Sree Subramanyaswamy Temple, Kuzhoor

Datable to very ancient period, Kuzhoor was one of the 36 gramams established by Lord Parasurama in Kerala. It is also one of the four grama-kshetras having Lord Subramanya as the principal deity. The other three gramams are at Payyannoor in Taliparamba taluk, at Karikkad in Ernadu taluk and at Kidangur in Meenachil taluk. But the local legend says that the idol of Lord Subramanya with the sankalpam of Sree Bala Muruka at Kuzhoor temple was installed by the Nampoothiris who settled here. The Nampoothiris in those days were not in good terms with Moothathu and there were frequent quarrels between them. Some of the Nampoothiris decided to drive away Moothathu and for that purpose they established this temple. Hearing the attempts of Nampoothiris, Moothathu shifted to Thanissheri and installed an idol of Lord Vishnu for their own protection. It is reported that at present there is only one Nampoothiris illam in Kuzhoor desam, which had large number of Nampoothiris families earlier.

The inscriptions at the northern side of the sopanam in Vattezhuthe mention the place name as Kuzhumoor, which is identified as the capital of Adi Cheras.

Another legend says that the idol dedicated to Sree Subramanya (Pazhani andavar) was installed or re-installed for the welfare of the Keralites by the Cheras. Whatever may the legend it is clear that the Lord is very powerful.

In earlier periods, women were not allowed to stand in front of the deity for worship. The reason attributed is that the Lord is a brahmachari or an ascetic like the Pazhani Andavar.

As per an order of Cochin Sarkar in 1775 A.D., the mel-koyma right of the temple was vested with Paliath Achan and the Ooranma right with a Nampoothiris. This arrangement went on smoothly till 1865 A.D. When quarrels between them started and ultimately Paliath Achan took full control of the temple.

The Ooranma Nampoothiris in retaliation of this action relinquished his rights on the temple in favour of Elaya Raja of Cochin. When Elaya Raja intervened in the day-to-day affairs the devotees also became parties in these quarrels. Later along with other temples, this temple also was taken over by the Government of Cochin for better administration. When the Cochin Devaswam Board was formed in 1950, the temple was transferred to the Board and it became keezhedam under Annamanada Devaswam. Now the Devaswam Officer appointed by the Board administers the temple.

Earlier the temple owned 1,010.87 acres of dry land and paddy fields which fetched 11,731 paras of paddy. Now the temple owns 4.40 acres of which 3.73 acres constitute the temple complex. The structures thereon are Sreekovil with mukha-mandapam, namaskaara-mandapam, chuttambalam with agra-mandapam,

Valiya-balikkall, Aana-kottil, Deepastambham, sub-shrines, wells, Vedippura, agrashaala, office buildings, compound wall, wells and Pond.

The square dwi-thala Sreekovil of sandhaara type facing east has granite adhishthaanam with mouldings of jagathi, Vrutha-kumudam, kumuda-padi, galam with flower motif, utharam, kampam, galam with Vaajana motif, gala-padi, valaru and padi. The sopanam has six direct steps with vyaali figure on the top and the figurines of Lord Siva and Goddess Parvathi on the sides of banisters. The mukha-mandapam has steps from its sides also. The pranaalam has Makara simha face at the base, multi-faceted sundu with rings and go-mukham end. The laterite stone walls have pillars, niches and ghanadwaaras, besides the functional door. The ghanadwaaras is like a perforated screen. The roof is tiled. There are four gables on the top of the dwi-thala roof. The sub-shrine of Lord Ganapati is at the southeast corner of the Sreekovil. The namaskaara mandapam has four pillars. The well is at northeast of the akathe-balivattam.

The chuttambalam has entrances from all sides. The thidappali is at southeast. The sub-shrine of Lord Siva is at the northeast corner of valiyambalam. The valiya-balikkall is within the agra-mandapam. The bronze nine-layered Deepastambham is a beautiful art-piece with a motif of a peacock below the lamp. This lamp within the Aana-kottil was installed on 21 Vrischikam 1097 K.E (1923). Outside the chuttambalam there are sub-shrines, Sree Bhagavathi and Brahmarakshas at southeast, Lord Shashtha and Sree Nagaraja at southwest. There is another well and also a Vedippura at northwest. The samithi office is at northwest and Devaswam Office at the western side. The laterite stone compound wall has a height of 1.5 m. and a width of 45 cm. It is partially damaged. Earlier the temple has gopuras at east and west. There is a pond for the temple.

Mruga-mala in stone around the Sreekovil and some carvings on the beams of Sreekovil are worth mentioning. Some modern paintings are seen at the agra-mandapam

The sila idol of Lord Subramanya is of standing pose (178 cm.) with two arms, with vel in one hand while the other kept at lower hip. All other idols are made of sila, Lord Ganapati in sitting pose (45 cm.), Lord Siva in linga form (30 cm.), Lord Shashtha in sitting pose (61 cm.), and Goddess Bhagavathi of mirror type (30 cm.) and Brahmarakshas in plain linga form (15 cm.). The idols of Nagaraja and Nagayakshi are made of laterite stone and plastered with cement. They are of sitting poses with raised hoods of height 23 cm. each.

The temple is kept open from 4-30 to 10 a.m. and from 5 to 8 p.m. On shasti day the time in extended for half an hour more.

Five Poojas are done daily,

Usha-pooja (5-30 a.m.)

Ethrithu-pooja (6-15 a.m.)

Pantheeradi-pooja (8 a.m.)

Uccha-pooja (9-30 a.m.)

Athaazha-pooja (7-30 p.m.)

Daily sreebali is done at 6-30 a.m, 9-45 a.m. and 7-45 p.m.

Paal-payasam, panchaamrutham, Otta-appam, Pizhinju-payasam and pushpanjali are the main Vazhippadu.

The eight-day annual festival is held in Vrischikam, the important day being the Trikarthika day. Kathakali, ottam-thullal, chakyar-koothu and modern entertainments are staged on this occasion. The other important days are Skanda-Shashti and Thaipooyam.

Details of the thantri who installed the idol are not known. Present thantri belongs to kidangasheri Tharananelloor mana. The two shanthikkar are appointed from Malayala Brahmins. The other staff includes five kazhakam, Marar, kalavara, kuzhal, thaalam, sweepers and nangyar.

Situated eighteen km. south of Chalakudi or eight km. southeast of Mala, the temple is connected by tarred road. Facilities for stay are available at Chalakudi