തിരുവേങ്കിടാചലപതി ക്ഷേത്രത്തിലെ മകരചൊവ മഹോത്സവം ജനുവരി-ഫെബ്രുവരി മാസങ്ങളിൽ 10 ദിവസങ്ങൾ നീണ്ടുനിൽക്കുന്ന ഒരു വാർഷിക ഉത്സവമാണ്.
മകരച്ചോവ | തിരുവെങ്കിടാചലപതി ക്ഷേത്രം തൃശൂർ | Makarachowa | Thiruvenkitachalapathy Temple Thrissur
The Thiruvenkitachalapathy Temple situated at Thiruvenkidom desom which is a kilometer to the north east of the famous SreeKrishna Temple, Guruvayur is an ancient and unique shrine in many respects.The most notes worthy point is that the deity worshipped at this temple is the same Lord Thiruvenkitachalapathy (Balaji) worshipped at the world famous Tirumala Temple in Andrapradesh.
As per astrological findings made by reputed astrologer, late Puduseri Vishnu Namboodiri, more than one
thousand years ago, a sage from the Tirumala Temple came over to Guruvayur and wishing to establish a
temple for his Lord Venkitachalapathi at Guruvayur where there is already a temple for Lord Sreekrishna,
sat by the side of the present temple tank, prayed for and obtained permission of the Lord for such a
temple at Guruvayur and then established this temple after bringing an idol from Tirupati.This astrological finding is borne out by the simple fact that the locality where this temple is situated is known as Thiruvenkidom from time immemorial. The abode of Thiruvenkitachalapathy, is naturally Thiruvenkidom. It might be the wish of the great Lord that where he is already worshipped as Sreekrishna, he should be worshipped as Venkitachalapathy also.
That must explain this extraordinary phenomenon of the three different manifestations at the same place, to perhaps make true. His declaration that "whoever worships me in which ever manner, I bless him in the same manner". There is no doubt, that in that distant past when communication and contact facilities wore totally lacking the sage could come from Tirumala and establish this temple at distant Guruvayur is entirely due to the Lord's will and blessings. This temple could very well be treated as established by the Lord himself, the sage being only an instrument in His hand. But here also man's violent nature and maliciousness manifested Enemies of the temple later mutilated the idol. The head and right hand of the idol were cut off and later generations didn't know whose idol it was. This continued till 1974 In 1974, some devotees arranged the devaprasna (astrological search) mentioned earlier and came to know the real nature of the deity. The devotees then went to Tirumala, arranged an idol from there, took it to all the temples in South India,finally brought to Thiruvenkidom and reinstallation was done in June 1977 in a grand ceremony by the Thanthri of the Guruvayur temple, Brahmasree Chennas Parameswaran Namboodiripad, and Periya Jeer Swami of Tirumala who is believed to be the successor of the founder sage of this temple. Thus the Lord in his divine grace manifested himself again at Thiruvenkidom.
Makarachowa | Thiruvenkitachalapathy Temple Thrissur
The festival is inaugurated ten days in advance by hoisting the flag (Kodiyettu) and the
Parayeduppu, the collection of para (conventional offering of grains to the full measure by
devotees to the Bhagavathy) by the Komaram, starts the next day. Komaram is a person
supposed to be possessed by the power of the goddess and is in an ecstatic state and
what ever he says and does is believed to be done by the goddess. For this purpose the
Komaram visits every home to the accompaniment of drums etc. Besides the temple court
yard will be filled with paras on the day of the festival, offered by devotees direct to the
temple. The acceptance of these paras' by the Komaram at the end of the festival
procession is a colorful ceremony charged with devotion. Procession with caparisoned
elephants at noon and early morning and the final rites in the pattupanthal are the
important features of the festival now. Laksharchana is also being conducted on this day.
But the sense of intense devotion that one feels on darsan(viewing the idol) on this day
accompanied by the "Aravanapayasam" which is the special prasadam (offering from the
temple) is beyond words.
Temple Location
📍 Thiruvenkitachalapathy Temple, Guruvayur - 680 101 Kerala.
Accessibility
🏙️ Nearest Town/ Landmark/ Junction: Guruvayur - 2 km
🚌 Nearest Bus Station: Guruvayur KSRTC Bus Stand - 2.2 km
🚂 Nearest Railway Station: Guruvayur Railway Station - 1.2 km
✈️ Nearest Airport: Cochin International Airport - 79.4 km
Contact
📞 0487 2555 394
📧 mail@thiruvenkitachalapathytemple.com,
thiruvenkidomtemple@gmail.com
