PAYYALUR

Payyalore is located at the foot of the Anamalai range of the Western Ghats, around 25 kms away from Palakkad towards Elavanchery and 3 kms from Kollengode. The place name ‘Payyalur’ has its origins in the Dravidian words ‘Py’(green), ‘Ayal’ (surroundings), and ‘Ur’ (land) – land of the green surroundings. Centuries earlier, before the woods and trees had receded, this shrine was situated, deep within the midst of whispering forests, in a land referred to in legend as ‘Gnanaranyam’- the Forest of Understanding. Even today, for most parts of the year, Payyalur still lives up to its original name and remains, largely, green and pastoral. The place is covered by a chain of mountains of which small waterfalls during rainy season make it merry. Nearest major Railway Station is Palakkad (25kms) linked by another rail track to Kollengode Station. Nearest airport Coimbatore (80kms) and bus station is Kollengode Main Bazaar (3kms).

Thirukachamkurissi temple

It is one of the most famous and oldest temples in Palakkad. The temple was very closely linked to the Kollengode Raja or King. The Raja's palace, the Kollengode Kovilakam is located close to the temple. Kollegode was one of the 17 princely states which together constitutes the State of Kerala today.
Legend - It is believed, that when Parasurama threw his axe in an arc across the seas and created Kerala, he also cleaved the great Western Ghats with the same axe, dividing and sweeping them from left to right into two ranges – ‘Thenmala’ and ‘Vademala’. Geographically known as the Palakkad Gap, this place, in myths and legends, has been referred to as ‘Vidharanabhoomi’ (the land that was split asunder). Long, long ago, attracted by the serenity and breath-taking beauty of the hills and forests of these high ranges, Sage Kashyapa chose to meditate here, at the hill of Govindamala. Kashyapa was an ardent devotee of Vishnu, and as a result of his penance, the Lord is said to have appeared before him. Kashyapa’s desire was that Narayana should remain with him always, in the calm and idyllic surroundings of this land. Legend has it that the Lord chose to do so. The idol of Mahavishnu is said to have been consecrated by Sage Kashyapa himself in the form that he himself had perceived him — Chaturbahu Mahavishnu, seated on the coils of Adishesha. Thus, the little hillock on which the temple is located came to be known as `Kachamkurissi' (as derived from `Kashyapan-Kurissi,' or `the Hill of Kashyapa') and this temple become known as ‘Thiru Kachamkurissi’. At the steep and precipitous hillock of Govindamala, where Kashyapa did penance, a mountain spring magically bubbles up with force and vigour when pilgrims chant ‘Govinda! Govinda!’
History - It was to this place of worship that Dharma Varman, a prince, from what is now central Kerala, came in search of a cure for a debilitating ailment. It is said that the dying Dharma Varman after undergoing many days of ritual penance at this temple, returned to his kingdom, completely cured. The name `Kachamkurissi' can also be linked to that time in ancient history when, culturally, Kerala was a part of `Tamizhagam'. The famed Sangam literature during the period of the Cheras (upto the 3rd Century A.D.), speak of the `Tinais' or `eco-zones' — `kurinji' (kurichi) or hilly tracts being one of them. The place name is thus indicative of the early origins of this temple. Dharma Varman's grandson, Vira Ravi, became the first `utaiyvar' of this region, and it is a popular thought that he named his miniature principality, `Venkatanad' (later `Vengunad') in honour of Mahavishnu Perumal of Thirukachamkurissi. Devotees often approach the Lord of this temple as `Venkatesha'. Vira Ravi was awarded the sole right to permit the commencement of the ancient ritual, Somayagams. This he did, symbolically, by granting `somalata' (the moon-plant) and `karinjali' (black wood), ingredients essential for the yagam, at the temple of Thirukachamkurissi. Despite the break up of the feudal order, this ritual tradition of granting `somalata' and `karinjali' to signify the start of the yagam, has continued right through the centuries. Historically, for many centuries, this temple was under the custodianship of the Vengunad Rajas of Kollengode, along with the orthodox Nambudiri families of Cherampotta Mana and Cherukunnam Mana of Thrissur.
Temple - The Deity of Thiru-Kachamkurissi is ‘Chaturbahu’ Mahavishnu, holding Sankhu, Chakra, Gada and Padma. He is seen, seated on the coils of Ananta, in ‘Chakravarthy’ posture – akin to Sri Rama at his Pattabhishekham. Thus, devotees are known to have approached him over the centuries, both as Lord Narayana and as Sri Rama. The idol is ‘Daaru Vigraham’ – of sacred wood called Anjanam. Vishwakarma, the architect of the devas is said to have prepared this idol in exactly the the same form in which Lord Vishnu appeared before Saint Kashyapa. On the same pedestal as the deity, visible to the viewer only through reflective mirrors, are the images of Sridevi and Bhoodevi – consorts of Vishnu. All around are carved the Devas and Rishis – spectators and attendants at the ‘heavenly audience’. There is also a smaller deity within the sanctorum, which is the ‘Abhishekha Murthy’, as well as a metal ‘Utsava Murthy’ which is taken out in procession thrice a day during the ‘Seeveli’. This shrine on the banks of Gayathri river, has all the features of the traditional Kerala temple — Dwajastambam, Mukhamandapam, Namaskaramandapam, Sreekovil and Chuttambalam. There is also a `kokarni,' the well for sacred water, and a temple tank. The other dieties seen here are Ganapathy, Ayyappa, Shiva, Muruga.