Devasthanam

The Devasthanam means Abode of Devas. Devas are generally Hindu deities. Thus a Devasthanam can be commonly termed as a Hindu temple, which is the place dedicated to the worship of Hindu deities. In these places of worship offerings are made to the worshiping idol, rituals are performed and there will be a priest who maintains and operates the smooth functioning of the temple. The underlying spiritual principles in Hindu temples are taken from old Sanskrit Vedas, Upanishads and the structural principles are taken from Sanskrit literature like Brihat Samhitha, Vasthu Sasthras etc. In Indian context a Devasthanam is referred to as the place in which Hindu Gods and Goddesses resides. Devasthanams were built in India as a dedication to the Gods who once lived there. Devasthanams welcome devotees and aids them obtaining a hopeful and successful life.

The famous Devasthanams in India are located to the southern part of the country and are situated in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Tamilnadu and Kerala. The renowned Devasthanam in India is Thirumala Thirupati Devasthanam which is dedicated to Lord Vishnu who lived there as Lord Srinivasa and later married Lady Padmavati. Another popular Devasthanam located in the state of Tamilnadu is the Palani Dandayudhapani Swamy Devasthanam. It is one of the richest temples in India. This Devasthanam is considered to be one of the Abodes of Lord Muruga. Kerala, God’s own country is famous for upholding religious and cultural values. There are lots of Devasthanams in Kerala. Peringottukara Devasthanam is the most famous Devasthanams among the many Abode of Devas in Kerala,Peringottukara Devasthanam is the oldest Lord Vishnumaya Kuttichathan Devasthanam in India.

Thirupathi Devasthanam

Thirumala Thirupati Devasthanam

The Vaishnava temple is dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The Devasthanam lies in the Thirumala hills of Andhra Pradesh. The legend says, once Sage Brighu wanted to find out who is the Supreme one among the Trimurtis (Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Siva). The Sage was not satisfied with the hospitality given by Lord Brahma and Lord Siva; the sage went to Vaikunta (residing place of Lord Vishnu) and kicked Lord Vishnu on the chest to grab his attention. It is believed that Lady Lakshmi was residing in the chest of the Lord Vishnu. The act of Sage Bhrigu insulted Lady Lakshmi and she left Vaikunta to the earth. Lord Vishnu came to the earth in search of her who had taken birth in the family of a king in the name Padmavati and married her on the Tirupati hills and got enshrined there forever to save the people.

From history it is evident that the construction of Tirupati temple began in AD 300. The golden period of the temple was the reigning period of Vijayanagara rules that filled the treasury of the temple with gold and diamonds. The Tirupati temple operations are now managed now by a trust called Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams. The temple is the richest temple in India and each day thousands of devotees seek blessings from lord Venkateshwara.

Palani Devasthanam

Palani Dandayudhapani Swamy Devasthanam

The idol worshiped in the Palani temple is Lord Muruga, son of Lord Siva and Lady Parvathy. The Devasthanam is located in the town of Palani in Dindigul District in the state of Tamilnadu. The temple legend says, Lord Muruga was defeated by his brother Lord Ganesha in contest given by their father Lord Siva. Feeling irritated Lord Muruga left his parents and came to Tiru Avinankudi which means the foot of the Sivagiri. Siva appeased the situation by telling Lord Muruga that he (Lord Muruga) himself was the fruit (Pazham). Hence the place was called Pazham-nee (You are the fruit) or Palani. Lord Muruga later settled in Palani as a hermit in peace and solitude. Lord Muruga, thus became Lord Dandayudhapani, who stands for repudiation by ditching all worldly possessions in order to save his subjects.

The temple was believed to be constructed by a Chera King called Cheraman Perumal. Later on Kings from different dynasties contributed to the growth of the temple of Lord Dandayudhapani. The edicts on the walls of the Palani temple stand as proof of the gifts for conducting poojas and constructions made by several Kings. The temple now stands as a proud example of the cultural and religious beauty of India. Tonsuring of devotees is a famous tradition.

Peringottukara Lord Vishnumaya Kuttichathan Devasthanam

Perigottukara Devasthanam

The Peringottukara Devasthanam is known for its deity Lord Vishnumaya Kuttichathan.^[1] It is situated in the state of Kerala in a place called Peringottukara, Thrissur. Peringottukara village is blessed by the divine presence of famous social reformer and preacher of spiritual freedom and social equality Sree Narayana Guru. Lord Vishnumaya Kuttichathan is the son of Lord Siva and Lady Parvathy who disguised herself as a tribal woman Koolivaka. The Lord Vishnumaya Kuttichathan shunned all her heavenly possessions and lived with the common folks. Legends say, Lord Vishnumaya Kuttichathan had killed demons like Bhringa and Jalandhara.^[1] Peringottukara Devasthanam has a tradition of 5 centuries in Kuttichathan Seva.^[1]

Later the founder priest of the Devasthanam Sree Velumuthappan Swamy to pacify the land prayed to the Goddess of the entire world, Lady Bhuvaneshwary who in turn asked the founder priest to build a temple for Lord Vishnumaya Kuttichathan. The shrine built by Sree Velumuthappan Swamy is now worshipped by thousands as Peringottukara Devasthanam. The Devasthanam is famous for its 51 feet height terracotta Stupa of Lord Vishnumaya Kuttichathan. Maharoopakalam is the famous festival in Perigottukara Devasthanam.

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