Balussery kotta Vettakorumagan temple
Balussery kotta Vettakorumagan
By
P.R.Ramachander
Balussery is a slightly bigger village near Calicut (about 20 km) and Vettakkorumagan temple was established there , Possibly once there was a fort there belonging to Kurumbranad kings and this temple was situated near it.
Vettakkorumaan is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi born when they assumed the form of hunters so that they can give Pasupathasthra to Arjuna who was doing penance for it . The boy grew up in to a mischievous lad who not only hunted with a bow and arrow for animals and bad people but became irksome to the sages who were doing penance in the forest. It seems they went and complained to God Brahma, who expressed his helplessness as the lad was the son of Lord Shiva. But when they represented the fact to Lord Vishnu, he agreed to solve the problem through diplomacy. He himself went to the forest carrying golden churika ( a sword having spear like end and a sword like blade) The lad was very much attracted by it and wanted it to be given to him. Lord Vishnu agreed to give him provided he will always hold the Churika in his hand. The lad agreed but soon realized that if he were to hold the churika , he cannot use the bow and arrow. Lord Vishnu revealed himself to him and requested to go Kerala (Parasurama Kshethra , where he would be honoured by honour , proper food and also breaking of coconuts. Vettakorumagan with the permission of his parents chose to stay in Balussery and ever since have been blessing the people of Kerala. Most of the royal families of Malabar adopted him as their God who would protect them in war. While there are several temples for Vettakorumagan in Northern Malabar , the one at Balussery Kotta is considered s the most important,
The most important rituals that are performed at the temple are , the performance of Vettakkorumagan pattu and Panthrantayiram Thengayeru.In the former, a very pretty design of the God are drawn on the ground and accompanied by soothing music praising the God , a Namboodiri decorated and painted ,dances over the drawing and removes it completely. It is believed that God comes to him at that time. The other one is the breaking of 12000 coconuts on the stone meant for the purpose in the temple .The temple is decorated with flowers and leaves , coconut and arecanut flowers and banana plants on that day. The Karakara nayar who is authorized to break the coconuts starts the ritual after the final pooja of the temple at night. Drums and Gongs make huge sound during that time Also the place is well lit with live torches, Thekarakarathu nair takes bath , wears new cloths and then meditates on Vettakorumagan. Then initially he will take one coconut with both hands and breaks it on the stone . This is followed by continuous throwing of coconuts on the stone with each hand alternatively . The beat of the drum will then intensify .People believe that the Nair then enters in to trance and breaks and breaks all coconuts before midnight The people offer sandal paste and rose scented water to the God Vettakorumagan . Some people also offer Panakam (Jaggery water) and thamboolam. In some cases there would be a feast after the ritual/.
Other important Vettakorumagan temples in Kerala are
Nilamboor Kovilakom Vettakkorumakan Kavu
Thiruvananthapuram Kottaykkakam Vettakkorumakan Temple
Kayamkulam Krishnapuram Vettakkorumakan Temple
Padinjareppattu Mana Vettakkorumakan Temple
(Padinjareppattu Mana Vettakkorumakan Temple)
Eruvattikkavu Vettakkorumakan Temple
Alappadamba Vettakkorumakan Temple
Neeleswaram Vettakkorumakan Temple
Kottakkal Vettakkorumakan Temple
Kozha Kottakkal Vettakkorumakan Kavu
Kozha Vettakkorumakan Kavu is located near to Kuravilangadu bus stand in M.C Road.
Olassa Vettakkorumakan Kavu near Kottayam