Tiruvan Parisaram
The moolavar is known as Tirukkuralappan, also Tiruvazhmarban seen in a sitting posture facing east. The moolavar has four hands the upper hands hold shanka and chakra. the lower right arm is in abhaya hasta and left one is resting on the knees. its a nine ft tall idol. it is made through the kadu sarkara yoga process. just like in the idol of thiruvattar this idol too is made from granite and lime and a paste formed out of a mixture of molasses and mustard is applied on it. hence the Moolavar cannot have the abhishekam as water cannot be poured on such idols. All the daily abhishekha is offered to the utsavar deity. The Moolavar is surrounded by saptaa rishis. the thayar is Kamalavalli Nachiyar, the theertham is Lakshmi theertham, the Indra Kalyana vimanam is seen here.
Kulashekar alwar found his favourite horse here and was so glad to see his horse. he had a bath and worshipped at the small Vishnu temple here and later reconstructed the same temple on a grand scale.
Stories of how lord appeared as Siva to the sapta rishis and they requesting him to appear as Vishnu and how the lord was pleased with their devotion and appeared as lord Vishnu here. also the theertham has interesting stories.
To the right of the moolavar vigraha we can see the idols of rama Seeta and Lakshmana in Pattabhiseka outfit. this was at the behest of Vibhishana who requested the Lord Rama to appear as he had seen him earlier.
Nammalwar was born here. the dwajasthamba has the base and top covered by gold plates. and this prathista was done by Kulashekar perumal (king) in 8th century.
an important festival at this temple is Anusha Tirunal commenced as a thanks giving offer by king Marthanda varma and interesting stories are wound round his stay here. he made important changes in the functions held here.
another important festival of this kshetram is Karthikai Sri Bali utsavam. this is celebrated in commemoration of the visit of Dharmaraja to this temple.
Nammalwar's idol at this temple was built by Sri Chittirai tirunal Maharaja and the ratha is said to have been built by Sri Moolam Tirunal Maharaja.
Adi swathi festival is celebrated here as it was on this day that the Lord appeared to the King Kulashekar alwar.
Thiruvanvandur.
The moolavar here is Pambanaiappan, also known as Kamalanathan seen standing facing west. The thayar is Kamalavalli nachiyar. the theertham is Papanasa theertham. the vedalaya vimanam. The Lord appeared to Markandeya and Narada. it is believed that the idol of vishnu as gopalakrishna originally worshipped by Nakula was consecrated by Brigu maharishi here. The van prefix in the name is at only three places in the 108 stalams the other two are Thiruvan Purushothamam at thirunangoor, and at Thiruvan Parisaram.
Naradiya purana was written here which runs into 25000 granthas.
The Lord appeared to Markandeya rishi after he had performed severe penance here. he got a unique view of the Lord too.
Nakula is said to have been very much impressed by the stories of this temple and is said to have renovated this temple. also this temple saw its hay days during the reign of Kulashekar raja alwar records in the temple state that the temple was very well managed by the Venad ruler Sri Vallachan Kodhai he was appointed by the chera ruler to rule Nan thuzhai Nadu. after this hectic period the temple and its management went into the hands of a local Nambuthri of Gnazhapally who was very passionate with his worship. it so happened that a near by chieftian A Champakassery Raja made an attempt to invade the temple town and wanted to carry away the idol of Gopalakrishnan and install him at a temple built by him at Ambalapuram but the Nambuthri Gnazhapally is said to have taken the idol and drowned hugging the krishna idol in the temple tank. this lost idol was rediscovered in the year 1963 after a local devotee had a dream that the beautiful idol of Gopala krishna was beneath the ancient tank this idol was recovered after the digging for 41 days. so the incident of drowning by the nambuthari in the 16th century. several vessels used for worship were also recovered.
Thiruvalla (Thiruvallavaz)
The Moolavar is Kolapiran also Tiruvazhmarban, also Sri Vallabha.
seen standing facing east the thayar is Selva Thirukozhundhu Nachiyar also Vatsalya devi. The Lord appeared to Gantakarna. the theertha is Gantakarna theertham also Pampa river. the vimanam is Saturanga kola vimana.
Thiruvalla was a great center of learning a strong hole of Nambudiris and the priestly class of Kerala. it has a long history of a city connected to learning even as ancient as before the 7th century. Dandin the great sanskrit poet has written in praise of this place. The immense copper plates found in this are speaks volumes of its literary history. it also gives a detailed description of how the administration of temples was conducted in ancient times. Huge areas of land were endowed to the temple for its feeding of brahmins and to upkeep and worship of the deity. also there is mention of the temple administration imposing personal fines on the residents of the town for various acts of omission and commission. all payable in gold. The temple was in a habit of granting loans to the residents in need and this was also repaid in gold. that amounts for the huge deposit of gold now found. The copper plates also details the names and addresses along with the terms and conditions of lending.
Hundred of students were enrolled and they were fed also by the temple. the gurukula style was practiced. the subjects taught were Philosophy, grammar, Tarkashastra, vedas to name a few.
The original temple was a small shrine constructed by the ten families they exercised great power over the temple its administration and also the people connected with the temple their life and properties. later this power vested in the Venad rajas in 1750. yet another peculiarity is the poojas performed at the temple where the priests were rotated between tulu brahmins and the local pottis (families). it is believed the idol in the temple was the handiwork of Visvakarma the great divine architect and this was at the behest of the Lord Krishna and the idol was gifted to his friend Dwaraja Satyaki before the end of dwapara yuga. the idol is believed to be given by Krishna to Garuda for safe keeping and Garuda put the idol into the river Netravati which flows from Karnataka to Kerala. the story goes that the royal consort of Cheraman Perumal dreamt that the idol was lying at the bottom of the river and that it should be brought to Thiruvalla and installed. expert divers searched with great fevour for the idol and it was found by some tulu brahmins with the help of the local potties of thiruvalla. that is how the worship is shared between them.
Another interesting feature is that of the flag mast of the temple. it is made of Granite almost 50 ft in height. there is a belief that it extends to an equal distance in the ground as well. it has a circumference of two feet. the entire structure is encased in a three storied minaret structure. the top of the flag mast depicts a panchaloka idol of Garuda. how this large structure was possible is all a mystery to unfold.
he huge temple tank within the temple is also unique it has a permanent supply of underground water.
the sri kovil is circular in shape. the eastern shrine is that of Sri vallabha. in it facing west is the shrine for sudarshana. the image of vallabha is 5 ft tall pecularly if one sees the face of the lord the feet are not visible and if one sees the feet the face is not visible at the same time. The Lord has conch and discus in his two upper arms and right lower arm has a lotus and the left hand rests on his waist. what an interesting pose. its no wonder that he is so captivating that ladies were not allowed near the sanctum sanctorum. legend goes that a lady was so captivated by the figure of the Lord that she entered the sanctum to prevent this the ladies were forbidden to approach close to the temple except on two occasions when the lord was dressed as a hunter and they thought he was not as captivating as in his original pose. so ladies were not allowed to enter the Nalambalam.
The neivedhyam offered to the lord is also peculiar a plantain Kadali plantain first offered by sage Durvasa who installed the idol.
Kathakali dance is also offered to the Lord as a thanks giving. the dance performed are Vallabha charitram, Tolakasura vatha. great many artist hail from this place. another peculiarity is the food is offered to a brahmin before it is offered to the Lord here. the food is presented on an arecanut leaf instead of a plantain leaf. (this was first said to have been done by Sankaramangal amma a great devotee who'es story is also related.
during a festival conducted in the month of may deities of three other Bhagavathi shrines also visit this god Vallabha, the deities of Kavil temple, the Padappad temple and Alamthurath temple pay the visit in all their splendor being carried in special palanquins they return the next day after receiveng the customery vishu offerings.
The moolavar is known as Tirukkuralappan, also Tiruvazhmarban seen in a sitting posture facing east. The moolavar has four hands the upper hands hold shanka and chakra. the lower right arm is in abhaya hasta and left one is resting on the knees. its a nine ft tall idol. it is made through the kadu sarkara yoga process. just like in the idol of thiruvattar this idol too is made from granite and lime and a paste formed out of a mixture of molasses and mustard is applied on it. hence the Moolavar cannot have the abhishekam as water cannot be poured on such idols. All the daily abhishekha is offered to the utsavar deity. The Moolavar is surrounded by saptaa rishis. the thayar is Kamalavalli Nachiyar, the theertham is Lakshmi theertham, the Indra Kalyana vimanam is seen here.
Kulashekar alwar found his favourite horse here and was so glad to see his horse. he had a bath and worshipped at the small Vishnu temple here and later reconstructed the same temple on a grand scale.
Stories of how lord appeared as Siva to the sapta rishis and they requesting him to appear as Vishnu and how the lord was pleased with their devotion and appeared as lord Vishnu here. also the theertham has interesting stories.
To the right of the moolavar vigraha we can see the idols of rama Seeta and Lakshmana in Pattabhiseka outfit. this was at the behest of Vibhishana who requested the Lord Rama to appear as he had seen him earlier.
Nammalwar was born here. the dwajasthamba has the base and top covered by gold plates. and this prathista was done by Kulashekar perumal (king) in 8th century.
an important festival at this temple is Anusha Tirunal commenced as a thanks giving offer by king Marthanda varma and interesting stories are wound round his stay here. he made important changes in the functions held here.
another important festival of this kshetram is Karthikai Sri Bali utsavam. this is celebrated in commemoration of the visit of Dharmaraja to this temple.
Nammalwar's idol at this temple was built by Sri Chittirai tirunal Maharaja and the ratha is said to have been built by Sri Moolam Tirunal Maharaja.
Adi swathi festival is celebrated here as it was on this day that the Lord appeared to the King Kulashekar alwar.
Thiruvanvandur.
The moolavar here is Pambanaiappan, also known as Kamalanathan seen standing facing west. The thayar is Kamalavalli nachiyar. the theertham is Papanasa theertham. the vedalaya vimanam. The Lord appeared to Markandeya and Narada. it is believed that the idol of vishnu as gopalakrishna originally worshipped by Nakula was consecrated by Brigu maharishi here. The van prefix in the name is at only three places in the 108 stalams the other two are Thiruvan Purushothamam at thirunangoor, and at Thiruvan Parisaram.
Naradiya purana was written here which runs into 25000 granthas.
The Lord appeared to Markandeya rishi after he had performed severe penance here. he got a unique view of the Lord too.
Nakula is said to have been very much impressed by the stories of this temple and is said to have renovated this temple. also this temple saw its hay days during the reign of Kulashekar raja alwar records in the temple state that the temple was very well managed by the Venad ruler Sri Vallachan Kodhai he was appointed by the chera ruler to rule Nan thuzhai Nadu. after this hectic period the temple and its management went into the hands of a local Nambuthri of Gnazhapally who was very passionate with his worship. it so happened that a near by chieftian A Champakassery Raja made an attempt to invade the temple town and wanted to carry away the idol of Gopalakrishnan and install him at a temple built by him at Ambalapuram but the Nambuthri Gnazhapally is said to have taken the idol and drowned hugging the krishna idol in the temple tank. this lost idol was rediscovered in the year 1963 after a local devotee had a dream that the beautiful idol of Gopala krishna was beneath the ancient tank this idol was recovered after the digging for 41 days. so the incident of drowning by the nambuthari in the 16th century. several vessels used for worship were also recovered.
Thiruvalla (Thiruvallavaz)
The Moolavar is Kolapiran also Tiruvazhmarban, also Sri Vallabha.
seen standing facing east the thayar is Selva Thirukozhundhu Nachiyar also Vatsalya devi. The Lord appeared to Gantakarna. the theertha is Gantakarna theertham also Pampa river. the vimanam is Saturanga kola vimana.
Thiruvalla was a great center of learning a strong hole of Nambudiris and the priestly class of Kerala. it has a long history of a city connected to learning even as ancient as before the 7th century. Dandin the great sanskrit poet has written in praise of this place. The immense copper plates found in this are speaks volumes of its literary history. it also gives a detailed description of how the administration of temples was conducted in ancient times. Huge areas of land were endowed to the temple for its feeding of brahmins and to upkeep and worship of the deity. also there is mention of the temple administration imposing personal fines on the residents of the town for various acts of omission and commission. all payable in gold. The temple was in a habit of granting loans to the residents in need and this was also repaid in gold. that amounts for the huge deposit of gold now found. The copper plates also details the names and addresses along with the terms and conditions of lending.
Hundred of students were enrolled and they were fed also by the temple. the gurukula style was practiced. the subjects taught were Philosophy, grammar, Tarkashastra, vedas to name a few.
The original temple was a small shrine constructed by the ten families they exercised great power over the temple its administration and also the people connected with the temple their life and properties. later this power vested in the Venad rajas in 1750. yet another peculiarity is the poojas performed at the temple where the priests were rotated between tulu brahmins and the local pottis (families). it is believed the idol in the temple was the handiwork of Visvakarma the great divine architect and this was at the behest of the Lord Krishna and the idol was gifted to his friend Dwaraja Satyaki before the end of dwapara yuga. the idol is believed to be given by Krishna to Garuda for safe keeping and Garuda put the idol into the river Netravati which flows from Karnataka to Kerala. the story goes that the royal consort of Cheraman Perumal dreamt that the idol was lying at the bottom of the river and that it should be brought to Thiruvalla and installed. expert divers searched with great fevour for the idol and it was found by some tulu brahmins with the help of the local potties of thiruvalla. that is how the worship is shared between them.
Another interesting feature is that of the flag mast of the temple. it is made of Granite almost 50 ft in height. there is a belief that it extends to an equal distance in the ground as well. it has a circumference of two feet. the entire structure is encased in a three storied minaret structure. the top of the flag mast depicts a panchaloka idol of Garuda. how this large structure was possible is all a mystery to unfold.
he huge temple tank within the temple is also unique it has a permanent supply of underground water.
the sri kovil is circular in shape. the eastern shrine is that of Sri vallabha. in it facing west is the shrine for sudarshana. the image of vallabha is 5 ft tall pecularly if one sees the face of the lord the feet are not visible and if one sees the feet the face is not visible at the same time. The Lord has conch and discus in his two upper arms and right lower arm has a lotus and the left hand rests on his waist. what an interesting pose. its no wonder that he is so captivating that ladies were not allowed near the sanctum sanctorum. legend goes that a lady was so captivated by the figure of the Lord that she entered the sanctum to prevent this the ladies were forbidden to approach close to the temple except on two occasions when the lord was dressed as a hunter and they thought he was not as captivating as in his original pose. so ladies were not allowed to enter the Nalambalam.
The neivedhyam offered to the lord is also peculiar a plantain Kadali plantain first offered by sage Durvasa who installed the idol.
Kathakali dance is also offered to the Lord as a thanks giving. the dance performed are Vallabha charitram, Tolakasura vatha. great many artist hail from this place. another peculiarity is the food is offered to a brahmin before it is offered to the Lord here. the food is presented on an arecanut leaf instead of a plantain leaf. (this was first said to have been done by Sankaramangal amma a great devotee who'es story is also related.
during a festival conducted in the month of may deities of three other Bhagavathi shrines also visit this god Vallabha, the deities of Kavil temple, the Padappad temple and Alamthurath temple pay the visit in all their splendor being carried in special palanquins they return the next day after receiveng the customery vishu offerings.
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