Pilgrimmage

PIOUS PILGRIMAGE OF KERALA

 Spirituality is something that every Malayali is strongly bonded with. From childhood onwards every child is taught the do’s and don’ts of their religion and custom. Kerala has ancient links with the major religions of the world. Unlike India, Kerala is also distinguished with a wide range of religions where people of various caste and creed live together happily. Kerala is basically a Hindu state but we also have different people with different religions, caste and creed.

Christianity is believed to have come to Kerala much before it reached Rome with St. Thomas, a disciple of Christ. Islam also came early, because of the Arab traders on the Kerala shores. And Judaism sprung up when merchants came here as a part of King Solomon’s fleet. Add to this a vibrant Buddhist period, a flourishing Jain community and many more, which describes about the plurality of Kerala. Despite of so many faiths having taken their root here, religion for Keralites has never been evangelizing type. Faith in a particular religion has always been a purely personal affair, more spiritual than religious. The holy pilgrimages of Kerala are Sabarimala Swami Ayappa Temple, Ambalapuzha Sree Krishna Temple, Mannarshala Temple, Ochira Temple, Sree Guruvayoor Temple, Chottanikkara Bhagavathy Temple, Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple, Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple, Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, Sree Parashinikadavu Muthappan Temple, Juma Masjid, Beemapalli, Malayatoor Church, Parumala Church, St. Mary’s Forance Church and the list goes on….   

 

Triprayar Rama Temple – Thrissur

 

Triprayar Rama Temple – Thrissur

Triprayar Rama Kshetram (temple) is situated south of Thrissur district and it is dedicated to Lord Rama. During the Onam festival in the months of August – September, there is a snake boat race held every year. This magnificent temple was initially in the ands of the Zamorin rulers of Kerala. Now this temple is owned by the Cochin Devasom Board.

The holy temple exhibits the wood carvings, sculptures and mural paintings which are very exciting. The namaskara mandapam which faces the sreekovil (sanctum) has several sculptural representations of scenes from the holy Hindu epic ‘Ramayana’.  

The temple idol of Rama is in the Vishnu avatar having four arms (chaturbhuja), holding a conch, a disc, a bow and a garland in four arms. Images goddesses Sreedevi and Bhudevi are on either side. Rama has been portrayed in the form of a victorious Lord over the evil demon Khara. It is also believed that the image of god Rama is a manifestation of the three gods (thrimurthis) – Lord Shiva, Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu. Outside the main temple, there are small shrines of Ganesh, Ayappa, and Krishna.   
 

The temple celebrates the Ekadashi festival in the month of November – December. It is the most important festival of this temple when more than 20 pachyderms, along with the eminent percussion, participate in the grand celebration. 

The temple also celebrates a seven day Pooram festival in the malayala month of Meenam (March – April). The procession starts from Triprayar to the arattu place where the bathing ceremony takes place.

The temple which is closely associated to this temple are temples dedicated to Laxmana at Tirumoozhikkalam (which is one of the 108 Vaishnava Divya Desam temples), Bharata at Koodalmanikyam and to Shatrugna at Payammel.

Sree Parassinikadavu Muthappan Temple – Kannur

Sree Parassinikadavu Muthappan Temple – Kannur

Sree Parassinikadavu Muthappan Temple is located on the banks of the Valapatnam River and attracts people from all parts of the society. Irrespective of religion and caste, thousands of devotees throng the place. This temple truly signifies the essence of “Vasudaiva Kutumbakam- the whole world is one family.”

This temple is supposed to have been built by the people of this town who felt the divine presence of Lord Shiva amongst them in the form of a small child. After various miraculous incidents, they built a temple that came to be known as Sri Muthappan temple. They called it as Parassini Madapura. Muthappan considers all his devotees as guest and it is necessary to eat the food provided by the temple or it is believed that Muthappan will feel sad. The main offering is dry fish and toddy.
 

The temple is also a popular destination for travellers and pilgrims to cherish the charm of ‘Theyyam’, a ritual that is performed here on a daily basis. Men adorning masks and costumes with a riot of colours present this temple art form and it represents conflict between good and evil, with good ultimately emerging victorious.

This centre of worship and faith has in store many unique practices and rituals, and the temple architecture itself stand as a proof to this aspect. Along with spiritual satisfaction, one also gets to relax in the serene surroundings of the temple.

How to Reach:

The best way to go to this temple is to travel till Kannur by train and take a bus to the temple.

Oochira Temple- Kollam

Oochira Temple – Kollam
 

This ancient famous temple neither has a structure to house an idol nor an idol to worship; this is the uniqueness of this temple. Oochira is dedicated to the formless, infinite Para Brahamam – the Absolute Supreme Principle.

The annual festival, Oochirakkali, is held during June-July, in commemoration of the historic battle fought between the Kayamkulam and Chempakasherri soldiers. During the festival, men dress up as warriors and enact mock wars wielding wooden sticks, brandishing swords and shields, enacting a kind of martial dance, standing knee deep in water. Two days of this ritual is followed by few days of brisk trading now being revived.

Besides this, the 12 – day Panthrandu Vilakku (12 lamps) festival, held in November – December, attracts hordes of pilgrims to the temple.

 

Mannarshala Snake Temple – Alappuzha

Mannarshala Snake Temple – Alapuzha

In the olden times, people used to worship the environment like the land, the sun and the animals. Among them the snakes were also worshipped. In earlier times, in almost every Hindu household, the southwest corner of the compound was set apart for a shrine called sarpakaavu (a sacred place for snakes), which was maintained very tidily and carefully and the propitiation of the serpent gods was considered essential for the wellbeing of the family. But in no part of the world is it such a tradition as in Kerala. Even today, people worship snakes and temples are build for them. 

Traditionally, Hindu naga (serpent) worshippers had temples in serpent groves. Of these, Mannarshala Snake Temple is the largest with 30,000 images of snake gods along the path and among the trees, and many snakes living around the temple. Childless couples offer a cauldron here and conduct certain poojas, to receive the snake god’s blessings to beget a child. A priestess, who is the senior – most female family, conducts the poojas.

Pambinmekkad Temple in Thrissur and Amedanaga Temple in Udayamperoor in Ernakulam are some of the other famous snake temples.

 

Koodalmanikyam Temple – Thrissur

Koodalmanikyam Temple – Thrissur

The Koodalmanikyam temple, 20 kms south of Thrissur, is the only temple dedicated to Lord Ram’s brother Bharata. The deity is a four – armed form of Lord Vishnu. He holds a disc, a conch, a club and beads for meditation (japa – mala) in his hands. The temple is an architectural marvel with imposing gateways, a round sanctum sanctorum and a marvelous koothambalam. You can admire the exquisite woodwork, granite friezes and also the beautiful murals on the walls.

A fascinating ritual is that of the vazhuthananga naivedhyam (brinjal offering). The story behind this offering is – once, a devotee suffering from lingering stomach pain, had a dream of the Lord in which he was advised to offer 101 brinjals. Lord cured his aliment immediately and thereafter, brinjals became the special offering to the deity. A unique feature of the rituals performed at the temple is that the flower offerings her include lotus, tulsi and chethi. Flowers normally used for worship in other temples are not used here.

During the 11- day annual festival in April – May, this temple comes alive with various rituals, festivities and a display of caparisoned elephants.

Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple – Thriissur

Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple – Thrissur

The Kodungallur Bhagavathy temple is the most admired and remarkable pilgrimage which attracts thousands of devotees every year. Kodungallur is positioned on the west coast of Thrissur district and was once a great port of the Chera rulers of Tamilnadu.

The presiding deity of this temple is Goddess Bhadrakali (Durga). Originally this shrine was believed to have been a Shiva temple. So poojas is first offered to Shiva before Bhagavathy. The most astonishing fact is that the image of the Bhagavathy is believed to have been carved out of jack fruit tree. The face of the idol is covered with a mask and it is adorned with beautiful jewellery.

The legend says that Shiva created Kali (Bhadrakali) to kill the demon Darika, who was very powerful and defeated all gods with his power. This dominant and strong goddess is sitting facing towards the east. There is a crimson cloth hung on the western wall of the sanctum and poojas is also offered here. There is a secret chamber east of the Bhadrakali image, with an underground passage. There is also a shrine to Kshetrapala, the deity who guards the temple and Vasurimala associated with small pox. The two significant festivals of Kodungallur temple are Makara Sankranti and Bharani festival. The temple stands out for the uniqueness of the rituals held during the Bharani festival. Makara Sankranti corresponding with Pongal celebrated in Tamilnadu is one of the important festivals at Kodungallur. As celebrated in Tamilnadu, the previous day before Pongal is celebrated with the burning of unwanted belongings in a conflagration.   

 This flaunting festival brings colourful displays with elephant procession twice a day with the accompaniment of folk music and fireworks. The final day is prominent with accompaniment of traditionally dressed women holding a plate with rice, flowers and a lamp (thalappoli). The most attractive thing is that a plate containing these items is place on the elephant. This is symbolic of the love and devotion of the devotees. The procession leaves from the original location of Sree Kurumba Bhagavathy temple in Kodungallur. This great procession is welcomed in the temple with grand reception.

The Bharani festival is one of the grandest and renowned festival in Kerala. The Bharani festival attracts the largest congregation of velichappadu (oracles) from all over Kerala. There was a ritual of sacrificing animal in front of the goddess and the blood of the scarified animal was to be spreaded over two stones in the prakaram. But now this custom has been stopped. There is a different type of song that is sung by the devotees to praise the goddess, which is also quiet popular. Thus, this great shrine is a pilgrimage center in Kerala. 

How to Reach: 

Railway – The nearest railway station is Irinjalakuda, about 20 kms.
Airport -    The nearest airport is Cochin International Airport, about 30 kms.
Roadway - The temple is more accessible by road as private operate regularly from          Kochi, Thrissur, Irinjalakuda and Aluva.

Chakkulathukavu Bhagavati Temple – Alappuzha

 CHAKKULATHUKAVU BHAGAVATI TEMPLE – ALAPPUZHA

Chakkulathukavu Devi temple is dedicated to the Goddess Vanadurga, who is the presiding deity, has a special empathy for women and children and the temple is always crowded with women devotees. This historic temple is situated on the border of Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha, the famous rivers Pamba and Manimala flow on the either side of the temple. Naaripooja is the main event in the annual ‘Pandrandu noyambhu’ (12 days fasting) festival. Every year hundreds of devotees witness the ritual of washing the feet of a women which upholds the verses of Manusmiriti (holy book) that tells     

“Yethra Naryasthu Poojayante
Remantha thathra Devatha”

It means, ‘wherever women are being worshipped, there will be glory and prosperity’

 

Attukal Bhagavathy Temple – Thiruvananthapuram

 

Attukal Bhagavathy Temple – Thiruvananthapuram

The Attukal Bhagavati Temple is one of the ancient temples of South India. It is popularly known as “The Sabarimala of Women”, as women are the major portion of the devotees. The Goddess in Attukal temple is worshipped as the Supreme Mother who is the creator, the preserver and the destroyer of the world. The pilgrims who visit Thiruvananthapuram definitely visit this holy shrine. Mother Goddess has taken the personification of Bhagavati to annihilate the evil and protect the good in the world.  The Pongala Mahotsavam is a special temple ritual here. Millions of devotees flock to the temple to pray before Mother Goddess to relieve themselves from agony and   affliction.                                                                                                                                                                                                      

The Pongala Mahotsavam is the most important festival of Attukal Bhagavathy Temple. The offering of Pongala is a special temple practice prevalent in the southern part of Kerala and some parts of Tamilnadu. It is a ten-day programme commencing on the Malayalam month of Makaram – Kumbham (February-March) and closing with the sacrificial offering known as Kuruthiarpanam at night. On the ninth day of the festival the world famous Attukal Pongala Mahotsavam takes place.

The entire area of about 5 kilometre radius around temple with premises of houses of people of all caste, creed and religion, open fields, roads, commercial institutions, premises of Government offices etc. emerges as a consecrated ground for observing Pongala rituals for lakhs of women devotees assembling from different parts of Kerala and outside. Women cook in the streets, where they prepare milk rice in small pots on earthen stoves. A priest comes and lights the first stove and then it is carried from one stove to another. The ceremony is exclusively confined to women folk and the enormous crowd, which gathers in Thiruvananthapuram on this auspicious day, really astonishing!

How to Reach:

Railway: From Thiruvanathapuram Central railway station, it is just 3 kms away.

Airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport is 7 kms away.

St. Mary’s Forance Church

St. Mary’s Forance Church – Kottayam

Bharananganam is a small village near Pala in Kottayam district which has now become a world famous pilgrimage centre. This divine place has an epithet as the Lisieux of India as it has the universally renowned St. Mary’s Church. It is situated on the banks of Meenachil River. Bharananganam received worldwide attention when Pope Benedict XVI sanctified the first Indian woman nun Alphonsa to St. Alphonsa on 12th October, 2008. The church houses the mortal remains of Saint Alphonsa, which are laid to rest at Bharananganam Forane Church.

When Sister Alphonsa died, there were only few people who attended the funeral. But very soon her grave was visited by students. They got her blessings especially for gaining good marks in examination. Gradually several people started visiting Bharananganam and St. Alphonsa’s tomb. Slowly many people started getting solace from her blessings and many miracles happened. Now people visit this church without any discrimination of caste or creed. There are innumerable stories of miracle that people experienced after praying to St. Alphonsa. Today, this church has become a universally acclaimed pilgrimage centre.

This Bharananganam church which is 1000 years old is also well known as Anakkallu Church. This panoramic land has many histories which relates to Pandavas of the epic Mahabharata. It is believed that St. Thomas, the apostle of India, Sree Narayana Guru, the social reformer, Mother Teresa and blessed Chavara Elias visited this place and blessed this land. It also considered that a small portion of the huge cross which was used to crucify Jesus Christ is kept here.

As the major population in Pala belongs to Christianity, there are a number of other churches like the Valiyapalli which displays the remnants of St. Thomas; the Cheriyapalli and many more.

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