Kadappattoor Mahadeva Temple

Kadappattoor is a small beatutiful village situated on the banks of the Meenachil River near Pala in Kottayam District. Kadappattoor Mahadeva Temple is the important landmark of this village. Devotees can reach this temple either through Kadappattoor bridge near Pala Kottaramattam Municipal Bus Stand or through Pala Catheedral Church - Kadappattor Temple road near to Pala Valiyapalam (town bridge).

Lord Kadappattoorappan

Legends

The legends of Kadappattor temple is aasociated with Sage Gauna. According to legends the Meenachil river starts from the Kamandalu of Gauna Maharshi like the river Kaveri from Agasthya Maharshi's Kamandalu. Hence this river got the name Gauna Nadi. Gauna Maharshi filled his Kamandalu with Sapthanadi Theertham (water from the 7 holy rivers - Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswathy, Sindhu, Narmmada, Godavari and Kaveri). A beautiful idol of Lord Subrahmanya was also kept in his kamandalu. He was eagerly waiting for the Darshan of Lord Sree Rama in his return journey to Ayodhya after killing Ravana. Sree Rama was accompanied by large number of devotees like Vibhishana, Sugreeva, Hanuman and Angada in the Pushpaka Vimana. So Maharshi Gauna could not see Lord Sri Rama and Sita Devi properly. So the angry Gauna threw the kamandalu away and the idol of Subrahmanya Swami came out. These incidents occured on a hill and since then the hill is known as Kudamuruttimala. This flow of water became a river and thus the present Gauna nadi was formed. Along wih the flow of the water, the idol was carried away to the Vishnu temple in Kidangoor and was later installed in a new sreekovil. This is the present Kidangoor Subrahmanya Swami Temple. So the water in Gauna river is as holy as the Sapthanadi Teertham.

Later Sree Rama and Sitha Devi gave darshan to Gauna Maharshi. Rama advised Gauna Maharshi to continue his Tapas and gave him a beautiful idol of Lord Shiva. Gauna Maharsi then started his journey along the river bank and atlast reached a beautiful village and decided to stay there. He started worshipping Lord Shiva there. The local people were his ardent devotees and they provided him all assistance for Shiva pooja. Hence Gauna Maharshi named this place as 'Kadappetta ooru'. Later Gauna Maharshi went to Shivaloka. After that this place became a great forest. This place is now famous as Kadappattor and the idol of Shiva worshipped by Gauna Maharshi is now famous as Lord Kadappattoorappa.

History

The emergence of Kadappattoor Mahadeva temple is a wonderful incident. After thousands of years, the idol of Shiva was discovered by a woodcutter named Madathil Paachu Nair from inside a large Athi (Country Fig - Ficus Glomerata) tree on the banks of Meenachil river on 14th July 1960 while he was cutting fire wood. The day was quite unusually stormy with deafening thunder bolts. When half of the tree was cut, the tree fell to the opposite side. Pachu Nair got quite frightened and became unconscious as the tree fell to one side and the stone idol of Lord Shiva appeared from that. The news of appearance of a beautiful Shiva idol from the tree spread like wild fire through central Travancore and people flocked to see the idol. Later a temple came up with the efforts of Bhaktas. Initially the temple had a unique architecture resembling North Indian temples. Gradually Kadappattoor has become an important pilgrimage center in Kottayam district.

The Devaprasnam conducted in the temple revealed that Lord Mahadeva is unsatisfied with the architecture of temple. Hence the temple authorities decided to renovate the temple and consulted Brahmasree Kanippayyoor Krishnan Nampoothirippad to remodel the temple structure. The renovation works were completed in 2006 and Naveekarana kalasam was performed in March. Now the temple has a three storied big rectangular sreekovil with copper covered pyramidal roof and golden thazhikakkudam. The sreekovil walls are decorated with sculptures. The namaskaramandapam also has a copper covered pyramidal roof and golden thazhikakkudam.

Specialities

The main speciality of this temple is the idol of Lord Shiva. The stone idol of Lord Shiva is noteworthy and is unique. This is the only Shiva temple in Kerala where Lord Shiva is worshipped in a Swaroopa Vigraha (idol). In all other Shiva temples Lord is worshipped in Linga form.

Kadappattoor temple is an important Idathavalam (pilgrimage shelter) for the Sabarimala pilgrims. Thousands of pilgrims visit the Kadappattoor temple, every year, on their way to Sabarimala. Elaborate arrangements are provided for the pilgrims by the temple authorities. Alangad Sangham, a major participant of famous Erumely Pettathullal (a devotional dance, performed by the pilgrims) will rest here for a day on their way to Erumely. They will perform the Paanaka Pooja at this temple on Dhanu 26th (January ).

The Nagagandhi tree near the western gopuram attracts the devotees. This tree is very rarely found in temple compounds. You can see a small Shiva Linga inside the flower. Another speciality of this temple is that the Arattu kadavu is situated very close to the Eastern gopuram. People belonging to all religions are allowed to enter into the temple.

Upadevathas (sub deities)

Ganapathy, Ayyappa, Nagadevathas, Bhagavathy (Badrakali) and Brahma Rakshass are the upadevathas of Kadappattoor temple.

Vazhipadu (offerings)

Annadanam (especially on 14th day of every month) is the main vazhipadu of this temple. Dhara, Rudrabhishekam, Bhasmabhishekam, Sahasranamarchana, Ashtothararchana, Aravana, Kadumpayasam, Vella Nivedyam, Kalabhamcharthu, Koovalamala and Vedi vazhipadu are the other main offerings to Lord Kadappattoorappa. Neeranjanm and Ellu payasam are the offerings to Lord Ayyappa. Ganapathy Homam and Karukamala are the offerings to Lord Ganapathy, Noorum Palum, Manjal (turmeric powder) and Pulluvanpattu are the offerings to Nagadevathas. Bhagavathy Seva and Raktha Pushpanjali are the offerings to Bhagavathy. Palppayasam is the main offering to Rakshass.

Festivals

Every year July 14 is celebrated as Vigraha Darsana Dinam. On that day there will be Akhanda naama japa yajnam from early morning. Tantri Paramboor Bhattathiri will perform the Vigraha Darsana Pooja at around 2 pm and will open the sreekovil doors for Darsan. Thousands of devotees from near and far will come here to have a darsan of Lord Kadappattoorappa. There will be a Maha Prasadaoottu for devotees.

The ten day long annual festival is in Meenam (March - April). Pathamudayam (Medam 10) and Shivarathry are also celebrated. Thousands will offer Vavu bali on the banks of the Meenachil river, near the temple on Karkkidaka vavu day. Men, women and children will throng the temple from early morning to perform Pithrukriyas. On Aayilyam day in Kanni and Thulam months there will be Aayilyam pooja for Nagadevathas. Mondays, Saturdays and Pradosha days, Mandala - Makaravilakku season (Dhanu 1 to Makaram 5) and Ramayanam month (Karkkidakam) are also important here.

Management

Kadappattoor Temple is managed by Meenachil Taluk N.S.S Union and Kadappattoor N.S.S Karayogam.

Golden Dwaja

To have a Golden Flag mast in the temple is the long cherished wish of the devotees. The temple authorities are trying to install a Golden Dwaja infront of the temple before the 50th Vigraha Darsana Day (2009 July 14). Kindly donate to the Swarna Dwaja Nirmana Fund.

If you have any aditional information/photo of this temple, please mail to kottayamtemples@yahoo.com