DivyaDesam– Lord Vishnu | One of the DivyaDesamVishnuSthalam |
Region | Malai Naadu |
Malai Naadu | 13thVishnuSthalam |
Located
about 10kms East of Chengannur Divya Desam on the Southern banks of the Pamba
river is the Thirukuralappan Divya Desam in Aranmula. This Divya Desam is
referred to as Thiru Vaaran Vilai and symbolises Arjuna’s thanks giving gesture
to his sarathy (charioteer) Krishna who guided him through the Mahabaratha war.
The speciality of this sthalam is the precious ornaments of Sabharimalai
Ayyappan is protected only in this sthalam. During Makara Jyothi, it is taken
from here and dedicated to Ayyappan. This Divyadesam is constructed and devoted
by Arjuna.
During
the 18 day Kurukshetra Bharata battle, the wheel of Karna’s chariot was stuck
in the ground. While Karna was engaged to lift the wheel leaving his weapons in
the chariot, Arjuna took the opportunity and killed him. Though Arjuna acted
successfully, the guilt of killing one when unarmed troubled his mind and he
could not excuse himself. What more troubled him was the thought that he, noted
for his law abiding nature should not have committed a disgraceful sin.
The
Parthasarathy Perumal Koil in Thiruvaaranvilai in Aranmula was built by Arjuna,
who came here at the end of the Mahabaratha war to undertake penance repenting
for the killings of his relatives, especially his brother Karna, who he
unceremoniously killed when his chariot was grounded to the earth. It is here
he hid his weapons in the Vanni tree, according to scriptures. Arjuna thus got
himself cleansed of his sins with the grace of Lord Perumal.
Lord
Tirukuralappan graces in a standing form facing east. The vimana-tower above
the sanctum sanctorum- is called Vamana Vimanam. Sage Veda Vyasa and Lord
Brahma had the darshan of the Lord. Once, two demons Madhu and Kaidaba snatched
the Vedas from Brahma who sought the grace of Lord Perumal to recover them.
Perumal destroyed the demons and recovered the Vedas. Brahma performed penance
here on Perumal as a token of his gratitude to Lord. It is here Arjuna hid his
weapons in the Vanni tree during Pandava’s life incognito. The nuts falling
from this Vanni tree is heaped around the flag post of the temple and sold to
devotees.
TEMPLE INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri Thirukkuralappan, Sri Parthasarathy |
|
Ambal |
Sri Padmasani Nachiyar |
|
Theertham |
Vedavyasa Saras Theertham |
People
pray for the welfare of children. They bring sick children to the temple, throw
away Vanni nuts after rounding them on their heads. They firmly believe that
these thrown nuts attack the disease of the child as the arrows of Arjuna
attack the enemies. Holy Pamba river of Kerala passes through the northern
entrance of the temple. There is a shrine for Sage Parasurama in the temple.
The temple has the reputation of being one among the 108 Divya Desa Vaishnavite
holy places. There is an idol of Parathasarathy installed by Arjuna in the
temple covered with gold. Pujas are performed grandly to Lord Parthasarathy.
Aaraattu Vizha is
celebrated grandly on the Tiruvonam star day in Thai month (January-February)
in the temple. Tulabharam, an age old practice, continues to take place at this
temple and one can see the big Tulabharam hanging as one enters the temple from
the eastern side.
Ornaments
for Sabarimala Lord Lord Ayyappa’s ornaments are kept here through the
year and are taken from here to Sabarimala 2 days prior to the Mandala Vilakku
during the Makara Jyothi period.
Aranmula
Boat Race An annual boat race takes place at the Pamba River which runs
right next to the Aranmula Divya Desam.
HOW
TO REACH:
This
divyadesam is situated near Sengannoor in Kerala. 6 miles away in East of
Sengannoor, one can reach this place by traveling in Bus. For staying facility,
a devasthana chathram (Choultry) is available, but food facility is minimum.
TEMPLE
ADDRESS:
Sri Thirukkuralappan
Thirukkoil,
Thiruvaranvilai (Aramula),
Pathanam Thitta,
Kerala - 689533.
LOCATION:
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