Kshatriyas' nightmare
V. GUHAN
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Performing the last rites is special here.
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ABODE OF TRINITY: The inner prakaram of the Parasurama temple.
There are many pilgrim spots hidden in the greenery of Kerala. One of them is the temple for Parasurama, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, at Tiruvallam, near Thiruvananthapuram. According to legend, Karthaveeriyarjuna slayed Parasurama's father, sage Jamadagni. To avenge his father's death, Parasurama destroyed 21 races of kshatriyas including Karthaveeriya. He made amends by giving away all his possessions. Now, he had nothing of his own, not even a piece of land to live on. He prayed to the Almighty who asked him to throw away his axe into the sea. The water receded up to the point where the axe fell and the land that thus surfaced came to be known as Kerala. And there is a temple dedicated to Parasurama at Tiruvallam, six km from Thiruvananthapuram, enroute Kovalam.
Triva Illam (abode of Trinity), by the passage of time became Tiruvallam. Adi Sankaracharya was searching for a place to perform shraddham for his mother. Enchanted by the natural surroundings, he chose this place. He beseeched Parasurama to help him. But at least three persons were required for the ceremony. Hence he sought the help of other two in the Trinity. Brahma took the position of the holy priest, Siva, the recipient of gifts, and Parasurama, the guest of honour or enjoyer of gifts. (Even today in shraddhams a leaf is set aside for this celestial guest). The ceremony went off very well and moved by this, Sankara requested them to grace whoever comes to this land in future for performing the last rites.
Sanctified
The gods who complied also adding that the departed souls would attain Mukti. Adi Sankara installed the idols of these three deities at the place which came to be known by `Thiru va Illam' or Thruvallam.
MENACING: Parasurama
The shrine is located on the banks of a river. Dotted with coconut and palm groves it appears like a Parnasala. One has to cross the bridge to reach the temple. An archway greets the visitor and atop the arch poses a furious-looking Parasurama wielding his mighty axe. A brisk walk leads to the temple whose façade has a triangular roof which is in typical Kerala style of architecture. In the forecourt, there are some altars arrayed in tandem, also called Bali peetams or Balikapura. To the left is an enclosure where shrardhams are performed.
The temple tank reflecting the greenery is serene and placid but the exact period of construction of this temple is not known. Across the courtyard is the Sreekovil or sanctum sanctorum. The Moolavar, Lord Parasurama, is petite, calm and composed. There are shrines for the Trinity, Sasta, Devi, Matsyamurthy, Ganesha, Subramanya, Vedavyasa and also Adi Sankara.
On special occasions like Amavasya, people throng this shrine to perform rituals to their ancestors and kinsfolk. Apart from this, there is also a ten-day festival which is celebrated between mid-October and mid-November. The carnival commences on Hastam day and concludes on the day of Onam.
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