Sree Indilayappan Temple

Marayikkodu Sree Indilayappan Kshethram is a famous temple located in Kerala. The temple is almost 1500 year old. The temple is visited by both Hindus and Non Hindus. The temple has been established in Karickom, 5 km from Kottarakara. The presiding deities of the temple are Lord Shiva, Devi Parvati and Lord Vishnu. Lord Shiva is worshipped in Lingam form in the temple. Apart from these main deities the temple also has other sun deities like Lord Ganesha, Nagarajavu and Nagayakshi, Brahmarakshas and Yakshi.

Marayikkodu Sree Indilayappan Kshethram is regarded as two temples by the devotees. One is Lord Shiva Temple and the other is Lord Vishnu Temple. The Lord Shiva temple has two separate sanctum Sanctorums or Garbhagrihas. One is dedicated to Lord Shiva (Shivalingam) that faces the east direction and the other for Devi Parvati looking to the west. The Lord Vishnu temple has one sanctum sanctorum for Lord Vishnu, facing the east direction.

The temple of Lord Ganesha also has one separate sanctum sanctorum or garbhagriha. As per vastu, the sanctum sanctorum is situated on the "Kanni mula" i.e. in the south-west corner of Lord Shiva temple. Here Sri Nagaraj and Nagayakshi and Brahmarakshas are worshipping devotees on the "Kanni mula" of Lord Ganesha. The Yakshi has been placed under the Strychine tree (Kanjirum) close to the Lord Vishnu`s sanctum sanctorum.

Legend of  Indilayappan temple of Valaya Vadakku-Kaipattoor is one of the oldest and most famous Indilayappan temples of Kerala. It is located at Nariyapuram in Pathanamthitta district. The temple is dedicated to Lord Indilayappan. He is regarded as the incarnation of two divine powers of Lord Shiva and Lord Dharma Shastha. The temple dates back to 1500 years. As far as the written history goes, the temple was owned and worshiped by Namboothiries of Maramattath Illam. Later it was owned and worshiped by Namboothiries of Kuttiyatanippurath Illam of Vayalavadakku. During the year 1985 the ownership had been handed over to NSS Thaluk Union Pathanamthitta. Presently the temple is owned and functioned under the administrative control of NSS Taluk Union Pathanamthitta.

According to the legend of the Indilayappan temple a poor woman regularly went in the jungle to fetch fodder and firewood. One day as usual she went to the forest and was sharpening her sickle on a projected natural grown black rock. To her surprise she saw blood oozing from it. This was an indication of the divine presence of the lord. The astonished woman immediately brought the matter to the notice of village elders. Hearing this shocking incident people from different villages gathered around the rock. They too saw the miracle. Understanding the divine nature they immediately cleared the jungle and worshiped the projected rock with wild flowers and cow milk. It was thus proved that the natural grown rock that stood in the middle of a pond known as `Thodukulam` has divine powers. Later a temple was built here and the idol was installed in it.

Marayikkodu Sree Indilayappan Kshethram is a famous temple located in Kerala. The temple is almost 1500 year old. The temple is visited by both Hindus and Non Hindus. The presiding deities of the temple are Lord Shiva, Devi Parvati and Lord Vishnu. Lord Shiva is worshipped in Lingam form in the temple. Apart from these main deities the temple also has other sun deities like Lord Ganesha, Nagarajavu and Nagayakshi, Brahmarakshas and Yakshi. Devotees visit the temple from far off places during the festival time.

The temple conducts various rituals and festivals. These are generally conducted on special occasions or once in a year to please various upadevathas. The festivals are celebrated with great enthusiasm, devotion and grace. Some of the festivals organized by the temple are as under: -

On the 41st day of Mandalam Pooja that falls in the month of December the main festival of the temple is organized. It is marked with Para Vazhipadu, Jeevatha Ezhunnellippu. At night the Jeevitha Ezhunnellippu is accompanied by Theevetti, Chamayavilakku and Chendamelam. The deity is seated on Jeevitha and is carried by Nampoothiries for procession. Various cultural shows are also organized by the temple authorities.

Noorum Palum: This festival is celebrated in honour of Nagaraja and Nagayakshi, the Serpent God and Goddess. They are seated in the middle of the sacred groves of the temple.

Guruzi (The sacred sacrifice): This offering is done to please various Ugramoorthies (fierce Gods) like Karimkali Moorthi. It is said that earlier animals were sacrificed and their blood was offered as an offering to the gods. However, now it is done only symbolically.

Panthirunazhi: It is organized as a sign of prosperity of the land by cultivation of paddy. In this ritual raw unpolished rice is deliciously prepared in measured quantity. It is then distributed among all people.

Niraputhari: It is an offering in which the grown kathir is obtained from the paddy field. It is then offered to the Lord Indilayappan. It is done as a sign of gratitude for giving an excellent crop to the people. The fresh paddy is processed. Later the cooked rice is offered along with fried mixed vegetables especially along with Uppumanga. The matured kathir is also taken home and preserved throughout the year.

Kalamezhuthi Pattu: This is an important event that is associated with the temple art and music. It is offered to Lord Dharma Shastha during Sabarimala Makaravilakku season. Gorgeous images of various Gods and Goddesses as well as events from famous epics are drawn. These are known as kalams. These are drawn by powdered ingredients made and mixed from natural colouring agents. No artificial colours are used during drawing. It is displayed on the fine smooth floor of the mandapam and lighted by serene Nilavilakku. During this event various devotional songs that have been composed are sung by trained singers. These are accompanied by temple vadyams like Conch (Shankha), chengila and Thimila. This is a special feature of this event. Art, music, light, traditions and beliefs remain in perfect blend and this make this event breath taking and a memorable one.

Shivaratri Festival: This festival holds great importance among the devotees and is celebrated with great devotion. The holy Bhagavatha Sapthaham starts seven days prior to Shivarathri that concludes on Shivaratri day. Various cultural shows are organized on Shivaratri night.

Hindu Maha Sammelanam: This event is organized on the 5th day of the holy Sapthaham. During this event famous Acharyas, religious heads and other well known people give discourses on various aspects of Sanadhana Dharma to the people.

Janmashtami: It is the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna and is an important festival for followers of Lord Vishnu. Several colourful processions are taken out on this day. The procession is accompanied by children who are attired as Gopikas and Krishna, various kalaroopams, Chendamelam, Kavadiyattam, Mayilattom etc. At the end of the festival prasadams are distributed among the devotees.