Raghavapuram Hanuman temple
By P.R.Ramachander
This is possibly the most important temple of Hanuman in the Malabar area of Kerala. It is situated in the Cheruthazham village of Payyannur opposite the hills called Ezhimala. It can be approached from Kannur through Pazhavangadi. Though the main deity of the temple is Sri Rama , Hanuman is consecrated on the Vayu kon( North west corner) . It seems the form of Sri Rama is in the form after his killing Ravana. So since the temple is facing the east , the people who were having homes on the eastern side began to suffer. So after a prasnam(astrological query) to find out why it was happening, the eastern door was completely closed and a new door opened on the western side and apart from the Lord in the same pedestal , the idol of the Goddess and that of his younger brother Lord Lakshmana was also installed. From the western door we can see the Ezhimala which is supposed to be the mrutha Sanjeevini mountain that Lord Hanuman brought to wake up Lord Lakshmana killed in the war by Indrajit.
Though the main temple is of Rama, it is believed that Hanuman temple is more important and it is generally believed that Praying and worshipping Hanuman would only please Lord Rama, Due to this the temple is called “Hanumarambalam(Temple of Hanuman) . Just outside the temple of Lord Rama, there are separate temples for Lord Shiva and Lord Durga, It is believed that these temples were built by Kings of Mooshika dynasty long, long ago. In the eighth centaury the temple was renovated by a king called Sri Udayavarma Kolathiri. It is also believed that this king brought 237 families of Brahmin scholars, from a place north of Gokarnam and settled them around the temple. Most of them left that place during the conquest of Malabar by Tippu Sultan to a place near Thiruvalla.
The temple festival is celebrated in the month of Makaram(January-February). During the festivals , the idols of Sri Rama, Sita , Hanuman. Lord Shiva and Duga are carried by Brahmins on their head and they perform a very special dance called “Thidambu Nrutham”.
Offering of Avil (Beaten rice) to Lord Hanuman between 4Pm and the evening Pooja is believed to make Lord Hanuman hear our prayers during that time and inform about them to Lord Rama. The temple is open between 5.30 Am and 10 Am and between 5.30 PM and 7 PM.