SRI HANUMAN
AND SRI RAMA
TEMPLE, TRIPRAYAR, KERALA.
sri m p sekharan, thrichur
Thirupuraiyar
Thirupuraiyar is a lovely and sacred place situated about twenty four
kilometers from Thrissur and popularly known as Triprayar. The place gets its
name as this temple is surrounded by river on three sides [Tri-Three,
pura- Side, arru-River thus Thirupuraiyar colloquially
Triprayar]. It is interesting to note that the river itself is known as
Thirupuraiyar. As the legend has it that the river Thirupuraiyar [Triprayar]
was sent by Lord Brahma as amalgamation of seven rivers Ganga, Yamuna, Sindhu,
Godavari, Saraswati, Narmada and Kaveri. There is another version which
describes that when celestials washed the feet of Maha Vishnu, the water
flowed as Theevra [Triprayar] in the land created by Parasurama.
The place is famous for the magnificent temple of Sri Rama. The temple is
surrounded by vast and pure village atmosphere and surroundings. The sacred
river Triprayar River flows gently along the front side of the temple.
Alongside are the lush green coconut trees carrying tender coconuts. The
sight of the temple from a distance is a scenic beauty. The sign board Sri
Rama invites you to this kshetra.
Legend
There were fine idols of Shree Raman, Bharathan, Lakshmanan and Shatrughnan
which were installed and worshipped in Dwarka by Shree Krishnan. After the
swargarohana of Sri Krishna the city of Dwarka was engulfed in the sea
and these idols got submerged in the sea water. Till the beginning of the
Kaliyuga, these idols were lying like that in sea.
One day during fishing by a group of fisherman in the sea, the idols were
caught in the net of the fishermen. They had seen a flash of light [Divya
Thejus] emanating from the idols and were astonished to see that. The
chief of the fishermen and some other had gone to the nearby ancestors of the
'Vakkayt Kaimal' and informed of the incident.
Those who heard about the
incident gathered in large numbers there. 'Kaimal' and other chiefs of the
locality arrived at the site of the idols. Famous 'thantries' and
astrologers were summoned. They all discussed in details about the 'Vigraha
Mahatmya' and about the ideal and sacred place and location for the
installation of the idols. It was decided after prasnam that the idol
of Sri Rama was to be installed at Triprayar, Sri Bharathan at Irinjalakkuda,
Sri Lakshmana's idol at Moozhikkulam and idol of Sri Shatrughna at an
adjacent place called Payammel.
At that time an 'ashareeri'
was heard pronouncing that a golden peacock will be seen crouching in the sky
and the holy idol of Sri Rama is to be installed just below that place.
The peacock legend
On the appointed auspicious day all were waiting
at Triprayar for sighting of the divine peacock. At that time a man having an
extraordinary look [Thejas] appeared in the crowd, holding a bundle of
'Mayilpeeli' [peacock feathers]. He had diverted the people for the pujas
and shown the spot for the installation of the Sri Rama idol. The idol of Sri
Rama was installed at the place thus selected.
Later the peacock appeared actually at another spot. Prasnam was
conducted for the error made and it was decided to have a balikkallu
at the spot where actually the peacock appeared. It is said that the
ballikkallu kept spinning on its axis until a saint stabilized it by
hammering a nail through it amidst the chanting of mantras. It is said that
saint Naranath Brandan had performed this. Images of Sridevi and Bhudevi were
also installed on either side of the main deity of Sri Rama. The western
doors of the temple were also closed.
Nalambala Darshana Mahatmyam [obeisance
at four temples]
It has been believed since ages that Lord Mahavishnu's presence is manifested
in four temples of Triprayar, Irinjalakkuda, Moozhikkulam and Payammel. The
four temples are:-
i. Sri Mahavishnu temple Triprayar the presence of bow in the hand of the
idol and absence an idol for Garuda indicate that the temple is of Sri Rama
as the incarnation of Maha Vishnu
ii. Sri Bharathan temple of Irinjalakkuda
iii. Sri Lakshmana temple of Moozhikkulam and
iv. Sri Shatrughna temple at Payammal.
The darshan of these four
temples during Karkadaka -malayalam month-called the Ramayana masam
is considered very auspicious. In olden days people visited these temples on
the same day in the order of:-
Triprayar - Nirmalya darshanam
Irinjalakkuda - Usha pooja
Moozhikkulam - Uchcha pooja
Payammel- Aththazha pooja
Even now devotees visit these
temples in one day to seek the blessings of the Sri Rama parivar.
Sri Rama of this kshetra
The The garbhagriham of this temple has a
square base and conical roof. It has several sculptures where in scenes from
Ramayanam could be found. The magnificent idol of this kshetra has
four arms, one holding discuss [Chakkram], the other a conch [Sangu],
third holding bow [Kothandam], fourth holding garland [Akshamala].
The chest of the deity adorns Srivatsa and Kaustubham. Though
the posture and the attributes denote that the deity is in form of Sri Maha
Vishnu, since bow is present He is worshipped Sri Maha Vishnu incarnate-Sri
Rama. The garland in the hand of the idol is considered as the aspect of Sri
Brahma. There is idol of Dakshinamurthy facing south. Therefore local
devotees worship the deity as Trimurthy.
Sri Hanuman of this
kshetra
It is believed that Sri Hanuman is ubiquitous
[present everywhere] and due to the fact that His presence is felt in this
temple the temple does not have any separate idol for Sri Hanuman. It is
believed that Sri Hanuman is always present in the Namaskara Mandapam,
located just opposite to the garbhagriham. It is also said that it
here in this spot that Sri Hanuman had given the message and news of Sri Sita
to Sri Rama who was longing to know about Her. It is believed that Sri
Hanuman is present in this temple chanting 'Drishta Sita, Drishta Sita'. The
Namaskara Mandapam has a treasure of carvings on wood numbering to
twenty four. Mural paintings are found on the walls. Sri Ganapathy is
worshipped in the south-west corner in the inner prakaram. There is a
sannidhanam for Sri Saasta in south, a sannidhanam for
Gosalakrishna in north of Chuttambalam in the outer prakaram.
Offerings at this kshetra
The Vedi [bursting of gun-powder from a
small but strong iron barrel) is an offering to Lord Hanuman. The sound from
the barrel resembles the words 'Drishta Sita, Drishta Sita'. At fifty metres
from compound wall of the temple there are steps leading to the river. The
Meenoottu [feeding to fish] is done in the river water standing in the
steps. Aval [flatted rice flacks] and Kadalipazham [red
coloured banana] are the materials used for Meenoottu.
Festivals
The local theater group performs a musical form
of art known as 'Angya Koottu' in this temple in the Virchika
month [karthikai-Tamil]. The episodes involving Sri Hanuman meeting
Sri Sita in Lanka and bringing the news about Sri Sita [at Lanka] to Sri Rama
is performed with devotion. The conversation between Sri Sita and Sri Hanuman
keeps the audience mesmerized. On dasami of this month Saasta is taken
out in procession and the on Ekadashi Sri Rama is taken out on
procession in a grand manner with herd of elephants ornamented richly. The
twelve day celebration is an annual function at the temple.
During the month of Meenam
[pankuni-Tamil] seven day festival is celebrated with gaiety.
Fireworks and procession of elephants adoring rich ornaments are the high on
the concluding day - Pooram star.
Daily Pooja
Five worship services are carried out each day -
(usha, etirthu, panthirati, uccha, athazha). A processional image of
the deity is carried around the temple three times a day.
Let us visit this kshetra
where the omnipotent Lord Hanuman is worshiped without vigraha. The
ubiquitous present Lord Hanuman, who had melted the sorrow of Sri Rama with 'Drishta
Sita' words, is waiting to melt away our sorrows.
[Ed. December 2008]
| 
.
