Sree Vishnumaya Swami

and Avanangattil Kalari

The supreme god Sree Vishnumaya Swami in Avangattil Kalari, Peringottukara the most authentic and ancient Kuttichathan Temple, Vishnumaya Swami Temple is in cosmic enlightenment and powerful deity whose magnanimity towards the innocent devotees knows no bounds and borders. The god guarded by numerous Holy spirits (Bhootas) is ever committed to the well being of the noble souls and the annihilation of the wicked. There are many myths relating to this temple among the people in and around and is still believed to create miracles within the devotee and those who entrust in complete eternal devotion and spiritual submission to his divine feet.

Hindu traditions of Kerala, emphasizing the historical continuities of Hindu traditions based on local gods and goddesses, places, pilgrimages, temples, and rituals and performances, all of which express myriad aspects of the diversity and complexity of the tradition called Hinduism. From the time immemorial, Kerala has been a spiritually enlightened region consecrated by Rishis and temples of worship. Temples besides their spiritual significance are noted for their antiquity, historical importance and spiritual powers.

Myths woven around many shrines lend a magical aura to the religious, spiritual and cultural life of the people.

The Vishnumaya Swami temple in other words the Kuttichathan Temple and Avanangattil Kalrai are vibrant with Spiritual divine power of 'Sree Vishnumaya' located in the Peringottukara, Kizhakkummuri Village of Thrissur District, central part of Kerala State. The temple has reference to Epics and Puranas as well as the famous 'Aithihyamala' written by Kottarathil Sankunni. The history dates back to centuries where the temple has got repeated mention from the time of undated Puranas and ancient Hindu literature.

The divine spiritual powers of Sree Vishnumaya Swami are indescribable that they always attract not only the pilgrims from within the country but also swarms of tourists from abroad. Sree Vishnumaya of Avanangattil Kalari is a pilgrim center which has its own glory and greatness, mainly because of the divinity enshrined in the Sanctum - Sanctorum (central shrine) of the temple and the unique charm and divine powers of the idol of Sree Vishnumaya installed in it.

The Avanangattil Kalari

The origin of the Temple and 'Kalari' (Classroom where martial art is practiced) dates back to centuries.

The myth starts with the story of Avanangattil Panicker of Kizhakkummuri Village of Thrissur District, Kerala who resided with family anciently in a settlement area including the temple compound was in a forest replete with the plants named 'Avanakku'. The original Panicker family cleared the forest area and built a Kalari for training in the traditional technique of 'Kalarai' (This legendary martial art practiced in Kerala is 3000 years old and believed to be the master of all martial arts).

Unfortunately Unnunni panicker was the lone male member left in the family, the couple had no children and were very sad about it. As time passed the grief worsened and they decided to offer deep prayers to their family god. In their deep devotion the god gave a boon that they will have twin sons. The couple named them Unnithaman and Kelunni. Before the twins reached boyhood, their father left them forever. The boys received training in Martial Arts later under their mother and uncle (their Guru). The twin-brothers on completion of training became brave warriors in Kalarippayattu and started their own Kalari. Aspirants from all over, from far and near flowed to the Kalari for learning Martial arts.

Naturally the brothers incurred the jealousy and wrath of their colleagues and began attacking them. Black magic activities were performed to turn Evil spirits against the brothers. The brothers finally took a decision to win the favor of a God for self-protection and proper conduction of their profession. They worshipped God Ganapathy (Lord of Obstacles) and received his blessings. But their enemies grew in number and power posing a heavy unbearable threat. The brothers approached their venerable uncle and Guru for a way out. He advised his nephews to seek the assistance of the distinguished Pundit Punjanalloor Bhattatiri, who by then a great presence through his magical-acts resulting from his devotion to of Bhoota Ganangal.

They travelled a long distance and reached Punchanalloor. Bhattatiri was completely under the spell of Lord Sreevishnumaya who virtually implements actions to devotes by entrusting Bhoota Ganagal (Bhoota Ganangal is the divine army of Lord Parama Siva) belonging to 396 genres for action.

Bhootha Ganas are not a single deity. There are 390 genres of Bhootha Ganas who form the aides of Lord Sreevishnumaya. The activity of each genre is different from the other. Some among them get into humorous actions where as some are noble and fierce characters in these genres like thunder and lightning. A a split of a second is enough for some to do wonders. Kind hearted Bhootha Ganas extend helps to the deprived to get out of their miseries. Some are detached beings and at times of crisis would come to rescue a true devotee.

There are many temples where Lord Sreevishnumaya is worshipped along with Bhootha Ganas and offerings made. But the concept of Sreevishnumaya as Dharmasastha is unique to Avanangattil Kalari. The deity here is powerful and always ready to fulfill the desires of his devotees. There is a wrong notion that the deity inflicts tortures on those without sufficient reason which is not true. He does no harm to anybody. For the downtrodden, the Lord is lasting shelter. He takes arms only against acts of dishonesty, injustice and the Evil.

Even though Bhattathiri was an ardent worshipper of Sreevishnumaya and Bhootha Ganas the financial situation in the family (Illam) was not so sound and many of the holy-rituals (Karmas), traditional and conventional rites were pending and had been suspended for long. Bhattatiri was aware of the fact that God 'Sreevishnumaya' and the Bhoota Ganas were unhappy and their indifference began to reflect upon the family as ill effects (Doshas) which was intolerable to Bhattatiri. The only alternative left on his part was to hand over Lord Sreevishnumaya and the Bhootas to someone who could be powerful enough to worship and conduct traditional rituals in the right spiritual way of divine devotion and make Sreevishnumaya and Bhootha Ganas delighted, it was the right time that the brothers met him with an appeal and he felt very happy about entrusting Lord in the right hands.

The brothers received the Moola Manthra (The specific Chanting slogan of the god, if performed in a right way can give the devotee magical powers) from the surviving Bhattatiri and started penance. It was not an easy task for the twin brothers to win the trust and blessings of Lord Sreevishnumaya. They had to do penance and tapas for a long time to enlighten the bhagavan. Lord Sreevishnumaya tested them thoroughly during this time by various ways and means and it was a very hard time for the brothers but eventually they came out successful when Lord Sree Vishnu finally relented and appeared before them enlightened by their deep devotion and spiritual incarnation. The Lord then assured the Panickers that he would stand by them there after for safeguarding truth, justice and ethics and protect them and the people from the evils sprits.

Vishnumaya to Avanangattil Kalari

From Bhattatiri, the Lord Sreevishnumaya thus moved delightfully with the Panicker-brothers to their home-village. Back home they waged battles with the enemies, defeated the chief, chopped his head and presented it to the provincial king along with his sword. The king was pleased by their valiant and supreme power and awarded them land and many precious gifts. Convinced of the divine prowers that led to the victory of the Panickers, the king decided to construct a temple for Lord Sreevishnumaya which would ensure protection and wellbeing of his subjects thereafter. In consultation with the authorities (Uraimakkar) of the Sreerama Temple at Triprayar, the king constructed a temple close to the Avanangattil Kalari.

Lord Sreevishnumaya and all his aides (Bhootha Ganangal) were installed there and then onwards there has been strict observance of rituals including day-to-day poojas and other offerings. The elder brother Unnithaman remained a Brahmachari (chronic bachelor in divine devotion) throughout his life, turned himself into a saint and had the boon from Lord Sreevishnumaya that he would take care of the community forever.

Throughout his life he was dedicated for the well being of the lord as his slave and chanted verses in praise of Lord Sreevishnumaya till his re-union with the lord. He was laid to rest in a stony deity well adjacent to the temple, a holy-adobe (Samadhi) situated in between the Kalari and the temple known as Valliachan Kottil. A beautiful age old mango tree shelters his sacred shrine even today. It is here where the Bhoota ganas (Holy Spirits) reside. The present day priests, the Panickers are the descendents of the younger brother, Kelunni Paniker. They were privileged and blessed by Lord Sreevishnumaya to be the priests and servants of the temple throughout their life in holy devotion and divine spiritual prayers.

No wonder, the Shrine has been the last resort for thousands of devotes and continues till day to be the supreme power of the Kalari showering all blessings to devotees from all over the country and abroad.

Meaning of Sreevishnumaya

'Sreevishnumaya' is more precisely an amalgam of Lord Siva, a wild prowess enunciated by Goddess Devi, and 'Vaishnava', a state of self-restraint and divine calmness. 'Maya' represents that omnipotent spirit of Goddess Parvathi, the consort of Lord Siva. In fine 'Sreevishnumaya' epitomizes the destructive force of Lord Siva and the noble-calmness of Lord Vishnu. In the language of Hindu scriptures, 'Sreevishnumaya' combines 'Sakthi' and 'Sthithi' or more concretely 'Maya' and 'Vishnu'.

Dharmasastha

Sreevishnumaya Swami is a divine spirit considered being another incarnation of Lord Dharmasastha. A traditional Dravidian deity attached to the Hindu–families. 'Sastha' is one who is competent to dictate and warn those involved in vices. 'Sastha' correct the wrongdoers and show them the right path. The fold-lore and the old palm-leaf manuscripts refer Sastha as the aides of Lord Sreevishnumaya. Also refer as the aides belonging to the royal army of Lord Parama Siva called the 'Bhoota ganas'.

Traditional Family Deities

The traditional Hindu families in Kerala have mainly three deities for worship. 1.Sastha, 2.Devi (Bhadrakali) and 3.Serpent (NagaRaja or Snake-God). Serpent-worship is embedded to Earth and is said that serpents or Nagas are the true owners of the Earth. The Serpent King, Vasuki, is believed to be lying around surrounding the earth. The serpent Gods brings wealth and prosperity to the family offspring.

Devi-cult is quite common to the Dravidian culture. The Devi in her fierce-form known as Bhadrakali is ever empathetic towards her devotees. Her generosity is devoid of reasoning. 'Agamas', the ancient religious text speaks of the 108 Durga temples and 18 Sastha shrines built by 'Sage Parasuraman' following the birth of Kerala. Of the 108 Durga Devi temples, shrines for the protection of Kerala and its inmates. Sastha temples are all situated in the valleys of Vindhya Mountain.

Recollection of Devotees

An ancient family in North Malabar began growing in number. The patriarch of the family was not a spendthrift and was looking after the family affairs with whatever wealth available to the family. He remained unmarried for the sake of the family. His nephews but did not appreciate their uncle's efforts. One day they took him to the distant farm house and locked inside and set fire to the house. Poor man realized that he was cheated. An ardent worshipper of Lord Sreevishnumaya, he cried for help and prayed in deep devotion. Immediately an axe appeared in front of him to broke open the door of the house and escaped.

After showering curses on the family, this grand–old-man left for Kashi, the holy centre for Hindu pilgrimage and kept chanting the slogans of Lord Sreevishnumaya. The family soon started experiencing all evil-effects like insanity, insecurity and worse diseases. The nephews sought the help of an astrologer and found that Lord Sreevishnumaya alone could offset the evil-effects. Only after the rituals and offerings being done and nephews repent to the Lord, the family was freed from the curse. They became selfless devotees of Lord Sreevishnumaya.