THRICHAMBARATHAPPAN & BHALARAMAN

THE FAMOUS DANCER NARAYANAN PAKKAM (60 YEARS AGO)

HE DANCE AT POOKKOTHNADA 36 YEARS 

RAMAN PAKKAM- SON OF NARAYANAN PAKKAM 

KURAVU CHOTHIKKAL

HE DANCE 14 YEARS

ILANEERMADAM SWAMIYAR VANDANAM


KRISHNAN PAKKAM- BROTHER OF RAMAN PAKKAM

HE DANCE 4 YEARS

   

Bit of History


    According to the Mushakavamsa, a historical mahakavya in Sanskrit composed by Atula, which narrates the history of Mushaka kingdom till the 11th century A.D., King vallabha II is credited with having renovated the Vishnu temple at Trichambaram. This indicates that the temple had been in existence much earlier than the 11th century A.D. Incidentally, Mushaka country, which later came to be known as Kolathunad, North
Malabar, ruled by Kolattiris, had been ruled by illustrious kings like Valabha
II and Srikantha. King Valabha was also a generous patron of learning. It was he who built the port of Valabhapattana, which later on got corrupted into Valayapattana and then into the modern, Baliapattanam, which you pass while travelling from Cannanore to Taliparamba. His younger brother Srikantha who was also called Rajadharma succeeded King Valabha. The poet Atula who composed the Mushakavamsa lived inhis court.
   The srikoil is beautiful for its mysterious interior 'and exterior carvings
below the roofs, but also for murals that date from the 15th and 16th centuries. These represent an early stage of surviving wall paintings in Kerala.






   Peculiar Customs of the temple

       



   There are two peculiar customs observed here, which reinforce the belief that
the deity here represents the Lord after killing Kamsa.








 Peculiar Temple pond and Durga shrine

       A little to the north of the main entrance to the temple there is a little pond of about 30 square feet at the centre of which there is a Durga shrine facing west. This tank is considered a holy Tirtha and hence no one is permitted to take bath in it. The water level remains always the same; it neither increases during the rainy season or decreases during summer. At night it looks enchanting with the oil lamps lit around the temple reflected in its water.

Neivedyam immediately on opening temple
        One is the offering of naivedya immediately after the sanctum is opened for the day every morning. The belief is Krishna after killing Kamsa went to his mother Devaki and asked for food stating that he was very hungry after the ordeal. It is to commemorate this event that the ritual of offering food the first thing in the morning-is observed.

 Prohibition of elephants any where near the temple
        The other is the prohibition of elephants being taken anywhere near the temple. It may be recalled that the royal elephant Kuvalayapida charged Krishna and Balarama while they were entering the palace of Kamsa. Since this incident Krishna had developed hatred against elephants. For this reason no one dares taking an elephant near the temple.

   Elephant falls down :
             Once, the story goes, a wealthy Muslim who purchased a beautiful elephant decided to conduct a test and also exhibit his valour. Against the advice of all he mounted the elephant and took it near the temple on the eastern side.  Suddenly the doors of the sanctum, which were closed, opened and a thunder was heard. The elephant's front legs bent and it fell down throwing off the mahout. He realized the power of the Lord, repented his action and made amends by making offerings.

                        THRICHAMBARAM TEMPLE FESTIVAL

KOODIPPIRIYAL

THRICHAMBHARAM SREEKRISHN A  TEMPLE                                                                                                                                                                                

Trichambaram Temple is situated 20 km from Kannur.
The deity of the temple is Sree Krishna.The annual temple festival (Utsavam) is a colourful event. The fortnight-long festival begins on Kumbham 22 (March 6) every year with the kodiyettam (hoisting of a religious flag) and comes to an end on Meenam 6 (March 20) with Koodipiriyal (Ending of this festival). In between these dates, for 11 days, thitambu nriththam (a sort of dance with idols of Sri Krishna and Balarama) is held at Pookoth Nada (1 km from Trichambaram temple)

The annual temple festival (Utsavam) is a colourful event. The fortnight-long festival begins on Kumbham 22 of Malayalam calendar (which generally falls on March 6) every year with the kodiyettam (hoisting of a religious flag) and comes to an end on Meenam 6 (which generallay falls on March 20) with Koodipiriyal (Ending of this festival). In between these dates, for 11 days, thitambu nriththam (a sort of dance with the deities of Krishna and Balarama) is held at Pookoth Nada (1 km from Trichambaram temple).

'Thapassu'(meditation) in this temple and thus the name 'Trichambaram' came to this temple. Festival is from 22nd of Kumbam to 6th of Meenam. No elephants are allowed for the festival. Balaraman from Mazhoor temple will come here on Kumbam 22nd. On his way he should not see any elephants. Till Meenam 2nd there will be 'thidambu dance' and race in Pookothu gate, 3rd is holiday, on 4th procession around the village, on 5th Arattu in the Chira (small pond), on 6th the brothers Krishna and Balarama join together and say farewell. This scene is made touching by repeated joinings and farewells accompanied by sorrowfull musical instruments. At last by showing milk: Krishna will be attracted back.to the temple. This is a rare proceeding which do not have any other temples. It is believed Devaki and Vasudev (parents of Krishna and Balarama) come to attend this festival