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Thuravoor is a
gram panchayat Gram Panchayat () is a basic village-governing institute in Indian villages. It is a democratic structure at the grass-roots level in India. It is a political institute, acting as cabinet of the village. The Gram Sabha work as the general bo ...
in the Pattanakkad Block of
Cherthala Cherthala, , (formerly Shertalai, Shertallai or Shertallay) is a Municipal town and a Taluk located at National highway 66 in the district of Alappuzha, in the state of Kerala, India. Cherthala is the satellite town and industrial hub of Ala ...
Taluk of the
Alappuzha Alappuzha or Alleppey () is the administrative headquarters of Alappuzha district in state of Kerala, India. The Backwaters of Alappuzha are one of the most popular tourist attractions in India which attracts millions of domestic and internat ...
District, State of
Kerala Kerala ( ; ) is a state on the Malabar Coast of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, following the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, by combining Malayalam-speaking regions of the erstwhile regions of Cochin, Malabar, South C ...
,
India India, officially the Republic of India ( Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the ...
. It comes under Aroor Assembly constituency. Thuravoor lies exactly between
Kochi Kochi (), also known as Cochin ( ) ( the official name until 1996) is a major port city on the Malabar Coast of India bordering the Laccadive Sea, which is a part of the Arabian Sea. It is part of the district of Ernakulam in the state of ...
and Alappuzha. A four lane National Highway 47 passes through the village, which along with a railway station gives it excellent connectivity with the remainder of the state. Thuravoor is famous for the Narasimha Swamy temple which is dedicated to the fourth incarnation (avatara) of
Vishnu Vishnu ( ; , ), also known as Narayana and Hari, is one of the principal deities of Hinduism. He is the supreme being within Vaishnavism, one of the major traditions within contemporary Hinduism. Vishnu is known as "The Preserver" within ...
, the
Narasimha Narasimha ( sa, नरसिंह, lit=man-lion, ), sometimes rendered Narasingha, is the fourth avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu. He is regarded to have incarnated in the form of a part-lion, part-man being to slay Hiranyakashipu, to end r ...
. The temple has two main deities, the Vadakkanappan (Lord
Narasimha Narasimha ( sa, नरसिंह, lit=man-lion, ), sometimes rendered Narasingha, is the fourth avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu. He is regarded to have incarnated in the form of a part-lion, part-man being to slay Hiranyakashipu, to end r ...
) and the Tekkanappan (Lord Sudarshana), which is rare among the temples of Kerala.


Location


Thuravoor Mahakshethram

Thuravoor Mahakshethram, an ancient Devasthanam located by the side of NH-47, approximately 25 km south of Kochi city, is the sacred abode of Lord Sree Narasimhamoorthy and Lord Sree Mahasudarsanamoorthy. The entire temple complex can be seen from the road. Two separate Sanctom Sanctoroms in close proximity - within the same compound - reflect the synthesis of a unique and mysterious divine power. The idol of Sree Narasimhamoorthy is said to have originated in the holy city of Kashi (Varanasi). Swami Padmapadar (8th century AD), the principal disciple of Adi Sankaracharya, had worshipped the very same idol at Kashi. Distinctive in its architectural and artistic grandeur, Thuravoor Mahakshethram is one of the most venerated places of worship in Kerala. Twin ''Sreekovils'' (Sanctom Sanctoroms) - one square and the other circular shaped - in a single Nalambalam, two gold-plated flagmasts that tower into the skies, a majestically tall Anapandhal (elephant rostrum, the largest in Kerala) and a strict regimen of observances of vrathas for the priests, days after days of rituals and festivals, chanting of Vedic hymns and presentation of learned discourses on Puranas throughout the year... all these attract streams of devotees to the temple from within and outside the state. Vedi - vazhivadu is one of the popular vazhivadu or offerings in the temple. Of the two temples here, it is believed that the one dedicated to Sudarsanamoorthy was the first to come into existence. Though there is no record of its origin, the temple is estimated to be over 1300 years old. There are scholars who hold that the circular-shaped Sreekovil belongs to the
Treta Yuga ''Treta Yuga'', in Hinduism, is the second and second best of the four '' yugas'' (world ages) in a '' Yuga Cycle'', preceded by '' Krita (Satya) Yuga'' and followed by ''Dvapara Yuga''. ''Treta Yuga'' lasts for 1,296,000 years (3,600 divine year ...
; according to others, its origin dates back to the
Dvapara Yuga ''Dvapara Yuga'' ( Dwapara Yuga), in Hinduism, is the third and third best of the four '' yugas'' (world ages) in a '' Yuga Cycle'', preceded by '' Treta Yuga'' and followed by '' Kali Yuga''. ''Dvapara Yuga'' lasts for 864,000 years (2,400 divi ...
. Some palm leaf texts on the temple do exist, but nobody has yet been able to understand or decipher them. As for the Narasimhamoorthy temple, records do show that it came into being sometime in the 7th century AD, during the reign of a Chera king named Keralendran. His guru was the great Muringottu Adigal, a well-known Tulu Brahmin priest and scholar. Geographically, the temple site belongs to the formerly Princely State of Cochin. However, it subsequently came under the purview of Travancore State for certain political reasons. But this transition was subject to an important proviso: if a Travancore king were ever to set foot on the Mahakshethra soil, the temple would be immediately restored to Cochin. Therefore, for a long time, no Travancore king visited the temple. In 1951, with the merger of Travancore and Cochin and coronation of Sree
Chithira Thirunal Sree Padmanabhadasa Sree Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma , popularly known as Sree Chithira Thirunal, was the last ruling Maharaja of the Princely State of Travancore, in southern India until 1949 and later the Titular Maharajah of Travanc ...
, the Maharaja visited the temple - the first time for a Travancore king to do so. He walked to the temple over a carpet to avoid stepping directly on the ground. Daily routine/rituals like puja, kazhagam are entrusted to some designated families. Even now also puja has to be carried out by five vaishnava
Tulu Brahmin Tulu Brahmins or Tuluva Brahmins are the inhabitants of Tulu Nadu, also considered a part of Parashurama Kshetra which extends to Kerala. They consist of following: Sthanika Brahmins, also called "Sthanika Tulu Brahmins" or "Tulu Brahmins" ar ...
families, say Adukathaya (Adukkam), Kubanuraya (Konoor), Parakode, Khajanaya (Kasha)and Kadamannaya (Nallur) of Kasargode District of Kerala. Great seers and saints such as Jagadguru Sankaracharya of Sringeri - Sree Bharathi Theertha Swamigal, Jagadguru Sankaracharya of Kanchi - Sree Jayendra Saraswathy, Sankaracharya of Puri - Sree Adhokshajananda Swamigal, Uduppi Pejavar Math head - Sree Visweswara Theertha Swamigal and the Jiyar of Ahobilamath - Sree Sadagopa Narayana Yatheendra Swamigal - have all visited and experienced the spiritual and devotional grandeur of this fabled Devasthanam. Thuravoor Mahakshethram is now one of the important transit-camps (Edathavalam) for the
Ayappa Ayyappan an incarnation of dharma sastha, also called Manikandan, is a Hindu deity popular in Southern India, He is considered to be the epitome of dharma, truth, and righteousness and is often called upon to obliterate evil. Although devotion ...
devotees during the
Sabarimala The Sabarimala Temple (; ml, ശബരിമല ക്ഷേത്രം) is a temple complex located at Sabarimala hill inside the Periyar Tiger Reserve in the Perinad Village, Pathanamthitta district, Kerala, India. It is one of the largest ...
pilgrimage season. The temple is administered by the Travancore Devasom Board. The Devasom guest house and a large spacious hall for conducting religious discourses, marriage functions are also located just near the southern gate of the temple. The 29-th Akhila Bharath SriMad Bhagavath Mahasathram, a fourteen-day non stop religious discourse camp or Mahasathram was held at Thuravoor Mahakesthram from 2 April 2012 to 14 April 2012. The Bhagavata Sathram is a conglomeration of learned rishis, priests, scholars and devotees to share their knowledge and experiences on Bhagavatam and everybody can take part in the Bhajans, discussions and deliberations on the teachings of "Sreemad Bhagavatam". The gracious presence of Lord
Guruvayoorappan Guruvayurappan ( ml, ഗുരുവായൂരപ്പന്‍, (transliterated guruvāyūrappan)) also often rendered Guruvayoorappan, is a form of Vishnu worshipped mainly in Kerala. He is the presiding deity of the Guruvayur temple, w ...
was there at the venue of the Sathram on all the days. It was a divine opportunity for the Devotees to attend the Sathram and offer their prayers and be blessed by Lord
Guruvayoorappan Guruvayurappan ( ml, ഗുരുവായൂരപ്പന്‍, (transliterated guruvāyūrappan)) also often rendered Guruvayoorappan, is a form of Vishnu worshipped mainly in Kerala. He is the presiding deity of the Guruvayur temple, w ...
. Bhagavatha acharyas and scholars from all over the country participated and rendered their scholarly discourses to the devotees, dedicated to Lord
Guruvayoorappan Guruvayurappan ( ml, ഗുരുവായൂരപ്പന്‍, (transliterated guruvāyūrappan)) also often rendered Guruvayoorappan, is a form of Vishnu worshipped mainly in Kerala. He is the presiding deity of the Guruvayur temple, w ...
.


Thuravoor Purandareswaram Temple

The incarnation of Lord
Shiva Shiva (; sa, शिव, lit=The Auspicious One, Śiva ), also known as Mahadeva (; ɐɦaːd̪eːʋɐ, or Hara, is one of the principal deities of Hinduism. He is the Supreme Being in Shaivism, one of the major traditions within Hin ...
at Purandareswarath Sree Maha Deva Temple believed as a form of
Sharabha Sharabha ( sa, शरभ, ,Tamil: ஸரபா, kn, ಶರಭ, Telugu: శరభ) or Sarabha is a part-lion and part-bird beast in Hindu history, who is described eight-legged and more powerful than a lion or an elephant, possessing the ability ...
. The incarnation of lord Sarabha is that mellowed Lord Vishnu's ominous form of the breast-bursting, blood-sucking Narasimha. He is the heavenly deliverer of mental bliss. Praying to him can make anyone "calm of mind, all passion spent". So, Purandareswarath Sree Maha Deva Temple has a primordial relation to the legendary Narasimhamoorthy Temple, Thuravoor. As Mammiyoor Siva Temple is to Guruvayoor Sree Krishna Temple, so is Purandareswarath Maha Deva Temple to Thuravoor Narasimhamoorthy Temple. Of these different deities 'ceremonially arriving' at Thuravoor on the holy Deepavali Festival Day for the ritualistic ensemble called "Kootti Ezhunnellath", Lord Purandareswara is the lone Siva deity among the other deities. So, every devotee who goes to Thuravoor Mahakshethram is supposed to go to Purandareswaram Kshethram also, as the ritual goes. Legend has it that a holy Brahmin bound for
Vaikom Vaikom, , is a municipal town and a capital town of Vaikom Taluk, situated in the northwest of Kottayam district in the state of Kerala, India. The town is also noted for its role in the Indian independence movement for being the venue of Vaikom ...
to participate in the "Vaikathashtami" and to have "Ashtami Darsan", could reach only up to Purandareswarath. Heart-broken at the thought of is failure to reach Vaikom in time and to have Ashtami – Darshan, he cried and prayed Lord Siva in penitence. Lord Siva heard his passionate prayer and emerged before him in all his charismatic grace. Later that Siva grace was identified by Sri. Vilvamangalathu Swamiyar, the seer and saint of ancient Kerala and he enshrined it in the round-shaped abode of the temple. The main festival of Purandareswaram Temples are
Maha Shivaratri Maha Shivaratri ( IAST: Mahāśivarātri) is a Hindu festival celebrated annually in honour of the god Shiva. The name also refers to the night when Shiva performs the heavenly dance called Tandava. In every month of the luni-solar Hindu ...
, Ashtami Darsan, Pathamudayam,
Thiruvathira Thiruvathira or Thiruvathirai or Arudhra Darisanam is a Hindu festival celebrated in the Indian states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Thiruvathirai (Arudhra) in Tamil means "sacred big wave". In Chidambaram in Tamil Nadu, the Sri Natarajar templ ...
and
Deepavali Diwali (), Dewali, Divali, or Deepavali ( IAST: ''dīpāvalī''), also known as the Festival of Lights, related to Jain Diwali, Bandi Chhor Divas, Tihar, Swanti, Sohrai, and Bandna, is a religious celebration in Indian religions. It i ...
. One of the famous festival in that village


Kadathuruth Srimahadevi Temple

Thuravoor Kadathuruth Srimahadevi Temple is one of the prominent Devi temples in Alappuzha. It is situated 2 km away from Thuravoor junction. The idol of the goddess Bhadrakali (popularly known as "Kadathuruth Amma") in the temple is unique as it has four hands with various attributes. One is holding the head of a Daruka, another a sword, next an anklet, another a bell. It is popularly called "Kadathuruthil Chakki".


Parayakad Nalukulangara Maha Devi Temple

kuthiathode Kuthiathode is a gram panchayat in Alappuzha district in the Indian state of Kerala. Geography The Kuthiathode or the river stream was once the major waterway for transporting goods to the local market from Kochi via the Vembanad lake. His ...
between Thuravoor NH 47, western side of around 1 km Road (Pattukulangara Jn.) one of the prominent Devi temples in Alappuzha. It is situated 1 km away from Pattukulangara Jn. The idol of the goddess Bhadrakali (popularly known as "Nalukulangara Amma") together with Sivan, Subrahmanyan, Bhalabhadra, etc. It is popularly called"Nalukulangara Mahadevi". Temple Annual Fest (KODIYETTU ULSAVOM - MALAYALAM KALANDER MAKAROM - MAKOM THOZHAL andery famous & POORAM popular. Vrichikom 1st PONGALA especially ladies' fest.


Temples and churches

* Thuravoor Mahakshetram * Purandareswaram Sree Mahadevar Templ * 29th Akhila Bharath SriMad Bhagavath Mahasathram * Thirumala Devasom Lakshmi Narashimha Temple * Sacred Heart Church, Valamangalam * Kadathuruth SriMahadavi Temple * Sree Bhoothanilam Temple, Valamangalam South * Mannath Sreekrishna Swamy Temple, Valamangalam * Pattathalil Sreekrishna Swamy Temple, Thuravoor South * Thiru Venkitapuram Sreekrishna Swamy Temple, Valamangalam South * Kainikaramana Sreekrsihna Swamy Temple, Thuravoor * Nalukulangara Maha Devi Temple , Parayakad * Kalarikakkal Devi Temple, Thirumala Bhagaom * Puthankavu Devi Temple, Puthankavu * Pechi Amman Kovil, Thuravoor South * St. Joseph Church, Aalakaparambu * St.Sebastin's Church, Pallithode * Sri Mahadeva Temple, Thirumala Bhagom * Arthikulangara Bhagavathi Temple, Thirumala Bhagom * Ponnpuram Jamat Mosque, Chavady * Vadekkuttu Sree Bhagavathy Temple Valamangalam South P.O. * St. Monica's Church, Mariyapuram, Near Thuravoor Railway station


Personalities

* Professor Thuravoor Viswambharan - a well known Vedic scholar who presents the vedic discourses on
Amrita TV Amrita TV is an Indian Malayalam Language general Entertainment television channel owned by Mata Amritanandamayi Math. It was launched in 2005. Theme song The theme song, "Lokasamastha," was composed by Rahulraj for Mata Amritanandamayi's 5 ...
*
Syam Pushkaran Syam Pushkaran (born 6 September 1984) is an Indian scriptwriter who works in Malayalam cinema. He is known for his collaboration with directors Aashiq Abu and Dileesh Pothan. He made his debut with ''Salt N' Pepper'' (2011), co-written with ...
is an Indian
scriptwriter A screenplay writer (also called screenwriter, scriptwriter, scribe or scenarist) is a writer who practices the craft of screenwriting, writing screenplays on which mass media, such as films, television programs and video games, are based. T ...
best known for his work in
Malayalam cinema Malayalam cinema is an Indian film industry of Malayalam-language motion pictures. It is based in Kochi, Kerala, India. The films produced in Malayalam cinema are known for their cinematography and story-driven plots. In 1982, '' Elippat ...


Educational institutions

* T D Schools, TirumalaBhagomT D Schools, TirumalaBhagom
/ref> One of the oldest and reputed educational institutes in
Cherthala Cherthala, , (formerly Shertalai, Shertallai or Shertallay) is a Municipal town and a Taluk located at National highway 66 in the district of Alappuzha, in the state of Kerala, India. Cherthala is the satellite town and industrial hub of Ala ...
is run by Alappuzha Ananthanarayanapuram Thuravoor Thirumala Devasom (AATTD) belonging to the
Goud Saraswat Brahmin Gaud Saraswat Brahmins (GSB) (also Goud or Gawd) are a Hindu Brahmin community of the north. The Konkani speaking Gaud Saraswat of Goa and southern India claim to be descendents of these Gaud Saraswat Brahmins of the north that migrated to ...
community. The TD School campus, situated west of Sree Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Thirumala Bhagom comprises a Teachers' Training Institute (TDTTI) with an Upper Primary (UP) Section, and a Higher Secondary School (TDHSS) with High School (HS) and Higher Secondary Section (HSS). The government run TD Lower Primary School (TDLPS) is also nearby. The school has hosted the Inter-District school level sports and Cultural meet many times. Smt K R Gowri Amma, the former Revenue Minister and Agriculture minister of Kerala state, was a student of TDHSS. The campus is located 2 km west of Thuravoor-NH47 junction. * SNGM Institutions, Valamangalam, Thuravoor The Sree Narayana Guru Memorial Charitable and Education (SNGM) Trust offers MEd., BEd., TTC, Hotel Management, Pharmacy and other Professional courses at PostGraduate and graduate level. The campus also has an Art & Science college offering Degree courses affiliated to Kerala University. Professional courses are approved by AICTE,New Delhi. It is located at Valamangalam 4 km east of Thuravoor - NH 47 junction. The K.R. Gowri Amma Engineering college for Women started in 2008 under SNGM Trust, is situated in the same campus. * SCS High School, Valamangalam SCS High School, Valamangalam .one of the famous school in Thuravoor. 1 to 10 classes and hire secondary also their. Professional teachers and staffs * Thuravoor Govt. West UP School, Thuravoor * Government LP School, Thuravoor, Manakkodam * Panchayath LP School, Puthanchanda * St.Joseph's ITI, Thuravoor South


Other public institutions

The SILK (Steel and Industry limited of Kerala) plant, Higasimaru Feeds, the Government Thaluk Hospital, Thuravoor Educational Sub-district Office, ICDS office, Thuravoor Post office, Panchayat office with a Library,Primary Health Center with mini hospital,
Reliance Reliance may refer to: Companies * Reliance Controls, an American electrical products company founded in 1909 in Wisconsin * Reliance Home Comfort, a Canadian water heater rental and HVAC service company * Reliance Industries, an Indian co ...
Fuel station, Aswathy HP fuel station,
Bank of India Bank of India (BOI) is an Indian public sector bank headquartered in Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai. Founded in 1906, it has been government-owned since nationalisation in 1969. BoI is a founder member of SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Inter ...
, Thuravoor South Service
Co-operative Bank Cooperative banking is retail and commercial banking organized on a cooperative basis. Cooperative banking institutions take deposits and lend money in most parts of the world. Cooperative banking, as discussed here, includes retail banking car ...
, Thuravoor Railway Station, Saral Auditorium, SS Kala Mandir, Thuravoor KalaKethram, and Panchayat Market complex are some of the public institutions around Thuravoor. File:Tvrrlwystation.jpg, Thuravoor Railway Station situated 24 km south of Ekm Junction on Ekm-Kayamkulam Coastal Railway File:thuravoor.jpg, Busy Thuravoor Junction on NH-47 Alpy-Kochi route File:Tycatferry.jpg, Thuravoor-Thycattuserry ferry service across the Thycattuserry backwaters


References

{{Alappuzha district Cities and towns in Alappuzha district