Friday, April 17, 2009

Edakunni Bhagawathy Temple, Ollur, Thrissur. (Submitted by Giridharan G. & Parvathy G)

Edakkunni Sri Durga Bhagavathy Temple is one of the 108 Durga Temples believed to have been consecrated by the legendary warrior - saint Parasurama who is also credited with creating the state of Kerala. The deity here is in her Vaishnava form with Sankha, Chakra, Gadha and Padmam. Edakkunni Bhagavathy is believed to be” Sarvabhishtapradhayini” (one who grants all wishes) and numerous devotees have stories to tell of her supreme benevolence. Lord Siva , Sree Krishna and Ganapathy are the Upadevas here.


The majestic Gopuram the ‘Anapalla Mathilkettu’ , the huge Nadappura, the Chuttambalam with Vilakkumadam (about 4000 lamps), ‘Nalambalam’ and ‘Sreekovil’ herald the beautiful architecture of Temples of Kerala. On the eastern side of the temple is a beautiful pond which is used for the’araattu’ of the deity and is also open for the devotees for bathing. This temple is situated about 8 km south of Thrissur town at Ollur on the way to Ernakulam.

Vadakkiniedath Kirangattumana, Thekkiniedath Kirangattumana and Pallatheri Mana are the original ‘Uralanmar’ (owners) of this temple. But the administration of the temple is done by the Edakkunni Warriam – who were the ‘Kazhakakkar’ of this temple for a long time. The management came into the hands of Edakkunni warriam on an agreement between the Edakkunni Warriam Karanavasthanam and the ‘Uralanmars’. At present a committee consisting of the local devotees help the Karanavasthanam Trust in running the day to day affairs of the temple. Edakkunni Warriam Karanavashtanam Trust was formed in 1971 to run the temple and to look after the affairs of the other temples under Edakkunni Warriam. The other temples are Sree Subramanya Swamy Temple at Ollur, Sree Durga – Vishnu Temple at Marakkal , near Peechi, and Sree Pathikulangara Bhagavathy Temple at Kallampara, near Wadakkanchery.
The main functions at Edakkunni Temple are ‘Puthari & Illam Nira’ in the month of Chingam, the 9 day ‘Navarathri festival in the Kanni- Thulam months, the ‘Vavarattu’ in the month of Thulam (the deity bathes in the temple pond on the New Moon day ) the ‘Nithyassiveli during the ‘Mandalam Season’, the ‘Karthika Vilakku in the month of ‘Vrischikam’, the ‘Prathishta Dinam ‘ in the month of Kumbham.
The most important function at Edakkunni Temple is the Uthram Vilakku in the month of ‘Meenam’. (March- April) It is celeberated on the Uthram Star. The festival begins on the ‘makayiram ‘ star. Bhagavathi comes out of the Sreekovil and there will be pooram with three elephants on the purappadu day. The next day onwards Edakkunni Bhagavathi takes part in the temple festivals in the various temples in the neighbourhood- such as ‘Thaikkattussery’, ‘Chakkamkulangara, Chittichathakkudam,’ ‘Peruvanam’, Pidikkaparambu’ and Arattupuzha. Edakkunni Bhagavathi is one of the 23 deities participating in the “Devamela” at Arattupuzha. – Thripprayar Sree Rama Swamy, Urakathamma Thiruvady, Cherpu Bhagavathy, Arattupuzha Sastha are some of them.

On 'Uthramvilakku’ day deities from Thaikkattussery, Nankulam, Chittichathakkudam, and Chakkamkulangara join Edakkunni Bhagavathi and participate in the pooram. Hence for Uthramvilakku all the five elephants will have ‘Kolam and Thidambu’, which is a rare sight. The “Pancharimelam” is famous for its precision and perfection. It is a four and half hour synchronised performance of chenda,(about 60 nos.) Thalam (about 45 nos) Kombu & Kurumkuzhal (about 15 each).People from far off places come here to see and enjoy the “edakkunni panchari”. To popularise the festival beyond the temple boundary ‘Panchavadyam ‘ was started about 25 years back. This is performed in the evening from Ollur Junction to the temple. After Panchavadyam, Panchari melam starts by 12 midnight. Uthram vilakku ends the next day morning when Bhagavathy bids goodbye to all the deities who participated in the pooram, and ‘Kodikuthu’ thereafter.
Thaipooyam in Kumbham is the main festival of the Subramanya Temple, ‘Makara Chovva’ (the 1st Tuesday in Makaram ) is the main function at Kallampara and the Prathishta Dinam on the Pooyam star in the month of Edavam is the main function of Durga Temple Marakkal.
The official website of this temple is at http://www.edakkunnitemple.org/



1 comment:

J Bhat said...

Want to visit soon....