Shree Raghavapuram, Payyanur
Shree Raghavapuram is situated in the valley of Cheruthazham village, opposite to the hills 'Ezhimala', near Payyanur town. This place named Shree Raghavapuram, is popularly known as 'Hanumarambalm' There is a small, beautiful Shree Rama temple here, which is one of the most ancient and famous Vaishnava temples of northern Kerala.
Hanumarambalam
It is a popular belief that this temple got its name, Hanumarambalam, in order to express the love Shree Ramachandra and Shree Sita Devi had towards Shree Hanuman and also to denote the divine love Shree Hanuman had for Shree Ramachandra and Shree Sita. It is said that the pooja performed to Shree Hanuman is considered as the pooja performed for Shree Ramachandra Himself. Therefore Shree Ramachandra Swami is also pleased on performing pooja to Shree Hanuman.
The Temple
The Mooshaka dynasty is believed to have built the original temple centuries ago. Later, Shri Udaya
Varma Kolathiri, during his rule, had renovated the temple in the 8th century. He had brought 237
scholarly Brahmin families from Gokarna Kshetra, present-day Tulu-speaking area of Karnataka, and they
were settled in five villages, Cheruthazham, Kunnaru, Arathilpuracheeri, Kullapuram, etc. Sri
Raghavapuram, Sri Krishnapuram, and Udayapuram are included in the village of Cheruthazham.
Legend
Idol of Shree Ramachandra was originally installed was east-facing in the main temple. As per the ancient annotation, the original idol of Shree Ramachandra was depicting the mood of the Lord as it was during the battle (Rama-Ravana yudha). It was felt that the population residing on the eastern side of the temple was experiencing a lot of hardship during that time.
On conducting 'prashnam,' it was decided to open a doorway for the temple on the western side facing 'Ezhimala', and close the doorway facing the eastern side. Reinstalling (punarpadishta) of Shree Ramachandra, along with idols of Shree Sita Devi and Shree Lakshma. Accordingly, the eastern doorway was closed. Shree Ramachandra, along with His consort, was installed.
It is a popular belief that this temple got its name Hanumarambalam in order to express the love Shree Ramachandra's and Shree Sita Devi's towards Shree Hanuman and also to denote the divine love Shree Hanuman had for Shree Ramachandra and Shree Sita.
'Devasannithyam' (the presence of the Deva) in the temple dates back to the 'threthayugam' was indicated in the 'prashnam.' During the Rama-Ravana yudham, Shree Hanuman carried the 'Aushdha Shailam' (Mountain with Mridhasanjeevani) to Lanka to revive Lakshmana. 'Ezhimala' was formed from the broken piece of 'Aushdha Shailam' which fell here.The presence [Chaitanya], of Shree Hanuman and Shree Ramaswami was felt and experienced in this kshetra from that time itself.
The temple is the abode of Shree Ramachandra with Shree Sita Devi ('parivarasametham'). People from very remote places also come over to this temple to seek the blessings of the Lord Hanuman. In one sense, the very existence of this temple became possible only due to Shree Anjaneya Swami, since the protection of this temple is also vested in the hands of the Lord Shree Hanuman.
The temple is the abode of Shree Ramachandra with Shree Sita Devi. With Shree Ramachandra and Shree Sita Devi as the main deities of the temple, the devoted brother Lakshmana is also seen. Normally Shree Lakshman is not seen on the same pedestal with his Lord Rama, but the uniqueness of this temple is that all three are on the same pedestal.
Shree Hanuman's temple
At the 'Vaayu mula' (Northwest corner) of the main 'Shree Koil' of the temple, Shree Hanuman's temple is located inside the 'Naalambalam'. The presence of a 'Shree Koil' for Lord Shiva just outside the Nalambalam is the unique feature of this temple . the importance of the idol of the Lord, facing west is 'Shanta Shiva pratishtha'. On the western side of the Lord Siva temple, there is a 'Shree Koil' for Shree Durga Devi. Earlier there was no idol for Shree Durga (Bhimba pratishta), and there was only 'Peedha pradishta' for Her.
Festivals and Traditions
In the month of Makaram (from the 21st to the 25th) of the Indian solar calendar, the temple Mahotsavam is celebrated every year. This famous festival in the north of Kerala draws large numbers of devotees. 'Brahmana shreshtas' carry idols (uthsavamoorthi) of Shree Parameshwara, Shree Ramachandra, Sree Hanuman, and Shree Durga on their heads, performing a special dance during this festival. This deva vigraha dance, known as 'Thidambu Nrithyam,' is not common to any other temple.
It is customary and famous to offer "avil" (rice flake) as prasadam to Lord Anjaneya Swami of this kshetra. Normally, this offering is done only in the evening between four and 'sayaraksha.' It is said that Lord Hanuman, who is always meditating upon Shri Ramachandra Swami, will be giving an audience during this time without any hindrance to His meditation upon His Lord.
Location of the temple: "Hanumarambalam, Payyanur, Kerala"
Experience
The greatest 'Shree Ramabaktha', Lord Anjaneya is meditating upon His Lord Shree Rama all the time. His Lord had devoted the name of His temple itself in the name of His Baktha, as 'Hanumarambalam'. Great are Shree Rama and His Baktha both waiting for their devotees in this kshethra, to bestow on them their love and show the path of love.
SRI HANUMAN THINKS DIFFERENTLY, THINKS FAST
THINKS AHEAD AND ACTS FOR SURE
Ed [ed.28.05.02
Updates: Jan 2025]