The Sree Subrahmanya Swamy temple in Haripad is one of the oldest temples in Kerala. This temple dedicated to Subrahmanya Swamy is known as Dakshina Palani(Southern Palani). It is believed that the temple was established even before the advent of Kaliyuga.
It is believed that the idol has been used by Parasurama for Poojas and was left in Kandanalloor in Govindamuttom Backwaters from which it was recovered. It is said that all the landlords of Eakachakra (the then Haripad) had vision regarding the idol in the sametime which led them to find the idol in Kayamkulam lake.The idol was brought ashore at Nelpurakadavu. In commemoration of retrieval of the idolVigraha Labdhi Jalolsavam is conducted in Payippad river for three days, after Thiruvonam. Legend has it that the idol was kept for public viewing for Ara Nazhika (half an hour) under a banyan tree that belonged to a Christian family,Tharakanmar. There still exist a small temple where the idol was kept known as “Ara Nazhika Ambalam”.[1]
The temple was consecrated on the Pushya star of Makara Masa. This day is celebrated as the founding day of the temple every year. It is believed that Lord Vishnu appeared as a saint to consecrate the temple. In Malayalam year 1096 the temple caught fire but the golden flag mast and the Koothambalam was saved from the fire. The temple was rebuilt during the reign of King Sree Chithira Thirunal Rama Varma. and the golden flag mast was re-installed.[2][3]
Primary deity
The presiding deity of the temple is Murugan in four armed form with Vel in one hand,Vajrayudha in another hand one hand bestowing blessing and the other toughing its thighs. The idol is about eight feet in height. The idol is believed to have presence of Vishnu, Shiva andBrahma. The idol faces East[4][5]
Other deities
Beside the main deity there are many other deities which include Dakshina Moorthy, Lord Ganesh, Thiruvambadi Kannan, Nāga, Shasta, Keezhtyar Kovil Subrahmanyan.
Temple description
The temple has four Gopuras. It has golden flag mast on eastern side. The temple's Sanctum sanctorum is round in shape. The temple compound also hosts a Koothambalam.Peacocks, Murugan's vahana, are protected and housed in the temple premises.[6]
Festivals
The Avani Utsavam in Chingom, Markazhi Utsavam in Dhanu, Chitra Utsavam in Medom form the Utsava Trayam.Trikkarthika in Vrischikam, Prathishta day in Idavam, Skanda Ashthami inThulam, Navarathri in Kanni and Thaipooyam in Makaram are some of the other important festivals of the Haripad Temple.[2][7]
