Arangam Sree Mahadeva Temple

Legends say that the site was once inhabited by Rishis and Yogis who worshipped Lord Mahadeva in the Swayambhu form. Dear Devotees,

The Arangam Sree Mahadeva Temple, located in Alakode, Kannur District, Kerala has an ancient and glorious past. About 2000 years ago when Emperor Samudragupta conquered the southern regions of India, the Raja who was ruling Sreesailam in Andhra Pradesh was also one

of the victims of the conquest. Unwilling to pay the huge tribute demanded by conqueror, he decided to leave his country. On the advice of his Guru and the palace astrologer, he set out for Kerala which remained outside the conquest of the Em­peror. The Raja who was a great devotee of Sreesaileswar, his family deity, was very unhappy to leave but he had no choice. His Guru as­sured him that Sreesaileswer will manifest himself and show him the place to settle down. He and his family, with a few trusted attendants followed the route directed by his Guru. Finally they reached forest clearing in Kerala when a hunter appeared before them and told the ruler that the place was holy and Lord Siva s presents is manifested as Swayambhu. The Guru had told him that when he reached the right place, Lord Saileswar will manifest before him. So he settled down in that place and built a temple for Saileswara. Later he founded a Kingdom around that area which had no ruler at the time. He also built a temple at Vaithalmala (Paithalmala) which was the highest point in the area and flew his Jlag on the mountain top. He became known as Vaithalkon. But history does not record any descendants of the family and in course of time the temple and area changed hands many times. The whole area was gradually overrun by thick forest and the temple was hidden from view. In 1936, some Namboodiris from Taliparamba, who owned the land and forest mentioned above, met Sree P. Rama Varma Raja of Poonjar, while participating in festival at Sree Padmanabha Swami Temple at Trivandrum. They persuaded him to come to Taliparamba 1and buy this property to help them to tide over their liabilities. Sree Raja obliged them and bought the Koliat mala and Parothumala Prop­erties and built a house at Alakode. Following Sree Raja s arrival, large number of people from Travancore, came over, bought property and settled in the area. In 1957, one of the settlers, while searching for his missing cow, found the remains of an old temple. He informed Sree Rama Varma Raja, who cleared the forest there and found the remains of a large temple, with sanctum, Upadeva temples and Gopuram. This temple and land belonged to Ayodhya Raman Kaimal of Payyannur. Sree Raja purchased the land with the idea of renovating the temple. An Ashtamangalia Prasnam was conducted and the chief Astrolo­ger was Sree Kunhikanna Poduval of Payyannur. Details of many leg­ends connected with the temple was revealed during the prusnam. The main deity was identified as Swayambhu Shiva. The other deities in the temple was identified as Mahaganapathi, Sree Dharmasastha and Subrahmanian. Outside the temple walls, the presence of Kirathamurthy and Parthasarathy was identified. Further away form the main temple, a temple for Bhadrakali was also discovered. The Pariharakriyas were done by Sree Pallom Namboodiri. The construc­tion of the temple took two years to complete. The day before the in­stallation of the deity, a prasnam was conducted to verify if the instal­lation were according to the dictates of the original prasnam. It was found that the idol had no connection with the Swayambhu Chaithanyam. So a hole was drilled in the Napumsakasila and a gold rod, four feet long was inserted through the sila down into the earth and the Chaithanyam became manifested. The installation was done on May 1961, in the presence of a large gathering by Brahmasree Parameswaran Namboodiri of Andaladi Mana. The traditional Tantri of Edavalathu Pudayur Mana of Taliparamba, at the time was old and infirm and there were no grown up persons in his Illam to conduct the Thantram and hence on his re­quest the Thantram of the new Arangam Temple was entrusted to Andalady Mana and they conducted the Thantram until 2001. After that, the Thantram was handed back to the Edavalath Pudayur Mana and Sree Kuberan Namboodiri is the present thantri. The Temple was managed by Sree P. Rama Varma Raja until 1971, when the H.R & C.E. Department declared the temple as a public temple. Sree Raja was appointed Managing Trustee by the H.R. & C.E Department. The temple became famous and the annual festivals drew large crowds from all over North Malabar, and is now major cultural event of North Malabar. Sree Raja passed away in 2001 and the administration was taken over by H. In 2007 a formal Trustee Board consisting of non-hereditary Trustees was appointed by the Depart­ment. Sree Ajit h Rama Varma, grandson of Sree Raja was elected Chair­man of the Trustee Board. The Board then held an Ashtamangalia Prasnam to find out if the deity was satisfied with the present state of temple. The prasnam was held on November 11, 12,13,14,21,22,23. Local devotees, the Trustees, the Thantri and staff members were present. The presnam was conducted by Daivajna Ratnam Subhash Cherukunnu and Sree M. Girish Master, Kadachira. It was found that the whole temple needed renovation and the Sree Kovil and Chuttambalam will have to be rebuilt. The Upadevas, Sree Mahaganapathi, Sree Dharmasastha and Subrahmanya will have to be relocated. The expenses for this works will come to a huge amount and local efforts alone cannot find the necessary funds. A meeting was held on 8 Feb. 2009 to evolve a programme for renovation and the Arangam Mahadeva Kshetra Punarudharana (Renovation) Committee was formed Ajith Rama Varma as President, Sree K. Gopalakrishnan Master as Secretary and the Executive Of­ficer as Treasurer. The Malabar Devaswom Board has recognised the Committee. The famous Shilpi K. Devadas Asari of Kodungallur has prepared the plans in accordance with Vaasthu Sasthras. The gran­ite stone work and sculptures were entrusted to Sadasiva Gudigar of Karkala, Karnataka and the laterite works was entrusted to Sudhakaran Narikode. The fund collection drive was inaugurated on 20-08-2009 in the Temple premises and on 15-06-2009, the first teak tree was felled after conducting Pooja under the supervision of Sree Kunhiraman Udayavarman Melasari of Payyavoor. The renovation work was formally started by the Melasari after Pooja on 02-07-2009. The whole work is under the supervision of Malabar Devaswom Board and all accounts will be audited. The Sree Kovil will be built most artistically and in accordance with tradition. The foundation will be of granite stones, the walls in sculptured laterite. The roof made of teak will be covered with copper sheets. This unique occasion to take part in this divine endeavour is a once in a life time blessing and every one is invited to contribute their mite and receive the blessings of Mahadeva. Cheques, Drafts etc. may be sent to President, Arangam Mahadeva Temple, Renovation Committee, Arangam Mahadeva Temple, Alakode,
Kannur Dt., Kerala, Pin : 670571
or
Deposited in Account No. 30819855477
of State Bank of India Alakode Branch, Alakode,
Kannur Dt., Kerala, Pin : 670571
Ph: 0460 2255271, Mob: +919447974521
E-mail : [email protected]