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Hindusum
Thrikkarthika utsavam at Kumaranalloor
Kumaranalloor is a panchayat in Kottayam taluka, Kerale, India and
near Kottayam Town. Kottayam town is 5 km from Kumaranalloor.
Kumaranalloor is a village situated in Kottayam district. The village is
famous for Kumaranalloor Devi (Goddess) Temple and the annual
Trikarthika festival of the temple.
 Kumaranalloor
is an ancient cultural centre. This place was known as "thingalkkadu',
before the temple came into existence.
Later the name 'thingalkkadu' changed and later came to be known as 'indu
kananam'.
In some ancient scripts, the temple is described and known as
mahishari kovil (temple).
Kumaranalloor devi temple is considered as one of the most important
devi temples among the 108 durgalayas (devi temples) in Kerala.
It is said to be more than 2400 years old, as per historical and
mythological evidences as well as other sources of information.
The architecture of the temple is notable for the unique structure of
the nalambalam and sreekovil both of which have been built in the
sreechakra style (ring like object with a handle, which is placed in the
right hand of the devi). This kind of architecture is rarely found in
temple architecture.
The important festival of the temple is Thrikkarthika celebrated in
the month of Vrischikam (November-December).
On the Karthika day it is usual to make a nivedyam (offering) in the
precincts of the Udayanapuram and Thrissur Vadakkunnathan temples. The
story goes that the Gods in these two temples, greatly charmed by the
beauty of the Devi returning after her Karthika bath.
They came out of the temples, got over the compound walls, and stood
there looking amorously at the seductive figure of the passing Devi and
the temple priest who ran helterskelter in search of the Gods, finally
met them on the walls at the southern end of the temples.
Thenceforth, during Karthika, puja is performed over the walls of
these temples.
The display of lights in the evening, called Karthika vilakku, is the
highlight of this celebration.
The temple also manages some Educational Institutions which are:
1. Devi Vilasam LP School, 2. Devi Vilasam UP School, 3. Devi Vilasam
High School, 4. Devi Vilasam Vocational HS School (Specialisation in
Medical Laboratory Technology and Computer Application) 5. Devi Vilasam
Public School (English Medium up to 7th standard).
Snehabhavan
The temple management also runs a home care for the physically and
mentally challenged.
Snehabhavan is a centre for the physically and mentally challenged.
Its meaning and inspiration are derived from the late Fr. Joseph
Kannampuzha S. J.
Late Fr. Joseph Kannampuzha, S. J. was the founder director of
Snehabhavan Charitable Society.
He was a Jesuit priest belonging to Kerala Jesuit province. Moved and
sensitized by the physical and mental sufferings of people he opted for
a life closer to the poor, differently abled and weaker sections of
society.
After his retirement from the prestigious Jesuit institutions, he
came to Kottayam to join the Jesuit community of Santhinilayam,
Kumaranalloor in 1989.
During that time the district collector drew his attention to a
group, absolutely neglected by all, waiting for the care of generous
volunteers.
The neglected group referred to were the disabled persons.
Wikipedia.com.
Hindu perspective:
Setting the records straight
T. V. Vijeyaratnam
The sixty three Saiva saints and a few other who came later, and the
twelve Vaishnava saints, the hagiography of six of the famous ones was
written of, have taught people one thing - that a God exists and He has
forms although he is one. The Vedas speak of the forms of these Gods.
Saint Thirugnanasambandar saw Lord Siva when he was just three years
old, and described Him to his father, by a Thevaram (his first one). It
goes thus:
“He with kundalams (large earings), with a pure white crescent
moon on his head, with ash smeared on his entire body and riding
a bull
Has stolen my heart away.
He abideth at the renowned Brahmapuram
Where Brahma is said to have worshipped Him.”
There may be the skeptics who may doubt a child of three singing a
verse so beautiful and meaningful. If Mozard could compose and play
music at four years and if Beethovan could compose three sonatas when he
was 12, why couldn’t a young Tamil child compose a Thevaram? Believe in
Mozart, believe in the child saint too. In Hindu parlance it is Vitta
kurai, Thotta kurai” - what was not completed in the previous birth
follows up in the next birth too. Individuals who have reached such
maturity in one birth continue it to the next birth. The phenomenon is
clearly explained in Hinduism.
At Munneeswaram, the bronze statues of the sixty three Saiva saints
are kept in an enclosure. I went to Munneeswaram a few years before for
the Sivarathri festival. A non-Hindu was taking some people around.
Pointing to the bronze figures of the saints, he referred to them as “Murthis”.
This is like the blind leading the blind. In Hindu temples, only the
incumbent deity and other deities around, in their particular niches are
referred to as “Murthis”. Therefore the saints are not “Murthis”.
Again referring to Hindu temples as “Devalayas” is also a misnomer.
Hindus believe in the Supreme God - having various forms but He is one.
- “Ekan, Anekan” - “one and many”. Hope the sentiments of the Hindus are
not offended by the demotion of the Gods.
Devas are celestial beings. Indra is the Head of the Devas. The Vedas
speak of “Mupaththu Mukkodi Devas” - 330 million Devas. We are familiar
with only a few, like the Sun God, Moon, Indra - Lord of Thunder, Varuna
- Lord of the rains (water), Vayu - Lord of the Winds, Agni - Lord of
Fire and Yama - Lord of Death.
These Devas are far below the Gods and it is ridiculous to refer to
the God as Deva and Kovils as Devalayas. So far there is only one temple
for a Deva in India - the temple of the Sun God. It is at Kumbakonam in
Thamil Nadu. Temples are rarely built for Devas. It is indeed
sacrilegious to bring down the Gods to the level of the Devas. However
the millions of Hindus in the world over and the entire Pantheon of
Hindu Gods will magnanimously overlook such derogatory reference to the
Hindu Gods and temples as it’s done out of ignorance.
There are a few unfair treatment of Hinduism and Hindu Culture. One
is the cosmic dance of Lord Siva. It is divine and to represent this
dance as a comic caricature is in bad taste, and it does offend the
sentiments of Saivaites - Siva worshippers.
If the Siva Thandavam which consists of 108 Karanams of poses of
these dances have been studiously followed by those who want to imitate
same (as imitation is the best way of admiration) it would be such
appreciated if the pristine glory of the art is preserved. Please let
not the Ananda (happy) Thandavam (dance) be an “Alankola” (ridiculous)
Thandavam.
One could seek a proper guru to enlighten on this wonderful cosmic
dance of creation, protection and destruction of evil and granting grace
by God, and letting the individual soul merge with the cosmic soul. This
is the deep-rooted principal of Siva Thandavam. Anyone is entitled to
learn this provided it is done with a sense of dedication. And so be it!
‘Vidaikody Chelvar’ Dhanabalaa felicitated
‘Kalabhooshanam’ Chelvatamby Maniccavasagar
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‘Vidaikody Chelvar’ Dhanabalaa being presented with ‘Nanthik
Kavalar’ award by Justice Wigneswaran
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The Young Men’s Hindu Association, Negombo, honoured and felicitated
‘Vidaikody Chelvar’ Sinnadurai Dhanbalaa, Justice of the peace (All
Island) for the yeoman service he has rendered for the promotion of
saivaism and ‘Nanthi Flag’ which symbolises not merely the religion of
Hindus, but beyond that all the lofty values and virtues that Nanthi
stands for, at a function held at Negombo YMHA to mark the completion of
75 years of services of the Association.
Justice C. V. Wignes- waran, retired Judge of the Supreme Court was
the chief guest at this occasion which was presided over by Jayaraman,
the President of the Young Men’s Hindu Association, Negombo.
‘Vidaikody Chelvar’ Dhanabalaa was presented with ‘Nanthik Kavalar’
award by Justice Wigneswaran at this function which was attended by Dr.
Eeswaran, President of the Colombo Kamban Kalagam, S. P. Samy, Chairman
of the Thinkkural Newspaper Organisation, Jeyaraman, President of the
Association and several other distinguished personalities.
In fact, the book on the significance and glory of Nanthi Flag (Nanthi
Kodiyin Mukkiyathuwamum Perumaigalum) which was compiled by ‘Vidaikody
Chelvar’ Dhanabalaa was highly appreciated and immensely recognised by
the heads of all Atheenams in India and several religious organisations
not only in Sri Lanka but world over.
The book was dedicated to Dhanabalaa’s parents ‘Chinthanai Chitpa
Chelvar’ Shanmugam Thambiah Sinnadurai and Sinnadurai Saupakiam.
Dhanabalaa is a multi-faceted and multi-dimensional personality who
holds high positions in several religious organisations.
He is the Vice-President of All Ceylon Hindu Congress, Vice-President
of World Saiva Council, Sri Lanka, Vice-President of Vivekananda
Society, Trustee of Colombo Saiva Munnetta Sangam, Member of the Board
of Governor of the Hindu Educational Society, Hindu Cultural Fund,
Member of the Lanka Bauddha-Hindu Friendship Association, patron of
Pitakotuwa Eksath Bhodhiraja Samithiya, Palamugethara Sri Mangalarama
Vihara Wardana Samithiya, Ehiliyagoda Praja Sanwardana Foundation and
Trustee of Manitha Neyam Trust.
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