Kollangottu Sri Ayyappa Temple
Kollangott Sri Ayyappa Temple is located about 4.5 kms east of Kozhikode city on the left side of Mavoor Road which goes to Mavoor via Medical College. It is believed to be about thousand years old. Elders say that this temple had daily poojas, annual festivals with elephant, and other special poojas etc. till about 150 years ago.
No authentic records are available about the history of this temple.The sculptures of Dwarapalakas (ദ്വാരപാലകന്മാര് ) on the walls of the Sri kovil, temple tank (പദ്മതീര്ത്ഥം) with plenty of water even in summer, the names of the adjacent places like ‘Anackancery parambu which is believed to have been used for keeping the elephants, Manitthara (മണിത്തറ ) now in KSEB Substation compound , believed to have been used for keeping the idol before Aarattu,etc. indicate the glorious past of this temple. Even today the adjacent compounds around the temple are known as Kollangott vayal(കൊള്ളങ്ങോട്ടു വയല് ) Ayyappan kunnu (അയ്യപ്പന് കുന്ന് ) Ayyappan kandy (അയ്യപ്പന് കണ്ടി ) Ayyappan Devaswam (അയ്യപ്പന് ദേവസ്വം ) etc. which indicate that the temple had lots of landed properties in the past. Similarly nearby Yogimadom parambu (യോഗിമഠം പറമ്പ്) indicates that various holy saints (യോഗികള് ) stayed here . The compound on the west side of the temple called Variyam veedu parambu (വാരിയം വീട് പറമ്പ് ) might have been used for the stay of kazhakakkar. It is believed that the administration of the temple might have been transferred from Zamorins to Namboodiri families and thereafter to wealthy Nair families. In course of time the properties of the temple were alienated and even the daily poojas were stopped. This situation continued for years . In 1968 the local residents formed a Committee for reconstruction of the temple. Same year Thantri Brahmasri Pateri Sakran Namboodiripad conducted Sudhikalasam and started daily poojas. In subsequent years, the committee elected by the devotees every year reconstructed the temple, stage by stage. From 1970 Makaravilakku is being celebrated in the temple. Temple tank was renovated in 1983. First Naveekaranakalasam and reinstallation of the deity were done in 1984. Along with Naveekaranakalasam, Lord Ganapathi was installed at the Kannimoola (കന്നിമൂല ) of the Srikovil.
According to the plans of Temple Architect Brahmasri Kanippayyur Krishnan Namboodiripad, Chuttambalam, Vathilmadam, and a double storied building accommodating office room, rest rooms for thanthri, santhi and other priests, kitchen, store room etc., were constructed . A hall for conducting spiritual discourses, classes , bhajans. Kettunira of Sabarimala pilgrims etc., a holy well inside the temple (മണിക്കിണര് ), Mandapam, Anakottil, Gopuram, Vazhipadu counters etc. were also constructed one by one.
In 1995 a Dravyakalasam (ദ്രവ്യകലശം) was conducted. In 2005 second Naveekaranakalasam and reinstallation were conducted. 2006 onwards Annual festival lasting 6 days is celebrated. A permanent Dhwajam (holy mast) was installed in 2007 with a special Ulsavam in continuation of Dwajaprathishta. Now Kollangott Sri Ayyappa Temple is a Mahakshethram in full sense with all the essential ingredients like Anakkottil (ആനക്കൊട്ടില്), Valiya Balikkallu (വലിയ ബലിക്കല്ല്), Dhwajam (ധ്വജം), Deepasthambam (ദീപസ്തംഭം), Granite laid Pradikshina Path (പ്രദക്ഷിണ വഴി), Gopuram (ഗോപുരം), etc inside the compound and temple tank and peepal tree outside.
Three Deities in equal importance are present in the Sanctum Sanctorum of this temple. The presence of Lord Siva and Parvathy (Swayambhoo) is the peculiarity of this temple. Lord Dharmasastha along with his wives Poornadevi and Pushkaladevi Lord Siva and Sreeparvathy continue to bless the devotees in this temple.
Meditational form of Sri Kollangott Ayyappa
“Let, Lord Sastha, black as clouds, face glowing with eardrops studded with diamonds, blue lotus in right hand, left hand resting on the left knee, sitting in padmasana, wearing yogapattam, accompanied by Poorna and Puskala , son of Lord Siva and Lord Vishnu, protect us.”
By darsan in this temple the devotees get the blessings of all the three Deities i.e. Sreeparvathy, Paramasiva and Lord Sastha. The rare, combined Saiva, Vaishnava and saktheya chaithanyam of Kollangottappan attracts lots of devotees to this temple.
Poojas, festivals and auspecious days
Ganapathi homam , Usha pooja, Uchapooja, Deeparadhana and Athazhapooja are conducted every day.
Annual Festival:
Every year 6days’ Annual festival is conducted in January(Dhanu). Aarattu on sixth day is conducted at the same time of Makarajyothi darsan at Sabarimala. Ulsavabali is on the fourth day and Pallivetta on the fifth day. Various temple arts and cultural programmes like chakyarkuthu, Ottanthullal, Aksharasloka, Sopanasangeetham, classical dances, Kathalali etc. are conducted during the festival days.
Vishukkani:
Vishukkani on the early hours of the first day of Medam is celebrated with collective recital of Ayyappa sahasra namam by the devotees, distribution of Kani appa prasadm etc.
Prathistadinam:
Makeeryam star in the Malayalam month of Medam is observed as the Prathishta dinam (installation day)
Ramayana Month:
The whole of Karkitaka month is celebrated with recital and discourse on Adhyatmaramayanam. Quiz competition based on Ramayana also conducted. Ganapathihomam, Bhagavathiseva and prasada distribution are conducted every day as offerings by devotees. Special Asthadravyasahithaganapathyhomam(അഷ്ടദ്രവ്യസഹിത ഗണപതിഹോമം ) is conducted by Thanthri in Karkitaka month.
Vinayaka chathurthy:
Chathurthy day in Chinga month is observed with special Ganapathi pooja and distribution of appam.
Thiruvonam:
Thiruvonam in the month of Chingam is celebrated with flower carpet near the holy mast etc.
Navarathri:
Navarathri days are celebrated with Saraswathy Pooja and vidyarambham of children on Vijaydasami day.
Mandala period:
Fortyone days starting from the first day of Vrischikam month is celebrated every year with spiritual discourses, bhajans, bhiksha to Sabarimala pilgrims and other devotees, daily karpoorazhi etc. Facilities for Maalapooja (മാലപൂജ), Maalayidal (മാലയിടല്), Kettunira (കെട്ടുനിറ) etc, along with required materials are provided to Sabarimala prilgrims.
Thrikkarthika:
Karthika in Vrischika month is celebrated with lighting of Deepastambhas and lights around the temple.
Guruvayoor Ekadasi:
Guruvayoor Ekadasi in the month of Vrischika is celebrated with nonstop day and night collective recital of Kalisantharana upanishad manthra ‘Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare, Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare, Hare.’
Thiruvathira:
Thiruvathira day in Dhanu month is celebrated with special pooja and abhishekamof Lord Siva with tender coconut water .
Mahasivarathri:
Mahasivarathri is celebrated with special pooja, Rudrabhishekam, Koovalamala etc and Bhajan.
Sarpabali:
Every year Sarpabali is conducted by Kshethram Thanthri on Ayilyam day in the month of Kumbham
Uthram Pooja:
Uthram star in Meenam is celebrated as the birth day of Lord Ayyappa.
Spiritual discourses and classes:
Spiritual study classes based on Upanishads, Bhagavathgeeta, Purananas and other vedanthic texts by eminent scholars are conducted on various days in every week. Collective recital of Vishnu Sasranamam and Lalitha Sahasranamam are conducted by the members of Mathrusangham every month.
Spiritual discourses and workshops are conducted periodically. For last many years Swami Chidananda puri of Kolathur Advaitha Asrama conducts annual lecture series in February with special facilities for removal of doubts of the listeners.
Thanthri: Brahmasree Paderi Narayanan Namboothiripad
( ബ്രഹ്മശ്രീ പാടേരി നാരായണന് നമ്പൂതിരിപ്പാട് )
The Thanthrik rights of this temple are vested in the famous Thanthri family of Ozhaloor Pateri Mana (ഒഴലൂര് പാടേരി). For the last four decades all special pooja and Thanthrik rituals especially during annual festivals are conducted under the leadership of Brahmashri Pateri Narayanan Namboothiripad of this family who has got vast experience of installing the deities in several temples..
Melsanthi:
Daily poojas and other rituals are conducted by Melsanthi Brahmasri Sreejith Namboodiri.
OUR BANKERS:
Dhanlaxmi Bank,
Branch : Chevarambalam
IFSC code : DLXB0000133
1) S.B. A/C No: 013300100001171
A/c name: Kollangott Ayyappakshetram
2) S.B. A/c No. : 013300100016551
A/c Name: Sree Kollangottu Ayyappa Kshetra Bharana Smithi