Pancha pandava kshetras in Kerala. cotnd.

Thirusitraru.

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Sitraru is the place where Yudhishtra did the penance to rid himself of the bad effects of tricking Drona in the Mahabharat into thinking that his son was dead ,though he was very much alive , to weaken him and thus defeated him in the battlefield.This temple was consecrated by Yudhishtra.

Of all the temples i visited in Kerala, so far this temple sticks out like a sore thumb.It is totally run down and seems to be receiving a step motherly treatment.

The darshan however was quiet and easy without a soul around.

Moolavar is Immaivarappan and Thayar is Sengkamalvali.

According to stahla purana-- Subramanyan [Murugan] defeated the two mighty asuras Suran and Padman in this very place and reduced them into a cock and a peacock to adorn his flag.******88

Thirupuliyoor. [kutta nadu]

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The next stop after the morning darshan at Sitraru was at Thirupuliyoor.This temple is said to have been consecrated by Bhima His 'Gadai' welcomes one at the entrance.A group of children were singing hymns in praise of Murugan on the outside whilst huge black bumble bees were whirling around in the inner prakaram.

Stahala belief is that Bhagwan protected Sapta rishi's from a rakshasi--Krityai ,sent by a ruler of this place to torment the rishi's who thence forward recognised Narayana as the supreme god.

He was then enshrined here as Mayapiran along withThayar Porkodi nachiyar.********888

Arammula.

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An elephant with its forehead covered in a gold shield carrying the utsavar around the temple ,came right in front of us as we neared the temple gates.

This is the place where Arjuna is said to have performed the prayachistam for killing Karna whilst he was down on the ground ,trying to lift his chariot .

Inside this spacious temple came across several couples performing the Annaprasana cermony whereby an infant is introduced to its first solid food.This temple is considered along with Guruvayoor temple to be very auspicious to initiate one's child into solid food.The father feeds the first morsel.

The vimanum like other temples is also conical and the moolavar 'Thirukuarralappan 'enshrined within the wooden sanctum can be seen only after bending to the double, like in all other temples i visted so far in Kerala.

The Thirumanjanam of the deity was being performed .Pampa river which is the Theerth flows gently by that can be viewed from a side gate with a flight of steps leading down to the river.

Sabarimali Ayyapan's jewels are kept in safe custody in this temple and taken out only during Mandala puja to adorn Ayyapan.The river also witness the annual Paladam boat races.

The stala purana is that Brahma's creative knowledge and powers were restored back to him at this very place after it was stolen away from him.He got back his powers after meditating on Bhagwan in the banks of this Pampa river.

Photo:Thirusitraru temple .