Sree Ramaswami Temple

Sree Rama Swamy Temple
Front view of Thiruvangad temple, Thalassery
Sree Rama Swamy Temple Location in Kerala
Name
Other names	Thiruvangad
Proper name	Sree Rama Swamy Temple
Geography
Coordinates	11°44′43″N 75°30′12″E / 11.74528°N 75.50333°E / 11.74528; 75.50333Coordinates: 11°44′43″N 75°30′12″E / 11.74528°N 75.50333°E / 11.74528; 75.50333
Country	India
State	Kerala
Location	Thalassery
Culture
Primary deity	Sree Rama Swamy (Sree Rama)

Sree Ramaswami temple (Malayalam: ശ്രീ രാമസ്വാമി ക്ഷേത്രം) or commonly known as Thiruvangad temple, dedicated to the Hindu god Sree Rama, is an important temple located in the east part of Thalassery.^[1]^[2] The temple is generally known as the Brass Pagoda from the copper sheeting of its roof. A part of the temple was damaged by Tipu Sultan's troops in the 18th century, but the temple itself is believed to have been saved from destruction. It was one of the outposts of the Thalassery fort in the eighteenth century. In its precincts were held many conferences between the officials of the East India Company and local leaders, at which political treaties and agreements were signed. The temple contains some interesting sculptures and lithic records. The annual festival of temple commences on Vishu day in Medam (April–May) and lasts for seven days.^[3]

It is one of the five major shrines dedicated to Lord Sree Rama in Kerala. The other four are at Thrinayamkudam (Vaikom), Triprayar, Thiruvilluamala and Kadalur. It is Located on an elevated plot of 2.75 hectares with an adjoining temple tank known as Chira which extends over an area of one hectare, This well maintained temple has excellent wood carvings, terracota art work, mural paintings carved on wooden planks in the ceilings are a repository of art treasure. the big temple tank is a rare one and useful to the devotees. sathram, guesthouses for stay and kalyana mandapam are also well maintained.

Legends and History

The origin of this Temple is steeped in mystery. There are no records available to fix the age of this temple except for a few references in Keralolpathi and Malabar Manual. According to Kerala Mahatmyam, this temple was consecrated by Lord Parashurama - one of the incarnations of Vishnu. Yet hearsay evidences point out that this temple is about 2000 years old. According to a legend this temple was consecrated by a sage named Swetharshi. The legend says Agasthya Muni on his way to River for offering his customary ablution was confronted by two demons named Neela and Swetha. Agasthya Muni cursed them. On their request for penance, Agasthya Muni advised them to perform Tapas at two Shiva Temples. The place where Neela performed Tapas came to be known as Neeleswaram. Swetha performed his Tapas at Thiruvangad (Tiru-van-kad, meaning the sacred dense forest). They were later known as Neelarshi and Swetharshi. It is said that Swetharshi consecrated a Shiva temple & Vishnu temple at the place where he performed his Tapas. It is believed that the Shiva installed by Swetharshi was very fierce, hence to calm its fury another Shiva temple was consecrated just opposite. Now the temple complex consists of two Shiva temples facing each other on the north side and the Big Sri Rama temple on the South. There is also a slightly different version of the legend, Which says that Shiva Temple was consecrated by Neelarshi - a Shiva Bhakta and Sree Rama temple was consecrated by Swetharshi - a Vishnu Bhakta.

There are several authoritative references and records to suggest that the temple and its premises have witnessed the executions of several historical treaties and invasions. The earliest reference is possibly the inscription on the huge ‘Balikkallu’ in front of the temple denoting the year of reconstruction of the temple as AD 826. The book "Kerala Charithram" refers to the occupation of Thalassery and Thiruvangad by the troops of Kolathu Nadu, Kadathanadu and Kottayam Raja in protest against the British Chief Dorin in 1750. When Hyder Ali of Mysore invaded the Chirakkal Palace of Kolathiri Raja in 1766, Kolathiri Royal family took refuge in this temple. The Seven storeyed ‘Gopuram’ in the front entrance is said to have been destroyed during the invasion of Tipu Sultan. The plinth of these walls and gopuram are still visible today. East India Company and the British were keen to protect the interest of this temple as evidenced in the references in the Logan's Malabar Manual. The "Brass pagoda" referred by William Logan is this temple. The inscription on the compound wall on the eastern side reads "the wall around this pagoda was constructed under the supervision of T.H. Baber Esq. in 1815". Baber, the then Sub Collector of Malabar was an ardent devotee and daily visitor to the temple premises who evinced immense interest in the affairs of the temple

Main Shrine

The Main deity is that of Lord Vishnu with the concept of Sree Rama, his 7th avatar, having four arms and is carved out in Krishna Shila. Three arms hold Shankha, Chakra, and Mace and the fourth is in the abhaya mudra (sign of blessing and Moksha). The Mace is, however, held upside down, which is a peculiarity. It is believed that the deity depicted here is the ‘Poorna Roopa’ (full form) assumed by Sree Rama after annihilating the Khara, Thrisiras and Dooshana along with their fourteen thousand soldiers, thus having a fierce form. The idol is 6 ft tall and is consecrated facing east. The idol of Sree Hanuman is consecrated in front, slightly towards the left of Sree Rama; the pilgrims give equal importance to Sree Hanuman. The idol of Hanuman is made of Metal.

The other sub deities are Sree Porkali Devi in the ‘Namaskara Mandapam’, Sree Subramanyan near Thidappally facing West, Sree Ganapathy and Sree Dakshinamoorty in the South Nada, Sree Vana Sastavu in the ‘Pichakathara’, Sree Guruvayurappan on the north side facing East and various Thevara Moorthies (condemned idols) on the north side facing West. It is said that the idols of some of these minor deities might have been transferred from the neighbouring temples for safe custody during Tipu Sultan’s invasion. The same may be the case of recent additions of Vana Sastavu, Guruvayoorappan and Thevara Moorthis.

The temple has some unique characteristics of architecture and is a treasure house of sculpture and paintings. The srikoil is rectangular in shape with two storeys, which are coppered roofed. The front portion is vertical and the rear and sides are sloped. There are three gold-plated stupis on the top ridge in the longitudinal direction at the entrance. The walls around the srikoil are embellished with images of Gods and Puranic figures.

 The administration of this Temple under the direct control of Malabar Devaswom Board governed by The Government Of Kerala.Visit the Official website of Temple www.thiruvangaddevaswom.in.

Main festivals

The most important festival is the Vishu Mahotsavam which commences on Vishu with the hoisting of the ceremonial flag on Dhwaja Stambha. It lasts for seven days with the daily elephant processions, special poojas and various programs culminating on arattu or bathing the deity, on the last day in the temple tank.Kathakali, Chakyar Koothu, are performed on all days in addition to the temple rituals.

Chakyar Koothu is performed in this temple as a part of rituals. Mani Chakyar family traditionally holds the right to perform here. The greatest Chakyar Koothu, Kutiyattam exponent Legendary Guru Mani Madhava Chakyar used to perform Chakyar Koothu here for decades.^[4]^[5]

Guru Mani Madhava Chakyar performing Chakyar Koothu

Pattathanam is another important function celebrated on the Thiruvonam day in the Malayalam calendar month of Makaram.

Main and popular vazhipadu is kalabham charthal. Valiavattala payasam, avil nivedyam are also important.

Gallery

Front view of Thiruvangad temple, Thalassery, Kerala

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sree Ramaswami Temple.

Places of Tourist Interest in Kannur

^[1]

Hindu temples in Kerala

Alappuzha	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

Ernakulam	Cherai Gowreeshwara Dakshina Mookambika Temple North Paravur Chottanikkara Eravikulangara Iringole Kavu Kalamassery Mahaganapathy Kurumbakkavu Bhagavathy Pallikal kavu Panekavu Bhagavati Shastha Sree Bhavaneeswara Sree Poornathrayesa Sree Venugopala Thamaramkulangara Sree Dharma Sastha Thrikkakara Temple Thrikkara Temple

Idukki	Sri Siddhi Vinayakar

Kannur	Andalur kavu Sree Vadeswaram Azhikode Palottukavu Chenankavu Chala Bhagavathi Sree Annapoorneswari Sree Chovva Shiva Temple Edappara Chamundi Hanumarambalam Sree Jagannathan Kadalayi Kandanthalli Keecheri Palottukavu Keezhur Mahadeva Kottiyoor Vadakkeshwaram Kunnathoor Padi Madayi Kavu Kalarivathukkal Bhagavathy Temple Vadukunda Mamanathambalam Manakulangara Mariamman Koil, Pilakool Mavilakkavu Mookambika Muneeswaran Kovil Oorpazhachi Kavu Padavil Sree Muthappan Panoonneri Shiva Parassinikkadavu Muthappan Payyannur Sree Subramanyaswamy Peralasseri Sree Subramaniaswamy Pillayar Koil Neeliyaarkottam Rajarajeshwaram Sree Andalurkavu Tiruvangad Sundareshwara Trichambaram Thrikkapalam Shiva Valluvan Kadav Sree Muthapan Vasudevapuram Tavanur Places of worship in Kannur district

Kasaragod	Ananthapura Lake Kanila Shree Bhagavathi Madhur Trikaripur Chakrapani

Kollam	Ammachiveedu Muhurthi Anandavaleeswaram Ashram Sree krishna Swamy Kadakkal Devi Kodimoottil Sri Bhadrakaali Kottarakkara Sree Mahaganapathi Kshethram Kottarakkulam Sree Mahaganapathy Kovil, Kollam Oachira Parabrahma 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

Kottayam	Thirunakkara Sree Mahadevar Temple, Kottayam ThiruVazhappally Sree Mahadevar Panamattom Devi Temple Chirakkadavu Sree Mahadevar Ettumanoor Mahadevar Veliyannur Ayyappa Temple, Panamattom Kavinpuram Devi Morkulangara Devi Kaniyanparambil Temple, Panamattom Kadamuri Narasimhaswamy Temple, Kadamuri Ennakkappally Devi Temple Moozhayil Sankaranarayana Temple Anicad Kodungoor Devi Temple Elamgulam Sree Dharma Shastha Temple Anicad Sree Bhagavathi Temple Kaduthruthy Mahadeva Temple Pullattukunnel Temple, Elamgulam Kuzhikattu Temple, Panamattom Vadakara Temple, Panamattom Nethalloor Devi Panachikkadu Paippad Puthenkavu Bhagavathi Perunna Subrahmanya Swami Pundareekapuram Thrippakudam Vaikom Puthiyakavu Devi Temple

Kozhikode	Azhakodi Devi Lokanarkavu Pisharikavu Valayanad Devi

Malappuram	Alathiyur Hanuman Kadampuzha Devi Kadampuzha Bhagavathy Sree Rama Thirumanthamkunnu Thirunavaya Thrikkavu

Palakkad	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

Pathanamthitta	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

Thiruvananthapuram	Attukal Avanavanchery Sri Indilayappan Edava Palakkavu Bhagavathi temple Irumkulangara Durga Devi Janardanaswamy Kappil Bhagavathy Mannanthala Anandavaleeswaram Padmanabhaswamy Sarkaradevi Sivagiri Sarada Mutt Sreekanteswaram Thaliyadichapuram Sree Mahadeva Vellayani Devi Temple Venkatachalapathy

Thrissur	Arattupuzha Temple Ammathiruvadi Temple Annamanada Mahadeva Temple Chiravarampathukavu Bhagavathi Temple Guruvayur Temple Ivor Madom Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple Koodalmanikyam Temple Kootumuchikal amma Kottekkad Temple Kuttankulangara Sri Krishna Temple Kuttumuck Siva Temple Mammiyoor Temple Mithrananthapuram Trimurti Temple Paramekkavu Bagavathi Temple Poonkunnam Seetha Ramaswamy Temple Poonkunnam Siva Temple Shatrughna Temple Sringapuram Mahadeva Temple Thiruvambadi Sri Krishna Temple Thiruvanchikulam Temple Thiruvullakkavu Sree Dharma Sastha Temple Thottipal Bhagavati Trikkur Mahadeva Vadakkunnathan Vailikulangara Bhagavathi Temple Vilwadrinatha Temple Peruvanam Mahadev Temple Mathur Shiva Temple

Wayanad	Mazhuvannur Maha Siva Kshethram Thirunelli Valliyoorkkavu

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