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The story of
primordial powers Mararikulam Sree
Mahadeva Kshethram Aythihyavum and Mahathmyavum (Legend and Greatness)
This book traces the existential reality of the swayambhoo Shiva-Parvati temple in Kerala, dating back to thousands of centuries. The Mararikulam Sree Mahadeva Temple, 14km north of Alleppy and just about one km east of the Arabian Sea, is associated with many legends and unique features. V.S.Jayan notes that the Mararikulam temple was built around a primordial stone, Shiva Linga, and Parvati’s image found there thousands of years ago. The legend has it that when a Pulaya (untouchable) woman tried to sharpen her sickle on a stone near a large pond to cut a thorny plant, used for making mattresses, blood oozed from the stone. The woman informed about the strange happening to village elders, who sensed divinity in the black stone. A temple was built around the swayambhoo, and it has stood the test of time. Jayan notes that the scar caused by the sickle is still visible on the sacred idol and the sanctum sanctorum of the temple still gets flooded during rains as the place was once a huge pond surrounded by forests. Centuries ago, the place was the meditating site of rishis and munis. It is believed that the Divine Master, pleased by the rishis, manifested His divine power in a stone image. Goddess Parvati sits in a swayamvara posture facing Shiva. This is probably the only temple in the country where Parvati sits facing Shiva. Women flock here in large numbers to pray for a happy and lasting marriage. The temple’s sanctum sanctorum was constructed centuries ago but remains in a good condition. Another unique feature of the Mararikulam temple is that on the last day of the annual Ultsavam festival (which concluded on March 10 this year), a replica of the presiding deity is taken out in procession for ritual bathing in the Arabian Sea. Interestingly, this
stretch of the Kerala coast has never been affected by high tidal waves
or sea erosion. Princess Gauri Laxmibhai, English poetess and the
heir-apparent of the Travancore royal family, who has authored two
well-received books on temples of India, in her foreword has described
the book as a "very valuable contribution to the rare temple
literature." |
Swayambhoo
temples are very rare. In swayambhoo temples, idols are primordial
manifestations of a cosmic miracle, while in other temples the idols are
installed by human beings.