Thrissilery Temple: Myths & Beliefs

 

In the town of Mananthavady in Wayanad stands an ancient temple which is considered to be over 5000 years old & its existence is related to the Thirunelli temple. The Thrissilery temple is one among the 108 Shiva temples surrounded by sacred groves and the story is based on the distinction of how people believed in the Hindu tradition of reverence to Lord Vishnu & Lord Shiva who are part of the trinity. The temple gets its name from the three words Thiru – Shila – Eri meaning the place where the Swayambhoo form of Lord Shiva is present along a pond. The story of the temple has a relation to the ancestral rites one performs at Thirunelly & as per legends, it is necessary to follow these rituals to fulfil the transcendence of the departed soul.

It is believed that the Thrissilery temple was at Thirunelli which had the presence of both Lord Vishnu & Lord Shiva but there arose a fight between the Vaishnavites & Shaivites in which devotees of Lord Vishnu attained the upper hand & the Shiva devotees had to flee the land to the current place of the temple and as per local myth, Lord Shiva followed them to form the swayambhoo form. This form of Lord shiva is consecrated inside the temple along with Goddess Parvathy & Lord Ganesha. As per ritual it is necessary for all who perform the ancesterial puja to first pray at the Thrissilery temple & then go to the Thirunelli temple to perform the actual rites. It is also to be remembered that no person after performing the last rites are allowed to pray at the Thrissilery temple as it is considered inauspicious. The belief behind this unique tradition is based on the myth that the head of Lord Siva is at the Thrissilery temple & his leg (padam) is in the Papanasini where the last rites are conducted. So it is important to first pray to Lord Siva at Thrissilery to take permission & then conduct the rituals around his feet at Papanasini & once the rituals are finished pray to Lord Vishnu at Thirunelli temple to complete the ritual. This necessity to pray at Thrissilery is also based on the fact that at the Papanasini in Thirunelli there is no lamp or light to pray which is only available at the Thrissilery temple. Most devotees do not know this tradition & directly come to Thirunelli temple and so a lamp is dedicated to Lord Shiva at Thrissilery to follow the rituals.

The two temples are separated by dense forests & in old times people travelled along the path to reach Thirunelli from Thrissilery. It is quite interesting to know that no detail of who built the temple is available but it is believed to have been constructed at the time of Parasurama. The outer plastered walls of the central sanctum have sculptures of God, Goddesses & mythical beings which are a later addition. The temple has many upadevatas in its groves & one such temple is that of Jaladurga which was consecrated by Parasurama as one among the 108 Durga temples. The temple of Jaladurga stands in a small pond which has not dried ever & is said to have healing powers. The Vanasastha temple here is quite unique as the idol of Sastha is sitting in the lotus posture in the form of a hermit immersed in meditation & so the sanctum has no roof whereby it is affected by all natural elements. This form of Sastha is only found here & there are many other beliefs associated with the idol with many believing it to be that of Lord Buddha as the posture resembles that of his. The central sanctum or Naalambalam also has Goddess Parvathy in the form of only a peedam & the story behind such a sight is the belief that Goddess Parvathy left to Kotiyoor to take part in the Yagna conducted by Daksha without asking for permission from Lord Shiva & so could not return back to the temple. 

The temple also has a pond which has never dried up & the water is said to be flowing from the papanasini in Thirunelli. The well inside the temple is at the same height of the temple & the water level in the temple has never changed. There is also a belief that a treasure lies at the depth of the well which is guarded by Lord Ganapathy seated on the well’s step.

It is also to be known by all that the temple does not have any flag post or dhwajsthanbam as no annual festival is conducted here. The temple also does not allow Elephant participation for ceremonial celebrations. The most important offering for the Lord at the Thrissilery temple is the 1000 pots abhishekam which is conducted on all days. The temple also celebrates the festival of shivaratri with grandeur & people from all over come to be part of the pujas.

The temple in many ways is a mythological place whose existence is based on many beliefs & legends. It is also to be believed that the temple existed from ancient times & the rituals need to be followed even today to please the ancestors. So a visit to the Thrissilery temple is not just to worship Lord Shiva but also to please the Lord by following the rituals.