Among the 108 Durgalayas, Cherppu Bhagavatikshetra is a famous temple. The temple is located in the west room, two kilometers away from the Cherppu center. This is the national temple of Cherppu land. The main deity is Goddess Durga. Chaturbahu is an idol. Goddess Bhumi is worshiped in Sankalpa. There is an elephant wall and a temple tower. There is no altar but there is no big altar. The area is fairly large. Inside is a two-storey square shrine facing west. In the past there were wall paintings all around the shrine. As part of the temple renovation, the wall paintings, which had started to wear out over time, were whitewashed with lime. Shiva and Ganesha are the sub-deities. The nearby Taliilapan Sri Krishna Temple and Kadampuzha Vishnu Temple are the sub-temples of Cherpa Bhagavath Temple. Chittoor Mana, Ambalapilly Mana, Kirangattu Mana, West West Mana, and Old West Mana are the manas of the temple. Three pujas. The trick is to mana in the west. Cherp Temple is a private Uraima temple. A committee of natives is now in charge.
Earlier there was Oothoot (Oothkot). It was held every six years. Yajurveda will be recited in a month and a half. The property specially reserved for conducting Oothoot is known as Oothoot Brahmaswam. There was only Murajapa at Padmanabhaswamy Temple to beat Oothoot at Cherp. All the three Vedas will be chanted for Murajapam. Only Yajurveda should be included in the composition. In addition to Oothoot, Vedic worship called Dasamikot was also held in Cherpa. In this way, the Cherp temple was an Oothambalam. By the middle of the 20th century, the temple authorities were forced to stop the costly operation.
Chittoor Namboothiripad, who was the main patron of Cherp Bhagavatikshetra, and Kozhikode Samoothiri were close friends. It is said that Chittoor Namboothiripad was the counterpart of the Samothiri until the next one ascended after his death. It is also heard that the scepter of the Samuthiri was kept at Chittoor Mana on such occasions. It is also said that Chittoor Nambuthiri was responsible for standing up for Mamankam in the absence of Zamothiri. History has it that the Taliilapan Temple, next to the Bhagavatikshetra, was built in Cherp by Samuthiri. In the skirmishes between the Urals of Peruvanam village, Samuthir was on Cherp’s side and the King of Kochi was on Urakam’s side.
Peruvanam claims to be as old as the temple itself. Oral history says that during the 28-day long Peruvanam festival held centuries ago, it was Cherpa Bhagwati who had to spread white and black ribbons on the way Lord Shiva was lifted up to Peruvanam. It is also said that Tannayappan’s wife Sankalpa was Cherp Bhagavathy. When the festival stopped and the Pooram started, the ceremony of planting the flag and lighting the Pooram 28 days before the Pooram is only in Cherpa. Cherep Bhagavathy is the first, last and most frequented of all in the Peruvanam temple. A portion of the preparations should be brought in addition if the Chatushtam payasam is offered in the Peruvanam temple. The plan is to have stew there too. From all this it can be understood that Cherpa Bhagavatikshetra is closer to Peruvan than other temples.
Wawarat in Libra is an important feature. The vavarat of Cherp Bhagwati is in the fourth pada of Karutavava. Aarat is held in Peruvanam Thodukulam. On the north-east side of Chira, the road faces south. Marar calls the conch shell nine times. On the third, sixth and ninth conch, the Uralans clap their hands. Call it the starving conch. After reaching the Mekkau temple accompanied by the Nagaswaram, the Nagaswaram stops and the Pandikotti Peruvanam reaches the east gate. After Pandi ends and after Keli, Komppat and Kuzhalpat, the Panchari Mela comes down the aisle with the third season. When you reach the end of the path, hunger will blow there too. After the Pattini Shankh, the Vakakotti Mela goes to Arattukadu in Atanta rhythm.
A ceremony called Thiruvonam Patt is performed on the day when Thiruvonam falls at midnight in the month of Libra. Panikoti is raised to the pattambalam prepared in Thitamp valiyambalam. Then the Brahmaniyamma song begins. Summary The ceremonies are grand.
There are three times Shivali during the Mandal period. A shiveli is performed as Sribhutabali for Kartika in the month of Scorpio. For some time now, Sribhutabali and Anayezhunnalipp have been performed after the dinner pooja. The dedication day is Choti day in Mithuna month. On that day there is an elephant awakening.
It is said that there is a reference to Aswati Vela in Cherp in Kozhikode scriptures. When the Dutch attacked Kodungallur with the help of the King of Kochi, an army was sent under the leadership of Samuthiri Eralpad to fight them. On the way from Kozhikode to Kodungallur, the Samuthiri army came to see the Ashwati vela being performed at the Cherp temple. Chittoor Namboothiripad, a friend of Zamoothiri, sent his Nair soldiers along with Eralpad.
Puram ceremonies
The biggest annual event at Cherpa Bhagavatikshetra is Peruvanam – Aratupuzha Pooram in the month of Pisces. Kodimaram is planted in Cherp in the month of Kumbh. It takes place twenty-eight days before Aratupuzha Pooram in the month of Pisces. The conch is called several times at dusk. This is to inform the locals. The karanavar(Top senior) of the land determines the direction in which the gourd should be brought by throwing a stick. Locals go that way to find courgettes. The courgette is cut using a chisel and a wooden hammer. The gourd to be cut is circled three times by calling the conch shell. The cut courgette is brought to the temple and the flagpole is planted by tying nine knots with Baniyan tree leaf and Mango tree leaf. Then one of the locals calls out ‘Guards…’. They all said ‘What?’ Answers. After calling and answering three times like this, everyone says ‘Today is the twenty-eighth day of Aratupuzha Pooram’ three times and separates.
Ashwathi
In the morning one of the Ooraimakars(the owners) hoists the flag on the flagpole. After Niramala* and Deeparadhana*(two offerings for god) in the evening, placing of Ashwati money. One by one, the Ooraima* first place the Ashwathipanam. Then locals also put money. In the past, a ceremony called Nayaru Vela was performed after dusk. Outside the gopuram, one of the Chittoor Namboothiripadars rides the elephant with a headband tied on it. One holds a silk umbrella. Pandi Mela starts by holding the lamp. Go a little distance and finish the fair by blowing horns and blowing pipes. Adanthi Mela* ends by placing the Adanthi Kotti* outside the Gopuram again. The Festival ends with the Muriyatanta Mela entering. Inside the wall, on the northwest side, Chittoor Namboothiripad, who is responsible, would be sitting on a bedspread with his attendants. It means that the Namboothiri on the elephant and the reasons must be seen. Nairuvela has not been done for many years now. As part of observing the coconut room lamp in the surroundings, many coconut rooms are lit with coconut oil. Around ten o’clock in the night, Bhagwati is lifted up by Panikotti, then comes out with a Chempada melam and goes out on an elephant. Pradakshina with lamp ceremony. Ezhunnallip with 3 elephants and Panchari Melam followed by Keli, Komppat, and Kuzhalpat on the west side.
On Bharani, Kartika, and Rohini days there are no rituals related to Puram.
Makayiram
In the morning, an urgent Marar should go to Ambalappillimana and inform that ‘Cherep Bhagavathy’s Makairam Purupada is today. This has the right of recompense. In the evening, Ugarama Marar greeted Bhagwati and asked the people of Ural, ‘may I Play the Paani* for the departure of Cherppu Bhagwati’s Makayiram(a Star) travel?’ asked thrice. Ooralans* give permission. Big they knock the big Paani with a special rhythm leave. Pradakshina with Adanthi Melam inside. Koti exits the room. The trunk is tied to the kolam and lifted on the elephant. Then a melam koti temple is performed on Ekthalam. The fair ends on reaching the west gate. Again to the right and exit without the instrument. Pooram exit with 7 elephants escorted outside the Gopuram. Pandi Mela for three hours. After the fair, Peruvanam goes to Thodukulam for Aarattu. On reaching the Chira, the starving conch calls, pointing southward. Then the journey to Peruvana begins with Nagaswara. The journey is by accepting the welcome of the locals. Go up the north side of the Mekau temple and take the east side towards Peruva. Here the nagaswaram ends. Pandi Mela begins. When the Peruvanam passes the western gopuram and reaches the eastern gate, the Pandi Mela ends and the Tripuda Mela is played. Turning towards the east, the fair ends and after Keli, Komp Pat Kuzhal Pat, the Panchari Melam begins and descends the eastern path. At the end of the Panchari Melam, Patini calls the conch shell on the sidewalk. It is brought down to the bank of Thodukulam and lifted up to a special mandapam dedicated only to Cherp Bhagwati with Chempada melam*. Six in Thodukulam. At six o’clock there is a habit of calling. Playing Pani and waking up after six o’clock.
After completing the circumambulation of the Peruvanam temple, it enters Mekkavil and without circumambulation, exits through the northern corridor and ascends to Cherppu*. At Chittoor Manakkale, crossing the eastern step, Mullakkal lays a pad in front of Bhagwati. Only after this, other pods should be taken. Then it goes to Cheruchenam via the western room. In the past, there was a Kattathattal ceremony at the Karikulam field. Today the plots are sold and sold. Now he goes to the road and collects the leaves and returns. Then goes to Ambalappilli Mana. If you reach Ambalappillimana the fair. As soon as the fair ends, the baskets are filled. Tantri Puja by lowering and raising it in Vadakini in Ambalapilli Mana. During the Pooja there is a ritual called Chadikot. Then you can hear. After that, the Panikoti Cherppu is taken back to the temple.
Thiruvathira
When Marar comes ready to wake up in the morning, the Uraymakar asks Marar urgently, ‘Have you poured Marar’s shraddha into the pot?’ asking that. In response, Marar says Ooty or Yes. After that, permission is given to drive. This question line is unique to Thiruvathira Aarat. A starving conch is placed on the elephant and placed near the tree. After arriving at Perumpillissery Mithranandapuram temple pool around ten o’clock in the morning, Thiruvathira Aarat walks. After the second Aarat, Bhagwati’s bust is placed in the mandapa facing west facing the Vamana murti in the sanctum sanctorum. Later, it is dropped in Mana at Edapalam and goes for puja. Then they return to Vellamparam, Pattassamarath, Alaikkat, Akkarachitoor and Keezhillam in order. Until recently, there was Ukkalipuja at a small place by Chittoor Mana in Perumbillissery while returning to Cherp after the Para at Keezillathumana. As the said place has been sold, that ceremony has also ceased to exist. Ezhunnallippa arrives in front of Taliilappan’s temple in Cherpil before dusk. Pandi Mela starts after dusk by bringing the lanterns from Chittoor Mana. When Keezhatulli reaches in front of the temple, the pandi ends and the panchari begins. The fair ends at Mana’s footpath. It is known as Manakepadikal Pooram. Bhagwati is brought down in Mana and raised for worship. Tantri Puja is performed. On this occasion too, a special form of kot called Chadikot is customary. After the Akkalipuja, Panikotti mounts the elephant and goes to the old place for the Akkalipuja accompanied by Nagaswaram. After getting off at the old mana, after performing the puja, he goes to the manakal of Ayinikattupazha and returns to the temple.
Punartham
Gets up in the evening and goes to Narukulangara. Chira’s starving conch there. Passing the Mekau temple, we reach Peruvana. When you reach the path of Shri Parvati, 3 elephants come down the path with Pandi Mela. It is known as Narukulangara Pooram. Pandi Melam ends near Thodukulam. There, after Keli, Kuzhal patt komp patt, the Chempada melam* enters the big ridge of the field. On reaching the Narukulangara temple, the Panchari Mela from the third period ends briefly. Entering the Narukulangara temple, the elephant is taken off the elephant’s back near the Kulakadu and given to the elephant. After the second Aarattu, Bhagwati is placed facing west in the mandapam on a pedestal. After the Tantri Puja, the Panikoti is raised and returned to Cherppu.
Pooyam
The famous Peruvanam Pooram. Cherappu Bhagavathy is the host of Peruvanam Pooram. Around twelve o’clock in the night, Valiyapanikotti is raised with Brahmaniamma songs and blows the Patini conch as usual near the Chira. Then he goes to Peruvana accompanied by Nagaswaram. Panchavadyam starts with 3 elephants at Thayamkulangara bend. There is a firework display at the end of the Panchavadyam on the north side of Mecca. The Pandi Mela begins with 7 elephants lining up at Mekkau’s East Walk. After crossing the western path of Peruvanam and reaching in front of the sacrificial stone in the path of Tannayappan, the musical instruments stop. One of Cherp’s Uraimen asked, ‘Are there any downloaders?’ He asks three times. At that time Aykunn Bhagwati was picked up on the right side of Cherppu Bhagwati by replying ‘Yes’. Cherppu Bhagavathy is the last of the 6 descents on the Peruvanam route. So it’s up to the joiners to ask if there’s anyone to walk down the aisle. Pandi Melam continues till Shri Parvati’s feet are lifted up with Aykunn Bhagwati. Turning towards the East, the Pandi Mela ends and after Kuzhal Patt and Komp Patt, the famous Peruvanam Panchari of Cherppu Bhagwati begins. The march down the eastern causeway will continue till 7 pm.
After the Panchari is over, Patini Shankh is sung along with the two Bhagavatis on the walkway. After that, both Bhagavatis go to Thodukulam again with the fair. Aarattu after puja for both of them in a specially prepared mandapam. After six o’clock, when two walls are reached, Aykunn Bhagwati crosses the north tower and goes back. When Cherpa Bhagavathy again reaches the south gopuram, Aratupuzha Shasta performs pradakshina in front of Bhagavathy. When Pradakshina reaches the eastern side of the Ove, Shasta and Bhagavati say Upacharam. After Bhagavathy’s circumambulation reaches the western nada, the Peruvanam Pooram concludes with the Mekkavu temple accompanied by nagaswaram, and without circumambulating the northern Nada*(temple door) and returning to Cherppu.
Aayilyam
In the evening, he wakes up for dinner. After passing Pattini Shankh near Chira, pass Peruvanam temple through Mekkau and ascend to Pattaparm through Narukulangara. On reaching Pattaramp, Pandi Melam followed by Keli, Kuzhal Pat and Komp Pat. Panchari ends the Kotti for the third time by crossing the big ridge to Manak and ending the Pandi Mela. Arat in Patparam temple pool. In the past, after six o’clock in the night, the Puja was performed at Perunthitampa Mana. But the downpour at Perunthitam ended with the sale of the illum. In the past, if any river or other came to Perunthitampa Mana, Bhagwati used to spend the night at Arattukadu itself. After the sale of Perunthitampa mana, it is common to spend the night at Kulakadu itself. As a result of the decision of the Urayams to change this, it was decided to bring down Bhagavathy in Patparam temple. Now that’s what follows. Around eight o’clock in the morning, Chathakkudam Shasta gets up and stands on the big ridge to the east of the paddy field, and chants Cherppu Bhagwati with a bell. With the Chempada Mela, riding the elephant, circumambulating the Pathaparam temple, coming down from the pond at the eastern end of the paddy field the Melam ends, Puramkot Kotti again moves westward with the Mela, and when the Mela reaches the big ridge, the Mela ends and returns to Cherppu. Chathakkudam Shastav will follow behind Cherppu* Bhagwati going up to Valiyavaramba to Avanav Mana. No help here.
Makam
Around five o’clock in the evening, Peruvanam departs for six at Thodukulam. Starving conch as usual near Chira. The Pandi Mela begins after the Nagaswaram is over after crossing the North Gate of Mekkau and exiting through the East Gate. The Pandi Mela ends at the shrine of Shri Parvati and the Tripuda Mela is celebrated. After Keli, Kuzhal Pat, and Komp Pat, Panchari Mela begins its third season and descends the path. At the end of the fair, Patini calls the conch shell on the walkway. After that, Aarattu reached Thodukulam with a one-shot Vakakotti mela in Adanta rhythm. After Aarattu, Peruvanam passes through Thekegopuram and goes to the houses to perform puja in Mana in the west where there is no Thantri. The Chempadamelam brings down Koti Bhagwati and raises it inside the puja. After Akkalipuja, visit Thayamkulangara Subramanya Temple and circumambulate the temple. After that Thayamkulangara receives Para from Chittoor Mana. After that, after the prayer at Kannathamana, he goes down to Kirangathamana for worship. After the Akkalipuja at Kirangatu Mana, return to Cherppu Temple at 12 pm.
Pooram
Around 2 pm, Cherppu Bhagavathy is lifted to Aratupuzha by Panikotti accompanied by Brahmaniyamma song. A starving conch calls when it approaches Chira. After that, we reach the Ainikad paddy field through the four-way road with Nagaswaram, reach the Thevar ridge through the Kotamkulangara temple road and come down to the south side of the paddy field through Kaitavalap. Around four in the morning, the Pandi Mela of Cherppu Bhagwati begins at Aratupuzha paddy field. At Triprayar Thevara Pradakshina, the gathering of Cherp Bhagwati with more than 31 elephants starts in the field on the right side of Thevara. The rally ends around seven o’clock. After that Aykunn goes to Mandaram Kadav in Karuvannur River with Bhagwati for Aarattu. Once upon a time, Cherppu Bhagwati’s Aarattu was held at Shastamkadam. After six o’clock, Cherppu Bhagavathy and Aikun Bhagavathy move with Chempada Mela. Aykunn breaks up with Bhagwati at Aratupuzha Temple. Entering the Aratupuzha temple, taking the Para and walking around the temple, he exits. Aratupuzha who is waiting outside says upachara to Shasta. Aratupuzha Shastav accompanies Cherppu Bhagavathy to Ezhukandam. There Bhagavathy starts her return journey accompanied by Nagaswaram.
Uthram
In the evening on Utram day, Bhagwati was lifted up with small water to the specially prepared Patambalam and the Utram song of Brahmanayamma.
Atham
At three o’clock in the afternoon, Cheriya Panikotti wakes up. A hungry conch is calling at the edge of the tree. After that he goes to Tiruvullakkav Temple accompanied by Nagaswaram. Thiruvapathi takes the leaves and comes to the Alchuvat near Thodukulam and plays Keli, Kuzhalpat and Komppat. After that, the Panchari Mela begins the third period and circumambulates the Peruvanam temple. Peruvanath Cherp Bhagwati has 7 circumambulations on that day. After the circumambulation, the West Natakkal comes and greets Tannayappan and returns to Cherp without circumambulation through the Mekau temple. After reaching Cherp, after visiting various houses, Ezhunallip with 3 elephants from the west. The musical accompaniment ends near the gopuram. Then enter the temple by taking the west gate. Coming to the eastern side, taking the eastern side and circumambulating the temple. After nine circumambulation, the trunk is taken down from the elephant and carried to the shrine. The flagpole is untied from the flagpole. After untying the forehead of the elephant, after one more circumambulation, the elephant reaches the flagpole and knocks down the flagpole. Once upon a time, when an elephant was trying to push the flagpole, some of the locals used to obstruct the elephant. As a result the flagging lasted for a long time. One year an elephant got angry and a man died. And with that, the habit of harassing the elephant is over. The elephant carries the flag and carries it in a circumambulation on the eastern side. After that, after completing the circumambulation, the elephant bows down to Bhagwati. With this, the Puram ceremony ends at Cherp Bhagavathy.
It is 2 km from Cherp to Peruvan and 6 km to Aratupuzha.
—————————————-
* This sign is used to mention local words, some religious rituals, and some positions these are local language words
Example – Aarattu* – its main diety’s arrival from the temple or into the temple
Paani* A special musical instrument used in temples and religious places
Cherppu* Place name |
