Pallavur

Pallavur
Pallavoor
village

Tripallavurappan Temple, Pallavur
Pallavur

Location in Kerala, India

Coordinates: 10°37′50″N 76°37′5″E / 10.63056°N 76.61806°E / 10.63056; 76.61806Coordinates: 10°37′50″N 76°37′5″E / 10.63056°N 76.61806°E / 10.63056; 76.61806
Country  India
State Kerala
District Palakkad
Elevation 82 m (269 ft)
Languages
 • Official Malayalam, English
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN 678 688
Vehicle registration KL-
Nearest city Palakkad, Kollengode

Pallavur is situated in Pallassena Panchayat, Chittur Taluk, Palakkad district of Kerala. It is part of the Kollengode. It is 20 km away from Palakkad town, on the way to Nemmara. The nearest town is Kunissery which is 3 km away by road. Kudallur which is 4 km away by road and Nemmara is 5 km by road. This place is famous for its Siva Temple and the traditional keralite percussion maestros, late Pallavur Trio, who were synonymous with the only symphony of Kerala, the Panchavadyam. Pallavur village stretches about 3–4 km2 and comes under Pallassena Village Panchayat. Pallassena Village and Panchayat offices are situated 5 km away from Pallavur. The population may count to 4000 – 5000, approximately. The telephone exchange is Kunissery. The STD Code is 0492+2.

Vamala, Pallavur
Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Pallavur

Thripallavurappan Temple

Identical to the three famous and important Shiva temples of Central Kerala, which are Vaikom, Kaduthuruthi and Ettumanoor, there are three temples in Central Kerala also, which are Pallavur, Ayalur and Tripallur. The similarities and importance are due to multiple factors i.e., the installation of the Lingas, the method of worship and the uniqueness of combining the worship in these three temples on the same day.

The legend behind Pallavur is that Khara did the Prathista of the Lord here, as ordained by Lord Shiva himself. It is believed that Khara installed the Lingam with his teeth - similar to the installation at Kaduthuruthi ('Pallu' means teeth in many south Indian languages). Hence the deity is called Pallavurappan and the place, Pallavur. Subsequently, Khara also consecrated the 'prathista' of Lord Shiva also at Ayalur with his hands ('Ayalur' literally translates into neighbouring village). Thereafter, he consecrated the prathista of Lord Shiva at the adjoining place with his legs - Trippalur, the original name was Trippada - oor (place of holy feet) which with colloquial use later became Trippalur.

One of the few Siva temples with 'Saparivaara Prathishta' in Kerala. It is rare to see temples with Lord Siva with his family – Parvathi, Vigneswaran, Subramanian and Ayyappan. The Temple has over 1500 years of history. It is considered to be the center for the earliest of Tamil Brahmin migrations to Kerala. The proof is that, even today, the Maha Abshikam to Lord Pallavoor APpan is done with 11 drivyams and Tamil Brahmins recite the Sree Rudra, according to their style. The temple now comes under Malabar Devaswom Board.

The authority to conduct 'Thantram' is with Panavur Mana. For any decision regarding the in-house administration, the 'Thantri' from this family will have the final word. Any special occasion - Ulsavam Celebrations, Udayastamana Poojas, Kalasham et al.- takes place under their supervision.

The temple has daily five poojas – Usha Pooja (Early Morning), Pantheeradi Pooja, Uchcha Pooja, Asthamaya Pooja (Sandhya Vela), and Athaazha Pooja. The day starts with Nirmalyam at 4.30 am with 7 Shankhuvilis (conch horning) followed by abhishekam. The there are 2 poojas in the morning accompanied by naivedyam, shankhuvili and edakka kottu. These are then followed by Shiveli (taking the deity around the temple) starting with 'Paanikottu' and giving food to Lord Siva's Bhootaganams.

After the Shiveli, 'Pantheeradi Pooja' follows and with Navakam Nirakkal. The 'Uchcha Pooja' starts with Navakam Aadal followed by nadayadachu pooja and then by Uchcha Shiveli. The temple is then shut till evening. Sandhya Vela starts with 9 shankuvili at asthamayam(dusk) and followed by deepaaraadhana (pooja with lamps). Athaazha Pooja starts with naivedyam, shankhuvili, edakkakottu followed by paanikottu and shiveli. Lord Siva's day ends with 'Thrippuka' at 8.15 pm.

Lord Thrippallavurappan faces west and Goddess Parvathi faces east. The myth behind these postures is – Parvathi's disapproval of Siva's love for Ganga. It is suggested to enter the temple premises through the West Nada (gate) being the main entrance. People use to enter through East Nada too.

The temple premise is guarded by a huge four sided stone wall which is kept unfinished in the southern side. This wall is known as 'Aana Mathil' (Jumbo Wall). It is believed that the 'Pancha Bhoothas' built this wall over night, but couldn't finish it off before the sunrise.

The Pradakshinavari ( path to make pradakshinams) around the Naalamabalam (main temple complex) is fully made in stone blocks.

Significance

It is experienced by many devotees that if they could worship in all these three temples on the same day, it will bring them prosperity and if they could do so on a 'pradosham', it will give them liberation from the sorrows of this life.

It is also significant to know that Khara who was an 'Asura' by birth had, by his penance (tapas) becomes one with the Lord Shiva and Lord Shiva ordained Khara to perform the installation of 6 Siva Lingams. This goes to prove that one's birth in a particular place or social order is no bar for attaining Lord's grace, provided that one approaches the Lord with supreme devotion in one's mind. This is also certain from the fact that the people who left Pallavur due to certain circumstances, both in India and also abroad (diaspora), have reached significant positions in their respective fields, which also signifies Lord Thripallavurappan's blessings for their devotion and faith.

Important Festivals

Navarathri Poojas

Nine days festival starts with Ullattil Vilakku and ends with Jana Vilakku. All these days the temple will be decorated with flowers and lamps and various programmes are staged.The "THAYAMBAKA" forms an inevitable part of every vilakku. The Seventh Day of the festival is the most important and draws people from far off places.

The responsibility to conduct the 7th day festival is with the three Brahmin sects – Vadamal, Brihacharanam and Ashtasahasram. From several decades till this day, the 7th day festival is known for bringing famous and gigantic elephants from around Kerala and for the Panchavadyam performed on the particular day by percussionists continuing the foundation laid by the late Pallavur trio, Late Sri Pallavur Appu Marar, Late Sri Pallavur Manian Marar and Late Sri Pallavur Kunjukuttan Marar. This is also substantiated by the fact the school known as 'Kerala Kala Vadya' owes its origin to Pallavur and that the sons of the late Pallavur trio are continuing the legendary Panchavadyam.

Other details on navarathri festival:

Day Name of Vilakku (conducting it as a matter of Right from time immemorial)

  1. ---Ullattil Vilakku (Ullattil Family)
  2. ---Narayanaswami Iyer family Vilakku
  3. ---Chinmaya Mission Vilakku
  4. ---Kandeth Vilakku (Kandeth Family)
  5. ---Sambamoorthy Iyer Vilakku
  6. ---Perinchery Vilakku (Perinchery Family)
  7. ---Eazhaam Vilakku (Brahmin Community)
  8. ---Deshavilakku ( Deshom as a whole, all communities)
  9. ---Jana Vilakku (Brahmin Youths)
  10. ---Devaswom Vilakku (if required as per traditional calendar)

Utsavam

The festival happens in the month of Medom (April–May) every year. It starts with 'Shudhi' as a prelude and with 'Kodiyettam' and ends with 'Aaraattu'. The most important days of 9 day Utsavam festival are Kodiyettam day, Ulsavabali day, Pallivetta day and Aaraattu day.

Valiyaaraattu

This day comes once in 12 years. Lord Thrippallavurappan goes to meet his daughter 'Pookulangara Bhagavathy' and accompanies her to his home. The people from Kunissery comes to Pallavur and they are fed a feast and go back with handful of gifts.

References

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