Oorpazhachi Kavu
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| Oorpazhachi Kavu | |
|---|---|
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Hinduism |
| District | Kannur |
| Deity | Bhagavati |
| Location | |
| Location | Edakkad |
| State | Kerala |
| Country |  India |
| Geographic coordinates | 11°49′30″N 75°26′09″E / 11.8251°N 75.4359°E |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Architecture of Kerala |
| Specifications | |
| Temple(s) | One |
| Elevation | 40.32 m (132 ft) |
Sree Oorpazhachi Kavu is a
History
In the 1790s, the temple administration fled with the idols and valuables from the looting of temple by
The temple was enlarged in a reconstruction from 1845 to 1899.
Temple administration
Ooralars (hereditary trustees)
The term Oor means village and ooraalan (ooraalar, if joint partnership) means master or proprietor of the village. The Sree Oorpazachi Kavu temple was the seat of an ooraalar that enjoyed partial autonomy and administered the region. Nine prominent Nambiar families were Ooraalar and constituted the village and temple assembly that arbitrated local administration. [2][3]
Oorpazhachi Devaswom
Sree Oorpazhashi Kavu and its shrines and property are administered by hereditary members of the board of trustees, the most senior males in the matrilineal line of the nine Nambiar lineages. An elected chairman of the board of trustees manages the day-to-day activities of the temple, assisted by an executive officer appointed by the board of trustees.
Legends of the deities
The temple's three main deities are
Bhagavathy
The deity of
Sree Oorpazhachi Daivathar
The deity of Sree Oorpazhachi Daivathar is Vaishnava amsham. A legend tells how Sree Oorpazhachi became Sree oorpazhachi Daivathar Kiratha sunu. (Vettakkorumakan) was a great warrior but his pride distressed the Gods, at whose request Vishu disguised himself as a hunter and engaged Vettakkorumakan in a duel with bow and arrows. During the duel Vettakkorumakan sensing a divinity in his opponent, asked, " Daivathil aar?" and received the reply "Daivathar". In the course of the duel.
Vettakkorumakan
The deity of Vettakkorumakan is Shaiva amsham. A legend says that he was the son of, Shiva and Parvathi. He misbehaved, disturbing the peace. Mahavishnu humbled the boy, gave him a dagger (Churika) and, when eventually pleased, blessed him.
Thondachan
The deity of Thondachan represents Kshetrapalan (temple custodian) and is believed to be the grand ancestor. The shrine of Thondachan is at the upper citadel (mele kottam). His idol has a bow and arrow on his left hand and a churika in his right. His citadel serves as the site of performance for two forms of oracle dances, Vellattom and Kaliyattom, representing Vaishnava and Shaiva elements respectively.[3] Thondachan is thus revered as Vishnu-Shiva in single form (as Guru and Vaidya (physician)).
Shaneeshwara Sankalpam (Saturn worship)
Melekottam is also the sanctum for the worship of Shani (Saturn). A legend says that Rama visited the holy grove of Eachil and received the blessings of Sree Oorpazhachi Bhagavathy to redeem him of his Shani Dosha and facilitate the destruction of Ravana and his contingent of demons.
See also
- Temples of Kerala
References
- ISBN 9788120604469. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
- ^ http://edakkadnambiars.net/INDEX_1.HTM families
- ^ a b Bhaskaran, K. Ooril pazhakiya oru achi kavinde katha, Sree oorpazhachi kshetra seva samiti, 1997.
External links
History of Randillam Nambiars
- https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fQpn73Zy7AQ&feature=youtu.be
- edakkadnambiars.net Archived 15 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine