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 MahaVishnu, 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 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
MahaVishnu, since bow is present He is worshipped Sri MahaVishnu
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]