Indian Antiquary Vol 26

SR No.: 032518
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1984
Total Pages: 360
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 15 MB

Page 348

342
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
DECEMBER, 1897.
THE VARAKKAL TEMPLE AND ITS FESTIVAL,
An interesting Hindu ceremony is annually observed at Varakkal of the New Moon day in the Malayalim month of Tulain (October-November). Varakkal is about two miles to the north of Calicut, and is within a short distance of the Easthill Barracks. The temple stands on a prominent position on a bit of high ground upon the shore of a very shallow backwater. Despite its hoary and desolate appearance, on close inspection it looks bright and beautiful enough when seen rising into sight against a clear blue sky on the summit of the eminence on which it stands. A turn from the main road, pa handsome flight of stone steps, takes the visitor directly to the doorway fronting the inner shrine. The promiscuous pile of huge globular rocks on which the ancient temple is built, the dreariness and solitude of the site, and the many romantic, dark, and solemn caves within its preciucts, render it in some degree like the celebrated and much larger rock-cut cave-temples of Ellora or Elephanta. In the rainy season, it presents # strangely picturesque sight, for, surrounded with water on all sides owing to inundations from the sea, it forms a little sea-girt isle. There are two large tanks in front which are said to be connected with the sea by subterraneous outlets.
The Varrakkal Temple is of ancient origin, and tradition ascribes its foundation to Parasurama, the soldier, sage, and colonizer, of whom it is recorded :-" Thrice seven times did he clear the earth of the Kshatriya caste." It is dedicated to Durga, and in her honor the Dasabra Festival is celebrated in great style annually.
The foundation legend is that the Kirala country was reclaimed from the ocean by Parasurama, who built temples therein and settled it with immigrants. His mother Renuka, sinned and fell from perfection, and thereupon his father, the holy Jamadagni, was exceeding wrath and commanded his sons to put her to death. None of them heeded this behest, however, until the youngest, Råma, took his axe and slew her Subsequently, Kártavirya, king of the Haiheyas, visited Jamadagni's hermitage. This monarch, with his thousand arms and wonderful golden chariot, that flew in the air and sped wheresoever he bade it go, was, with due respect, entertained, in Jamadagni's absence, by his wife. But the wicked Kärta virya, inflated with the pride of valour, and in utter violation of the laws of hos. pitality, carried off the sage's sacred cow, Kama.
dhenu, and felled the tall trees that stood in the hermitage-garder. For this reason, and also because to one of this accursed race his mother owed her fall, Rama forthwith attacked and overthrew the robber-king, and finally extirpated the whole race of Kshatriyas. His mother's death aud the destruction of so many brave men, however, weighed heavily on his heart, and the slayer of hostile heroes was greatly distressed. To expiate these sins he determined to create a new land and to offer it to the Bråhmans. Accordingly, Kirala (Malabar) was created, whicha, being upportioned into sixty-four lots or grimas, was given away to as many Brahman townships. Temples and devalayas (houses of worship of all sorts soun sprang up in the new country. Only a few of them, however, were set up by Parasızrâma himself, and one of these was the temple at Varakkal.
Last year (1895), on the New Moon day (varu) of Tulam, I joined a multitude proceeding to this famous shrine. The great number of carriages that took pilgrims, the multifarious character of the people congregated, the utter confusion on all sides, the swimming, running, bathing, jumping, shouting populace made a profound impression on my mind. Numberless men, women, and children of every caste thronged the usually deserted temple; and from one end to another there was a long array of surging human beings, bathing and playing in the sea and tanks. It is supposed that on this day the sea, submissive to the deity, becomes calm, and that an underground tirtha near the temple spouts forth holy water. In honour of the occasion, oblations of karuka grass and boiled rice are thrown on the sea-waves to departed ancestors.
Another reason for the importance of the Varakkal vavu, given in the neighbourhood, refers to a quaint local custom, and has almost passed into a proverb. Marriage connections are held to be at an end and all relationship to have been terminated, if a bandhu (kinsman fails to put in his appearance in a tarawad or family-house, on the vivu day. This odd social canon is still tenaciously clung to by all good folk at Varakkal.
U. BALAKRISHNAN NAIR.
INITIAL L AND N. LATELY, in a case before me, a native of Bengal, a convict in Port Blair, was indifferently named Nadhia Chand and Ladhia Chand. He is recorded in the list of convicts as Ludhia Chand.
R. C. TEMPLE.
.
1 [There is a brief note on this temple in Logan's to be dedicated to Bhagavati, Ganapati, Ayyappan, and Malabır, Yol. II, p. cccxlvi., where, however, it is stated i Dakshinamurtti.- ED.]