Padanilam Parabrahma Temple
Padanilam Parabrahma Temple
Padanilam Parabrahma Temple is situated at Padanilam in Mavelikara taluk of Alappuzha district in Kerala. It is one of the major temples in erstwhile Travancore state.The temple is dedicated to Lord Parabrahma, also known as Omkaram.
History
Padaniram temple is considered to be Swayambhu. The facts about its actual history and how worship began there are unknown. Padaniram is the administrative center of Nooranad and has a history of violent conflicts between the various Karakals (territories) surrounding the temple. The purpose was to take control of the temple management and control the entire village. It is said that this place was named after this pada (battle/conflict). It is believed that the Kayamkulam kingdom’s army was encamped near the temple to protect the kingdom from attacks by neighboring kings. During this period, the village had several chiefs and their supporters. They include Norkodi Unnittan, Kadakkal Kuruppan, Vettasaan and Vettadikkal Kuruppan. Kayamkulam Raja withdrew his army about four centuries ago. This began tensions between chiefs over control of the village. So they divided into north and south and started fighting. The southern part consisted of Norkodi Karuppan and Kadakkal Kuruppan. On the other side were Bettasasan and Bettadikkar Kuruppan. 22 Karacals supported each side. During the battle, many soldiers from both sides died in large numbers. They were buried in Chira near the temple. Since time immemorial, this temple has been a blessing to the people of the surrounding area. It is also believed that the battle was fought between King Marthanda Varma on one side and King Kayamkulam on the other. The 22 Karacals of Noranad sided with the two kings. Ordinary people began to worry about the devastation of the war and approached Pazur Panamana Tampuran to find a solution to end the war. He tried to intervene, but the parties were unable to stop him. He pitched his tent on the east side of the temple and began fasting until his death. However, this did not deter the warring parties. However, when he was on the verge of death due to fasting, those who feared Brahmanasapam agreed to stop the war. They demarcated the northern and southern boundaries and stopped the war in the name of Parabrahma, the presiding deity of the temple.
Shivaratri is the main festival of the temple.On the day of Shivaratri, thousands of people come to the temple in the morning to see the Kaavadiyattam of Lord Subramanyan. Kaavadi from all parts of the region come separately and gather at the temple.
