The Ancient Mammiyur Temple is Situated at a walkable distance Of 200 Metres North West to the Famous Guruvayoor Sree Krishna Temple.
The Main Deity is Lord Shiva in the form of Uma Maheswara. The Temple is governed and administered by Malabar Devaswom Board, which is under the Government of Kerala.
. The legendary history extends to the consecration of the famous Sree Guruvayur Temple – It was the final phase of Dwaparayuga. The great Deluge had submerged Sree Krishna’s abode Dwaraka and the Lord, as a playful child, was frolicking on a banyan leaf tossed about by the surging waters. Devaguru Brihaspathi and Wind God Vayu stumble upon Him, where upon the Lord himself handed over to them the idol of the Supreme Lord that he has been worshipping at Dwaraka, with instructions to have it installed and consecrated at an appropriate spot on earth.
Guru and Vayu then descended on the banks of a sprawing lake Rudratheertha rendered holy by Lord Shiva who had been doing penance there for ages. Realizing the purpose of the visit Lord Shiva suggested the consecration there itself on the bank of Rudratheertha and obligingly moved over to a near by location on the other side of the Rudhra theertha.
The place where Guru and Vayu consecrated the idol of Lord Krishna became GURUVAYOOR and the site that Lord Shiva chose for himself and his consort Sree Parvathy became Mahimayur, “mahima”(meaning Glory) evolving out of the status bestowed on Lord Shiva for voluntarily relinquishing his initial abode to accommodate Lord Krishna. This in course of time got colloquially known as “MAMMIYUR”. The devotees who come to pray in Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple, as per custom, are supposed to come to this Temple and pray in this Temple. In case they are unable to visit Mammiyur, , people after worshipping Goddess Bhagawathi deity in Guruvayur Temple, face north-east, invoke Lord Shiva and pray. This serves as a better alternative to not having Darshan in Mammiyur. The Temple pond on the Northern side is known as Rudra Theertham, where devotees can take bath before entering the Temple.
After the Temple opens, the priest performs a ritual called ” Vakacharthu” ,where herbal powder made out of the bark of “Vaka” Tree (mimosa herb) is applied. The act of applying is called ” Charthu” in Malayalam. Later, oil Abhishekam is performed followed by offering of Pori (puffed rice) which is called “Malar” in Malayalam. Deeparadhana or Aaarathi is at a fixed time namely 6 PM. Apart from Lord Shiva or Mahadeva, there are other deities- namely Lord Ganesha, Lord Muruga, Lord Ayyappa, Goddess Parvathi and Lord Vishnu. Priests chant Rigveda and there will be a continuous pouring of water on Lord Shiva. This ritual is called “Dhaara”. The Temple opens at 4.45AM and closes at 10 AM. The Temple opens again at 5 PM and closes at 8.30 PM. The inner enclosure surrounding the Central Sanctum Sanctorum(known as Sree Kovil) is called Nalambalam (meaning 4 sides surrounding the Central Sanctum Sanctorum. As per the Custom of the Temple, gents should not wear shirt, banian, shorts, lungi and pyjamas. Ladies can wear sarees or churidhars Another custom followed here is that soon after their marriage, couples should not enter Nalambalam. The Temple also restricts carrying of Prasadams from other Temples.
I had an opportunity to visit this Temple in early August this year. As per Custom, I always make it a point to visit and pray in this Temple whenever I go to Guruvayur .I feel very much blessed when I leave the Temple.
Krishnakumar, Chennai.
