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Vilwamangalam Swamiyar is one of the most revered saints in Kerala's history. He was famous as one of the few who could see Gods, Goddess, Celestial beings in their flesh and blood form. Thread below about his mahima
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Vilwamangalam Swamiyar is one of the most revered saints in Kerala's history. He was famous as one of the few who could see Gods, Goddess, Celestial beings in their flesh and blood form. Thread below about his mahima
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1. Vaddakkumanathan Temple
During Vrishchikka masa, Karthika star day is considered to be the birthday of Karthiayani devi in Kumaranallur.
On this day, Swamiyar visited the temple to offer his prayers, but doesn't find the lord in garbha griha
PC: Google
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During Vrishchikka masa, Karthika star day is considered to be the birthday of Karthiayani devi in Kumaranallur.
On this day, Swamiyar visited the temple to offer his prayers, but doesn't find the lord in garbha griha
PC: Google
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After searching all around, he observes Mahadeva sitting on the southern compound wall and watching something in distance.
Swamiyar asks, "Oh lord ! Why are you sitting here"
Mahadeva says "I am watching the Aarattu (ceremonial bathing during festival) of my consort"
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Swamiyar asks, "Oh lord ! Why are you sitting here"
Mahadeva says "I am watching the Aarattu (ceremonial bathing during festival) of my consort"
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Swamiyar says, "In that case, let me not disturb you".
He bows and immediately goes to the temple authorities and describes what transpired.
Immediately, a priest performed a pooja at the southern compound wall which continues till date on that specific day
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He bows and immediately goes to the temple authorities and describes what transpired.
Immediately, a priest performed a pooja at the southern compound wall which continues till date on that specific day
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2. Vaikkom Temple
Vaikkasthashtami Festival (was on 8-Dec this year) is one of the major festivals in this majestic Shiva kshetrams. Swamiyar visited this temple and went to worship the lord, but as usual, he didn't find the Bhagwan
PC: TOI
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Vaikkasthashtami Festival (was on 8-Dec this year) is one of the major festivals in this majestic Shiva kshetrams. Swamiyar visited this temple and went to worship the lord, but as usual, he didn't find the Bhagwan
PC: TOI
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He searches everywhere and comes to Chuttambalam where devotees were enjoying their lunch.
Swamiyar's eyes fall on an old Brahmin near a pillar in the northern corridor & immediately identifies Mahadeva. He goes and bows down to the almighty
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Swamiyar's eyes fall on an old Brahmin near a pillar in the northern corridor & immediately identifies Mahadeva. He goes and bows down to the almighty
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Soon news spread thick and fast. From that day, a lamp is lighted near the pillar in the northern corridor.
Even till today, on the festival day, all dishes are served on a plantain leaf and offered in front of the lamp.
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Even till today, on the festival day, all dishes are served on a plantain leaf and offered in front of the lamp.
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Devottees of Vaikkathappan consider it auspicious & privilege to sit in the northern corridor during the Asthami festival time.
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3. Ambalappuzha Temple
Before we embark on this journey, it's important to note that Vilwamangalathu Swamiyar used to interact with Krishna in Bala Krishna form.
Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Kshetram is very famous for it's temple & grand festivities
PC: Google
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Before we embark on this journey, it's important to note that Vilwamangalathu Swamiyar used to interact with Krishna in Bala Krishna form.
Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Kshetram is very famous for it's temple & grand festivities
PC: Google
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Once Swamiyar visited the temple, proceeds to Sopanam only to find Sree Krishna not in his designated place.
After searching all around he comes to Chuttambalam. In the meantime, the feast for Marars (Traditional Drummers) was ongoing at Natakasala
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After searching all around he comes to Chuttambalam. In the meantime, the feast for Marars (Traditional Drummers) was ongoing at Natakasala
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Swamiyar comes to this hall to find Sree Krishna in the form of a cook serving Payasam to Marars.
When Swamiyar inquires, Krishna says " I enjoy serving Marars as they toil hard and make my festival very grand.
Every year I come to serve them"
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When Swamiyar inquires, Krishna says " I enjoy serving Marars as they toil hard and make my festival very grand.
Every year I come to serve them"
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This news spread very thick and fast.
Till date, Marars feast is considered to be one of the biggest events of the festival, with devotees thronging to experience the divinity in the Natakashala
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Till date, Marars feast is considered to be one of the biggest events of the festival, with devotees thronging to experience the divinity in the Natakashala
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4. Chertala Karthiayani Devi Kshetram
Once Swamiyar was passing through a village when he comes across 7 ladies bathing in a stream. Upon looking at them, he immediately identifies that these were celestial beings i.e. Goddess
PC: Google
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Once Swamiyar was passing through a village when he comes across 7 ladies bathing in a stream. Upon looking at them, he immediately identifies that these were celestial beings i.e. Goddess
PC: Google
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Upon watching Swamiyar, the ladies try to flee. There would 7 large ponds in nearby area. The ladies jump into these ponds to escape Swamiyar.
Swamiyar dives into each ponds and retrieves the devi and consecrates them in nearby villages.
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Swamiyar dives into each ponds and retrieves the devi and consecrates them in nearby villages.
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The last devi was covered by mud and hence, got installed as Chertala Karthiayani. Cher in Malayalam means mud.
When Swamiyar was retrieving her out of the pond, he lovingly admonishes her with filthy language.
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When Swamiyar was retrieving her out of the pond, he lovingly admonishes her with filthy language.
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Hence, even today, on festival day, apparently lyrics have some filthy words which is enjoyed by Devi.
P.S: I don't have personal experience on this aspect only.
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P.S: I don't have personal experience on this aspect only.
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Vilwamangalam Swamiyar was instrumental in consecration of many deities like
- Thiruvananthapuram Sree Padmanabha Swamy
- Tiruvarppu Sree Krishna
- Ettumanur Shiva
- Chertala Karthiayani
and many more..
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- Thiruvananthapuram Sree Padmanabha Swamy
- Tiruvarppu Sree Krishna
- Ettumanur Shiva
- Chertala Karthiayani
and many more..
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Vilwamangalam Swamiyar lived very long before mukti. However, his end is also very interesting.
He meets Thalakkulathur Bhattathiri a famed astrologer of those times. Upon the request of Swamiyar, he says that Swamiyar would have 3 more births: Rat Snake, Bull & Tulasi
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He meets Thalakkulathur Bhattathiri a famed astrologer of those times. Upon the request of Swamiyar, he says that Swamiyar would have 3 more births: Rat Snake, Bull & Tulasi
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Bhattathiri also says that he would meet Swamiyar in all his 3 births.
In the 3rd birth, he would be born as a Tulasi plant in drainage channel of sanctum sanctorum of a vishnu temple. Everytime abhishekam was performed, water would touch the Tulasi plant on it's way out
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In the 3rd birth, he would be born as a Tulasi plant in drainage channel of sanctum sanctorum of a vishnu temple. Everytime abhishekam was performed, water would touch the Tulasi plant on it's way out
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Once it so happens that there is no Tulasi. The priest would be looking around and his eyes fall upon this Tulasi plant. He tries to pick a couple of leaves, but whole plant comes out.
A brahmin sitting nearby says "Use the full plant for worship"
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A brahmin sitting nearby says "Use the full plant for worship"
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When the priest took the plant to sanctum sanctorum, the Tulasi plant merged with the lord's greenstone idol (Anjanashila), indicating Swamiyar's moksha.
The brahmin who suggested to take full plant was Bhattathiri in one of his births as promised
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The brahmin who suggested to take full plant was Bhattathiri in one of his births as promised
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Ref: Aithiyamaala by Kottarathil Sankunni
Hope you enjoyed this thread.
Hope you enjoyed this thread.
