Sree NHANGATTIRI BHAGAVATHY TEMPLE

FASHION ASTROLOGY

EXCLUSIVE FEATURE- VISIT TO VALLUVANAD’s MOOKAMBIKA – SREE NHANGATTIRI TEMPLE. NON-ATHEIST

SREE NHANGATTIRI TEMPLE.

NON-ATHEIST, October, 2018.

BHARATHAPUZHA

Bharatapuzha (translated as ‘River of Bharata’) is considered as one of the prominent holy rivers in Kerala. The river holds great reverence the cultural map of Kerala as well. It is the second largest river in Kerala and it is on its banks that people do the last rites of their ancestors because of the belief that it would give deliverance to their souls. It is also worth noting that it is on the banks of this river at Thirunavaya that the famous “Mamangam” festival took place once in 12 years.

BHARATHAPUZHA RIVER

Sree Nhangattiri temple is situated at the banks of the river on a verdant hillock which provides for an ideal location for a spiritual getaway. Taking a dip in the Bharatapuzha, which is regarded as the Ganges of Kerala, one can have the darshan of the Goddess who is Vanadurga. Vanadurga (“Vana” means ‘Forest in Sanskrit) is supposed to be strongest form of Durga as she is out in the wild exposed to natural elements. So as to soften her demeanour this temple does allow offerings of Red Silk garments (“pattu”) to the Goddess. Kumkum (vermillion) is also not offered to the Goddess in an effort to pacify the aggressiveness of the deity.

The idol, as the legend goes, was consecrated by Lord Parasurama as he found that there was a divine radiance engulfing the place where the idol is, as he was taking a dip in the river. He did not spare any time and consecrated an idol there facing the east. Because of the strength of the idol the sun found it difficult to rise and hence at its behest, Lord Parasurama re-consecrated the idol now facing the west. This temple is one of the 108 Durgalayas (Durga Temples) consecrated by him. There is Ganapathi, Subramanya,Ayyappa, Dharmashasta and Hanuman as other sub-deities. There is a big sacrificial altar in front of the idol.It is also said that Panchali had done penance here for the longevity of Pandavas during

NON-ATHEIST, October, 2018.

Vanavas time and Panchali Vilakki is done even now in memory of that.

NON-ATHEIST, October, 2018.