Nurani Dharmasastha Temple

Nurani Dharmasastha Temple

Dharmasastha Temple is located at Nurani in Palakkad- Kerala.The town is known for celebrating Sasthapreethi, a festival devoted to the Hindu deity Ayyappan.

Temple History

The Brahmins engaged the Adivasis, who were inhabitants of a nearby colony, for cultivation. Once when the Adivasis were working to clear bushes in a hillock, they heard the sound of bells and experienced a fragrance and strange phenomena. On hearing this, the Brahmins ordered further excavation and, to their astonishment, found three cylindrical Vigrahas, a small granite Elephant another flat vigraha buried under the hillock. On conducting Ashtamangalya Deva Prashna (traditional practice followed in Kerala temples) by eminent Astrologer and Pandits, it was found that the cylindrical Vigrahas are of Hariharaputhra (Ayyappa), Poorna and Pushkala (the two consorts of Hariharaputhra.) The flat idol was identified as Bhagavathy (Malikapurathamma). The Deva prashna also threw light on the origin of these idols. There was a Nampoodiripad who used to regularly visit Aryankavu for darsan of Lord Ayyappa. Later in his life owing to old age, he could not visit Aryankavu which saddened him . As per the advice of Ayyappa (who came in his dream), he built a temple in his courtyard, installed the above idols seated on the elephant, worshipped them and got solace. After the death of this Namboodiripad, when war broke out, his family abandoned their residence and fled the place for fear of an attack. In course of time the place was covered by hillock and bamboo bushes and the temple got buried under it.

The final result of the Dev Prashna was that the idols be installed in a suitable temple and daily poojas be conducted as prescribed by Agama Shastras for the prosperity of villagers.

On hearing this, the Brahmins rejoiced and built the temple at the North Western end, facing the entrance of the village and installed the three cylindrical Vigrahas with the granite elephant.Later, for the prosperity and well being of the community, Shree Bhoomi Sametha Sree Varadaraja Perual (Maha Vishnu) was installed on the Northern side of Hariharaputhra Sannidhi and facing the entrance to the village. Slowly idols of Ganesha were installed as prescribed by the Shastras. For the well being of all, a Thulasi Matham surrounded by Naga (snakes) idols and an Anjaneya Sannidhi behind, were erected to the North of Maha Vishnu Sannidhi.

From the time the Dharmasastha temple was established Thulasiamman Pooja and Sasthapreethi celebrations are going on every year in the months of December/January.