Pazhoor Padippura, is situated 33 km towards the southeast of Kochi, near Piravom, Kerala. It is an astrology center linked to Pazhoor Perumthrikkovil temple.[1] The temple is believed to be nearly 1,800 years old.[2] A unique phenomenon observed here[3] is that the Muvattupuzha river flowing west from east changes direction on reaching the temple. It retraces its path and flows east for a certain distance before diverting again to north and west. Had the river not changed its course, the temple would have been washed away.
For people who believe in astrology, Pazhoor is the ultimate word. But you can take a trip to the Padipura even if you are not a believer. The architecture of the old residence will enthrall you.
Astrologer Surendran got up from the western Padippura. 'It has been nine centuries since people started coming to this Padippura. This might seem unbelievable but it is true. Myths and reality lie intertwined here. But it feels like the two are indistinguishable from each other.' He began to tell the story of Pazhoor Padippura, where destiny plays its inviolable hand, where the planets Mercury and Venus stand guard.
Pazhoor Padippura comprises of three Padippuras . Mercury and Venus are the deities in the Eastern Padippura. The Samadhi of Thalakkulathoor Govindan Bhattathir is on the west. Yagam and other rituals are held at the Padippura in the center.
Thalakkulathoor Govindan Bhattathiri who hailed from Malabar region was an erudite scholar of astrology. Foreseeing an outcaste status for himself in his horoscope he set out on a journey. After covering the prominent pilgrimage spots, he reached the gates of Pazhoor Perumthrikkovilappan temple near Piravam. He was reaching the 'bad' time that he had calculated. He had decided on having an entire day by himself in Pazhoor River. He entered the river with a canoe for that purpose. However, fate had other plans. Torrential rain came, his canoe capsized and Bhattathiri somehow managed to reach ashore.
Thoroughly exhausted, he saw a house in the lightning flash. Sensing all the signs of a Brahmin house there, he firmly believed that he would not face banishment there. He spread a mattress on the floor and slept there that night. Late at night, a woman came out of the Padippura. Mistaking the sleeping man as her husband she slept with Bhattathiripad. What was destined to happen happened without fail and Bhattathiri was banished.
However he foretold that that woman would bear him a son. She was the wife of an astrologer who lived in Mullassery illam. Bhattathiri who again started on his journey gave word to the woman that he will return in twelve years. A boy was born to the astrologer's wife as predicted by Bhattathiri. The child excelled in Mathematics, Sanskrit and Astrology. Bhattathiri returned after twelve years and taught him Astrology and Mathematics. The child grew up to become the first astrologer of Pazhoor Padippura.
Thalakkulathoor Bhattathiri also lived with his son at Mullassery illam. In his old age he told his son to build him a Samadhi made out of the wood of jackwood. He further said that astrological fortune told sitting at the head of the Samadhi room will turn out to be precise. A tradition that is followed even today. Not just orally recounted myths have currency here. There are strong evidences corroborating every myth. Lamp is lit in front of the cremation ashes of nineteen generations.
It is belived that Mercury and Venus dwell in the eastern Padippura. Mercury the planet of strength and Venus the planet of good fortune are believed to reside side by side Bhattathiri's samadhi in the Padippura. There is another legend associated with it. Mercury and Venus who came to learn about the astrological fame of the Padippura disgused as brahmins. And as per the tradition, these brahmins wanted their fortunes told. The astrologer made his calculations and told the same, he added that as Mercury and Venus changed seating positions the calculation needed to be rechecked. This time the astrologer felt the change of positions in his calculation. After repeating this experiment thrice the astrologer was able to easily make out who the visiting Brahmins really were.
The astrologer made them promise to remain at the padippura till he returned after refering some books. The astrologer who went inside committed suicide. Unable to break their vow, Mercury and Venus could not leave the premises. Their blessing is believed to influence the astrological verdicts here. Anyway even today Mercury and Venus are the deities in the eastern Padippura.
The deity and puja here are in Ganapathipura. The idols of the deities are also stored in a chest in this pura. Other deities like Srichakram, Mahameru, Santhanagopala statue, Vennakkannan and Hanuman idols are kept in the chest before the deity of Ganapathi. This holy water is sprinkled on the Samadhi of Thalakkulath Bhattathiri, Mercury-Venus spots and pedestals where dice is laid.
15 май 2021
