Sree Vilwadrinathaswami Temple, Tiruvilwamala
Pilgrimage tourism has become a common trend among all categories of people these days. Devotees from different parts of the country and also from outside visit Kerala in order to worship at Sabarimala and Guruvayur regularly. There are other temples in Kerala which attract thousands because of certain special features and importance. Sree Vilwadrinatha temple at Tiruvilwamala of Thrissur district is one such temple.
Sree Vilwadrinathaswami Temple, Myth and history
Sree Vilwadrinatha temple, situated in Thrissur district of Kerala, is an ancient one and, as is the case with most of the temples, its history is known mixed with mythology. There are two shrines inside the temple within the same structure, one of which is facing West while the other East. Of different legends related with the origin of this temple, the famous one is as follows. Parasurama, who wanted to eliminate all Kshathriyas, killed as many through 21 attempts. Later having done this he had a change in his mind and thought that he would do something to liberate the souls of those killed by him.
He went on meditation and did penance to please Lord Shiva. Shiva was pleased with him and handed over an idol of Vishnu. Shiva told him that those who worship that idol would get immediate salvation. Pleased Parasurama took this idol and traveled different places searching for a suitable location for installing the idol. Finally he located this on a rocky hill facing the Nila nadi (Bharatha puzha). It was a calm and quite place with lots of trees, and beautifully located on a small hill. There were amla (goose berry) trees around this hill in plenty. Parasurama installed the idol of Vishnu facing East. (This idol is presently worshiped as Lord Lakshmana).
After that he directed all the manes (Pithrukkal) to assemble there and make darshan the idol in order to get their souls liberated. He also directed the manes to settle down in permanent peace at Bhoothamala, three km. east of this temple.
The temple facing West has a swayambhoo (self grown) idol which was considered as Lord Vishnu's (At present it is treated as SreeRama). It is believed that there is a cave below the sanctum sanctorum of this temple and within this cave a golden coloured 'vilwa' (bael) tree existed. Because of this the the rocky hillock got the name 'Vilwa mala' (hillock with bael tree). Later 'Thiru' (Sree) was added to the name as a respect (in Sanskrit it is Vilwadri).
There is another myth connected with the origin of this idol. A beautiful idol of SreeRama placed over the swayamboo idol is believed to be as a result of the penance of Aamalaka, son of great sage Kasyapa Prajapathy. As a result of the long penance, Lord Vishnu appeared as a Four armed Maha Vishnu accompanied with Sree Lakshmi Sree Bhoomi Devi. Also as canopy Aadi Sesha was also there. Aamalaka requested Lord Vishnu to stay there fore ever for the worshiping of devotees. Maha Vishnu agreed and three sila idols (stone idols) emerged at that place, which are considered as that of Lord SreeRama, Sree Lakshmi and Sree Bhoomi Devi.
Later the idol of Sree Rama was covered with gold. There are stories depicting the power of the Lord here, which include the killing of an Asura, self protection from a long lasted forest fire, etc. Punarjani
Another important attraction about Tiruvilwamala is a cave, known as Punarjani, situated about three km. South- West of the temple. The legend has it that the same is constructed by Viswakarma (the great designer and sculptor of Devas) on the request of Parasurama. Parasurama, having committed lots of sins wanted a means to get freed from the ill-effects of these sins and get 'moksha'. The cave was so constructed that one who passes through it will have no rebirth, which means 'moksha' will be attained.
The cave is a curved one with a peculiar shape. At the entrance the height is about 3.7 meters, but inside it varies from 1.2 m. or slightly less to 1.8 m. The total length of the Punarjani cave is about 200m.
Passing through this cave is considered as very sacred and thousands of the devotees come over to this place every year. Only on the Guruvayur Ekadasi day this is allowed.
A person who wants to pass through this cave need take a bath in the 'Papanasini theertha' (a water source about two km. South- East of the temple). In the beginning the person can start walking into the cave but soon he will have to bend his head as well as body. After a few meters, the cave turns towards North-West, and after a little while the person will have to sit and move slowly. Cave further turns towards the East and by this time it will be completely dark inside. On moving forward some light can be seen, and at this place another cave joins.
After this point the person will have to lie down and crawl slowly. The most difficult part of the cave is here with the diameter nearing about 60 cm. Added to that the problems of darkness and lack of oxygen also will be there. Once this difficult portion is covered one can see light at the other end and slowly the height of the cave will start increasing.
After coming out again the person has to take a bath in Papanasini and a second bath in another theertham (Patalatheertham) nearby. These theerthams are believed to have been constructed by Parasurama. In order to complete the whole ritual of passing through the Punarjani, the person has to collect water from two other theerthas, Kombu theertham and Ambu theertham. Festivals and worship plan
Tiruvilwamala Ekadasi and Guruvayoor Ekadasi are celebrated here. Three to four days celebrations are there for Tiruvilwamala Ekadasi, which falls in the dark fortnight of Kumbham (Malayalam month corresponding to February -March). The celebrations will include Chakyar koothu, Kathakali, plays on percussion instruments, etc. Guruvayoor Ekadasi day is also important being the day for passing through Punarjani. Additionally in almost every month 'Niramalas' are conducted.
The routine worship in the temple is to be done in a specified manner. One has to enter through the eastern side and worship Lord Hanuman and proceed to worship Lakshmana, which is the oldest and installed by Parasurama. Then proceed to worship Ganapathy and then Lord Vishnu (Sree Rama). Then do pradakshina to valiya balikkallu. Then again proceed to worship Sree Rama and Lakshmana. After that return via the eastern entrance and worship Sastha, Shiva and Parvathy. Repeat the whole steps thrice.
Chandanam charthu (beautification of the idol with sandal paste), Udaya- asthamaya pooja, Vata mala (garland with vata), pal-payasam (sweet made of rice and milk), aval-nivedyam (offering crushed rice) and appam (sweet rice ball fried in ghee) are the major offerings in this temple.
Sree Vilwadrinatha Temple at Tiruvilwamala is located on the North- East side, about 48 km. from Thrissur city. Palakkad town is just 20 km. East from this temple. The second largest river of Kerala – Bharathapuzha (Nila nadi) – flows one km. north of this place. The temple is now owned and managed by the Kochi Devaswom Board (constituted by the Government of Kerala), though it was owned earlier by some of the local families.
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A very good description of the Thiruvilwamala temple. I was planning to go over to the temple since about 5-6 years. Due to some reason or other it was not possible. This time in April on 16th I went there. I reached after 11.30 am. The temple was already closed. Since I went alone, I decided to go there with family on some other occassion and returned without being able to pray.