-30 to 7 p.m.) 'Theeyaat- Vairangot

Thirunaavaaya via century Usha-pooja tam' on l"t Devaswam

pattarnatakkaav - (7 a.m.) Tuesday Vairangot

Vairankot road Uccha-pooja and Friday Pin - 676 301

(10 a.m.) in Kumb- Sub-group C-2

Aththaazha- ham (vide section 2,

pooja (6-45p.m.) sl. no. 5.31)

19 .

THRPRANGOTPANCHAAYATHTH . -24 Thrp!angot village

229 Sree (Vallyaarak- Goddess Square All days Annual Secretary

kal) Bhagavathi Bhagavathi eka-thala (5 to 7 a.m. and festival Sree Vellayaarakkal

temple Nineteenth 5-30 to 7 p.m.) 'Thnalappoli' Bahgavathi Temple

Six km. SWof century Usha-pooja on 3 ed Committee

Thiroor at Aalathi- (6-30 a.m.) Friday in Aalaththiyoor

yoor Angaati on Aththaazha- Kumbham Pin - 676 102

Aalaththiyoor road pooja (6-30p.m.) Sub-group E

and thence one km,W.

230 Sree Aswinideva Lord Square Aayilyamon No festival Private temple,

temple Aswinidevas eko-tha/o Kanni (poojas will Nambi mam,

Five and half km. Sixteenth (4 to 5 p.m.) be done at Poozhikunnu

SW of Thiroor at century Nivedyam the request Aalath thiyoor

Poozhikunnu on (4-30 p.m.) of the Pin - 676102

Aalathiyoor road public) Sub-group C-6

and thence (vide section 2,

200 m, S. s1. no. 5.32) (Sankalpa pm-thishtha below a

peepul tree)

231 Sree (Vaidyam Lord Siva Square All days Sivaraathri President

Thrkkovil) Siva Sixteenth eka-thala (7 to 8 a.m.) Aalaththiyoor mom,

temple century Usha-pooja

Aalaththiyoor

Five and half km. (7-30 a.m.) Pin - 676 102

SW of Thiroor at Sub-group E

Poozhikunnu on Aalathiyoor road

and thence 200 m. S and thence 250 ill S,

575

Type of Ownership I Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal worship; Festivall Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

232 Sree (Vellaama- Lord Koorma- Square All days Mandala Ooraanma sseri Devaswam) moorthy dwi-thala (6 to 9 a.m. and mahothsav Devaswom Vatak-

Garudankaav Eleventh 5 to 7-30 p.m.) on 12th and keppaattu

Five and half km. century Usha-pooja 13th Dhanu Aalaththiyoor

SW of Thiroor at (7-30 a.m.) Pin - 676 102

Poozhikunnu on Aththaazha-poja Sub-group C-6

Aalathiyoor road (7 p.m.) (vide section 2;

and thence 81. no. 5.33)

700 m. S.

233 Sree (Aalaththi- Lord Raama Square All days (5-30 to Annual Manager

yoor) Very ancient dwi-thala 11-45 a.m. and festival on Sree Aalaththiyoor

Perumthrkkovil temple 5 to 7 p.m.) Thin.lVonam Perumthrkkovil

temple (Hanu- Usha-pooja in Thulaam Temple, Poylis8eri

maankaav) (7-30 a.m.) Pin - 676102

Three and half km Uccha-pooja Sub-group 8-3

SW of Thiroor via (11-30 a.m.) (vide section 2;

Puthiyangaati on Aththaazha- s1. no. 5.34)

Chamravattam pooja (7 p.m.)

road and thence one and a half km. on Musaliyaar Angaati road and thence 700 m. S.

234 Sree Sree Chakra Square All days No festival Private temple

Naaraanaththkaav Sixteenth eka-thala (7 to 8 a.m.) Ambalappaveri

temple century Narukkila mana, Poyilisseri

Six km. S of Thi- nivedyam Pin - 676 102

roar at Panjam- (7-30 a.m.) Sub-group E

pati and thence one and half krn. E.

235 Sree Siva temple Lord Siva Apsidal All days (5 to Sivamathri Trustee Manager

Ten km. S of Very ancient dwi-thala 11-30 a.m. and (Saamoothiri kovi-

Thiroor at temple 5 to 7-30 p.m.) lakam)

Thrprangot via Usha-pooja under HR&CE

Aalathiyoor- (6 a.m.) Sree Siva Temple,

Kottakkal road Ethrthth pooja Thrprangot

(6-30 a.m.) Pin - 676 108

Pantheerati Sub-group A-2 pooja (9-30a.m.) (vide section 2 Uccha-pooja s1. no. 5.35) (10-30 a.m.) Aththaazha-pooja (7 p.m.)

576

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekouil of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival! Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poo}as Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

236 Sree Vaisravana Lord Square All days No festival Secretary

temple Vaisravana dwi-thala (6 to 7 a.m.) Sree Vaisravana

Ten km. S of Sixteenth Usha-pooja Temple Committee,

Thiroor at century (6-30 a.m.) Perunthalloor

Veeranchira on Pin - 676 102

Kottakkal road Sub-group E

and thence one

km. SW.

237 Sree (Punnackam- Goddess Square All days Annual fes- Secretary

kulangara) Bhagavathi No roof (7 to 10 a.m.) tival on 1st Sree Punnackam-

Bhagavathi temple Eighteenth Single pooja Tuesday in kulangara

Ten km. S of century (8-30 a.m.) Makaram Bhagavathi Temple

Thiroor at Committee, Vet-

Perinthalloor on tampallippuram

Chamravattom Pin - 676 102

road Sub-group E

238 Sree Maha Vishnu Lord Maha Square All days Ashtami- Secretary

temple Vishnu dwi-thala (7 to 10 a.m.) rohini Sree Maha Vishnu

Ten l<JIl. S of Eighteenth Usha-pooja Temple Committee,

Thiroor at century (8 a.m.) Vettampallippuram

Perinthalloor on Pin-676102

Chamravattom Sub-group E

road

239 Sree (Chamravat- Lord Ayyappa Square All days ( 5 to No festival Trustee Board

tam) Ayyappa Ancient temple eka-thala II a.m. and under HR&CE.

temple 5 to 8 p,m,) Sree Ayyappa

12 km, SW of Usha-pooja Temple

Thiroor at (7 a,m,) Chamravattam

Chamravattam Uccha-pooJa Pin - 676 110

and thence half a (10 a.m.) Sub-group B-3

km.W, Aththaazha- (vide sectlOn 2

pooja (7-30p.m.) s1. no. 5.36)

240 Sree (Koluparamb) Goddess Bhad- Square All days Annual President

Bhadrakaali rakaali eka-thala (6 to 9 a.m.) festival on Sree Koluparamb

temple Sixteenth Single pooja Tuesday in Temple Committee,

II km, SWof century (8a.m,) Makaram Chamravattam

Thiroor at Pin-676110

Chamravattam Sub-group E •

and thence half a

km.W.

577 3655 RG1/03-38A

Type of Ovroership! Name of PrinClpal sreekovil of Time of Management;

SL temple; deity; principal worship; Festival/ Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

241 Sree (Karu- Goddess Square All days Annual Secretary

maththil) Bhagavathi eka-tha/a (6 to 8 a.m.) festival on a Srec Karumaththil

Bha.gavathi temple Sixteenth Single pooja Friday after Bhagavathi Temple

11 kIn. SWof century (7 p.m.) the 1st Committee

Thiroor at Tuesday in Chamravattam

Chamravattam Makamm Pin - 676 110

and thence one Sub-group E kmW.

20 THALAKKAATPANCHAAYATHTH

25 Thalakkaat village

242 Sree (Mangaattiri) Goddess Rectangular All days Any President Bhagavathikottam Bhagavathi eka-lhaJa (5-30 to 8 a.m. Tuesday or Mangaattiri

Four kIn. S of Eighteenth and 5-30 to Friday in Bhagavathi Temple

Thiroor at century 7p.m.) Meenam Committee

Bettaththu Usha-pooja Mangaattiri

Puthiyangaati and (6 a.m.) Pin - 676 105

thence 750 m W Deepaaraad- Sub-group E at Mangaattiri- hana (6 p.rn.) kotta on Vettam road

243 Sree (Kappal- Goddess Rectangular Tuesday, Friday Annual Private temple patikkal) Bhagavathi eka-thala and Sunday festival on Hereditary ooraalan, Bhagavathi temple Sixteenth (S to 8 a.m. and l"t Tuesday Sree Kappalpatl

Four km. S of century 5-30 to 7 p.m.) in Makar-am Bhagavathi Tf'mple

Thiroor at Bet- Usha-pooJa Mangaattiri

taththu Puthiyan- (6 a.m.) Pin - 676 105

gaati and thence Aththa=ha- Sub-group E 750 m W at pooja (6-30p.m.) MangaattiJikotta on Vettam road and thence one km. S.

244 Sree (Kanakkan- Goddess Rectangular All days Annual Secretary paramb) Devi tem- Bhagavathi eka·thala (7-30 to 8 a.m.) festival on Kanakkanparamb ple Sixteenth Usha-pooja

1st Thrus- Devi Temple

Four krn. S of century (7-30 a.m.) day in Committee

Thiroor at Kwnbharn Mangaattiri

Bettaththu Puthi- Pin~676105

yangaati and Sub-group E thence 750 m W at Mangaattirikotta on Vettam road and thence one km. S.

578 3655 RGIJ03-388

Type of Ownership! Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival! Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

245 Sree Lord Ayyappa Square All days Annual President

Ayyappankaav Eighteenth eka-thala (6 to 7 a.m. and festival in Sree Ayyappankaav

250 m. SW of BP century 6 to 8 p.m.) Makaram Temple Committee,

Angaati and near Usha-pooja B.P. Angaati

Girls H.S. (6-30 a.m.) Pin - 676 102

Aththaazha- Sub-group E pooja (6-30p.m.)

246 Sree (Paarasseri Goddess Square All days Annual President

Cheriyakaav). Bhagavathi eka-thala (6 to 9 a.m. and festival on Sree Paarasseri

Bhagavathi temple Eighteenth 5 to 7 p.m.) 1st Tuesday Cheriakaav

Five km. S of century Usha-pooja in Makaram Bhagavathi Temple

Thiroor at (6-30 a.m.) Committee

Paarasseri on Aththaazha- B.P. Angaati

Chemravattam pooja (6 p.m.) Pin - 676102

road and thence Sub-group E

500m. Won Cheriyakaav road

247 Sree Goddess Rectangular All Tuesdays Annual Secretary

(U daramaaya) Bhagavathi eka-thala and Fridays festival on Sree Udaramaaya

Bhagavathi temple Twentieth (5-30 to 7 a.m. 2nd Friday Bhagavathi Temple

Four kIn. S of century and 6 to 8 p.m.) in Kumb- Committee,

Thiroor at B.P. Usha-pooja ham B.P. Angaati

Angaati and (6 a.m.) Pin - 676 102

thence one kIn. on Aththaazha- Sub-group E

Kattazha- pooja (7 p.m.)

Muttikkal road

248 Sree (Vengaaloor) Lord Maha Square All days (5-30 to Vishu for President

Maha Vishnu Vishnu, dwi-thala 8-30 a.m.) Mahaa Sree Vengaloor

Bhagavathi temple Goddess Usha-pooja Vishnu Maha Vishnu

Seven kIn. S of Bhagavathi (5-30 a.m.) Navaraathri Temple Samrak-

Thiroor on Kuttip- Eighteenth for Devi shana Samithi

puram road at century Vengaaloor

Koluppaalan and Pin - 676 102

thence one kIn. Sub-group E

NE via Vengaloor level crossing

249 Sree (Pazhetathth) Lord Siva Square All days (6 to 8 Sivaraathri Secretary

SIva temple Sixteenth dwi-thala a.m. and 5-30 pazhetathth Siva

Elght kIn SE via century to 7 p.m.) Temple Committee,

Eazhoor at Usha-pooja Thekkankuttoor

Thekkanku ttoor (7-30 a.m.) Pin - 676551

Pazhayitan Aththllazha- Sub-group D-2

pooja (6-30p.m.)

579

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival/ Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

21 VETTAM PANCHAAYATHTH

26 Vettam village

250 Sree (Pacchaattiri Goddess Square All Tuesdays Annual President, Aavenkotta) Bhagavathi eka-thala and Fridays festival on Aavenkotta

Bhagavathi temple Seventeenth (5 to 1 p.m. and 1"' Tuesday Bhagavathi Temple

Three km W of century 6 to 7 p.m.) in Makaram Committee

Thiroor at Muri- Usha-pooja Paravanna

vazhil In. and (6 a.m.) Pin -676502

thence 200 m NE. Sub-group E

251 Sree (Itiyaatt) Lord Maha Square All days Vishu Family Trustee,

Maha Vishnu Vishnu eka-thala (6 to 8 a.m.) Sree Maha Vishnu

temple Eighteenth Usha-pooja Temple, Paravanna

Three km W of century (6 a.m.) Pin - 676502

Thiroor at Sub-group E

Murivazhil In. and thence 200 m NE.

252 Sree (Pariyaapu- Goddess Square All days (5-30 to Annual Secretary, Kshetra

ram) Bhagavathi Bhagavathi eka-thala 7 a.m. and 5-30 festival on Kshema Srunithl,

temple Eighteenth to 7 p.m.) 3 rd Friday in Sree Bhagavathi

Four km W of century Usha-pooja Kumbham Temple, Pacchaattir

Thiroor at (6 a.m,) Ath- Pin - 676 105

Pariyaarapuram- thaazha-pooja (6 Sub-group E

kotta Ambalapati p.m.) In.

253 Sree (Pariyaapu- Lord Ayyappa Square All days Annual Secretary

ram) Ayyappa Twentieth eka-tha/a (5 to 6 a.m. and festival on Sree Ayyappa temple century 5 to 7 p.m,) 22nd Dhanu Temple Committee,

Four km W of Usha-pooja Pacchaattiri

Thiroor at (6a.m,) Pin - 676 105

Pariyaarapuram- Deepaaraad- Sub-group E

kotta Ambalapati hana (6p.m.) In.

254 Sree (Ullaarveetu) Goddess Square All days (5-30 to Annual Trustee Board Bhagavathi temple Bhagavathi eka-thala 8-30 a.ro. and festival from Chairman under

Four and half km Ejghteenth 5-30 to 7 p.m.) 28th to 30th HR&CE

SW of Thiroor at century Usha-pooja Kumbham Sree Ullaarveetu

Ullarveet temple (6a.m,) Bhagavathi temple,

In. on Cheerppu Aththaazha- Vettam

road pooja (6 p.m.) Pin - 676 102

Sub-group E

580

Type of Ownership! Name of Principal sreekovilof Time of Management;

SI. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival/ Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

255 Sree (Vemanna) Lord Narasim- Circular All days Ashtami- Trustee Board

Narasimha- hamoorththy eka-thala (6 to 8 a.m. and rohini Chairman under

moorthty temple Sixteenth 6 to 7 p.m.) HR&CE

Eight km. SWof century Usha-pooja Sree Vemanna

Thiroor via RP. (6-30 a.m.) Narasimha-

Angaati - Uccha-pooja moorththy temple,

Cheerppu vettam (7-30 a.m.) Yettem

road Aththaazha- Pin - 676 102

pooja (6-30p.m.) Sub-group C-2

(vide section 2,

sl. n. 5.37)

256 Sree (Memanna) Lord Siva Square All days (6 to 9 SilJaraathri Trustee Board

Siva temple Fifteenth eka-thala a.m. and 5-30 Chairnlan under

Eight km. SW of century to 7 p.m.) HR&CE

Thiroor via B.P. Usha-pooja Sree Memanna Siva

Angaati - (7 a.m.) Ath- Temple, Vettam

Cheerppuvettam thaazha-pooja Pin - 676 102

road (6 p.m.) Sub-group D-2

257 Sree (Erayapuram) Lord Square All days All shastis Secretary

Subrarnanya Subramanya eka-thala (8 to 8-30 a.m.) Sree Erayapuram

temple Fourteenth Usha-pooja Su branlan ya

At Aalisseri century (8-30 a.m.) Temple Committee

junction on Vettam

Pariyaarapuram-Pin-676102

Cheerppu-Vettam Sub-group E

road

258 Sree (Vettaththu- Goddess Square All days (5-30 to Sunday Secretary

kaav) Bhagavathi Bhagavathi eka-thala 10 a.m. and 4 after lOth Sree Vettaththu-

temple Thirteenth to 8 p.m.) Meenam kaav Bhagavathi

11 km. SWof century Usha-pooja Temple Committee,

Thiroor at Vet- (7 a.m.) Vettanl

tathtkaav In. and Aththa=ha-Pin - 676 102

thence 500 m. W paoja Sub-group C-2

(7p.m.) (vide section 2;

81. no. 5.38)

259 Sree (Chattikkal) Lord Rectangular All days Thai-pooyam Hereditary ooraalan,

Subramanya Subramanya eka-thala (5 to 7 a.m. and Sree Chattikkal

temple Twentieth 5 to 7 p.m.) Subramania Tem-

Near Health Cen- century Usha-pooja pie, Vettam

tre on Koottaayi - (6 a.m.) Pin - 676 102

Thaanoorroad Aththa=ha- Sub-group E

{Tippu Sulththan paoja (6 p.m.) road)

581

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovilof Time of Management;

81. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival/ Sub-group;

no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

260 Sree (Chebeettil) Lord 8ubra- Square All days Thai-pooyam HeredItary ooraalan,

Subramanya manya eka-thala (5 to 7 a.m. and Srec Chebeettil

temple Twentieth 5 to 7 p.m.) Subramanya

Near Health century Usha-pooja temple, Vettam

Centre on (6 a.m.) Pin-676 102

Kaottaayi - Aththaazha- Sub-group E

Thaanoor road pooja (6 p.m.)

261 Sree (Raarnapu- Sree RaaIlla Circular Once in a No festival Committee

ram) temple Eleventh eka-thala month Vettatht,lmkaav

Near VettalTI century (8 to 8-30 a.m.) Vettam

Cherppu In. Usha-pooja Pin - 676 102

(8-30 a.m.) Sub-group E (idol missing}

27 Mangalam village (Part)

262 Sree (Punnamana) Lord Narasim- Squarc All days (6 to 8 Annual Hereditary ooraalan,

NarasimJla- hamoorththy eka·thala a.m. and 6 to festlVal on Sree Narasimha-

moorththy temple Eleventh 7 p.m.) Makayiram moorththy temple

Nine km. SW of century Usha'pooja in Melam VettaIll

Thiroor at (7 a.m.) Pin - 676 102

Mangalam and Sub-group E thence one krn. NE on Punna-mana Kaimasseri road

263 Sree (Then- Goddess Rectangular All days Annual Hereditary omaalan,

gaaththkotta) Devi Bhagavathi eka-thala (6 to 9 a.m.) festival on Sree Thengaathth-temple Sixteenth Ushn-poo)n

I s, Friday til kotta Devi Tf'mple

One km SWof centuI)' (7 a.m.) Meenam Mangalam

PulloniJn.on Pin - 676 561

Thiroor- Sub-group E Puraththoor road

264 Sree (Pulloonik- Goddess Square All days (5-.30 to Annual Secretary kaav) Bhagavathi Bhagavathi eka·thala 9 a.m. and festival on Sree Pulloonikkaav temple Nineteenth 5 to 7 p.m.) Tuesday Bhagavathi Temple

One kIn SWof century Usha-pooja lUtf'r 20,h of CommItteI'

Pulloni ,In. on (8-3Oa.m.) Kumbham Mangalam

Thiroor- Deepaaraad- Pin - 676561

Puraththoor road hana (6-30p.m.) Sub-group E

265 Sree (Kayappam- Lord Maha Square All days Only Thm.l Presldent pati) Vishnu Vishnu eka·thala (8 to 9 a.m.) uaathira- Sree Kayappampati temple Thirteenth Usha-pooja pooja Vishnu Temple

One kIn SWof century (8-30 a.m.) Committee

PulloniJn. on Mangalam

Thiroor- Pin - 676561

Puratllthoor road Sub-group E

582

Type of Ownership I Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival! Sub-group; no. locatiun antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

266 Sree Siva temple Lord Siva Apsidal All days (5 to 9 Kaarthika in Hereditary Trustee.

Nine km SW of Ancient temple dwi-thala a.m. and 5-30 Vrschikam Sree Siva Temple,

Thiroor at to 7-30 p.m.) (Pmthishtha Mangalam

Mangalam and Usha-pooja day) Pin - 676561

thence 300 m. W. (7 a.m.) Sub-group C-l Athlhaazha- (vide section 2 pooja (7 p.m.) s1. no. 5.39)

267 Sree (Gomugham) Lord Square All days (6-30 to Kaarthika in Ooraalan

Subramanya Subramanya eka-thala 8 a.m. and 5 to Makaram Sree Su bramanya

temple Twentieth 7 p.m.) Temple

At Ambalapati In. century Usha-pooja Patinjaarekkara

on Thiroor- (7 a.m.) Ath-Pin - 676 102

Koottayi road thaazha-pooja Sub-group D-2

(6 p.m.)

268 Sree (Gornugham) Lord Siva Square All days Sivamathri Hereditary Trustee,

Siva temple Twentieth eka-thala (4 to 9 a.m. and Sree Siva Temple,

At Ambalapati In. century 5 to 8 p.m.) Puraththoor

on Thiroor Koot- Usha-pooja Patinjaarekkara

tayi road and (7 a.m.) Pin - 676 102

mear Jettithala Aththaazha- Sub-group 0-2 pooja (7 p.m.)

269 Sree (Pacchaattiri) Lord Siva Square All days Sivaraathri Secretary

Siva temple Seventeenth eka-thala (5 to 7-30 a.m. Sree Pacchaattiri

Near GMLP century and 6-30 to Siva Temple

School, Pacchattiri 7-30 p.m.) Committee

Us ha-p0 oja Paravanna

(6 a.m.) Pin - 676502

Aththaazha- Sub-group E pooja (6-30 p.m.)

270 Sree (Puthukulan- Goddess Square All days (5-30 to Annual President

gara) Bhagavathi Bhagavathi eka-thala 6 a.m. and 6-30 festival on Sree Puthukkulan-

temple Eighteenth to 8 p.m.) 1 st Friday in gara Bhagavathi

At Kuranganapati century Usha-pooja Makaram Temple Committee

on Thiroor- (6 a.m.1 Paravanna

Koottaykkal road Aththaazha- Pin - 676502

pooja (6 p.m.l Sub-group E

271 Sree(Valiyakulan- Goddess Square ] st and last No festival President

gara) Bhagavathi Bhagavathi eka-thala Tuesdays in all Sree Valiyakulan-

temple Sixteenth

months (8 to gara Bhagavathi

At Chennara on century 9 a.m.) Temple Committee,

Thiroor Purathoor Usha-pooJa Chennara

road and thence (8-30 a.m.) Pin - 676561

500 m W at Sub-group E Perumthiruthi.

583

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

SI. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival/ Sub~group;

no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

22 PURATHTHOOEPANCHAAYATHTH

28 Mangalam village (Part)

272 Sree (Vaalama- Goddess Square All days (4 to 8 Kaarlhika Hereditary ooraalan ruthoor) Durgaa·· Durga dwi-thula a.m. and 5to under HR&CE, Bhagavathi temple Bhagavathi 7-30 p.m.) Sree Vaalama-

11 kmSW ofThi- Ancient temple Usha-poDja ruthoor Durga Devi

roor at Kurumbati (6 a.m.) Temple,

on Purathoorroad Uccha-pooja Kaavancheri

and 500 m. E. (7-30 a.m.) Pin - 676561

Aththaazha- Sub-group C-2 pooja (7 p.m.)

(vide section 2 s1. no. 5.40)

273 Sree (Puththarip- Lord Siva Square All days Ayilyamin Hereditary ooraalan, patiya) Siva Sixteenth eka-thala (8 to 9 a.m.) Kumbham Sree Siva Temple, temple century Usha-pooja Chennara

Near Cllennara ((8-30 a.m.) Pin - 676561

Junction Sub-group E

274 Sree (Cheru- Lord Siva Square All days No festival President punna) Siva Eleventh eka-thala (8 to 10 a.m.) Sree Cherupunna

temple century Usha-pooja Siva Temple

At Cherupunna on (9 a.m.) Committee

Thiroor-Purathoor Muttannoor

road Pin - 676561

Sub-group E

29 Puraththoo.r village

275 Sree (Chennara Goddess Square All days Annual fes- President,

Maalikaththaaz- Bhagavathi eka-thala (4 to 7 a.m. and tival in 2nd STee Bahgavathi

hathth) Bhaga- Sixteenth 5 to 7 p.m.) Tuesday in Temple Committee,

vathi temple century Usha-pooja Makamm Chennara

At Cherupunna on (6 a.m.) Pin - 676561

Thiroor -Purathoor Aththaazha- Sub-group E

road pooja (6 p.m.]

276 Sree (ponnaran- Lord Siva Square All days Sivaraathn Secretary

ganassala) Siva Sixteenth eka-thala (6 to 8-30 a.m. Sree Siva Temple

temple century and 6 to 7 p.m.) Comnlittee,

At Bhayamkaav Usha-pooja Kaavancheri

on Purathoor road (6-30 a.m.) Pin - 676561

8tld thence one Aththaazha- Sub-group E

kIn. EAt pooja (6-30p.m.)

Maravantha

584

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovil of Time of Management;

SL temple; deity; principal worship; Festivalj Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

277 Sree (Bhayam- Goddess Square All days Annual fes- Hereditary ooraalan,

kaav) Bhagavathi Bhagavathi eka-thala (7 to 12 noon tival in 1 st Sree Bhayamkaav

temple Ancient temple and 6 to 7 p.m.) Thulaam Bhagavathi Temple,

At Bhayamkaav Usha-pooja Muttannoor

In_ (7a_m.) Pin - 676561

Uccha-pooja Sub-group D-2

(11 a.m.) Aththaazha-pooja (7 p.m.)

278 Sree (Muttan- Goddess Rectangular All days Thaalappoli Hereditary Trustee,

noorkotta) Bhagavathi eka-thala (6 to 8 a.m.) and paattu Sree Muttannoor

Bhagavathi temple Eleventh Usha-pooja uthsav for Kotta Bhagavathi

At Hospital In. on century (7 a.m.) 10 days in Temple, Muttannoor

Purathoor road Kumbham Pin - 676561

and thence SOD m Sub-group E

W at Muttannoor

585

PONNANI TALUK KEY TO MAP SHOWING NAMES OF PANCHAA YATHTHS AND VILLAGES

PO~~A~I MUNICIPAL TOWN

1 THAVA~O()R

1 Kaalati

2 Thavanoor

2 V ATTAMKU~AM

3 Vattamku!am

3 E'fAPPAAL

4 Etappaa!

4 MAARANCHERI

5 Maarancheri

5 VE~JIY AMKOT

6 Ve!iyamkot

6 PERUMPATAPP

7 Perumpatapp

7 NA~~AMUKKU

8 Nannamukku

8 AALANKOT 9 Aalankot

586

TH fROOa TALUK

The mop is drown Inot to scale!

Forth er of boUl\dori£s or!! appr-oJlimatG!

and shoulild not bIZ to~en as outhUl'tic

Distrll:it ... _ .. _ .. ,_ .. __ •• __

Taluk • __ . _ , .... _ .. __ '. __

Panchoyathth _. _ . _,._. _._._

Vitloge with number., .. ____ _

ROUGH MAP OF PO~NAN ( TALUK (NOT TO SCALE)

6

PONNANI TALUK Type of Ownership I

Name of Principal sreekovil of Time' of management; 81. temple; deity; principal worship; Festival/ Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsauam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

PONNA~I MUNICIPAL TOWN

I 8ree (Pallivalappil) Goddess Rectangular Ali days Annual President Bhagavathi temple Bhagavathi eka-thala (5 to 9 a.m. and festival Sree Paliivalappil

Half a kIn. E of Nineteenth 5 to 7 p.m.} 11th Dhanu Bhagavathi Temple

Ponnani Municipal century Usha-pooJa till Tuesday Committee

Bus stand and (8-30 a.m.) or Friday Ponnani

south of the bridge Aththaazha- after that Pin - 679577

pooJa Sub-group E (6-30 p.m.,

2 Sree (Paliaprom) Goddess Square All days 3 rd Friday in President Karimkaali temple Karirnkaali eka-thala (6 to 7 a.m.) Makaram Sree Karimkaali

750 m E of Nineteenth Usha-pooja Temple Committee

Ponnani Municipal century (6-30 a.m.' Pallaprom

bus stand. Ponnani Pin - 679 577

Sub-group E

3 Sree (Kannan Lord Siva Square All days No festival Private temple Thrkkaav) Siva Twentieth eka-thala (6-30 to 7-30 Karuvaattu mana temple century a.m. and 6-30 Ponnani

One and half km. to 7-30 p.m.) Pin - 679 577

E of Ponnani bus Usha-pooja Sub-group E stand via Kol- (7a.m.) lantepati Aththaazha-

pooja (7 p.m.)

4 Sree (Thrkkaav) Goddess Square All days Navaraathri President Durga Bhagavathi Durga eka-thala (5 to 10 a.m. Sree Durga Bha-temple Bhagavathi and 5 to 8 p.m.) gavathi Temple

Two kIn. E ofMu- Very ancient Usha-pooja Committee

nicipal Bus stand temple (7 a.m.) Ponnani

Uccha-pooja Pin - 679 577

(9 a.m.) Sub-group C-4 Aththaazha- (vide section 2, pooja s1. no. 6.1) (7-30 p.m.)

587

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sr-eekovilof Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal Time worship; Festival! Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

5 Sree (Kuttikkaat) Goddess Rectangular All days Annual President

Bhagavathi temple Bhagavathi eka-thala (4-30 to 7 a.m. festival on Sree Ku ttikkaat

Four km. E of Nineteenth and 5-30 to 11th Dhanu Bhagavathi Temple

Municipal Bus century 7-30 p.m.) Committee

stand at Usha-pooja Ponnani

Kuttikkaat AB (6-30 a.m.) Pin- 679577

High School and Aththaazha- Sub-group E

thence half pooja alan. N. (7 p.m.)

6 Sree Maariamman Goddess Square All days Annual President

kovil Mariamma eka-thala (6 to 9 a.m. festival on Sree Maariamman

Four km. E of Nineteenth and 5-30 to Uthramin kovil Committee

Municipal Bus century 7-30 p.m.) Meenam Ponnani

stand at Chanda- Usha-pooja Pin - 679577

pati and thence (8 a.m.) Sub-group E

100 m E. Aththaazha-pooja (7 p.m.)

7 Sree (Cheru- Lord Siva Square All days Sivamathri Trustee under

vaaykkara) Siva Ancient temple dwi-thala (5 to 9 a.m. HR&CE

temple and 5-30 to Paarakkaattumana

Three kIn. NE of 7-30 p.m.) Sree Siva temple

Ponnani on Tha- Usha-pooja Cheruvayikkara

(7 a.m.) Pin - 679589 vanoor-Kuttippuram road Uccha-pooja Sub-group C-2

at Kantanku- (8-30 a.m.) (vide section 2,

rumba kaav and Aththaazha- s1. no. 6.2)

thence 500 rn. poo.ia (6-30 p.m.)

8 Sree (Kanta- Goddess Bhad- Square All days Annual Trustee kurambakkaav) rakaali eka-thala (5 to 11 a.m. festival for Sree Kantakurum-Bhagavathi temple Ancient temple and 5-30 to 10 days bakkaav temple

Three km. NE of 7-30 p.m.) from 1st to Kottaththara

Ponnani on Usha-pooja lOth Easwaramangalam

Thavanoor- (5-30 a.m.) Meenam Pin- 679577

Kuttippuram road Uccha-pooja Sub-group C-l (10-30 a.m.) (vide section 2, Aththaazha- s1. no. 6.3) pooja (7 p.m.)

9 Sree (Bhadraam- Goddess Bhad- Square All days Annual Tru stee, Thekkep-kulangara) rakaali eka-thala (5 to 9 a.m. and festival on paatt Family, Bhadrakaali Ancient temple 6 to 7-30 p.m.) 2 nd Friday Easwaramangalam temple Usha-pooja in Makamm Pin - 679 577

Four kIn. NE of (Sa.m.) Sub-group E Ponnani on Aththaazha-Thavanoor - Kut- pooja 17 p.m.) tippuram road

588

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovilof Management;

Sl. temple; deity; principal Time worship; Festival/ Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

10 Sree (Thevar) Siva Lord Siva Square All days Sivaraathri Secretary temple Twentieth eka-thala (5-30 to 9 a.m. Sree Thevar Siva

Two and half km. century and 5-30 to Temple Committee,

NE of Ponnani on 7 p.m.) Eezhuvathuruththi

Thavanoor- Usha-pooja Pin - 679577

Kuttippuram road (8 a.m.) Sub-group E Aththaazha-pooja (6-30 p.m.)

11 Sree (Om Lord Siva Square All days Sivaraathri President Thrkkaav) Siva Ancient temple eka-thala (5 to 8-30 a.m. Sree Om Thrkkaav temple and 5-30 to 8 Siva Temple

Two km. S of AV p.m.) Committee

High school In. at Usha-pooja Eezhuvathiruth thi

Theyyangaaton (7 a.m.) Pin - 679586

Ponnani - Etappal Uccha-pooja Sub-group C-6 road (8 a.m.) Ath- (vide section 2,

thaazha-pooja s1. no. 6.4) (7-30 p.m.)

12 Sree (Katavanaat) Lord Ayyappa Square All days Annual President Ayyappankaav Twentieth eka-thala (5-30 to 9 a.m. festival on Sree Ayyappankaav temple century and 5-30 to last Satur- Temple Committee

One km. east of 8 p.m.) day in Katavanaat

Private Bus stand Usha-pooja Vrschikam Pin - 679586

at Kollante-pati (7-30 a.m.) Sub-group E and thence one Aththaazha-km SE at K::otava- pooja (7-30 naat p.m.)

13 Sree Muththap- Lord Muth- Square Daily no poojas Annual Secretary, Sree pankaav temple thappan eka-thala festival on Muththappankaav

Two km. SE of Nineteenth 28th Temple Committee,

Kollante-pati century Makaram Katavanaat Pin - 679586

Sub-group E

14 Sree (Patanne- Goddess Rectangular Daily no poojas Annual President, lakathth) Bhaga- Bhagavathi eka-thala festival in Sree Patanne-vathi temple Nineteenth Bharaniin lakathth Bhagavathi

Two km S of century Kumbham Temple Committee,

KoUante-pati to-Katavanaat

wards Vaariyath-Pin - 679586

pati Sub-group E

1 THAVANOORPANCHAAYATHTH 1 Kaalati village

15 Sree (Velaam- Goddess Square All days Annual President bullykkaav) Bha- Bhagavathi eka-thala (6 to 7 a.m. and festival on Sree Velaambully-gavathi temple Nineteenth (No roof) 5 to 7-30 p.m.) 3 rd Tuesday kkaav Temple

700 m. E of Kan- century Nivedya-pooja in Kumb- Committee, Kaalati

tanamkunnu In. (7 a.m.) ham Pin - 679582

(on NH-17) on Nivedya-pooja Sub-group E Aanakkara road (7 p.m.)

589

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovil of Management;

SI. temple; deity; principal Time worship; Festival! Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

16 Sree Vettakkoru- Lord Vettak- Square All days (6 to 8 Annual Trustee Board makan temple karan (Kira- eka-thala a.m. and 5-30 festival on Chairman, Sree

100 m N of KSRTC athamoorththy) to 7-30 p.m.) 1 st Saturday Vettakkaran temple,

workshop In. of Usha-pooja in Makar-am Kaalati

Etappal on NH -17 Fifteenth (7-30 a.m.) Pin - 679582

century Aththaazha- Sub-group D-2 pooja (7 p.m.)

17 Sree (Kolathrak- Goddess Square All days (5 to Annual President kunnu) P>..lthiya BhadrakaFili eka-thala 10-30 a.m. and festival on Sree Kolathrak-Bhagavathi temple Twenti",th 5 to 8 p.m.) l't Tuesday kunnu Puthiya

50 m W of Puno- century Usha-pooja in Makamm Bhagavathi Temple

pati ,In. on NH-17 (5 a.m.) Committee, Kaalati

Uccha-pooja Pin - 679 582

(10 a.m.) Sub-group E Aththaazha-pooja (7 p.m.)

18 Sree (Kolathrak- Goddess Square All days Annual President kunnu) Old Bhadrakaali eka-thala (6 to 8 a.m. and festival on Sree Kolathl'ak-Bhagavathi temple Ancient temple 5-30 to 8 p.m.) 1st Tuesday kunnu Old

50 m W of Pullo- Nivedya-pooja in 1.lakaram Bhagavathi Temple

pati In. on NH-l 7 (8 a.m.) Committee, Kaalati

Nivedya-pooja Pin - 679582

(7-30 p.m.) Sub-group E

19 Sree (Paantuvara) Lord Maha Square All days Annual Private temple, Vishnu temple Vishnu eka-thala (Moming only) festival on Kunnathth

100 m. Wof (Narasim- No fIxed time prathishtha- Maaniyotath th

Kaathilpati In. on hamoorththy) day on family, Kaalati

NH-17 Twentieth Chathayam Pin- 679582

century in Mithtmam Sub· group E

20 Sree (Thiyyan- Lord Siva Square All days (Mom- No festival Private temple noor) Siva temple Eleventh eka-thala ing only) No Veluththetaththu-

50 m. E of century ftxed tinle mana

Kaathilpati In. on Kaalati

NH-17 Pin - 679582

Sub-group E

21 Sree (Veroor Lord Subra- Square AU days T'/-o.aipooyam President, Thrkkovil) Subra- manyaswaamy dwi-thala (5 to 8 a.m. and Sree ".reroor manya temple Eleventh 5 to 7-30 p.m.) Thrkkovil Subra-

century Usha-pooja manya Temple

100m.Sof (7 a.m.) Committee, Kaalati

Annakkapaat In. Aththaazha- Pin - 679582

on NH-17 pooja (7 p.m.) Sub-group E

22 Sree Siva temple Lord Siva Square All days No festival President

100 m S of Twelfth century dwi-thala (6 to 8 a.m. and Sree Siva Temple

Paarapil Angaati 5-30 to 7 p.m.) Committee, Kaalati

on Etappal road Usha-pooja Pin -- 679 582

via Kaalati (7-30 a.m.) Sub-grQup E Aththaazha-pooja (6-30 p.m.)

590

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovilof Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal Time worship; Festival/ Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

23 Sree (Cherun- Lord Maha Circular All days Ashtami President napuram) Maha Vishnu eka-thala (Moming only) rohini Cherunnapuram Vishnu temple Thirteenth Moming poo)a Sree Maha Vishnu

One kIn. SWof century Temple Committee.

KSRTC workshop Kaalati Pin - 679 582

Sub-group E

24 Sree (Kayyi)am- Goddess Durga Square All days (6-30 to Kaarlhika in President, baththoor Paathi- Bhagavathi dwi-thala 8-30 a.m. and Kumbham Sree Kayyilam-rappalli) Durga Seventeenth 5-30 to 8 p.m.) Ashtami, baththoor Paathi-temple century Moming-pooja Navamiand rappalli Durga

150 ffi. S of (8-30 a.m.) Eve- Dasami Temple Committee

Paarappuram In_ ning pooja (7 -30 Kaatancheri

on Thavanoor- p.m.) Pin - 679 582

Etappal road Sub-group E

25 Sree (Paak- Lord Maha Circular All days No festival President kathrakkovil) Vishnu eka-thala (7 to 8 a.m.) Sree Paak-Vishnu temple Sixteenth Moming pooja

kathrakkovil Vishnu

200 ffi E of century (7-30 a.m_) Temple Committee,

Paarappuram In. Kaatancheti Pin - 679582

Sub-group E

26 Sree (Perumba- Lord Siva Square All days (5-30 to Aardraa- Trustee Board ramba) Ancient temple eka-thala 7 -30 a.m. and Darsanam Chairman Mahadeva temple 5-30 to 7-30 on Makay- Sree Mahadeva

Two kIn. N of old p.m.) iramin Temple Committee

Bank Office Usha-pooja Dhanu Perum baram bu

(7 a.m.) Pin - 679576

Aththaazha- Sub-group D-2 pooja (7 p.m.)

27 Sree (Kuntayaar Lord Siva Square Only on man- No festival Private temple, Aattaattil) Siva Eighteenth eka-thala dalam (Moming Elayetathth Illam, temple century and evening) no Perumbarambu

Two and halfkm. specmc time Pin - 679576

N of aId Bank Sub-group E Office

28 Sree (Thantilam) Lord Square All days (7 to 8 No festival President Subramanya Suhramanya dwi-thala a.m.) Mornmg Sree Poyilaththu temple Fifteenth pooja (8 a.m.) Subramanya

200 m. Waf century Temple Committee

Kaatancheri Thantilam

village office Nariparambu Pin - 679573

Sub-group E

29 Sree (Maangaat- Lord Maha Square AJI days Pooram in President, toor) Ganapathi Vishnu dwi-thala (7 to 8 a.m.) Meenarn Sree Maangaattoor temple Fifteenth Mornm!?, pooja Ganapathi Temple

250 m W of Maan- century (7-30 a.m.) Committee,

gaatoor Angaati Perumbarambu Pin - 679582

Sub-group E

591

Type of Ownership/ NaIlle of Principal sreekouilof Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal Time worship; Festival/ Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

30 Sree Vishnu Lord Vishnu Square All days Aardraa Private temple,

temple Sixteenth cen- eka-thala (7-30 to Darsanam KaaIllburathth

Two km. N of old tury 8-30 a.m. and on Makay- mana

Bank office. 7 to 8 p.m.) iram in Perumharambu

Moming pooja Dhanu Pin - 679576

(8 a.m.) Sub-group E Evening pooja (7-30 p.m.)

31 Sree(Poththanoor) Goddess Circular All days Annual Private temple

Durga Bhagavathi Bhagavathi eka-thnla (6 to 7 -30 a.m. festival on Kurungaattumana,

temple (Durga) and 5-45 to 2nd Tuesday Polpaakkara

Three km. SE of Eleventh 7-30 p.m.) in Makaram Pin - 679576

Nariparamb on century Usha-pooja Suh-group E Poththannoor (7 a.m.)

road Aththaazha-pooja (7-30 p.m.)

32 Sree (Poththanoor) Lord Maha Circular AU days No festival Private temple, Vishnu temple Vishnu eka-thala (Moming only) Elayetaththu mana,

Three km. SE of Fifteenth Nivedyam only Polpaakkara

Nariparamb on century (time not Pin - 679 576

Poththannoor specified) Sub-group E road and thence 100 m further SE

33 Sree (Arayaalkkal) Goddess Square All days Chiththira in President, Bhagavathi temple Bhadrakaali eka-thala (8 to 8-30 a.m.) Kumbham Sree Arayaalkkal

One and half km. Fifteenth Nivedyam Bhagavathi Temple

SE ofPaarappu- century (8-30 a.m.) Committee

ram In. Nariparambu Pin - 679573

Sub-group E

34 Sree (Thantilam) Goddess Square Nopoojas No festival Private temple, Durga Bhagavathi Bhagavathi eka-thala Thozhu vaanoor-temple (Durga) mana

Two and half km. Eighteenth Naripparambu

S of Narip- century Pin - 679573

paramba on Sub-group E Natakaav road

35 Sree (Naripa- Lord Square All days Thai-pooyam President rambu) Subramanya dwi-thala (6-30 to 8-30 Sree Subramanya-Subramanya Twelfth century a.m. and 5-30 swaamy Temple temple to 6 p.m.) Committee

500 m. S of Nivedyam Nariparambu

Nariparamba (8-30 a.m.) Pin - 679 573

junction. Nivedyam Sub-group D-2 (6 p.m.)

592

Type of Ownership! Name of Principal sr-eekovil of Management;

SI. temple; deity; principal Time worship; Festival! Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity pooJas Ulhsavam Remarks

2 " 4 5 6 7 -'

2 Thava!loo! village

36 Sree Brahma Lord Brahma Circular All days No festival President temple Very ancient eka-thala (6 to 7 a.m.) Sree Brahma

Twokm. N of temple Usha-pooja Temple Committee,

Thavanoor Post (6-30 a.m.) Thavanoor

office In. and on Pin - 679 583

the bank of Sub-group C-2 Bharu:athapuzha (vide section 2,

s1. no. 6.5)

37 Sree (Cheru Lord Siva Square All days No fl'stival Prsident Thirunaavaaya) Very ancient dwi-thala (6 to 7-30 a.m. Sree Siva Temple Siva temple temple and 5-30 to Committee, Tha-

Two krn. N of Tha- 7-30 p.m.) vanoor

vanoor Post office Ush a-po oja Pin - 679573

In. and on the (7 a.m.) Sub-group C-2 bank of Bhaara- Aththaazha- (vide section 2, thapuzha. paoja (7 p.m.) s1. no. 6.6)

38 Sree (Maaththoor Goddess Square All days Annual President Kunnanaayil) Bhagavathi eka-thala (9 to 9-30 a.m. festival on Sree Maaththoor Bhagavathi temple (Rudhira Bhad- and 6 to 7-30 Friday after Kunnanaayil

'1:\>.·okm S of rakaali) p.m.) l,t Tuesday Bhagavathi Temple

Thavanoor In. at Fourteenth Morning pooja in Makamm Committee Athaloor

Athaloor on century (9-30 a.m.) Pin - 679 373

Ponnani road and Evening pooja thence one krn. (7-30p.m.) Sub-group D-2 SW.

39 Sree (Maaththoor) Lord Siva Circular AUdays (5-30 to Sivaraathri Trustee Board Siva temple Ancient temple dwi-thala 7 -30 a.m. and and Chairman

Two km. S of 5 to 7-30 p.m.) Ashtami- Maaththoor

Thavanoor In. at Usha-pooja r-ohini Devaswom, Athaloor

Athaloor on (7 a.m.) Pin - 679 573

Ponnani road an d Aththaazha- Sub-group C-6 thence one krn. paoja (7 p.m.) (vide section 2, SW. sl. no. 6.7)

40 Sree (Paappinik- Goddess Square All days (6 to Annual President kaav) Bhagavathi Bhagavathi eka-thala 9-30 a.m. and festival on Sree Pappinikkaav temple Ancient temple 5-30 to 8 p.m.) 1st Tuesday Bhagavathi Temple

750 m. E of Usha-pooja in Makaram Committee

Institu,e stop on (7 a.m.) Thavanoor

Thavanoorroad Aththaazha' Pin - 679 573

paoja (7-:30p.m.) Sub-group E

41 Sree Lord Square All days Ashtam! President Vaasudevapuram Vaasudeva eka-thala (8 to 8-30 a.m. rohini Sree Vaasudevapu-temple

An~ient temple and 5 to ram Temple

750 m. E of 7-30 p.m.) Committee, Tha·

Institute stop on Usha-pooja vanoor

Thavanoorroad (8-30 a.m.) Pin - 679573

Aththaazha Sub-group E paoJa (7-30 pm.)

593 3655 RGI/03-39A

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovil of Management;

Sl. temple; deity; principal Time worship; Fe stival j Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

42 Sree (Katakasseri) Lord Square All days Thai-pooyam President Subramanya Subramania eka-thala (5 to 7 a.m. and Sree Katakkasseri temple Eighteenth 5 to 7-30 p.m.) Subramanya Tem-

One km. E of century Usha-pooja pIe Committee

Institute stop and (6-30 a.m.) Ayankalam

thence one krn. S Aththaazha- Pin - 679594

pooja (7 p.m.) Sub-group E

43 Sree (Braanthan Lord Siva Square Once in a No festival Private temple, Kotta) Siva temple Eighteenth eka-thala month (only one Cherukaat family

100 ffi. E of Agri- century pooja) No fIxed Thavanoor

cultural office jn. time Pin - 679573

Sub-group E

44 Sree (Thiniththi- Lord Maha Circular No pooja No festival President yil) Maha Vishnu Vishnu eka-thala Sree Thiruththiyil temple (Narasim- Temple Committee,

About three km. hamoorththy} Ayankalrun

SE of Institute Ancient temple Pin - 679574

stop. Sub-group E

45 Sree Bhadrakaali Goddess Square All days Annual President temple Bhadrakaali eka-thala (9 to 9-30 a.m.) festival on Sree Bhadrakaali

Onekm. Sof Eighteenth Single-pooja 2 nd Friday Temple Committee,

Ayamkalam In. century (9-30 a.m.) after 1st Ayamkalam

on Thavanoor Tuesday in Pin - 679 594

road. Makaram Sub-group E

46 Sree (Ayankalam) Lord Maha Square All days No festival President Maha Vishnu Vishnu eka-thala (9 to 9-30 a.m.) Sree Ayankalam temple Sixteenth Single-pooja Maha Vishnu

200 m from century (9-30 am.) Temple Committee

Ayamkalam Sree Ayankalam

Bhadrakali temple Pin - 679594

Sub-group E

47 Sree (Ayiroor) Lord Maha Square All days Annual President Vishnu temple Vishnu dwi-thala (7 to 10 a.m. festival on Sree Ayiroor Vishnu

250 m. S of Ancient temple and 6 to 7 p.m.) Makayiram Temple Committee,

Mathathilpati on Usha-pooja in Dhanu AyankaJam

Thavanoorroad (10 a.m.) Pin - 679594

Sub-group D-2

Believed to have been consecrated by Sree Sankaraa-chaarya

48 Sree Anthimaha- Lord Anthima- Square All days Aardraadar- President akalankaav haakaalan eka-thala (6 to 9-30 a.m. sanamin Sree Anthimaha-

750 m. S of Ancient temple and 5-30 to Dhanu akaalankaav

Matbathilpati In. 7-30 p.m.) Temple Committee

on Thavanoor Ushapooja Athaloor

road (7 a.m.) Pin - 679573

Uccha-pooja Sub-group C-l (ga.m.) (vide section 2, Aththaazha- s1. no. 6.8) pooja (7 p.m.)

594 3655 RGI/03-398

Type of Ownership!

Name of Principal sreekovilof Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal Time worship; Festival! Sub-group;

no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

49 Sree Bhadmkaali Goddess Square Nopooja No festival Private temple

temple Bhadrakaali eka-thala Ayiroor Koraatt

500 m. Wof Eighteenth family, Ayankalam Pin - 679594

Mathathilpati In. century Sub-group E

50 Sree (Thrppaaloor) Lord Siva Square All days No festival Presiden

Siva temple Sixteenth eka-thala (9 to 10 a.m.) Sree Thrppaaloor

500 m. E of Thrip- century Morning pooja Siva Temple Com-

paaloor In. on (9-30 a.m.) mittee, Athaloor Pin - 679573

Ponnani road Sub-group D-2

51 Sree (Koorata) Lord Mal1a Square All days (6 to No festival President,

Maha Vishnu Vishnu eka-thala 7 -30 a.m. and Sree Koorata Maha

temple Eig..1-:tteenth 6 to 7-30 p.m.) Vishnu Temple

300 m N of century Usha-pooja Committee,

Koorata In. on (7 a.m.) Thrkkanaapuram

Ponnani road Aththaazha· Pin - 679 573

poojn (7 p.m.) Sub-group E

52 Sree (Karibiyan Lord Kiraatha- Square All days No festival President

kaav) Kira- moorththy eka-lhala (10 a.m.) Sree Karibiyankaav

athamoorththy Fourteenth Morning pooja Temple Committee,

temple century No fIxed time Vellaancheri Pin - 679582

At Vellaanchery junction Sub-group E

53 Srec (Vaariyathth) Lord Maha Circular No pooja No festival President

Vishnu temple Vishnu eka-thaJa Sree Vaariyathth

At Vellaanchery Eighteenth Vishnu Temple Committee

junction century Vellaamcheri Pin - 679582

Sub-group E

54 Sree (Mara- Goddess Durga Square All days No festival President

vancheri mana) Bhagavathi eka-thala (8 to 9 a.m. and Sree Durga

Durga Bhagavathi Ancient temple 7 to 7 -30 p.m.) Bhagathi Temple

temple Mornmg-pooja Committee,

500 m. S of (8-30 a.m.) Kaatancheri

Thrikkanapuram Nivedyam Pin -679382

UP Schoo! (7-30 p.m.) Sub-group E

55 Sree (Pallola- Goddess Square Once in a year Annual President,

paatam) Bhaga- Bhagavathi eJca-thala in Makaram festival on Sree Pallolapaatam

vathi temple (Bhadrakaali) 3 rd Tuesday Bhagavathi Temple

One km. S of Eighteenth in Makaram Committee

Thrikkanapuram century (Kaalavela) Kaatancheri

Pin - 679382 UP School

Sub-group E

56 Sree (Thiruvaz- Lord Siva Square All days (7 to No festival President hikkaat) Siva Eighteenth eka-thala 8 a.m. and 6-30 Sree Thiruvazhik-temple century

to 7-30 p.m.) kaat Siva Temple

550 m. S of Moming-pOQja Committee

Ayankala...--n old (7-30 a.m.l Kaatancheri

Hospital junction. Nivedyam Pin - 679 382

(7 p.m.) Sub-group E

SgS

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovilof Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal Time worship; Festivall Sub-group;, no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsallam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

57 Sree (Chuntek- Goddess Square All days Annual President kaav) Bhagavathi Bhadrakaali eka-thala (9 to 10 a.m.) festival in Sree Chuntekkaav temple Antiquity not Morning-paoja Meenam Bhagavathi Temple

One km, SE of specified {No flXed time) (ThaaZappoli) Committee

Maravarcheri Kaatancheri

stop. Pin - 679 382

Sub-group E

58 Sree (Thiruvaz- Lord Ayyappa Square All days (9 a.m.) No festival Under HR&CE hikkaat) Ayyappa Seventeenth eka-thala Morning-pooja Sree Thiruvazhik-

temple century only kaat Ayyappa

500 m S of temple, Kaatancheri

Ayankalam old Pin- 679382

Hospital junction. Sub-group E

59 Sree (Vaaniyam- Goddess Durga Square A1J days Annual President parambil) Bhagavathi eka-thala (8 to 9 a.m.) festival on Sree Vaaniyam-Bhagavathi temple Eighteenth Morning-pooja Revathi in parambil

100 m NW of century (8-30 a.m.) Kumbham Bhagavathl Temple

Paarappuram In. Committee, Kaalati Pin - 679582

Sub-group E

60 Sree Karimbil- Lord Square Mandalam No festival Private temple , iankaav temple Karimbilian eka-thala 41 days ltasserivaalil family

One and halfkm. Antiquity not Thrukkanaap uram

S of Kuttippuram specified Pin - 679573

bridge on NH-17. Sub-group E

61 Sree (Mathamali- Lord Siva Square All days No festival President yamkunnu) Siva Ancient temple eka-thala (5 to 8 a.m. and Sree Mathamali-temple 5 to 7 p.m.] yarnkunnu Siva

One km. Wof Ethrththu pooja Temple Committee,

Kaanjiramkutti (7-30 a.m.) Thrkkanaapuram

In. on NH-17 Nilledyam Pin - 679573

(6-30 p.m.) Sub-group D-2

62 Sree Lord Maha Circular All days EkadasiDay President (Tht"kkanaapu- Vishnu dwi-thala (6 t.o 7 -30 a.m. Sree Vishnu Temple ram] Vishnu Eighteenth and 5-30 to Committee, temple century 8 p.m.) Thrkkanaapuram

Halfkm. Waf Usha-pooja Pin - 679573

Kaanjirarn ku tti (7 a.m.) Sub-group E In.onNH-17 Aththaazha-

paoja (7-30 p.m.)

63 Sree (Kizhuvap- Lord Ayyappa Square Daily no pooja No festival Private temple paatt) Ayyappa Antiquity not eka-thala Kizhuvappaatt temple specified family

300 m Waf Thrkkanaapuram

Kaanjiramkutti Pin - 679573

,In. Sub-group E

596

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovil of Management;

S1. tempJe; deity; principal Time worship; Festival/ Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

64 Sree (MalJoor) Siva Lord Siva Square All days Sivaraathri Secretary temple

Ancient temple dwi-thala (5-30 to 8 a.m. Sree Temple

Near and south- and 5 to 8 p.m.) Committee, Malloor

east of Kuttippu- Usha-pooja Pin -679573

ram bridge on (7 a.m.) Sub-group C-6 NH-17 Aththa=ha- (vide section 2,

pooja s1. no. 6.9) (7-30 p.m.j

2 VATTAMKUI;.AM PANCHAAYATHTH

3 Vattamku!am village

65 Sree (Kizhakkinga- Goddess Square All days No festival Secretary rakkaav) Durga Durga eka-thala (8 to 9 a.m.) Sree Durga Bha-Bhagavathi temple Bhagavathi Moming-pooja gavathi Temple

Half a kl11. W of FOUI"teenth only (8-30 a.m.) Committee.

Chekanoor In. (on century Muthoor

Kantanakam - Chekannoor

Anakkara road) on Pin - 679578

Meleyizham road. Sub-group E

66 Sree IAarekkaaij) Lord Maha Circular All days Annual President MalIa Vishnu Vishnu eka-thala (7 to 9 a.m.] festival on Sree Maha Vishnu temple Fifteenth Moming-pooja last Sunday Temple Committee,

One km. Wof century (7-30 a.m.) in Dhnnu Muthoor

ChekanooT In. (on Chekannoor

Kantanakam - Pin - 679578

Anakkara road) on Sub-group E Meleyizham road.

67 Sree (ShaarikkalJ Goddess Circular No poojanow No festival President Bhagavathi temple Rhagavathi eka-thahl Sree Shaarikkal

500 m. W of Sixteenth Bhagavathi T~mple

Mele-An.gaati on century Committee,

Kumbiti road Muthoor Chekannoor Pin - 679578

Sub-group E

68 Sree IThirumaani- Lord Siva Square All days No festival Trustee Board yoar) Siva temple

Ancient eka-thala (6 to 8 a.m. and Chairman under

One km. E of temple 5-30 to 8 p.m.) HR&CE, Sree

Kantanakam In. Usha-poojn. Thiru maaniyoor

on Etappal- (7-30 a.m.) Siva Temple

Ku ttippuram Toad. A ththuazhu- Paalapra

pooja (7-30p.m.) Pin - 679582

Sub-group C-6 (vide section 2 s1. no. 6.10)

69 Sree (Kallyaanik- Goddess Rectangular All days No festival PreSident kaav) Bhagavathi Bhagavathi eka-thala (6 to 7 a.m. and Sree Kallyaanikkaav temple

Sixteenth 6 to 7-30 p.m.) Bhagavathi Temple 750 m. E of centm:y Usha-poo)Q Committee, KSRTC workshop (7 a.m.) Muthoar stop on Kal- Aththaazha- Pin - 679578 yaanikkav road pooja (7 p.m.) Sub-group E

597

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovilof Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal Time worship; Festivall Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

70 Sree (Kaal- Lord Maha Circular All days No festival President

anchaati) Vishnu Vishnu eka-thala (5 to 7-30 a.m. Sree Kaalanchaati

temple Sixteenth and 6 to Vishnu Temple

Two km. N of century 7-30 p.m.) Committee,

Vattamkulam on Usha-pooju Muthoor

Chekannur road. (7 a.m.) Pin -679578

Aththa=ha- Sub-group E pooja (7 p.m.)

71 Sree (Pottoorkaav) Lord Rectangular All days 'Vela'an President Dharma Saastha Ayyappan eka-thala (6 to 7 a.m. and 10 th Sree Pottoorkkaav

temple Eighteenth 5-30 to 7 p.m.) Makaram Dharma Saastha

One and half km. cen1.ury Usha-pooja Temple Committee,

N of Neeliyaat In. (7 a.m.) Ath- Muthoor

on Etappal- thaazha-pooja Pin - 679578

Pattambi road Sub-group E (7 p.m.)

72 Sree (Nambitiveet- Lord Maha Circular All days No festival Private temple, til) Vishnu temple Vishnu eka-thala (Morning only) Nambiti family

Two kIn N of Neeli- Seventeenth Nivedyarn Mutoor

yaat In. on Etap- century No specific time Pin - 679578

pal-Pattambi road Sub-group E

73 Sree (Nellekkaatl Goddess Square All days Annual Private temple Chottaanikkara Bhadrakaali eka-thala (5 to 8 a.m. and feistival on Sree Nellekkaat Bhagavathi temple Twentieth 4 to 8 p.m.) Alakam in Chottaanikkara

500 m. N of Neeli- century Uccha-pooja and Kumbham Bhagavathi Temple,

yaat In. on Etap- Aththaazha- Mutoor

pal-Pattambi road pooja Pin - 679578

Sub-group E

74 Sree (Kaupra) Siva Lord Siva Square All days No festival Private temple, temple Ancient dwi-thola (5 to 7 -30 a.m. Kauprarnaarathth

One and a half temple and 5-30 to mana, Muththoor

km. N of 7-30 p.m.) Pin - 679578

Vattamkulam In. Usha-pooja Sub-group C-2 (7 a.m.) (vide section 2, Aththaazha- s1. no. 6.11) pooja (7 p.m.)

75 Sree (Thykkaatt) Goddess Square All days No festival Private temple, Bhagavathi temple Durga eka-thala (S to 7 a.m. and Thyl-..kaattumana,

Two km. N of Bhagavathi 6 to 7 p.m.) Vattamkulam

Vattamkulam In. Twentieth Niuedyarn Pin - 679578

century (7 a.m.) Sub-group E Nivedyam (7 p.m.)

76 Sree (Ulliparambil) Goddess Rectangular No [Jooja No festival Private temple, Maayaa Bhaga- Maaya- eka-thala Poothottaththu vathi temple Bhagavathi valappil family

One km. E of Nineteenth Vattamkulam

Chunkam In. on century Pin - 679578

Pat1ambi road Sub-group E

598

Type of O-wnership /

Name of Principal sreekovilof Management;

Sl. temple; deity; principal Time worship; Festival/ Sub-group;

no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

77 Sree (Kulangara) Goddess Square All days Annual President

Bhagavathi temple Bhadrakaali eka-thala (5 to 7 a.m. and festival on Sree Kulangara

700 m. E of Eighteenth 5 to 7 p.m.) 3 rd Sunday Bhagavathi Temple

Sukapuram In. century Usha-pooja in Makaram Committee

(7 a.m.) (Kulanga- Sukapuram

Athlhaazha- ravela) Etappaal

pooja (7 p.m.) Pin - 679576

Sub-group E

78 Sree (Sukapuram) Lord Square All days No festival Manager, HR&CE

Dakshina- Dakshina- dwi-thala (5 to 8-30 a.m. Board Assistant

moorththy temple moorththy and 5 to 7 p.m.) Commissioner's

One km. SE of Very ancient Usha-pooja office, Palakkaat

ChunkamJn. temple (6 a.m.) Pin - 679 576

on NH-17 Uccha-pooja Sub-group B-3

(7 a.m.) (vide section 2. Aththaazha- s1. no. 6.12)

pooja (7 p.m.)

79 Sree (Annangaat) Goddess Rectangular 1 •• day of all Annual President

Bhagavathi temple Durga eka-thala Malayaala festival on Sree Annangaat

50 m. E of Annak- Bhagavathi months (Morn- 3ed Friday in Bhagavathi Temple

kambad In. on Eleventh ing only) Makaram Committee

NH-17 century Etappaal Pin - 679578

Sub-group E

80 Sree (Kaanthal- Lord Siva Square All days (Mom- Sivaraathri President

loor) Siva temple Antiquity not eka-thala ing only) Sree Kaanthalloor

500 m S of specified Nivedyam (time Siva Temple

Kuttippade In. on not specified) Committee

Vattamkulam Pattambi road Pin - 679578

Sub-group E

81 Sree (Aarekkaav) Goddess Square All days pooja Annual President

Bhagavathi temple Bhadrakaali eka-thala only on 1 st Sun- festival on Sree Aarekkaav

100 m. W of Vat- Thirteenth day of the 15th Kumb- Bhagavathi Temple

tamkulam H.S. In. century month (Moming ham Committee

and evening) Vattamkulam Pin - 679578

Sub-group E

82 Sree Mala- Goddess Rectangular All days (Mom- Annual Private temple

kuraththikkaav Malakuraththi eka-thala ing) and on last festival on Eliyapra family

100m. Waf (Bhagavathi) Friday in a I st Friday in Vattamkulam

Vattamkularn Eighteenth month, Ganapa- Meenam Pin - 679578

H.S. In. century thi havanam, Sub-group E Bhagauathi Seua and usha-pooja

599

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovil of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal Time worship; Festival ( Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity pooJos Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

83 Sree (Vatakke- Goddess Square All days Paattu on President manaliaar) Bhagavathi eka-thala (6 to 7 a.m. and 30th Sree Vatakkernana-

Bhagavathi temple Seventeenth 5 to 7 p.m.) Makaram liaar Bhagavathi

200 m E. of century Usha-pooja Temple Committee

Manaliyaat Am- (7 a.m.) Sukapuram

balapati on NH-17 Aththaazha- Pin - 679576

pooja (7 p.m.) Subgroup E

84 Sree (Cham- Lord Siva Square All days Si~'araathri President bramaanam) Siva Eighteent.'l eka-thala (6 t07 a.m.) Sree Cham-temple century Ushu-pooja bnunaanarn Siva

One and half km. (7 a.m.) Temple Committee,

SE of Chunkam Sukapuram

via Sukapuram - Pin - 679 576

Natuvattam road Sub-group E

85 Sree (Shasthtiyilj Lord Square All days Thai-pooyam President Subrarnanya Subramanya eka-thala (8-30 to') a.m.) Sree 8ha5htiyil temple Sixteenth Morning-poo)a Subramanya

Half krn. E of century (9 a.m.) Temple Committee

Vattamkulam In. Vattamkulam Pin - 679 .578

Sub-group E

86 Sree (Shaarikkal) Goddess Square All days No festival Chairman Durga Bhagavathi Durga eka-thala (6 to 9 a.m. and Sree Shaarikkal temple Bhagavathi 6 to 7 p.m.) Durga Bhagavathi

Halfkm. E of Sixteellth Usha-pooja Temple

Vattamkulam In. century (7 a.m.) Vattamkulam

Uccha-pooja Pin - 679578

(ga.m.) Sub-group E Aththaazha-pooja (7 p,m.)

87 Sree (Pura- Lord Siva Square All days (5 to 9 Sivaraathrl. Chairman muntekkaatt) Slva Ancient eka-thala a.m. and 5-30 Puramuntckkaatt temple temple to 7 p.m.) Siva Temple, Vat-

500 m. S of Ushnpooja tamkulam

Vattanlkulam on (7 a.m.) Pin - 679 578

KaklUtipuram road Uccha-pooJa Sub-group C-2 (9 a.m.) (vide section 2, Aththaazha- sl. no. 6.13) pooja (7 p_m.)

3 ETAPPAALPANCHAAYATHTH . 4 Etappaa! village

88 Sree (Polppaak- Goddess Bhad- Square All days Annual fes- President karal Bhagavathi rakaall eka-thala (6 to 7 a.m. arld tival on Sree Polppaakkara temple Nineteenth 6 to 7 p.m.) Bharanim Bhagavathi Temple

Ont" an.d half km. century Niuedya-pooja Kumbham Committee, Polppo-

NW of Thattam- (7 a.m.) akkara

pati on Polppaak- Nwed_!/am Pin - 679576

kara r08d (7 p.m.) Sub-group E

600

Type of Ownership! Name of Principal sreekovil of Management;

SI. temple; deity; principal Time worship; Fe stival I Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavarn Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

89 Sree (Malam- Goddess Square All days Annual President

kuraththikkaav) Bhagavathi eka-thala (6 to 8 a.m.) festival on Sree Malamkura-

Bhagavathi (Malam- Moming-pooja 2 nd Friday ththikkaav Temple

temple kuraththi) (time not in Makaram COlnmittee

Two krn. NW of Nineteenth specified Polppaakkara

Thattampati on century Pin - 679576

Polppaakkara Sub-group E

road

90 Sree (Palliyil) Goddess Durga Square All days No festival President

Durga Bhagavathi Bhagavathi dwi-thala (6 to 7-30 a.m. Sree Palliyil Durga

temple Seventeenth and 5 to 7 p.m.) Bhagavathi Temple

One km. NWof century Usha-paoja Committee,

Thattarnpati on (7 am.) Etappaal

Polppaakkara Aththa=ha- Pin - 679 576

road paoja (7 pm.) Sub-group E

91 Sree (Pottukkaav) Goddess Square All days Annual Manager,

Bhagavathi Vana Durga eka-thala (5 to 9 a.m. and festival on Sree Pottukkaav

temple Twentieth 4 to 7 p.m. last Tues-· Bhagavathi Temple,

One and half km. century Usha-pooja day in Etappaal

N of Thattampati (6-30 a.m.) Makaram Pin - 679576

at Pottukaav on Ucchapaoja Sub-group E

Paarappuram (9a_m.)

road Aththa=ha-paoJa (7 p.m.)

92 Sree (Vettippu- Goddess Square All days No festival Private temple,

rayil) Mookaam- Bhagavathl eka-thala (10 to 11 a.m.) Vettippuram family,

bika temple (Mookaamblka) Morning-paoJa Perumbaranlbu

One km. Waf Twentieth (10-30 a.m.) Pin - 679576

Perumbarambu century Sub-group E

In.

93 Sree (Aazhikkut- Goddess Square All days Rathhothsav President

tikkaav) Bhaga- Bhadrakaali eka-thala (6 to 7 a.ill. and on Third Aazhikku ttikkaav

vathi temple Eighteenth 6 to 7 p.m.) Tuesday in Bhagavathi Temple

Twokm. NWof century Nivedyam Makaram Committee,

Thattampati on (7 a.m.) PoJppaakkara

Polpaakkara road Pin ~ 679576

Sub-group E

94 Sree (Polppaak- Lord Siva Square All days No festival Private temple,

kara) Siva temple EIghteenth eka-thala (9 to 10 a_m.) Polppaakkara mana

One and half kIn. century Nivedya-pooja Etappaal

N of Thattampati (9-30 a.m.) Pin - 679576

on Ponnaazhik- Sub-group E

kara road

601

Type of O"WIlership! Name of Principal sreekouil of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal Time worship; Festival! Sub-group; no. location antiquity deIty poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

95 Sree (Kotha- Lord Square All days (Morn- Annual Private temple,

bathth) Su brarnania eka-thala ing pooja only) festival on Kothabathth family

Subramania Twentieth Bharaniin Etappaal

temple century Makaram Pin - 679576

One km. N of Sub-group E

Thattampati at Pottukara on Parappoor road

96 Sree (KallaIl1- Goddess Square All days Bharaniin President,

mukku) Bhaga- Bhadrakaali eka-thala (6 to 7-30 a.m. Kumbllum, Sree Kallammukku

vathi temple Eighteenth and 5-30 to Tuesday in Bhagav~thi Temple

Half a kIn. S of century 7-30 p.m.) Makaram Committee

Thuyyam Bridge Usha-pooja Valiapooram Etappaal

on Ponnani road (7 a.m.} Pin - 679576

A lhthaazha- Sub-group E pooja (7 p.m.)

97 Sree Vettakkoru- Lord Vettak- Square All days (5-30 to Vettakkaru- President

makan tE'mple korumakan eka-thala 7 a.m. and 5-30 makan Sree Vettakkoru-

100 m. S of (Kiraatha- to 7 p.m.) Paattu on makan Temple

Katcheri In. on moorththy) Usha-pooja Sivaraathri Committee

Hospital road Eighteenth (7 a.m.) Etappaal

century Aththaazha- Pin - 679576

paoja (7 p.m.) Sub-group E

98 Sree (Thalarllun- Goddess Durga Square All days Thaalappoli Private temple

takkaav) Bhaga- Bhagavathi dWI-thala (6 to 7 a.m.) on last Thalamunta

vathi temple Sixteenth Nivedyam Friday in Vaariam, Etappaal

One and half km. century (7 a.m.) Makar-am Pin - 679576

of Katcheri In. on Sub-group E

Hospital road

99 Sree (Kotalil) Lord (Narasim- Square All days No festival Chairman under

Vishnu temple hamoorththy) eka-thala (6 to 9-30 a.m. HR&CE, KotaliJ

Two km. Waf Ancient temple and 6 to 7-30 Vishnu Temple

Etappaal- p.m.) Committee

Chunkam via Usha-pooja Ayilakkaat

Vallathol college (7 a.m.) Pin - 679576

road. Uccha-poaja Sub-group C-2 (9 a.m.) (vide section 2, Aththaazha- s1. no. 6-14) paoja (7 p.m.)

100 Sree (Ayilakkaat) Lord Ayyappan Square All days Annual President

Ayyappa temple Twelfth century eka-thalu (6 to 7-30 a.m. festival on Sree Ayilakkaat

Three km. W on arld 5-30 to 3«1 Satur- Ayyappa Temple

Kutti (NH-17). 7-30 p.m.) day in CommIttee, Ayilak-

Usha-pooja Makar-am kaatt

(7 a.m.) Pin - 679576

Aththaazha- Sub-group E pooja (7 p.m.)

602

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovil of Management;

S1. temple; deicy; principal Time worship; Festival! Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Urrr.Savam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

101 Sree (Thali) Siva Lord Siva Circular All days Sivaraathri President

temple Ancient temple eka-thala (6 to 8 a.m.) Sree Thali Siva

500 m. N of Pook- Moming pooja Temple Committee,

kara In. on Ay- only) Etappaal

ilikk -Ayilikkat Pin - 679 576

rami. Sub-group D-2 (one of the old Thali temples)

102 Sree (Mataya- Goddess Square All Sundays Thaalappoli President

parambu) Uda- Bhagavathi eka-thala Tuesdays and on 3rd Matayaparam bu

ramaala temple Nineteenth Fridays Tuesday in Udaramaala Temple

600 rn. SWof century (6 to 8 a.m.) Makaram Committee

Vaidyaramoola on Moming-pooja Pookkaraththara

Ayilakkaat road only Pin - 679576

Sub-group E

103 Sree (Kolalampu) Lord Ayyappa Square No poojas No festivals Private temple,

A:yyappa temple Nineteenth eka-thaia Maambra family,

SOOm. E of century Ko1a1a.-npu

Pulikkad on Kola-Pin - 679576

lamb road. Sub-group E

104 Sree Hanu- Lord Square All Sundays, Annual President

=aankaav temple Hanumaan eka-thala Tuesdays and festival Sree Hanu-

500 m. E of Eighteenth Fridays Thaalappoli maankaav Temple

Pulikkad on Kola- century (Morning only) on last Committee

lamb road. Tuesday in Kolalampu

Kumbham Pin - 679576

Sub-group E

105 Sree (Kolathth) Lord Ayyappa Square All days Annual President

Ayyappankaav Nineteenth eka-thala (5-30 to 7 a.m. festival on Sree Kolathth

Twokm. SWof century and 5-30 to 1 ~t Saturday Ayyappankaav

Kaalacchal 7p.m.j in Meenam Committee

Malar Nivedyam Kolalampu

(7 a.m.) Pin - 679576

Aththaazha- Sub-group E

pooJa (7 p.m.)

106 Sree (Vatasseri) Lord AyYappa Square All days Annual President

Ayyappa temple Nineteenth eka-thala (Morning only) festival on Sree Vatasseri

Three km. S of century 2nd Satur- Ayyappa Temple

Vaidyannoola In. day in Committee

Meenam Kolalampu Pin - 679576

Sub-group E

603

Type of Ownership! Name of Principal sreekovil of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal Time worship; Festival! Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojus Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

4 MAABANCHERI PANCHAAYATHTH

5 Maarancheri village

107 Sree Vettakkoru- Lord Vettak- Square All days No festival Private temple, makan temple korumakan eka-thala (8-30 to Puththenpurayil

Four km. SE of Nineteenth 9-30 a.m.) family

Ponnaani at Ath- century Nivedya-pooja Kaanjiramukku

thani In. on (9 a.m.) Pin - 679584

Kuntukkatav road Sub-group E and thence one km. N on aM road

108 Sree (Thayyila- Goddess Square All days (6-30 to Annual President, valappil) Bhadrakaali eka-thala 8-30 a.m. and 6 festival on Sree Thayyilavalap-Bhagavathi Nineteenth to 7 p.m.) Bharaniin pil Bhagavathi temple century Usha·pooja

Kurnbham Temple Committee

Four km. SE of (3 a.m.) Kaanjiramukku

Ponnaani at Aththaazha- Pin - 679584

Aththani In. on pooJa (6-30p.m.) Sub-group E Kuntukkatav road and thence one km. N on BM road

109 Sree (Rudira- Goddess Square All Tuesdays Annual Private temple, maala) Bhaga- Bhadrakaali eka-thala (6 to 8 a.m.) festival in Mukkolam vathi temple Nineteenth Nivedya-pooja Kumbham Thaazhathth family

Two km. N of century (8 a.m.) Kaanjiramukku

Aththani Kaanji-Pin - 679584

ramukku on BM Sub-group E road

110 Sree (Thonniku- Goddess Square All days Annual President rumbakkaav) Kurumba eka·thala (5 to 8 a.m. and feistival in Sree Thonnikku-Bhagavathi Bhagavathi 5 to 7 p.m.) Metam rumbakkaav temple Nineteent'"' Niuedya-pooja Bhagavathi Temple

Half a kIn. N of century (7-30 a.m.) Committee,

Ayyappankaav Niuedya·pooja Kaanjiramukku

In. (6-30 p.m.) Pin - 679584

Sub-group E

111 Sree (Thottumuk- Goddess Square All days Annual President hathth) Bhaga- Udira- eka-thaLa (5-30 to 9 a.m. festival on Sree Thottumuk-vath] temple maaladevi and 5 to 7 p.m.) 2 nd Friday hathth Bhagavathi

Two km N of NUleteenth Usha-pooja in Kumb- Temple Committee

Ayyappankaav century (8-30 a.m.) ham Kaanjiramukku

In. Aththaazha- Pin - 679 584

pooja (6-30p.m.) Sub-group E

112 Sree Katambayil) Goddess Bhad- Square All days Annual President Bhagavathi rakaali eka·thala (4 to 6 a.m. and festival on Sree Katam bayil temple Nineteenth 5 to 6-30 p.m.) 3 rd Tuesday Bhagavathi Temple

Two km N of Ay- century Usha-pooja in Makar-am Committee

yappankaav In. (6 a.m.) Ath- Kaanjiramukku

and near Path- thaazha-pooja Pin - 679584

thayi centre (6-30 p.m.) Sub-group E

604

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovilof Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal Time worship; Festival/ Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

113 Sree (Purangpi- Lord Siva Square All days (7 to No festival President laakkaat) Siva Sixteenth eka-thala 9 a.m. and 5-30 Sree Siva Temple temple century to 6-30 p.m.) Samrakshana

500 m S of Usha-pooja Samithi

Purang (on Kun- (8 a.m.) Purang

tukatav Toad) Aththaazha- Pin - 679584

pooja (6-30p.m.) Sub-group E

114 Sree (Kotikkun- Goddess Square All Sundays Annual President naththkaav) Bhadrakaali eka-thala Tuesdays and festival on Sree Kotikkun-Bhagavathi Eighteenth Fridays 1st Tuesday naththkaav temple century (9 to 11 a.m.) in Makamm Bhagavathi Temple

500 m S of Niuedya-pooja Commuttee, Purang

Purang (on (11 a.m.) Pin - 679584

Kuntukatav road) Sub-group E

115 Sree Ayyap- Lord Ayyappa Square All days Annual President pankaav temple Nineteenth eka-thala 15 to 8 a.m. and festival on Sree Ayyappankaav

At Aththani century 5 to 7 p.m.) Vrschikam Temple Committee,

Ayyappankaav Niuedya-pooja Kaanjiramukku

In. (7 a.m.) Pin - 679584

Niuedya-pooja Sub-group E (6-30 p.m.)

116 Sree (Manan- Goddess Square All days Annual President gaththaatkaav) Bhadrakaali eka·thala (5 to 8 a.m. and festival on Sree Manan-Bhadrakaali Twentieth 5-30 to 7-30 1st Tuesday gaththaatkaav temple century p.m.) in Makaram Bhadrakaali Temple

At Aththani Niuedya-pooja committee

Ayyappankaav (7 a.m.) Kaanjiramukku

In. Nivedya-poo)Q Pin - 679 584

(6-30 p.m.) Sub-group E

117 Sree (Chirakkal Goddess Square AlI days (5-30 Annua! President Vaalayaarkuntu) Bhadrakaali eka-thala to 7 -30 a.m.) festival on Sree Chirakkal-Bhagavathi Fifteenth Nivedya-pooja 2nd Friday Vaalayaarkuntu temple century (7 a.m.) on Makaram Bhagavathi Temple

250 m. Wof Committee

Ayanichira bridge Kaanjiramukku

on Aayilakkat Pin - 679584

road Sub-group E

118 Sree (Thekkek- Goddess Square AlI days Paattu President, karakaavil) Bha- Bhagavathi eka-thala (7 -30 to 9 a.m. uthsavon Sree Thekkekkara-gavathi temple (Durga) and 5 to 6 p.m.) Revathy, kaavil Bhagavathi

250 m. E of Nineteenth Usha-pooja Aswathi and Temple Committee,

Panambaat LPS century (8 a.m.) Bharaniin Purang

on Kottapati road Kumbham Pin- 679584

Sub-group E

119 Sree (Maara- Lord Siva Circular All days Sivaraathri President ncheri) Siva Eleventh eka-thala (7 to 9 a.m.) Sree Maarancheri temple century Nivedya -pooja Siva Temple Com-

At Mukkala HS (9 a.m.) mittee, Maarancheri

stop oft Kottapati Pin - 679581

road Sub-group E

605

Type of Ownership! Name of Principal sreekovi1. of Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal Time worship; Festival/ Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

120 Sree (Valakathth) Lord Square All days Annual Private temple,

Subramania Subramania eka-thala (8 to 10 a.m. festival for Valakathth family

temple Nineteenth and 5-30 to one day in Maarancheri

At Mukkala HS . century 6-30 p.m.) Makaram Pin - 679581

stop on Kottapati Usha-pooja Sub-group E

road (9 a.m.)

121 Sre-e (Kannaa- Goddess Square All days (10 to Annual Private temple,

ththen) Bhaga- Durga Devi eka-thala 11 a.m.) festival on Mankuzhiyil family

vathi temple Nineteenth Nivedya-pooja Chothiin Maaranchery

At Mukkala HS century (10 a.m.) Kumbham Pin - 679581

stop on Kottapati Sub-graup E

road

122 Sree (Kummil) Lord Vishnu Square All days No festival President

Vishnu temple Sixteenth dwi-thala (6-30 to Sree Kummil

At Chathothara- c~ntury 8-30 a.m.) Vishnu Temple

pati on Kottapati Nivedya-pooja Committee

road (8 a.m.) Maarancherry Pin - 679581

Sub-group E

123 Sree (Plaakkaatt) Goddess Square 1 st day of all Annual President

Bhagavathi Bhagavathi eka-thala Malayaala festival on Sree Plaakkaatt

temple Twentieth months last Friday Bhagavathi Temple

100 m. E of century [6 to 7 a.m.) in Makaram Committee

Karukathiruththi Nivedya-pooja Maarancheri

Valap In. on (7 a.m.) Pin - 679581

Kottapati road Sub-group E

5 VELIY ANKOT PANCHAA YATHTH . . 6 Ve!iyaQkot village

124 Sree (Grawnaa- Lord Siva Square 1\11 days No festival President

ththil) Siva temple Nineteenth eka-thala (7 to 8 a.m. and Sree Siva Temple

One krn. E of century 5 to 5-30 p.m.) Committee

Beach road In. at Nivedya-pooja Gramarn

Gramam on (8 a.m.) Pin - 679579

NH-17 Sub-group E

125 Sree lKappi- Lord Square All days Annua1 President

yearathth) Ha- Hanumaan eka-thala (5··30 to 8 a.m. festival in Sree Hanumaan

numaan temple Nineteenth and 5 to 8 p.m.) Dhanu Temple Committee.

One krn. E of century Usha-pooja Graamam

Beach road In.at (8 a.m.) Pin - 679 579

Gramam on Aththaozho- Sub-group E

NH-17 pooja (7-30p.m.)

606

Type of Ownership! Name of Principal sreekouilof Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal Time worship; Festival! Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

126 Sree (Perumutis- Lord Vettak- Square All days Annual Chairman seri) Vettakkoru- korumakan, eka-thala (5 to 9 a.m. and festival for HR&CE centre makan temple Ancient temple 5 to 7-30 p.m.) 4 days from Sree Perumutisseri

One and half km Usha-pooja 4th to 7 th Vettakkorumakan

WofThaaz- (6-30 a.m.) Dhanu Temple

haththupati on Uccha-pooja Eramangalam

Kottapati road (8 a.m.) Pin - 679587

Aththaazha- Sub-group C-2 pooja (7-30p.m.) (vide section 2,

s1. no. 6.15)

127 Sree (Kannenkil) Goddess Square All days Annual Private temple Bhagavathi Bhagavathi dwi·thala (6 to 7 a.IIl. and festival on Vatasseri family temple Nineteenth

5 to 6 p.m.) Bhar-ani in Eramangalam

Halfkm. W of century Nivedya-pooja Kumbham Pin- 679587

Eramangalam on (7 a.m.) Sub-group E Kottapati road

128 Sree (Naakkola) Lord Square All Mondays Annual Private temple Subramanya Subramanya eka-thala and Fndays festival on Sree Naakkola temple Nineteenth (6 to 7 -30 a.m.) 12th Subramanya

At Naakola In. on century Nivedya-pooja Makaram Temple

Kottapati road (7-30 a.m.) Enunangalam Pin - 679587

Sub-group E

129 Sree (Kalloorpally) Lord Vishnu Circular All days Ashtami Private temple Vishnu temple Eighteenth eka-thala 6 to 8 a.m. and rohini Chennaas mana

Ha1fkm. S of century 6 to 7 p.m.) Puzhakkara

Eramangalam Nivedya-pooja Eramangalam

(7 a.m.) Pin -.679587

Nivedya-pooja Sub-group E (6-30 p.m.,

130 Sree (Puzhakkara) Goddess Square All days Annual President Bhagavathi Durga devi eka-thala (5-30 to 9- 15 festival on Sree Bhagavathi temple Twentieth a.m. and 5-30 Kaarlhika in Temple Committee

One km. E of century to 8 p.m.) Meenam Puzhakkara

Eramangalam or Usha-pooja EramangaIrull

Naranipuzha road (6 a.m.) Pin - 679587

Uccha-pooJQ Sub-group E (8-30 a.m.) Aththaazha-pooja (7-30p.m.)

131 Sree (Koraccham- Lord Raama Circular All days No festival President kulangara) Nineteenth eka-thala (7 to 8 a.m. and Sree Raamachandra Raamachandra century 5-30 to 7 p.m.) Temple Committee, temple Usha-pooja Eramangalam

At Thaazhethth- (7 a.m.) Pin - 679587

pati stop on Aththaazha- Sub-group E Kottapati and pooja (7 p.m.) 100 m E.

607

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovilof Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal Time worship; Festival/ Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsa1Jam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

132 Sree (Vattak- Goddess L,quare All days Annual Secretary kaattu) Bhaga- Bhadrakaali eka-thala (6-30 to 8-30 festival on Sree 'vattakkaatt vathi tem.ple Fifteenth a.m., and 5 to Bho.raniin Bhagavathi temple

One km. EWof century 7-15 pm. Kumbham Committee

Ayyottichira stop Usha-pooja Graamaro

on Ponnani- (7-30 a.m.) Pin - 679579

Chaavakkad Aththaazha- Sub-group D-2 NH-17 road poojo

(7 p.m.)

6 PERUMPATAPPPANCHAAYATHTH 7 Perumpatapp village

133 Sree (Mulak- Goddess Bhad- Square All days Niramaala Secretary kaamparam- rakaali eka-thala (5 to 9 a.m. and on 11th Sree Kalarikkal bathth) Kalarikkal Nineteenth 5 to 8 p.m.) Meenam Bhagavathi Temple Bhagavathi century Usha-pooja Committee temple (6-30 a.m.) M ulakkaamparam-

One km. S of Aththaazha- bathth

Cheravalloor In. pooja (7 p.m.) Cheruvalloor

towards Patinjaat- Pin - 679575

tum muri Sub-group E

134 Sree (Aalingal) Goddess Bhad- Square Once in a Annual Secretary Bhagavathi rakaali No roof month festival on Aalingal Bhagavathi temple Nineteenth No specific time

11th Temple Committee,

One km. S of century Meenam Cheruvalloor

Cheravalloor In. Pin - 679575

towards Patinjaat- Sub-group E tum muri

135 Sree Chaaththan Lord Chaath- Rectangular All days Annual Private temple Bhagavathi than eka-thala (5 to 9 a.m. and festivai on Vellakkatta family temple Nineteenth 5 to 8 p.m.) 3 rd Monday Cheruvalloor

At Thattampati century Usha-pooja and Tues- Pin - 679575

In. (8 a.m.) day in Sub-group E Aththaazha-

Makaram

pooja (7 -30p.m.f

136 Sree (KoyappuUi) Lord Siva and Square All days Annual Devaswom Officer, Siva temple Vishnu dwi-thala (6 to 8-30 a.m. festival on Cochin Devaswom

One km. NE of Ancient temple and 5-45 to 3 rd Satur- Board

Puthanpalli In. 7-15 p.m.) day in Perumpatapp

Usha·pooja Makaram Pin - 679580

(7-30 am.) Sub-group C-6 Aththaazha- (vide section 2; pooja (6-30p.m.) 81. no. 6-16)

137 Sree (Kaattu- Goddess Bhad- Circular All days {S-30 to Prathishtha- Private temple maatam) rakaab eka-thala 9 a.m. and 5-30 day on 15th Kaattumaatam mana Mu ththassiamma Fifteenth to 8 p.m.) Meenam Perumpatappu temple century Usha-pooja Pin - 679580

500 m. W of Van- (7 a.m.) Sub-group C-6 neri HS on Kun- Uccila-poo.ja (vide section 2, namkulam road (8-30 a.m.) sL no. 6.17)

Aththaazha-pooja (7ASp.m.)

608

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovil of Management;

Sl. temple; deity: prL.'1cipal Time worship; Festival/ Sub-group; no, location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

1 2 :3 4 5 6 7

138 Sree (Theey- Goddess Square All days Annual Private temple yathth) Bhaga- Bhadrakaali eka-thala (5 to 10 a.m. festival for Sree Theeyyathth vathi temple Nineteenth

and 5 to 7 p.m.) 8 days from Bhagavathi Temple,

One and halfkm. centuiry Usha-pooja Thiruvonam Perumpatappu

W of PaaraIn. on (9 a.m.) to Bharani Pin - 679580

Kunnamkulam Aththaazha- in Kumb- Sub-group E road pooja (7 pm.) ham

139 Sree (Chaaluku· Lord Ayyappa S.:;.aare All days (8-30 to Paraya- Private temple langaral A,\<yappa Nineteenth eka-thala 9-30 a.m.) mvelaon Sree Ayyappa temple century Nivedya-pooja

2nd Satur- Temple Committee,

One lan. Waf (9-30 a.m,) day in Chaalukulangara,

Paara ,In. l'vfakaram Perumpatappu

Pin- 679 580

Sub-group E

140 Sree (Pattaales- Lord Siva Square All days Thiru- President waram) Siva /\.D.cient temple dwi-thala (6 to 9 a.m, and vaathira in Sree Pattaales-temple 5 to 6-30 p.m,) Dhanu waram Siva Temple

Onekm. Wof Nivedya-pooja Committee,

PaaraJn. (8-30 a.m.) Perumpatappu

Niuedya-pooja Pin - 679580

(6-30 p.m.) Sub-group E

141 Sree (Aarannoor) Lord Vi.shnu CircuJar All days No festival President Maha Vishnu NL.'1.eteenth eka-thala (6 to 8 a,m.) Sree Maha Vishnu temple century Nivedya-pooja

Temple Committee,

One kIn E of 17-30 a.m.) Ayiroor

Paalapetti In, on Pin - 679579

Ponnani Chavak- Sub-group E kad road

142 Sree (Puthiyer- Lord Raama Circular All days SreeRaama President uth.thi) Raamas- Ancient temple eka·th.ala (6 to 8 a.m. and Navami SreC Ramaswami wami temple 5-30 to 7 p.m.) Temple Committee,

One kIn E of Usha-pooja Graarnarn

Paahipetti In. on (7 a.m.) Pin- 679579

Ponnant Chava_~- Deepaaraad- Sub-group E kad road hc.na (6-30

p.m.)

143 Sree (Paalappetti} Goddess Bhad- Square All days (8 to Annual fes- President Bhagavathi rakaali eka-thala 10-30 a.m.) tival on Sree Bhagavathi temple Seventeenth Nivedya-pooja

Bharaniin Temple Committee,

Onekm. Waf century (9 a.m.) Meenam PaaIappetti

Eramangalaro-Pin- 679579

Kothamukku road Sub-group E

7 NAN~A.MUKKU PANCHAAYATHTH 8 Narmamukku village

144 Sree (Patteru- Goddess Bhad~ Square All Sunrlays Annual Private temple valappil) Bhaga- rakaali eka-thala (7 to 9 a.m.) festival on Palteruvalappil faIl1-vathi temple Nineteenth l\fivedya-pooja

1 st 1i.l~sdav ily m Meenan? Mookkuthala

One km. I'.'W of century (9 a.m.} Pin - 679574 Changarakulam In. (of KunnlUI1~ Sub-group E kulam road)

3655 RGII03-40A 609

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sr-eekovil of Management;

Sl. temple; deity; principal Time worship; Festival/ Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

145 Sree (Karuvaathu) Lord Ayyappa Apsidal All days Annual President

Ayyappa temple Eighteenth eka-thala (5 to 7 -30 a.m. festival on Sree Ayyappa Tem-

Near H.S. century and 5-30 to lOth Kumb- pie Committee,

Mukkuthala 7 p.m.) ham Mookkuthala

Nivedya-pooja Pin - 679574

(7 a.m.) Sub-group E Nivedya-pooja (6-30 p.m.)

146 Sree (Velayaat) Lord Narasim- Square All days Annual fes- President Narasim~ hamoorththy eka-tha!a (5 to 12 noon tivaI on Sree Narasimha-hamoorththy Eleventh and 5 to 8 p.m.) Uthn1ttaathi moorththy Temple temple century Usha-pooja in Kumb- Committee

Two km. SEof (6 a.m.) ham Nannamukku

Changaramkulam Uccha-pooja Pin - 679575

at Pallikkara (11-30 a.m.) Sub-group D-2 Aththaazha- (Ruined by forces of pooja (7 p.m.) Tippu Sulthan)

147 Sree (Muntan Lord Ard- Square All days (5-30 to Sivamathri Private temple Thrkkovil) Siva hanaareeswara eka-thala 10 a.m. and Kottapurathth temple Nineteenth 5-30 to 7 p.m.) mana, Three km S of century Usha-pooja Nannamukku Changaramkulam (9 a.m.) Pin- 679 575 at Kalloormana Alhthaazha- Sub-group E

pooja (6-30p.m.)

148 Sree (Rakthes- Lord Siva Circular All days Sivamathri President waram) Siva Ancient temple eka-thala (6 to 8 a.m. and Sree Raktheswaram temple 5-30 to 7 p.m.) Siva Temple

Three kIn W of Nivedyam Committee

Changaramkulam (7 a.m.) Mookkuthala

on Chalakatav Deepaar-aad- Pin - 679574

road hana (6-30p.m.) Sub-group E

149 Sree (Kulancheri) Lord Narasim- Circular All days Annual Executive Officer, Vishnu temple hamoorththy eka-thala (9 to 10 a.m.) festival on HR&CE, Sree

Four km. SW of Ancient temple Niuedya-pooja 1st Metam Vishnu Temple,

Changaramkulam (9-30 a.m.) Kolancheri

on Naranippuzha Mookku thala

road Pin - 679574

Sub-group E

150 Sree (Kannan Goddess Square All days Pooramuth- Private temple kaav) Bhagavathi Bhadrakaali eka-thala (5 to 11 a.m. savon 1s> Aazhvaancherimana temple Ancient temple and 5 to 8 p.m.) Friday in Mukkuthala

Three km. W of Usha-pooja Makaram Pin - 679574

Changaramkulam (6 a.m.) Sub-group C-2 at Moonikku thala Uccha-pooja (vide section 2, on Narampuzha (10-30 a.m.) s1. no. 6.18) road Athlhaazha-

pooja (7-30p.m.)

610 3655 R GI/03--40B

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreelcovil of Management;

SI. temple; deity; principal Time worship; Festival! SUb-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

151 Sree (Mookku- Goddess No sreekovil All days Nauaraathri Chairman thala Melekaav) Vishnu Maaya (S to 9-30 a.m. HR&CE, Bhagavathi tem- Very ancient and 5 to Sree Bhagavathi pIe temple 7-30 p.m.) Temple

Two and half kIn. Nivedya-pooja Mukkuthala

W of Changaram- (7 a.m.) Pin - 679574

kulam at Muk- Evening pooja Sub-group C-l kuthala on Na- (7 p.m.) (vide section 2 ranipuzha road s1. no. 6.19)

152 Sree (Mukkuthala Goddess Durga Circular All days (5-30 to Prathishta Chairman Keezhe-kkaav) Devi eka-thala 8-30 a.m. and day on HR&CE, Sree Kaaz-Durga devi temple Ancient temple 5-30 to 7 p.m.) Kaarthika in hekkaav Durga devi

Three kID. W of Nivedya-pooja Vrschikam temple

Changaramkulam (8-30 a.m.) Mukkuthala

at Mukkuthala on Nivedya-pooja Pin - 679574

Naranipuzha road (6-30 p.m.) Sub-group D-2 (vide write up on 6.19 of section 2)

153 Sree (Man ali - Goddess Square All days Annual President yaarkaav) Bhaga- Bhagavathi eka-thala (Moming) festival on Sree Manali-vathi temple Eighteenth

1 st 1\lesday yaarkaav Temple

Five km. S of century in Makar-am Committee, Nannamukku Changaramkulam Pin - 679575 at Sraayikatav. Sub-group E

8 AALA~KOTPANCHAAYATHTH

9 Aalal)kot village

154 Sree (Pan- Lord Lakshmi Square All days (6 to 9 Prathsitha President thaavoor) Lak- Narasimha eka-thala a.m.) and on 1st day on Sree Lakshmi Nara-shmi Narasim- Sixteenth Thursday in a Chothi in simhamoorththy hamoorththy century month (evening Vaisaakham Temple Committee, temple also) Morning Panthaavoor

Three km. N of pooja (7-30a.m.) Aalamkot

Changaramkulam Pin - 679585

at Panthavoor and Sub-group E thence 100 m on Aalancode road

155 Sree Asununa- Lord Asurama- Square All days Pooramuth- President hakaalan temple haakaalan eka-thala (6 to 8 a.m. and savon 1st Sree Asuramaha-

Four km. NE of (Siva) 6 to 6-30 p.m.) Wednesday akaalan Temple

Changramkulam Sixteenth cen- Morning pooja in Makaram Commitee,

Aalamkot via Aalamkot at tury (7 a.m.) Pin - 679585 Kakkipuram and 250m NW Sub-group E

156 Sree (Kakkitippu- Goddess Bhad- Rectangular Nopooja No festival Secretary rathth) Mullakkal rakaali eka-thala Sree Mullakkal Bhagavathi Eighteenth

Bhagavathi Temple temple century

Committee

Four km. NE of Aalamkot

Changramkulam Pin - 679 585

via Aalamkot at Sub-group E Kakkipuram and 250m NW

611

Type of Ownership/ Name of Principal sreekovilof Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal Time worship; Festival ( Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

157 Sree (Ashtayil) Lord Nara- Square All days No festival Ooraanma under Narasimha temple simha eka-thala (6 to 8 a.m. and HR&CE, Sree Ash-

At Maanthatam Eleventh 6 to 7-30 p.m.) tayil Narasimha

In. on Chan- century Usha-pooja Temple, Aalamkot

garamkulam- (7-30 a.m. Pin - 679 585

Etappal road and Sub-group C-4 thence two and (vide section 2, halfkm. E s1. no. 6.20)

158 Sree (Kizhiyappu- Lord Square All days (5-30 to Thaipooyam President rathth) Subrama- Subramania eka-thala 7 -30 a.m. and 5 Sree Kizhiyappu-niaswami temple Eighteenth to 8 p.m.) rathth Subramania

Eight kIn. NE of century Usha-pooja Temple Committee,

Changaramkulam (7 a.m.) Aalamkol

at Ashtayakunnu Aththaazha- Pin - 679585

In. pooja (7 p.m.) Sub-group E

159 Sree Aaryankaav Goddess Square All days (6 to Annual President Bhagavathi Bhagavathi eka-thala 8-30 a.m. and festival on Sree Aaryankaav temple Twentieth cen- 6 to 7-30 p.m.) 1st Tuesday Bhagavathi Temple

One km. NWof tury Usha-pooja in Kumb- Committee,

Changaramkulam (7 a.m.) ham Aalamkot

and thence Aththaazha- Pin - 679585

200 mE. pooja (7 p.m.) Sub-group E

160 Sree (Chen- Lord Siva Square All days (6-30 to Sivaraathri . President naathth) Siva Eleventh dwi-thala 8 a.m. and 5-30 Sree Chennaathth temple century to 7 p.m.) Siva Temple Com-

One and half km. Usha-pooja mittee, Aalamkot

E of Maantilatam (7-30 a.m.) Pin - 679 585

Aththaazha- Sub-group E pooja (7 p.m.)

161 Sree (Udinu- Goddess Square All days Poorama- President parambu) Kaar- Kaarthyaayani eka-thala (6 to 9 a.m. and hoths'2von Sree Kaarthyaayani thyaayani Devi Eighteenth 6 to 8-30 p.m.) 12th Devi Temple Com-temple century Usha-pooja Meenam mittee, Udinu-

Three km. N of (7-30 a.m.) parambu, Aalamkot

Changaramkulam Aththaazha- Pin - 679 585 at Udinaparamb. pooja (7-30p.m.) Sub-group E

162 Sree (Kakkiti) Lord Maha Square No pooja No festival Private temple, Vishnu temple Vishnu dwi-thala Changaliyott mana,

One and half kIn. Sixteenth cen- Aalamkot

N of ChangaIam- tury Pin - 679 585

kuLrun at Maan- Sub-group E thatam

163 Sree (Methrkkovil) Lord Dak- Square All days (7 to No festival President Dak- shinamoorth- eka-thala 8 a.m. and 6-30 Sree Methrkkovil shinamoorththy thy to 7-30 p.m.) Dakshinamoorththy temple Eleventh Moming pooja Temple Committee,

One and half km. cf'ntury (7-45 a.m.) Aalamkot

N of Changaram- Pin - 679585

kulam at Maan- Sub-group E thatam via Pe-rumpullimana

612

Type of Ownershipj Name of Principal sreekovilof Management;

S1. temple; deity; principal Time worship; Festival! Sub-group; no. location antiquity deity poojas Uthsavam Remarks

2 3 4 5 6 7

164 Sree (Kaarekkaat) Goddess Bhad- Square All days (6 to 10 Poorama- Ooraanrna Bhagavathi rakaali eka-thaia a.m.) and Sun- hothsavon Aazhvaancheri temple Fifteenth day, Tuesday 1st Sunday family, Perumukku

Two km. NW of century and Friday (6 to in Kumb- Aalamkot

Changaramkulam 8 a.m.) ham Pin - 679 585

at Panthaam Moming pooja Sub-group E bridge In. and (8 a.m.)

thence one and Sandhyaa-pooja

half km. SW on (7-30 p.m.)

Perumukk road

165 Sree (Kottayil) Lord Maha Square Once in a No festival Private temple Maha Vishnu Vishnu eka-thala month (No Sree Maha Vishnu temple Eighteenth specific time) Temple, Kottayil

200 ITI. NE of century Kokkoor

Changaramkulam Pin- 679591

Sub-group E

166 Sree (Maankun- Goddess Square All days Annual Secretary nathth) Ayyappa Bhagavathi eka-thala (6 to 10 a.m.) festival on Sree Maankun-temple (Bhadrakaali) Moming-pooja 20 th nathth Ayyappa

One and half km. Sixteenth (7·30 a.m.) Makaram Temple Committee Nannamukku

NE via century Pin - 679575 Panchaayath office road. Sub-group E

167 Sree (Kozhis- Goddess Bhad- Square All days Annual Private temple, saamghaattu - rakaali eka-thala (8-30 to 10a.m., festival on Naripparambumana kaav) Bhagavathi Fifteenth Morning-pooja

1st Tuesday Valayamkulam temple century (9 a.m.) in Makaram Kokkoor

Two km. E of Pin - 679591

Changaranlkulam Sub-group E at Valaymklilam In.

168 Sree (Kokkoor) Lord Maha Square All days Poorama- Secretary Maha Vishnu Vishnu eka-thala (5 to 11 a.m. hothsavon Sree Maha Vishnu temple Sixteenth cen- and 5 to 7 p.m.) 8 th Kumb- Temple Committee,

Five km. E Chan- tury Usha-pooja ham Kokkoor

garamkulam at (8 a.m.) Pin - 679591

Kokkur School Aththa=ha- Sub-group E In. pooja (7 p.m.)

169 Sree (Othaloor) Goddess Durga Square All days Poorama- President Bhagavathi Bhagavatbi eka-thala (5 to 8 a.m. and hothsavon Sree Othaloor temple Fourteenth 5 to 8 p.m.) 5 th Meenam Bhagavathi Temple

Fourkm. E of century Us I w-pooja Committee

Changaramkulam (7-30 a.m.) Othaloor West

at Paavittapuram Aththaazha- Pin - 679591

and thence three pooja (7-30p.m.) Sub-group E km. SWat Othaloor.

170 Sree Ayyap- Lord Ayyappa Square Only on No festival Secretary pankaav temple Eighteenth eka-thala mandalam Mandalachirappu

Four km. SW of century (7 to 9 a.m.) Committee, Sree

Paavittapuram Mommg-pooja Ayyappankaav,

(3 a.m.) Othaloor West Pin - 679591

Sub-group E

613

PROCEDURE OF TRANSLITERATION

Malaya-lam, one of the Dravidian languages. owes its origin to the proto-Dravidian tongue.

It had close association with Tamil but Sanskrit and its proto-forms like PraJqt excercised greater

influence on this language. The modem Malaya.!am script is mainly adopted from Granthha­

script (Book-script) which was commonly used by the Brahmins throughout South India in the

early centuries. The Malaya~am language has at present 56 alphabets (18 vowels and 38 consonants)

besides 127 conjunct-consonants. Since most of the works which are based for writing this volume

are Malaya!am works and translated versions of Sanskrit works, which are followed as guide­

books by the architects and priesthood class, there were some difficulties in transliterating those

technical words into English without using diacritical marks. The common reader however will

find it difficult if diacritical marks are alone used though such a procedure is ideal. Considering all

these aspects the following procedure is .adopted in this volume for transliterating Malaya!am

alphabets into English. The equivalent Devanagarl alphabets are also given, wherever possible

for reference.

Malayii!am Devaniigari English Sounds like Transliteration (with diacritical mark)

(i) Vowels

~ \3f a ain mica a ~ \3lT a a in far aa,a

@ ~ 1 i in bit 1

@'D t 1 ee in feel ee, 1

@ \3" U u in full u ~'D i3? U 00 in cool oo,li

~ ~ r n In ring vocalised r r

@ f vocalised r lengthened f

m !i vocalised I li

m- !i vocalised l lengthened II

614

MaJaya/am Devanagari English Sounds like Transliteration (with diacritical mark)

nffJ tz e as a in cake e ntH e as ea in swear e

6)n{j) rt ail ai in Kiser or } at ei ei in height

63 \3fJ 0 a in note 0 630 6 o in vote 0

63'D \311 au au in count au,ou

<m?)o \3l m (anusvara) } am,m am in Ambassador

<m?)g 31: h (visarga) } vocalised half h h

(ii) Consonants

c6> q) k k in Kangaroo k 6l.J ~T kh khin Khakki kh (J) Tf g gin Good g

ne.J ~T gh gh in Ghat or 109-hut} gh

(aspirated g) 6T3 ~ n ng in sing ng,n

A.l ~T c ch in chapter ch .o..(C) g ch chh in church-hill chh sa \J'T J j in Jug J

«JU) ~ jh Jh in Jhelum river } jh (aspirated ))

n ng in singe . -6l'm 51 nj, n

5 G: t t in curt } (cerebral t) t

0 th th in hot-house } ~h (aspirated tal

d din bird } d (cerebral d)

dh dh in red-hot } (aspirated da) 9h

n in bond } n (cerebral n)

615

Malayiifam Devaniigari English Sounds like Transliteration ('With (:litKntical maJ.i:)

lID a- t th in thump } (true dental th) th

LO th th in thunder } (aspirated th) thh

f3 d th in though } (dental d, d

(1) ~ dh dh in breath-hard dh

m ;:r n n in pen } (dental n) n

rU q P pinpun p

nil l.l? ph ph in top-hat ph

6TlJ ~ b b in bat b

IS 'q bh bh in abhor } (aspirated b) bh

I2l ;or m m in man m

(Q.J ~ y YUl young y

ro ~ r r in rust } r (palatal r)

flJ crT 1 I in lump 1 OJ Gf V v in levy v,w

~1 palate! s ,

uo s s

s shin should t (cere bral s) sh

J ffi) B s s in SlID s I'll) ~ b h in horne h

(iii) Consonants special to Malayalam

I in flower } 1

(cerebral l)

'9 la cerebra-palatal l zha 0 r a cerebral r r

0 t t C)

tt in witty tt

m n n bar"k"ll1a n

616

(Iv) Secondary signs addd to consonants Malayii!am DevaniigarI Transliteration MaJayii!am DevaniigarJ Transliteration

<fb co ka 6)<6> rli ke d'hO CfiT ka/kaa ~c&.. ~ ke ,e,l ~ ki 6)6)<6> ~ kai <fb"1 rit ke/kee ~ ko

ku 6)c£hO

c&..~ 3'i ~ ko ku/koo adbO :&..l sri

~ kau c£b~ 9J kr dh'D } ,s,o\ kr c£bo Cf) kam

rtf> k! cfM en: kah ')

(v) Conjunct consonants used in Malayalam

£-6) qq) kka § ~ tta d3® ffi ktha 5.,\ ~ tya c&..~ CRT kya

<)& ~ dda ~ tRi'T k!a cWC\J9 ~ <;l9ha <£hi q:q kva 6TTBc£h UCf) I)ka ~ 1ft ksha 6TlS uc: 1)ta ~12l ~ kshma 6TTBo UQ ntha <fb':!1~ ~ kshya 6Y1)ruJ us nda

khya 6In UlIT nna 6I.J.,\ '&T

6TIZl UB l)ma

<& ITT gga Gm.,\ m:r l)ya W8 n:; gda 6Tl)J U'q I)va U)fID ~ gddha·

arrm 'r'f ththa u-o r.:r gna ann ~ ththha Ulll n:r gma cmm {"f thna (f)}; n:r gya mg ?q' thbha

oeJm '6l ghna COTll (if thma

toe.! ~T ghra <15>,,\ ~ thya COT\) ffi' thsa

is> ;:q} nka 6-BUJ ~ (TT) nga ~ e:- dda

~g. nga M ~ ddha 61ffi

dya (3,,\ ~

-9d ~~r ccha wm dhna cchha 'Gf ~ 'E[§

Wr2l dhma v=r -'kl.,\ 'CZf chya dhya (J.)~ V1

~ ;:ru:r .ua ntha .- am :rn 96fID m Jna nthha m_o ~ ~e~ ~ JYa m ~ nda 6'11ru ~ (~) (CiT) ncha (TU) ~ ndha 6TciS !llC1 ~ nchha <Tn ~r nna Gll!);m 3q

"', <lZl ~ nIna nJa 61\)17,)) ~ ""'" m.,\ ~ nya nna

617

(iv) Secondary signs addd to consonants Malaya!am Devanagarl Transliteration Malaya!am Devaniigarl Transliteration

nJ'tm t:iJ ptha <Jru !;iq sea

~ a::r ppa uOO) ~-;::r sna

nJ.:\ Qf pya uOC2l :111 sma

ooJ~ bja Ull_) ~7.:f sya

G:Tf ssa

6lii8 ~ bda ~ ~·~T

snJw ~ bdha nilce, 1X;fl shka

6lJd ~ bba nils 152: shta 6Tl.I.,\ &f bya nfu roo sh~ha l6Tl.l ~ bra, bra nil6lTl mr shna

@~ 'R:f bhya ~n.J "&f shpa

Us ~ bhra nilnD ~ shpha

n!i1C2l tiJ1 shma v

1=rf C2lm mna ciI:I.), "G!:f shya

mJ ;:q npa, mba o91J ~ shva

QI2) U-[ mma

12l~ R.l my a m)cB> ~ ska

lC2l ;r mra m)6lJ ffiT skha

~ ~T m!a mJ(O) Fl stha

cru..o ~ sthha a}5ca, ljf) yka

m)(l) R sna m)'d)6) <.:qq) ykka

" ytha m)nJ fq spa

COl ar.> ~ 'V

cIDoJ <J1 Ipa (lI.)n.O Bl) spha

" V1 m)f2l Bl sma

Well yma

C9I u:r yya (T\)c\ ~ sya

em m ssa cBd)6) ~ rkka cB~ (roJ) <f rya nm FT hna

nQl t"T r~l=-T hma 'V

c<q) lka QJcB, n.O~ mJ~ hya

eJnJ iTCf Ipa v

~ Iba ~n ux:r !ya eJ6l1.l

eJr2l ~l1 1ma ~ CiXJj lla

aJj W lya <9rfh ~ zhka

ru_,) ~ vya <9<>.J 1Sq zhcha

Qd c:c:r vva \9Ql 1SI1 zhma

1. The main changes adopted in the above procedure of transliteration are aa

for a (~, 317); ee for 1 ( @2"D, t ); 00 for ii (@'!), '3i"); am for m (<<JT()o, 31); ng for Ii. (613, so);

ch for c (.o.J , q-); chh for ch (!l..fc', (9") nj for n (6TID, 31) t for ~ (5, c:); th for t (<<5l, ill thh for

th (LO, <>r); v or w for v (OJ, C1'); sh for ~ (09::1, q); and zha for I (!pl·

2. Also see note given at page 2 of this volume.

618

A

Aachaaram

Aachaarya

Aalththara

AalU-Vl!akk

Aaga-kottil/ A3ga-panthal

Aana-vaathil

Aagayottam

Aaraatt

Aasrmam

Aathma-linga

Aatta-visesham

A avaahan am

AavaI)a-paJaka

Aayilyam

Abhaya

Abhish§kam

GLOSSARY

Tradition

A spiritual guide or teacher

An elevated platform around the foot of a peepul or a banyan tree

A big tall-lamp with a central rod around which are placed number of

small wick-carrying lamps in the shape of peepul-leaf

An elephant-shed built on tall pillars for keeping caparisoned elephants

during uthsavam and other rituals or keeping them at their rest time

Gate-way for the elephant

Elephant -race

Royal bath of the deity on the concluding day of uthsavam either in river

or temple-tank

Hermitage

A classified Siva-linga with full potency of the Lord

Annual festival

Invocation

Seat (paJaka) made of wood of chamatha or jackwood tree in the shape of

tortoise (aarna) and large enough to seat the priest without touching the ground, while performing rites.

Ninth-asterisk of lunar month auspicious to Naagaraaja (Serpent- God) or

generally to serpents

A mudra (sign) of protection

Ablution of the deity with liquid medium ie. pure-water. milk. curd. honey.

ghee, sugar-cane juice, tender-cocoanut water, ka!abham. panchaamrtham

etc. The prescribed time of the flrst abhishekam in a temple is 11/4 naazhikas (30 minutes) before sunrise, though this time varies according to the time

of opening of the temple.

619

Adhish{haa!}aIn

Ag!]i

Ag!}i-devan

Agpi-kol}c

Agra-maIJ9apam

Agra-saaJa

Ahankaaram

Akaththe-balivatlam

Akkara

Akshatham

AmguJam/Angulam

Amman

Amrth

A!}anthasayaQanJ

AlJ9a-vrththam

A {1iya[a

Anizham

Aiija!}aIn

A iijapakkaJl

A!1kam

Annadaanam F__ _

Anthahaara

It is the basement with vertical moulded tiers, each tier arranged from

bottom to top in specified order and shape and having different names for

each ie, paadukam, jagathi, kumudrun, kumuda-pati, ga!run, ga!a-pati,

kampam, vaajaQaJD, va!am (va!abhl),patlika,prathi,kapotham, uththaram and patio In rare cases the adhish!haaQam is built over upa-pce!ham or a

base platform.

Fire

God of fue (see Ashla-dikpaalas)

South-east direction

Hall attached to the front of the chugambaiam, also called balikkal-pura if valiya-balikka11 (principaJ ohlation stone) is installed

It is temple kitchen attached to oottu-pura (dining-hall) and is a separate

structure positioned at the maryaada or outside. Generally it is located on

the northern side of the temple.

Self-consciousness, egoism

It is the inner-most praakaaram. It includes sreekovil (with or without

mukha-malJ9apam, namaskaara-malJl}apam or paattoott/paattupura, inner

bali-pee!has. sub-shrines. well etc. all within the chu!!ambalam. The

position of the well is sometimes within the northern naalambaJam.

Opposite side of a river

A mixture of paddy and raw-rice

It is a unit of measurement (generally it is maathramgulam),

Maathraamgulam is different from prathimaamgula111 - the latter being

one-twelfth of thaala ea measure for determining the height of an idol).

Maalhraamgulam with 8 yavams is considered best, 7 yavams as medium

and 6 yavams as lowest. As per kishku kale one amguJam is 1.177 inches

A form of Goddess KaaJi worshipped as village Goddess, more popular in

Tamil Nadu

Nectar

Repose on serpent-God A!!antha

Elliptical

Inner room or dressing room for artists of theyyam, koothth

Seventeenth asterisk of lunar month

Lamp-black ointment

Antimony sulphate

Duel

Free distribution of food. It is an important offering or a ritual in a

temple

It is the second praakaaram known as chu!!ambalam The front portion of

antha-haara is specially known as valiyambalam (in some places as vaathil-

620

Antharaa!a

Anthada!lam

Antha[-mal}9alam

Appa-kajjaaya

Appam

Ara

Araval}a / katum-paayasam

Arayaal

Arcchaka

A[cch8na

A[ghya

Ari-paayasam

Ashta-bandham

Ashta-bandha-kalasam

Ashta-da!a

Ashta-dikpaalas

Ashla-manga!a-pras!!am

maatam) and the other three sides as naalambalam. Chu!!ambalam is

rectangular in shape with greater width for valiyambalam portion. In some

cases agra-mal}¢apam is seen as an attached structure of chu!!ambalam.

Inner corridor of the sreekovil

A lady belonging to a Nampoothiri family.

It is an imaginary square around the sreekoviJ having half-a-dand (two

kales) from the adhish!haa!]am. The positions of inner balipeethas are on

this imaginary line with deviations, depending on the Divinity.

Covering the idol with appam. A term commonly used in Thu!unaat and

in Gouda Saarawatha temples.

A fried cake which is a preparation of raw-rice flour, molasses, plantain

etc. mixed in a certain proportion and fried in ghee or cocoanut oil. If it is

in ghee, it is called neyyappam.

Inner-hall

A special preparation of thick consistency, made of raw rice,

molasses, cardamom etc.

Peepul tree

Priest, a term commonly used in other Southern States.

Also known as pushpaaiijali is the offering of flowers by chanting manthras

of the deity, usually meant for health and longevity.

Water and other articles offered at the time of rites.

Sweet porridge made of rice.

It is a building medium of eight articles viz. 6 parts of the powder of

sankh (conch), 4 parts of chenchalyam [Pinus Dummer], 2 parts of

Katukkaththi5t) , (skin of Chebulic myrobalanJ, one part of ki5larakk (a

type of gum-lac), one part kozhtpparal (a type of soil), one part of nool­

pamththi (white silk or cotton), one part of peraattumal}a1 (sand taken

from the river-bed of Bhaarathapuzha) and half part of nellikka or Amala

fruit (Indian gooseberry). Gingellyoil is used for mixing the above articles

as per a special procedure extending to at least 30 days. Idols are fixed to

the peetham by using ashta-bandham .. lts potency lasts to a maximum

period of twelve years.

A kaJasam ceremony in connection with the application of ashta-bandham

to the idol

Eight-petalled or in the shape of octagon,

They are the presiding guardian divinities at the eight points. In the antha[­

man¢aJam of a temple their position are Indra at east, Ag!!i at south-east,

Yarna at south, Nirthi at south-west, Varul)a at west, Vaayu at north-west,

Soma at north and Isaanan at north-east.

A type of astrological prediction

621

Ashta-mangalyam

Ashtami

A shtami-RohilJi

Asuddhi

Ala

Aththaazha-paoja

Aticchu-tha!i

Atiya or Adiga

Atiyantharam

A val

Avathaaram

B Baahya-haara

BaaJalaya

Akshatha (mixture of paddy and rice), anjaQa (lamp-black ointment),

da[ppalJam (a bell-metal mirror), a chepp (a small round-box containing

saffron powder), a well-washed cloth, a granlhham (a scriptural work)

and a burning-lamp.

Eighth day in a lunar fortnight

Also known as Sree KrshlJ3 Jayanthi. In Kera!a it is observed on Ashtami

day along with Rahil}i asterisk in the month of Chirigam. (Rahil}i is the

fourth lunar asterisk)

Generally it means pollution and opposite to suddhi (purity). But in temples

asuddhi may be due to various reasons like birth or death of human beings

or other animals within temple complex, fire in praasaadam; presence of

blood. urine, excrements, vomit, phlegm etc. of human beings within the

praasaadam, entering of persons having pollution in the family,

dismemberment, decay or change of position of idol, performance of paoja

not applicable to the deity, offering of flowers not meant for the deity.

entering of thieves and desecrating the idol, entry of owl, vulture, dog,

monkey, pig, jackal, monkey rat-snake etc. inside the garbha-grham,

anointing idol with impure sandal-paste, non-conduct of pooja at specified

times, discontinuance of poojas, falling of dhwajam, pollution of tanks

and wells, damage to sree-baJi vigraham, damages due to lightning, eclipse

etc. For all these expiatory rites have to be done.

A type of steamed cake made of rice-powder, cocoanut gratings, molasses

and plantain.

Paoja held with ni vedyam between 2 1/2 naazhikas (1 hour) and 5 naazhikas

(2 hours) after sunset.

Sweeper or cleaner, generally of a temple

A community of Brahmin-priest

Celebration of a ritual

Beaten-rice (rice-flakes)

Incarnation

Also called pu!aththe-balivattam in which bali-pee!has of gaJJ3-devathas

are installed. These bali-pee!has exist only in temples having valiya­

balikkaJl (principal oblation stone). Around these outer bali-pee!has there

is the circumambulatory path calJed pradakshiI}a-vazhi or pradakshiIJa­

pathham. When a structure is built over the pradakshiI}a-pathham it is

known as sree-balippura or seevelippura.

Temporary abode of the deity before consecration or re-consecration of an

idol.

622

Baasthi

Bali

Bali-pee{ham or balikkaJi

BaJi-vigraham

Basadi

Bhagavathi-seva

Bhajaga-ma!ham

BhaIJfjaara

Bhafl9aara-veet

BhaflcJi-pura

BharalJi

Bhasmam or vibhoothi

Bhiththi

Bimbam

Brahma-kalasam

Buddhi

c Chaakyaa[

Chaakyaa[-koothth

Chaitha!]yam

Chakra

Chandanam

Chandan am-ehaarththal - -Chepp

CheiJgaJa

Che{lla

ChiiJgam

Jain deity

A ritualistic rite ie. offering of boiled raw-rice to divinities

Oblation stone, generally representing a deity.

Idol used for sree-bali, sreebhoatha-bali or uthsava baJi. BaJi-vigraham is

generally made of bronze or paneha-loha and its measurements are

proportionate to the height of the main idol. It may be either in

anthropomorphic form or of mirror-type

Jain temple

A special poaja for Goddess Bhagavathi done after dusk

Prayer-hall

Treasure-box (hUllti) or treasure-room (bha1J9aara-ara)

Treasure-house

Store-house for vaahanas

Second asterisk in a lunar month

Holy ashes

Wall

Image

The main kalasam positioned at the centre of the kalasam and intended for

the principal deity and or in association with important rites of the temple

Intelligence

Descendant of an out-class from the Nampoothiri (Malayaa!a-Brahmin)

community

It is a mono-act with the accompaniment of the percussion instrument­

mizhaav, and it is generally staged in temples. The theme is puraaLJic and

the artist is well-versed in Sanskrit and Malayii!am.

Splendid or divine power of the deity

Disc. A weapon in the hand of Lord VishI]u or Goddess

Sandal-wood

Anointing the face or the whole body of an idol with sandal-paste.

A small round box with lid.

A round-shaped gong made of ve!!i5t (a bell-metal alloy) used as a

percussion instrument inpancha-vaadyam etc.

A type of drum commonly used in ceremonial procession outside

chu!!ambaJam of a temple

~m~~~~~~~W~~~~~~~~

623

Chin-mudra

Chira

Chirajeevi

Chithra-kootam

Chiththira

Chiithi

Chovva-vilakk

Chuttu-vi!akk

o Daaru

Daarujithth

Daaru-silpa

Daaruka or Daarika

Daivajiia

DakshilJa

Darbha

Dasaavathaara

Dasami

DeepaaraadlJa!} a

A mystic symbol proclaiming oneness, by keeping the tips of the fore­

finger and the thumb of the right hand touching each other and the ':leher

fingers in straight position,

Tank

Immortal

A shrine for serpent Gods

Fourteenth asterisk of lunar month

Fifteenth asterisk of lunar month.

It is lighting of lamps on Tuesdays, especially in Bhagavathi temples.

Along with lighting of lamps raw-rice, coconuts, tender coconut, COCOllut

oil, plantain. molasses, cuminum seed, camphor, agarDathlhi (inccss:mt

sticks), arecanut, betel-leaves and aval are offered in some temples with

the nomenclature of chovva vilakk. If the lamps arc lighted during J3Y

time it is known as pakaJ-vi!akk.

Rows of wall-lamps fixed around chuffambalam or vi!akkumaatam

(madhya-haara). Normally lamps are lighted after dusk.

Wood

A concept of Goddess Bhadrakaa!i either before killing the

demon Daaruka (Daarika) or after it

Wood-carving

A formidable Asura

Astrologer

A present or token fee or a gift given to a priest or to any invited person

either before or after the completion of any rite

Also known as kusa grass (Imperata cylindrica)

Mirror, generally a bell-metal mirror

Ten incarnations of Lord Visht.1u viz.,Mathsya, Koo[ma, Vaaraaha and

Nrsimha(Narasimha) of Krtha-yuga .. Vaama!!3. Parasuraama and Raama

of Th[ethaa-yuga ; Balaraama and Krsht.1a of Dvaapara~yuga and Kha!gi

(Kalki) of Kali-yuga which is yet to incarnate. According to another version

Buddha is considered as an avathaa! after KfshI:ta instead of Balaraama.

Tenth day of lunar fortnight

Worshipping the deity by waving lighted lamps, generally done as a ritual

in temples at dusk. As nivedyam is not offered at this time it i'i not

considered as a pooja.

624

Deepaavali

Deepalakshmi

Deepam

Deepa-sthambham

Desam

Devaalayam

Devan

Deva-prasgan1

Devasthhaanam

Devaswam

Devatha/Devan

Devi

Dhaara

Dhanu

Dhwaja-sthambha

Dravya-kalasam

Dwaadasi

Dwaara-paalaka

Dwaara-paaJika

Dwaasthha

3655 R G1/03-41

A Hindu festival of lights (New Moon day falling at night in the month of

Aswiga).

Sculptural maidens with lamps in hand [either siia or metal ]

Lighted-lamp

Stone or metal pillar having different levels of circular rows of lamps.

An administrative sub- unit of a village as per revenue records

Temple

Deity

It is an astrological method to find out answers to questions relating to

deity and temple affairs. It is also called swa£/}a-prasgaIn and in some

cases ashta-manga!a prasgam. If prasga is held based on betal-leaves

(thaamboolam) it is known as lhaambooJa-prasgam. Generally it is held

in front of the deity or in temple premises.

Seat of deity, a temple

Temple property. This word is seen first used in the iSaaga Siva Gurudeva Paddhalhi of Twelfth century

Deity

Goddess

A form of worship by dripping or pouring of pure water or any other

prescribed liquid. In temples dedicated to Lord Siva it is an important

offering; known as abhishekam which include jala-dhaara, ksheera-dhaara,

ghrtha-dhaara, i!anee!-dhaara etc,

Fifth month of MalaY~i!am almanac falling in December-January

Flag staff

Ablution with sanctified 17 or 25 thalhwa-kalasas having dravyas (articles)

depending on the deity. The 17 thathwas represent jeeva, ma!]as, five

senses of perception, five objects of perception and five elements, whereas

25 thathwas represent purosha. prakrthi, budd hi. magas and ahankaaram, five lhan-maathras, five organs of action. five organs of perception and

five elements.

The eighth day of the navaraalhri festival falling in suk!a-paksha in the

Saka month of Aswina

Twelfth day in the lunar fortnight

Male door~guard of the deity at the ga!bha-grha-dwaaram

Female door-guard of the deity at the ga[bha-grha-dwaaram

The door-guards of the main deity (on either side of the ga!bha-grha­dwaaram (front door) of the sreeki5vl1)

625

E Ekiidasi

Ekiidasi- vratham

E!anee! or 1 !anee!

Embraanthiri or Embran - -

EIJIJa-vi!akk

Ethrrhth-pooja

Ezhava / izhava/ Theeyya

Ezhune!!ipp!Bzhunne!!athth

G

Gaana

Gaayathri-manthra

Gada

Gaja-Pfshrha-§reekovil

Eleventh day in the lunar fortnight

There are two types of Ekiida.si-vrathams observed in Kera!a. For the

first one called Bhoori-paksha ekiidasi, the vratha-day starts from the

sunrise and there is no objection for observing vratham if Dasam; also

falls on Ekaadasi day. For those observing Aaganda-paksha ekiidas; the

day starts from four naazhikas before sunrise and Dasaro; should not fall

on that day. ( In Kera!a, the Ekiidasi with portion of Dwaadasi falling in

a day is observed as the fasting-day). Harivaasaram and paaral}a are the

other rituals associated with Ekiidasi. Suk.!a-paksha Ekiidasi in the month of AShaafia is called Sayaga ekcIdasi, as on this day it is believed Lord

Vishl)-u enters Chaathu!-maasa - yoga-oidra. It is completed on Suk!a­

paksha ekiidasi day in the month of Kaa!lhthikam, which is called

Uthhaaga-ekiidasi. The dietary restrictions prescribed for the observance

of vratham in Kera!a are avoiding rice-food, one day-time meal on Dasami­

and Dwiidasi days, SUddha-upavasa (complete fasting) on Ekiidasi-day

and avoiding sleeping during day-time. However, if required one can take

thu!asi-thee!thha on other timings in these days. After paara~a on the

morning of Dwaadasi-day the vratham is completed.

Tender-coconut water

Thu!u-Brahmin who is an inhabitant of north of Perumpuzha (Kavvayi)

river

Lighting of vijakk (lamp) with oil (generally as an offering with gingelly

oil, meant for relief from rheumatism)

The paoja with nivedyam held at 2 1{2 naazhikas (1 hour) and 3 3/4 naazhikas (1 1/2 hours) after sunrise.

A prominent Hindu community in Kera!a

Royal or religious procession (during festivals), If the procession has an

elephant also, it is called Aaga-ezhunelJipp or Aaga- ezhunne!!athth

Song

It is an ancient metre of twenty~four syllables, generally arranged as a

triplet of eight syllables each. This holy verSe of the Vedas is Om bhii!bhuvassuvah thathsavithu!- vareelJyam bha!godevasyadheemahi, dhiyo yo nab prachodayaath which means that "we meditate on the glory

of that being, who has produced that Universe; may He enlighten our minds"

Mace

Apsidal §reekovij

626

Gafam

Ga!a-pati

Ga{l8

Ga!1apathi-hi5mam or

Ga{lapathi-havagam

Gandharvan

Ga!bha-grham

GaFbha-grha-dwaaram

Garuda

Garul)an-ll1ookkam

Ghaga-dwaaram

Ghrtham

Go!akam

Gopuram

Graamam

Granthham

Greeva

Guri or maatam or meta

Gam

Gurukulam

Guruthi /Gurusi

Also known as kan!ham. it is a recessed right-angled moulding over

kumudam or kumuua-pati

It is a thinner right-angled moulding over ga!am with recession equal or

more than the projection of kumuda-pati

Attendant of the deity

A sacrificial rite performed in homa-ku!1!1am (altar) to propitiate Lord

Galfapathi. The articles offered at the altar for the ashta-dravya-Galfapathi­

homam are dried coconuts, molasses, honey, mala!. aval, va!av (fried

lice-powder). neyyappam or mi5dakam, ala, gingelly. kada!i-plantain and

knots of sugar-cane.

Musician of the Heavan (husband of an apsara)

The inner chamber or the sanctum-sanctorum where the deity is installed.

Front door of the sreeki5viJ.

Heavenly mythical bird and chief of the feathered race; an eagle with

white collared neck; worshipped as the vehicle of Lord Vish:~lU.

An offering in Bhagavathi temples in which a devout person after observing

vratham allows himself to be lifted on a lever by a hook attached to a

waist-band. (This ritualistic dance is associated with the mythology of

BhadrakaaF. While Bhadrakaa!i was fighting with Daarika, GarUl;la flew

over the arena watching the scene).

It is only a fascimile of a door of the sreeki5vil which cannot be opened

and it is smaller in dimensions than a functional door (p!iisiida-dwara).

Clarified butter (ghee)

Also known as anki which is generally a metallic (gold or silver) movable

covering made either for the face or for the full anthropomorphic form of

the deity.

Tower or structure at the entrance or at sides of a temple

Village

A scriptural work

Neck. In temple architecture, it denotes the wall in between the first (eka­

thala) and the second (dwi-thaJa), or between the second and the third

(thri-thala) floors

A raised place or tower or an elevated small shed

A person who is in constant communion with God and established in his

Self

Abode of a Guru, a centre of learning.

Also known as kuruthi or thambilam, is a mixture of turmeric pOWder,

slaked lime and water. In ancient days animals, cocks or even human

beings were sacrificed as guru chi.

627

H

HalJI:1U-kajjaaya

Harikathha

Harivaasaram

Havana or homa

Haviss

Hiraflya-ga!bha

I Ikkara

Illam / rna!} a

Itavam

Iticchu-pizhifina-paayasam

J Jagalhi

Jata

Jedi

Jeeva

Jenmi

Jiiana

K KaJaamsa

Kaa!iyootl

KaaraJ}llVan or KaaralJava!

Ripe and un-ripe plantains, flowers and camphor; or one cocoanut and

five plantains offered to the deity in a plate.

Narration of puraal}ic stories relating Mahii. VishI)u or His incarnations.

It is the most important period of 30 naazhikas in observing ekiidasi ie.

the last 15 naazhikas of Ekiidasj and the first 15 naazikas of Dwaadasi.

During this period food and sleep are prohibited and naama-sankeerthagam

(recital holy names of deities) has to be recited.

Sacrifice of articles in altar.

Article used for oblation, ie for homa (sacrifice) or as bali-dravya

An old custom or ritual of passing beneath a standing cow made of gold

which enables the Kshathriya prince of Kera!a to dine with Brahmins and

learn Gaayathri-manthra.

The same side or bank of a river

A house of Nampoothiri community

Ninth month of Malaya!am almanac falling in May-June

A porridge made of raw-rice, molasses, cocoanut, milk, ghee etc.

It is a plain recessed vertical tall right-angled moulding

Matted hair

Termitary, also called pu!!

Anything living; principle of life; vital breath; personal soul (as

distinguished from universal soul)

Landlord

Knowledge of the Self or Brahman.

Generally an amsa lpart) of the Supreme

A festival in some temples dedicated to Goddess Bhadrakaa!i to

commemorate the actions of the Goddess over the demon Daarika (Daaruka)

Karal}avan is head of family. In mark of respect, he is called kaarapava!.

628

Kaaraal}ma/ kaantayma

Kaaraaiar

Kaarththikothsavam

Kaarya-samithi

Kaaryasthhan

Kaav

Kaavati

Kaazchha-sree-baJi

Kadali

Kala

Kalabha

Ka!amezhuthth

Kalaiiiia

Kalari

Kalasa

Hereditary

Agent or deputy representing ooraal}ma / kaaraal}ma

Festival on KaarthChika asterisk

Executive Committee

Officer who looks after the administration of properties and other items of

work

Another name for temple particularly for Devi, Saastha, Daivaththaa!: etc.

ar a sacred grove of Naaga (serpent)

A bow shaped wooden art-work decorated with tapestry and pea-cock

feathers carried on shoulders of pilgrims as an offering (ne!ccha) to Lord

SubramaI}ya

A special temple rite connected with annual festival of a temple in which

the deity is taken within the maryaada of the temple, generally the idol

over caprisoned elephants. If the procession is held outside the maryaada

then it is known as purathth-ezunna!!ipp

A type of green plantain used in temples and a favourite of Lord GaI}apathi.

Hand-bell

A small part of anything; any practical art, 64 in number mentioned in

Saiva-thanthra

Sandal in thick consistency with musk added to it.

It is a floor art in which the figure of the deity is pictorially drawn using

five colours (representing pancha-bhoothas on a levelled square or

rectangular place known as ka!am. The colours are made of indigenous

powders ofbumt paddy-husk for black, raw-rice powder for white, turmeric

powder for yellow, fine powdered leaves of ne!]meni-vaaka (Albizza lebbek)

for green and slaked lime mixed with turmeric powder for red.

A measure

A place for training martial-art or fencing school.

A silver, copper or earthen pot used for keeping liquid for temple rites

particularly for abhishekam, dravya-kaJasam etc.

Kalasaabhishekam/KaJasaattam Ablution (abhishekam) with the sanctified water kept in a kalasam (pot),

Kalavara

Ka!iyaattam

Kalyaal}a-mal}cjapam

Kamal}cja1u

also see na,,,akam.

Store

A ritualistic performance in temples dedicated to Goddess

Hall built for conducting marriage. Also called vivaaha-mal}cjapam

A gourd or vessel of peculiar shape made of wood or earth used by ascetics

or religious students for carrying water.

629

Kampam

KllI}i

Kannicchaav

Kaliiii

Kan!hahaara

Kapotham

Karkkatakam

Kathhakafi

Katta

Kavacha

Kazhakakkaar

Kazhakam

Keezhetam

Keezh-saanthi

Kim-purushan

KilPi

Kollava!sham (K.E.)

Kamaram

Kale

A fillet like minor moulding separating major mouldings like jagathi,

kumudam, gala, va!aru etc.

First sight. If it is on the first of Metam it is known as Vish u-km} i.

An inferior spirit which is supposed to harm infants.

Rice-gruel

Necklace

It is an over-hauling cornice generally fixed and is an important moulding

of the entablature.

Twelfth month in a Malaya!am year falling in July-August.

A performing art evolved by Kottarakkara raajas in nineteenth century and

now staged in temples and elsewhere based on stories from Hindu

mythology.

Raised platform (tha!a), also called khallai

Armour

One engaged in temple-service (kazhakam)

Temple service like making of garlands, playing of percussion instruments

etc.

A subsidiary temple

Assistant -pries t

A figurine with head of a horse and body of a man or vice-versa. Generally

these figurines are carved on sree-mukham or at the corners of greeva.

Water vessel with a spout and generally made of bell-metaL

KolJava!sham (KE.) or Malayaa!m era (M.E.) which started in 825 A.D.

as a modification of Saptha!shi era which commenced in 76 B.C. The era

commenced on first of Chingam in southern Kera!a and first of Ka!!!!i in

northern Kera!a. This was continued for centuries but the modern almanacs unified the first day of the New year as first of Chingam.

Oracle

A measuring-rod having different names and lengths viz. kishkku

(24 amgu]ams), praajaapathyam (25 amgulams], dha!!u!mushtikam

(26 amgulams), dhaQu!grham (27 amgulams),praachyam (28 amguJams),

vydeham (29 amgulams), vypullyam (30 amgulams) and prakeerIJam

(31 amgulams). Earlier different koles were used in Kera!a. It is seen that

the length of a kale varies by 2 yavams per latitude (eg. Thiruva!!antha­

puram 29.5 inches and Manjeswaram 28 inches). Now kishkku-ki51e of 24

amgulams is used in Kera!a. In building most of the temples prior to

twentieth century the koJes prevalent in that region was followed and as

such those measurements may not agree with kishhku-koJe.

630

Konna

Konta

Kooththambalam

Kooriyatram

Koova/a-maala

Kottaaram

Kottilakam

Kovil

KiSvilakam

Krsh1) 8

Krsh1)a!1aattam

Krsh{1a-sila

Kshethram

Kshethra-kala

Ksherhra-pugaruddhaara1)a-

Samithi

Kshethra-samraksha1)a­

Samithi

Kshethra-sanketham

Kumbham

Kumkumaarcchana - -

Kumudam

Kumuda-pati

KU1)f/alam

KU1)f/aligi-Sakthi

Kuri

A flowering tree (Cassia Fistula) with yellow flowers which is an essential

item for Vishukka1)i (the first auspicious sight on the morning of Vishu­

day, first Meram)

A measure of rice

It is a separate structure located at south-east or north-west between baahya­

haMa and maryaada.

A performing art similar to koothth

Garland made by the leaves of koova!am (Bael) tree

Resting place for the owners or high-priests of the temple or of important

persons or royal-house.

Inner-most room

Temple

Royal house

An incarnation of Lord Maha Vishgu

The dance-drama evolved by MaaQa Vikrama raaja (Samoothiri of

Kozhikkode kovilakam) in early seventeenth century but now

confined mainly to Sree K~shJ?a temple, Guruvaayoo!:.

A hard black-granite stone of special quality

Temple

Temple art

Temple Renovation Commiittee

Temple Protection Committee

Limit of temple or a temple complex

Seventh month of Malaya!am year falling in February-March; the word

also means kaJasam (pot)

A!,ccha!1a by using kumkumam (saffron powder) generally done for

mangalya (marriage) especially in Bhagavathi temples

It is a distinguishable moulding which takes different shapes with different

names ie. octagonal, circular (vrththa), triple-faceted (thri-paada) or fluted

(sundobheda]

It is a recessed plain right-angled thinner moulding over kumudam

Ear ornament

The coiled power at the base of spinal cord which can be energized by

yoga

A mark or sign, generally put on the forehead with chandag8m (sandal­

wood) or bhasmam (holy ashes) or kumkumam (saffron powder)

631

Kuruthi

Kuthlhiyottam

Kutticchaaththan

L

Laksha-deepa

Linga

M Maagha

Maaraar

Maasam

Maatam

Maatan

Maatan-kovil

Maathra

Maaya

Maddhya-haara

Maddhyama-pooja

See guruthi

A ritualistic art performed in Sree BhadrakaaF temples of South Kera!a

A seva-moo!ththy associated with black-magic

Lighting one lakh lamps, a festival

Basic sagu!J8 (good) aspect of Lord Siva, generally in the form of sila.

The swayambhoo sila-liriga has curved top and is different from the those

related to idols made and consecrated. The latter category of carved idol is

in the form of single sila with three almost equal parts, the lower in the

form of a square representing Lord Brahma, middle part with octagonal

shape representing Lord Vishy;tu and the upper circular portion having the

shape of semi-circular, flat or curved-top representing Lord Siva. The

lower and middle parts are not visible externally, ie., the octagonal part is

covered by peetham while square portion is below the floor level of the

ga!bha-grham.

A month in Sanskrit (Saka) calendar

A person associated with temple rites and belonging to Maaraar commlJuty

with the specific duty of playing the drum [in some temples this word is

used as a designation]

Month. The Malaya!am months are Chingam, Ka!!!!i, ThuJaam,

Vrschikam, Dhagu, Makaram, Kumbham, MecgaIn, Metam, Itavam,

MithhugaIn and Ka!kkatakam. The Saka months are Chaithra. Vysaakha,

Jeshta. Aashaa~a, Sraava{la, Bhadrapaada, Asviga. Kaarththika.

MaargaSeersha, Paushya, Maagha and Phalgu!!a. The MalayiiJam and Saka

year start from the middle of August and third week of March respectively.

An elevated small shed

A powerful village-God of Saivite form

A temple dedicated to deity of Maatan

Measure of any kind

Illusion

It is the third praakaaram, also called vi!akkumaatam with a galaxy of

lamps. It is a separate structure outer to antha-haara with ambulatory passage

in between chu!!ambaJam and vi!akkumaatam. If the lamps are fixed on

the outer-wall of the antha-haara (chu!!ambalam). it is not treated as

vi!akkumaatam.

Pooja done by offering toddy or meat or both to the deity, generally of

non-virtuous nature (non-saathvic)

632

Mahaalaya-paksha

Mahaanavami

Mahiinivedyam

Mahasaala/ Mahamal}f1apam

Mahothsava

Makam

Makeeryam

Mala 1

Mana

Manas

Mancha

Afary;J alam

_MaIJ~j ala- vlatham

Mandiram

Mani-kinar . .-

~laiiiia-ch(lr

/v1aiiiia!-poti

lUan na-neeraatt

A1anthram

Marumakkaththaayam

Ma[u-puththad

Alarutha

Maryaada

Ma{ham

Ma!hapPU13 or matappula

Ma{hayan !Matiyan

Meenam

3655 RGI/03--42A

Dark fortnight from Full Moon to New Moon, also called karuththa­

paksham

Ninth day of Navaraathri festival

Ingredients are aval, molasses, coconut kernals, ghee, powdered dried ginger

and cumin seeds.

A hall, open or closed, in front of antharaa!am

Grand festival

Tenth lunar asterisk, famous in Devi temples

Fifth lunar asterisk

Fried raw-paddy

See illam

Mind. It is always regarded as distinct from aathman and purusha, 'spirit

or soul' belonging only to body"

Cot

A period of fOlty .. one days. the most important period being 41 days from

1st Vrschikam to 11th Dha!Ju

Abstinence for 41 days as a religious observance

Abode, temple

Well located generally within akaththe-balivattam and its water exclusively

used for temple rites

Rice prepared with turmeric powder

Tur!TJtric powder

Abhishcka l bath 1 with boiling water which contains raw-rice and turmeric

powder

Sacred incantation

Matrilineal system

The second puththaI"i (meal of new rice) held in the month of Makaram

(January-February), the first one being in K8[klf.atakam (July-August) or

Chingam (August-September)

A soul which has not obtained salvation and has become a spirit.

It is the fifth praakaaram also called compound-wall which may have

appendages of gopuram, agrasaala etc.

A cloister of sanyaasi (monk)

The shrine of Lord Muththappan

The oOlaa!an or principal person of a ma!happura; a la.ry person

Eighth month of Malaya)am year

633

Mei-koyma

MiH-saanthi

Metam

Mithhunam

Modakam

Moolam

Moola-sthhaanam

Moo!ththy

Moot

Mothiram

Mothiram-vecchu-thozhal

Mrthyuiijaya-homam

Mukha-maIJcJapam

Mukhapp

Mula

Mula-pooja

Muram

Muti

Mutiye!!

Mutt

Muzhukkaapp

Soverignty

Chief-priest

Ninth month of Malaya!am year

Eleventh month of Malaya.!am year

Fried or boiled balls with outer coating of raw-rice powder and the inner

filled with a mixture of green-gram powder and molasses.

Nineteenth asterisk of lunar month

The initial place or seat or tree or article where the presence of the deity

has been first noticed or revealed

A general term for God, sometimes used for inferior deities

A bag having arecanut

Ring, generally gold ring

A special offering ie. placing a gold ring at the pati of praasaada-dwaara

and pray for the hlessings of the deity

Sacrifice of specified articles in an alter to propetiate Lord Mahii

Mrthyuiijaya dev8tha ( Rudra the God of Death). The articles used are

amrth (Coculas cordifolius), peraal-mott (bud of Ficus bengaiensis),

sesamum-seed, ka[uka (a grass,Agros(is Jinearis), milk, ghee and paaJ­

paayasam (sweet porridge)

It is an attached square or rectangular or semi-circular pillared hall or an

ante-chamber (either closed or open) at the front portion of the main entrance

of the ga[bha-grham

Protrusion

Sprout, also means bamboo

An essential ritual (of germinating cereals and pulses) associated with the

temple festival.

The place, generally at northern naaJambaJam ,where cereals and pulses

are germinated for sreebhootha-bali. prathishrha-rites etc.

A winnowing fan of square shape or basket. It is also used as a measure

of paddy.

A measure (40 kg. of paddy or rice); or head-gear of Goddess

A ritualistic dance performed in temples dedicated to Goddess Bhadrakaa!i

It is an important vazhipaat of breaking of cocoanuts to propitiate Goddess

for tiding over any obstacle.

Anointing the whole idol with sandal-paste or butter

634 3655 RGI/03-42B

N Naabhi

Naaga

Naaga-kaQyaka

Naagaraaja

Naaga-yakshi

Naalambalam

Naat/Niid

Naatakasaa/a

Naatuvaazhi /maatambi

Naazhi

Naazhika

Nai-paayasam

Nai-vifakklNeyyu-vi!akk

Nakshathram

Namaskaaara-ma{l9apam

Nambissan/PUshpakan

Nambyaa[/Nambiii[

Nampoothiri/Namboothiri

Nampoothirippaat/

Namboothirippaat

Narukkila

Nata

Navel

Serpent

An attendant N aaga

Serpent God or king of Naagas-A!}antha, Vaasuki et aI, generally idols are

carved having single or multiple (one, three, five, seven or nine) hoods

Potent female form of the serpent spirit

See antha-haara

Sovereign region

Theatre

A ruler or a local chief

A small measure of 20 cubic inches in capacity with local variations

A measurement of time and it equals to 24 minutes

A special preparation with raw rice, molasses and ghee.

A bell metal stand-lamp lighted with ghee. An offering done in temples

for cure of eye diseases

Asterisk which is determined based on the synodical and sidereal revolution

of Moon. There are 27 nakshathras in a lunar month, viz. As wathi, BhariuJi,

Kaa[chthika, Rohil)i, Makeeryam, Thiruvaathira, Pu{la[tham, Pooyam,

Aayilyam, Makam, Pooram, Uth!am, Alhlham, Chilhlhira, Chothi,

Visaakham, AQizham, Thrkketta, Moo/am, Pooraatam, Uthraatam,

Thiruvol}am, A vittam, Chathayam, Poorurullaathi, Uthrauaathi and

Revathi

It is a detached pillared hall in front of the sreekovij and generally used

for prostration by priests and for conductingkalasa-poojas. In Siva temples

Nandi (Bull-God) is usually installed at its centre or at the elevated portion

of the maIJ9apam close to the sopaa!]am.

A person with traditional occupation of making garlands for deities in

temples

The term Nambyaa! covers four classes of people ie. Thiyyaatt- Nambyaa!\

Chaakyaa!:-Nambyaa!:, Pushpaka-Nambyaa!: and Naaya!:-Nambyaa!: (who

were once chiefs of territories). Of these the first three classes are associated

with duties in temples and known as Ambalavaasis

Malayaa!a Brahmin

Nampoothiri (Malayaa!a Brahmin) of high status

A piece of plantain-leaf

Entrance or door-way of sreekovij

635

Nata-panthaJ/Natappura

Nava-grahas

Navakam

Navaraathri

Nerccha

Nimiththam

Nira-maaJa

Nirandhaara

Niramaaia

Ni[a-pulhthari

Ni[maalyadhaari

Ni[maalya-darsa!!am

Ni[maalyam

A passage built on pillars and having roof (thatched or with granite stone

or asbestos sheets or concrete), sometimes as piazza at the front of vilaakku­

maatam or chuttambalam.

Means nine planets. In temples they are installed generally at north-east

of the sreeki5vil in baahya-haara in three rows (from north to south)

(i) EASTERN ROW: Budha (Mercury) facing east, SUkra (Venus) facing

east, Soman (Moon) facing west; (ii) CENTRAL ROW: Brahaspathi

(Jupitor) facing north, Aadithya (Sun) facing east and Kuja (Mars) facing

south; (iii) WESTERN ROW: Kelhll (Dragon's tail) facing south, Sa!}i

(Saturn) facing west and Raahu (Dragon's head) facing south.

Ablution of the deity held between 3 and 4 hours after sunrise with sanctitied

water of nine kaJasams (pots)

Navaraathri (literally means nine nights) festival is celebrated from

Prathhama to Dasami in the bright fortnight in the month of Aswi!]i and

the festival concludes in the fore-noon of Dasami

Offering or vow which is executed after the fulfilment of desire

Omen or event

A vazhipEUlt by which the deity is adorned with flower garlands, particularly

in Bhagavathi temples.

If the sreekoviJ has no ambulatory passage in between ga[bha-grham and

its outer-wall, it is called nirandhaara type. Its opposite is sandhaara.

An offering of lighting of lamps in all praakaaras of the temple

A full heaped measure, generally the ingredient being paddy, malar (fried

raw-paddy) etc.

Offering of newly harvested grain and also nivedyam made out of it to the

deity on an auspicious day either in the month of Ka[kkatakam or Chingam

or Thulaam of the Malaya!am year.

Guard or paalaka of the deity installed (in the form of liriga or baJipeetha

or rarely of idol) at the norlh-east of the srecki5vil and within the akarhfhc­

balivattam. The name of the Ni!maalyadhaari is different for each deity

ie. Vishvaksenan for Lord Vishl).u, Chal).~eswaran for Lord Siva,

Char;gasc!!an for Lord Sankaranaaraayaga, Kumbhodharan for Lord

Gal).apathi, Ghoshavathi for Lord Saastha, Dhoo!ththascgan for Lord

Subramagya, MUl).gini for Goddess Du!ga and Seshika for Goddess

Bhadrakaali.

The first sight of the deity when it is opened, the idol adorned with t10wers

of previous day's flowers, garlands etc.

The remains of an offering of flowers, garlands etc. to the deity on the

previous day or seldom on the same day

636

Nithya-sree-bali

Nivedyam or Naivedyam

Nizhalaattam

Noo!um-paalum

Noyamb

Nrththa-naataka

o Onam

OonnaaJ

Ooraalan (Ooraa!a!)

Oolt

at Ottam-thullaJ

OJJayappam

p

Paadukam

PaaJ-paayasam

Paanaka

Paani

PaaralJa

Paasa

Paa(hakam

Paattam

Daily offering of baJi to all divinities in a temple as per thaanthric texts

Sanctified edible offering to deities

A shadow play prevalent in northern Kera!a

A liquid of rice flower and milk and fresh inflorescence of areca-tree used

as an offering for Naagas

Fasting

Dance-drama

National festival of Kera!a. The important day is ThirovolJam asterisk in

the month of Chirigam (August-September) which is the incarnation-day

of Lord Vaama!!a (Lhe fifth incarnation of Lord Maha Vishl).u). The

festival is associated with Sree Vaama!!a and the legendary Asura king

Maha Bali. It is believed that Mahii Bali revisits Kera!a every year on

this auspicious day.

Swing

Patron or founder of a temple

Feeding of Brahmins or devotees

Bronze

A performing art in the form of solo-dance originated by Kalakkathth

Kunchan Nambyaa!:, a great humorist of eightheenth century. Besides

ottam-thu!!aJ other types of lhulla} are Seerhankan and Pa!ayan.

A single big appam (fried cake made of rice-powder, molasses and

plantains) offered to deity.

It is a plain right-angled moulding and is a basal preparation of the plinth.

A porridge made of raw rice, milk and sugar.

Liquid made of water, molasses, dried ginger and some spices.

In common usage it is called thimiia. It is different from valiya-paaIJi (or

marappaalJi or maram) which is a sacred instrument used only for special

rites in temples.

Taking water and food at the time of breaking of a ritualistic-fast

Rope

It is similar to koothth in narration but differs in the language used.

Share of produce

637

PaIlltoolt

Paatt-uthsava

Paava-koolhth

Pada-pradakshi{1am

Padmam

Padma-paadukam

Pakal- vi!akk

Pa!!ikku[up

PaJ!i-u{1a[ththal

Pa!!ivetta

Pa{1a-paayasam

Pancha-praasaada

Pancha-ka.ijaaya

Pancha-gavya

Pancha-Ioha

Panchaamrtha

Paneha-bhootham

Paneha- vaadyam

Panjaram

It is generally a detached rectangular pillared open hall in front of the

sreekovil for ka!amezhuthth, ranga-pooja etc.

A festival associated with paatt (reciting glory of the deity)

Puppet-play

A general term for a sweet porridge. Depending on proportion and contents

of ingredients and mode of preparation its name changes. The common

types are sa[kkara-paayasam, katum-paayasam (arava{1a), nai-paIlyasam,

iticchu-pizhiiiiija-paIlyasam, paal-paayasam, etc.

Devotional round step by step and in clock-wise direction, generally done

by women in a temple

Lotus

It is the lotus-shaped adhish{haagam

Refer chu!!u-vi!akk

Sleep of the deity

Awakening of the deity

A royal chase as part of temple festival, the day before aa[aatt

Paayasam prepared for offering by payment in cash to temple authorities

instead of kind.

It consists of sreekovil, namaskaara-ma{1!iapam, thitappa!!i, balikkall-pura

and kooththambalam

Offering of rice, green-gram, bengal-gram, molasses and cocoanut; or

bengal-gram, cocoanut, sugar or molasses, cardamom and ghee, besides

flowers.

It consists of five products of cow viz. cow's urine, sifted cow-dung water,

milk, curd and ghee in the proportion 1: 1 :7: 3: 1 and stirring them using

da[bha (kusa grass)

An alloy of five metals, the accepted standard being 80 parts of copper, 8 parts of tin, 4 parts of silver, one part of gold and a small quantity of iron;

or 10 parts of copper, 1 1/2 parts of tin, 5 parts of silver, 2 1/2 parts gold

and a small quantity of iron.

A mixture of five sweet ingredients like plantain, honey, molasses, ghee

and dried grapes

Five elements earth, water, fire, ether and space

It is a combination of five musical instruments ie. either thimila, thoppi­

madda!am, itayka, cherigala and ku[um-kuzhal; or thimila, suddha­

madda!am, itayka, ilaththaa!am and komb; besides sankh.

It is an ornamentation on the wall and takes the shape of naasika (nose),

kapotham (comice),jaalakam (window) and so all. Jaalaka-paf'ijaram means

a panjaram in the form of a perforated screen motif.

638

Pantham

Pantheerati-]XXJja

Para

Paramb

Paraa-sakthi

ParaSu

Paththaamudayam

Paththaayappura

Pati/Pattika

Patippura

Pattaththaanam

Pattola

Pavamaan a-sooktha­

abhishekam

Pee{ham

Peraal

Ponkaal8 or kalam-kaniv

Pooja

Poomootal

Pooppaalika

Poora-mahothsavam

Pothuvaa! /Poduvaa!

Patti

Poumaana-abhishekam

Pournami

Torch made of metal or wood and covered with cloth on its top. It is

usually dipped in coconut oil and lighted. [Smaller ones are used for temple

rites and larger ones (called theevettl) are used during festivals, particularly

before caprisoned elephants of temple processions].

Paoja held in the morning between 5 naazhikas (2 hours) and 6 1/4 naazhikas (2 1/2 hours) after sunrise.

A cylindrical large bushel generally of 13.1litres capacity and about 45cm.

in height used for measuring paddy. rice etc. Its size and capacity vary

from region to region. Pa!a-full of paddy or mala! is given as an offering

to deities. Another type of pa!a is the one used for covering the dhw8ja

(flag-staf!). It has slightly different shape and has no bottom part.

Garden-land

Supreme power (Goddess)

Axe

Tenth of Metam (also called Paththa!}aaje in Thulu territory)

A store-house of grains

The top-most moulding of adhish!haa!}am having considerable thickness.

Building over the gate-way

A scholastic meet of renowned persons proficient in Sanskrit

A deed written in ala (palm-leaf), a royal note

This is a special vazhipaat, the ingredients used are cocoanut, betal-leaves,

arecanut, mala! (fried-paddy), molasses and tender-cocoanut.

Seat of idol

Banyan tree

A nivedyam of cooked rice or pudding prepared in the open air in an

earthen pot (kalam) by devotees themselves or on behalf of devotees and

offering it to Lord Aadithya (Sun God) or Goddess Bhagavathi.

The rite (worship) done as laid down in Saasthras.

Covering the idol or sthhaa!}am of the deity with flowers.

Flower-plate

The festival conducted either on Pooram asterisk of Malaya!am month or

any other day sacred for the deity

By tradition the occupation of Pothuvaa! is either garland-maker or

drummers

A class of Malayaa!a Brahmins in Southern Kcra!a (The Embrans of North

Kera~a are called as Thu!u-P6ttis by Southern Keralites)

Offering made of plantain, aval (beaten-rice) and cocoanut gratings

Full Moon day, an auspicious day for conducting rites, particularly for

Goddesses

639

Poyka

Praakaaram

Pra{laa!am

Praasaada

Praasaada-dwaaram

Praasaada-suddhi

Praathal

Praayaichiththam

Prabha- vali

Pradakshinam

Pradakshil}a-pathham

Pradosharn

Pradosha-nrththam

Prakrthi

Pra!ayam

Prasnam

Prathishtha

Prathish!ha-di!Jam

Prathish!ha- vigraham

Pretha

Puli

Pu!!uva-paall

Pu1)ya

Pu1)yaaham

Puraththe -baJivattam

Pushpaabhishekam

Pushpaaiijal i

A pond or water-pool

Enclosure or limit, commonly used in temple architecture

Also known as ovu or go-mukham or water-chute for draining lustral

water, particularly from the garbha-grham to the akalhthe-balivattam.

it is a sacred structure related to the deity sometimes synonymously used

with ,.frcekovil (particularly in earlier periods). Pancha-praasaad.1S according

the Kera!a tradition are §reekovij, namaskaara-maIJ9apam, thitappa!!i,

balikkall-pura and kooththambalam ..

The main entrance or functional door to the sreekovil

Purification of sreekovil. There are eight rites associated with it viz.

GaI).apathi -paoja, praasaada parigraham, raksha-kalasam, praasaada-pooja,

rakshog!Ja-homam, vaasthu-kalasam, vaasthu-bali and vaasthu­

pUIJyaaham ..

Prasaadam (sacred food) distributed as part of temple ritual

Atonement or expiatory rite

A halo around the idol

Devotional round in clock-wise direction

The circumambulatory path (simply in the form of foot-path or paved

with granite /laterite stones or built with cement concrete)

Thrayodasi-thithhi (thirteenth day of a lunar fortnight) provided the thithhi

prevails at the sunset

A sublime dance of Lord Siva as Nataraaja during the pradosha-time.

The original producer of the material world

The great deluge

Astrological predictions based on questions

Consecration

The day of consecration

A consecrated idol

Spirit of the dead

Leopard

Song sung by a person belonging to PuHuva community with a musical

instrument of a small type of violin (known as veeIJa) in praise of

N aagaraaja, N aagayakshi et al.

Result of good actions

Holy water purified by mantbras

See haahya-haara

Covering the idol with flowers

See arcchana - -

640

Puththari

Putt

R Raaga

RaajaankaI}am •

Raktha-pushpaanjali

Rathha

Rathhothsavam

Roopam

J;?shabha

Rshi

Rudraabhishekam

Rurujithth-vidhaaEam

s Saa!agraam

Saandhaara

Saanthikkaaran

Saathvic-karma

Sadyaalaya

Sahasranaamam

Sahasranaamaarcchag a

Sakthi-pooja

New rice-grain

Termitary

A musical note

The structure at the front of chu!!ambalam similar to flala-panthaJ

A!cchaEa done with flowers (particularly The!!i flowers) by dipping them

in raktha-chanda!]am (red sandal paste)

Chariot

Chariot (car) festival

Image or motif

Bull, particularly vaahaE:1 of Lord Siva

Sage. There are four classes of J;?shis viz. Deva!shi (a Ifshi among Devas,

like Naarada); Brahma!shi (Brahminical sage as Vasish!ha); Raaja[shi

(royal ~shi like Viswamithra); Maha!shi (any great sage or saint like

Ma!!u, Gauthama, Kal)va and Valmeki)

Oblation to Lord Rudra (Siva) with pure water, milk Of tender-coconut

water

A concept of Goddess ChaamuJ.l9a, a fierce sankalpa of Goddess where

Siva, Maalhrkka!s and Kshethrapaalan are essentially to be installed. It is

a combination of concept adopted as Goddess Kaala-samka[shal}i and

Mahaa[ththha of Kaashmeeri Saiva-maa[gga and of Goddess Thrpura­

Sundari of Sree Vidyii-paddhathi of the thaanthric-maa[gga.

Sacred fossilized stone of Vaishl)avite potency (It is a black stone chiefly

found near the Saa!agraama village situated on the bank of Gan9aki river

in Nepal.)

If a sreekovij has ambulatory passage in between the wall of the ga[bha­

grham and its outer-wall (baahya-bhiththl) it is known as saandhaara type.

A general term for priest, (except thanthri or high-priest) and cover mel­

saanthi (chief-priest) and keezh-saanthi (Assistant to chief priest), if not

specifically indicated

Virtuous rite

Dining hall with kitchen for conducting functions

Thousand names of a deity

A[ccha!]a by reciting thousand names of the deity

Worship of Goddess

641

Samaaraadhana

Samithi

Samkramam

Samudaayi

Sandhya-vandagam

Sankalpam

Sankh

Santha!pEl!lam

Saptha-maathrkka!s

Sa!kkara-paayasam

Sa!ppa-bali

Sa!ppam

Sa!ppa-paat

Sarvathobhadra

Sathram

Sathru-samhaaram

Sathya-pareeksha/

Saya!] a-pradakshiI}am

Honouring and feeding of Brahmins after completion of a rite or a ritual

Committee

Passage of Sun from one sign (raasi ) to another

A person who is concerned with the management of a temple

Prayers at praatha-sandhya (at sunrise), madhyagga-sandhya (at noon)

and saayam sandhya (at dusk) by reciting Gaayathri-manthra for at least

1,008 timesin the morning, 10 times at noon and 108 times in the evening

Splendid conception

Conch

Feast

They are seven mothers - Briihmigi or Brahmi (represents s!~shti-Sakthi), Maaheswari (represents samhaara-Sakthl), Kaumaari ~ts Gum­

Sakthl) , Vaishgavi (represents maaya-sakthl), Vaaar~TePresents the

powerofVaraaha, the boar-incarnation who carried theeaJlh on one of his

tusks from the ocean), Indraagi (represents the power of earth) and

Chaamug<;la (represents the kUIJ9aligi-sakthl)' All these divinities are

installed in a single sila either in the form of short lirigas or bali-pee!has

or in anthropomorphic form of sitting pose.

A sweet porridge made of raw rice and molasses

An elaborate form of serpent worship which includes Gagapathi-homam,

p81ll-paayasa-homam, kalaiaabhishekam for N aagaraaja, Naagayakshi etc.,

all done in the forenoon. 10 the evening, after drawing a kaJam (floor art)

in a decorated shed. poojas are held followed by offering of boiled raw­

rice balls (ball). noo!um-paalum, appam etc. to Naagaraaja and other serpent

divinities

Serpent

A musical ritualistic performance held in serpent-groves to propitiate

serpent Gods

When a sreekovij has functional door on all four sides, it is called

sarvathobhadra.

Rest-house

Protection from enemies.

Trial by ordeal (also known as Sathyam-choJlal or sathyam-cheyyaI) is to

ascertain truth by adopting different methods. (Eg. by taking an oath or

taking a ring or any article by a person from boiling liquid kept in front

of the deity etc.) If he fails in the test he is considered as a liar and the

wrath of the deity falls him.

Devotional round by lying and rolling in clock-wise direction.

642

Seer

Seevelippura

Sila

Simha-mukham

Skanda-Shashti

S!oka

Sopaa!]am

SraavaIJa-pooja

Sree

Sree-bali

Sreebhootha-bali

Sreekovi]

Sree-mukha

Sthhaanam

Sthoopika

Suddhi

SUddhi-kaJasa

SUka-naasa

Suk!a-paksha

Sundu

Swaamiyaa[

Swaamy

Swaroopam

5 wayambhoo

A measurement, one seer equals 0.93 kg.

See baahyaham-a

Granite-stone

Figure of a lion's face or mouth

Sixth day of the suk!a-paksha (bright fortnight) 10 the month of

Kaarththika.

Stanza

Steps to the sreekovil. It may have either direct or lateral steps.

An offering of paayasam [with ingredients of raw-rice, cocoanut, molasses,

milk and sugar] besides feeding Brahmins

Respect or prosperity

Daily offering of haviss (ve!!a-nivedyam or boiled raw-rice) at specified

oblation points (24, 22 or 21 points within the maryaada depending on the

deity).

Offering of haviss (boiled raw-rice) done to all Devathas and galJas either

installed or not installed in the temple on specific days or festival days

Sanctum-sanctorum. It is one of the pancha-praasaadas where the deity is

installed. A sreekovij has a separate ga[bha-grham, [mayor may not be

of saandhaara type] and other embellishments. It is built on adhish!haagam with flight of steps known as sopaagam and with praTJaa!am or water­

chute for draining lustral water. It may have roof or not. Further it may

have a superstructure of eka-IhaJa, dwi-thaJa, Ihri-thaJa etc.

It is an integral projection of the basal part of the superstructure of the

sreekoyij ,also called sukaanaasa. The front projection is in the shape of

suka-naasa but of generally triangular shape above the front elevation and

above the front door of the sreekoyij, where motifs of deities are engraved.

Position or location of idol

Also known as slhoopa or thaazhikakkutam it is the top-most and final

element of a sreekovil

Purity

One of the purification rites

See sree-mukha

Bright fortnight from New Moon to Full Moon (also called ve!uthlha­paksham)

The fluted portion of the water-chute (praIJaa!am)

Monk

Monk, Lord

Dynasty

Self-revealed by the innate power of the deity (may be in the form of a

si1a, idol, wooden pillar or any article).

643

T

Thaala

Thaala

Thaali

ThaaI} tja va-nrlhlham

Thaavazhi

Thala

Thali

Thambija/lhampila

Thampuraan

Thanthri

Thapas

Thara

Tha!avaat~ha!awaaV

Tha!ppaI}am

Theeyya or Izhava

Thevaaram

Thevaaramoo[ththy

Thevaarappura

Theyyam

It is the unit of measurement in iconography. One thaala equals either

the length of the face (face-length) or the inner length of the right- palm

(when the fingers are fully stretched) uf the siipi, thanthri ur yajamaaQa.

It is the musical time or measure (generally measured by the thumb and

middle-finger).

Neck ornament tied as a marriage badge denoting mangalya (a joyful

solemnity of marriage). Thaali is also offered to Goddess for getting

good husband.

Lord Siva in His cosmic dance.

A branch of a matrilineal family

It means floor over the ground; ego eka-thala with one floor, dwi-thala

with two floors, thri-chaJa with three floors etc. However, there will not be

generally any access by way of staircase to the top-noors from the ground

floor though exceptions exist in very rare cases.

The principal temple (generally dedicated to Lord Siva) under a Raaja or a

chieftain or a Tha!iyaathiri (Nampoothiri-chiet).

Offering of rice, pepper and arecanut, kept on an arecanut palm-leaf. It is

a special offering for Naagas.

A departed soul who was closely associated and depended on the deity.

Poojas are done to him a)\ a VaishQavite. The word Thampuraan also

means a royal or a male member of a Malayaa!a-Kshathriya family.

High-priest

Penance

Elevated platform with or wihout a pee!ham or an idol of a deity; basement;

floor

An ancestral house chiefly of noblemen.

Libation to satisfy deity or manes.

A caste whose main occupation earlier was cultivation, particularly coconut

trees

Daily offering to personal or family deity at the place of residence.

Personal or family deity

A place of worship located within the iJJam / ma!}a of a Nampoothiri, or in

the palace of a royal family or at the home of a Brahmin family and

exclusively used by the inmates

A ritualistic art of North Kera!a

644

Thila-ha van am

Thila-pancha-kajjaaya

Thimila

Thirifl fia-pantheerati

Thirumukham

Thirumutlam

Thiruvaathira (A..a!dm)

ThirllVOIJam

Thitamb-nrththam

Thitappa!!i

7hithhi

Thitta

Thiyyaatt

Thrimoo rlhrhi..,

Tilrka.i/,J-pooja

Sacrifice of thila (sesame) in altar.

Offering of seasame, cocoanut, sugar or molasses, ghee and cardamom.

See paal}i.

A ritualistic dance prevailing in north Kera!a (especially in Malabar area).

Pooja held at 5 naazhikas (2 hours) before sunset.

Face of the deity.

Courtyard of a temple.

Thiruvaathir.1 asterisk (sixth asterisk of lunar month) of Dhagu is observed

as the birthday of Lord Siva. It is also believed that on the Thiruvaalhira

asterisk of Dhagu, Kaamadeva was reduced to ashes by Lord Siva and

again given life by the ardent prayers with devotion and austerity by Goddess

Paa~vathi. As on this day Lord Siva showed compassion [aa_!dralha 1 towards Paa.!:vathi and Kaamadeva. The day is also known as Aa!dra or

Aathira. It is aha the day when the Gopikus of Vrndaavan observed

Kaathlhy<,wyagi-vratham for getting Baalagopala (Sree KrshI).a) as

husband.

Twenty-second asterisk of Malaya!am month; Thimvol}am asterisk in the

month of ChiIigam is ohserved as very auspicious being the day of

incarnation (avathaara-day) of Lord Vaama!_1a, OIJam festival is

mythologically associated with Lord Vaama~a and Mahaabali, the Asura

king. It is believed that Mahaabali re-visits Kera!a on this day to see his

subjects as hlessed by Lord Vaama~a.

A ritualistic dance with thitamb (image of deity), specially held in North

Kc[(]la.

Temple kitchen used exclusively for preparing nivedyam for the deity.

A day ie. one-thirtieth of a lunar month. falling either in suk!a-pak .... ham

ie. bright fortnight from New moon (Poun-wmi) to Full moon (Amaavaasi),

or in ka!uththa-paksham or mabaalaya (dark fortnight ie. from Full moon

tll New moon). The lhilhhis arc Pralhhamu, Dwiehecya, Thrlheeya,

Chalhurthhi, Panchami, Shashli, Sapthami. Ashtami, Navami, Dasami,

Ekadasi. Dwaadasi, Th!ayodasi, Chalhu[da§i and Pou!l}ami (for bright

fomight) or Amaavaasi (black fortnight).

Elevated terrace or platform

A ~.kvl)tional ritualistic art usually performed as an offering in temples

dedicated to Goddess Bhadrakaa!i (Kaaji-thiyyaatt) and Lord Ayyappa

{Ayyappan-thiyyaat).

Lord Brahma, Lord Vish!_lu and Lord SiYa.

Poojas held at momin,0" Dunn and evening (or done three lime~ in a day)

645

Thrkkaarththika

Thrmadhuram

ThuJaabhaaram

Thulasi

Thulla]

u Uccha-pooja

Udayaasthama!}a-pooja

Ugra

Upa-pee/ham

Urufi

Usha-paoja

Uthsavam

Uthsava-baIi

v Vaadyakkaaran

Vaadyam

Vaahanam

Vaaj"!]am

V ;udca-chaarthth

VaaJ-kalJIJaati

PourlJami day in the month of Maargaseersha (Vrschikam-Dha!!u)

A combination of kadafi plantain, ghee or honey and sugar, and is done as

an offering for acquiring vidya (knowledge)

It is an offering in which articles weighed in front of the deity against

one's own weight.

Sacred basil

A notable performing art in the form of mono-act. They are of three

types-Qllam-thul!a], Seethankan-thu!!al and Pa!ayan-thu!!al.

Pooja held between 11 1/4 naazhikas (4 1/2 hours) and 15 naazhikas

(6 hours) after sunrise. (In certain temples this time is not followed, as

the time of closing of the temple varies.)

Worship (paoja) from dawn to dusk following all rituals associated with

it.

Fierce

It is the basement beneath the adhish{haagam which is optional and not

indispensable.

A round bell-metal vessel.

Paoja held at dawn 1 1/4 naazhikas (30 minutes) after sunrise.

Temple festival.

It is more elaborate than sreebhootha-bali and done on uthsavam (festival)

days for the welfare of the~ople of the locality.

One who plays percussion instrument, drummer.

Percussion instrument. (In some temples the designation of the of the post of vaadyakkaran is simply denoted as vaadyam.)

Vehicle.

A moulding of adhish{haa!}am. It is thinner and less projected than the pattika.

Smearing the idol with powdered bark of Koldeo or fry-wood tree before abhishekam with pure water after pa!fi-ulJarththal.

A pancha-Jaha hand-mirror (mirror with a handle) ego the famous

Aa!a!!mu!a-kannaati (the mirror made at Aa!a!!mu!a in South Kera!a)

The traditonal occupation in early times of Vaarya! (also spelt as Wane! or Varie!) was temple-service like garkland-making management of temples etc.

646

Vaathil-maatam

Vaavu-bali

Va!abhi

Vafam

VaJiya- vi!akk

Valiya-balikkall

Va]iyambaJam

Varada

Vasantha-maIJ9apam

Vata-mwa

Vattezhuthth

Vazhipaat

Vedi

Veet

Vela-kaji

Ve!!a-nivedyam

Vellot

Yeti

Vibhoothi or bhasma

Vidyaarambham

Vigraham

Vijaya-Dasami

Another name for valiyambalam (see valiyambaJam)

Oblations done to manes on New Moon day, the important day in Kera!a

being New Moon day in the month of Thulaam or Ka:!kkatakam

A moulding in between vaaja!!am andkapOtham, generally convex in profile

with motifs.

It is a moulding either over uththara or kumuda-pati

A big festival of lights. It also means a big lamp

It is the principal oblation stone located either within the agra-ma{1<!apam

(baJikkaJ-pura) or outside it

It is the front portion of chu!!ambaJam with greater width than the sides

of the naalambalam. It is used generally for conducting homas,

ka!amezhuthth-paatt and for performing arts like chaakkyaa:!-koothth, thu!!al

etc.

A mudra (sign) of blessing

A platform used for keeping kolams or bali-vigraham or vaaha!1am or

weapons of deities during festival days.

A garland made of vata ( a round fried cake made of black gram, and

pepper)

An ancient script

Offering. The word originated from baJipaad in Thu!u dialect which means

offering of raw-boiled rice (main offering to all deities during nivedya­

timings). Later this word balipaad [balipaat] of raw-rice was made

applicable to all offerings with the nomenclature of vazhipaats.

A moulding between the top of the adhish!haa[!am and bhiththi

House

A martial folk art, now seen only in very few temples

Cooked raw-rice offered to the deity. In northern Kera!a, it is known as

balipaad or vazhipaat.

Bell-metal, an alloy made of 2 parts zinc and 10 parts ecopper

Fire-work

Holy ash

Initiating children into the world of letters, the most auspicious day being

Vijaya-Dasami, the last day of Navaraathri festival.

Idol

Tenth day in the Sanskrit month of Aswiga (last day of Navaraathri festival).

647

Vilakk

Vilakkumaatam

Vi!app

Viiwa (Vilva)

Vimaanil

Vishu

Vishukk:ll}i or Vishu-k3l}i

Vratham

'v'rththam

V,·vaali

V:raa.fi-mukham

y

Yaagam

Yajnam

Yujn6paveethaJ71

Yakshagaagam

't75 gakk'til!s

YOgesWMafl

MG1PRRND3655 RG\/04---2,OOQ Copies

Lamp or lighting of lamps

See madhya-haara

Compound

Bad tree (Bl1wa in Sanskrit and koova!am in Malaya!am)

Roof of temple

First day of Metam (Malaya!am month) which corresponds to vernal

equinox (in uththaraaya!]3)

Auspicious first sight of the deity and other articles of prosperity before

dawn on the Vishu-day (First ]l.fetam of MalayaJam year)

Fasting-day or day of observing specified rituals.

Circular

Mythical figure of a fierce animal like lion, tiger or a rogue elephant

Face or mouth of vyaap, generally of rogue elephant, lion or tiger

Vedic sacrifice

An elaborate ritualistic ceremony

Sacred thread (also called pooDoa1 in Malaya!am)

A dramatil.: art popular in ancient Thu!unaar (which covers Kasaragod tal uk!

Any grain or corn yielding flour WhICh ;, w,{'d for meal. Burley or paddy is considered the best as it is <;uppo:o.ed [n gi\'l' good fortunes. In Kerala, j'ctddy seed [ncllll lis USl:d as a unit of m~asun.~ (:alled I1cllila) in determining the heIght of an idol. The Silt: of th~ seed varies, the smaller the size the greater the prosperity (ie. in 0<1(' Jmplllam eight yavllIm,). See abo amguJam.

The member of ~ouncil or adminislraliv,' i:"h)';Y of the temple.

A sainI or a piC'u~ person who oa" :n;;ial1ed or was responsible for the installation of an idol.

648