Showing posts with label Kerala. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kerala. Show all posts

Sunday, February 28, 2016

Chowalloor Siva Kshethra, Kerala

Chowalloor Siva Kshethra, Kerala

The ancient Chowalloor Siva Kshethra or Mahadeva Temple, as it is called is famed to be over centuries old. Located `approximately three kilometers towards east from the world famous pilgrims paradise Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple is yet another significant pilgrim centre for saints and God seekers alike. Considered to be one of the oldest 108 sivalayas consecrated by Lord Parasurama, the fascinating legends linked to the Chowalloor Siva Temple bear testimony to the ancestry and age of this Temple.

History

Lord Siva, the deity of Thrissur Sree Vadakunnatha Temple is said to have manifested himself on an umbrella carried by one of his beloved devotees, a pious old Namboothiri from Chowalloor Mazhavannoor Mana (Illam of Namboothiri), who used to walk all the way to Thrissur to have daily Darshan of the Lord. When his devotee become too old to walk and worship him regularly, the Lord is said to have accompanied him to his native home in Chowalloor. Later a temple was constructed at the very place where the Lord appeared to his devotee.

Unique Features

The devotees have the good fortune to worship Siva family a rare phenomenon (Lord Siva, Sree Parvathy, Sree Ganesh, Sree Subrahmanian (Murukan), Sree Ayyappa and Sree Anjaneya) Which is not seen else where in kerala. (if not in too many Temples in Kerala).

In the TWO TIERED round Sreekovil or Sanctum Sanctorum, the Swayambhoo idol of lord Siva is seen facing west and that of his consort Sreeparvathy facing east affectionately showering blessings in all directions. The Sapthamathrukkal, precious black stone idols symbolizing the seven divine Mothers are also worshipped in the Temple in the form of Bimbas made of Krishnasila, yet another rare phenomenon.

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Jatayu rock, Chadayamangalam, Kerala, India

Jatayu rock, Chadayamangalam (Jatayumangalam) area of Kollam district. Largest bird sculpture in the world. Where Jatayu fell, mortally wounded.
Etymology
Ravana abducted Sita to Lanka. Jatayu had tried to rescue Sita from Ravana when Ravana is on his way to Lanka. Jatayu fought valiantly with Ravana, but as Jatayu was very old Ravana soon got the better of him. As Rama and Lakshmana chanced upon the stricken and dying Jatayu in their search for Sita, he informs them of the fight between him and Ravana and tells them that he had gone south. It is believed that Jatayu fell on the rocks in Chadayamangalam after his wings were chopped off by Ravana.
Kerala park to welcome visitors in Jan
The Jatayu Nature Park in Chadayamangalam area of Kollam district in Kerala will open its adventure zone to the public in January next year.
Spanning an area of 65 acres, the park is the first tourism project to be built on a public-private partnership model in Kerala under the build-operate-transfer (BOT) mode.
It will house the world's largest bird sculpture (200 feet long, 150 feet broad and 70 feet in height). Spread across three storeys, the sculpture of the mythical bird will house a digital museum, a 6D theatre and offer a bird's eyeview from 1,000 feet above sea level.
The park will also feature an adventure zone spread across three kilometres, an ayurvedic and siddha resort and a cable car system. It is being developed at an investment of Rs1 billion on land leased from the Kerala government.