Hanuman of Vilwadrinathan Temple, Tiruvilwamala, Trichur, Kerala ....
gk kaushik
Tiruvilwamala
Kerala is known as "Gods own land". Legend has it that Kerala is a part of the
land created by Lord Parasurama by annexing it to the main land from the sea by
throwing an axe into the sea. The western range of mountains forms the eastern
boundary of the state. It is seen to be believed the beauty of the land.
Tiruvilwamala is a small range of mountain situated in Talappilly Taluk of
Trichur district near the Nela River popularly known as Bharatha Puzha. It is
said that the mountain range gets its name Vilwamala because it is believed
there exists a golden vilwa tree [three petal leaf used for worshiping Lord
Siva] under the mountain.
There are three popular Sri Rama temples in Kerala. Tiruvilwamala,
Triprayar and
Tiruvangad. Of the three Sri Rama of Vilwamala is self emerged [swamyambu]. Sri
Rama of this kshetra called "Vilwadrinathan" after the name of the place
Tiruvilwamala. Another uniqueness of this kshetra, there is a separate shrine
for Sri Lakshmana also.
Legand
Sri Vilwadri Mahatma, a Sanskrit text with eighteen chapters, describes the
origin of this ancient temple which is housing two deities of Lord Maha Vishnu.
Sri Parasurama went killing all the kshatriyas and thus incurred lot of sin. On
praying to Lord Siva, he was given the deity of Lord Vishnu which Sri Siva
himself was worshipping. Sri Parasurama found the westernmost end of the
Vilwamala to be the suitable place for consecrating the Lord Vishnu's deity for
worship. May be because there is an golden vilwa tree under this mountain. This
is the earliest temple in the site to have been built. Presently the idol
consecrated by Sri Parasurama is in the eastern sanctum. The stone image is
about three feet in height is pleasing to the eyes and very charming, especially
when decorated with the bare minimum ornaments.
According to same text, the second idol which is in the western sanctum is self
emerged ie., "swamyambu". Saint Aamalakan, son of Saint Kashyapa was meditating
on Lord Maha Vishnu for His dharshan chanting - Rama – the tharaka mantra. King
of devas Indra not knowing the intention of the penance undertaken by the
Aamalakan, took some initiative to interrupt the penance of the Saint in vain.
Saint Kashyapa explained that his son has no desire except to attain unstinted
devotion to Lord Maha Vishnu. While Devatas were pleased with the assurance of
Saint Kashyapa, asuras became quires and disturbed the penance of the saint
Aamalakan. When at his end of patience the saint opened his eyes, the asuras
were turned into ashes and then into rock. It is said that the rock at the south
east corner of the temple is heap of ashes that turned into rock and hence named
"rakshasapaarai".
Maha Vishnu pleased with the penance of Aamalakan appeared before him along with
Sri Devi [Lakshmi] and Sri Bhuma Devi, with Adishesha as His canopy. Sri
Aamalakan was spell bound on his seeing the Lord, overwhelmed with joy could not
utter a word. Sri Maha Vishnu asked him to seek any boon he wishes. Aamalakan
said he wished noting- not even Swarga, but unstinted devotion towards God. Boon
was granted by the Lord and as per the wishes of Aamalakan Lord had transformed
His image as seen by Aamalakan as a deity at the very place. Since self emerged
deity at the west sanctum at the request of the Aamalakan who was chanting the
taraka mantra – Rama – this idol is regarded as Sri Rama. The MahaVishnu idol
consecrated by Sri Parasurama is regarded as that of Sri Lakshmana.
Sri Rama - Swamyambu idol
The idol in the Western sanctum is about five feet in height. The deity is
permanently covered and protected with gold plates. It is said that the when
attempted to remove the cover the idol got slightly damaged, hence the golden
cover is now never removed. Sri Vilwadrinathan is seen as He appeared before
saint Aamalakan. His right hand holds disc [sudharshan] the other right holds
lotus, while His left arm holds counch [Sangu] the other left is seen resting on
the mace [gadha]. Sri Devi and BhuDevi are seen standing next to Him. All of
them are seen protected by the Adishesha as their canopy. It is believed that
below this sanctum there is a cave and a golden Vilwa tree. Therefore Sri Rama
of this kshetra is called Sri Vilwadrinathan. It is worthy to note that Sri
Vilwamangalathu Swamiyar had sung in praise of the Lord of this kshetra
addressing the Lord as "Vilwadrinatha".
Sri Hanuman shrine of this kshetra
When the fame of this kshetra reached high and devotees and saints were drawn to
this place by the sheer power of these two deities. The wicked forces [ravanathigal]
could not tolerate this and started working negative. On one occasion their
leader disguised as a Brahmin entered the sanctum of the west shrine in order to
displace the idol. To the surprise of the evil forces there was a tremendous
tremor at that moment at that place. Ravanathigals went hither and slither, they
ran for the shelter and found a cave and entered it. It is believed that evil
forces are trapped inside the cave by none other then Sri Vilwadrinathan [Sri
Rama] and a big rock had covered the entrance of the cave.
There was a Raja Gopuram in the Eastern side of the temple compound. After it
was struck by the lighting and destroyed, it was never rebuilt. There were
instance of fire at this sacred temple. It is believed that Sri Hanuman
descended on this kshetra and started protecting the kshetra. After this Sri
Hanuman deity was installed facing west, near to the then raja gopuram. After
installation of Sri Hanuman at this kshetra as protector of this temple complex
there was no untoward instances.
Sri Hanuman of this kshetra
Idol of Sri Hanuman of this kshetra is just less than three feet in height.
Lord Hanuman's standing posture itself so graceful with left leg slightly bent, as if He
is ever ready to come out of shrine for the help of His devotees. Lord Hanuman is seen
in the standing posture with his face slightly tilted is so graceful to see and
a feast to the eyes. Hanuman's beautiful eyes just looking at the devotee is
magnanimously showing the grace. He wears a crown and beautiful ornaments adore
His shoulders, neck, arms, waist, and ankles feet. Lord Hanuman's hand is showing a 'dhrjani
mudra' meaning that the Lord is great and one. Sri Hanuman as the guard of this
kshetra and Sri Vilwadrinatha [Sri Rama] is the beloved for one and all who
visit this temple.
Experience
Visit this kshetra of Sri Rama who is present along with Sri Devi Bhu Devi and
Lakshmana and Sri Hanuman. The breath taking picturesque scenery of Kerala and
Tiruvilwamala will make you feel heavenly, take the blessings of Sri Rama
Parivar and feel the contentment like Saint Aamalakan.
[Ed : July 2010]