| Temples & Legends Of Kerala |
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| Temples & Legends Of
India |
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LORD OF VAIKOM |
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Every morning
and evening the place comes to life with hundreds of devotees thronging the shrine with
chants of "Namasivaya", "Hara Hara Mahadeva", and "Shambho
Mahadeva." Old people cry: "Hara Shankara Siva Shankara Duritam Kala (remove all
ills) Sivane." The Younger ones pray for a job or for promotion or for children. The
sick ask for health. Parameswara grants everybody's wishes.
Annadana Prabhu
The life of people here is intimately connected with the deity because he has been
Annadana Prabhu -Giver of food. Till a few years ago the temple regularly ensured food at
least to hundreds of people belonging to the ‘upper' castes. Tonnes of rice were
cooked and the dishes had a unique flavor. In the uttupura or feeding shed (a two-storied
building, more than 1,000 feet long) attached to the temple, People sat in long row
baskets of steaming rice were emptied on to their plantain leaves. They mixed the rice
with sambhar and pappadams and ate with audible relish. Other caste Hindus also had their
share. |
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