wallpaper gallery: Ayyappa temple

Showing posts with label Ayyappa temple. Show all posts

Friday, July 8, 2011

Sree Ayyappa Swamy Temple

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Arattupuzha Sree Sastha Temple Religious Destination Thrissur Kerala

16 km away from Thrissur. The deity is Dharma Sastha. The temple is 1500 years old. In its annual festival 41 temples participate. The deities-seated elephants representing the temples march to this temple on Pooram day. 65 to 101 caparisoned panchyderms mesmerize the event. The temple orchestra flows from hundreds of temple instruments and the rhythmic sounds electrify the atmosphere and thousands of spectators ride to the peak of amusement. This sporadic event is in the night.The leadership of the festival is bestowed on the deity of Shree Rama Temple in Triprayar, about 12-km from Aratupuzha. This Pooram is a mega event and attending it will do away the sins of a whole year, it is believed. The entire route, stretching 12-km, of Shree Rama from Triprayar to Aratupuzha get make-up by the villagers and wait thousands in excitement to see the deity passes through in the night. The full stretch of the route is also thrilled by fireworks from one end to the other end.
Temples of Kerala | Hindu Pilgrimage Places | Prayer Centers / Temples | Hindu Pilgrim Centers | Religious destinations | Hindu Festivals | Rock Cut Temples of Kerala | Kerala Pilgrimage centers | Pilgrimage destinations | Kerala pilgrim centres | Kerala Hindu pilgrimage tour packages

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Thrikkunnapuzha Sri Dharma Sastha Temple Alppuzha Kerala

The main deity is Dharma Sastha. His wife and son are also there along with him. The idol of Sastha is of 21 inch height. Wife is positioned write to him and the son is positioned in between both as behind. According to archaeological experts such idols are not noticed anywhere else in the world. In the north-east of the temple compound there is a shrine for Sri Subramanya Swamy. Sub-deities too have a prominent position here. Vishnu, Ganapathy, Durga, Yakshi, Nagayakshi and Nagaraja are the sub-deities. The temple has over 5000 years of glory. This shrine is also known as Padinjare Pathinettampadi.Offering of Balipindam (food offering to the departed soul) in the auspicious month of Karkidakam (July/August) is a great event here. Thousands of people from various parts of Kerala assemble for this ritual. To appease and extract favours from the deity a number of rituals employed. Kalakabhishekam (adorning of sandalwood paste), Appam (favourite food to the deity), Mahaganapathy Homam (bonefire homage to Ganapathy), Bhagavathy Seva (propitiation to Ganapathy), Archana (floral rituals), Panchamrutham (ritual offering of sweet mix made of 5 types of fruits and sweet ingredients) and Dhara (pouring of milk or ghee on the image of the deity) are the rituals.A 10-day annual festival in the month of Vrishikam (October/November) is a great draw.
Thrikkunnapuzha is the north-west part of Alappuzha district, Renowned as Sreemoolavasam, this coastal area found in the kerala history. Thrikkunnapuzha is one of the gateway to the inland water ways of Alappey ,Cruise through small canals , villages and small water lodged town-ships to enjoy the scenic beauty and to get a glimpse of the unspoiled rural life of Kerala ,This palace where narrow canals, rivers, lakes lagoons and land meet are aptly called “ backwaters” It is the land of fishermen.
Thrikkunnapuzha beach is very famous for "Karkidaka Vavu Bali".The beach of thrikkunnapuzha is very rich in mineral sand called 'black sand.. “Thrkkunnappuzha Sri DharmaSastha Temple” is one of the famous temples in Alappuzha District

History

Thrikkunnapuzha is the north-west part of Alappuzha district. Renowned as Sreemoolavasam, this coastal area found in the kerala history. An ancient port city and a busy port is believed to have been flourishing there in the ancient days. Some ancient manuscript reveals that this port city situated 5-6Kms away from the present Sastha Templewhich is now eroded by the sea. Well known historian Sree Ilamkulam Kunjan Pillai in his famous book ‘keralolpathi’ describead about this place. The Chinese explorer Huan Sang gives a note that, among the inhabitants here the ‘Pali aryas’ were dominant and they established a monastery with holy idles of SreeBudha. The ancient Sreemoola vasa nagaram was destroyed by the huge tidal waves from the Arabian Sea.
Yet another story is in vogue about the existence of the old city. Parasurama the sixth incarnation of lord Mahavishnu, as he ventured to take vengeance against all the kshatriyas here was not fortunate enough to keep away from the anger of Parasurama. He killed them one by one and invaded their domains. Later he decided to divide the place in to 64 parts and give it to Brahmins. One among the 64 part was Sreemoolavasam or Sreemoolapadam. As his mind filled with sorrow that he had killed thousands of innocent people he decided to confess. He setup 64 temples and placed it with idles of Lord Siva, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Sasthav. After centuries the temple were eroded by the tidal waves. As the sea receded the idle of Sastha and debris of the temple were recovered and was believed to have been kept by the residents.
Hundreds of years ago Keralam had been ruled by the emperor ‘Cheraman Perumal’. He established places at Thrikkakkara, Kodungallur, and Kollam for administrative purpose, and deputed his representatives there. As he was an ardent follower of Lord Budha he decided to divide the dynasty among his sons and went for a holy journey. As he was traveling with his servants and budha monks through Ashtamudi kayal and Kayamkulam kayal he happened to see a river flowing to north. He continued to travel through the river. As he traveled more he reached a place were he happened to see a beautiful lawn and in the middle of which a big Thiru Konna (a tree blooming only in the vishu ) He stopped his boat and decided to take rest there. People in large number crowded there to see Perumal and tell there grievance. The brought to notice, the Sastha idle which they got from sea and the debris of the ancient temple. Acknowledging their request Perumal build a new temple and sanctified the idle of Sastha there. ‘Thirukkonna puzha’ called by Perumal was unified to ‘Thrikkunnapuzha’ as year passed, and the temple was renowed as ‘Thrikkunnapuzha Sri Dharma Sastha Temple’. It was nearly 3Km to the west of the present temple.

Monday, June 27, 2011

Sabarimala Temple Pathanamthitta Kerala

A wellknown pilgrim centre of South India. The holy shrine dedicated to Lord Ayyappa is situated 914 metre above sea-level. It is 191 km away from Thiruvanathapuram and 210 km from Kochi. Over 2 million pilgrims go to this Hindu shrine every year. The devotees going to the shrine have to wear only black robes.

The pilgrimage to Sabarimala has several distinct features as against any other pilgrimage. It is an experience indeed as unique as it is exiting . The pilgrim who goes up the hill is conscious of not only the presence of an effulgent spiritual power , but also the burden of his past which he carries with him . Rigorous austerities are to be observed unfailingly without which it becomes a futile exercise with no spiritual gain. It is virtually a penance lasting at least forty one days from the first day of the Malayalam month Vrischikam , the mid November . A pilgrim who takes his maiden trip to the hill is called "Kanni Ayyappan"

As the preliminary ritual of the .pilgrimage, the aspirant wears a beaded garland usually of Thulasi or Rudraksham as a symbol, the garland which he receives from Guruswami , the one who has been privileged to be the holy presence of the Lord repeatedly on several occasion. Ordinarily the ritual is conducted in the precincts of a temple or any other such sacred place. From the moment the garland falls around the neck , the aspirants reposes complete faith in Ayyappa and he identifies himself with the Lord . He surrenders his thoughts, words and deeds to the powerful deity.

Sastha Temple,Malappuram Kerala

Devotees consider this temple as an extension of the famous Sastha Temple at Chamravattom (Malappuram District). According to anecdotes Lord Sastha of Chamravattom followed one of his Priests from Morakkala Mana who had shifted to Tripunithura. Lord Sastha assumed the form of a lizard and came with the priest comfortably by sitting on his traditional umbrella made up of palm leaves. Thamaramkulangara Sree Dharmasastha is considered as the incarnation of Lord Danwanthari and this is the only one temple in Tripunithura with Dharmasastha as main deity. Besides Dharmasastha devotees also worship Lord Ganesha and Bhadrakali along with Nagaraja and Brahmasrakshas.

When you come to the temple a huge banyan tree receives you with a pleasing breeze created by its shivering silvery leaves. There is a clean well maintained fresh water pond which spread over more than one third of the total area of the temple precinct. A Nadappura with a traditional flag post adds the beauty of the temple structure.

Friday, June 24, 2011

Kizhur Sri Sastha Temple at Chandragiri Kerala

The ancient temple of Chandragiri is popularly known as Kizhur Sastha Temple. In the Kizhur Sastha Temple a festival known as Pattu Utsavam is held during the month of November. During this festival groups of singers join together for a live performance. They sing in glory of the god.
The eminent personalities of the Kazhakams of Saliyas jointly known as Pathinula Nagaram participate in this festival. All the kazhakams from Pattuvam to Panamboor involve themselves in this glorious ceremony. This happens in the second Saturday of November. The Pattu Festival in Kizhur Sri Sastha Temple is held every year.
Pattu Utsavam has a history. It is a tribal festival that derives its origin from the Nilambur Kovikalam, which is a temple in ruins. This temple had been dedicated to Lord Shiva's son. The form of the principle deity here had been Lord Kirata, one of the Avatars of Lord Shiva.
The devotees were actually the tribal people who celebrated the Nilambur Pattu Utsavam. It continued for six days and was held in January. Now the temple is at the verge of destruction. But still people remember Lord Shiva and his benevolence so they worship him. From here the Pattu Utsavam has emerged.
The temple of Kizhur Sri Sastha is renowned for the Pattu Utsavam. This is the principle festival here. Offerings are made to Lord Shiva during this time. Men and women wear colorful costumes and flock to the premises of the temple. They not only offer worship but also appeal for a bright future and a happy existence. Lord Shiva is very benevolent and is also very fond of his disciples. He is also said to relieve them of all worldly pains and injustices.
The Pattu Utsavam at the Kizhur Sri Saastha Temple is usually held in the month of November.
IndianHoliday offers you online booking and information about the Kizhur Sri Sastha Temple at Chandragiri. For a visit please fill up the form.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Sree Dharma Sastha Temple Kollam Kerala

The deity here is Lord Ayyappa. Here the temple roof is of corrugated GI sheets as against tiles in most of the shrines in Kerala. This is just to save the roof from the wrath of monkeys in large number as if they are the devotees. The custom here is that devotees have to step on the droppings of the primate. The temple is close to Sasthamkotta lake which meets the drinking water needs of the entire district.