Vettakkorumakan Temple, located in Nilambur of Malappuram district is a must-see temple for Hindu mythology enthusiasts and devotees alike. This temple built around 200 years ago, is managed by the Royal family of Nilambur, the Nilambur Kovilakam. This grand temple constructed in traditional kerala style architecture is very visually appealing and is located in a serene landscape adjacent to the river Chaliyar.The six-day festival called the 'Nilambur Pattu Utsavam' held here is very famous and attracts many tourists for its unique and colourful rituals.
History:
Vettakkoru Makan (Malayalam: വേട്ടക്കൊരുമകന്) is a Hindu deity worshipped in parts of North Kerala and North-Western Tamil Nadu. This deity is alternately referred as Kiratha-Sunu (son of Kirata) in Sanskrit. Vettakkorumakan is believed to be the son of Lord Shiva by his consort Parvathi, born when he assumed the form of a Kirata (hunter) to deliver a weapon known as Pashupathasthra to Arjuna.It is believed that the words, “Vettakkaran Makan” which means son of the hunter became “Vettakkorumakan”. He is mostly and exclusively worshipped in Malabar region of Kerala.Traditionally, He was the deity of hunting, in northern Kerala, people who went for hunting used to give oblations (vazhipadu) at the shrines of Vettakkarumakan. The most famous temple of this deity is the Balussery Kotta Vettakkorumakan temple about 25 km from Calicut. This was once the fort of the Rajas of Kurumbranad. Other prominent temples are at Nileshwar, Kottakkal, Nilambur, Karaparamba and various places in Kannur district and Kasargod district. He is the family deity of the Rajas of Chirakkal, Nileshwar, Kottakkal, Nilambur Kovilakam, Kalathil Kartha's , Aluva, Amarambalam Kovilakam and Randu Illam Vargam Nambiars. Those families among the erstwhile nobility of Malabar who have Vettakkorumakan as their family deity are connected in one way or other incidentally to either Balussery Fort or Kurumbranad.
Legend:
Vettakkorumakan is the son born to Lord Siva and Goddess Parvati, when they took the "Kiratha" form. Arjuna underwent penance as per the guidance of Lord Krishna to please Shiva. His aim was to get the magical weapons, especially the “Pasupathasthra” from Shiva. Pleased with his devotion, Lord Shiva and Parvathy appeared in front of him in disguise of tribal couple who were on hunting and blessed Arjuna with Pasupatha Asthra after thouroughly testing him.After blessing Arjuna, Shiva and Parvathy spent many days inside the forest in disguise of tribal hunters. During this period they had a son born of extraordinary effulgence and that is Vettakkorumakan or 'son born during hunting', to put it roughly. The boy was very mischievous. During his hunting he killed many asuras. But making free use of his bow and arrows he also gave endless trouble to the Devas and Rishis. Unable to bear his mischief they first approached Brahma who expressed his helplessness as the boy was the son of Shiva. Then they besought the help of Shiva Himself who however dismissed them by saying that he being a boy would be naturally naughty and he would be all right when he grew up. As a last resort they approached Mahavishnu who took the form of an old hunter and went to the boy. Vishnu displayed before the boy a golden "churika",(dagger-cum-sword) which was so beautiful that it attracted the boy who begged him to make a present of it. Vishnu agreed provided he would behave in a responsible manner by giving up his bow and started protecting the people instead of harming them. The boy accepted the condition and with the 'churika' took leave of his parents from Kailasa and went to the land of Parasurama, Kerala. He crossed several mountains and forests and rivers and reached North Kerala where he first entered the Balussery Fort. Hence the importance of the Balussery temple dedicated to Vettakkorumakan though the Lord later visited other places where He was revered and worshipped. Thus Lord Vettakorumakan reached Nilambur, befriended the King and promised to remain there to protect the people from all evil fates.
Festivals:
Pattu Uthsavam:
Originally called 'Nilambur Valiya Kalam Pattu' now turns to Festival of Nilambur called 'Pattulsav & Tourism Festival'. This is a 6 day festival is held annually in the malayalam month of Dhanu (January). In this "Kalam Patu”, the image of Vettakkorumakan will be drawn using five natural colors and will be rubbed off with tender coconut leaves by dancing in tune with songs that praise Vettakkorumakan.Royal family members sing along with the tribal people and in between the song they break 12,008 coconuts as an offering to the Lord.
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