Guruvayur mahathmyam - 2 (contnd)

     
       Radhekrishna! We will continue the story of the poor cooks! The egoistic brahmin by that time finished his bath and oblations. He slowly entered the agrasala expecting the shanthis struggling to finish their work. He was awestruck with wonder at what he saw. The preparation was almost over. Kalan, Olan, Erisseri, Aviyal, pazham nurukku, 4 types of pickles, banana chips etc were already finished. Pal payasam, Eratti payasam, and Palada payasam were in the finishing stage. They announced that everything would be ready within half an hour. The egoistic brahmin had the blow of his life. He utterly failed in degrading these shanthis and also he himself was degraded by this. Unnecessarily he had asked them to make so much of food items. If there were not enough people to eat this much  this would be a wasteful act. He became worried. He understood that Guruvayurappan will never let down His dasas. He cannot bear to see them insulted.

      When realisation dawned the brahmin fell at the shanthi's feet and begged their pardon. He told them that it was only with the intention of insulting them he had organised this feast. Now he felt sorry for that. The shanthis said that it does not matter. Everything is done with the Lord's knowledge only. Since he has realised his mistake it is alright now. They said they didn't have any hard feelings with him anymore. They requested him to start the sadya at the earliest so that they could reach Guruvayur before arattu. 

      All were seated and the serving started. Everybody felt that the taste was very unique. Some people doubted whether all these items were brought from Guruvayur kitchen only. The old men also finished their food and received their share of honour from the nampoothiri and started back. But the young nampoothiri didnt wait for any of these and rushed away much before saying He should be present there before arattu. 
        The brahmin cooks happily walked back to Guruvayur before arattu was over. In the midst of the crowd they spotted the young man who had helped them. So they called out to him.The uncle full of love for his nephew patted him on his shoulders and asked him why he rushed back away without receiving any remuneration. The young man looked blank and didnt understand a word of what the old brahmin said. The old nampoothiri again reminded him that after doing a lot of work at the egoistic nampoothiri's place he ran away without even waiting for some remuneration. The young man again looked puzzled and told them he had not gone anywhere. 
       Now the nampoothiris looked puzzled. They again tried to remind him how he had scraped lots of coconuts, and how he had helped them finish all the dishes just a day before. Now the young man refused having come to anyplace after pallivetta. He said since he was tired he was sleeping during the day. The nampoothiris could not gather what had happened. Suddenly they felt the boy was right. Yes! It was the Lord Himself who had come in the young man's form to help them. Tears started rolling down their cheeks. Together they cried out "Guruvayurappa! Guruvayurappa!"  They were choked with emotions. 
       The tale was rendered to Mallisseri Nampoothiri and others who were all wonderstruck. Who can explain the vivid leelas of the Lord? He is karunasagara and rushes to the rescue of His devotees who are in distress. Jai Guruvayurappa!

Guruvayur mahathmyam - 1

       Paripalaya na: krupalayethyasakruth jalpitham

athma bandhava!

Murali mrudula swananthare vibhu:

aakarnayitha katha nu na:? 

        Radhekrishna! I cry out to the Lord - "Hey the source of mercy! Please take care of me!" When will the mentor of my soul (athma bandhava:) be able to hear my pleas, over the sweet music flowing out from His flute? - Leela Suka - Krishna Karnamrutham.

The Lord is always lending His ears for our cries. An incident which happened in Guruvayur around 300 years back stands as a proof !

       One kodiyetru day (flag hoisting for annual festival) there was a great feast sponsored by a devotee for brahmins at the temple. Both affluent brahmins and ordinary poor brahmins were all part taking in the feast. The serving was supervised by temple chief priest Mallisseri nampoothiri. One brahmin commented that the taste of Guruvayur's 'namaskara sadya' is something special! The keezh shanthi nampoothiris' expertise in cooking is also beyond comparison! Everything is due to Guruvayurappan's great mercy only! This comment was not well appreciated  by another affluent nampoothiri who was also sitting there. He didnt like the praise showered on the Guruvayur keezh shanthis. He was of the opinion that those poor shanthis were not well educated in vedas or thanthras. They were just paricharakas (servants) who made offerings for Guruvayurappan in the temple daily. He also had a feeling that he was more experienced in organising feasts etc. 'If these keezh shanthis have so much expertise then let them prove it' he thought.

       After the feast everybody gathered before the sanctum for 'ucha puja' (noon) darsan. The egoistic nampoothiri suddenly turned to Mallisseri nampoothiri and told him that he wanted to conduct a namaskara sadya at his illam (home) on arattu day (final day of the festival, since it was not possible to conduct that in the temple. He said he knew it was a very busy day but inspite of that Mallisseri should send the shanthis for preparing food at his home. Now Mallisseri nampoothiri was in a fix. The rule is that after the flag is hoisted for festival then no one from guruvayur should go outside the place. But the nampoothiri who has requested this was an affluent person in the society with lots of influence among big people. He did not want to hurt him by refusing. Ultimately he was pressurised to agree to his demand. 

           Mallisseri called the shanthis and told them everything. The shanthis told that if Mallisseri asks them and Guruvayurappan permits them they were prepared to go. Mallisseri was relieved. On the day of pallivetta - divine hunting, the nampoothiri who had promised to take the work became worried. Who would he send for the work there? Actually they should be there at least a day before the namaskara sadya day. Since it was pallivetta day he had to prepare varieties of payasam here for offering Guruvayurappan. Finally he decided to send 4 old brahmin shanthis for preparing the feast. They left from guruvayur early morning on the pallivetta day and reached the egoistic brahmin's house by dusk. 

        The brahmin had provided immense things for a grand feast. They were to make at least three types of payasams (kheer). Seeing all these things they were aghast with wonder as to how they would be able to do all these within the short time. The Nampoothiri came to meet them and saecastically said 'you people cant even stand properly, and how are you going to make this grand feast. You could have brought at least 3 or 4 men to assist you. I see you have come here with the intention of getting good money as remuneration'! People around laughed at his mean joke and the shanthis felt humiliated very much. They just kept chanting Narayana! Guruvayurappa! The nampoothiri asked them to take bath and have their dinner. He had given strict instructions that fire should be lit in the kitchen only after 'ahass' (a ritual) in the morning. 

      After dinner the shanthis looked around the agrasala. They could see big heaps of coconut and other things. They sighed in worry. They were not sure whether it was the Lord Guruvayurappan or the nampoothiri who was testing them. Is the Lord punishing us for coming here leaving His pallivetta and arattu? Or is the nampoothiri trying to test our talent in cooking? they wondered. They surrendered to the Lord whole heartedly. 'Hey bhagavan You should save us from this predicament. Otherwise only You will be blamed for this.' Whole night they couldnt sleep and so kept chanting the Lords name. 

        When dawn came they all got up and went for bath wondering how they would be able to finish all the preparation within 3 or 4 hours. The brahmin had made clear to them that everything should be ready by the time of guruvayurappan's ucha puja. It was a real challenge for them by the brahmin. But they didnt utter a word taking this as the lord's service.  When they reached the pond for taking bath they were surprised to see a young nampoothiri, sitting brushing his teeth. "When did u arrive?" they asked Him. He replied that He had heard that these old people have come here, and as He had no particular work there thought would join them here and help them. He can also reach Guruvayur before arattu. He said He started immediately after pallivetta in Guruvayur. Saying this He had a quick dip in the tank and went to the agrasala. Nothing more could please the old nampoothiris than His arrival. 

       They were relieved that the Lord had saved them in time. They finished their bath, daily oblations as quickly as possible and proceeded towards the agrasala. They were struck with wonder with what they saw there. Fire was going in full swing in 4 or 5 stoves. Huge vessels like chempu, varppu etc were hosted on the stoves with enough water in them. Coconut scraping was going on in high speed. Everything was going on in lightning speed. They wondered whether the fellow had two hands or more? Were his hands very long to reach everywhere needed? Anyway their confidence very much boosted with this they fully involved themselves in their work. 
        What happened then? We will see in the next issue. Radhekrishna!

                                 (source:- Sri Guruvayurappan magazine.)

The wonder of Thrichambaram temple!

      

     If we go through the history and the different rituals of various temples in our country, we will come across many interesting informations. Thrichambaram Temple is situated 20 km from Kannur dist of Kerala state. It is near Taliparamba town, famous for its spices trade. The temple is believed to have got the name from Thiru Shambara or the holy shambara in reverence to Maharishi Shambara. Sri Perumthrikovilappan at Sree Rajarajeswara Temple is an older temple situated near Thrichambaram temple. It is said that to mellow the ferociousness of the Sree Rajarajeswara deity that Thrichambaram deity was consecrated there by Parasurama Himself.  Thrichambaram is a famous Sri Krishna temple. The deity is supposed to be of the Lord after Kamsa vadha.
           According to the legends Lord Sri Krishna and Balarama though were born in Devaki's womb were taken away to Gokul. Lord Krishna had promised Devaki and Vasudeva that one day He along with His brother Balaram in the divine form bedecked with all jewels, adorning peacock feathers and peethambara, would come to show the divine spectacle of their childhood Leela’s in the dense sambara forest. Sage Sambara remembered the Lord's promise made in the dwapara yuga. He was patiently waiting to see the divine appearance. True to His words Bhagavan appeared with Balarama and performed the holy dance which was witnessed by all the devas, gandharvas etc, along with Vasudeva, Devaki, Nandagopa and Yasoda from the heavens. 
      Lord Parasurama who was watching this fell at the feet of Sri Krishna and prayed Him to make a visit to the forest every year. Bhagavan gave him the promise and Parasurama constructed a temple in the place and consecrated the deity of Balakrishna. Lord Narada gave Parasurama two deities of Balarama and Krishna for the holy rituals of the festival. He instructed that the deities should be carried on the heads of two brahmins and the holy dance should be performed by them. The idols should be kept near the main deity inside the temple.
         One of the important offerings in this temple is 'aayirappam' meaning thousand appams.  Incidentally appam is Bhagavan's most favourite dish.  In Srimad Bhagavatham we come across the story of 'viprapathnis' (wives of the Brahmins) who rush to meet Krishna and Balarama with their gopa friends, carrying varieties of dishes to offer them. Here in Thrichambaram temple the ritual followed reminds us of this incident. 

      Usually the offerings for the deity will be made in the temple kitchen by the pujari brahmins only. But here in Thrichambaram the main offering of 'aayirappam' is prepared by the antharjanams (lady nampoothiris) of the village only. Also it is not prepared in the 'thidappalli' - temple kitchen, but in the agrasala adjacent to it. There is a rule that an antharjanam should only enter the temple  carrying the appam. The least number of appam one should carry is a minimum of three. If at all they are not able to take appam in their hand then they should take the rice for making it. The ritual is called 'appam thozhal'.  It is a routine of the antharjanams of Perinchallur village to do appam thozhal every month.

             Once the village girls get married they would go out anywhere only after doing their appam thozhal in Thrichambaram temple.  Likewise during the fifth month of pregnancy also the they should offer appam thozhal in the temple which will be followed by another appam thozhal during the annaprasanam or choroonu of the baby. The appams should be offered in the order of three, six, twelve, twenty four, fifty one, hundred and one or thousand. Offer can be made according to one's capacity. The most important offering is aayirappam. It is of course an expensive offering.  The ingredients needed are as follows:

Raw rice - 15 kgs, Jaggery - 30 kgs, ripe bananas (nenthrappazham) - 45 kgs, coconut - 25, jeera - 1/2 kg, pure cow's ghee - 6 ltrs. 

The ingredients would be brought to the agrasala on the previous day itself. It is the duty of 'varasyars'  (ambalavasis) to organise the firewood needed for cooking. The antharjanams will be present in the agrasala on the previous day itself. They get up by 2-30am, take bath, light a lamp (nilavilakku), prostrate towards east and west and then soak the rice. The varasyars of the temple will powder the rice in the agrasala itself in stone mortars. 

         Great care is taken while making the appams. The ripe bananas are steamed first. Rice will be powdered. Syrup is made with jaggery, coconut is cut into small pieces and all the ingredients are mixed well to make the batter. Large appakkaras (appam mould) would be kept over the fire with ghee. When the ghee gets heated, the batter would be poured with hands into the moulds and appams would be pricked out of the ghee with small sticks. The appams would be collected in a chembu - wide vessel with large rings on two sides for easy carrying. The counting is also done in a special way. One appam is kept in the hand while counting. Last twelve appams are strewn in a stick and kept across the chembu.

      By this time sun would have risen and the appams would be taken for offering during the puja.The ladies only carry the chempu holding it with a long wooden rod. The varasyar will go with a lighted lamp in front. The chempu would be kept on the mandapam in front of the deity. All the appams except those strewn on the stick would be taken inside. The antharjanams would themselves offer the appam in the stick from the mandapam. After offering 500 appams  would come out from inside. 
       If any child asks for the appam before offering it should be given immediately. That is the rule here. Once upon a time an antharjanam was making appam in the agrasala. A little boy approached her with extended hand for appam. Not only did the irritated lady refuse to give but burnt his hand with the hot dripping ghee. The kid ran away crying in utter pain. Nobody saw the boy again. But the melshanthi (poojari) saw burnt marks on the deity's hand. For some reason the lady also could not offer her appam. Ultimately they knew that it was the Lord Himself who came as a boy. 
      The taste of Thrichambaram appam is unique and matchless. The annual festival starts from 22nd day of kumbha masa (march 6th) with kotiyetram or flag hoisting and ends by 6th of meena masa (march 20th) with koodipiriyal. On the first day of festival there will be appam thozhal. But after that the antharjanams cannot enter the temple during the festival. The day after the festival is over they again come for appam thozhal. Nobody can offer appam without the presence of the antharjanams of the village. If anybody wishes to do the offering it should be done through them only. 
        Great is our country with its diversities in worship! Jay Bharath Matha! 
                                 (source - Bhakthapriya magazine and internet)

Thripunithura Poornathrayisa temple.

Vamam padam prasarya shritha durithaharam

dakshinam kunchayithvaa

Janunyaadhaaya vaametharam ithara bhujam

sesha bhoge nidhaaya

Paschath panidvayena prathibhata samane

sankha chakre dadhana:

Devo bhooshadi yuktha:  thridasapathi nutha:

paadu Poornathrayisa: 

          Recently I had the fortune of visiting Thripunithura. I had heard a lot about Sri Poornathrayisa from some residents of Thripunithura with whom I have contacts. Just as I reached the city I dashed to the temple in time to have the divine darsan of the Lord. I was lucky since the doors closed as soon as I finished my darsan. Purely due to the Lord's and my guru's grace I could have that heart filling darsan. I couldn't make out His posture as the Lord was covered with flower garlands below His face.  The beauty of the smiling face will steal the hearts of everyone I must say! Oh Krishna! You are rightly called as 'Bhuvanasundara'! But then I noticed that the idol had no eyes marked, which was very strange. Coming out of the temple I asked my cousin who had taken me there about it. She gave me an abridged form of the history of the temple.

          During the time of Sri Krishna, Lord Vaikuntanatha wanted to see for Himself both Arjuna and Sri Krishna (Nara Narayana). According to His divine plans a brahmin belonging to Dwaraka lost his eight children at their birth itself. He blamed the Lord since the sin of the King reaches his citizens. Arjuna could no longer stand the brahmin's sprout of angry words. So he volunteered to save the brahmin's next child during its delivery time. But unfortunately Arjuna could not save that child too. Dejected he decided to commit suicide by jumping in to fire. Lord Krishna hearing this came at the right time to stop him from the disaster and took him to Vaikunta in search of the brahmin's children. 

       There on the divine bed of Anantha, they saw the kids playing along with the Lord and Goddess Lakshmi. Vaikuntanatha pleased by them gave them the brahmin's children to be taken back. But the children refused to leave Vaikunta their erstwhile home, and the divine couple who were their erstwhile parents! So it was decided that the form of the Lord of Vaikunta to be consecrated in the earth for the sake of the children. It is said that the Lord gave Arjuna an idol along the the children. There is another version that Lord Krishna presented Arjuna with the idol. 

         Arjuna placed the idol inside his 'pooni' or quiver (the basket of arrows) and carried the 10 children of the brahmin in both his hands. He returned the children to the brahmin and wanted to instal the deity somewhere for the kid's sake. He seeked Lord Ganesa's help in searching for a good place. Together they kept the idol in a palace half a kilometer west of the temple. It is popularly known as Poonithura kottaram. Then they found 'Poornavedapuram', perfect place. Lord Ganesa attracted by the holiness of the ancient village, Himself occupied the place. But Arjuna pushed Him to the southwest side and installed the deity there. This is the only place where we see Lord Ganesa facing the south. The place was surrounded by mustard fields. Arjuna crushed some mustard seeds to light a lamp. Even today we can see the 'valiya vilakku' in front of the idol. It is said that the burnt oil of the lamp is of medicinal value. 

      Poornathrayisa means the Lord of the three Vedas namely Rig, Yajur and Sama. As the Lord is supposed to be Santhana Gopala Murthy many childless couples come here seeking for children and many are blessed with children. The Lord has an unique posture here. Lord Vishnu, is in a sitting posture under the divine hoods of Lord Anantha, who serves as an umbrella, a throne, sandals, bed, etc. Here Anantha serves as a throne with the hoods as umbrella. We can have a closer look of Anantha through a hole at the backside of the sanctum. According to folklore the sculptor who was engaged in making the idol lost himself by its beauty that he merged in the idol before finishing it. So they say the eyes were not carved. If without the eyes being carved the Lord is so attractive then what to say if He were with those Lotus eyes! Nobody can stand His  beauty! So it must have been in the divine plan itself!

       It is also said that Lord Poornathrayisa is the elder brother of Goddesses of Chottanikkara and Pishari temples. He is also believed to have married a Nampoothiri girl 'Nangema' from Vadakkedathu mana. Blessed is the family who gave their daughter to the Lord Himself in marriage!   During the annual temple festival occasions, deities from Perumthiri kovil (Lord Siva) and Pishari kovil (Goddess Lakshmi) visit here for a combined procession. The processions are locally termed as Sankara Narayana Vilakku and Lakshmi Narayana Vilakku. The arattu or the holy bath of the deity during the uthsavam is conducted in the temple pond of Chakkamkulangara Siva temple.

       There is a big lamp which is said to be the first lamp lighted by Arjuna. Oil to this lamp is considered to be an important offering (vazhipadu). The present structure was reconstructed in the year 1921 since the entire structure was destroyed by a fire accident in the year 1920.These were the information my cousin passed on to me. As I had to return the same day itself I couldn't have darsan a second time. I pray Poornathrayisa to bless me more opportunities for the divine darsan! 

 Eranakulam Junction Railway Station, is just around 10 km from Thripunithura.
Thripunithura  is an important center between Cochin city and other places such as Kottayam, Muvattupuzha and Piravom. Frequent bus services are available to all the major places.
 Cochin International Airport is the nearest airport.
Radhekrishna Radhekrishna.

  

Guruvayur Mahathmyam

Guruvayur Mahathmyam

       Radhekrishna devotees! Guruvayur! – the ‘Bhooloka vaikunta’ where the Lord of the Universe Krishna resides showering his grace over all His bhakthas. Numerous are the bhakthas who have enjoyed Him as Unni Krishnan. Sri Poonthanam nampoothiri, Srimathi Kurooramma, Sri Narayana Bhattathiri, a little girl Manjula, Sri Vilvamangalam Swami are to name a few. Irrespective of period or time the flow of bhakthas for the Lord of Guruvayur never diminishes. Bhagavan is very much present here and is doing  innumerable leelas. Almost all who visit Guruvayur have to recount one experience or other. So powerful is the sanctity there that the whole area is full of His vibrations. Recently we had the fortune of  staying at Guruvayur for 4 days. Those 4 days we were altogether in a different world itself. We could feel Bhagavan spread around us everywhere. I take this opportunity to share some of the leelas of that great magician  with every one of  you.

       By His grace we happened to meet a lady devotee who belongs to the place. We saw her at the western side Seeveli pura of the temple sitting on a verandah. Seeing us that lady offered abhisheka milk and malar (fried paddy corns) prasadam. We were very much delighted to receive the prasadam unexpectedly. We used to meet her daily at the same place. Daily she would offer malar, plantain and milk to us. We came to know that one of her leg was artificial. Inspite of her predicament she will come to the temple daily and spend her time inside the temple. She has nobody else but her Unnikrishnan to support her. She shared with us some of her experiences.

      Once an abscess formed on her breast. She went to a local doctor who after check up referred her to Trichur Medical College saying that some surgery has to be done and that it is not very serious. She did not want to have surgery done as she had earlier experience in amputating her leg. Though the doctors said there is no problem she knew the practical difficulties involved in surgery. Moreover it meant expenditure of money too. So she was not at all in a mood to go to the doctor and decided to ignore it. But the abscess started giving pain to her. She as usual came to the temple daily and prayed to the Lord. She started applying butter which she got from the temple daily. One day she dreamt that a cute blue little baby came to her and started sucking at her breast. She was surprised to find milk flowing out of her breast. To her wonder the milk started flowing spontaneously that in a few minutes she found her dress soaked.

        Suddenly she woke up with a feeling of wetness around her. Her first thought was she had urinated in her sleep. But to her dismay she found the abscess had opened by itself and all the puss and bad blood was flowing out wetting her dress. She got up and cleaned the mess. The abscees had shrunk considerably. She continued applying the butter prasadam. In a few days it disappeared.

        This lady has a daughter studying for Bsc Maths in Eranakulam. She is staying in a hostel. Once it was her exam time and fees had to be remitted for the examination. She called her mother and asked her to send the money as early as possible as the last date was nearing. At that time the lady had not even a penny with her. She didnt know what to do then. She had nobody else to approach but Bhagavan. She as usual submitted the request to him. Nothing was happening. She started worrying. Now only 2 more days were left to submit the examination fee. In a fit of dejection as she was leaving the temple she told Bhagavan that she would hit her head here and die if He didnt do anything.  When she reached home a neighbourhood girl came and informed her that the postman enquired about her. She ignored it as she was not in a mood to see what it was about. Then the girl’s mother came and advised her to go and enquire at the post office. May be some important thing has come she said. An auto driver whom she knew offered to take her to the post office. He parked the vehicle and went into the post office and told the postman that the lady has come and as it was difficult for her to walk she is waiting in the vehicle. The post man came to her with a money order which had necessary money. To her dismay there was no from address, or signature or anything at all. She wondered how she could repay it. But to this day nobody has claimed the money. She knew very well that it was her Unni Krishnan who afraid of her threat had sent the money immediately. 

        With humble pranams at the lots feet of the Lord I would now share with you one of my experience too. When we were at Guruvayur we used to have our lunch from the Brahmana Samooha matom. Generally I avoid eating outside at commercial spots like restaurants, hotels etc. as far as possible. As Guruvayur Brahmana Samooham was giving lunch free of cost for pilgrims who come from far off  places I was relieved about the main meal of a day. For breakfast I could manage with bananas, and the malar prasadam which we got from the temple. We had sumptuous lunch served by the Brahmana Samooham. Once we enter the temple in the morning we used to spend the time there going out only for our meals. Afternoon when the temple closes we would also go to our rooms. Evening when the temple opens we would be ready there till dinner time. Most of the days there would be velakku with seeveli at 9-30pm.

      On the day of our arrival after athazha puja at the temple we walked out for dinner. While I planned to confine my dinner with banana, biscuits etc, my husband insisted that I should have some thing heavy lest I should feel tired. Reluctantly I agreed and went to a hotel. After having dosa for dinner as we came back to the temple I casually remarked to my husband that how good it was in Tamil Nadu where in some hotels they serve food in plantain leaf over a plate. I wondered why hotels in Kerala don't follow the system. I commented it would be more hygenic. “How I wish the hotels here also serve food in the same way” I said to my husband. He teased me We reached the temple in time for vilakku.

      That day we could light the lamps for the vilakku and also attend seeveli. We retired to bed with heart full of happiness. Next day also I followed the same pattern of my food. After 8pm both of us went out to the same hotel for dinner. We met a friend of us there and the three of us ordered our dinner. My husband and his friend ordered mini idlis while I ordered dosa the safe thing for me. The server brought them their idlis in plates and my dosa on a plantain leaf placed on a plate. I stared at it in disbelief. Myself and my husband exchanged meaningful glances. I looked around and nobody else in the hotel as far as I could see was served food on a plantain leaf. This was too much for me. Tears came to my eyes. I made a wow in my mind that I should never again tax my Krishna with my such silly problems. Knowing fully well that Bhagavan is doing only good for me shouldn't I accept whole heartedly what He gives me? Whatever he gives me is Krishnaprasadam only. I should never forget what my Guruji tells repeatedly. Anyway I take it that Bhagavan has beautifully taught me a lesson to accept Him smoothly.

Radhekrishna! Radhekrishna! Radhekrishna!

Thirunelli kshethram - 2

Thirunelli kshethram - 2

          Radhekrishna! Thirunelli derived its name from the presence of 'amla' trees all around the place. With the passing of time 'amla' trees also started disappearing. Now we cannot see even one tree in the vicinity. In the forest area many 'adivasi' groups live. Their main source of income is collecting forest products such as honey, medicinal herbs, roots, amla fruits, bamboo products etc and selling them. Rice collected from bamboo shrubs is an important commercial product here. The rice is said to be very good for blood pressure, sugar, and many other diseases. As this is a rare item in other towns, people who come here take back at least a packet of it with them.  In the local shops good honey is also sold. amla fruits collected from the forests are also available in plenty here. The climate is cold throughout the year.
       Long back when the caste system was prevalent among the people an adivasi old man had a thirst to see the Lord of Thirunelli. He was aware that he would not be allowed inside the temple compound. He had no one to help him in this matter. But his desire to see the Lord became stronger and stronger. His people teased and scolded him since he wanted to do the impossible. But he didn't pay heed to their sarcastic comments. Finally one day he gathered some courage and ventured near the temple. 
       By the Lord's grace nobody noticed a low caste man like him going towards the temple. Hesitatingly he stepped inside the courtyard. There he saw some high caste people who also saw him. They shouted at him as to why he came there. Trembling he told them about his unflinching desire to see the Lord. The Lord as antharyami came to his help through them. To his great surprise they allowed him to go to the eastern side, stand behind the 'balikkal' at the front of the temple. He could have a peep from there and go they said. 
         Immensely delighted he stood behind the 'dwajasthambha' and tried to look inside. From there he couldn't see anything properly as the huge 'balikkal' was hindering his vision and so cried to the Lord in despair. Suddenly to the surprise of everyone there the huge 'balikkal' on the front corridor moved to a side as far as a person could see and he had the divine darsan of the Lord. The lord shining, fully decorated, stood smiling at him.  The poor man shouted in ecstasy and the people  came running there surprised how he got the darsan. They were shocked to see the 'balikkal' moved to a side and realised the poor man's bhakthi and Bhagavan's kaarunyam.  They then with full respect let the man go.  Even today we can see the 'balikkal' moved to a side of the corridor.
       The temple opens for Nirmalya darsan at 5 a.m. After that abhisheka is done followed by alankara, nivedya and arathi. The temple. Here pithru puja is done in the temple. The temple closes at 1 p.m and opens by 5-30 p.m. After athazha puja and seeveli at 7-30 p.m. the temple closes by 8 p.m. No one can enter the temple wearing lungis, shirts, banyan etc. The temple conducts annadana daily at night. This is actually meant for the devotees who come and stay there for doing the shradha rituals. Coupons for dinner can be collected from the temple counter before evening. Food is prepared according to the number of coupons issued. 
      Ghee lamp, varieties of archanas, chandanam charthal, niramala are some of the offerings done here. Varieties of homams are also done here. One can get varieties of garland prepared in the temple itself and offer.  Vella nivedyam, Sarkara payasam, Thrimadhuram are some of the nivedyam offered to the Lord.
           Over the years the importance of the kshethra is diminished to a shradha kshethra.  Seldom are people who come here to see the Lord. All come for doing shradha karmas prescribed by some astrologer or so.  People should realise the divine presence of the Lord here. The Lord is waiting to see us and bless us. We must take efforts to go over there. The devaswom provides accommodation facilities for tourists. 
Panchatheertha vishrama mandiram - 04935-210201 
                                                              04935-210055
(Here no hot water is supplied for taking bath)
Pilgrims can contact this number and book their accommodation in advance.
Some private hotels are also available there. 
Hotel Vishnupadam:- 04935-210285
Udupi Hotel:-             04935-210250
Ruchi Hotel                04935-210046
(near old bus stand) :- 
One can reach the place from different routes.
 Bangalore -Mysore nanchangud--Gundalpet-Muthanga- Batheri-Thirunelli. 
Bangalore-Mysore-HD Kota-Baavali- Manathavadi
Bangalore-Mysore-Hunsur-Nagarhola-kutta-Mananthavadi.
Ooty-Gudalur-Pattavayal-Batheri-Thirunelli
Calicut-Thamarasseri-Vaithiri-Kalpetta-Mananthavadi-Thirunelli
Kannur-Mattanur-Peravur-Kottiyur-Palchuram-Mananthavadi
Thalaseri-Mahi-Nadapuram-Kutyadi-Korom-Mananthavadi.
Bus service is provided through these various routes. One can engage a car or van and reach the place. KSRTC buses come up to the temple. 
'Pakshipathalam' is 7 k.m. above Thirunelli temple. It is a trekking destination. Only efficient trekkers can go there. Those who are adventurous and are prepared to face any situations can learn nature's deep secrets, and be one with nature here. The path is very tough and without a guide one can never reach.(04935-210377)     District tourism department,(04935-204441, 202134 ) and District Forest department (04935-240284) have to be contacted to go to Pakshipathalam. They provide guide and necessary help. If one starts before 9 a.m. can reach by 3p.m.People with asthma, diabetes, blood pressure, cardiac complaints need not venture into this adventure. 
For viewing photos of Kumbala and Thirunelli visit this link:



http://s863.photobucket.com/albums/ab194/radhadasi/Kumbala%20to%20Thirunelli%20%5C/

Thirunelli kshethram - 1.

Thirunelli kshethram.

           Wayanad district is situated on the northern side of Kerala.  The place is mostly of mountains and thick forests. Rubber, cardamom, coffee. pepper and other high range products are the main crops here. Thirunelli temple is situated deep inside the forest in the midst of the wild life sanctuary. Except for lions almost all wild animals are found in the forests.  It is connected to the outside world only with a tar road. Thirunelli is a great temple of Lord Vishnu.  Nobody knows exactly its age. Researchers need to find out. It is supposed to be very old anyway. 

Thirunelli forests

            4 main factors of Papanashini, Pakshipathalam or Rishipathalam, Kalindi, Thrishileri constitute Thirunelli. Kalindi is said to be a branch of Kaveri and so derived this name. Papanashini stream mingles with Kalindi. Here in Papanashini the rituals for the deceased is done. People mostly come to this temple for that purpose only. Pakshipathalam is a chain of caves situated about 7 kms above Thirunelli temple. The caves are inhabited by numerous bats which hang upside down on the roof of the caves.  The birds are said to be some Rishis doing penance. Some say that the athmas which get relieved by the rituals done there reside in the caves happily. Thrishileri is a great Siva temple which was supposed to be in Thirunelli even before the Vishnu temple came into existence. When Vaishnavam started flourishing the temple of Thrishileri was shifted to its present location giving way for Lord Maha Vishnu. 

The eastern side of the temple.

       Legends say that once while Brahma was going around the world on his 'Hamsa vahana', he was very much attracted by the beauty of this place.  He wondered at the never before seen natural beauty of the place and landed on Brahmagiri peak. He sat there in meditation to find out the reason for the attraction this place had, and felt the powerful presence of Vaishnava chaithanyam all over there. He discovered a Vishnu deity in an 'amla' (goose berry) tree in a place surrounded by divine trees. He could hear an ashareeri telling him to install the deity in that place. Induced by the divine command Brahma installed the deity ritualistically. Many devas and Rishis like Narada witnessed that. Pleased with that Bhagavan appeared before Brahma and gave him a boon that He would be present in that place forever and there would be no place equal to this temple which was installed by Brahma himself.  He also promised that those who visit this place and worship will be benefited immensely. 

'shree sahyaamalaka kshethre sakrith pinda pradhaanena

gayaa shraadha phalam yathath, labhathe naanyathra samsayam.'

          According to another legend Sri Parasurama after killing his mother and brothers while roaming around came here to do pithru karmas and became free from sins. It is also said that Sri Rama during his vanavasa reached Brahmagiri in search of Seetha matha. He also did the shradha rituals for his father here. People do the shradha rituals at Papanashini. 

        (Papanashini where the shradha karmas are done)

Long flight of stairs lead to the temple from all sides. The bus stops at the western side of the temple where the devaswom building of accommodation is situated. From the north we have to climb down the steps and proceed towards Papanashini theertha. On the northern side also we can see a flight of steps leading down from the temple.

     Any temple will have a well of its own for its need of water. But Thirunelli temple is an exception in this matter. Water for abhisheka and puja needs are brought in to the temple from forest springs deep inside through stone pathways which are called 'kal pathis'.  It is a wonder even today water is brought in to the temple through these 'kal pathis'. The water tastes heavenly. 

 

(Kalpathis from the deep forests bringing water)

A pipe is connected to the end of the stone path way leading to the temple and water is collected through a tap inside the temple. Beautiful stone 'mandapams' are seen on the western side of the temple. They seem to be on the verge of destruction. 

 ( The beautiful stone mandapam )

     The deity is 'chaturbhuja maha Vishnu', holding  shankhu, chakram, gada, and padmam. The Lord is indeed very charming. He is mostly covered with garlands except His face. So it is a great feast to see Him during Nirmalya darsan and the abhishekam which follows. It is believed that since Brahma installed the deity, he comes daily to perform his Puja there. So when the Nampoothiri closes the sanctum at night he removes all the garlands on the deity and keeps a fresh set of flowers etc for Brahma. Usually in all other temples the 'alankaram' is left as such during night and is removed after 'nirmalya darsan'. Thirunelli is the only place where it is topsy turvy. We will be back with more news of Thirunelli soon. Radhekrishna!