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Tali Shiva Temple Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

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Tali Shiva Temple is the oldest temple in Kozhikode, Kerala. The temple is in the middle of Kozhikode town and was built during the 14th century. The temple worships Lord Shiva. The deity here is a blended form of Goddess Uma and Lord Shiva. It is known as Uma Maheshwara.

History and Legend of Tali Shiva Temple

  • This 400 years old temple paints the picture of religious India.
  • The shrine was constructed at the end of Dwaparayuga. Saint Parasurama built this temple. Saint Parasurama is believed to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
  • As per another myth, the Tali Temple was a small temple in a village. 50 Namboothiri families looked after the temple.
  • The temple gained importance 1500 years ago. It was under the Zamorins. The Zamorins executed the Namboothiri families and took over the temple. They were also called Sailabdheswara. Sailabdheswara means the lord of the mountain and the sea. Swamy Thirumulpad made the temple within his palace complex. After some time, another Zamorin, Manavikraman gave the temple its present shape. The temple is still looked after by them.
  • The temple was almost damaged when Tipu Sultan invaded Kozhikode in the 18th century. Again the shrine was renovated in 1964.
  • Revathi Pattathanam function started at this temple. Eminent people and philosophers came to this function. Bharatha Meemamsa, Prabhakara Meemamsa, Vedanta Meemamsa and Vyakarana were discussed at the functions. During the 15th and 16th centuries, eighteen poets came to this function. This function also takes place at present.
  • Moreover, the temple is a God gift to locals. They believe that the temple has brought richness to Kozhikode.
  • Some historians believe the temple was made even before the city was built.

Significance of Tali Shiva Temple

  • The Tali Shiva Temple is historically important. It is a treasure house with numerous deities and beautiful built.
  • This is a two storied sanctum. It is in the chariot form and is decorated with mural paintings.
  • The temple is protected by large walls on all sides, which are in the form of an elephant belly.
  • Also, there are fine granite sculptures within the temple complex. These sculptures show Lord Shiva. Also, birds and animal sculptures are present. These portray different stories from the Puranas.
  • Moreover, there is a Jyotirlingam in the sanctum. 5 of the 12 Jyotirlingas are located in and around Pune in Maharashtra. Umamaheshwara, Tali Ganapathy, Thevarathil Ganapathy and Thrumandhakunnu Bhagavathy are also there within the inner walls. The outer walls have deities of Lord Ayyappa, Thevarathil Bhagavathy and Lord Naga.
  • There is a separate Lord Vishnu temple within the complex. The temple also has its own Dwajastambam.
  • The idol of Sreevalayanad Bhagavati is also present in the Lord Vishnu temple.
  • There is another small temple. The presiding deity is Narasimha Moorthy. This temple is at the southern part of the Vishnu Temple.
  • The northern part has the Eranjipuram. It is also beautiful with lights from all sides.
  • The main temple has four main parts. The Dwajastambam refers to the flag poles. People also believe these are connections of heaven to earth. The Anakottil is the flag staff platform. It was built for the elephants. The gopurams are large. These gateways are another treat to eyes with intricate carvings, while the Deepasthambhum is the beautiful lighting pillars.
  • The various temples within the complex are Sivakshetram, Nalambalam and Krishnakshetram.

Tali Shiva Temple Timings and Poojas

Like any traditional Hindu temple, the Tali Temple opens during the early morning. It opens at 4.30 am and is open till 11.00 am. The temple again opens at 5.00 pm and closes at 8.30 pm. Furthermore, there are five different religious programs that take place every day at this temple.

  • Nadathurakkal Abishekam is the first puja. It starts at 4.30 am. This puja takes place at Sivakshetram.
  • Dhara Usha pooja takes place at Sivakshetram. This worship is at 5.30 am.
  • Ganapathihomam puja is at 6.00 am. It takes place at the Nalambalam temple.
  • Ravilathe worship is at 6.30 am. The puja takes place at Sivakshetram.
  • At 7.00 am and 7.15 am, Seeveli Pooja takes place both at Sivakshetram and Krishnakshetram.
  • Navagraha Pooja along with Mrithyunjaya Homam takes place at 7.30 am. It is at Sivakshetram temple.
  • Pantheeradi Puja is at 8.00 am and 9.00 am. This is first at Krishnakshetram shrine and then at Sivakshetram. Lakshminarayana Pooja also takes place at Krishnakshetram but at 8.30 am.
  • Ucha Pooja takes place at 9.45 am and then at 10.00 am; first at Krishnakshetram and then at Sivakshetram.
  • Seeveli worship takes place at 10.30 am and then at 10.45 am; first at Krishnakshetram and then at Sivakshetram.
  • Nadayadaykkal worship is at 11.00 am. It takes place at Nalambalam.
  • Nadathurakkal occurs at 5.00 pm. This takes place at Krishnakshetram and Sivakshetram.
  • Dheep Aaradhana is at 6.30 pm. This takes place at Krishnakshetram and Sivakshetram. This is a sacred moment as the priests worship with traditional towered oiled lamps and to the beats of drums.
  • Umamaheshwara Puja and Bhaghavathi Seva take place at 7.00 pm. It is both at Sivakshetram and Nalambalam.
  • Athaazha puja is at 7.30 pm. It is first at Krishnakshetram and then at Sivakshetram.
  • 8.00 pm is the time for Seeveli at Sivakshetram.
  • The day ends with Trippuka, Nadayadaykkal at 8.30 pm. It takes place at Krishnakshetram and Sivakshetram.
  • Vazhipadu is a special puja. It takes place on special requests of the devotees. People interested in performing this puja need to book 3 days before the date. Also, worshipers can book for Vazhipadu online.
  • Appam, Vilakku, Maala, Nei Vilakku, Pin Vilakku, Ganapathi Homam, Ashtadravya Ganapathi Homam, Mrithyunjaya Homam, Dhara, Karuka Homam, Koovala mala, Uma Maheswara pooja and Ada are some of the special worships.

Food Timings

Appam is a tasty snack available at the temple after worship. This is popular as Prasadam.

Tali Shiva Temple Dress Code

Devotees need to come in traditional wear. People with jeans and western dress cannot enter the temple. You can hire a traditional dress (Mundu) from the temple counter. Also, men cannot come within the temple with shirts. They can drape a Veshti instead of a shirt.

Festivals celebrated at Tali Shiva Temple

Locals call festivals as Utsavam at the Tali Temple.

  • Revathi Pattathanam: This festival still takes place at the temple. This cultural program is a seven days function. It is during October or November. As per myth, the Zamorins started the festival as a penance of killing the Namboothiris. Performing scholars also get rewards.
  • The largest festival is during the Malayalam New Year. The festival is for seven days. People worship Lord Shiva during this time.

How to reach: Road, Rail and Air

As the temple is at the centre of the town, it is easily accessible from all parts of Kerala. Kozhikode is 184 kms from Kochi, 191 kms from Coimbatore, 232 kms from Mangalore, 359 kms from Bangalore and 378 kms from Trivandrum.

By Air: Kozhikode is just 23 km from the Calicut International Airport. This airport is connected to the various Indian metropolitan cities and gulf countries. There are private cabs available from the airport area which can take you directly to the temple.

By Rail: Kozhikode has own railway station. Therefore, there are regular trains from Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai and Bangalore to the place. Mngla Lksdp Exp, Kerala S Kranti, Ypr Cannanore Exp, Mangalore Exp Ypr Cannanore Exp are some of the express trains travelling on a daily basis to Kozhikode.

By Road: There are several tourist buses that travel from Karnataka and Kerala to the Tali Temple. Besides these private air conditioned buses, you can also avail buses from KSRTC. The buses connect important cities like Chennai, Bangalore, Mangalore and Trivandrum to Kozhikode. Both luxury and semi-deluxe buses are available. If you are travelling via road on your own private car or bike, you can opt for the routes like Lakkidito, Nilamburto, Thalasseryto, Pattambito, Tholpettyto, Bandipur National Park to Kozhikode.

Where to stay

The Tali Temple has great importance in the religious life of the people in and around Kerala. Hence there are several hotels near the shrine for people from all classes. The Gateway Hotel Beach Road, Khaleej Residency, Chamundeshwari Tourist Home and Malabar Palace are some of the hotels just at 0.4 kms from the Tali Temple.

Where to eat

There are multiple food courts near the shrine. The Arya Bhawan and Aryabhavan Restaurant are just 0.3 km from the temple. Both these eat outs serve vegetarian food. Hotel Rahamth, KTDC and Hotel Komala Bhavan are just 0.2 km from the temple and serve both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food. You can also buy banana chips and Shastha chips near the temple.

Nearby Temples

Kozhikode is a pilgrimage and has many temples around.

  • The Balasubramania Temple: Just beside the Tali temple, there is an old temple. The presiding deities here are Balasubramania and Lord Ganesha.
  • Varakkal Devi Temple, Kozhikode: Lord Parasurama built this as the last Devi temple. This is the 108th temple built by the saint. As per myths, Parasurama ploughed the area and Goddess Varakkal appeared. The temple is at the shores of the Arabian Sea. Vavu Bali is the largest festival here. Devotees perform funeral rites during the festival. The temple is open from 5.00 am to 12.00 pm and again from 5.30 pm t0 8.00 pm.
  • Valayanad Devi temple: This temple is at Govindapuram. The place is at 6 km from Kozhikode. As per myths, the Zamorins built this temple. They were not able to get control over Govindapuram and were able to do so only after worshipping the Goddess. Lord Shiva, Ayyappa and Vigneswara are the other deities here. Priests follow the Saktheya tradition here. There is also a ‘Sreechakra’. Sivayogi Thayyavur Sivasankar made the ‘Sreechakra.’ Makaram is the annual festival here. This takes place for 8 days. Guruthy Tharpanam is also practised here.
  • Pattalapalli: It means the Soldier’s Mosque. This is a four storied building. It has a domed roof and a round hall. There is a library and a well.
  • Mother of God Cathedral: This church is at the Beach Road of Kozhikode. It has a Gothic built. Italian architects built the temple. There are spiral colonnades and the curved arches on the doors and the windows at the church. There is also a 200 years old picture of St. Mary here.

The best part of travelling to the Tali Shiva Temple in Kozhikode is that you can visit the place any time of the year. The natural beauty of the place changes with every season. Visit the Tali temple to increase the joy of life.

Thirunelli Temple Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

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Thirunelli Temple, Wayanad Valley brings out prayers from the deep core of the hearts. The temple is encircled with Udayagiri, Brahmagiri, Karimala and Narinirangimala range in Kerala while the Papanasini mountain spring flows by it. The temple is at an altitude of 900 meters, facing east. Therefore, the first rays of the sun fall on the temple, creating a celestial atmosphere. The Thirunelli Temple worships Lord Vishnu.

thirunelli-temple

History and Legend of Thirunelli Temple

The Thirunelli Temple opens up another golden page of South Indian religious life and beliefs.

  • It is one of the oldest temples of Kerala. As per folklore, Lord Brahma built the temple. The temple also has other names, like, Sahyamala Kshetram and Kashi of the South.
  • There is an old artificial water channel that brings water to the temple. It helps people to understand the age of the temple. The wife of Chirackal Raja once visited the temple. When she asked for some water to dissolve the sandal, the priest was not able to provide water. The lady understood the scarcity of water at the temple and ordered her attendants to discover a water source. They found a water source, varaham, within the forest. Water was brought from the place using bamboo halves. She built the stone water channel to ensure uninterrupted water service to the shrine. This water channel has mural decoration and comes with pillars.
  • Thirunelli comes from the Malayalam/ Tamil word, nelli. It means gooseberry in English and amla in Hindi. As per myth, Lord Brahma was moving around the world one day. He saw an idol of Lord Vishnu resting on an amla tree. The tree was at the Wayanad Valley. Lord Brahma installed this deity. The place was Vishnuloka, the heaven of peace. Therefore, the Thirunelli Temple was built. For this reason, people also know the temple as Amalaka Temple and Sidha Temple.
  • It is also a belief that the Lord Vishnu blessed the place with sacred waters which can wash away the sins both of mortal life and life after death.
  • As per myth, Lord Brahma visits the place every day. The temple performs five worships in a day. But they arrange items for sixth worship before leaving the temple at night. Every morning it is found that the puja items have been used at night. People believe that Lord Brahma has used the items for worshipping Lord Vishnu. The priests swear thrice before entering the shrine in the morning that they will not disclose what they saw inside.
  • Veda Vyasa has also mentioned the temple in his book, Padma Purana.
  • Another myth states that Chera king Kulasekharan made the temple. The king was in power from 767 AD to 834 AD. Then he became a saint and practised Vaishnava order. He is also the writer of Mukundamaala. The book is written in Sanskrit.
  • The temple has an incomplete walkway. It is said that the Coorg king once started the renovation work at the temple. The Vellattiri king owned the temple at that time. He objected to the work and hence the walkway is incomplete.
  • Locals also believe that Lord Shiva lives at the temple premises. He started his journey to Kottiyur from here to kill Dhakshan. Dhakshan was the father of Devi Sati. She was the wife of Lord Shiva.
  • There is a holy rock at the temple where devotees perform the funeral rites of their ancestors. People believe the rock is actually the bone of a demon. His name was Pazhana-bhedi and he was killed by Lord Vishnu. He prayed during his death to Lord Vishnu to divide his body into three parts so that devotees could use it for offerings to the departed souls. The head is at Gaya, middle part at Godavari and feet at Thirunelli. Lord Rama and his brother Laxmana performed funeral rites of their father, King Dasaratha at this rock.

Significance of the Thirunelli Temple

The Thirunelli Temple is unique with its different rituals and as a treasure of historic relics.

  • Only at this temple, a devotee can perform rituals from life to death and for life after death.
  • The temple has three deities, Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva and Lord Brahma. People call them trinity. There is a separate cave temple at the western side of the main temple. Lord Shiva is the presiding deity here. This is Gunnika temple. It represents Kongu-Chera style of handiworks.
  • The temple showcases Kerala architectural style. The inner sanctum has a tilted roof and an open courtyard. Another feature of the temple is the granite lamp post. You can also see the hole of a flag post but the flag post is missing.
  • The outer wall also has granite pillars. The pillars are cubical in shape. This part is different from the standard Kerala architecture.
  • As per recent excavations, Thirunelli was an important business hub. The copper plates describe the history of the Thirunelli temple. From land allotment for the temple to details of expenses, everything is there in these plates.
  • As per the inscriptions, the Kunhikutta Varman VeeraKurumpurai was the first donor for the temple construction, while the Sankaran Godavarman is the second donor.
  • An elaborate description of the Thirunelli temple is also mentioned in the Unniyachi Charitham. This is a popular poetical work. The writer is Thevan Chirikumaran.
  • The lord Vishnu is Chaturbhuja at the Thirunelli Temple. The Panchatheertham water tank has the marks of Lord Vishnu feet. This is known as Vishnupad.

Thirunelli Temple Timings

Pilgrims can visit the temple both in morning and evening.

  • It is open from 5.30 am to 12.00 pm in the morning.
  • The aarti is magical. It takes places at 11.30 am.
  • At evening the temple is open from 5.30 pm to 8.00 pm.

Thirunelli Temple Food Timings

Prasadam is served after the evening prayers. You can also have meals at the temple. Visitors can also have free coffee and upma, both in morning and evening.

Dress Code at Thirunelli Temple

Devotees generally come in traditional wear. Men need to enter the temple without shirts. Leather apparels and items cannot be brought into the temple complex. Worshippers need to wear dhoti which is available at the priest office.

Festivals celebrated at Thirunelli Temple

Puthari, Chuttuvilakku, Navarathri, Shivarathri and Sreekrishnajayanthi are the major festivals of the temple.

Poojas and Rituals at Thirunelli Temple

  • Ritual at the Papanasini River: Pilgrims from all over the world gather at the Thirunelli Temple to perform the ancestral rites. The rituals rake place at the banks of the river. Locals believe that the holy waters can wash away all the sins of the mortals.
  • Pithrukarma: Also, there is a holy rock at the temple complex where worshippers pray for their forefathers.
  • The temple also practices various customs related to the complete life cycle. Bali Tharpana, Oraalpindam are the other funeral rites that people do here.
  • Another unique custom of the Thirunelli Temple is Brahmanas play musical instruments during food offerings to Lord Vishnu.

How to Reach: Road, Rail and Air

A trip to Thirunelli Temple is just not a pilgrimage but an immemorial journey through the Wayanad Valley. The place is easily accessible as it is a tourist hotspot. If you are coming from outside Wayanad, you can come from Calicut. The route from Calicut passes three cities, which are, Thamarasserry, Kalpetta and Mananthavady.

By Air: The Calicut International Airport is the nearest airport to the Thirunelli Temple. Another name for the airport is Karipur airport. This airport is at 161 kms from the Thirunelli Temple. Tourists can book cars directly to the temple. You can also use the Bangalore route to reach Thirunelli Temple. After reaching the Bangalore International Airport, tourists need to come to Mysore. From here proceed to Thirunelli via Hunsur and Nagarhole. The temple lies at 280 kms from Bangalore airport and 121 kms from Mysore.

By Rail: The nearest railhead to the temple is also at Calicut. From the railway station, tourists first need to reach Mananthavady and then to Thirunelli. There are many taxi and bus available from the station. The distance from Calicut to Mananthavady is 137 km if you are coming through the Koyileri – Mananthavady road. You can also take the 4th mile – Mananthavady road to reach the temple, but the distance is more; 141 kms.
The next nearest railway station to the temple is Mysore railway station. This is at 121 kms from the shrine.

By Road: You can enjoy the most if you are travelling to Thirunelli Temple via road. There are various ways in which you can reach the Thirunelli Temple via roadways.
From Calicut: After an hour journey from Calicut through the National Highway 212, you start climbing the hairpin slopes. There are 9 hairpin bends and the last bend gives a breathtaking view of all the Calicut valleys. You pass through the Vythiri and Chundale towns and then comes Kalpetta. This is the headquarters of the Wayanad district. From here you turn 2 kms left to the Mananthavady town.
From Kannur: The temple is 121 kms from Kannur. You can get a glimpse of the simple lifestyle of the locals as you pass the small towns of Koothuparamba, Nedumpoyil, Periya, Thalappuzha and Mananthavady to reach the temple. Moreover, there is a shorter through from Kannur. This route takes you through Kelakam, Kottiyur, Boy’s Town and Manathavady.
From Mananthavady: From this medium town, tourists head towards the Mysore Road, which is just at 10 kms. Then from Kattikulam tourists ride through a dense forest area till Thettu Road junction. This is an 8 kms ride to the junction and again a 13 kms ride to the temple. This path is idle for wildlife lovers, as bison, jumbo monkeys, peacocks and dear more around freely in the jungle.
From Kerala- Karnataka Border: From this place you need to ride till the Mananthavady road. After driving for almost 7.4 kms you will reach the Thetturoad Junction. Take a U-turn to reach the temple, which is 13 kms from the junction.

Hotels in Wayanad Valley: Where to stay

The temple has its own tourist accommodation. Panchatheertham Vishrama Mandiram is the name of the accommodation. Besides this, pilgrims can also stay at Himagiri Homes and Agraharam Resorts.

Where to eat

Besides having a meal, you can try out the food at Century Restaurant. The eat out is at 13.9 kms from the temple.

Nearby Temples

The Thirunelli Temple is closely related to the other nearby temples.

  • Trisillery temple: As per mythology, Pinnappara continues from Thirunelli to Trisillery. Hence devotees who perform ancestral rites at Thirunelli first visit Thrissilery. They also make a Vilakkumaala offering at Thrissilery.
  • Kottiyur Temple: This temple is at the dense forests of the Brahmagiri Valley. Earlier rice was brought from Thirunelli Temple to the Kottiyur Temple to meet the puja expenses. After the festival rice was returned to the Thirunelli Temple.
  • Kalpetta: This region in Wayanad is a Jain pilgrimage. The place has various Jain temples and institutes.

Thirunelli Temple is also renowned for its Ayurveda treatments. You can also get organic honey and bamboo toys here. There is a shop just adjacent to the temple which sells these stuff. Besides visiting the Thirunelli Temple, tourists can also go for trekking at the Pakshipathalam. This trekking site is just 10 kms from the shrine.

Vadakkunnathan Temple Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

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Vadakkunnathan Temple is located in Thrissur and is one of the oldest shrines of Kerala. It is also a national building. The temple is spread over a large area of 9 acres. It has a paved walkway. The shrine also has a lot of greenery. The vast area outside the temple is Tekkinkadu. This word means teak woods.

The temple is over a hill lock. Tourists can get a beautiful view of the complete Thrissur town. Locals also call the temple as Thenkailasam and Vrishabhachalam. The temple won the UNESCO Asia Pacific Heritage Award. It got the award in the Cultural Heritage conservation category in 2015.

Vadakkunathan Temple

History and Legend of Vadakkunnathan Temple

The temple is associated with the golden days of Kerala.

  • As per myth, Saint Parasurama built this shrine. After creating Kerala, the saint went to Lord Shiva. He requested Lord Shiva to make Kerala his home. Therefore, Lord Shiva along with Goddess Parvati, Lord Ganesha, Subramanya and other Ganas came to Kerala. But Lord Shiva suddenly vanished after reaching Thrissur. Saint Parasurama saw the self-manifested Shiva Lingum under a banyan tree. Therefore, people call this place Sri Mula Sthana. Years after this incident, the Thrissur king built a temple to place this lingam. This beautiful temple is the Vadakkunnathan Temple.
  • The locals also believe that the Adi Sankaracharya birth history started here. His mother used to walk From Kalady to Thrissur distance to the temple to beget a son from Lord Shiva. Hence, Lord Shiva blessed her with a baby boy. The boy name is Adi Sankaracharya.

Significance of the Vadakkunnathan Temple

The Vadakkunnathan Temple has Kerala architectural style. The different features of the temple are:

  • Besides Lord Shiva, there are other deities here; Goddess Parvati, Lord Sankaranarayana, Lord Ganapati, Sri Rama and Sri Krishna.
  • The temple is protected by a large stone wall. Also, there are four gopurams within the temple complex. Gopurams are gateways and have amazing carvings. The gateway base is granite. These gateways are at all four sides of the temple. They are at north, south, east and west.
  • The main temple and the gateways have wooden carvings and sculptures. The gopurams are like pyramids. They also have many roofs.
  • The Shiva temple is circular while the tower has one-tier. There are many pillars which are arranged in a unique way.
  • The Shankaranarayana Temple is also called the Harihara temple. This is just beside the Shiva temple. This shrine has two tiers.
  • There are three temples within the temple premises. One is for Lord Shiva, the other two for Sankaranarayana and Rama. There is also a separate temple for the Goddess. The temples have a square base.
  • The temple is beautiful with mural paintings. These paintings tell the stories from Indian religious books. It also shows stories from Puranas. The temple wall paintings show scenes from Mahabharata. It also has paintings of Lord Shiva in Tandava dance pose.
  • The temple also has a large theatre. People call it as Koothambalam. Enter the temple from the western gate to view this theatre. This building has a tilted roof, which is made from copper plates. The hall shows magnificent wooden carvings. It also has bracket figures. Chakyar Kuttu drama performance takes place here. This is a special drama that shows the rich culture of Kerala. This art started in the 9th century at Kerala.

Vadakkunnathan Temple Timings

  • The temple opens at 4.00 am and is open till 10.00 am.
  • It again opens at 5.00 pm and closes at 8.30 pm.

Vadakkunnathan Temple Food Timings

Devotees can have prasadam after worship. Moreover, the prasadam is free at the Vadakkunnathan Temple.

Dress Code at Vadakkunnathan Temple

There is a specific dress code at the temple.

  • Men have to be in white pancha and dhoti.
  • Short dresses are not allowed within the temple complex.
  • Furthermore, men need to remove shirts before entering the shrine.
  • Women have to be in a sari. Punjabi dress and churidar with a dupatta or half sari will also do.

Guidelines

  • You cannot bring children below 1 year within the temple complex.
  • You have to deposit footwear before entering the temple. There is also a free cloakroom here. People can also park cars.
  • Devotees can bring in mobiles but cannot do photography within the temple premises.

Festivals celebrated at Vadakkunnathan Temple

Thrissur is popular for its religious festivals and the largest festival takes place in the vast area outside the Vadakkunathan Temple.

  • Thrissur Pooram: This festival takes place during April or May. The festival started in 1750 AD to 1805 AD. Prince Rama Varma introduced this festival. Many devotees, almost in lakhs, visit the temple during this time. The unique part of this festival is that Vadakkunnathan Temple does not take part in the rituals or procession of the festival. There are other two temples that do the festival. One is the Paramekkavi Devi and the other is the Goddess residing in Tiruvambadi. At present many other temples also take part in the celebration. The fireworks during the festival are spectacular. Elephants are painted and decorated for the grand procession. Nettupattam is clothing sewn with almost six thousand gold plated metal pieces. Devotees place this at the forehead of the elephant. The elephant carries three people on it. While one person holds the silken parasol, the other two stand on the back. Music plays for two hours before the procession. The festival starts early morning. It goes on throughout the night and ends the next morning.
  • Shivaratri: Vadakkunnathan Temple celebrates Shivaratri with great pomp and show. This festival takes place during February or March. Devotees need to come in white dhoti to worship Lord Shiva. Tailored clothes are not allowed at this time.
  • Anayoottu: This festival takes place every year on the 1st day of the Malayalam month, Karkkidakam. It is in July. In this festival, people worship elephants and feed them.

Poojas and Rituals at Vadakkunnathan Temple

Vadakkunnathan Temple has some special customs.

  • There is also a defined process of worship at this temple. It is known as Pradakshina.
  • As you enter the temple you can hear the continuous chanting of ‘Samb Sadashiva.’
  • Every day priests offer 18.5 kilos of rice to Lord Shiva. This offering is Nivedyam.
  • Abhishekam takes place every day. Ghee is used to performing Abhishekam, lighting hundreds of oil lamps around the Shiva Lingum. This ritual is taking place for hundreds of years and this has led to a solid ghee mound encircling the Shiva Lingum. Devotees get a scrap of this mound as Prasada. Locals believe this ghee has medicinal and herbal properties.
  • Trippuka is the last ritual of the day. It takes place at 8 pm.

How to Reach: Road, Rail and Air

The temple is just at the heart of Thrissur and hence easily accessible from all parts of the country.

By Air: The nearest airport is the Kochi International Airport. It is at Nedumbassery and approximately 53 km from the shrine.

By Rail: The nearest railway station is Thrissur. It is at 3 km from the temple. All trains to Kerala pass through the place.

By Road: Thrissur is easily reachable through roads as well. You can drive from all parts of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka to Vadakkunnathan Temple.

Hotels in Thrissur: Where to stay

KTDC Tamarind Thrissur is a hotel sponsored by the Kerala tourism department. It is just within 2 km from the Vadakkunnathan Temple. The Joys Palace, KTDC Nandanam Guruvayoor, Mayura Residency, Hare Krishna Inn and Hotel Kanoos Residency are the other options for the tourists at Thrissur. These hotels offer clean rooms and basic amenities. The rent at these hotels is also less.

Where to eat

Due to thousands of visitors every year at the Vadakkunnathan Temple, various eat outs are found near the shrine. Reach Us Hotel, Hotel Bharat, Ming Palace Chinese Restaurant, Pathans and Hotel Elite International are within 0.5 km. Ela adai, pazha payasam, appam, puttuand kadalai curry are some special Kerala dishes that you can enjoy here. Thrissivaperror Kaapi Club serves awesome coffee while Fruitage is popular for fresh fruit juice.

Nearby Temples

Thrissur is a pilgrimage with various temples in and around it. It is also the cultural capital of Kerala.

  • Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple: It is at 27 kms from the Vadakkunnathan Temple. Every night numerous oil lamps are lit. It is also famous for Krishnattom dance form, which takes place every evening. The temple also features a unique ritual, Thulabharam offering.
  • Irinjalakuda Koodal Manickam Temple: This is just 21 km away. The presiding deity is Bharat. He was Lord Rama’s brother as per the Indian epic, Ramayana. This is a 9th-century temple. The temple celebrates Medam. It takes place for 10 days in April or May. Visitors also witness various Kerala art forms in this festival.
  • Paramekkavu Kshetram: This temple is at the foothill of the Vadakkunnathan Temple. This temple also participates in the Thrissur Pooram festival.
  • Kodungallur Bhagavathi Temple: This temple is behind the Vadakkunnathan Temple. The deity also has other names, like Kannagi and Bhadrakali. Bharani is the main festival here. The celebration takes place in March or April.
  • Thiruvembadi Temple: This temple is in the middle of the Thrissur city. The shrine is for Lord Krishna. This temple also celebrates Navaratri and Sree Krishna Jayanti.
  • Peringottukara Somashekhara Temple: This temple worships Lord Shiva. It is at 22 km from the main Thrissur town. Also at this temple, Maha Shivaratri is the main festival.
  • Arattupuzha Temple: This temple is 16 km away. Lord Dharma Sastha is the main deity. Moreover, 41 temples participate in the temple festival. A gorgeous procession takes place in the festival. Decked up elephants carry the deities round the temple during the procession.
  • Shree Rama Festival: Lord Rama is in the form of Chaturbhuja in this shrine. Locals call the deity as Trimurthy. Furthermore, it is a combination of Lord Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma.
  • Urakam Amma Thiuvadi Temple: This temple is 12 km from Thrissur. It is the oldest temple of the place. There is a custom of cleaning the idol with peacock feathers at this temple. Moreover, locals believe that the Goddess can protect the place from disasters.

Besides worshipping at the Vadakkunnathan Temple, tourists can also check out the cultural life of Kerala at the Cheruthuruthy dance school. This is just at 30 km from the temple.

Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

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Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple located in Kerala is a heaven for people seeking peace. Lord Krishna is the main deity of the temple. People call the deity as Aranmula Sree Parthasarathy at this temple. Also, Lord Krishna is Lord Vishnu’s other image. There is also a story behind the name of God. Lord Krishna rode the chariot of warrior Arjuna during a battle. Hence people call Him Parthasarathy.

The place is a world heritage site. United Nations has recognized Aranmula as a global heritage site.

Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple History

As per myth, the temple was originally built near Sabarimala. The famous Tamil classic, Divya Prabandha mentions this temple. This classic dates back to the 6th to the 9th century.

Planning to visit Sabarimala? Find out Sabarimala Opening Dates for 2019.

This temple is out of 5 temples built by the Pandava brothers in Chengannur. The five temples are Thrichittatt Maha Vishnu Temple built by Yudhishthira, Puliyur Mahavishnu Temple built by Bheema, Aranmula built by Arjuna, Thiruvanvandoor Mahavishnu Temple built by Nakula and Thrikodithanam Mahavishnu Temple built by Sahadeva.

After leaving their capital city, Hastinapur for pilgrimage, the Pandavas arrived at the banks of River Pampa. These temples were built at that time. Every temple has an image of Lord Krishna.

As per legends, Arjuna built the temple as a penance of killing Karna. As it is against ethics to kill an unarmed warrior.

Also, here Lord Vishnu provided information about creating the world to Lord Brahma. This took place when Madhukaitaka demons stole the Vedas from Lord Brahma. Lord Vishnu also came in front of Vedavyasa here.

There is also a story behind the image of Parthasarathy that is present at the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple. During the great Mahabharata battle, Arjuna did not want to fight against Bheeshma. Lord Krishna was angry and took up his discus. Seeing this Bheeshma surrendered. This image of Parthasarathy with discus is present at the temple. This pose is the Vishvarupa pose.

Another myth states that the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple image was brought on a raft. The raft was made of six bamboo pieces. Therefore, people call the temple as Aranmula. The word Aranmula means six bamboo pieces.

There is also another myth regarding the name. The place derives its name from the word arin villai. This word means a land near the river.

Aranmula is popular for its metal mirrors. The story of these mirrors begins from the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple. As per myth, once the Travancore king decided to donate a crown to Lord Krishna. He was looking for a crown of rare metal. At this time, he got a rare combination of copper and lead.

Also, there is a myth regarding the boat race of Aranmula. When Arjuna was returning with Lord Krishna’s image after long penance, there was a huge flood. At this time, he crossed the river on a raft. A low caste Hindu gave him the raft to cross the river. The raft was of six bamboo pieces. This annual boat race commemorates the help of the low caste Hindu.

Significance of Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple

The Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple is important in the Hindu religious history as:

  • It is one of the 108 Vaishnava temples of India. Moreover, the temple is mentioned in Tamil classics.
  • There is a sub shrine in the temple complex. People worship Lord Balarama in this shrine.
  • The temple shows Kerala construction style. It is similar to the Ettumanor Mahadeva Temple structure. The whole temple is on a raised platform. People need to climb 18 steps to reach the eastern tower. The northern tower is 57 steps high. Sreekovil is the main part of the temple that houses the deity.
  • The base of the central temple is granite while the entire structure is laterite. The conical roof represents terracotta art. There is a kalasam at the temple which is copper.
  • The temple has four towers over its gateways on the outer wall. It has a double storied gopuram. The gopuram is a gateway tower. The upper part has wooden trails. There is a hall on the upper part, the Kottupura. Drum beating takes place during festivals in this hall.
  • The outer wall has places for lamps. These lamps are lit during the festivals. Also, there is a rectangular wall around the temple. This wall protects all the temples which are within the complex.
  • There is a metal flag post in the temple complex. This is the Dwajasthambam which is at the axial to the temple tower. There is also a light post at the temple. It is Deepastamba.
  • There is an outer pavilion to the temple. It is Chuttuambalam. The main temple and the hall is within a rectangular structure. This is the Nallambalam. This hall has pillars and corridors. The Namaskara Mandapa is a square platform. The Mandapa roof looks like a pyramid.
  • There are other parts to the temple as well. The kitchen, Thevrapura is at the left of the Namaskara Mandapa. Balithara is the altar used to make offerings to demigods during festivals.
  • The temple is also famous for its mural paintings. These paintings belong to the early 18th century. The doors have paintings of Dwarpalakas. They are the guardian deities.
  • The temple also has beautiful carvings. The carvings show stories from Ramayana and Mahabharata. These intricate carvings are present at the pillars. These are wooden and stucco carvings.
  • Besides Lord Krishna, the other deities present at the temple are Sastha, Yakshi, Nagaraja and Erangavil Bhagavathy Balarama.

Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple Timings

  • Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple opens at 4 am and closes at 8 pm. The afternoon break timings are from 11 am to 5 pm.

Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple Food Timings

Devotees can get prasadam after the morning Pooja.

Dress Code at Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple

The dress code of the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple is quite similar to the other temples of the state.

  • Men have to be in dhoti. Shirts or upper clothing has to be deposited at the temple counter before entering the temple.
  • Ladies have to be in traditional dress. Sari, salwar kameez and half sari are some examples.

Festivals celebrated at Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple

The Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple celebrates Lord Krishna festivals with great pomp and grandeur.

  • Ashtamirohini: This is the birthday of Lord Krishna. The temple celebrates this festival with great pomp and grandeur. A large feast takes place on this date. This feast also has a name, ‘vallasadya.’ It is one of the largest vegetarian feasts in the world. The festival includes 64 types of dishes. The devotees offer the food to Lord Krishna. Besides feasting, the deities are carried around Aranmula on this day. Another important part of the festival is the boat rides. A special boat, Palliyodam sails over River Pampa. These boats look like snakes and many people ride them. This custom of boat race also has a name, Vallam Kali. People worship the boat before the race starts as locals believe these boats are vehicles of Lord Aranmula. People use many types of flowers to worship the boats. 100 rowers take part in the race. Also, 25 singers take part in this race. They sing songs as the boats sail on the river. The boats sail in pairs. People also play music. The festival goes on from July to October. This is also the time of Onam festival in Kerala.
  • Procession: A large procession on the Garuda Mount to the Pampa River takes place during the Meenam month. Along with Lord Parthasarathy, Goddess Bhagavathy also participates in the procession. The idol of the goddess comes from the Punnamthode temple.
  • Khandavanadahanam: This festival takes place during Dhanus month. Devotees create an artificial forest at the temple front. People use dried plants, leaves and twigs to make the forest. A bonfire is lit after this. This festival shows the fire that took place at the Khandavana forest. This is also a story from Mahabharata.
  • Fasting: This custom takes place during Thiruvonam. Three Brahmin families in Aranmula fast at this time. Brahmin families from Nedumprayar village also fast at this time. This is a two centuries old custom. As per myth, one Brahmin vowed to feed one pilgrim every day. Lord Krishna was pleased with the vow. Thus, He came to bless the priest. The Brahmin was very happy and he started to conduct a feast every year. This feast takes place after the boat race.

Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple Sevas and Poojas

The temple has its own customs, like:

  • Only Thantri and Melshanthi can enter the Sreekovil. Thantri refers to the main priest while Melshanthi refers to the second priest.
  • Thiruvonathoni: This is a famous custom of the temple. The ritual takes place during the Onam festival.

How to Reach Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple

Aranmula is easily reachable from all parts of the state as it is just 116 km from Trivandrum. Trivandrum is the capital city of Kerala.

Here’s how to reach Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple:

  • By Air: The Trivandrum airport is very close to the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple. Kochi International Airport is also a choice for the tourists who want to visit the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple. Taxis and buses are available from the airport which can directly take the tourists to the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple.
  • By Train: The nearest railway station is at Chengannur. Tourists can hire cabs from the railway station. Buses are also available here.
  • By Road: Besides planes and railways, you can travel to Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple on roads. There are many buses and other transport available which connect the various cities of Kerala to the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple. Chengannur is only 10 km from the temple. Pathanamthitta is 15 km and Pandalam is 14 km from the shrine.

Where to stay nearby

Hotel All Season, Hotel Santhi Palace, Bessota International Hotel, Club 7 Hotel, CGA Elite Continental and Contour Backwaters are just 21 km from the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple. These hotels also have all basic facilities.

Where to eat

There are some good eat outs near the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple. Favourite, Hotel Aryaas Park, J’ Mart Arabian Restaurant, Khyber Pass Bake & Grill, Union Bakery, Arabian Restaurant and Vensec Kitchens serve delicious food. The eat outs are also clean.

Nearby Temples

Besides the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple, this temple village has some other shrines and groves.

Pulikkunnumala Mahadeva Temple: This temple is also worth a visit. It is just 4 km from Aranmula. As per myth, this was the worship place for the Pandavas. The Pandavas are the main characters in a great Indian epic. This great epic is Mahabharata. The temple worships Lord Shiva. Kshetra Samrakshana Samiti looks after the temple.

River Pampa flows by Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple and you can spend some relaxing moments sitting on its banks. The village is also famous for its mirrors. These mirrors are metallic. People call these mirrors as Aranmula Kannadi. Hence visiting Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple is just not a pilgrimage but a trip to refresh your inner soul.

Sivagiri Mutt Trivandrum Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

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Sivagiri Mutt Trivandrum is one of the oldest temples in Varkala, Kerala. In earlier days, this place was also called the southern Benaras. The shrine is also serene with a cool breeze flowing through from the Trivandrum- Shornur canal. Sivagiri Mutt was formed by the famous reformer of Kerala, Sri Narayana Guru.

sivagiri-temple

History and Legend of Sivagiri Mutt Trivandrum

Many myths revolve around this small temple of Varkala. Sri Narayana Guru was a popular social reformer and saint of Kerala.

  • Sri Guru came to Varkala in 1904. He liked the beauty of the Sivagiri hill. Therefore, he made a hermitage on its top. He got the surrounding lands as gifts from the Travancore government and from other people. Hence the Sivagiri Mutt or temple was built.
  • Sri Narayana Guru attained enlightenment here. He preached Oru Matham. The principles are one caste, one religion and one God. The followers of Sri Narayana Guru have a unique name. People call them Ezhavas.
  • Sri Narayana Guru built the Goddess Saraswati temple within the complex on a full moon. He also stopped all customs like oil bathing and offering food. He abolished these customs at the Saraswati temple at the Mutt.
  • Sri Narayana Guru was also a poet and writer. He wrote Janani Navaratna. This poem was in praise of Goddess Saraswati. Still, devotees recite this verse at the shrine while worshipping the Goddess.
  • Sri Narayana Guru breathed his last at this temple in 1928.
  • Along with Sri Narayana Guru, Dr. P. Palpu and Kumaran Asan built the Mutt. Kumaran Asan is another popular Malayam poet. Eminent personalities, like Rabindranath Tagore, came to visit this Mutt.

Significance of the Sivagiri Mutt Trivandrum

The Sivagiri Mutt Trivandrum has an important place in the lives of the locals.

  • At first, an elementary school was built here. Besides this, there is also a night school here at present. Furthermore, the night school is for the illiterate people who belong to the untouchable caste.
  • The temple has a small museum where you can find the belongings of the Guru. This museum was earlier the home of Sri Narayana Guru.
  • There are many pictures and writings that explain the life and work of Sri Narayana Guru. Therefore, it is a great place to learn about the ancient social system.
  • One of the prime features of the Mutt is that there is no idol inside it. People from all religions can enter this temple.
  • The temple is pure white in colour. It shows modern built. Also, the temple has water taps, windows and bathrooms.
  • The Mutt has a shrine inside the complex. The shrine worships Goddess Sarada. Though the Mutt does not have an idol, this temple has an idol of the Goddess. The idol is pure white in colour. It is on a white lotus. This posture of the Goddess, seating on a white lotus is also symbolic. It means knowledge blossoming on purity. Locals also call her as Goddess Saraswati. She is also popular as the Goddess of knowledge and music.
  • The roof of the temple is unique. It rises in steps, resembling a gopuram.
  • Sivagiri Temple is octagonal in shape. Sri Narayana Guru himself planned the temple.

Sivagiri Mutt Trivandrum Timings

  • The Sivagiri Mutt opens early morning. It is open from 5.30 am to 12.00 pm.
  • The temple remains close in the afternoon. Again it opens from 4.30 pm to 6.30 pm.

Sivagiri Mutt Trivandrum Food Timings

Devotees can eat lunch after Guru Pooja. You can get this lunch only for Rs 50.

Dress Code at Sivagiri Mutt Trivandrum

During festivals, devotees come in a yellow colour dress. At other times, people can come to the temple in any kind of traditional attire.

Guidelines

Tourists cannot take photos within the temple complex.

Festivals celebrated at Sivagiri Mutt Trivandrum

The Sivagiri Mutt celebrates many religious festivals.

  • Sivagiri Pilgrimage: On this occasion, pilgrim come to visit the tomb and resting place of Sri Narayana Guru. The festival takes place from 30th December to 1st January. During these time devotees come in yellow dresses to visit the place. The yellow dress shows that the devotees are willing to follow the path shown by the Guru. Also, community feasts are held at this time. Public meetings and group weddings are other parts of the festival.
  • Guru Deva Jayanti: The Guru Deva Jayanti is the birthday celebration of the saint. This festival takes place every year in August month. Colourful processions take place on this day. People debate on spiritual topics during this festival. Many people also take part in seminars and cultural shows.
  • Samadhi Day: This is the death anniversary of the sage. Many people also visit the place on this day. This takes place in September.

Poojas and Rituals at Sivagiri Mutt Trivandrum

The customs of the Sivagiri Mutt are different from that of other Hindu temples in Kerala.

  • The Mutt does not allow Nivedyam at the shrine. Hence, devotees do not offer food to the Goddess here.
  • Abhishekam is another popular custom that people do not follow here. it means people do not pour ghee and oil on the Goddess.
  • Devotees recite hymns in front of the Goddess.
  • Aarti is very famous at the Sivagiri Temple. It takes place in the evening.

How to Reach: Road, Rail and Air

By Air: The closest airport to the Sivagiri Temple is the Trivandrum International Airport. This airport is at 46 km from the shrine.

By Rail: The Varkala Railway Station is closest to the Sivagiri Temple. This railway station is 3 km from the Varkala beach. There are daily trains from the different cities and other states of India to this railway station. The temple is 41 km north to Trivandrum.

By Road: The Sivagiri temple is only 3 km from Varkala. Varkala is just 53 km from Trivandrum and 37 km from Kollam. There are regular buses that ply between these cities and Varkala. Every bus stops at the Sivagiri Temple junction. You can visit the temple on tuk-tuk. It is an easy way to reach Sivagiri Temple from the Golden Island.

Hotels in Varkala: Where to stay

You can get both premium and economical hotels near the Sivagiri Mutt. Hill Top Beach Resort, Cliff House Beach Resort and Blue Marine Beach Resort are just 1.8 km from the Sivagiri Temple. Hindustan Beach Retreat, Blooming Bay and Vedanta Wake Up- Helipad North Cliff are within 2.9 km from the Mutt.

Where to eat

Varkala is also popular for its Ayurveda treatment. Hence there are a lot of eat-outs throughout the place and also near the Sivagiri Mutt. The Funky Art Café, Little Tibet, Shiva Garden Kerala Restaurant, Reena Bakers and Eden Restaurant are some of them. You can get both authentic local cuisines and continental dishes at these food courts.

Nearby Temples

Varkala has many important temples. Some of these temples are very near to the Sivagiri Mutt.

  • Janardhana Swamy Temple: This temple is 2000 years old. The main deity here is Lord Vishnu. The temple depicts beautiful Kerala architecture. Arattu is the main festival here. People celebrate this festival during March or April. The temple is open from 5.30 am to 12.00 pm. This temple is only 2 km from the Sivagiri Temple.
  • Sarkara Devi Temple: This temple is also very close to Varkala. This temple worships Goddess Bhadrakali. Kaliyoor is a popular festival of this shrine. This 9 days’ festival is a drama form. It shows the conflict of Goddess Bhadrakali and Darika. While Goddess Bhadrakali represents good, Darika represents evil.
  • Kaduvayil Juma Masjid Varkala, Kerala: This is a Muslim pilgrimage. This mosque honours Kaduvayil Thangal. Also, people come here to solve their problems as it is said that Kaduvayil Thangal has miraculous powers. Moreover, people from all religions come to visit this mausoleum.

Sri Narayana Guru is popular for his social works. Thus even today people praise him for enhancing the education system of the backward class of Kerala.

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