BHAGAWAN PARASURAM OF PHEDE

THE TEMPLE

This is a hill temple lying at a distance of 7 KM from Chiplum. It is built with a large rectangular massive prakara made off brick and stone, pierced by gateways. The eastern gate is the biggest and is adorned with nagarkhana. Crossing the Mahadwara, when entered a vast courtyard surrounding an imposing Sabhamandap, central mandap and Garbagriha greet us. It is built in the Yadava architectural style and grand to look at. The roof is plain, bereft of artistic adornments. The girbha griha is of modest proportions but dark. There on the pedestal are installed three four armed images. Parasurama is flanked by Kala to his right and Kama to the left. The statue of Parasuram is adorned with weapons. The upper right hand holds an arrow, the lower right reveals abhaya mudra, while the upper left a bow and lower left a parasu. It is tall. Its majestic appearance is enhanced by decorations with jewels and garlands. So, it looks extremely beautiful and wrings veneration.

The association of Kala and Kama is shrouded in mystery. Why that devotee Parachure had brought and enshrined them along with Parasurama, no one knows, nor is recorded in scriptures or of inscriptions, but they are adored along with that august deity. After offering prayers, when we come out, we find a tall Hanuman temple right in front of the main shrine. A moderate sized Ganesh temple lies to the north. It houses a female image called Ganga and receives equal veneration. There is another shrine dedicated to Mother Renuka lying behind the main mandir. A kund called Banaganga, supposed to have been created by Parasuram lies in the court yard supplying water to the temple. Nothing more nor less, the whole campus contains inviting attention for long.

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