Alathiyur Hanuman Temple: A place from Ramayana

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It is true that the virtues of Lord Rama as being a Maryada Purushottam & the fact that his efforts in finding his wife Sita is the foundation of the most read mythology – Ramayana. The story of Lord Rama is incomplete without the mention of Hanuman who became his servant for life & his efforts resulted in Lord Rama winning the battle against Ravana. The most important part of Ramayana was the journey undertaken by Hanuman to Lanka by leaping over the vast sea after finding the whereabouts of Sita. This important event is celebrated at the Alathiyur Hanumankavu temple in the village of Triprangode near Tirur. The temple worships Lord Rama as the primary deity but it is the importance of Hanuman that is quite significant & the story behind its origin is one for all to know.


As per myth, the vanaras formed different teams as per instructions of Lord Rama to find Sita & went to different parts of the peninsula. The group headed by Hanuman finally found the whereabouts of Sita of being in Lanka & relayed the information to Lord Rama. It was important to substantiate this information & someone had to undertake the journey across the vast sea & only Hanuman was capable of achieving this impossible feat. Hanuman could never say no to his Lord & said “Your wish is my command” & decided to leap over the sea. Lord Rama was happy but he was concerned that Sita would not believe Hanuman as she had never seen him & so there was a need to give a cue word which would make Seethadevi see him as the messenger from her husband. In order to confide in Hanuman, Lord Rama asked all his men to move away and is said to have whispered the cue words in the ear of Hanuman. These words were so confidential that even Lakshmana had to stay out of the hut. Hanuman is said to have understood the instructions & leapt to the sky to undertake the journey to Lanka. The Alathiyur temple commemorates this event by worshipping Hanuman for his selfless service to Lord Rama.


The temple is said to have been consecrated by Sage Vashishta around 3000 years ago & the temple has some unique customs. The idol of Lord Rama is in the central Sanctum & the temple of Hanuman stands next to it with the idol in a mudra which symbolises the event when Lord Rama confided in him. So Hanuman here is shown as standing with folded hands leaning to the left raising his ear for his Lord to say the cue words. This mudra of Hanuman is very rare & one that is possibly found only here. The temple of Lakshmana is outside the Nalambalam which symbolises the event when he was asked to stay out. It is also to be believed that the temple gives importance to Hanuman as all devotees can confide in him to pray for their needs. The Hanumankavu thus for centuries has been a way for all to communicate their prayers to Lord Rama through Hanuman. The temple is also revered by children as Hanuman is believed to be their favourite deity & parents often come with children to pray for the betterment of their child’s life.



Inside the compound of the temple one can also find a square pit filled with sand which symbolises Lanka & the higher ground is said to be the land here. There is a granite slab placed in the middle which is said to be the sea & it is customary for all to leap into the pit without touching the granite which signifies the event of how Hanuman himself leapt for Lanka from here. This is one ritual not seen anywhere & people irrespective of age do take this leap to pay obeisance to Lord Hanuman. The prasad of avil (sweet beaten rice) at the temple is also of importance & people from far off come to collect it. 


The central shrine is adorned with many mural paintings & it keeps the aesthetics of the place intact with that of how it was at the time of Lord Rama The temple in many ways is to honour Hanuman who was bestowed with the most important task by his Lord which he completed with all the grace. The completion of this task also was one reason which made Lord Rama give him the title of chiranjeevi or being immortal till the end of the world. The Alathiyur temple is a place of great reverence & one should certainly pray here to fulfil their wishes irrespective of how impossible they may seem.


Location: Alathiyoor, Triprangode, Kerala, India

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