PAMPA TO PALAKAD AND TEMPLES ENROUTE - 4th to 6th Dec 2014

The first halt for food

We got down from the hills of Sabarimala in a state transport bus and came down to a place called Neelakal . It was 2.00 p.m when we reached there. From here we boarded the Royal van  a 25 seater private vehicle which was to take us next three days along the kerala route till palakad , in a route close to coast via Eranakulam where we got to see some very powerful and important temples of Kerala.

Van we travelled

Our first halt was at Kalaketty - The Shiva temple .

This is found deep inside the forest, generally visited by piligrims who go on `periapathai.

Kalaketty- A Shiva Kovil found in the long path

Vedi vazupadu at Kalli katti.

We also did a Vedi vazupadu there. Here the `Vedi , crackers are burnt in the name of the devotee who is offering telling the `nakshtram etc.

The Azudha river we could spot from above , on way to Kalaketty. The Azudha river is again a bathing spot for people who go by the Periapathi

 

After visit to the temple found in the interiors , we moved to halt for food .

The hotel

It was a nice joint looking ethnic and the food was o.k. The place had many attractions for the children and the elders! too in the form of fish , Rabbits etc.

Gazing at the fishes!

It was a late lunch . We had to literally rush to VAIKOM temple , the famous temple of Lord Shiva.

Because of the time crunch we dropped Ethumanoor temple.

1.VAIKOM temple is a very ancient and powerful Shiva temple. 

The legend goes Lord Shiva himself gave three Shiva lingas to Khara Asura who was a great devotee of Lord Shiva. He carried them and some point of time placed them down after which he could not take them out and it got installed in these places . 

Belief is that the Siva Linga placed by Khara Asura by his right hand is being worshipped at Vaikom, the one in left hand at Ettumannoor and the one by neck at Kaduthuruthy even to this day. We reached Vaikom very late and it was almost dark . But luckily we could witness

 the Deepa aradhana and Sheeveli .

                                           VAIKOM SHIVA

VAIKOM TEMPLE

2.CHOTTANIKARA TEMPLE

From Vaikom we moved to further north to Chottanikara near Thripanathura. By the time we reached there it was past 8.30 p.m. It took us some time to find our rooms, which were we found  close to the temple in Narayana mandir of Cochin Devastanam board. The temple was naturally closed by then. With difficulty we could find dinner in the local eating joints as all places were crowded . Finally we managed to get some dinner of dosa & chutney and settled down in our respective places.

However just below our room a frenzied form of `Kaithattal and bajan was going on till late hrs. It was a sight Chotanikkara is famous for. We were standing and watching it for some time. It looked a bit eerie. As the bajan was going on suddenly people were getting `swami elagal and were going to a frenzy.They say here the outside `atmas which enter the body come out and is driven off. Here we could see some scenes in front  of us. 

The Chottanikkara Temple (Malayalam: ചോറ്റാനിക്കര ക്ഷേത്രം) is a famous temple of Bhagawati. Chottanikkara Devi is worshiped at the temple, in three different forms: as Saraswati in the morning, draped in white; as Lakshmi at noon, draped in crimson; and as Durga in the evening, decked in blue. Lord Shiva is also worshiped at the temple. 

People suffering from mental illnesses commonly visit the temple, as Bhagawati is thought to cure her devotees. One should not miss the 'Guruthi Pooja' in the 'Keezhkkaavu' temple at Chottanikkara. This is a ritual done at late evening to invoke the goddess. Earlier 'Guruthi Pooja' was done only on Fridays. But nowadays, it is performed everyday.

BHAGAWATHY
LAKSHMI  NARAYANI

'Chottanikara Makam thozhal' is the famous religious festival temple.

CHOTANIKKARA TEMPLE

                                                                  Mama & Mami waiting for the dharshan

Next day early morning we fist went to Kizakkavu where every day Guruthi puja is done in the evenings. here the evil spirit is extorted.

 

Then we visited the main temple, there was a long que. Bala mama & Mami and we were trying to catch a special que for ladies and senior citizens, after much hassling finally we got berth in the que and could enter the temple to offer our prayers.

Paala Tree where nails are driven

Every night, after the Athazha pooja in the evening, the Priests of the temple go to the Kizhakkavu to perform what is known as the Valiya Guruthi, or the Great Sacrifice. Twelve humungous pots are filled a blood colored liquid known as Guruthi. This is prepared from a concoction of lime water and turmeric and is made to have the appearance and color of blood. The Melsanthi offers this Guruthi to Badrakali, sprinkles it around the temple and pours down some of the liquid creating a very gory re-enactment of a sacrifice.

At the time of the Guruthi pooja, the people who are thought to be under the influence of an evil spirit are brought to the Kizhakkavu temple. It is believed that the goddess, envigorated by her offering of blood (Guruthi) forces the spirit out of the person’s body. It is a sight to behold, with women and men, their bodies shaking violently, hair flying around, as the spirits try to resist the Goddess but finally succumb to her repeated warnings and leave the person in peace. The possessed are made to hit a nail into a tree with their heads and this act totally cures them from any sign of mental sickness. The astounding number of nails that populate the Paala tree near the Kizhakkavu temple is proof enough of the miraculous powers of the goddess.

 

  3.KODUNGALUR    BHAGAWATHY

Kodungalur Bhagawathy - Bhadrakali

Standing in the que for darshan






Starting from Chottanikara at 9.00 a.m we reached Kodungallur by 11.00 a.m, a distance of about 60 to 70 km very close to Eranakulam.

 It is said that sixth avatar of Vishnu, Sage Parasurama built this temple for the prosperity of the people.

Parasurama constructed the shrine and installed the Shakti Devi as Bhagavathi/Bhadrakali. The deity in the temple, it is believed, is Parashakthi herself.
Five 'Sri Chakras' installed by Adi Shankaracharya are believed to be the main source of the powers of this deity. 

The idol of bhagawati is about seven feet high and made of wood, carved from a jackfruit tree. The idol has eight arms that carry weapons and symbols
The Bharani festival at the Kodungallur Bhagawati temple is one of the grandest in Kerala.  It normally falls between the months of March and April

                                                                                                                                                                                                                            The youngest members our group

The Thalappoli festival is in the month of Makaram (January–February). The four day Thalappoli commences from the evening of Makara Sankranthi with religious rituals. Big procession headed by richly caparisoned elephants are taken out to the accompaniment of Pancha Vadyam,, etc

The Bhagavathi temple is one of the richest temples in Kerala.

Our next journey was to  4. TIRUPRAYAR - RAMA TEMPLE

THIRUPRAYAPPAN

 

iT WAS ABOUT 20 KMS FROM kODUNGANALLUR. However by the time we reached there it was past 12.30 p.m and we found the `nadi closed. However we spent lot of time in the most serene and pictursque setting of the temple which was not crowded and had a beautiful `kayal - back water close to it.  The temple is placed near river Teevra.

Lord Rama is known here as TRIPRAYARAPPAN. The idol of Sri Rama was initially worshiped by Lord Krishna at Dwaraka. After that the idol was immersed in the sea. Later the idol was retrieved from the sea and  a

The kayal adjacent to the temple - Here the river Teevra meets the sea.

local ruler installed in at Triprayar.
The idol of Rama has four arms like Lord Vishnu and it is believed to depict Trimoorthis. Hence the blessing of Trimoorthi is obtained by worshiping the deity here. It is a very ancient temple in Thirusur district and has very beautiful architecture. The temple is well maintained.

After a leisurely halt at Thriprayar , we drove to
5. GURUVAYUR - The all time favorite to meet Lord Krishna. We had planned our night halt there. Our rooms were pre booked in Shankaranilayam of Brahmanasamooham. It is a privileged place close to the temple, getting all the good vibrations of the temple just at the doorstep.
                                  

Guruvayurappan

                  

  
After settling ourselves in Shankaralaya and a quick bath we went for darshan. The seniors of the group that is four of us , mama, mami , self and Venkat could circumnavigate  the ever winding lines of the Guruvayur temple by joining the senior citizen line and get good Darshan of the lord and spent some good time in the praharam too , picking prasadam and soaking in the ambiance of the highly devotionally charged atmosphere.  

The fiat from the Guruswami was we have to leave Guruvayur early morning . Hence everybody had late evening darshan and after good food in the Guruvayur hotel took to bed to get ready for early travels.

Leaving Guruvayur in the morning hrs, we got into our royal van and were on the road to Mallpuram district from Thirusur district  to 

6. KADAMPUZAI BHAGAWATHY KSHETRAM

 

                                                        Going down to reach the shrine

Coconuts to be broken for Muttarukkal

The presiding diety is Sree Parvathy in the form of Kirathi.Kadampuza devi temple is dedicated to goddess Durga. There is no idol in the temple.
Poojas are performed in a hole ( about 6cm in diameter) into which Goddess is said to have disappeared after showing her presence to Adi Sankaracharya

Karthikai day in the month of Vrishchikam (Nov- Dec) is considered a special day and is celebrated in a grand manner at the temple. 

There are two main daily rituals at the Kadampuzha Devi temple.
* Poomopdal - Covering the deity under a heap of freshly picked flowers is the highest puja done in the temple. It is done in the morning time before 11.00 a.m then the temple is closed.
* Muttarukkal .- This is a important offering by the devotees, involves breaking coconuts before the deity by the pujari correctly into two equal halves for warding away problems in life. The coconuts are repeatedly broken till the exact half is formed indicating the obstacles will be now warded off.    

THE DEVI TEMPLE WAS UNIQUE , WE HAD TO GO DEEP DOWN THE STEPS FROM THE ROAD LEVEL TO REACH THE TEMPLE WHERE THE MAIN DIETY WAS COVERED WITH FLOWERS . 

THEY SAY THE DEVI IS POWERFUL AND PRAYING TO HER SINCERLY REMOVES MANY OBSTACLES  FROM LIFE. 

7.THIRUVILVAMALA VILVADRINATHAR TEMPLE

We left Thadappuza around 10.30 a.m and leaving Malapuram district moved towards Palghat district, travelling about 60km  reached THIRUVILVAMALA VILVADRINATHAR TEMPLE around 12.30. The temple is actually in Norther tip of Thrissur district close to palghat district 

The temple was closed. 
But again the pristine pictursque premises of the temple located in the rocky Thiruvillamala was all to our group. We spent good 2 hrs there going around the large praharams and exploring the rocky 
outcrops.
 

In front of the temple

In front of closed sanctum - Guruswami & Mani

Self & Mami

Exploring the rocky out crops

The imposing Peepul tree

The Iyappa temple below

The temple

    

The cave next to Thiruvilva malai

 After moving out of Thiruvilla we had plenty of time as our next visit to the three Bhagawathy kavu's were to be opened only later to 5.00 p.m. Hence we went to good joint had food and then drove to MANGOTTU KAVU and were resting in the sprawling grounds waiting for the `nadi to open to see the Devi. 

8.MANGOTTU KAVU

The temple is at Athipotta which is 24 km from pallakad via Alathur. The Goddess is supposed  to be very powerful and ahe is considered as the younger sister of Parakkatu Bhagawathi who is at Kavasseri 

Mani & Guruswami

 Mangottu kavu Bhagawathy

 

                                                                                                      

After the darshan at Mangottu we moved to Kavuseri to have darshan of 

9.Parakatukavu Bhagawathy 

 This temple is situated in Kavasseri which is five kilometers from Alathur, and is twenty kilometers from Palakkad. 

 This temple is believed to be at least 300 years old.

PARAKATTU BHAGAWATHY

WE BOTH (RAMA & VENKAT)

 

 

PARAKATTU KAVU TEMPLE

After having a good darshan at Parakattu kavu we moved to

10. KANNADI KAVU at Kottu kulangara

At Kannadi kavu

After a quick darshan at Kannadi kavu we moved to

11.KALPATHY VILLAGE

Our last halt was at our Kalpathy village  house. It is a `agraharam village - where my grand parents lived . At present my chitti stays in the house. It was  Karthi day. She had prepared traditional `pori to welcome us, lighting lamps in front of the house. We had just time to have a cup of tea, collected the packed dinner for the way as well lot of goodies like` veplakatti, kadugumangai, mahanikezangu mangai, vatral , vadam etc which are the specialties of this place.

  

The village house at Kalpathy

Kalpathy village - `agraharam 

We then moved to Palghat station to catch the train at 9.30 p.m, had our 
delicious dinner of `sevai, vadai,chutney, sambhar & Kesari   and reached 
back to pavilion - Bangalore in the early morning hrs of 7th December 
completing our mega pilgrimage successfully .