Sree Dharma sastha temple

History and MythOur God's own country is a land of temples and temple legends. Temples have held an important place in the life of the people of Kerala. The history of the Kerala temples dates back to the Cheras of the 3rd century BC. Cheras and Pandyas renovated or constructed several temples in Kerala and the rulers of Travancore kingdom were ardent patrons of temples. Temples in Kerala used to be called in earlier times as mukkalvattom. Later they came to be called ambalam or kshetram.The Sree Ayyappa temple at Neervilakom is dated to this period on the basis of inscription and stylistic evidences.Architecture The architectural style of Neervilakom sree Ayyappa temple has an inherent simplicity. Neervilakom sree Ayyappa Temple have a distinct style of its own by the lavish use of wood and stone. Wood is used because of rich forest cover in the ancient Neervilakom. The base structure of the temple is made using rock. Neervilakom temple shrine is rectangular in shape. The roof is one storied and it’s also in rectangular shape. The steep like roof is made of wood and is covered with roof tiles in order to protect the inner skeletal framework from the vigorous climate changes. Sreekovil roof is also covered with roof tiles. The sreekovil walls are decorated with murals and roof is decorated with different wood works.According to Kularnava Tantra human body itself is a temple and Sadashiva or Paramathma is the diety in the temple. This sidhantha(theory) is adopted in the construction of Neervilakom Sree Ayyappa Temple also. Sreekovil or Garbhagruham (sanctum sanctorum) is considered as the head of the diety, Antharalam or inner Balivattom is considered as the face of the diety, Mukhamandapam or Namaskara mandapam is considered as the neck of the diety, Nalambalam is considered as the hands of the diety, Pradakshinaveethi is considered as the Kukshi pradesa (stomach) of the diety, compound wall is considered as the legs of the diety and the main Gopuram is considered as the foot of the diety. That means Panchaprakaras (Prakaram or compound wall, Bahyahara or Sheevelippura, Madhyahara or Vilakkumadam, Anthahara or Nalambalam and Antharalam or inner Balivattom) of the Temple is the Sthoola Sareera (visible part of the body) of the diety. The Deva Prathishta or idol inside the Sreekovil or Garbhagruha and the Shadaadharas (Aadharashila, Nidhikumbham, Padmam, Koormam, Yoganaalam and Napumsaka shila) under the prathishta is the Sookshma Sareera (soul) of the diety. The Dwajam (flag staff) or Kodimaram is the spinal code of the diety. Hence Neervilakom sree Ayappa temple resembles a human body in all aspects.The major parts of Neervilakom Ayyappa Temple.Sree Dharamashastha PrathishtaDeva Prathishta or idol of the Sree Dharama shastha is the most important part of a Neervilakom Ayyappa temple. The vigraha (deity) here is swayambhu (self-born), apyramidic rock that seems to have grown up naturally from inside the earth.The speciality of Neervilakom Dharma Shastha Idols Sreekovil. Idols are made according to the Dhyana Slokams. Apart from the normal daily worship rituals for propitiating the deities, there are many Thaanthrik rituals aiming at increasing the glory and power of the deities and sometimes for atonement for any fading of such power.Sreekovil or Sanctum SanctorumThe part of the temple where the idol of the Lord is situated is referred to as the Sreekovil. Position of Sreekovil in the temple is equivalent to the position of Sahasrara Padmam in a human body.Sreekovil is in rectangular shape and have one storied roof covered with roof tiles. The Sreekovil has only one wall and it is of Nirandhara style. The top of the sanctum has a pointed Panchaloha structure called Tazhikakkudam or sthoopika.SopanamThe holy steps in front of the sanctum sanctorum is called Sopanam. In Neervilakom Ayyappa temple the sopanam has stone idols of guards of the God called as Dwarapalakas. Sopanam is made up of rock. Only temple priests are allowed to enter through this holy steps.Pradakshinavattam or Akathe balivattamIt is located just outside the sanctum. The Ashta-Dik-paalakas (Indra, Agni, Yama, Nruryathi, Varuna, Vaayu, Soma and Isaana), Saptha Mathrukkal (Brahmani, Maheswari, Kaumari, Vaishnavi, Varahi, Indrani and Chamundi) , Veerabhadra, Ganapathy, Anantha, Durga, Subrahmanya, Kubera, Nirmalyadhari and Brahma the guards of the main deity are represented here by using stones of different shapes and are generally called Balikkallu. These balikkallus are covered with bronze sheets.MathrusalaMathrusala is located near the Sreekovil. It is an extended portion of Nalambalam towards Sreekovil to cover the Saptha Mathru balikkal. Hence the name Mathrusala. Usually the Utsavabali ritual is performed in the Mathrusala.Namaskara MandapamNamaskara Mandapam is located in front of the sopanam facing the sanctum. It is used by the priests for Sashtanga Namaskara after poojas like Usha pooja, Pantheeradi pooja and Ucha pooja. Hence the name Namaskaramanadapam. It is square in shape and has a roof that stand on four pillars and has a Tazhikakkudam made of Panchaloha. Usually Veda Japam and Kalasha Pooja is done at the Namaskara Mandapam and so it is also called Kalasha Mandapam.Nalambalam Nalambalam is also called chuttambalam. Their function is to protect the temple as they cover the temple on all sides. They are less broad on the surrounding three sides and are called chuttambalam. Between Nalambalam there is a passage for devotees to enter and exit.ThidappallyThidappally is the kitchen of a temple. Thidappally is constructed to the left side of the Namaskara Mandapam as an enclosure in the south eastern corner of the Nalambalam. Nivedyams to be offered to the deity is prepared in the Thidappally. None other than the priests and Tantri of the temple is allowed inside the Thidappally.MulayaraMulayara is a special room of the chuttambalam and is used for Mulapooja on special days like Utsavam, Sahasra Kalasam and Ashtabandha Kalasam.Well Its position is at the North-East, of the Nalambalam. Its water has to be exclusively used for abhisheka or preparation of nivedya.ChuttuvilakkuA distictive feature of Neervilakom Temple is Chuttuvilakku, or the multi-tiered brass lamps in front of temples. It is a spectacular celebration of traditional lighting where tiers of small oil lamps lining the outer walls of the inner prakaram are lit. It is located outside the Nalambalam. In between the Nalambalam and Chuttuvilakku there is an open area.BalikkalpuraIt faces the sanctum and is the extended portion of the passage in between the Nalambalam. The large, Valiya Balikkallu (principal bali-peeta) is located here. The roof of the Balikkalpura have the wooden sculptures of Ashtadikpalaka. Valiyabalikkallu is also decorated with sculptures.Dwaja or KodimaramThis tall pillar is visible from a distance. It bears on the top the Ayyappa’s vahana Horse as emblem and one can identify the deity of a temple by seeing it. Ashtadikpalaka idols were placed at the bottom part of the dwaja. Kodimaram is used for hoisting kodi or flag during festivals. It is located outside the balikkalpura and is made of concrete and covered with bronze.AnakkottilAnakottil facing balikkalpura is located in front of the Dwaja It is the place where elephants or Jeevitha stand during festivals. It is also used for functions like marriage, choroonu, parayeduppu, thulabharam and bhajans.Pradakshina Vazhi This is the place used for Kazcha Sreebali, Usual Valam veppu, Shayana Pradhakshanam etc. The Thirumuttam surrounded by the temple itself called Pradakshina Vazhi.Gopuram Neervilakom Sree Ayyappa has a huge, attractive and multi storied Gopuram in its east side, constructed with stones. The Gopuram is connected to the outer compound wall of the temple.Upa devadasThe main Upadevathas in Neervilakom Sree Ayyappa temple premises are Yakshi (concept of bewitchingly attractive fairy witches who feed on human blood, especially that of children, and with super natural powers), Rakshas (a fierce super natural creature who feed on humans),Ganapathi (Son of God Shiva and Goddess Parvathynd and Ganapathi is worshipped essentially for removing obstacles and for gaining Prosperity), Nagarajav (King of serpents), Naga Yakshi (Queen of Serpents), Bhramini Amma (Mother of bhramana, who resides in Murkkavelil illam, the illam of malshanthi of Neervilakom temple and she is worshipped by her descendants after death) Besides, there is a small temple for Sudharshana chakra (Sudarshana Chakra of Vishnu Discipline. Sudarshana Chakra Sadhana Praising the Victory of Sudarshana Chakra). Apart from this another Nagraga and nagayekshi kavu (a patch of small forest which houses the serpent Gods, ) near to the temple (but not inside the temple compound) which belongs to Thompilethu kudumbam.Mathil or Outer walls There is an outermost protective covering of the temple. Temple is well protected with compound walls in Mathil style and the compound is more than an acre.TheerthakkulamNeervilakom Sree Ayyappa Temple has a big sacred pond or Theerthakkulam. The water of the temple pond is used for washing one’s hands and feet before going into the temple, bathing, and for the Abhavritha snanam during Sapthaha Yangam..