THE DEVATHAs
To speak of the glory of Lord Dharmasaastha, as mentioned in the Puraanas, descended as eight incarnations at several times to rid the world of evil.
The tales of Lord Ayappa, born from the unification of Lord Vishnu (in Mohini form) and Lord Shiva (hence his alias Lord Harihara-Suthan), is well known. His almighty Sree Dharmassasta implements dharma with the power of the creator and the destroyer of worlds.
Lord Dharmasaastha pours out unlimited blessings with the Poorna Kalasham (complete vessel) in his right hand and is steadfast in Padmaasan (yogic lotus seated pose) with his left hand on his left knee. Devi Prabha seated closely, also in Padmaasan has her left hand on left knee with her right hand in Varada mudra (wish fulfilling hand position) showers prosperity to their devotees. Lord Styakan, holding a banana in his right hand, reflects a pleasant and satisfied but an energetic youth. This form of consecration of Lord Dharmasaastha is among the rarest across the globe.
In this sanctum, the lord is seated with one of his consorts, Devi Prabha and their son, Styakan, standing in reverence close to his parents. The idols are established with their respective lotus peedham on to a single Peedham (seat).
The presence of Upadevathas strengthens the energy in the temple and bring prosperity with their respective persona. The revered Lord Ganesh, remover of all obstacles, is consecrated in the Sreekovil, outside the garbhagriha, towards the southern entrance. He is accompanied by Lord Dakshinamurthy, the kind and saintly form of Lord Shiva performing penance under a banyan tree on Mount Kailash, blesses his devotees with Vidhya (intellect).
Devi Annapoorneswari is the incarnation of Devi Paravati with the power to eliminate emancipation. The motherly god is idolized in a separate shrine in the north west end of the Nalambalam (within the primary walls around the Sreekovil). She stands facing east with benevolence to impart wealth to all those who bow to her. The mighty, scholarly, celibate and, the greatest devotee of Sree Ram, the primate god Lord Hanuman blesses us standing in his shrine within the Naalambalam. He faces west with folded hands, empowering his devotees with good health.
The Navagrahas (Nine Celestial Bodies) will be consecrated at the southeast side of the main temple. Astrology is the study of influence of the position of these celestial bodies in a living being’s life. The effect of each Graha throughout their life is primarily dictated by their respective position at the moment of a child’s birth. Hence, it is especially important to please the Grahas with offerings and reverence so as to seek positive influence and help mitigate the hardest of times due to their celestial positioning. Among the Navagrahas is Lord Shani. His raging sight has the power to be most detrimental among the navagrahas. The sanctum sanctorum provides us all with a zenith of opportunity to seek Lord Shani’s gentle grace. Propitiating with Lord Shani, ensures his virtuousness by being devoid of misery and directs us to attain prosperity. The pooja’s to Lord Shani at this temple is among the most auspicious and highly effective at attaining salvation. The mortal gods, the Naga Devathas (Serpent King, Serpent Mother and their lieutenants) though highly decorated in Kerala, are a rarity outside the southern state. They are consecrated at the North-eastern most part of the temple, close to the chuttambalam.
Undoubtedly, the temple complex is also an epicenter for many Socio-Cultural events and also with variety of charitable activities to uplift the society at large.