Raja Rajeshwara temple is an ancient temple of Kannur district and it shares a divine position among the existing ancient 108 Siva temples of Kerala. This temple is centuries old and its 7 storied Gopura was destroyed by Tipu Sultan. Yet in the ancient remains, this temple stands with its traditional values and its rituals have never noticed any change throughout the ages. It’s believed that offering ‘Ghee Amruth’ or Gold pot can help you to erase all sins and curses of your previous birth. People who reach here are numerous in number to do ‘vazhipaadu’ (the offering). A few reach here taking the advice of astrologists while the rest come in the belief that, offering gold or silver pot to Raja Rajeshwara temple can bring them prosperity and fulfill all desires.  As per advice of an astrologist, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister came here before taking the power and returned after giving a gold pot to the temple.

Though Lord Siva is the main deity, he has some characteristics of Lord Vishnu too. Instead of bilwa leaves, tulsi (basil) is used for rituals. Rudrabhishekam is also not performed here. There are a few rules for this temple visit. Children below 4 years or non-Hindus are not allowed to enter the temple. Also, women cannot enter the temple before 8 PM. It’s believed that Lord Raja Rajeshwara discusses matters with ‘Ashta dikh palakar’ and kings during day time and that’s the reason why women and kids not allowed during this time. Men can never wear shirt and they should tie an upper dothi on the top of their dothi. Devotees are not allowed to take offerings from outside to the temple.

It’s believed that Viswakarma made three Siva lingas of which two got sank to earth. The third one that’s seen now was fixed by saint Agasthya under the request of king Satasoman. This linga also began to sink to earth, but once Aswamedha Mantra was recited, it got fixed. It’s believed that milk of Kamadhenu was used on that day for abhishekam. Now also, only ghee is used inside the main temple. It’s also believed that after killing Ravana, when Sri Rama reached here, he did ‘Namaskar’ in the mandapam and thereafter, no one has entered the mandapam to offer a prayer.

It’s said that no one should pray here empty handed. You can offer ‘Neyyamruth’ (Ghee amruth) for rupees 3. If you want to offer gold or silver pot, a set of traditional rituals are to be performed. Expense is 800 rupees and 600 respectively. Those pots are made by temple itself and devotee need to fill the pot with ghee and offer to main shrine. You can offer the pot once ‘Netravat’ pooja (morning pooja) is completed. You should give receipt to Mel Shanti (main priest). He gives the pot to Pothuval or Musat. Ghee is filled in the place ‘Kottum puram’ outside the temple. Only members of Chenguni Nair family have the right to bring ghee. Prayers are offered before ghee is filled. Then Pothuval or Musat should walk in front with filled pot followed by the devotee. Pot will be handed over to temple at ‘Sopanam’ step. The devotee should pray Lord Siva from there and return back to Kottum puram to do ‘Ariyalavu’ ritual. It is the measuring of rice and the devotee should give 2 kg rice to temple. That ritual too has a custom - only the non-native Brahmins have the right to measure rice. Thus the ritual is completed.

Article Posted By : Sandhya Rani  On July 01, 2013lView All Articles

 I would like to visit this temple once

Article Source :

http://www.veethi.com/articles/raja-rajeshwara-temple-to-end-curses-of-previous-births-article-2503.htm

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Raja rajeshwara temple , thaiparamb