Sasthapreethi and Mandalakalam 2025 | Sree Nurani Sastha Temple Nurani Palakkad

ശാസ്താപ്രീതി മണ്ഡലകാലം നൂറാനി ശ്രീ ശാസ്താ ക്ഷേത്രം നൂറാനി പാലക്കാട് | Sasthapreethi and Mandalakalam 2025 | Sree Nurani Sastha Temple Nurani Palakkad

Nurani is a renowned village in Palakkad district of Kerala State and is famous for its culture and religious fervor. According to legends, this area belonged to Kurur Mana and Neelakanta Nambooridipad was the head. He as a harden Bhaktha of Lord Dharma Sastha was a regular visitor of Aryankavu for Darshan of Lord. Due to old age, he could not visit Aryankavu and was lamenting. As per the advice of Ayyappa (who came in his dream), he built a temple in his courtyard, installed the above idols seated on the elephant, worshipped them and got solace. About five centuries ago Brahmins - mostly Scholars, Pandits,Vaidikas, Priests and Cooks - from Thiruvannamalai in north arcot district and other parts of Tamilnadu came here in search of pastures new and established their dwelling in the present Agraharam (village).These Brahmins engaged the Aadhivasi, who were inhabitants of a nearby colony, for cultivation. Once when the Aadhivasis were working to clear bushes in a hillock, they heard the sound of bells and experienced a fragrance and strange phenomena. On hearing this, the Brahmins ordered further excavation and, to their astonishment, found three cylindrical vigrahas, a small granite elephant another flat vigraha buried under the hillock. On conducting shtamangalya deva prasna by eminent Astrologer and Pandits, it was found that The cylindrical Vigrahas are of Hariharaputhra (Ayyappa), Poorna and pushkala (the two consorts of Hariharaputhra) and the flat one of llaya Bhagavathy (Malikapurathamma).On hearing this, the Brahmins rejoiced and decided that the idols should be installed in a suitable temple and daily poojas should be conducted as prescribed by Agama Sastras for the prosperity of the village. They built the temple at the North Western end, facing the entrance of the village and installed the three cylindrical vigrahas with the granite elephantAs Siva Dhrishti (sight of Siva) is said to be Ugra (harsh), to protect the residents of the street facing the Siva temple, a Bala Maha Ganapathy temple was erected directly facing the Siva Temple. A Rajagopuram constructed by the present generation in front of Ganapathy Temple is an added attraction. Certain family members and individuals were kind enough to sponsor major combination for the construction of all three temples of the village. Daily Thrikala Poojas are being conducted in all the temples, as prescribed by Agama Sastras. As the idols were found by Aadhivasis during the excavation, they were also given a share by installing the flat vigraha (Malikapurathamma) in their colony, whom they worship in their own style. Soon after the Sasthapreethi functions, villagers visit here with Narthakas and exchange view each other.

Sasthapreethi and Mandalakalam 2025 | Sree Nurani Sastha Temple Nurani Palakkad

Nurani Sasthapreethi is the most auspicious festival among all the 18 agraharams at Palakkad. Ayyappa Pooja is conducted in every nook and corner of the country during Mandalam to Kaliyuga varadhan Sri Dharma Sastha. This festival is celebrated at Nurani Village for more than 300 years now. Nurani Sasthapreethi festival starts from the commencement of Mandalam mostly on 16th November (vrichikam or Karthikai 1st) every year. Mandala Abhishekam, Sasth Pattu and Kanakku (Nivedyam) lasts for 42 days. During mandalam, every morning Mahanyasam and Rudra abhishekam by chanting Sree Rudram 11 times at Sastha sannidhi and abhishekam to Mahavishnu by chanting Purusha Suktha 16 times is performed throughout mandalam. Daily at Vishnu Sannidhi, Upanishad Parayanam is performed. After Sayam Sandhya Deeparadhana, Yajur Veda Krama Parayanam and Vaara Japam is conducted Vaidhikas are served a sumptuous meal.

Daily poojas conducted are Vigneswara Pooja, Sankalpam, Maahanyasan, Rudra Japam, Kumba abhishekam and Deeparadhana. At night, after Aradhana Pooja, Nurani Sastha songs in traditional style are sung. At night around 9 p.m. all devotees assemble in the temple for Ardhayama Pooja and sing Bhajans in conventional style peculiar to coconut in the Sastha Sannidhi and three pradhakshinams with the accompaniment of Nadaswaram, all devotees sit in two opposite lines facing each other at Sastha Sannidhi.Destined Bhagavathar with the permission of the elders commences the song as per the Paddathi giving importance to Sastha songs. Nattai, Thodayamangalam, viruthams, keerthanams and deeparadhana is performed.

After deeparadhana and distribution of Prasadam concluding poojas and songs continue. Mantra pushpam,Swarna Pushpam, Chaturveda Parayanam and Ashirvadam, one stanza from Siva Ashtakam, Ashtapadi and keerthanam followed by Thevaramm, virutham, Pathyam, venpa,Kalithurai, Nalanku, kummi, Choomikai, Onjal, Nadai chutthal Vazhthu follow. Preceeding Wednesday before Sasthapreethi, Sastha savarna Sahasranama Archana to Sastha and on Thursday 1008 Sanku Pooja and Abhishekam to Lord Maha Vishnu are performed. Further Pooma Dravya abhishekam to Sastha and Kalabhabhishekam to Vishnu are also performed.On the first auspicious Saturday after Mandalam, Sastha Preethi is scheduled on a day in which Oil Bath can be taken (except on the following this : Sukla Shasti, Ekadashi,Amavasya, Pournami) and Thulasi Amman Pooja (BrindaLakshmi Pooja) is conducted on the previous day i.e.Friday.

On the Sasthapreethi day Usha Pooja, Upanishad parayanam, Prathyaksha Ganapathy Homam, Poornabhishekam to Sastha and Maha Vishnu and Maha Deeparadhana is performed. On this day also, Lord Ayyappa is taken on procession (Ezhunallippu) with caparisoned elephants accompanied by Sastha Pattu and Nadaswaram in the morning through the streets of village and also Ganapathy Temple and Shiva Temple. After return of the procession, Maha Deeparadhana is performed at about 1.30 / 2.00 pm after the return of the procession. During Deeparadhana time, Garudan is seen flying high in the sky around the vicinity of the temple. It is said that the same Garudan accompanying the Thiruvabharanam from Pandalam to Sabarimalai is seen at Nurani village at the same time of Neivedyam and Deeparadhana. It is also said that the Garudan goes to Sabarimalai after Nurani festival.

Temple Location

📍 Nurani Grama Samudayam, Near Ganapathy Temple, New Extension Nurani Village, Palakkad - 678004 Kerala.

Accessibility

🏙️ Nearest Town/ Landmark/ Junction: Puthupally Post Office- 300 m

🚌 Nearest Bus Station: Sadam square Bus Stop - 210 m

🚂 Nearest Railway Station: Palakkad town railway station - 2.5 km

✈️ Nearest Airport: Coimbatore International Airport- 70 km

Contact

📞 0491 250 4320

📧 info@nuranivillage.org

🌐 www.nuranivillage.org