sree mahAdEvar temple, chengannur (Chengannur)

 temple, Shiva temple

TVT103 - sree pArvathiyammai samEtha sree mahAdhEvar temple,kundraiyoor or thiruchengundroor now known as chengannoor is 103rd thEvAra vaippu temple.Temples which are not get separate thEvAra holy hymns(tamil) but the names of the temples mentioned in the thEvAra hymns are called as "TVT-thEvAra vaippu(referred) temples". There are about 301 thEvAra vaippu temples are sorted by shaivam.org. The numbers given here for thevara vaippu temples are based on that sequence.AvrT - avathAra(birth) place of sree viranminda nAyanAr. And this temple also TVT130 - chengundroor or thiruchengundroor thEvAra vaippu temple.
shaivam.org/siddhanta/sp/spt_v_kunraiyur.htm
shaivam.org/siddhanta/sp/spt_v_tiruccengunrur.htm
Chengannur is a destination point for the train route en route Sabarimala. This huge and very beautiful Shiva temple with vast outer praharams conducts an unique periodical festival.

KyWT - kaliyuga wonderous temples,sree pArvathi dEvi of the temple goes through the periodical menstruation cycle like every other woman. Devi’s vastra will be checked by the priest and if there is any sign of it, he hands over the vastra to Devasom Officials. This then will get confirmed by the abbess (senior women) of the Thazhaman and Vanghipuzha Mutt. If so, Devi's shrine will be closed and worships will be offered to a processional image in a different shrine elsewhere in the temple. On the forth day of the festival the Devi's Idol is taken to the nearby river and Arrattu known as Thriputharattu is conducted. After this, Devi is taken back to the temple on an elephant. When the procession reaches Nalambalam (in front of the main Entrance), Bhagvan will be waiting there on an elephant in a procession. They together encircle the temple three rounds in a procession and then enter their respective shrines.
During the period, the Devi’s vastra will be kept in the office room for everyone’s dharshan and worship. When we went (17th Sep 2009), She was on Her period and so Her shrine was closed.
These are the photos of the Devi’s vastra:
www.flickr.com/photos/rajushanthi/3949449538/in/set-721...
www.flickr.com/photos/rajushanthi/3943402959/in/set-721...

This is the announcement indicating that the Devi’s shrine is closed and the ‘Arattu’ will be conducted on 19th Sep.
www.flickr.com/photos/rajushanthi/3943400049/in/set-721...

Here is the complete set of photos:
www.flickr.com/photos/rajushanthi/sets/7215762230598577...

Click here for full details in the official site:
www.mahadevatemple.com/Fest_SpecialFestival.html

Note:

1) Chengannur is also related to Kannagi of Silapathikaram who is said to be an incarnation of Devi Sakthi. Kannagi, after burning Madurai into ashes when her husband was killed by the Madurai Pandya king due to judgement error, went on to Chengannur and penanced at the top of a hill. While devi was meditating her husband Kovalan appeared before her and they together went to Heaven. In Silapathikaram the place where Devi meditated is mentioned as Chen Kunnu. (ref: Page 62).

2) There are 5 Divya desams (Vishnu temples) in and around Chengannur within 10 kms radius. The 5 temples were worshipped by the Pancha Pandavas. So, a nice place to visit indeed.

This is the official website:
www.mahadevatemple.com/

Information and photos upload by Raju's Temple visits.
For temple directories, photos, travelogues and geographical maps, visit:
shanthiraju.wordpress.com/