| Avanangattilkalari Sree Vishnumaya Temple | |
|---|---|
 Avanangattilkalari Temple Avanangattilakalari Vishnumaya Temple | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Hinduism |
| District | Thrissur |
| Deity | Vishnumaya (വിഷ്ണുമായ) |
| Festivals | Vellattumaholsavam |
| Location | |
| Location | Peringottukara |
| State | Kerala |
| Country |  India |
  | |
| Coordinates | 10°26′13″N76°07′47″E / 10.436885°N 76.129635°E /10.436885; 76.129635 |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Architecture of Kerala |
| Completed | more than 500 years ago |
| Specifications | |
| Temple | 1 |
| Monument | 2 |
| Elevation | 31.92 m (105 ft) |
| Website | |
| www.avanangattilkalari.com | |
Avanangattilkalari Sree Vishnumaya Temple (alternativelyAvanangatt Chathan Temple) is aHindu temple atPeringottukara,Thrissur District,Kerala state,India. It is dedicated to thegod Vishnumaya in Kerala. The god is known also by the name Chathan.
Avanangattilkalari vishnumaya temple is the head temple of all vishnumaya temples in Kerala, especiallyMalabar. The temple avanangattilkalari is known as sree vishnumaya's "moolasthanam". The idol of the temple represents the god in his fierce ('ugra') form, facing East, featuring two hands with various attributes. One is holding Kuruvadi (Magical wand), another hand magical pot (amrutha kumbam) and riding on water buffalo. The temple deity is well known for his magical powers.[1][2]
The temple gained the name Avanangattilkalari from the surroundingRicinus plants which is called "avanaku" inMalayalam language. The area was covered chiefly with ricinus trees and it appeared as a ricinus forest. In Malayalam, "kadu" means forest and hence the name Avananku-kadu. This name then changed to avanangattil kalari. Kalari refers to a location in which the Kerala traditional martial art called "kalaripayattu" is taught. The temple is often accredited as the original form of Vishnumaya and his 389 brothers. When the god was born with his 399 other brothers, 10 brothers sacrificed their life in war between Shiva boothas (god Shiva's army) and demon nameed BrigaRakshas.[3] Ten brothers consumed brahmastra in the time of combat and helped Shiva boothas to kill Rakshas Briga.[4]
The temple is in the center of Kerala and is called "vishnumaya chathan temple" by Tamil speakers. The name of chathan came from the word sastha. The Temple was built in a remote past and its worship incorporates ancient Shakthyem customs which are rarely observed in contemporary Kerala temples.[5]
The people of Kerala believe that this temple was, in the olden days, a small shrine and it was Kellunni Panicker who installed the murthi of Vishnumaya close to one of hiskalari. Thepujas are conducted, it is said, under direct instructions from the god himself. Near to temple there is a mango tree and small rock shire is there called "Valliyachan kottil" believed to be the main source of the powers of this deity. The priests arepanickers andThiyyar families who have a right to perform 'Pushpanjalis' to the God.
Avanangattilkalari Sree Vishnumaya temple is allowed all other religious members to attend temple. His temple is very much related toSabarimala Ayyappa Temple, sastha and chathan is commonly mixed each times. Other than Sabarimala, temple allows all religious women also. The temple reconstructed in the time ofSakthan Thampuran who provided financial support also. Sakthan Thampuran provide one donation champers insideThriprayar Temple still there in red color. As the old believe in the time ofArattupuzha Pooram festival, Deity travel to Avanangattilkalari Sree Vishumaya temple and meet Sree Vishnumaya, it is called "Pooram Purapad".
Currently Avanangattilkalari temple is administered by temple trust and not taking any aid fromThriprayar temple. The temple was constructed by Kellunni Panicker. The first Shaktheya Pooja in Avanangattilkalari temple was performed by Panicker families still follows.[6][7]
In ancient times, animal sacrifices were offered at the temple, mostly in the forms of birds, by devotees seeking protection and the fulfillment of their prayers. At present, only red-dyedsilks are offered to the deity.[8]
The temple is situated in the middle of a plot of land about ten acres, surrounded by paddy field. The "manimandapam" or "sreekovil" is facing east. East side of the small bhagavathi shire, two Sarpakavu. West side temple pond, which serve purpose of well (bath not allowed). East and west "padipura"(entrance). North side "ananadhana mandapam" serve devotes every day.
During this ritual, oracle person called Vellichapad, (oracles of the god), addressed as the god and said to bepossessed by him, sit in-front of the temple in a frenziedtrance state called niyogam. Niyogam will perform every day. Special pooja only perform Full moon or new moon day only. All karma follows saktheya manner.
The "vellattumaholsam" festival at the Avanangattilkalari Vishnumaya temple, is a month of festivities from the month ofKumbham, it is ten day festival. It normally falls between the months of February and March. The festival usually starts with a ritual called 'Ezhunallathu', which forms an important feature of this temple. The members of the "Thira manar" are allowed to participate in this ritual. It is to appease the god Vishnumaya and her demons who take delight in the offerings.
Thekalampattu festival will perform four day before "karkidakam" and "vrichikam" Malayalam months (February or march month).
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