Trayambakapuram - My favorite temples - Part III

Traymbaka puradheesam, Ganadhipa Samanvitham

Gajaroodam aham Vande, Sastharam Kuladaivatham

One Who is the Ruler of Tryambakapuram, who is with Lord Ganapathi and one who rides on an elephant, - I salute that Saastha who is the master of my dynasty

Almost every devotee who goes to Shabarimalai might have chanted this Slokam. But not even 1% of the devotees know where this Trayambakapuram temple is located. 

Trayambakapuram is one of the holy Kshetrams of Lord Sastha located near Tiruvaroor. The small temple is located amidst dense fields and is a very tranquil place.  This is an ancient temple for Lord Hariharaputra who is in the form of Bala Sastha.

Due to poor rood conditions and the muddy terrain, one can reach this place only with an own vehicle. But traveling to Trayambakapuram in the winding - isolated roads amidst palm trees is a very different and memorable experience.  But there is a chance of getting mislead because there will be no road or persons to guide you. And the temple legend says whenever the devotees are in need of assistance, Bala Sastha manifests in the form of a small boy and helps them. (We had an experience of getting lost and I just made a comment, "Only Bala Sastha has to come and show us the way",.....  Everyone of us were taken aback....  instantaneously from nowhere came a small boy... He said nothing - just pointed his finger to the direction of the temple... Even now my hairs stand on end when I write this.)

 

From the view of the spiritual sense, everything about the temple is special. 

The floor of the Sanctum is inscribed with the moola mantram of the Lord. And hence the priest takes utmost care while doing puja. Everytime he enters the sanctum sanctorum only after taking bath in the well within the temple.

Unlike in other Sastha temples Here Only one Parivaram - Veeran is seen with sword & weapons - just near the outer gate.

The compassionate Lord often appears in the dreams of the devotees, mostly as a small boy and shower His grace. Many devotees tell of vivid dreams in which the Lord comes to heal them, bless them and guide them

Needless to say, the deity, Bala Sastha is simply stunning. He is little beauty hardly 1 feet idol sitting on an Elephant. It is difficult to take one’s eyes off the Lord.

Kochi Thekke Thalam - My favorite temples - Part II

Few temples may be less ancient in age – but the impact which they give is beyond description. One such temple, which made a remarkable effect in my life is Kochi Thekkethalam..

Over 300 years ago a handful of enterprising men, started from a village called Kallidaikurichi,(Tirunelveli district). Their aim was to establish some business and improve their material prospects.

The Karandhaiyar palayam Samooham (of Kallidaikurichi) situated on the banks of river Thamirabarani, was the origin of a concept called Sastha Preethi. Consisting of 18 Agraharams, Kallidaikurichi was in the western ghat region, it was the border of Chera and Pandya Kingdoms in yester years.

Sastha was the beloved deity on both sides of hills. Kallidakuruchi had a temple for Sastha.

Lord ‘Manikandan’ (during his human incarnation) had come to this village and had called at the house of an old couple for some food. The Lord felt very happy with them and became "Kambankudi Daasan". People started celebrating the Lord and thus began the glorious Sastha Preethi through the Kambankudi family who hailed from Kallidakuruchi.

 

When the people of Karanthaiyar palaya samooham, moved out from Kallidaikurichi towards Kerala in search of a new life, Lord Sastha promised that He would accompany them.

Passing through hills and forests they underwent many hardships, but could overcome everything by the grace of Lord Dharma Sastha. They understood that the divine blessing of Lord Hariharaputra was following them. First they settled in a place between the present Mavelikkara and Kayamkulam. But they were not happy and were suffering with a sense of insecurity there… When the Raja of Cochin who visited Kayamkulam, found a community of businessmen there, he invited them to settle down in Mattancherry to carry on their trade.

Those days the geographical setup and main transport was water way. When the first Brahmin settlement went to Kochi, Vanchi Pattu (the boatmans song) was developed on the rivers and backwaters, sung by boatman on voyages to keep up their spirit.

 

As promised, Lord Sastha accompanied the Brahmin Community and thus they came over to Cochin. Soon was born the Cochin Karanthayar Palayam Mahasamooham.

Soon the Raja of Cochin understood the divine will and the importance of the place and he allotted the piece of land to the Samooham to construct a temple. 

The premises – though seem to look like a brahmin settlement - is a wonderful kshetram of the Lord and a witness to His endless leelas.

The Thekkemadam is located in Mattancherry, inside the Cochin Island. The main part of the shrine consists of the `Thekkethalam' and the sanctum housing the idol of Kurathooril Ayyan Lord Dharmasastha.

According to the temple history, during the time of the settlement, the people were very much troubled by the Yakshi who lived there.  She was troubling the people of Thekkethalam too. Lord Sastha took joy in teasing and tantalizing the Yakshi with His spiritual pranks. The ever merciful Lord assumed the form of a small boy and moved about in the midst of men as a member of the `samooham'. Though everyone warned the boy about the turbulences caused by Yakshi, he was least bothered. He went inside a place lit a lamp and sat there for a while. Everybody left the place out of fear. Soon He arrested her movements and averted a great havoc. He controlled the yakshi and made her reside inside the yakshi kavu.

After completing his mission – the Lord sat at Thekkethalam permanently. The cup with the vibudhi inside it which He used and an “anaiya vilakku”  - lamp lit by Him has been kept lighted permanently at the holy spot. Thekkethalam is now a part of the temple premises.

This temple has borne witness to the growth of the settlement here.

Soon after this, the samooham flourished and the celebration of Sastha Preethi along with the members of the Kambankudi family started here - as it was done at Kallidaikurichi. The festival, is to thank the lord for all the good he has done to us and praying for a better future too.

The actual temple is a real surprise for all those who look at the temple from outside. The temple premises is a beautiful place with serene atmosphere. The main part of the shrine consists of the `Thekkethalam' and the sanctum housing Kulathoor Ayyan which is fronted by a large hall. A beautiful water pond is adjacent to the temple.

There is a strange scene here. Generally we will see Sastha facing east sitting alone or with his consorts inside the Sanctum. But here the Lord is facing North, present along with Ganapati, Yakshi, Boothanatha and Shivalingam on his side. The Lord is called Kochi Thekke Thala Karthan – the master of the Thekke thalam.

We reach the sannidhanam where Lord Sastha reigns supreme in all His radiance, exuding all grace and charm! The idol made of granite is about three feet in height, with the right hand holding a flower bunch, the left hand placed on his folded knee. The image bears a close resemblance to the deity at Aryankavu.

The beauty of the deity defies all description and is more a thing to be experienced than expressed!

I can say even tens of thousands of Suryas cannot match Lord Sastha of Kochi Thekkethalam in His magnificence! 

Sree Manidasar has glorified this temple in his Panchakams and many other Viruthams and songs. Generally, the Sastha preethi performed at all other areas are symbolic and brief; but at Thekke Madam it is an opportunity to take part in the elaborate and traditional form of the sacred ritual and earn the blessings of Hariharaputra. 

The Lord is in all splendour and bestows grace to the devotees. The grace, majesty, benovelence, divinty everything put together is Kochi Thekkethala Karthan. We can see Him facing us asking “What do you wish?” and whatever we ask, he will give.

Kuthiran - My favorite temples - Part I

Kuthiran or Kuthiran mala is a mountainous terrain in Thrissur district of Kerala state, south India. It is in between Thrissur and Palakkad. Most of us pass through the temple and without even knowing what temple it is, follow the practice of throwing away coins at the temple. (Believe me.... the tender is amounting to several lakhs - for the person who has taken the contract for picking up the coins)

The Kuthiran temple in a sacred area date from hoary antiquity.

This ancient temple to Ashwarooda Sastha is located on the slopes of the Western Ghats. It is located in a commanding position, visible for distances around.

According to Keralothpathi.. - the origin of Kerala, Lord Parasurama threw his Parasu - axe into the sea and reclaimed the narrow strip of land from Kanyakumari to Gokarnam. The Sea withdrew from this area and thus came Keralam.

Parasurama divided this area into different settlements. At one of this settlements, He established four small shrines for Sastha at the four Boundaries of the settlement at Akamala, Kuthiran, Oozhath and Edathirithi.

Legend has it that Sastha is seen mounted on an Ashwam - Horse - Kuthira here and hence the name Kuthiraan.

Kuthiran Mala is situated at a height of about 200 feet in a plateau on the Western Ghats, on the way to Thrissur, amidst lush vegetation and salubrious climate.

Donot think this as an ordinary temple... According to me Kuthiran is one of the important places wherein Lord Sastha willingly lives.

Every temple has an atmosphere about it, and Kuthiran's is one of mystery and wonder. It is easily one of my favorite temples.. It can be an especially magical place for upasakaas... 

Ashwarooda Moorthi bestows seen and unseen powers on those crave for His grace.  He is all alone waiting to bless the real devotees... 

The idol of the Lord in seen mounted on a horse... The presence of "my beloved" is so lively here... During last year yatra while returning from Sabarimala, invariably everyone of us had a feeling that the Horse may come to life any moment and start jumping.

I never miss a chance to visit this temple.. and now my passion for Kuthiran has become contagious and all our friends and group members are attached to the Lord here...

At dawn, it is a feast to the eye to stand in front of the Lord and gaze at the Soul Stirring Horse Rider.

At dusk,  He does instantaneously withdraw your mind and conscience!

To have a look at Him is soul-elevating. To stand in front of him for a few minutes is a blessing. 

It is the supreme joy that fills you now all over, all on a sudden!

Sasthaalaya Sevanam - A movement for restoring dilapidated Sastha temples

Swami Sharanam

Today - on this auspicious Ganesha Chathurthi day - We have ventured into a mission - the need of the hour - restoring the age old temples of Sastha. - Sasthalaya Sevanam

The Monthly Contribution is Rs.100 Only... and its purely a voluntary one.

Read the text below and participate in the meritorious act of Sasthaalaya Sevanam.

Swamy Sharanam !

Lord Hariharaputra, Dharma Sastha or Ayyappa as he is fondly called, is the pratyaksha pesum deivam of this Kali Age.

“Prathyaksham tu Kalau”; “Kalau Sasthru Vinayakau”  says Sasthras. 

Sastha sahasranamam calls him "Sarva Desikaya Nama:". True to this we have Sastha temples all over the world. Though the temple of Sabarimala is very much popular, it will be surprising to know that there are almost 6000 Sastha temples throughout Tamilnadu and Kerala.

Many of these temples are of puranic age and many of them are atleast 1000 years old. YEARS of neglect have led to the decay of the abodes of our Lord and if the present state of neglect continues, they may soon pass into the pages of history .

It is  indeed heart rending to be a mute witness to the sight of our beloved Lord seated in a dilapidated temple with cracked walls & leaking roof. The places which once resounded with the chants of vedas , puja ,his sharanams and bhajans are now bereft of even the simple duty of lighting lamps.

To keep surcharged the atmosphere with divinity ,it is up to us devotees to change the present condition & restore the temples to its pristine glory.

Members of Maha Shastru Seva Sangham have after consultation with blessings of eminent Guruswamis , come out with a plan named "Sasthaalaya Sevanam "

Our Participation: 

Each month a Sastha temple would be chosen, the temple cleaned, white washed and best possible provisions made to meet the basic expenses of the temple & ensuring daily lighting of lamps and neivedyam to the Lord.

To meet this expenses, each devotee can voluntarily contribute Rs.100 every month.

The status of work done on the Temple of the Month will be updated every month on our website www.mahasastha.com

WHAT  WE GAIN FROM THIS ACT

By contributing Rs.100 per month for this Sasthaalaya Sevanam, along the the boundless grace of Lord Dharma Sastha, we will definitely get another great return  called self satisfaction.

We request you to participate in the meritorious act of Sasthaalaya Sevanam, introduce this plan to Ayyappa devotees and ensure blessings of Lord Dharma Sastha on all.

Ever in divine service,

Devotees

Shri Maha Sasthru Seva Sangam

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Your contribution to the above service would make it very successful and obtain the blessing of Lord Dharma Sastha not only to you but your entire parampara.

THIS IS PURELY A VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTION and Those who are interested to join hands with us  can contact any of us below:

Please draw your Cheque / Draft in the name of  "Shri Maha Sasthru Seva Sangam", Coimbatore &  can be sent to any one of the following addresses:

Or  You may make an online transfer  or Monthly ECS or  You may pay directly to our Bank Account :  

Name  :  "Shri Maha Sasthru Seva Sangam"

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Karur Vysya Bank A/c No. 1121 135 822

IFSC Code : KVBL0001121 ( Current Account )

Nanjappa Road Branch, Coimbatore 

Canara Bank A/c No. 2988 101 015671

IFSC Code :CNRB0002988 ( Savings Account )

PSG Arts College Branch, Coimbatore

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V. Aravind Subramanyam

President

94 B, Third Street,

Tatabad, Coimbatore 12

Ph: 99946 41801  

Email : aravindsastha@gmail.com

Those who wish to Contribute
Right Click and Download the Form

Sri H. Balasubramanian Iyer

Over-all Controller

H 3/12, Jal Padma,Bangur Ngr, 

Goregaon (W)  Mumbai

Ph :97692 09146 

Email : bala.iyer1@gmail.com

Sri H. Guruswamy

Co- Ordinator

18, Kuthukai Street,, 

Kallidaikurichi, Tirunelveli

Ph :94875 50031

Sri Kamesh,

Co-Ordinator,

102, Sai Chhaya CHS,

Near Manibai Niwas,

Old Dombivli Road,

Shastri Nagar,

Dombivli West,

Thane Dist – 421 202, Mumbai

Ph :  98218 33002  

Email : kameshg@skinternational.com

Sri Hari ShankarNarayanan

Co-Ordinator,

250, 2nd Main Rd, Jagdish Ngr, 

Nw Tippasandra Post, Banglore

Email : hari.snarayan@gmail.com

Sri Harsha Sharma

Co-Ordinator,

H.NO: 10/133, Flat No: 203. 

Balaji Residency, P& T Colony , 

Medipalli, Hyderabad-39

Ph :  99899 73096 Email : harsha6@rediffmail.com

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