Perigottukara Devasthanam
Peringottukara Devasthanam is the oldest and biggest Vishnumaya [1]Kuttichathan temple in India. It is situated at Peringottukara [2]village in Thrissur district, Kerala. It has a 5 generation tradition and is the biggest abode of lord Vishnumaya Kuttichathan. The temple is considered to be one of the most important places of worship in Kerala and is also known as ‘Kaliyuga Varada Temple’. This abode of Lord Vishnumaya is called to be Lord Kuttichathan.
The main deity in the Peringottukara Devasthanam Temple is Lord Vishnumaya Kuttichathan. There are many sub-deities worshipped in this Lord Vishnumaya Kuttichathan Temple. Lord Vishnumaya Kuttichathan is considered to be the child of Lord Siva and Lady Parvathy [3]who disguised herself as a tribal woman called, Koolivaka. Lord Vishnumaya Kuttichathan lived with the humans in the middle of all miseries and sufferings. The temple is a shelter for many people irrespective of their caste and is believed that Lord Vishnumaya Kuttichathan will bless her subjects and fill their life with the divine light of hope and success. The shrine was brought to Peringottukara village by Paramachariya Velumuthappa Swamikal 4 generations back and now it has emerged into Peringottukara Devasthanam where many devotees find solutions to their problems.
History[edit]
Lord Vishnumaya Kuttichathan is Sivanandana (The Child of Siva) akin to Sastha, Muruka or Vikhneswara. It is believed that, on his way for the divine hunt Lord Siva happens to see Koolivaka, a tribal woman who was a devotee of Lady Parvathy. Legends say in the yester birth Koolivaka tried to suckle Ganapathy. On the journey Siva approached Koolivaka and asked her to be ready to be his son’s mother. Knowing her plight, Lady Parvathy disguised as Koolivaka and awaited to welcome Lord Siva. Lord Siva and disguised Koolivaka united resulting in the birth of Sivanandana then Lord Siva and Lady Parvathy appeared in front of Koolivaka and deputed her to foster the child. After living with Koolivaka for some years the Sivanandana became mature enough to know the details of his real parents. Then Sivanandana proceeded to the abode of Siva and rode on Buffalo blowing his favourite Eezhara (old musical instrument).Perigottukara Devasthanam is also famous for its traditional way of "Chathan Seva[4]"
He was not allowed enter to the abode of Siva and then Sivanandana assumed the form of Vishnu. Thus Sivanandana was known as ‘Vishnumaya Kuttichathan'. When he was with his parents Lord Vishnumaya Kuttichathan killed Demons like Bhringa and Jalandhara. This divine deeds made him invited to live in heaven. But Lord Vishnumaya Kuttichathan said that she preferred to live on Earth with human beings. Velumuthappan Swami who wanted to protect the village from misery did strict penanceto please Lady Bhuvaneswary. Being pleased Lady Bhuvaneswary appeared before him and asked him to install the idol of Lord Vishnumaya Kuttichathan. One morning he got an idol of Vishnumaya Kuttichathan from Triprayar River and sought the advice of Punchanellur Family of North Kerala who worshipped Lord Vishnumaya Kuttichathan. The senior most person in the family blessed him with ‘Moolamanthra’ (The divine hymn). Velumuthappan Swamy chose some of his followers to be the Velichapadu of Lord Vishnumaya Kuttichathan cult. The shrine built by Velumuthappan Swamy has been served by 4 generations. Today the shrine has become famous as Peringottukara Devasthanam.
Festivals[edit]
Mainly 3 festival are celebrated in the Peringottukara Devastham. They are
1. Festival of Devastham Thiruvellattu[edit]
The birthday of Lord Vishnumaya Kuttichathan is celebrated as ‘Thiravellattu'. The auspicious day for the next festival is predicted by God himself who perform dance on this day. The idol of the founder priest Sree Velumuthappan is brought out from the Kushikalpam (sub-deiti temple) along with the idol of Lord Vishnmaya. It is a 9 day festival in which a 10 day musical programme is held to please the God. There will be 7 Kalam’s (magnificently decorated image) of which the first Kalam on the floor belongs to Sree Velumuthappan. This is because Lord Vishnumaya Kuttichathan commanded that the founder priest need to be adored first. From next day onwards all 7 Kalams are arranged. On the last day the Kalam of Lord Vishnumaya Kuttichathan is made with utmost care and dedication. It is believed that the devotees get all their wishes fulfilled and attain deliverance after seeing the ‘Maharoopakkalam’ of Bhagavan Sree Vishnumaya and his tribal mother Koolivaka. Finally God put his steps on the Mahaoopakalam which is considered as the most sacred act. Devotees used to collect dust from the Roopakalam and will place it in their home to get rid of evil.
2. Kalamezhuthumpaattu Festival[edit]
During the Malayalam month of Midhunam and Thulam Kalamezhuthumpaattu programme is being conducted. These days are considered to be the auspicious days for visiting the temple and to perform poojas.
3. Thottampaattu[edit]
Thottampattu otherwise called as Song in Praise of Bhuvaneswari Devi is performed to please the mother of Devasthanam Bhuvaneswari Devi. In this occasion Kalmezhuthu is done which is the act of drawing and decorating the idol on the floor. Also the idol will be taken out in a procession by playing traditional instruments.
Attractions[edit]
1. Stupa of Lord Siva Parvathy Vishnumaya.[edit]
Legends said the divine birth of Lord Vishnumaya Kuttichathan takes place with the Union or Purusha and Prakrithi. Lord Siva is Purusha and Lady Parvathy is Prakrithy. A conch with the right-turn (Valampirishankh) represents the complex universe, hence the Stupa in the Devasthanam was made as sprung from the holy union of Siva and Parvathy in a Valampirishankh. The idol is a visual treat for the devotees. This stupa is 51 feet in height which is made of terracotta and is the biggest idol in India.
2. Dakshinamurthy Mandapa for Music and Dance[edit]
Dakshina Moorthy Mandapam at Devastanam is an important venue where many divine performance takes place. The Mandapam was built to honour Dakshinamurthy, the great musician who has been a great devotee of Lord Vishnumaya Kuttichathan. During his visits he used to sing songs as tribute to Lord Vishnumaya Kuttichathan. Dakshinamurthy Music Festival is an annual event in memory of legendary music maestro Dashinamurthy.It is known widely as Peringottukara Dakshinamurthy sangeetholsavam .It is now 7years since the music festival is second only to Guruvayoor Chembai Music Festival in drawing huge crowds to the venue. This is the only sangeetha mandapam built to honor Dakshinamurthy when he was alive. First Devastanam music festival was held in his august presence in which 3 generations partook. It is in this Mandapam Lord Vishnumaya Kuttichathan Mahatmyam Kathakali performed in accordance with Amavasi Shekteya Pooja.
The Devasthanam is also famous for its temple structure which reminds us about the Dravidian architecture. The Poojas are also carried out in Dravidian style.
Sub-deities[edit]
1. Sree Bhuvaneshwary Devi Temple[edit]
The word Bhuvaneshwary means the Goddess of the entire world. Bhuvaneshwary Devi is the family Goddes of the patrons and prime deity of the Devasthanam. Legends says it was this deity who gave advice to the founder priest Sree Velumuthappan to install the idol of Lord Vishnumaya Kuttichathan inorder to protect the village of Peringottukara.
2. Ganapathi Temple[edit]
Ganapathi temple is situated at the holy Kannimoola in the south-west part of the main temple. As per legend, Lord Ganapathi is the elder brother of Lord Vishnumaya Kuttichathan Kuttichathan and during Lord Vishnumaya Kuttichathan’s journey to Kailas it was Lord Ganapathi and Lord Muruka accompanied himto Siva’s abode. Ganapathi Pooja, Ganapathi Homam is performed in this temple also Anayoottuu in the month of Karkidaka.
3. Kukshikalpa Samadhi[edit]
In the Kukshikalpa Samadhi 390 subordinate deities which is considered to be the army of Lord Vishnumaya Kuttichathan resides. Also the Kukshikalpa is the abode of founder priest Sree Velumuthappan. To retain the strength of the subordinate deities Guruthy is done to them during Pournamy and Amavasi. This temple is situated in the left to the Sreekovil.
4. Abode of Damodara Swamikal[edit]
The Abode of Damodara Swamikal is also known as Damodara Swami Samadhi. This temple is dedicated to the former priest, Damodara Swami of Lord Vishnumaya Kuttichathan. Special rituals are carried out here. The shrine is located south of Bhuvaneshwary Devi temple facing north to see Lord Vishnumaya Kuttichathan.
5. Sree Brahmarakshasu Temple[edit]
The Rakshasu is considered to be the sub-deity of Lord Vishnumaya Kuttichathan[4]. I faces the Bhuvaaneshwary Devi Temple. The Rakshasu is worshipped inorder to overcome the vaasthu defects of imperfectly built houses and to provide prosperity.
References[edit]
- ↑ "Vishnumaya", Wikipedia, 2018-06-17, retrieved 2018-06-21
- ↑ "Peringottukara", Wikipedia, 2018-06-05, retrieved 2018-06-21
- ↑ "Parvati", Wikipedia, 2018-06-15, retrieved 2018-06-21
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Perigottukara, Devasthanam. "Perigottukara Devasthanam". Perigottukara Devasthanam.
Perigottukara Devasthanam[edit]
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