Padanilam Parabrahma Temple
Padanilam Parabrahma Temple (പടനിലം പരബ്രഹ്മ ക്ഷേത്രം ) is situated at Padanilam[2] in Mavelikara taluk of Alappuzha district in Kerala,[3] India. It is one of the major temples in erstwhile Travancore state. Padanilam is the cultural center of Nooranad region. The temple is situated 17 km east of Kayamkulam and 7 km south west of Pandalam. The temple is dedicated to Lord Parabrahma, also known as omkaram.
History
[4] Padanilam Temple is believed to be swayambhu. Its actual history and the facts about how worship started there are unknown. Padanilam has been the administrative centre of Nooranad and it has the history of intense conflict between various karakal (territories) around the temple. This was for gaining control over the temple administration and thereby controlling the entire village. Due to this pada (battle/conflict), the place is said to have got its name. It is believed that the army troops of Kayamkulam Kingdom was camped near the temple for protecting the kingdom from the attack of neighbouring kings. During this period, the village had some chieftains and their supporters. They include Noorukodi Unnithans, Kadackal Kuruppans, Vettathasaans and Vettadickal Kuruppans.
Kayamkulam Raja withdrew his troops about four centuries ago. This initiated tensions between the chieftains for control of the village. Thus they divided into south and north, starting battle. The south side consisted of Noorukodi Karuppans and Kadackal Kuruppans. The other side had Vettathasans and Vettadickal Kuruppans with them. Twenty-two karakal supported their respective sides. During the battle, many soldiers of both the sides died in large numbers. They were buried in the chira near the temple. Even from very earliest of times, this temple was a blessing for the people in the surrounding areas. It is also believed that the battle was between Marthanda varma King on one side and Kayamkulam King on the other. The twenty-two karakals of Nooranad took side with the two kings. The common people started worrying about the devastation of the war and approached the Pazhoor Panamana Thampuran to find a solution to end the war. He tried to intervene but the parties were not in a position to stop. He made a tent in the eastern part of the temple and started fasting unto death. But that also did not deter the warring parties. But when he was on the verge of death due to the fast, they fearing the Brahmanasaapam, agreed to stop war. They demarcated the boundary in the north-south direction and stopped the war in the name of Parabrahma, the presiding deity of the temple.
Padanilam Sivarathri
Sivarathri[5] is the main festival in the temple.[6] Giant effigies of bulls, known locally as kettukala, are pulled to the temple from 15 territories (kara) of the temple. Some of these have a height of more than 50 feet. Its one of the largest festivals of its kind in Kerala. There are many people in the Nooranad area, who are involved in the making of these colossal effigies. There is a proposal in front of the Kerala Government to recognize this village as the Nandikesha Paithruka Gramam due to its cultural importance. Thousands come to the temple on Sivarathri day to see the kaavadiyattam for Lord Subrahmanyan in the morning. Kaavady from all parts of the area come separately and meet at the temple. Kettulsavam is the most spectacular sight of the festival and is held in the evening. Kettulsavam from the distinct areas of the village come to the temple at around 4 p.m. The rituals and programmes only end at midnight.
Temple Specialities
- The temple has no protective walls or roofs
- The priests are not necessarily Brahmins.
- The temple neither opens nor closes. Rituals like Nada thurappu (opening of the temple in the dawn) and Nada adakkal (closing of the temple during night) are not performed at this temple.
- Non-Hindus are permitted to enter the temple and can even take part in all the celebrations related to temple including Shivarathri kettukazhcha. Religious unity is a trademark of Padanilam and it upholds the real culture of India.
- Vibhuti (holy ash) is given to devotees instead of Sandalwood paste.
- There is no proper idol in the temple. Only a stone image of OM and is placed under natural roof formed by tree leaves.
- Devotees can stay in the temple compound for the first 12 days of the month Vrischikam for doing bhajan for Lord Parabrahman. For this purpose special huts are made in temple premise and devotees lead a holy life these days. The number of huts are increasing year by year.
- The temple is one of the Idathaavalam of Sabarimala Dharma Sastha Temple.The temple provides resting place for Ayyappa devotees coming from various places. Many Pamba special service buses are passing through Padanilam. Temple authority is providing dried ginger coffee and light food for Sabarimala devotees.
Karakal (territories)
Padanilam Parabrahma Temple temple has mainly 15 karakal (territories). They are
- Nedukulanjimuri
- Palamel
- Thathammunna
- Edappon
- Naduvilemuri
- Muthukattukara
- Ulavukkad
- Erumakuzhy
- Puthupallikunnam
- Kudassanad
- Pulimel
- Edakkunnam
- Pattoor
- Pazhanjikkonam
- Kidangayam
- Pallikal-payyanallor
- Nandikeshan from Nedukulanji kara
- Nandikeshan from Palamel kara
- Nandikeshan from Edappon kara
- Nandikeshan from Naduvilemuri kara
- Nandikeshan from Muthukattu kara
- Nandikeshan from Ulavukkad kara
- Nandikeshan from Erumakuzhy kara
- Nandikeshan from Puthupallikunnam kara
- Nandikeshan from Kudassanad kara
- Nandikeshan from Pulimel kara
- Nandikeshan from Edakkunnam kara
- Nandikeshan from Pattor kara
- Nandikeshan from Pazhanjikonam kara
- Nandikeshan from Kidangayam kara
Other festivals
[7] Other festivals in the temple include:
- Vrischika mahotsavam, which is celebrated during the first 12 days of the Malayalam month of vrischikam. The ending day of the festival is called Panthrand Vilakk. Each year during vrischika mahotsavam, temple administration gives the Parabrahma Chaithanya Award to notable personalities for their contributions in their respective fields.[8]
- Irupathiyettamonam[9]
- Mandala Chirappu
- Sapthaha yajnam
Many marriages are also conducted in this temple, because marriage in this temple is considered auspicious.
How to reach
There are both private and KSRTC buses from the towns of Kayamkulam and Pandalam. There are buses from Pandalam, Kayamkulam, Pathanamthitta, Konni, Mavelikkara, Oachira, and Karunagapally passing through Padanilam. Padanilam is situated on the Kayamkulam-Pandalam-Pathanamthitta bus route.
References
- ^ "Padanilam Parabrahma Temple". Hotel Booking, Tour and Travel Planning, Online Tickets. 10 July 2018. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
- ^ "Padanilam Parabrahma Temple". www.destimap.com. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
- ^ Renu (18 February 2020). "Padanilam Parabrahma Temple in Kerala - Temple Pooja Timing, Location of Padanilam Parabrahma Temple". Religious & Pilgrimage Tour Packages. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
- ^ "നൂറനാട് ഗ്രാമപഞ്ചായത്ത് (Nooranad Grama Panchayat) » ചരിത്രം". Archived from the original on 3 July 2017. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
- ^ "Vibrant!! Kettukazhcha കെട്ടുകാഴ്ച്ച a series of shots". 6 March 2008.
- ^ "Celebrating Maha Shivaratri at Padanilam Parabrahma Temple, Kerala, India". www.insightguides.com. 31 October 2018. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
- ^ "Parabrahma Chaithanya awarded to veteran actress KPAC Lalitha".
- ^ "Adoor Gopalakrishnan selected for Parabrahma Chaitanya award".
- ^ "Padanilam Parabrahma Temple Alappuzha, Kerala - Hindu Temples". rgyan.com. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
External links
Official temple website
- v
- t
- e
- Kurattikadu Mutharamman Devi Temple
- Mannar Thrikkuratti Mahadeva Temple
- Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna
- Manakkattu Devi Temple, Pallippad, Harippad
- Chakkulathukavu
- Chammanad Devi
- Cherthala Devi
- Chettikulangara Devi
- Evoor Major Sri krishnaswamy temple
- Haripad Sree Subrahmanya Swamy temple
- Kandiyoor Sree Mahadeva Temple
- Kuttikattu Sree Bhadra Kali Devi
- Mannarasala
- Mullakkal
- Nalpathaneeswaram Sree Mahadeva
- Padanilam Parabrahma Temple
- Pattambalam
- Valiyakulangara Devi
- Cherai Gowreeshwara
- Dakshina Mookambika Temple North Paravur
- Chottanikkara
- Eravikulangara
- Iringole Kavu
- Kalamassery Mahaganapathy
- Kurumbakkavu Bhagavathy
- Panekavu Bhagavati Shastha
- Sree Bhavaneeswara
- Sree Poornathrayesa
- Sree Venugopala
- Thamaramkulangara Sree Dharma Sastha
- Thrikkakara Temple
- Thiru Nayathode Siva Narayana Temple
- Chelamattom Shree Krishna Swami Temple
- Andalur kavu
- Sree Vadeswaram
- Azhikode Palottukavu
- Chenankavu
- Chala Bhagavathi
- Sree Annapoorneswari
- Sree Chovva Shiva Temple
- Edappara Chamundi
- Hanumarambalam
- Sree Jagannathan
- Kandanthalli
- Keecheri Palottukavu
- Keezhur Mahadeva
- Kottiyoor Vadakkeshwaram
- Kunnathoor Padi
- Madayi Kavu
- Kalarivathukkal Bhagavathy Temple
- Vadukunda
- Mamanathambalam
- Manakulangara
- Mariamman Koil, Pilakool
- Mavilakkavu
- Muneeswaran Kovil
- Oorpazhachi Kavu
- Padavil Sree Muthappan
- Panoonneri Shiva
- Parassinikkadavu Muthappan
- Payyannur Sree Subramanyaswamy Temple
- Peralasseri Sree Subramaniaswamy Temple
- Pillayar Koil
- Neeliyaarkottam
- Rajarajeshwara Temple
- Sree Andalurkavu
- Tiruvangad
- Talap Ambalam
- Trichambaram
- Thrikkapalam Shiva
- Vasudevapuram Tavanur
- Places of worship in Kannur district
- Ammachiveedu Muhurthi
- Anandavalleeshwaram Sri Mahadevar Temple
- Ashram Sree krishna Swamy
- Kadakkal Devi
- Kodimoottil Sri Bhadrakaali
- Kottankulangara Devi Temple
- Kottarakkara Sree Mahaganapathi Kshethram
- Kottarakkulam Sree Mahaganapathy Kovil, Kollam
- Oachira Parabrahma Temple
- Panakkattodil Devi Temple
- Poruvazhy Peruviruthy Malanada Temple
- Pulimukham Devi Temple
- Paravur Puttingal Devi Temple
- Sasthamcotta Sree Dharma Sastha Temple
- Sree Indilayappan
- Sree Maha Ganapathy
- Vayalil Thrikkovil Mahavishnu
- Vaikom
- ThiruVazhappally Sree Mahadevar
- Ettumanoor Mahadevar
- Thirunakkara Sree Mahadevar Temple
- Kidangoor Subramanya Temple
- Chirakkadavu Sree Mahadevar
- Kaduthruthy Mahadeva Temple
- Neendoor Subrahmanya Swami Temple
- Perunna Subrahmanya Swami
- Kavinpuram Devi
- Morkulangara Devi
- Kadamuri Narasimhaswamy Temple, Kadamuri
- Moozhayil Sankaranarayana Temple Anicad
- Kodungoor Devi Temple
- Elamgulam Sree Dharma Shastha Temple
- Anicad Sree Bhagavathi Temple
- Pullattukunnel Temple, Elamgulam
- Nethalloor Devi
- Panachikkadu
- Paippad Puthenkavu Bhagavathi
- Pundareekapuram
- Puthiyakavu Devi Temple
- Brahmeeswaran
- Chinakkathoor
- Karimpuzha Sree Ramaswamy
- Killikkurussimangalam
- Kodikkunnu Bhagavathy
- Manapullikavu
- Malamakkavu Ayyappa Temple
- Meenkulathi
- Sri Nellikulangara Bhagavathi
- Thirupuraikkal
- Valliya Aarattu – Karnaki Amman
- Vayilyamkunnu Bhagavathi
- Viswanatha Swam
- Panniyur Sri Varahamurthy Temple
- Aranmula Parthasarathy
- anikkattilammakshethram
- Gurunathanmukadi
- Kaviyoor Mahadevar
- Mahadeva
- Mezhuveli
- Muringamangalam Sreemahadevar
- Panayannarkavu
- Pattupurakkavu Bhagavathi
- Rektha Kanda Swamy
- Sabarimala
- Sree Bhuvaneswary
- Sree Vallabha
- Sreenarayanapuram
- Sri Chirakkakavu Bhagavthi
- Thazhoor Bhagavathy Kshetram
- Thrikkovil Sree Padmanabha Swami Kshetram
- Thrippara Shiva Kshetram
- Thumpamon Vadakkumnatha
- Valiyakoikkal
- Arattupuzha Temple
- Ammathiruvadi Temple
- Avanangattilkalari Vishnumaya Temple
- Annamanada Mahadeva Temple
- Chembukkavu Bhagavathy Temple
- Chemmanthatta Mahadeva Temple
- Chiravarampathukavu Bhagavathi Temple
- Choorakkottukavu Bhagavathy Temple
- Guruvayur Temple
- Ivor Madom
- Kanimangalam Sastha Temple
- Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple
- Koodalmanikyam Temple
- Kootumuchikal amma
- Kottekkad Temple
- Kuttankulangara Sri Krishna Temple
- Kuttumuck Siva Temple
- Laloor Bhagavathy Temple
- Mammiyoor Temple
- Mithrananthapuram Trimurti Temple
- Muthuvara Mahadeva Temple
- Pallimanna Siva Temple
- Panamukkumpally Sastha Temple
- Paramekkavu Bagavathi Temple
- Poonkunnam Siva Temple
- Punkunnam Seetha Ramaswamy Temple
- Shatrughna Temple
- Thriprayar Temple
- Sree Maheswara Temple
- Sringapuram Mahadeva Temple
- Thanikkudam Bhagavathi Temple
- Thiruvambadi Sri Krishna Temple
- Thiruvanchikulam Temple
- Thiruvullakkavu Sree Dharma Sastha Temple
- Thottipal Bhagavati
- Trikkur Mahadeva
- Vadakkunnathan
- Vilwadrinatha Temple
- Peruvanam Mahadeva Temple
- Mathur Shiva Temple
- Kalathil Sree Rudra Devi Temple