The ancient and famous Alathiyur Hanumankavu is located in Thirur, Malappuram district of Kerala. It is believed that Alathiyoor Perumthikovil (Hanuman Kavu) was erected and consecrated by Sage Vasishta, who is prominent among the Saptarshis, some 3000 years ago.
The Alathiyoor Hanuman Temple's history is based on the epic of the Ramayana. In the sanctum sanctorum, Sri Rama appears alone without Mother Sita. Sri Hanuman graces in the other shrine as listening to the Sri Rama telling him how to identify the mother Sita in Lanka, to help him to spot her without any doubt. Devas contributed all their might to Hanuman to enable him to succeed in his mission.
The Alathiyoor perumthrikkovil temple is special to its devotees for very many reasons. Sri Rama is the presiding deity here. The daily pooja, rituals, offerings by devotees and spectacular annual temple festival – all are held in honour of the presiding deity, Sri Rama. However, the devotees popularly prefer to the temple, the “Hanumankavu” temple. And in a way, it symbolises the triumph of the supreme strength of bhakthi of Sri Hanuman as an ideal, which over shadows the presiding deity Lord Sri Rama.
Sri Hanuman of Alathiyur is believed to be the guardian of children; besides, he eliminates all mental agonies of his devotees and fulfils their heart’s desires. In almost all Hindu families in Kerala, children pray to Sri Hanuman when they go to bed as follows .
“Oh dear Hanuman of Alathiyur, Kindly keep bad dreams away from us And if we were to be haunted by bad dreams do please wake us up by gently taping us with your tail.” It is believed that those who recites the verse before going to bed will not have bad dreams. .
The favourite offering of Sri. Hanuman is “Kuzhacha Avil" (Sweetened Rice flakes) and another important offering is “kadali” plantain. .
Sree Kovil of Hanuman
The temple Sri Hanuman is adjacent to the main temple. Sri Hanuman stands leaning a little towards the left, to hear his master’s word. Sri Rama is confiding in Hanuman the cue word (abhignana vaakyam) that would enable him to gain the confidence of Seetha.
Sreekovil of Lakshmana
Sri. Lakshamana is positioned to the west within the temple complex a but a few meters away from Sri Rama, Outside the periphery of Naalambalam.
Cross the formidable sea of troubles at Alathiyoor.
This is a major ritual for the visitors to the temple. There is platform to commemorate Sri Hanuman’s mighty leap to Lanka over the sea. There is a long granite stone at one end of the platform and symbolise the sea. Devotees come running and leap over the long stone. By doing this, auspicious result is expected especially for the better health and life of children..
The temple now has a website (http://www.alathiyoorhanumankavu.in) where it offers online puja booking for its devotees spread across the world. Website also has a wealth of information about the temple.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete