Katappattor
Encyclopedia
Kadappattoor is a small village on the banks of Meenachil
river near Pala in Kottayam district
of Kerala
. Kadappattoor, is located 30 km east of Kottayam
. The village life is centered around the Shiva
Kadappattoor Mahadeva Temple
(also Kadappatoor Temple or "Katappattur Temple" or "Kadapattur Mahadeva Temple" or കടപ്പാട്ടൂര് in Malayalam). The population consists of Hindu
s and Christian
s.
in the temple is unlike the idols in other Shiva temples. This is the only Shiva temple in Kerala where Lord Shiva is worshipped in a Swaroopa Vigraha (idol
). In all other Shiva temples Lord is worshipped in Linga form. The idol was discovered by a woodcutter named Madathil Paachu Nair inside a large tree (Country Fig - Ficus Glomerata) on the banks of Meenachil
river on 14 July 1960 while he was cutting firewood. The day was quite unusually stormy with deafening thunderbolts. The woodcutter was frightened and jumped into the river as the tree fell to one side and the stone idol of Shiva appeared from that.
The news of appearance of a Shiva idol from the tree spread through central Travancore
and people flocked to see the idol. Gradually a temple was built, initially in a unique architectural design resembling North Indian temples.
In 2006 the Katappattoor temple was renovated and completely remodeled in South Indian temple architecture style. Now the temple has a three storied big rectangular sreekovil with copper covered pyramidal roof and golden thazhikakkudam. The sreekovil walls are decorated with sculptures. The namaskaramandapam also has a copper covered pyramidal roof and golden thazhikakkudam. People belonging to all religions are allowed entry into this temple.
Thousands of pilgrims visit the Kadappattoor temple every year, on their way to Sabarimala
. It is an important Idathavalam (pilgrimage shelter) for the Sabarimala pilgrims. The excellent facilities for staying in a serene atmosphere with ample space around the temple attracts Sabarimla pilgrims to this temple. Elaborate arrangements are provided for the pilgrims by the temple authorities. Alangad Sangham, a major participant of famous Erumely Pettathullal (a devotional dance, performed by the pilgrims) will rest here for a day on their way to Erumely. They will perform the Paanaka Pooja at this temple on Dhanu 26th (January ).
of Gauna Maharshi (Sage
Gauna) like the river Kaveri from Agasthya Maharshi's Kamandalu. Hence this river got the name Gauna Nadi. Gauna Maharshi filled his Kamandalu with Sapthanadi Theertham (water from the 7 holy rivers - Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswathy, Sindhu, Narmmada, Godavari and Kaveri). A beautiful idol of Lord Subrahmanya was also there in his kamandalu. He was eagerly waiting for the Darshan of Lord Sree Rama who was in his return journey to Ayodhya after killing Ravana. Sree Rama was accompanied by a large number of devotees like Vibhishana, Sugreeva, Hanuman and Angada in the Pushpaka Vimana. So Maharshi Gauna could not see Lord Sri Rama and Sita Devi properly. Sage Gauna, angry and disappointed, threw the kamandalu away and the idol of Subrahmanya Swami came out. These incidents occurred on a hill and since then the hill is known as Kudamuruttimala. This flow of water became a river and thus the present Gauna nadi was formed. Along with the flow of the water, the idol was carried away to the Vishnu temple in Kidangoor and was later installed in a new sreekovil. This is the present Kidangoor Subrahmanya Swami Temple. So the water in Gauna river is as holy as the Sapthanadi Teertham.
Later Sree Rama and Sitha Devi gave darshan to Gauna Maharshi. Rama advised Gauna Maharshi to continue his Tapas and gave him a beautiful idol of Lord Shiva. Gauna Maharsi then started his journey along the river bank and at last reached a beautiful village and decided to stay there. He started worshipping Lord Shiva there. The local people were his ardent devotees and they provided him all assistance for Shiva pooja. Hence Gauna Maharshi named this place as 'Kadappetta ooru'. Later Gauna Maharshi went to Shivaloka. After that this place became a great forest. This place is now famous as Kadappattoor and the idol of Shiva worshipped by Gauna Maharshi is now famous as Lord Kadappattoorappan.
R. Leela Devi
Meenachil
Meenachil is the name of the north-eastern region of Kottayam district in Kerala, south India. The name originates from Meenakshi the Dravidian goddess. Palai is the main town in Meenachil. The arterial river of the district is also named Meenachil...
river near Pala in Kottayam district
Kottayam district
Kottayam is one of the 14 districts in the state of Kerala, India. The district has its headquarters at Kottayam town, located at 9.36° N and 76.17° E. According to the 1991 census, it is the first district to achieve highest literacy rate in the whole of India...
of Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
. Kadappattoor, is located 30 km east of Kottayam
Kottayam
Kottayam is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 55.40 km2. It is the administrative capital of the Kottayam district. Kottayam Kottayam (Malayalam: കോട്ടയം) is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 55.40 km2. It is the administrative...
. The village life is centered around the Shiva
Shiva
Shiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power lives a life of a...
Kadappattoor Mahadeva Temple
Temple
A temple is a structure reserved for religious or spiritual activities, such as prayer and sacrifice, or analogous rites. A templum constituted a sacred precinct as defined by a priest, or augur. It has the same root as the word "template," a plan in preparation of the building that was marked out...
(also Kadappatoor Temple or "Katappattur Temple" or "Kadapattur Mahadeva Temple" or കടപ്പാട്ടൂര് in Malayalam). The population consists of Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
s and Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
s.
History
The unique stone idol of Lord ShivaShiva
Shiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power lives a life of a...
in the temple is unlike the idols in other Shiva temples. This is the only Shiva temple in Kerala where Lord Shiva is worshipped in a Swaroopa Vigraha (idol
Cult image
In the practice of religion, a cult image is a human-made object that is venerated for the deity, spirit or daemon that it embodies or represents...
). In all other Shiva temples Lord is worshipped in Linga form. The idol was discovered by a woodcutter named Madathil Paachu Nair inside a large tree (Country Fig - Ficus Glomerata) on the banks of Meenachil
Meenachil
Meenachil is the name of the north-eastern region of Kottayam district in Kerala, south India. The name originates from Meenakshi the Dravidian goddess. Palai is the main town in Meenachil. The arterial river of the district is also named Meenachil...
river on 14 July 1960 while he was cutting firewood. The day was quite unusually stormy with deafening thunderbolts. The woodcutter was frightened and jumped into the river as the tree fell to one side and the stone idol of Shiva appeared from that.
The news of appearance of a Shiva idol from the tree spread through central Travancore
Travancore
Kingdom of Travancore was a former Hindu feudal kingdom and Indian Princely State with its capital at Padmanabhapuram or Trivandrum ruled by the Travancore Royal Family. The Kingdom of Travancore comprised most of modern day southern Kerala, Kanyakumari district, and the southernmost parts of...
and people flocked to see the idol. Gradually a temple was built, initially in a unique architectural design resembling North Indian temples.
In 2006 the Katappattoor temple was renovated and completely remodeled in South Indian temple architecture style. Now the temple has a three storied big rectangular sreekovil with copper covered pyramidal roof and golden thazhikakkudam. The sreekovil walls are decorated with sculptures. The namaskaramandapam also has a copper covered pyramidal roof and golden thazhikakkudam. People belonging to all religions are allowed entry into this temple.
Thousands of pilgrims visit the Kadappattoor temple every year, on their way to Sabarimala
Sabarimala
Sabarimala is a Hindu pilgrimage center located in the Western Ghat mountain ranges of Pathanamthitta District in Kerala. It is the largest annual pilgrimage in India with an estimated 45–50 million devotees visiting every year. Sabarimala is believed to be the place where the Hindu God Ayyappan...
. It is an important Idathavalam (pilgrimage shelter) for the Sabarimala pilgrims. The excellent facilities for staying in a serene atmosphere with ample space around the temple attracts Sabarimla pilgrims to this temple. Elaborate arrangements are provided for the pilgrims by the temple authorities. Alangad Sangham, a major participant of famous Erumely Pettathullal (a devotional dance, performed by the pilgrims) will rest here for a day on their way to Erumely. They will perform the Paanaka Pooja at this temple on Dhanu 26th (January ).
Legends
According to legends the Meenachil river originates from the KamandaluKamandalu
Kamandalu or Kamandal or Kamandalam is an oblong water pot made of a dry gourd or coconut shell or metal or wood of Kamandalataru tree or from clay, usually with a handle and sometimes with a spout. Hindu ascetics or yogis often use it for storing drinking water...
of Gauna Maharshi (Sage
Wise old man
The wise old man is an archetype as described by Carl Jung, as well as a classic literary figure, and may be seen as a stock character...
Gauna) like the river Kaveri from Agasthya Maharshi's Kamandalu. Hence this river got the name Gauna Nadi. Gauna Maharshi filled his Kamandalu with Sapthanadi Theertham (water from the 7 holy rivers - Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswathy, Sindhu, Narmmada, Godavari and Kaveri). A beautiful idol of Lord Subrahmanya was also there in his kamandalu. He was eagerly waiting for the Darshan of Lord Sree Rama who was in his return journey to Ayodhya after killing Ravana. Sree Rama was accompanied by a large number of devotees like Vibhishana, Sugreeva, Hanuman and Angada in the Pushpaka Vimana. So Maharshi Gauna could not see Lord Sri Rama and Sita Devi properly. Sage Gauna, angry and disappointed, threw the kamandalu away and the idol of Subrahmanya Swami came out. These incidents occurred on a hill and since then the hill is known as Kudamuruttimala. This flow of water became a river and thus the present Gauna nadi was formed. Along with the flow of the water, the idol was carried away to the Vishnu temple in Kidangoor and was later installed in a new sreekovil. This is the present Kidangoor Subrahmanya Swami Temple. So the water in Gauna river is as holy as the Sapthanadi Teertham.
Later Sree Rama and Sitha Devi gave darshan to Gauna Maharshi. Rama advised Gauna Maharshi to continue his Tapas and gave him a beautiful idol of Lord Shiva. Gauna Maharsi then started his journey along the river bank and at last reached a beautiful village and decided to stay there. He started worshipping Lord Shiva there. The local people were his ardent devotees and they provided him all assistance for Shiva pooja. Hence Gauna Maharshi named this place as 'Kadappetta ooru'. Later Gauna Maharshi went to Shivaloka. After that this place became a great forest. This place is now famous as Kadappattoor and the idol of Shiva worshipped by Gauna Maharshi is now famous as Lord Kadappattoorappan.
Well known people of Kadappattoor Village
V. BalakrishnanV. Balakrishnan (author)
V. Balakrishnan was a prolific Malayalam writer and translator of texts between Malayalam, Sanskrit and English...
R. Leela Devi