This is the 266th Thevaram Paadal Petra Shiva sthalam and only one sthalam in Malai nadu. This place was called as Thiruvanchaikalam during Sundarar period and now called as Thiruvanchikulam. It is believed that “Cheralam” has turned to Keralam. This is the birth place of Vaishnavite Alwar Kulasekara Alwar and Perumkothaiyar also known as Cheraman Perumal Nayanar and KazhaRRarivar. This is the Mukthi sthalam to Sundarar and Cheraman Perumal Nayanar.
In Periyapuranam, Sekkizhar records that, Sundarar came to this temple second time and prayed to Lord Shiva to take him back to his abode, Kailash.
வாழி மாதவர் ஆலாலசுந்தரர் வழியிடை அருள்செய்தஏழ் இசைத் திருப்பதிகம் இவ் உலகினில் ஏற்றிட ஏறிமுந்நீர்ஆழிவேந்தனாம் வருணனுக்கு அளித்திட அவனும் அவ் அருள்சூடிஊழியின் தனி ஒருவர்தாம் திருஅஞ்சைக் களத்தில் உய்த்து உணர்வித்தான்
It is believed that this was the last hymns sung by Sundarar, on Thiruvanchikulam Lord Shiva. Sundarar mentions Cheraman Perumal as Perumkothaiyar in his hymns. From Thiruvanchikulam, he also sung hymns mentioning to unforget Lord Shiva of Thiruvarur.
முடிப்பது கங்கையும் திங்களும் செற்றது மூவெயில்
எந்தம்அடி கள்இமை யோர்பெருமான் எனக்கென்றும் அளிக்கும் மணிமிடற்றன்அந்தண்கட லங்கரை மேல்மகோதை அணியார்பொழில் அஞ்சைக் களத்தப்பனைமந்தம்முழ வுங்குழ லும் இயம்பும் வளர்நாவலர் கோன்நம்பி ஊரன் சொன்னசந்தம் மிகுதமிழ் மாலைகள்கொண்டு அடிவீழவல் லார்தடு மாற்றிலரே......சுந்தரர்நஞ்சைக் களத்துவைத்தநாத எனத்தொண்டர் தொழஅஞ்சைக் களஞ்சேர் அருவுருவே. .... திரு அருட்பாMoolavar : Sri Mahadevar / Sri Anjaikalatheeswarar Consort : Sri Umaiyammai
Some of the salient features of this temple are….The temple is facing east and devotees used to enter through western entrance, since this is very convenient from the national high way. Kerala style Rajagopuras are on all the four directions. On the east Gopuram entrance on one side images of Elephants are entering in to this temple on one side and on the other side they are on the opposite direction ie they are going out. Sundarar and Cheraman Perumal’s images are along with the Elephants. Stone kuthuvilakku and Dwajasthambam ( about 60 feet tall ) are in front of sanctum sanctorum. Image of Asthavidyeshwaras are on the Dwajasthambam. Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of the Sanctum sanctorum. The moolavar is about 4 inch tall, mostly hidden under flower decoration. Avudayar is not Visible. It was told that the Raja of Cochin tried to reinstall the Shiva Linga but the same was abandoned,after realizing the moolavar is of swayambhu. As per the Temple’s web site moolavar was brought from Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu. Ambal is in the main sanctum, hence there is no separate sannidhi for Ambal. There is no Koshta murtis. Yoga Narasimhar is on the Vimana. Natarajar in this temple was worshiped by Cheraman Perumal and on the base there is an inscription too.
In Praharam Brangiradi, Palliyarai Shiva, Parvati, Bhagavathi, Lord Parameshwara, Pradosha nayagar, Saptamatrikas, Rishabam, Nandikeshwara, Unni Deva, Ayyappa, Hanuman, Nagas and Naginis ( Yakshi ), Nataraja, Durga Bhagavathy, Sri Pasupathi, Nadakkal Shiva, Subramaniya, Ganga, Konakkal Shiva, Kottarathil Shiva, Cheraman Perumal, Sundarar and Dakshinamurthy. All the deities names are written in Tamil along with Malayalam language.
ARCHITECTUREThe temple was built with Kerala architecture. The temple consists of a rectangular Sanctum sanctorum, Artha mandapam and a Mukha mandapam. The main sanctum is on a padabandha adhisthana. Koshta niches are provided on the sanctum wall, but there is no Koshta murtis. A Two thala vimana is over the sanctum sanctorum. There is a 16 pillar mandapa called Namaskara mandapam. The Doors and door ways are carved exquisitely with reliefs of Elephants, various Gods and Goddess. Murals depicting the epic Ramayana is also carved on the sanctum & Palliyarai walls.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONSSundaramurthy Nayanar and Cheraman Perumal were close friends. A portion of the temple was built by King Cheraman Perumal who ruled this place with Kodungallur as capital.
Dutch attacked the temple in 1670 CE and two gopurams were pulled down. As per the traditional stories the sword Zamorin, believed to be given by Cheraman Perumal was also destroyed / burnt out.
Tipu Sultan of Mysore also invaded this place and looted gold jewellery, and fine Copper plating. They were made to fled by the Travancore army of Dalawa Keshavadas Pillai. The Namaskara mandapa inscription records that the temple was destroyed by “Sasthra Bahya”. The temple was rebuilt by Paliath Achan the traditional Chief ministers of of Kochi Kingdom / Perumpadappu Swaroopam in the year 1801 CE. The Inscription in Sanskrit reads as..
Yah; kaschid sastra baahyoyam adaha duhithai,Karayaitwva tathaadhaKale devadhiramyam dhruvamihanilayam,MadabhupanjyathamGovinda Paliyeso Girisamabhinaveekarayan vanjulesamNyakshenonnagdha soukhyam kalithakhadasasrabhikshikthakhya dattha"
The above inscription records that one Govinda, The Paliyesa, being Commanded by the Maata Bhoopathi ( Cochin Ruler ) restored the temple of Vanjulesha, desecrated some time by a Sashastra Baahya or hereteric. The reconstruction took place in 1801 CE and it is likely that heretic desecration refers to the Mysorean invasions in the latter half of 18th Century.
Another 1831 CE inscription on the Adhisthana of Chutru Mandapa records that the King Rama varma of Cochin the Deepa mandapa was constructed by his minister to Lord Shiva also called as Vanchulesha. Another Vattezhuthu inscription records the gift of a Garden / Nandhavanam.
Rev. Dr. Hermann Gundert records that the copper plate was issued by the Chera King to Knai Thoma, the leader of Syrian Christian emigrants in 345 CE, which was unearthed on the North Entrance Gopuram of this temple. The copy is available in British Museum.
Sri Kashi mutt Sri-la-Sri Kasi vasi Arul Nandhi Thambiran established an endowment of “Thevara Parisu Arakattalai” and Rs 5000 was gifted for the same. Also established an endowment of conducting Maheswara Pooja for which Rs 7000 was gifted to this temple.The temple is under the control of Archaeological Survey of India ( ASI).
LEGEND:Parasuraman worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple to get relieved from the sin caused due to killing of his mother.
There is a story behind the friendship between Sundarar and Cheraman Perumal. Cheraman Perumal was the King of this region and a staunch devotee of Lord Shiva. Once he gave high respect to a dhobi, with the washing sand all over the body, considering him as a Lord Shiva’s devotee. He used to spend more time on doing pooja to Lord Shiva. At the end of the pooja he used to hear Lord Shiva’s anklet sound as an acceptance to his prayer. One day he didn’t hear the sound, immediately after the prayer. But heard little late and heard the divine voice of Lord Shiva, that he was listening to Sundara’s hymns, that’s why he came late. This creates eagerness to meet Sundarar. Cheraman Perumal started his Pilgrimage to Chidambaram and met Sundarar at Thiruvarur. They became friends and Sundarar came to Thiruvanchikulam twice to meet Cheraman Perumal.
It is believed that from this place / temple Sundarar was called back by Lord Shiva to Mount Kailash on white elephant on Aadi month Swati nakshatra day and Cheraman Perumal Nayanar also followed him on a white horse chanted “Om Namah Shivaya” mantra in its ears.
It is believed that Lord Shiva is living here along with Parvathi, Karthikeyan and Ganapathy, hence there is no separate sannadhi for Devi Parvati.
There is a Platform on the way to the temple called as “Yanai vantha Medai – யானை வந்த மேடை”. It is believed that the White elephant which came from Kailash to take back Sundarar.
It is believed that to get a good spouse and Child boon Devotees used to participate in the Palliyarai Procession, to reunite separated couples in Thambathi / Dampathi Pooja, etc.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Aratu festival is being conducted in the Arabian Sea which is about 6 KM from the temple.
It was told that the image of Sundarar and Cheraman Perumal are kept at the Bhagavathy Amman Temple which will be brought on Adi Swathi festival day ( July – August ). This was celebrated by the Coimbatore Sekkizhar Thiru Koottathar. During that time abhishekam will be conducted in the mandapa for Sundarar and Cheraman Perumal and will be taken in procession on Elephant and horse Vahanas to Thiruvanchikulam. Even though Kerala style pooja ( Thanthrikam ) is conducted regularly, on this day poojas will be done as per Tamil Nadu Agama. Elephant race is also conducted on this occasion.
Ekadasa rudram, Sangu Abhishekam / Conch Abhishekam, Mruthyunjaya homam are also conducted.
TEMPLE TIMINGS The temple timings are between 05.00 Hrs to 11.00 Hrs and 17.00 Hrs to 20.00 Hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS The Temple office may be contacted over Land line 0480- 2812061 for further details.
HOW TO REACH Chennai – irinjalakuda ( By Allepy Express ) – Irinjalakuda - Kodungallur – Thiruvanchikulam by bus – and to the temple by auto – Kodungallur Bhagavathy Amman temple – Irinjalakuda Koodalmanikyam Temple – Irinjalakuda – Chennai ( Alleppey Express ). Nearest Railway station is Irinjalakuda.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
முடிப்பது கங்கையும் திங்களும் செற்றது மூவெயில்
அஞ்சைக் களஞ்சேர் அருவுருவே.
Moolavar : Sri Mahadevar / Sri Anjaikalatheeswarar
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
HOW TO REACH
Chennai – irinjalakuda ( By Allepy Express ) – Irinjalakuda - Kodungallur – Thiruvanchikulam by bus – and to the temple by auto – Kodungallur Bhagavathy Amman temple – Irinjalakuda Koodalmanikyam Temple – Irinjalakuda – Chennai ( Alleppey Express ).
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