Lokanarkavu temple
Encyclopedia
Lokanarkavu Temple is situated at Memunda
5 km from Vatakara
, in North Malabar
region of Kerala
state of south India
. Lokanarkavu is a short form of Lokamalayarkavu which means lokam (world) made of mala (mountain), aaru (river) and kavu (grove). It is the official family temple of the five hundred [Aryan] Nagariks who had migrated to Kerala
and their successors. The closest railway station is at Vadakara,which is 4 km from temple. By air the nearest airport is calicut airport which is 87 kilometers away.
pooram is the important festival here and it is conducted with great pompo and show.
The week-long festival begins with Kodiyettam (flag hoisting) and concludes with Arattu. The temple dedicated to goddess Durga
has great historical importance as Thacholi Othenan
, the legendary martial hero of Kerala, used to worship here every day.
is presented during festivals. The dance, performed during the festival resembles the martial art Kalarippayattu
. Even today, all Kalaripayattu artists seek the blessings of the deity before their debut due to the association of lokanarkavu temple with legendary hero thacholi othenan.
temple was built by Aryans Brahmin
s who migrated to this place some 1500 years ago. They were Brahmins who took up trade as their main occupation. The Aryan
successors of these temple still are of prime importance in the temple. They gradually began to accept some of the traditions of local Nair
s and made martial relationship with them. But on close examination their customs and beliefs are evidently different from local Nair
community. It is believed that the goddess travelled with them to Lokanarkavu in the form of a lady who followed the five hundred Aryans. The successors still see this goddess as their mother and not as goddess. Often the name of Thacholi Othenan
is quoted with the origin of temple. Othenan was a great devotee of durga. It is evident from the fact that the goddess is Durga at Lokanarkavu and not the Kali
form. The heroes of Vadakkan Pattukal (Ballads of North Malabar
വടക്കേ മലബാര് उत्तर मलबार வடக்கு மலபார்) had their ancestral goddesses as Kali
form and not Durga
form. The same applies to the local rulers who later claimed Lokanarkavu as their family goddess. All the rulers of Kerala
had Goddesses with Thamasa pooja or shakteya pooja; i.e. poojas in which either man or animal was sacrificed. It was a more local tradition and most family temples of Kerala
kings and locals had followed such tradition until it was modified. Later due to Aryanisation of temples, modifications were made by replacing human sacrifice with cutting plantain or performing poojas with tender coconut and cereals meant to replace liquor and meat. Unlike this local tradition Lokanarkavu durga temple do not have any such traditions and never had such practices as it was established by Aryan
s itself.
It is said that most other goddess temples in kerala are in Madhyama and rarely in Uthama state. But this temple is said to be in Athyuthama state. The Aryans though manifested as locals they strongly upheld their ethical roots through a complex of differences from rest of the people. The race spirit was so high at older times that it is said that they refused to pay taxes to the local kings of Kerala
, as none of them was an Aryan
. But at the same time or say at a later period they began to ignore the cast restrictions and even seemed to threaten the cast equations. But slowly they became adjusted and more reclusive and settles around the temple areas and withdrew from all other matters of Local people. Among the mandala vilakku festival, the successors of these Aryan
Brahmin
s migrants conduct the 16th vilakku, that occurs on 16th day and is of prime importance. As we enter the temple we must pray to the stage kept in memory of these Aryan
Brahmin
Ancestors who built the temple. The stage is at right side to the main entrance and all devotees must seek their permission and pray to them to see the goddess inside. This is to show that the Lokanarkavu Durga holds these people to the highest esteem and she had followed them wherever they went and their happiness is her prime importance. It is said that the prayers done without praying to these ancestors goes much unheard. the aryan successors are called Nagariks and they form a formidable cast with just malayala Brahmins above them in cast equations.
Memunda
Memunda is a small village near Vatakara town in Kozhikode district of Kerala, south India. The Story of Thcholi Othenan is related to this place. Many exploits of Tacholi Othenan, the hero of the ballads of north malabar were held in is the Lokanarkavu , in Memunda...
5 km from Vatakara
Vatakara
Vatakara is a coastal Municipality in Kozhikode district of Kerala, a South Indian state, spread over an area of 23.33 km2. It is the headquarters of Vatakara taluk. This place is erstwhile Kadathanadu and was part of North Malabar province of Malabar District in Madras State during British...
, in North Malabar
North Malabar
North Malabar , is a historic as well as geographic distinction in India used to refer the area covering; present Kasaragod and Kannur Districts, Mananthavady taluk of Wayanad District and Koyilandy & Vatakara taluks of Kozhikode District in modern Kerala and the entire Mahé sub-Division of...
region of Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
state of south India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. Lokanarkavu is a short form of Lokamalayarkavu which means lokam (world) made of mala (mountain), aaru (river) and kavu (grove). It is the official family temple of the five hundred [Aryan] Nagariks who had migrated to Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
and their successors. The closest railway station is at Vadakara,which is 4 km from temple. By air the nearest airport is calicut airport which is 87 kilometers away.
pooram is the important festival here and it is conducted with great pompo and show.
The week-long festival begins with Kodiyettam (flag hoisting) and concludes with Arattu. The temple dedicated to goddess Durga
Durga
For the 1985 Hindi Film of Rajesh Khanna see DurgaaIn Hinduism, Durga ; ; meaning "the inaccessible" or "the invincible"; , durga) or Maa Durga "one who can redeem in situations of utmost distress" is a form of Devi, the supremely radiant goddess, depicted as having eighteen arms, riding a lion...
has great historical importance as Thacholi Othenan
Thacholi Othenan
Thacholi Meppayil Kunjhu Othenan or Mepayil Tacholi Manikoth Kovilakathu Kunji Othena Kurup or more popularly Thacholi Othenan was a legendary hero who is believed to have lived during 16th century in North Malabar region of Kerala, India...
, the legendary martial hero of Kerala, used to worship here every day.
Lokanarkavu and Kalarippayattu
Forty-one day Mandala Utsavam is the annual festival at the Lokanarkavu Bhagavathy Temple. This is the only temple where a peculiar folk dance called PoorakkaliPoorakkali
Poorakkali is a traditional dance ritual performed by men during the nine-day Pooram festival in Bhagavathy temples across North Malabar in Kerala State of south India....
is presented during festivals. The dance, performed during the festival resembles the martial art Kalarippayattu
Kalarippayattu
Kalaripayattu is a southern Indian martial art originating in Tamil Nadu but also practiced in contiguous parts of Kerala and Karnataka.Kalari payat includes strikes, kicks, grappling, preset forms, weaponry and healing methods...
. Even today, all Kalaripayattu artists seek the blessings of the deity before their debut due to the association of lokanarkavu temple with legendary hero thacholi othenan.
History of Durga temple
The DurgaDurga
For the 1985 Hindi Film of Rajesh Khanna see DurgaaIn Hinduism, Durga ; ; meaning "the inaccessible" or "the invincible"; , durga) or Maa Durga "one who can redeem in situations of utmost distress" is a form of Devi, the supremely radiant goddess, depicted as having eighteen arms, riding a lion...
temple was built by Aryans Brahmin
Brahmin
Brahmin Brahman, Brahma and Brahmin.Brahman, Brahmin and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self...
s who migrated to this place some 1500 years ago. They were Brahmins who took up trade as their main occupation. The Aryan
Aryan
Aryan is an English language loanword derived from Sanskrit ārya and denoting variously*In scholarly usage:**Indo-Iranian languages *in dated usage:**the Indo-European languages more generally and their speakers...
successors of these temple still are of prime importance in the temple. They gradually began to accept some of the traditions of local Nair
Nair
Nair , also known as Nayar , refers to "not a unitary group but a named category of castes", which historically embody several castes and many subdivisions, not all of whom bore the Nair title. These people historically live in the present-day Indian state of Kerala...
s and made martial relationship with them. But on close examination their customs and beliefs are evidently different from local Nair
Nair
Nair , also known as Nayar , refers to "not a unitary group but a named category of castes", which historically embody several castes and many subdivisions, not all of whom bore the Nair title. These people historically live in the present-day Indian state of Kerala...
community. It is believed that the goddess travelled with them to Lokanarkavu in the form of a lady who followed the five hundred Aryans. The successors still see this goddess as their mother and not as goddess. Often the name of Thacholi Othenan
Thacholi Othenan
Thacholi Meppayil Kunjhu Othenan or Mepayil Tacholi Manikoth Kovilakathu Kunji Othena Kurup or more popularly Thacholi Othenan was a legendary hero who is believed to have lived during 16th century in North Malabar region of Kerala, India...
is quoted with the origin of temple. Othenan was a great devotee of durga. It is evident from the fact that the goddess is Durga at Lokanarkavu and not the Kali
Kali
' , also known as ' , is the Hindu goddess associated with power, shakti. The name Kali comes from kāla, which means black, time, death, lord of death, Shiva. Kali means "the black one". Since Shiva is called Kāla - the eternal time, Kālī, his consort, also means "Time" or "Death" . Hence, Kāli is...
form. The heroes of Vadakkan Pattukal (Ballads of North Malabar
North Malabar
North Malabar , is a historic as well as geographic distinction in India used to refer the area covering; present Kasaragod and Kannur Districts, Mananthavady taluk of Wayanad District and Koyilandy & Vatakara taluks of Kozhikode District in modern Kerala and the entire Mahé sub-Division of...
വടക്കേ മലബാര് उत्तर मलबार வடக்கு மலபார்) had their ancestral goddesses as Kali
Kali
' , also known as ' , is the Hindu goddess associated with power, shakti. The name Kali comes from kāla, which means black, time, death, lord of death, Shiva. Kali means "the black one". Since Shiva is called Kāla - the eternal time, Kālī, his consort, also means "Time" or "Death" . Hence, Kāli is...
form and not Durga
Durga
For the 1985 Hindi Film of Rajesh Khanna see DurgaaIn Hinduism, Durga ; ; meaning "the inaccessible" or "the invincible"; , durga) or Maa Durga "one who can redeem in situations of utmost distress" is a form of Devi, the supremely radiant goddess, depicted as having eighteen arms, riding a lion...
form. The same applies to the local rulers who later claimed Lokanarkavu as their family goddess. All the rulers of Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
had Goddesses with Thamasa pooja or shakteya pooja; i.e. poojas in which either man or animal was sacrificed. It was a more local tradition and most family temples of Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
kings and locals had followed such tradition until it was modified. Later due to Aryanisation of temples, modifications were made by replacing human sacrifice with cutting plantain or performing poojas with tender coconut and cereals meant to replace liquor and meat. Unlike this local tradition Lokanarkavu durga temple do not have any such traditions and never had such practices as it was established by Aryan
Aryan
Aryan is an English language loanword derived from Sanskrit ārya and denoting variously*In scholarly usage:**Indo-Iranian languages *in dated usage:**the Indo-European languages more generally and their speakers...
s itself.
It is said that most other goddess temples in kerala are in Madhyama and rarely in Uthama state. But this temple is said to be in Athyuthama state. The Aryans though manifested as locals they strongly upheld their ethical roots through a complex of differences from rest of the people. The race spirit was so high at older times that it is said that they refused to pay taxes to the local kings of Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
, as none of them was an Aryan
Aryan
Aryan is an English language loanword derived from Sanskrit ārya and denoting variously*In scholarly usage:**Indo-Iranian languages *in dated usage:**the Indo-European languages more generally and their speakers...
. But at the same time or say at a later period they began to ignore the cast restrictions and even seemed to threaten the cast equations. But slowly they became adjusted and more reclusive and settles around the temple areas and withdrew from all other matters of Local people. Among the mandala vilakku festival, the successors of these Aryan
Aryan
Aryan is an English language loanword derived from Sanskrit ārya and denoting variously*In scholarly usage:**Indo-Iranian languages *in dated usage:**the Indo-European languages more generally and their speakers...
Brahmin
Brahmin
Brahmin Brahman, Brahma and Brahmin.Brahman, Brahmin and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self...
s migrants conduct the 16th vilakku, that occurs on 16th day and is of prime importance. As we enter the temple we must pray to the stage kept in memory of these Aryan
Aryan
Aryan is an English language loanword derived from Sanskrit ārya and denoting variously*In scholarly usage:**Indo-Iranian languages *in dated usage:**the Indo-European languages more generally and their speakers...
Brahmin
Brahmin
Brahmin Brahman, Brahma and Brahmin.Brahman, Brahmin and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self...
Ancestors who built the temple. The stage is at right side to the main entrance and all devotees must seek their permission and pray to them to see the goddess inside. This is to show that the Lokanarkavu Durga holds these people to the highest esteem and she had followed them wherever they went and their happiness is her prime importance. It is said that the prayers done without praying to these ancestors goes much unheard. the aryan successors are called Nagariks and they form a formidable cast with just malayala Brahmins above them in cast equations.
See also
- KalarippayattuKalarippayattuKalaripayattu is a southern Indian martial art originating in Tamil Nadu but also practiced in contiguous parts of Kerala and Karnataka.Kalari payat includes strikes, kicks, grappling, preset forms, weaponry and healing methods...
- Thacholi OthenanThacholi OthenanThacholi Meppayil Kunjhu Othenan or Mepayil Tacholi Manikoth Kovilakathu Kunji Othena Kurup or more popularly Thacholi Othenan was a legendary hero who is believed to have lived during 16th century in North Malabar region of Kerala, India...
- MemundaMemundaMemunda is a small village near Vatakara town in Kozhikode district of Kerala, south India. The Story of Thcholi Othenan is related to this place. Many exploits of Tacholi Othenan, the hero of the ballads of north malabar were held in is the Lokanarkavu , in Memunda...
- Temples of KeralaTemples of KeralaThe list of the Temples of Kerala, district wise.-Thiruvananthapuram:* Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple* Pazhavangady Maha Ganapati Temple* Sreekanteswaram Shiva Temple* Pazhaya Sreekanteswaram Temple* Kurumkalam Bhagavati Temple* Kovilvila Bhagavati Temple...