Thuravoor
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Thuravoor is a town in the Chertala Taluk of the Alappuzha District in the south Indian state of Kerala. Thuravoor lies exactly between Kochi and Alleppey. A four lane National Highway 47 passes through the town, which along with a railway station gives it excellent connectivity with the rest of the state. Thuravoor is famous for the 'Narasimha Swamy' Temple which is dedicated to the fourth incarnation (avatara) of Vishnu, the Narasimha. The temple has two main deities,the Vadakkanappan (Lord Narasimha) and the Tekkanappan (Lord Sudurshana),which is rare in the temples of Kerala.
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[edit] Thuravoor Mahakshethram
Thuravoor Mahakshethram, an ancient Devasthanam located by the side of NH-47, approximately 25 km south of Kochi city, is the sacred abode of Lord Sree Narasimhamoorthy and Lord Sree Mahasudarsanamoorthy. The entire temple complex can be seen from the road.
Two separate temples in close proximity - within the same compound - reflect the synthesis of a unique and mysterious divine power. The idol of Sree Narasimhamoorthy is said to have originated in the holy city of Kashi (Varanasi). Swami Padmapadar (8th century AD), the principal disciple of Adi Sankaracharya, had worshipped the very same idol at Kashi.
Distinctive in its architectural and artistic grandeur, Thuravoor Mahakshethram is one of the most venerated places of worship in Kerala. Twin-Sreekovils in a single Nalambalam, two gold-plated flagmasts that tower into the skies, a majestically tall Anapandhal (elephant rostrum - the largest in Kerala), a strict regimen of observances of vrathas for the priests, days after days of rituals and festivals, chanting of Vedic hymns and presentation of learned discourses on Puranas throughout the year ... all these attract streams of devotees to the temple from within and outside the State.
Great seers and saints such as Jagadguru Sankaracharya of Sringeri - Sree Bharathi Theertha Swamigal, Jagadguru Sankaracharya of Kanchi - Sree Jayendra Saraswathy, Sankaracharya of Puri - Sree Adhokshajananda Swamigal, Uduppi Pejavar Math head - Sree Visweswara Theertha Swamigal and the Jiyar of Ahobilamath - Sree Sadagopa Narayana Yatheendra Swamigal - have all visited and experienced the spiritual and devotional grandeur of this fabled Devasthanam.
[edit] Temples
Of the two temples here, it is believed that the one dedicated to Sudarsanamoorthy was the first to come into existence. Though there is no record of its origin, the temple is estimated to be over 1300 years old. There are scholars who hold that the circular-shaped Sreekovil belongs to the Thretha Yuga; according to others, its origin dates back to the Dwapara Yuga. Some palmleaf texts on the temple do exist; but nobody has yet been able to understand or decipher them.
As for the Narasimhamoorthy temple, records do show that it came into being sometime in the 7th century AD, during the reign of a Chera king named Keralendran. His guru was the great Muringottu Adigal, a well-known Tulu Brahmin priest and scholar.
Geographically, the temple site belongs to the former Cochin state. However, it subsequently came under the purview of Travancore for certain political reasons. But this transition was subject to an important proviso: If a Travancore king were ever to set foot on the Mahakshethra soil, the temple would be immediately restored to Cochin. Therefore, for a long time, no Travancore king visited the temple. In 1951, on the merger of Travancore and Cochin and coronation of Sree Chithirathirunal, the Maharaja visited the temple - the first time for a Travancore king to do so. He walked to the temple over a carpet to avoid stepping directly on the ground.
Daily routine/rituals like puja,kazhagam are entrusted to some designated families. Even now also puja has to be carried out by five vaishnava Tulu brahmin family, say Adukathaya(Adukkam), Kubanuraya(Konoor), Padakannaya(Parakode), Khajanaya(Kasha) and Nalluraya/Kadamannaya(Nallur).
[edit] Temple links
[edit] Thuravoor,angamali
Thuravoor is also the name of a village near Angamaly on the way to Manjapra. There is a junction going to Anappara, Mookkannoor and Kalady. There is a high school and UP School in Thuravoor. Edamalayar Canal passes through Thuravoor. Thuravoor falls under the Alapuzha district of Kerala. Kidangoor is a village in Thuravoor
[edit] Geography
Thuravoor is the name of a village near Angamaly on the way to Manjapra.
