Haripad Sree Subrahmanya Swamy Temple

2022-05-21T20:47:12Z

2409:4073:4D90:B47:0:0:F78A:480F:

{{Short description|Hindu temple in Kerala, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2019}}
{{Infobox Hindu temple
| name = Haripad Sree Subrahmanya Swamy temple
| image = Haripad_Subrahmanya_swami_Temple.jpg
| alt =
| caption =
| map_type = India Kerala
| map_caption = Location in Kerala
| coordinates = {{coord|9|17|5|N|76|30|5|E|type:landmark_region:IN|display=inline,title}}
| country = India
| state = [[Kerala]]
| district = [[Alappuzha]]
| location = [[Haripad]]
| elevation_m =
| deity = [[Karthikeya]]
(Harigeethapureshan)
| festivals= Chitira Ulsavam<br />Markazhi Ulsavam<br />Aavani Ulsavam<br />Thaipooyam
| architecture = Traditional Kerala style
| inscriptions =
|established = Before the advent of ''[[Kali Yuga]]''
| year_completed = 20th century
| creator =
| governing_body =[[Travancore Devaswom Board]]
| website = [http://www.haripadsubrahmanyaswamytemple.com haripadsubrahmanyaswamytemple]
}}

The '''Sree Subrahmanya Swamy temple (Perumthrikkovil)''' in [[Haripad]] is one of the largest and oldest temples in [[Kerala]]. It is dedicated to [[Murugan|Subrahmanya Swamy]], and is also known as ''Kerala [[Palani Murugan Temple|Palani]]'' or Dakshina Palani (Southern [[Palani Murugan temple|Palani]]). It is believed that the temple was established even before the advent of ''[[Kali Yuga]]''. It is the largest Subrahmanya Swami Temple in Kerala with longest golden flagpost or [[Dwajasthambam|dhwajastambha]] (kodimaram in [[Malayalam]]). It is widely believed that Lord [[Shiva]] and Lord [[Vishnu]] also reside in the idol, and thus the deity is considered extremely powerful.

==Early history==
[[File:Haripad Subramanya temple.JPG|thumb|left|Main entrance to the temple]]
It is believed that the idol has been used by [[Parasurama]] for Poojas and was left in Kandanalloor in Govindamuttom Backwaters from which it was recovered. It is said that all the landlords of Eakachakra (the then Haripad) had vision regarding the idol in the sametime which led them to find the idol in Kayamkulam lake. The idol was brought ashore at Nelpurakadavu. In commemoration of retrieval of the idol ''[[Payippadu Vallam Kali|Vigraha Labdhi Jalolsavam]]'' is conducted in Payippad river for three days, after [[onam|Thiruvonam]]. Legend has it that the idol was kept for public viewing for Ara Nazhika (half an hour) under a banyan tree that belonged to a Christian family, Tharakanmar. There still exists a small temple where the idol was kept known as "Ara Nazhika Ambalam".<ref>{{cite web|title=Payipad Boat Race History|url=http://www.payipadboatrace.com/profile.php}}</ref>

The temple was consecrated on the Pushya star of [[Malayalam calendar|Makara Masa]]. This day is celebrated as the founding day of the temple every year. It is believed that Lord [[Vishnu]] appeared as a saint to consecrate the temple. (Hence the name [[Haripad|Harigeethapuram]] for the present [[Haripad]]). In [[Malayalam Calendar|Malayalam year]] 1096 the temple caught fire but the golden flag mast and the [[Koothambalam]] was savede. The temple was rebuilt during the reign of King Sree Chithira Thirunal Rama Varma and the golden flag mast was re-installed.<ref name=official>{{cite web|title=Legands|url=http://www.haripadsubrahmanyaswamytemple.com/content_more.php?linkid=4&id=1|publisher=Haripad Subrahmanya Swamy Temple.com|access-date=26 September 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Knapp|first=Stephen|title=Spiritual India handbook : a guide to temples, holy sites[,] festivals and traditions|year=2009|publisher=Jaico Publishing|location=Mumbai|isbn=9788184950243}}</ref>

==Primary deity==
The presiding deity of the temple is [[Kartikeya|Karthikeya]] four armed form with [[Vel]] in one hand, [[Vajrayudha]] in another hand one hand bestowing blessing and the other toughing its thighs. The idol is about six feet in height. The idol is believed to have presence of [[Vishnu]], [[Shiva]] and [[Brahma]]. The idol faces East.<ref name=hindupedia>{{cite web|last=Ramachander|first=P.R.|title=Harippad Subrahamanya Temple|url=http://www.hindupedia.com/en/Harippad_Subrahamanya_Temple|publisher=Hindupedia|access-date=26 September 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Moorthy|first=K. K.|title=The Kovils of Kerala: An 18-petal Fragrant Rose|year=1991|publisher=Message Publications}}</ref>

==Other deities==
Beside the main deity there are many other deities which include [[Dakshinamurthy|Lord Dakshinamooorthy]], [[Lord Ganesh]], [[Thiruvambadi Sri Krishna Temple|Thiruvambadi Kannan]], [[Nāga]], [[Shasta (deity)|Shasta]], Keezhthrikkovil [[Murugan|Subrahmanyan]].

==Temple description==
[[File:ഹരിപ്പാട്-സുബ്രഹ്മണ്യ-ക്ഷേത്രത്തിലെ-കൂത്തമ്പലം.jpg|thumb|left|Koothambalam in Haripad Sree Subrahmanya Swamy temple]]
The temple has four [[gopuram]]s. It has a golden flag mast on eastern side. The temple's sanctum sanctorum is round in shape. The temple compound also hosts a [[Koothambalam]] (the third largest of its kind among Kerala temples). [[Peacocks]], [[Murugan]]'s [[vahana]], are protected and housed in the temple premises.<ref>[[:ml:Haripad Subrahmanya Swamy Temple]]</ref> The temple pond, popularly known as Perumkulam is one of the largest temple ponds in Kerala, stretching over about five acres.

==Festivals==

The unique feature of this temple is that having 3 kodiyettu (hoisting [[dhvaja]] on [[Dwajasthambam|dhvaja stambha)]] [[utsava]]s in a calendar year. Another specialty is that these festivals are observed on the basis of [[Tamil calendar]]. The [[Tamil calendar|Avani]] Utsavam in [[Malayalam calendar|Chingom]], [[Tamil calendar|Markazhi]] Utsavam in [[Malayalam calendar|Dhanu]], [[Chithirai|Chithira]] Utsavam in [[Malayalam calendar|Medom]] form the Utsava [https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/traya#purana Trayam]. In these three utsavas, three bhavas are attributed to the deity such as [[Vishnu|Lord Vishnu]] in Avani, as [[Shiva|Lord Shiva]] in Markazhi, as [[Kartikeya|Lord Subrahmanya]] himself in Chithira. Therefore, Chithira Thiruvulsavam, the annual festival, is the most important here. Thrikkarthika in [[Malayalam calendar|Vrischikam]], Prathishta day in [[Malayalam calendar|Idavam]], Skanda Ashthami in [[Thulam]], Navarathri in [[Malayalam calendar|Kanni]] and [[Thaipusam|Thaipooyam]] in [[Makaram]] are some of the other important festivals of the [[Haripad Sree Subrahmanya Swamy temple|Haripad Temple]].<ref name=official /><ref>{{cite web|title=Alappuzha -> Haripad Subrahmanya Swami Temple|url=http://www.zonkerala.com/travel/haripad-subrahmanya-swami-temple.htm|access-date=26 September 2013}}</ref>

==See also==

* [[Temples of Kerala]]
* [[Temple festivals of Kerala]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
{{commons category|Haripad Sree Subrahmanya Swamy temple}}
*{{cite book|last=C.P.R. Environmental Education Centre|first=C.P. Ramaswami Aiyar Foundation.|title=Sacred Tanks of South India|year=2002|publisher=C.P.R. Environmental Education Centre|page=158}}
*{{cite book|title=Kerala with Lakshadweep Outlook traveller getaways|year=2005|publisher=Outlook Publishing|page=344}}

{{Hindu temples in Kerala |state=autocollapse}}

[[Category:Hindu temples in Alappuzha district]]
[[Category:Hindu pilgrimage sites in India]]
[[Category:Murugan temples in Kerala]]

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Haripad Sree Subrahmanya Swamy Temple