SRI HANUMAN
AMBALAM, ALATHOOR, MALAPURAM, KERALA
sri m p sekharan, thrichur
Ayurveda the Indian system of Medicine
Ayurveda provides various treatment methods to achieve
good health, both physically and mentally. The treatments in Ayurveda are
based on the 'Tridosha' principle. According to the 'Tridosha'
principle illness is due to the imbalance of three elements in the body such
as Vatha(air), Pitha(heat),and Kafa(water). Ayurveda
suggests remedial medicines to make these three elements balanced.
This ancient science of medical treatment is considered
to have been bestowed on this land through Dhanwanthari considered an
incarnation of Lord Vishnu and is worshipped as the patron God of Ayurveda.
It is said that he initiated surgery in this land. His numerous works on
Ayurveda helped spreading of this science throughout this land.
Kerala and Ayurveda
In the present day when one thinks of Ayurveda, he
cannot escape thinking about Kerala. It is Vagbhadan a master of Ayurveda and
Sanskrit scholar of 12th century who brought this science to Kerala. The
tradition established by Vagbhadan in Kerala known as "Ashtanga Ayurveda".
Ashta vaidyas of Kerala
Ashtanga Ayurveda had been followed, practiced
and propagated by proficient eight families who later came to be known as the
"Astavaidyas". These eight families include Alathur Nambi, Pulamanthol
Moossu, Pazhanellippurathu Thaikkattu Moossu, Kuttancheri Moossu, Vayaskara
Moossu, Velludu Moossu, and Chirattaman Moossu. Now there are seven
Ashtavaidya families are in existence.
Sri Alathoor Nambi and Sri Anjaneya
One of the Ashta vaidyas is Alathur Nambi and
hails from Alathoor near Tirur in Malappuram district. It is said that
Alathoor Nambi had the blessings of Aswin Devas the twins of Ayurveda doctors
of Heaven and the blessings of their family deity. The family deity of
Alathur Nambi is Lord Hanuman of Alathur, the Lord who had brought the
Himalayan herbs to Lanka for bringing to life the Lakshmana. It is known that
Lord Hanuman has been named as "serva rooga haran" meaning healer of
all diseases and "Lakshmana pranna datha" meaning a life giver. The
best guide for a physician!.
Alathiyur Sri Rama Temple
The temple is located in Alathiyur near Tirur in
Malappuram district Kerala. The temple is popularly known as "Perumthrikkovil"
in the Malappuram district. The temple was maintained by Alathiyur Grama
Namboodiri. Afterwards it was taken over by Vettath Raja. Then after the
management of the temple was taken over by Zamorin Raja of Kozhikode. After
formation of Kerala Government Devaswam Board the management of the temple is
with the Devaswam Board. It is believed that the installation of the Lord
Hanuman's idol in this temple was performed non other than Sage Vasishta
himself.
Significance of the Temple
The temple is built in the "Kerala Ammbalam"
architecture. Here in the main sanctum Lord Sree Rama is seen with a peculiar
expression on his face and is seen without his concert Mata Sita by his side.
Sree Rama seen here is after Ravana's extortion of Mata Sita. The main idol
of Lord Sree Rama is seen as he was giving the message to Sree Hanuman about
Sree Sita before Sree Hanuman embarked on the mission of locating Sree Sita.
Such a peculiar expression is vividly seen on the face of Sree Rama’s
vigraha of this kshetra.
The temple of Sree Hanuman is adjacent to the main
temple of Sree Rama. In the main sanctum Lord Hanuman is seen standing
leaning forward to hear his master’s words with a club in His hand. He is
facing south and it is very rare or one could say nowhere lese you could see
a South facing Hanuman.
Sree Lakshmana’s temple is situated few meters away
form the main temple and it is believed that Sree Lakshmana was keeping away
to avoid hearing the confidential talk between sree Rama and Sree Hanuman.
Significance of Anjaneya in the Temple
It is said that the consecrated (installation) of the
Lord Hanuman's vigraha (idol) in this temple was performed non other
than Sage Vasishta himself. Here Lord Hanuman is seen as the messenger of
Sree Rama to Sree Sita, who had unified Paramathma with Jeevathma.
Before embarking to Lanka in search of Maa Sita, Lord
Hanuman tells his fellow vanaras thus: -
yatha raghavanirmuktha: sharah: ssvasnavikrama:
ghacheth thathvatth ghameshyaame lankam ravana paalithaam.
(As arrow sent by Lord Rama, travels speeder than air,
I shall penetrate the Lanka ruled by Ravana.) The main idol of Lord Hanuman
in this temple depicts the descriptions of mahakavi Valmiki as stated in the
sloka.
Here there is a platform to commemorate Sree Hanuman’s
leap over the sea to Lanka.
There is a long granite stone at one end of this
platform and it symbolizes the sea. Devotees come running and leap over this
long stone. By doing this, auspicious result is expected especially for the
better health and life of children.
Offerings
The main offering to Lord Hanuman in this temple is "Pothi
Avil" and is famous. The "Prasadam" of "Pothi Avil" is made
of hundred coconuts, hundred measures of Rice flake (Avil),
twenty-eight kilos of jaggery, 12 kilos of country sugar, 750 grams of dry
ginger, 800 grams of Jeera. All these ingredients are mixed to make "Pothi
Avil".
Renovation of the temple
On the advice of famous astrologers such as Manappuzha Raman Namboodiri,
Parappangadi, Unnikrishna Pannikar and Tanur Preman Panikar the renovation of
the temple had been undertaken. Well architect such as Vezhapparamb
Brahmadattan Namboodiri and Kanippayyur Unni Namboodiri had planned the
renovation at an estimated cost of about Rupees ninety five lakhs and the
renovation work had since commenced.
Persons who are interested in contributing towards this
sacred hobble cause may kindly contact:
The Manager
A.P.Kovil Devaswam
(P.O.) Poilissery
Tirur-2
Malappuram District
Devotees from all over Kerala and Tamil Nadu throng the
temple seeking the blessings of Lord. The Lord of this kshethra who is "serva
rooga haran", "Lakshmana pranna datha" and the guiding figure for
one of the "ashtavaidyas" is ever ready to bestow on us good health
and longevity.
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