Sree Subrahmanya Swamy Temple

Overview

The Haripad Sree Subrahmanya Swamy temple is one of the oldest temples of Kerala, India. This renowned temple I primarily dedicated to Lord Subrahmanya Swamy and is also famously called the Dakshina Palani(Southern Palani). It is widely believed that the temple existed even before the commencement of the present Kaliyuga.

About The Temple

The Haripad Subramaniya Swamy temple is b elievved to be more than 3500 years old. The temple has four Gopuras (temple towers) with the golden flag mast on its eastern side. The temple's Garbhagriha (Sanctum sanctorum) is circular in shape while there is also a Koothambalam located within the temple complex. The temple also houses Peacocks which are regarded as the divine Vahana (Vehicle) of Lord Muruga. The temple is situated on a village called “Arippad” which literally means “the place of rice (paddy) fields”. Some also say that Harippad is the colloquial name of “Harigeethapuram”.

About The Deity

Lord Subramanya is the presiding deity of the shrine who graces here as Sri Skanda. Lord Ganapathy, Sri Dakshinamurthy, Lord Krishna (Gosala Krishnan) are the other deities present in this temple.

Legend and Stories

Legend

According to Legend, the vigraha of Lord Sri Skanda here is believed to have been worshipped by Parasurama, the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu himself. Few locals are believed to have had a dream revealing the fact that the deity worshipped by Lord Parasurama was immersed in the nearby Kayamkulam Lake. They had supposedly retrieved this idol from the lake and had ceremoniously brought it to Harippad. The traditional Payippad boat race is celebrated every year to commemorate this ceremonious procession of Lord Muruga’s vigraha to Harippad. This ancient shrine finds mention in the works of Swathi Thirunal and Kerala Varma Valiya Koi Thampuran’s Mayura Sandesom. Kerala Varma Valiya Koi Thampuran had in fact penned the Mayura Sandesam while imprisoned at the Harippad palace. Several other historical scripts are said to been destroyed due to a major fire accident in the year 1921. This historical Skanda temple was also renovated in the year 1926. The only inscription found in the temple revealed that the Koothambalam (temple theatre) was constructed in 1769 A.D. The temple was initially under the control of Odanad (Kayamkulam) royal family. Later when Kayamkulam was merged with Travancore in 1734, the temple came under the Travancore Devaswom Board.

History

There is a general belief that the idol was used by Parasurama for worship was later left at Kandanalloor, in the Govindamuttom Backwaters. It was later recovered from the place. Natives also reveal that all the landlords of Eakachakra (the then Haripad) had the divine vision about this vigraha at about the same time. This had subsequently led them into finding the vigraha at the Kayamkulam lake. The idol was then brought ashore at a place called Nelpurakadavu. Marking this special event, the Vigraha Labdhi Jalolsavam is conducted every year in the Payippad river for three days, after Thiruvonam. Legends also reveal the fact that this idol of Lord Muruga was kept under a banyan tree belonging to a Christian family named Tharakanmar for Ara Nazhika (half an hour) go public viewing. Even today, one can find a small shrine called the “Ara Nazhika Ambalam” where this idol was temporarily placed in the past.

The vigraha of the deity was consecrated on the day of Pushya Star in the Malayalam month of Makaram. This auspicious day is also celebrated as the founding day of the temple every year. Lord Vishnu himself is believed to have appeared as a saint to consecrate the temple. The temple had supposedly caught fire in the Malayalam year 1096, yet the golden flag mast and the Koothambalam stood undamaged by the fire. It was later rebuilt during the rule of King Sree Chithira Thirunal Rama Varma, along with the golden flag mast.

Festivals

The major festive celebrations in the temple take place in the Malayalam month of Chingom (August/September), Dhanu (December/January) and Medom (April/May) dedicated to Lord Vishnu, Lord Siva and Lord Subramonia respectively. Thrikarthika is a special day for the worship of Lord Muruga which is celebrated in the malayalam month of Vrichikom (November/December) while Pooyam is celebrated in the month of Makaram (January/February).

POOJAS

Important Offerings (Vazhipadukal)
Mahanivedyam : Idichu pizhinja payasam

Nivedyam

Chathushataham, PanchassaraChathushatahamnivedyam, Panchamritham(Nivedyam and Abhishekam), Thrimadhuranivedyam, vellanivedyam, Kadumpayasam, Palpayasam, Unniyappanivedyam.

Abhishekam

Milk, Oil, Panineeru (Rose water), Karimbin neeru (Sugarcane juice), Ghee, Sharkara, Karikku (Tender -Coconut) and Honey.
Pushpabhishekam, Bhasmabhishekam, Kalabhabhishekam,

Other Offerings

Mughacharthu, Anjupooja, Sreebhoothabeli, Nithya pooja, Udayasthamana pooja, Chuttu Vilakku, Niramala, Arippara, Nelppara, Panjassarappara, Anpoli, Utsavabeli, Malacharthal, Udayadacharthal, Neivilakku, Namakaranam, Annaprasam, Adima

How To Reach Haripad

Airport

The Kochi Airport is the nearest international airport which plies services on regular basis.

Railways

Regular trains are available from many major cities of the country to Haripad in Kerala.

Road

The town of Haripad is well connected with major cities of the state through regular buses.

Temple Address

Sree Subramanya Swamy Temple,
Danapady Rd,
Haripad, Alappuzha District,
Kerala, Pincode - 690514.