Malappuram Thripuranthaka Temple is a sacred shrine where belief, worship and history are deeply intertwined. It is situated about 500 meters east of Malappuram Town on the Perinthalmanna Road in Kerala. In earlier times, the temple was known as Nechiparambathukavu, named after the sacred grove (kavu) that existed on the site.
The presiding deity is Mahadeva Shiva in his fierce and
victorious form as Tripuranthaka, the destroyer of the three demon cities. The
subsidiary deities include Ganesha (Ganapathi), Bhagavan Vishnu, and Ayyappa Swamy, whose
shrine is located outside the main temple.
A traditional custom followed by devotees is to first offer
prayers at all the shrines within the temple complex and then proceed to the
nearby Keezhe Kavu to worship Goddess Bhagavathi. The Karinkali Kavu at Melmuri
is also regarded as another affiliated shrine of Lord Tripuranthaka.
Malappuram Thripuranthaka Temple Story
According to local tradition, a heavily pregnant woman once
arrived at the Kizhakke Vellattu ancestral house, located east of Malappuram,
asking for water to quench her thirst. Instead of water, the lady of the house
compassionately offered her milk.
After drinking it, the mysterious woman entered the attic of
the house and shut the door behind her.
At midnight, the family heard the cries of a newborn baby.
When they rushed to investigate, they found the attic door standing open.
However, the woman had disappeared. The only trace left behind was a series of
footprints leading from the attic toward the eastern grove known as the
Pandarathodi Chola.
Within a few days, a devastating fire broke out. Everything
in the compound was reduced to ashes except the attic and the ancestral house.
Later, the lady of the household received a divine oracle
through a ritual medium. The message instructed the family to build temples at
the places that would be revealed.
A cow and its calf then indicated two sacred locations. The
oracle directed that a Bhagavathi temple be constructed where the cow rested,
and a Shiva temple where the calf lay.
The divine presence was ceremonially invoked from the
original Kizhakke Vellattu ancestral house and consecrated at the new site. In
accordance with this divine command, the Malappuram Thripuranthaka Temple was
established.
Malappuram Thripuranthaka Temple History
The temple is also associated with an important chapter in
the history of Eranad. It was here that a battle for supremacy over the region
was fought between Valluvakonathiri and the Zamorin.
With the blessings of Thirumandhamkunnu Amma,
Valluvakonathiri emerged victorious.
Following the battle, peace negotiations were held within
the temple premises. As a result of the settlement, Valluvakonathiri returned
the territories he had captured, including Malappuram, to the Zamorin.
The Zamorin subsequently appointed his military commander, Paranambi, as the local ruler of Malappuram. Paranambi is credited with constructing the temple in much the form in which it stands today. He also revived the daily rituals and temple worship that had previously fallen into neglect. Even today, the Paranambi family retains the traditional hereditary custodianship (Oorayma) of the temple.
At present, the temple is administered by the Malabar
Devaswom Board.