Payyanur Sree Subrahmanya Swami Temple is located at Payyannur in Kannur district, Kerala. The 14-day annual festival begins on Vrischika Sankramam (November 16). Pavithra Mothiram is a unique offering made by devotees in the temple.
The annual festival in the temple does not follow any of the rules followed in other temples in Kerala. There is no flag hoisting or kodiyettam for the festival. Elephants are not allowed in the temple. The festival is also referred to as Samaradhana.
The main ceremony of the festival is tidampu ezhunnallathu and thidambu nritham along with the other rituals. Performing art forms of temples of Kerala, various unique and annual pujas and rituals, melam, traditional classical dance and music are part of the 14-day festival.
Panchavadyam, Pandi Melam and Ashtapadi are also held during the festival.
Triputhari, the harvest festival is celebrated with great zeal and fervor in the temple, in which the deities are offered the newly harvested rice (cooked).
The main deity worshipped in the temple is Subrahmanya Swami. The original Pratishta in the temple was performed by Parashurama. The deity is nearly 6 feet tall and the two storied sanctum sanctorum is a Gaja Prishta Kovil – backside of an elephant.
The main deity faces east. The Upa Devatas in the temple are Parashurama, Ganapathy, Sastha, Bhoothathan and Kanya Bhagavathy. In the gopuram in western side of the temple there is namaskara sthanam for Kshetrapalaka who arrived from Kodungallur.
The temple has unimaginably beautiful sculptures carved in wood. The shrine also has large temple ponds.
Five poojas and three sheevelis are conducted daily in the temple.
Chuttu Vilakku here is done by Thukku Vilakku and nearly 500 Vilakku (hanging lamps) are used for this purpose.
Payyanur Subrahmanya Swamy Temple - History
This temple is part of the 32 Brahmin villages in Kerala. Payyannur was the northernmost Brahmin village in ancient Kerala.
The huge temple complex is spread over an area of 3 acres and 47 cents.
The army of Tipu Sultan had looted and burned down the temple. In April 1789 the gold thazhika and copper items from the temple was stolen by the army of Tipu Sultan as per Payyanur Patola.
In 1792, the ash and other broken items were removed and a small temple with coconut palm leaves was constructed by Thazhekattu Mana. In 1813, the present temple was constructed by an antharjanam of the Thazhekattu Mana.
The present murti was consecrated in the temple in 1838 CE.
The annual Pratishta festival in the temple is held in Malayalam Meena Masam.
The annual kalabhacharthu festival is held in Malayalam Meda Masam.
Pavithra Mothiram
The temple is famous for its pavithra mothiram, a uniquely crafted ring. Made only against the order, with gold and the holy darbha grass, it is worn after being sanctified at the temple.
Traditionally Pavithra ring is made of the holy Darbha grass has to be worn while performing rituals But few centuries ago, Kelappan Perunthattan, a reputed goldsmith was taught the secret technique of making this ring in gold, by a priest who came for the consecration ceremony of Subramanya temple. This uniquely crafted ring made with gold and the holy darbha grass became very popular.
Payyanur Sree Subrahmanya Swamy Temple Timing
Morning Darshan and Pooja timing is from 4:00 AM to 12:00 PMEvening Darshan and Pooja timing is from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM