Thottuva Sree Dhanwanthari Temple is one of the few Lord Dhanvantari Temples in Kerala, India. The presiding deity is Adi Dhanwanthiri and the idol is almost six feet tall and facing east. On the right hand the lord holds Amrith and with the left hand the lord holds Atta, Shanku and Sudarshana Chakra. Sub deities are Ayyappan, Ganapathy, Bhadrakali and Rakshas. Fresh un-boiled milk is offered here, the important offering is butter.
The idol of Thottuva Sree Dhanwantahri Temple was laid by Lord Parasurama 5000 years ago as per the legend and hence the deity is known by the name Adi Dhanwanthiri. Then over the years the temple was managed by a Namboodiri (Kerala Brahmin) family called Korumbur Mana.The temple had lots of landed property in the olden times. Sree Sankaracharya used to worship here regularly. Lord Dhanwanthari is the Lord of Ayurveda - the herbal medical science. Lord Dhanvantari Jayanati is celebrated here with much religious importance.
In the Thottuva Sree Dhanwanthari temple the devotees who pray with complete faith used to get the desired results. It is customary to bathe in the canal (Thodu) near the river before offering prayers. Those who are not blessed with children offer Palpayasam (Milk Pudding) for seven consecutive days and they are blessed with a child. Those who have contracted chronic diseases use the oil used for anointing the idol as medicine. Those with skin disease offer yam and salt and get cured.
Important Festivals
Festivals are conducted on Ekadashi during the Malayalam month of Vrischikam, and on the Pooyam star day during the month of Medam, which is the consecration day. Every year the Annual Festival falls on Guruvayoor Ekadasi day (Ekadasi in the month of Vrischikam) and it is celebrated with pomp and splendor. The Dasavatharam Chandanam Chartal (when the idol is anointed with Sandal paste and the shape of each Avathars of Mahavishnu that is Matsya Avatar, Koorma Avatar, Varaha Avatar, Narasimha Avatar, Vamana Avatar, Parasurama Avatar, Sree Rama Avatar, Sri Krishna Avatar, Balarama Avatar ) during first to eleventh of Dhanu is very famous and thousands of devotees from far and wide come to Thottuva these days and offer their prayers. Every month (Thiruvonam), there used to be a feast (prasadam oottu) for the devotees. On that day Palpayasam (milk pudding) is offered by some devotees (with pregnancy problems) to conceive child.
How to Reach Thottuva Sree Dhanwanthari Temple
Thottuva is a village situated 9 km northeast of Perumbavoor town and 8 km east of Kalady on the Southern banks of River Periyar. The name of the village is Thottuva because it is situated on the banks (Vakkath) of this stream (Thodu). On the Perumbavoor - Kodanad Bus route one km away from Thottuva junction in Koovapady Panchayat at Ernakulam district. Devotees can also reach the temple via Kalady - Malayattoor route from the Thottuva junction boat jetty.
Contact Address
Thottuva Sree Dhanwanthari Temple
Moorthi Seva Trust
Koovapady P.O.
Thottuva - 683 544
Ernakulam District
Kerala
Telephone Number - +91 484 2641485
PS - This is a guest post by Staff of Thottuva Sree Dhanwanthari Temple in Kerala - posted as comment in Hindu Devotional Blog.
The Naveekarana Kalasam at this temple is scheduled for 2nd July,2014.The rituals for this start on the 22nd June,2014 and continue for 11 days to culminate on the Kalasam Day.
ReplyDeleteA committee of devotees is formed for organizing the kalasam for which a budget of Rs.50 lakhs is planned.
Any queries may be addressed to dhanwantharikalasam@gmail.com
K.V.Parameswara Iyer(Jyothy Swamy),General Convenor,
Naveekarana Kalasa Committee.
Mobile.+91 9895242170