Sree Gandharva Swami Temple is a Hindu temple located in Andoor kara in Maramgattupilly panchayath of Kottayam district in Kerala. It is situated 200 meters south of Illickal Thazhe stop in Pala-Vaikom route. Here the presiding deity installed in the sanctum sanctorum or garbhagriha of the temple is the Gandharva with Yakshi on his laps. Such an image is not visible anywhere. Hence this temple can be considered as a rare temple. This is a very special feature of the temple and no other Gandharva temple has this. Besides the presiding deity there are sub deities such as `Bhagavathi` facing the west direction and "sastha` Rakshas` and `Guru` facing the east direction.
History of Sree Gandharva Swami Temple
Sree Gandharva Swami Temple dates back to the ancient times. The temple is said to have been built by the local Nair lords of Pallattu family. The temple and its properties are preserved and maintained by four families of the ancient Pallattu family. The temple has a committee of devotees who looks after the day to day activities of the temple.
Festivals of Sree Gandharva Swami Temple
Sree Gandharva Swami Temple celebrates many festivals on a grand scale. The temple is beautifully decorated and attracts many devotees from far off places who visit the temple to be a part of the festive mood. The temple celebrates the `Samkranthi pooja.` The ritual; holds a very important place. It is believed that a woman who continuously attend and worship 12 samkranthi poojas can get through the obstacles in getting married. Observing samkranthi pooja also helps to remove `Sani dosha`, `Sathru Dosha` and various other obstacles in education.
A `Sarpa kavu`, can be seen near the premise of the temple. The festival of `Sarpa pooja` is also performed during an auspicious occasion in between the Vishu Utsav and `Pathamudayam`. Devotees flock the temple to offer poojas during this time to get rid of `Sarpa Dosha`. People gather in advance to make arrangements for the temple poojas. Apart from these there are other special poojas that are celebrated by Sree Gandharva Swami Temple. Some of them are `Ashtami Rohini` that is celebrated in the month of Chingam. Navaratri is a grand festival that is celebrated in the month of "kanni.` The festival is celebrated for four days with much pomp and show. Mandala pooja is another important festival that begins in the month of `Vrichikam.` The `Vishu utsav` is celebrated for five days during which time many rituals are observed like the `Kalamezhuth` and `Gandharvan pattu.` The Prathishta Dinam` is celebrated in the 6th of Medam. Ramayana masa poojas are celebrated in the month of `Karkkidakom`.
