DEITIES
Deities
The worship of deities is closely associated with the evolution of mankind. The early tribal settlements had a leader and he had conceived a form of God which they believed to give protection and such conceptions were based on nature and environment. This attitude led them to worship sun (Soorya), rain (Indra), fire (Agni), animals, birds, trees, plants etc. The worship of elephant (later transformed as Ganapathy), serpent (Naga pooja), trees (Baniyan tree) are the leftovers of pre-Dravidian culture. In the course of time, the mode of worship developed to the concepts of ancestor worship, spirits of animistic origin, spirits of Indian mythology and legendary or historical heroes who gave up their lives for society and attained divinity. Mariamma, a goddess of mainly Tamil speaking people, has been transformed as Bhagavathy or Bhadrakali in Kerala. Ayyappa, also known as Dharma Sastha, is as old as Buddhist culture. Some tribal groups consider Ayyappa as their deity. Oachira Parabrahma Temple where there is no sanctum sanctorum or idol of any deity is believed to have been a Buddhist centre. God Shiva and Shivalingom are worshipped in several forms. Consequent of the Aryan migration, the woship of Lord Vishnu also began in Kerala. Bhootha cult or devil worship is also there as evidenced from the theyyam or thira performance in Bhoothasthanam. Generally divinities are worshipped based on various concepts such as Vishnu, Siva, Durga, Sastha, Subramanya, Ganapathy etc. Each deity is again classified into various forms based on different conceptions. A general description of deities that widely worshipped in Kerala is provided here.
|
LORD BRAHMA |
Lord Brahma is the creator of the universe and of all beings. Brahma is regarded as the father of dharma. Although Lord Brahma is one of the Trinity, He is not worshipped as Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. In Kerala, temples dedicated to Brahma are also rare. One such temple is located at Tavanur in Malappuram District. In certain temples He is worshipped along with other Trinities.
|
LORD VISHNU |
Among the Trinities, Lord Vishnu is the Preserver of life. When the values of life are under threat, Lord Vishnu emerges out of his transcendence to restore peace and order on earth. Lord Vishnu is either worshipped directly or in the form of His ten incarnations. Ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu are Malsyamoorthy, Koormamoorthy, Varahamoorthy, Narasimha,Vamana, Parasurama, Sri Rama, Balarama, Sri Krishana and Kalki. Among the ten incarnations, nine have already occurred and the last one will take place at the end of the present Kali Yuga. Achutha, Adhokshja, Anantha Padmanabha, Ananthasayana, Anirudha, Ashtadasakshari, Ashtalsjar, Chathurakshari, Damodara, Dasakshari, Gopala, Dhanwanthari, Govallabha, Govinda, Hari, Hayagriva, Hrishikesa, Janardhana, Kaliya Mardana, Gopala, Kesava, Madhava, Madhusoodana, Narayana, Padmanabha, Parthasarathi, Pradyumna, Purushothama, Purushothama, Rukmini Vallabha, Samrudhi Gopala, Sangharshana, Santhana Gopala, Shadakshara,Sri Vidya Gopala, Sri Chakra Gopala, Sreedhara, Sudarsana, Thrivikrama, Upendra, Vasudeva, Venugopala, Viswaroopa are the names of different bhavas (forms or expressions) of Lord Vishnu.
|
LORD SIVA |
Lord Shiva is the Destroyer among the Trinities. He is regarded as the most powerful god. Lord Siva is also known as Rudra. He is described as an omniscient yogi, who lives an ascetic life on Kailasa in the Himalaya Mountain. Generally Lord Siva is worshipped in the form of lingam. However, there are different conceptions according to various forms or expressions such as Akhora, Ardhanareeswara, Bhikshadanamoorthy, Chakradanamoorthy, Chandesanugraha- moorthy, Chandrasekhara, Chidambara, Dakshinamoorthy, Gajari, Jalandharavadha, Kaalanthaka, Kaalari, Kalyanasundra, Kamadahana, Kankalamoorthy, Kirathamoorthy, Kshethrapalan, Lingothbhavamoorthy, Mahadeva, Mahalingeswara, Maheswara, Mruthyunjaya, Nilakantan, Nruthya-moorthy, Panchakshara Siva, Panchalingeswara, Pancheswara, Pasupathi, Sadasiva, Saiva-Ashtakshara, Sakthi Panchakshari, Sankaranarayana, Sidha Bhairavan, Sukhasanamoorthy, Thripuranthaka, Twaritha Rudran, Ugra Bhairavan, Umasahitha-Veerabhadra, Vigneswaranugrahamurthy, Vishapaharanamoorthy, Vrishabhaarooda.
|
GODDESS DURGA |
Durga is the fierce form of the Goddess Devi. She is depicted with multiple (variously, up to eighteen) arms, carrying various weapons and riding a lion. She is pictured as slaying Mahishasura, a demon in the form of buffalo. In Kerala, Goddess Durga is generally worshipped as Bhagavathi or Bhadrakali. Ambika, Annapoorneswary, Aswaruda , Saraswaty, Bala, Bhuvaneswary, Chamundi, Gayathri, Gowri, Hamsa Vageeswary, Jayadurga, Kali, Kameswari, Kannakidevi, Karthyani, Lipi Saraswathy, Mahakali, Mahalekshmi, Mangaladevi, Parvathy, Rajarajeswari, Sabari, Santhanadurga, Santhidurga, Sarada, Sathakshari, Thara, Thripurasundary, Thrishtippu, Thrykshari, Thwaritha, Vada Yakshi, Vagdevatha, Vaikra Chamundi, Vajraprastharini, Vanadurga, Varahipanchami, Yakshi are the other concepts of Goddess Durga.
Saptha Mathakkal (seven mothers) are also considered as incarnations of Durga. Saptha Mathakkal are Brahmini, Maheswari, Kaumari, Vaishanavi, Varahi, Indrani and Chamunda.
According to Skandhayamala, Goddess Durga has nine forms or expressions. They are: Rudra Chanda (Red colour of fire), Prachandra Durga (Yellow colour), Chandogra (Red colour), Chandanayika (Black colour), Chanda (Blue colour), Chandavathi (White colour), Chandaroopa (Ash colour), Adichandika (Yellow colour of turmeric), Ugrachandika (Light Red colour). Goddess Durga was the tutelary deity of almost all erstwhile rulers of Kerala.
|
LORD SASTHA |
Lord Sastha is also called Lord Ayyappa is worshiped widely in Kerala. Lord Ayyappa is believed to be an incarnation of Lord Sastha. He is the offspring of Shiva and Vishnu (as Mohini, the female incarnation of the Lord Vishnu) and hence known as Hariharasutha (son of Hari (Lord Vishnu) and Hara (Lord Siva). Lord Sastha is generally depicted in a yogic posture, wearing a bell around his neck. Lord Ayyappa has a historical relationship to the tutelary deity Aiyanar in Tamil Nadu. According to legend,Ayyappa was found in forest when he was an infanct and brought by King of Pandala kingdom and brought up there. Lord Sastha is also known as Arya-Sastha, Bhoothanatha, Maha-Sastha, Manikanta, Vana-Sastha.
|
LORD GANAPATHY |
Lord Ganapathy is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy. He is the God that removes any vignam (obstacle) and hence He is also known by the name Vighneswara. He is invoked at the commencement of any function. All temple events and other auspicious functions start with a Ganapathy Homam or by breaking a coconut in front of Lord Ganapapthy. He is the God of Knowledge and achievement. Lord Ganapathy is also known as Ganesha. Bala Ganapathy, Beeja Ganapathy, Ekadanta, Haridra Ganapathy, Heramba, Jaganmoha Ganapathy, Kshipra Ganapathy, akshmi-Vinayaka, Lambodara, Maha Ganapathy, Mooladhara Ganapathy, Shadaksharan, Sakthi Ganapathy, Uchishta Ganapathy, Veera Ganapathy, Vigneswara, Vinayaka, Vyasa Ganapathy are the different names of Lord Ganapathy based on various concepts.
|
LORD SUBRAMANYA |
Lord Subrahmanya is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. In Tamil, Lord Subramanya is known as Murugan. Lord Subramanya is the God of war. Lord Subramanya is always seen with His divine spear. He is also depicted with weapons including sword, mace and discus. The weapons that carry by Him symbolize protection, ability to defeat all ills, strength, and His knowledge of truth. Arumukha, Balaswamy, Brahmasastha, Dandapani, Gajavajana, Karthikeya, Krounchadeva,Kumara, Sakthidharan, Senani, Senapathy, Shanmukha, Sharavanabhava, Sikhavahana, Skandan, Tharakari, Vallikalyanamoorthy, Velayudha are the various names of Lord Subramanya.
OTHER DEITIES
Naga: Kerala is unique in respect of Naga (serpent) worship. In olden days, every house of a Hindu family set apart a portion of his land for a sacred grove known as Sarppa-kavu. Apart from sacred groves, idols of Nagas are installed in almost all temples of Kerala. Important serpent gods are Anantha, Vasuki, Thakshaka, Karkodaka, Shankhan, Gulikan, Padman etc. Among these, Aantha and Vasuki are generally worshipped in temples of Kerala.
Vettakkorumakan: Vettakkorumakan is the son of Lord Siva and Goddess Parvathy when they were in disguise as Kirathamoorthies. He is worshipped mainly in the temples of northern Kerala. There are certain misconceptions persist among the devotees regarding the concept of Sastha and Vettakkorumakan. The concept of Sastha and Vettakkorumakan are different.
Hanuman: Hanuman’s presence is felt in the temples dedicated to Lord Sri Rama. There are a few temples dedicated to Hanuman as principal deity.
Nandi: Nandi (Vrishabheswara), Lord Siva’s vehicle, is worshipped in great reverence in all Siva temples. In certain temples, Nandi is installed as a subsidiary deity. Usually Nandi faces Lord Siva wherever He is installed.
Garuda: Garuda, the vehicle of Lord Vishnu is installed over the dwaja (flag staff) in temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Temples dedicated to Garuda are rare. At Thrippangode in Malappuram district, there is a temple dedicated to Garuda.
Navagrahas: Navagrahas are installed in many temples separately. Among them Adithya (sun), Sukra (Venus) and Bhuda (Mercury) face east; Sani (Saturn) and Chandra face west; Brahaspathy (Jupiter) towards north; and Kuja (Mars), Rahu (Dragon’s head) and Kethu (Dragon’s tail) towards south.
Sapathamathakkal: Sapthamathakkal are seven holy mothers – Brahmini, Maheswari, Kaumari, yshnavi, Varahi, Indrani, and Chamunda worshipped as minor deities in some of the temples'
Ashtadikpalakas, Gulika, Karappaswamy, Kshethrapalan, Kuttichathan, Madan, Navagrahas, Soorya, Vaduka, are the other deities that commonly worshipped in Kerala. Goddess Sita and Her sons Leva and Kusha, Vysravana, Duryodhana, Daivathar (unidentified deity of Kannur district), are some of the rare deities worshipped in certain areas of the state.
IDOLS (VIGRAHA)
As far as common people are concerned their feeling of God is in idols. Great Masters believe God lives within them. But for ordinary people different types of idols were made in different materials based on different concepts. Idols are either self revealed (Swayambhoo) or made and consecrated. Syambhoo idols are considered as more sacred and important. The revelation of Syambhoo idols is associated with some strange occurrence. There are instances where idols were recovered from rivers, streams etc. on revelations in the dreams of ardent devotees. The Vigraha (idols) made and consecrated are excellent artistic pieces either carved or mould according to the directions laid down in Silpa Sasthras (idol making theory).
Idols are made using different materials such as stone, metal, wood, Katu-sarkara, stucco, mud etc.
Stone Idols
Granite used for making idols are known as ‘Shila’. Shilas are classified as (i) ‘Purusha Shila’ (Male stone); (ii) ‘Sthree Shila’ (Female stone); and ‘Napumsaka Shila’ (Neutral stone). Purusha Shilas are used for making idols of Gods and Sthree Silas for Goddess. The Napumsaka Silas are used for carving ‘peethas’ (platforms). Silas, which spread spark when hit by chisel is considered as most suited for making idols. A shila selected for a particular deity should not be used for any other deity. The site so selected is subjected to purification ceremony known as ‘Shilaparigraha’.
Metal Idols
The Mathsyapurana contains the method of casting bronze images. Bimbas (idols) are generally made up of Panchaloha (an alloy of five metals). Panchaloha contains copper, tin, silver, gold and iron. These metals are melted and mixed on a prescribed proportion and the melted alloy is poured into the mould. This is done on an auspicious day.
Wooden Idols
Though wooden sculptures are common in every prakaras of Kerala temples, idols carved in wood are very rare. Carving of idols is done normally in five types of woods. They are (1) Charalam; (2) Thunduka (Panachi); (3) Teak; (4) Varikka Pilavu (Jackwood); and (5) Devatharam. In Kerala, among the above five, teak and jack wood are generally used. The wooden images are treated with a liquid known as chanth manufactured by distilling the bark or root of teak. Applying the chanth on the idol is called chanthattam. In some temples instead of chanthattam, the idols are painted with modern colours. Before cutting a tree for the purpose of carving, permission of the tree is obtained by praying to the tree known as ‘Vriksha Pooja’. Utmost care should also be observed while cutting the tree so that it will not fall on the ground and it has to be taken to the work-site observing certain prescribed ceremonies.
Idols of Katu Sarkara Yogam
There are very few temples in Kerala where the idols are made of Kadu Sarkara Yogam. An important thing to note is that the Bimba (idol) has to be made at the spot where it has to be installed. Different raw materials have to be collected for the purpose. The method of making can be divided into six stages, viz., (1) making of the skeleton of the idol as per the measurement as specified in Thanthric Texts; (2) Ashta-bandha-lepana for properly fixing the skeleton; (3) Nadi-bandhana i.e., fixing of nerves at various parts of the skeleton from head to toe; (4) Mrtth lepana i.e., coating specially prepared medicated mud for shaping different parts of the body; (5) fixing of silk cloth resembling inner layer of human skin and (6) application of Kalkka – a thin natural medicinal covering for the protection of the body.
A very brief description of the above six stages are given below:
(1) Making of skeleton: - Good quality woods like Karingali, Devatharu and Chandanam (sandal) are used for this purpose. Different body parts are made with the above wood material and they are joined with the help of copper wires and copper plates.
(2) Ashta-bandha-lepana: - The materials such as Thiruvattaapasa (a particular gum obtained from a tree), Kunthirikkam, Guggulu, jaggery, Chenchelyam and Kavi are taken in the proportion of 4:3:5:1:8:3 and powdered and mixed with two part of oil and part of ghee and heated in an earthen pot. When it becomes near to a paste form it is taken out in a lukewarm condition applied all over the skeleton carefully.
(3) Naadi-bandhana: - To resemble the nervous system in the human body fine fibers taken from the coconut husks after due process is used in the skeleton for yarning the naadies.
(4) Mrtth-lepana: - Firstly soil from (i) dry land; (ii) marshy land (iii) desert are collected and cleaned. Then three types of Kashayam are prepared with (i) Karingali and Maruthu; (ii) Nalpamaram (Athi, Ithi, Arayal and Peral); and (iii) Kolarakku. The three type soils are put in three separate Kashayams in three earthen pots for 10 days. After that the dried mud is put in Thriphala Kashayam (kadukka, Nellikka and Thannikka) for another 10 days. Then 1/4th quantity of powdered river sand is added in each pot and mixed. Then barley, wheat and kaasavu are powdered and mixed at specified proportion. To arrive at the final process coconut water, Thiruvarrapasa, Kunthirikkam, Guggula, Chenchayam, honey, cows curd, Chukku, Pepper , Thippali, Ghee, Milk, Plavu pasa, kernel of Koovalam fruit, kunkumam, akil, kottam, gorochana, kaasavu oil, kasthuri, gold, silver, river sand, sea sand, clay from crab’s hole, sand from farmer’s plough, sand from bull’s hooves, sand from elephants task, water from the river Ganges, are used at different proportion at different stages and in different combination. The entire mixture is then put in a Kashayam of Ilippa tree fro five days. Then add small pieces of coconut husk, gums of koovalam and plavu to it. This mixture is applied on the skeleton and the desired characteristics and shape of the idol are achieved.
(5) Fixing of silk: - Pure silk is wrapped around all parts of the idol with the help of gum or latex to give a good protection to the mrtth.
(6) Application of Kalkka: - Equal proportion of powdered river sand, black sand, bloack stone or gravel found in river beds and Kozhipparal are ground daily for a period of one month in a Kashyam of Thriphala gum of Plavu and gum of Koovalam. This coating of the mixture is made on the idol. Ornamentation and decoration can be made on the idol using Kalkka. Application sanku (conch) powder will give the idol a whitening effect.
Katu Sarkara Yogam idols are not subjected to abhisheka.
A very famous deity made of Katu Sarkara Yogam is that Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple at Thiruvananthapuram.
Stucco Idols
Stucco Idols or clay images are rare in Kerala, except in the border area adjoining to Karnataka. (Eg. Ananthapura lake temple in Kasaragode Dist).
Mud Idols
Mud Idols made of mud are also very rare in Kerala.
Measurement of Vigrahas (Idols)
There are 32 important Sanskrit works on sculpture in ancient times which have been stated in Maanasaaram. In addition there are 18 texts such as Isana, Chithrakasyapam, Prayoga Manjari, Peruhitham,Buddha-matham, Gouthamam, Kulalam, Vasishtam, Mano-kalpam, Bhargavam, Markandam, Gopalam, Naradeeyam, Kashyapam, Chithra-yamalam, Chitra-bahulayam and Desikam.
In North India, the sculptors follow different texts. The idols of Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, Lord Ganapathy and Goddess Bhagavathy are made observing the regulations and principles as laid down in the relevant Sanskrit texts. In Kerala these principles are observed strictly.
|