Poovarani Sree Mahadeva Temple is located at
Poovarani village in Meenachil Taluk of Kottayam District, Kerala. This is one
among the 108 Siva temples in Kerala. It is 5km. away from the Palai section of
the Punalur Muvattupuzha State Highway. It is one of the temples visited by the
pilgrims on their way to Sabarimala. The traditional Alangattu Sangaham also
visits this temple enroute to sabarimala every year. The temple is about 700
years old while the area where the shrine is located has survived the ravages
of time for at least 2000 years. The legend about the origin of the temple says
that when
more
a woman dug into the earth, blood started oozing from a stone. An
elderly Brahmin from a nearby Mana predicted that if it was a Swayambhu (self-originated
idol), Meenachil River would change its course within a day, without
obstructing the path leading to the place where the discovery was made. This
came true and after astrological consultations, the Swayambhu was consecrated
as the Presiding deity. The mark of the wound is still there on the idol and
the chief priest daily applies sandalwood paste on it as a customary rite to
heal the wound. Unlike in the other temples, nature offers Aaraattu (holy bath)
to the deity here. As the Swayambhu is on ground level, the Meenachil River
overflows its banks to enter the sanctum sanctorum during monsoon. This is
celebrated as the Lord's Aaraattu. The eight-day annual temple festival takes
place in the month of Makaram.
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