Adityapuram Soorya Deva temple

The Adityapuram Soorya Deva Temple is dedicated to the Navagrahas and is located in Kottayam, Kerala. It is the only Surya Temple in Kottayam, and it is the only one in Kerala where daily poojas are performed. The temple is located at Iravimangalam (4 kilometres from Kuruppanthara in Ettumanoor Vaikom Road) in Kaduthuruthy. This temple is managed by Kapikkadu Marangattu Mana. About hundreds of years ago, a member of Marangattu Kapikkad Mana worshipped the Sun God. Through his perseverance in meditation and 'Tapas' he received the blessings of the God and consecrated the idol of Surya in this temple. The main ritual is Abhishekam. In the first stage the Abhishekam is performed by oil and Abhishekam by water followed. It is a surprise that after pouring of water for Abhishekam there will be no trace of oil on the idol. All trace of oil disappears because the idol is made of a particular type of stone that absorbs oil.Adityapuram Surya Deva Temple is the only Surya Temple in Kottayam District. This is the only Surya temple in Kerala where daily poojas are performed. This ancient Surya temple is located at Iravimangalam (4Kilometre from Kuruppanthara in Ettumanoor Vaikom Road) in Kaduthuruthy.This temple is managed by Kapikkadu Marangattu Mana. Hundreds of years ago a member of Marangattu Kapikkad Mana worshipped the Sun God. Through meditation and 'Tapas' he received the blessing of the God and consecrated the idol of Surya in this temple. The main ritual is Abhishekam (bathing). In the first stage the Abhishekam is performed by oil and Abhishekam by water followed. It is a surprise that after pouring of water for Abhishekam there will be no trace of oil on the idol. All trace of oil disappears because the idol is made of a particular type of stone that absorbs oil.The west facing Surya Deva is in meditative form. Durga Devi is the main diety here now because Surya deva got all powers (in the early morning Surya Deva has the powers of all other gods) from Devi through continuously chanting Durga Mantra. At the beginning of creation the Sun God alone was visible while the other Gods and Goddesses could not be seen by all. But he had the same powers that the others had. So the Sun God was displeased and He worshipped Devi Mahamaya till she appeared before Him. The Devi Blessed the Sun God and said that 6 hours till sun rise He will have all the powers of the other Gods and Goddesses also. Durga prathishta (facing east) was done in the same sanctum sanctorum a hundred years ago. The temple was renovated and became famous after the Durga prathishta. Sastha and Yakshi are the upadevas or sub deities in this temple. Main poojas are Aditya Pooja Udayasthamana pooja and Navagraha Pooja. Rakthachandanam (red sandalwood) is the main Prasadam. Main offerings or vazhipadu are Ada nivedyam and Raktha chandana samarppanam. These offerings will remove incurable diseases. On the last Sunday of the month of 'Medam' there is Abhishekam with Raktachandana Kavadi. For curing diseases of the eyes and skin we have to perform Adithya Pooja and keep Rakta Chandana at the Nada. For curing eye disease a mixture of the ghee and black soot of the lamp burning inside the temple is given to devotees. Sundays are considered auspicious here. Last Sunday of Vrischikam (October or November) and Medam (May or June) (glory of the Sun is at peak during these months) are considered more auspicious and special ceremonies and rituals like Kavadi abhishekam are performed. On that day at least one person from the Marangattu family must take the kavadi for the abhishekam. There will be a huge crowd in the temple on these days. For Karkkidaka Vavu and Pathamudayam also people from faraway places visit the temple.