Sringapuram Siva Temple, Thrissur Dist, Kerala



 Sringapuram Siva Temple

 Lime green grass lit by the early morning dew.
The mesmerising silence occasionally vibrated by the echoes from the conch.
Inside the sanctum, the semi-darkness burned by the oil lamps.
Everything so still, so meditative. Even our minds go blank here. Thoughts get frozen.
Energy flows in from everywhere.


Every time we visit Sringapuram Siva Temple, at the dawn, this is the feel which nourishes our soul.

We three nurture our own special emotion with this temple. For Ram, this was the extension of his playground during school days and now the extension of his official responsibility. For Abhi, it is the altar for his unparallel vows and for Divs  the source of solace even in extremes of distress. Most of our terrestrial and extra-terrestrial plans and discussions begin and end in these premises.

So when we came to know Sringapuram temple is one among the 108 Pracheena Kerala Siva Temples (which we were completely unaware), it turned out as the radical bliss for our journeys ahead. Thus in Kollam Era 1186, Karkadakam 1, we started off – for the journeys of our lifetime - right from our temple of redemption.

View from East

Mythological stories tell us this temple was consecrated by sage Rishyashringa. However, the noted historian of Kodungallur, Sri. P. G. Rajendran says – “Mythology cannot be considered as absolute facts. There might be several of them. However, in historical perspective, this temple in its present form should be built in 9th-10th century A.D considering its structural similarity with Kuzhur Subramanya temple.”

Lord Siva in this temple is worshiped in the form as performing penance after the immolation of Sati Devi during Dakshayaga. This could be the reason the temple emanates a unique feel of tranquillity in it.  Being so quiet could be yet another reason why many people are unaware of its real essence.

The prathishta faces towards the East. The dwi-tala (two storied) srikovil (sanctum) has the mukha manatapam which has the Nandi  idol in it. 


Seeveli at temple
“I have not seen this kind of temple anywhere in Kerala with the main deity as well as all the four sub-deities as Siva. This is impeccably a complete Shaiva temple – I would say 100% Siva temple”, says Mr. Rajendran. “I consider these five siva lingas represent the Pancha-bhootas.”

Very close to this temple is the Puttan Kovilakam which was the erstwhile palace of the King of Kodungallur. “In olden times this temple was mainly taken care by the Thampuran – those days it was like our family temple.” says the septuagenarian Thampuraati of the royal family. “Nothing much has changed with respect to the temple as far as I can remember. But the present form of festival as well the dwaja prathishta was done during the time of my brother (oppa) Kunji Ramavarma Thampuran, Krishna Warrier and Rama Vadyar.”

Stone carvings near Dwajastamba (flag post)

Once a relative happened to visit the temple and he came to us asking – “Do you ever go to the Siva temple early in the morning? It has stunning peaceful ambience inside! You people are blessed to have such a serene temple near your home.”
 
Yes, we indeed are blessed by our Thevar. When life tries to play its pranks on us, all we have to do is to keep both our hands at those feet.


Temple – outside compound view

Before the break of the dawn, we had our prayers. We stepped out of the temple, put on our shoes and started our bikes flashing its headlights. Our journey has started and about to accelerate. Just before taking off, for a reassurance, we looked again at the sanctum. The oil lamp inside is still glowing bright - burning away the darkness around.


1 comment: