Alathiyur Hanuman Kavu is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman in Kerala, India. It is the famous Hanuman Temple in Malappuram District and the shrine is around 7 km from Tirur Railway Station. He is the guardian deity of children as Alathiyur Hanuman never allows any harm on his child devotees.
- The main murti worshipped in the temple is Bhagavan Sri Rama who faces east.
- Alathiyur village is one among the ancient villages set up by Parashurama avatar of Vishnu.
- The murti of Bhagavan Sri Rama is 5 feet tall. The murti was broken and is now kept in a goloka.
- The temple is now famous for Hanuman who is worshipped in small sreekovil. He is not offered puja but only naivedya.
Alathiyur Hanuman Kavu Temple History
It is believed that the temple was founded by Sage Vasishta, one of the Saptarishis.
The presiding deity of the shrine is actually Bhagavan Sri Ram. But the temple is famous as Hanuman temple because of the following reason. It is believed that Hanuman worshipping here is getting ready to go to Lanka in search of Mata Sita. This is the reason why there is no murti or worship of Sita in the temple.
As per the belief prevalent here, thirty-three crore gods came to bless and witness the divine event of Hanuman jumping to Lanka in search of Mata Sita. Therefore the temple premises has the presence of all the Gods and Goddesses in Hindu tradition.
Leaning Hanuman at Hanuman Kavu Temple
The murti of Hanuman worshipped in the temple is leaning a little towards left, the Shrine of Bhagavan Sri Ram is located here. It is believed that Hanuman is listening to the secret word that would enable him to win the confidence of Mata Sita.
Hanuman who is in a standing posture holds a Gada (mace) in his hand.
The famous temple complex also has separate shrines for Bhagavan Sri Ram, Lakshman, Ganapati, Mahavishnu, Bhagavati and Ayyappa.
Symbolic Jumping to Lanka as Penance
A platform in the temple is believed to be the spot from which Hanuman took the mighty leap to Lanka over the sea. A granite stone at one end of the platform symbolize sea.
Devotees run over the platform and leap over the stone as a penance. It is believed that doing the penance will help children have good health.
Pothi Avil and Kadalipazham
The main offering and Prasad (bhog) in the temple is Pothi Avil (Wet beaten rice). Another important offering is Kadalipazham (a special kind of banana or plantain found in Kerala). It is believed that offering this in the temple will help in curing breathing problems and also vayu kshobam.
Favorite Deity of Children
Hanuman worshipped here is a guardian deity of children and therefore parents in large number visit the shrine to pray for good health, wisdom and long life of their children.
There is a widespread belief that children who pray to Hanuman before sleeping will not be haunted by bad dreams.
Children therefore offer prayers to Alathiyur Hanuman before sleeping.
The translation of the prayer chanted is like this:
There is a widespread belief that children who pray to Hanuman before sleeping will not be haunted by bad dreams.
Children therefore offer prayers to Alathiyur Hanuman before sleeping.
The translation of the prayer chanted is like this:
Oh dear Hanuman of Alathiyur, kindly keep bad dreams away from us and if we were to be haunted by bad dreams do please wake us up by gently taping us with your tail.
Lakshmana Temple at Alathiyur Hanuman Temple
Lakshmana Temple is positioned to the
west within the temple complex but a few meters away from the main sanctum
sanctorum dedicated to Bhagavan Sri Ram. The Lakshmana temple is outside the periphery
of Nalambalam.
It is believed that Lakshman was
keeping himself at a small distance away deliberately from his elder brother,
Sri Rama.
This was to give privacy to Sri Ram
and Hanuman when Bhagavan was giving the secret code word (abhignana vakyam) to
Hanuman.
Special pujas are performed here in Kumbham Month (Feb - March).
The temple is administered by His Highness Zamorin Raja of Calicut.
Address - Phone - Contact Alathiyoor Hanuman Kavu Temple
Alathiyur Perumthrikkovil (Hanuman Kavu) Devaswom
Poilissery P O 676102
Tirur
Malappuram
Kerala
Kerala
Phone 0494 - 2430666