Thuravoor, Cherthala
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Thuravoor () is a gram panchayat in the Pattanakkad Block of
Cherthala Cherthala is a municipality in the Alappuzha district of Kerala, India and acts as a satellite town of Kochi. It is located north of the district headquarters in Alappuzha and about north of the state capital Thiruvananthapuram. As per the 20 ...
Taluk of the
Alappuzha Alappuzha (, आलप्पुळ) or Alleppey is a municipality and town on the Laccadive Sea in the southern Indian state of Kerala. It is the district headquarters of the district, and is located about north of the state capital Thiruvana ...
District, State of
Kerala Kerala ( , ) is a States and union territories of India, 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 ...
,
India India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area; the List of countries by population (United Nations), most populous country since ...
. It comes under Aroor Assembly constituency. Thuravoor will lie under Kochi UA in the future. A four lane(six lane is progressing)
National Highway 66 The following highways are numbered 66: International * European route E66 Australia * Barkly Highway (Northern Territory) * Riddoch Highway Canada * Alberta Highway 66 * Highway 66 (Ontario) Cuba * Autopista Sancti Spiritus (4-6 ...
passes through the village, which along with a railway station gives it excellent connectivity with the remainder of the state. The new 6 lane elevated highway is from Thuravoor to Aroor. Upon completion, it will become the longest elevated highway in the country. Thuravoor is a rapid developing town. It lies in
Aroor Aroor is a fishing village on the northernmost part of the Alappuzha district, within Cherthala, Cherthala taluk of Kerala, India. It lies on either sides of National Highway 66 (India), National Highway 66 and serves as a gateway between Koc ...
Assembly constituency. Thuravoor
Kumbalangi Kumbalangi () is an island village in the outskirts of Kochi city in the state of Kerala, India. Situated amidst backwaters, around 12 km (7.5 mi) from the city center, Kumbalangi is a major tourist attraction and is famous for i ...
road is a main road parallel to NH 66. Thuravoor is the major entry to
Kochi Kochi ( , ), List of renamed Indian cities and states#Kerala, formerly known as Cochin ( ), is a major port city along the Malabar Coast of India bordering the Laccadive Sea. It is part of the Ernakulam district, district of Ernakulam in the ...
city. 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 Hindu deities, principal deities of Hinduism. He is the supreme being within Vaishnavism, one of the major traditions within contemporary Hinduism, and the god of preservation ( ...
, the
Narasimha Narasimha (, , or , ), is the fourth avatara of the Hindu god Vishnu in the Satya Yuga. He incarnated as a part-lion, part-man and killed Hiranyakashipu, ended religious persecution and calamity on earth, and restored dharma. Narasimha has th ...
. The temple has two main deities, the Vadakkanappan (Lord
Narasimha Narasimha (, , or , ), is the fourth avatara of the Hindu god Vishnu in the Satya Yuga. He incarnated as a part-lion, part-man and killed Hiranyakashipu, ended religious persecution and calamity on earth, and restored dharma. Narasimha has th ...
) 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'' (IAST: ''Tretā-yuga'') (Devanagari: त्रेतायुग), 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 ...
; according to others, its origin dates back to the
Dvapara Yuga ''Dvapara Yuga'' (International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration, IAST: ''Dvāpara-yuga'') (Devanagari: द्वापर युग), in Hinduism, is the third and third-best of the four ''yugas'' (world ages) in a ''Yuga Cycle'', preceded b ...
. 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 (7 November 1912 – 20 July 1991), was the last ruling Maharaja of the Indian princely state of Travancore, in southern India until 1949 and ...
, 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: *Kota Brahmins *Koteshwara Brahmins *Shivalli Brahmins *Sthanika Brahmins ...
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 devotees during the
Sabarimala The Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple () is a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Ayyappan, who is also known as Dharma Shasta and is the son of the deities Shiva and Mohini (female avatar of the god Vishnu). The temple is situated atop th ...
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 (; ) (lit. Lord / Father of Guruvayoor) also rendered as Guruvayoorappan, is a form of Vishnu worshipped mainly in Kerala, India. He is the presiding deity of the Guruvayur Temple, who is worshipped as Krishna in his child for ...
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 (; ) (lit. Lord / Father of Guruvayoor) also rendered as Guruvayoorappan, is a form of Vishnu worshipped mainly in Kerala, India. He is the presiding deity of the Guruvayur Temple, who is worshipped as Krishna in his child for ...
. Bhagavatha acharyas and scholars from all over the country participated and rendered their scholarly discourses to the devotees, dedicated to Lord
Guruvayoorappan Guruvayurappan (; ) (lit. Lord / Father of Guruvayoor) also rendered as Guruvayoorappan, is a form of Vishnu worshipped mainly in Kerala, India. He is the presiding deity of the Guruvayur Temple, who is worshipped as Krishna in his child for ...
.


Thuravoor Purandareswaram Temple

The incarnation of Lord
Shiva Shiva (; , ), also known as Mahadeva (; , , Help:IPA/Sanskrit, ɐɦaːd̪eːʋɐh and Hara, is one of the Hindu deities, principal deities of Hinduism. He is the God in Hinduism, Supreme Being in Shaivism, one of the major traditions w ...
at Purandareswarath Sree Maha Deva Temple believed as a form of
Sharabha Sharabha (, ) or Sarabha is an eight-legged part-lion and part-bird deity in Hindu religion, who is described as more powerful than a lion or an elephant, possessing the ability to clear a valley in one jump in Sanskrit literature. In later li ...
. 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 Municipalities of Kerala, municipality in the Kottayam district of Kerala. It is located north of the district headquarters in Kottayam and about north of the state capital of Thiruvananthapuram. As per the 2011 Indian census, V ...
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 is a Hindu festival celebrated annually to worship the deity Shiva, between February and March. According to the Hindu calendar, the festival is observed on the fourteenth day of the first half (night start with darkness - ...
, Ashtami Darsan, Pathamudayam,
Thiruvathira Thiruvathira (also known as Thiruvathirai or Arudhra Darisanam) is a Hindu festival predominantly observed in the Indian states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The term ''Thiruvathirai'' (Arudhra) in Tamil translates to "sacred grand wave," symbol ...
and
Deepavali Diwali (), also called Deepavali (IAST: ''Dīpāvalī'') or Deepawali (IAST: ''Dīpāwalī''), is the Hindu festival of lights, with variations celebrated in other Indian religions such as Jainism and Sikhism. It symbolises the spiritual ...
. 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 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 Temple * 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


Notable People

* Professor Thuravoor Viswambharan : Sanskrit Scholar *
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 wit ...
: Indian
scriptwriter A screenwriter (also called scriptwriter, scribe, or scenarist) is a person who practices the craft of writing for visual mass media, known as screenwriting. These can include short films, feature-length films, television programs, television ...
best known for his work in
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*
S. Somanath Dr. Sreedhara Panicker Somanath (born July 1963) is an Indian Aerospace engineering, aerospace engineer served as the Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation, chairman of the ISRO, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Under hi ...
: Indian aerospace engineer, chairman,
ISRO The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO ) is India's national space agency, headquartered in Bengaluru, Karnataka. It serves as the principal research and development arm of the Department of Space (DoS), overseen by the Prime Minister o ...
. Under his chairmanship, ISRO carried out the third Indian
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mission named
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.


Educational institutions

* T D Schools, TirumalaBhagom:T D Schools, TirumalaBhagom
/ref> One of the oldest and reputed educational institutes in
Cherthala Cherthala is a municipality in the Alappuzha district of Kerala, India and acts as a satellite town of Kochi. It is located north of the district headquarters in Alappuzha and about north of the state capital Thiruvananthapuram. As per the 20 ...
is run by Alappuzha Ananthanarayanapuram Thuravoor Thirumala Devasom (AATTD) belonging to the
Goud Saraswat Brahmin Gaud Saraswat Brahmins (GSB) (also Goud or Gawd), also known as Shenvis are a Hindu community of contested caste status and identity. They primarily speak Konkani and its various dialects as their mother tongue. They claim to be Saraswat Brah ...
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 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 founding 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 carr ...
, 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