Thumpamon Vadakkumnatha Temple,Darshan Information

Thumpamon Vadakkumnatha Temple

26 Jan

Posted By admin 0 Comment(s) 463 View(s) Traveling , Temples

Evolution of Thumpamon Sree Vadakkumnathan temple is closely related to the evolution of other great temples in Kerala and the Kerala's social and cultural history. It is believed that this temple belongs to the Age of Buddist Temples (200 BC to 800 AD) and to the Age of Revival of Hinduism and the 'New' Brahminical Temples (800 AD onwards). This temple consists two Sreekovils (Sanctum Sanctorum), and both are round shaped. The Age between 300 BC and 800 AD is cited as the Golden Years of Jainism and Buddhism. Buddhism was introduced in Kerala by the missions sent out by Emperor Ashoka. For more than 700 years, Buddhism flourished in Kerala. The Paliyam Copper plate of the Ay King, Varaguna (885-925 AD) shows that at least in South Kerala, Buddhists continued to enjoy royal patronage even until 1000 AD. According to some of the Kerala historians, many Hindu temples were once Buddhist shrines, including Vadakkunathan temple of Thrissur. So Thumpamon Sree Vadakkumnathan temple might also have a close relation to the Buddhist tradition. Shankaracharya and the Revival of Hinduism by Brahmin scholars in 800-1000 AD gradually wiped out Buddhism from Kerala. Royal patronage by the Vaisnavite Kulashekara dynasty hastened this process. The Vedic Brahmins arrived in Kerala only in 700-800 AD, along the west coast Tulu-nadu and from Andhra Pradesh (Thazhamom madom, the Thanthris of Thumpamon Sree Vadkkumnathan Temple belongs to Andhra Pradesh). But unlike in North India, the Brahmins in Kerala adopted the Tantric form of temple ritual-worship.

Location Kerala, Pathanamthitta, Thiruvananthapuram

Legend

It is believed that the deity (Balamuruga) in the second Sreekovil of Thumpamon Sree Vadakkumnathan Temple (known as Thekkumnathan) was worshiped by Sakthi Bhadra, the author of Acharya Chudamani. Sakthi Bhadra was a contemporary of Shankaracharya and after completing Achrya choodanani he had given it to Sankaracharya for his opinion. That time Shankaracharya was at Chenganoor mahadeva temple and was in Maunavritha. So he did not give the opinion and Sakthi Bhadra thought that Shankarachrya does not like his text. So he burned it. But after some time, Shankara visited Shakthi Bhadra and said that the text was remarkable. Shakthi bhadra told Shankara that he had burned the text. Then Shankara recited the full text from his memory to Shakthi Bhadra. This is a prominent story associated with Thumpamon Sree Vadakkumnathan Temple.

Architecture

The general form of Thumpamon Sree VadakkumNathan temple is based on the PANCHA-PRAKARA LAYOUT SCHEME of the traditional kerala temples. The Bhakti Movement and resurgence of Hinduism also marked the revival of temple construction. 1. AKATTHE-BALIVATTAM - (a) The innermost enclosure, which includes two Sreekovils for building housing of the principal deitiesVadakkunnathan and ThekkumNathan. (b) Anthar-mandala: Space outside the Sreekovil occupied by protective deities in the form of small stone platforms - Bali-Kall (c) Namaskaara-mandapa: A raised platform for prostration's 2. NAALAMBALAM / CHUTTAMBALAM - Area around the sanctum which consists of (a) Valia-ambalam: Covered spaces around the Sreekovil for rituals and prayers (b) Thittapalli: A small temple kitchen (c) Mulayara : Storage space for grains, fruits, utensils, firewood 3. MADHYA HAARA / VILAKKU-MADAM - The Vilakkumadom Galaxy of Lamps around temple had lost in the dark age have reconstructed recently. 4. PURATTHE-BALIVATTAM / SIVELIPPURA - Outer enclosure and cirumabulatory pathway consists the following (a) Agra-mandapa : Pathway leading to the Naalambalam (b) Valiya-balikall: Large decorated stone platform for sacrificial offerings (c) Bali-peetha : Positions for protective deities outside the temple (d) Kshetra-paala: Positions for temple guardians (e) Kovil of minor deities: Sub-shrines within the temple compound The temple had lost the Sivelippura and Koothamabalam(the Enclosure for temple musicians) in the Dark Ages. 5. MARYAADA / PURAM MATHIL - The outer boundary wall consists the following (a) Gopura in front of vadakkumNathan - a formal high building marking the main gateways (b) Reconstructed Oottu-pura : Lunch-hall (c) Puram-mathil: Outer-wall

Culture

The district is the youngest in the State and was formed in 1982. It is home to many of the leading temple, earning it the title "the Pilgrimage Hub of Kerala". The leading temples in the district include Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple, one of the most frequented temples in India.

Darsan Dresscode

At Thumpamon Vadakkumnatha Temple, Traditional Kerala attire is preferred

Famous Festival

April - Uthrada Maholsavam

May - Uthrada Maholsavam

November - Mandala Chirappu & Pantrandu Vilakku

December - Mandala Chirappu & Pantrandu Vilakku

Temple Rituals

The first Sreekovil of Thumpamon Vadakkumnatha Temple is dedicated to a deity named as Vadakkumnatha. It is believed by the worshippers that the Lord installed in this Sreekovil is a form of Lord Shiva. Few other devotees believe that the deity is a representation of Muruga i.e. Lord Kartikeya while others are of the opinion that it is a form of Lord Vishnu. However, the deity resembles Sree Buddha.

Special Rituals

The worshipers believe that the deity in the second Sreekovil (known as Thekkumnathan) is Balamuruga. It is believed that this deity was worshiped by SakthiBhadra the author of Acharya Chudamani (a drama for Koodiyatta).