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Kerala Temple
The Southern State of Kerala has much to offer in terms of its hoary temple tradition. Kerala temple architecture is unique, and it is in harmony with the natural resources and the climatic conditions of the region. Elephants are an integral part of several of the festivities. A colorful calendar of festivals and strict worship protocols are associated with the hundreds of temples that line the landscape of Kerala.
A major attraction for the devotees of Lord Krishna, the Guruvayoor Temple is popularly known as the Dwarka of South India. Situated in Guruvayur town of Thrissur district, this 5,000 years old temple holds the legend that Lord Brahma himself worshipped the idol of Lord Krishna there. Incidentally, Lord Krishna is referred to as Guruvayoorappan. The architecture of the temple is enriched with the Gopurams (gateways), Mandaps and subsidiary shrines. The walls of the main shrine are garnished with exotic paintings and elaborate illustrations. Certain festivals like Mandalam, Ulsavam, Chembai Music Festival are celebrated in a ceremonious ways in this temple.
Lord Dhanwanthari is an avatar of Lord Vishnu in Hindu tradition. He appears in the Vedas and Puranas as the physician of the devas. Lord Dhanwanthari is believed as the God of Ayurveda. It is common practice in Hinduism to worship Lord Dhanvantari and seeking his blessings for sound health. Dhanwanthari was one of the ancient medical adviser in India. Its believed that the first surgery was made by him. His treatments were perfectly natural. He used herbs and natural medicines for curing diseases. He could even find out the medicinal purposes of turmeric, salt and such many commonly used things. He used turmeric as an antiseptic, salt as a preservative. He is also believed to be the pioneer of modern medical practices.
Lord Narasimha is fourth incarnation of Lord Maha Vishnu. Narasimha is in the form of Half Man and Half Lion, and is considered as the most ugra form of Vishnu's form. This form is having a human-like torso and a lower body, but with a lion-like face and claws with ugra form. He is believed as protector of devotees all the time. Lord Narasimha took birth on earth to demolish Hiranyakashipu, the cruel asura who was considered Lord Vishnu as his moral enemy. He was brother of Hiranyaksha, the asura who was killed by Vishnu. Hiranyakashipu, thus challenging Vishnu and decided to kill vishnu's followers. He was torturing all of devas and his own villagers those are worshipping vishnu. He was forcing all of them to worship him, instead of Vishnu. His son, Prahlada was one of the devotees of Vishnu.
Mariyamman is one of the famous goddess worshipped mainly in south india. 'Amman' in tamil means 'Mother', "Mari" means rain. Put together, meaning of 'Mariamman' is supposed to be the goddess of rain. This Goddess is worshipped commonly in south Indian states like Tamilnadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and some parts of Kerala too. Mother 'Mari' is related to our well known goddess Durga devi. Mariyamman is usually represents as an attractive lady with red dress. The word 'mari' has one more meaning, that is associated with disease "Pox". People considers Mariyamman as the goddess of the diseases like pox, small pox and chicken pox.
Pandavas are described in the Indian epic 'Mahabharatha'. Pandavas includes five brothers Yudhishtira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva. They are the sons of 'Pandu', by his two wives, 'Kunthi' and 'Madhri'. The word 'Pandavas' means the sons of 'Pandu'. Yudhishtira, Bhima and Arjuna are the sons of Kunthi. Remaining are the sons of Madhri. It is described in Mahabharatha, that five brothers were married to 'Draupathi', a true Krishna devotee. Lord Krishna was closely related to Pandavas during Kurukshethra war by giving advices and help at right times. Friendship of Lord Krishna and Lord Arjuna is well known in that epic. Pandu has a brother named Dridhrashtra, who was blind by birth. The main enemies of Pandavas were Kauravas. Kauravas were 100 in numbers, the sons of Dridhrashtra .
Lord Siva is an important God in Hinduism, including in the Trimurthis. In the 'Trimurthis', Siva has the duty of destroying or 'Samhara'. Siva is believed as the supreme God. Siva is referred as consciousness as per Sakthisam. Siva has many more other names as Rudhra, Mahadeva, Parameswara, Neelakanda. Siva is worshipped mostly in the form of 'Siva Linga'. Siva is usually portrayed as immersed in deep meditation or the famous Natraja form. His famous dance is known as 'Thandava'. In Sanskrit, the word 'Siva' means kind or 'The pure one'. The main feature of Lord Siva is his third eye, which situates in the middle of his forehead. He uses his third eye to burn desires to ashes. His appearance is also different from other devas. He is often shown garlanded with a snake around his throat. 'Tri soola' or trident is his main weapon.
Lord Mahavishnu is one of the deities in 'Trimurthis'. The three functions of the world namely "Creation" , "Maintenance" and "Destruction" are being done by 'Trimurthis'. Vishnu is known as the preserver in them. Mahavishnu is honored as the highest God in Hindhuism. The term 'Dasavathara' is related to Mahavishnu's ten incarnations. Dasavatharas are Matsya, Koorma, Varaha, Narasimha, Parasurama, Vamana, Rama, Balrama, Krishna and Kalki. All these incarnations take place in all yugas in cosmic scales. In "Bhagavad Gita" and Vishnu SSahasranama, Vishnu is described as the master of the past, present and future, the creator and the destroyer of the world and all living and nonliving beings.
Pandavas are described in the Indian epic 'Mahabharatha'. Pandavas includes five brothers Yudhishtira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva. They are the sons of 'Pandu', by his two wives, 'Kunthi' and 'Madhri'. The word 'Pandavas' means the sons of 'Pandu'. Yudhishtira, Bhima and Arjuna are the sons of Kunthi. Remaining are the sons of Madhri. It is described in Mahabharatha, that five brothers were married to 'Draupathi', a true Krishna devotee. Lord Krishna was closely related to Pandavas during Kurukshethra war by giving advices and help at right times. Friendship of Lord Krishna and Lord Arjuna is well known in that epic. Pandu has a brother named Dridhrashtra, who was blind by birth. The main enemies of Pandavas were Kauravas. Kauravas were 100 in numbers, the sons of Dridhrashtra .
According to Indian culture snakes are also considered as gods. 'Nagas' or 'Sarppas' means snakes. Usually we considers a naga as a king cobra. There are more importance for this 'Nagas' in our epics. Many stories are written about them. One of the very famous snake in our epic 'Mahabharatha' is 'Anantha', on that snake Lord Mahavishnu is laying. Great enemy of Nagas in the epics is Garuda, the vehicle of Vishnu.
Main offering to nagas are "Paalum, noorum". This can be offered in almost all naga temples in kerala.
Lokanarkavu Bhaghawathi Temple is located near Memunda around 5 Km from Vadakara, Kozhikode in Kerala, india. This Goddess Durga temple has two adjacent shrines of Shiva and Vishnu.
According to the legent the temple is very old one around 1500 years back. The three rock cut caves in the temple premises are engraved artfully with fascinating murals and beautiful paintings.
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