Haripad Sree Subrahmanya Swamy temple


The Sree Subrahmanya Swamy temple in Haripad is one of the largest and oldest temples in Kerala. This temple dedicated to Subrahmanya Swamy is known as Dakshina Palani. It is believed that the temple was established even before the advent of Kaliyuga. It is the largest Subrahmanya Swami Temple in Kerala with longest dhwajastambha

Early history

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 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 Vigraha Labdhi Jalolsavam is conducted in Payippad river for three days, after Thiruvonam. Legend has it that the idol was kept for public viewing for Ara Nazhika under a banyan tree that belonged to a Christian family,Tharakanmar. There still exist a small temple where the idol was kept known as "Ara Nazhika Ambalam".
The temple was consecrated on the Pushya star of 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..In Malayalam year 1096 the temple caught fire but the golden flag mast and the Koothambalam was saved from the fire. The temple was rebuilt during the reign of King Sree Chithira Thirunal Rama Varma. and the golden flag mast was re-installed.

Primary deity

The presiding deity of the temple is 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 eight feet in height. The idol is believed to have presence of Vishnu, Shiva and Brahma. The idol faces East.

Other deities

Beside the main deity there are many other deities which include Lord Dakshinamooorthy, Lord Ganesh, Thiruvambadi Kannan, Nāga, Shasta, Keezhthrikkovil Subrahmanyan.

Temple description

The temple has four Gopurams. It has golden flag mast on eastern side. The temple's Sanctum sanctorum is round in shape. The temple compound also hosts a Koothambalam. Peacocks, Murugan's vahana, are protected and housed in the temple premises.The temple pond, popularly known as "Perumkulam" is one of the largest temple ponds in Kerala stretching an area about 5 acres.

Festivals

The unique feature of this temple is that having 3 kodiyettuutsavas in a calendar year.Another speciality is that these festivals are observed on the basis of Tamil calendar. The Avani Utsavam in Chingom, Markazhi Utsavam in Dhanu, Chithira Utsavam in Medom form the Utsava .In these three Utsavas, three bhavas are attributed to the deity such as Lord Vishnu in Avani, as Lord Shiva in Markazhi, as Lord Subrahmanya himself in Chithira.Therefore "Chithira Thiruvulsavam", the annual festival is the most important here.Thrikkarthika in Vrischikam, Prathishta day in Idavam, Skanda Ashthami in Thulam, Navarathri in Kanni and Thaipooyam in Makaram are some of the other important festivals of the Haripad Temple.