- Vishnu
Maruthorvattom Sree Dhanwanthari Temple
- Maruthorvattom,Kerala
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Overview
The Maruthorvattom Sri Dhanwanthari Temple is a famous temple situated in the Alappuzha district of Kerala, India. As the name suggests, the shrine is basically dedicated to Lord Dhanwanthari. This temple is the first shrine in South Kerala to have Lord Dhanwanthari as the chief deity.
About The Temple
The Dhanwanthari temple has a square shaped sanctum sanctorum (Garbha Griha) which houses the deity Lord Dhanvantri. There is a copper-roofed round Sreekovil over the sanctum sanctorum. A copper roofed 'mandapam' is found in front of the Sreekovil which has a statue of Garuda. This Garuda statue is seen facing the presiding deity within the sanctum. The temple faces the direction west and has a tile-roofed outer squared Nalambalam surrounding a spacious inner lawn which is granite tiled. The temple also has an 'Utsava Bali Mandapam' on the right side of the Sreekovil. The temple has a well within the inner lawn from where the water for preparing Nevedyas are drawn. The temple has a Dhwayasrambam made of Bronze. To the left side of the Naalampalam is the oottupura and the temple kitchen. There is also a spacious Seva Pandal where ritualistic ceremonies such as 'Ezhunnallippu' is performed annually.
About The Deity
Other than the chief deity Lord Dhanwanthari, shrine of other deities such as Lord Ganapati, Lord Sastha, Goddess Bhagavathi, Nagaraja are also found in this temple.
Legend and Stories
Legend has it that the vigraha (idol) of Lord Dhanwanthari in this temple was the one worshiped by a Kerala Brahmin named Vellod Moos in his house. Vellodu Moos was also a popular ayurvedic practitioner at this region. The vigraha of Lord Dhanwantri was donated to him by a Kshathriya from a place called Vayalar which is about 8 Kms from Maruthorvattom. Once Vellod Moos was suffering from a chronic ailment. He is said to have had a dream revealing that he would get permanently cured of his ailment, if he recovered the idol that lay hidden in a temple pond and donated it to a deserving brahmin. Another Ayurvedic practioner naamed Cheerattum Moos was taken aback by the divine vibrancy of his idol and hence suggested that a temple be constructed for the deity. He is also believed to have offered financial assistance for the temple’s construction. Hence, this Dhanwanthari temple at Maruthorvattom is said to have been constructed jointly by these two Brahmin families.
Festivals
The annual temple festival is celebrated here for about 8 days and is held every year in the month of Medam (April-May). The festivals of Navarathri, Astami Rohini and the Mandalapooja are the other celebrated occasions.
Significance
The temple offering which includes cooked rice with thal (tender stem of yam) is distributed as the Prasad. This Prasad is believed to have medicinal properties for curing stomach ailments. Devotees usually visit he temple seeking permanent relief from chronic illnesses. Childless couples who offer Thiruonam pooja are believed to be blessed with children.
How To Reach
Airport
The nearest airport is the Cochin International Airport.
Railways
The closest railway station is the Cherthala railway station from where buses, auto and taxis can be hired to reach the temple.
Road
Alappuzha is well connected with many major towns and cities of the state with frequent and regular buses. The nearest bus station is the Alappuzhamc stop.
Temple Address
Maruthorvattom Sri Dhanwanthari Temple,
Maruthorvattom, Cherthala City,
Alappuzha District,Kerala,
Pincode - 688539.
Significance
Devotees visit this temple to seek fulfillment of the following:-
- For success in the medical profession
- For cure from chronic illnesses
- For cure from stomach ache by consuming Thai curry
Shlokas
Adharam Madhuram Vadanam Madhuram Nayanam Madhuram Hasitam Madhuram Hridayam Madhuram Gamanam Madhuram Mathuraa Dhipate Rakhilam Madhuram
Meaning -Meaning - Sweet are Your lips, sweet is Your face, sweet are Your eyes, sweet is Your smile, sweet is Your heart, sweet is Your gait, O Lord of Mathura, everything about You is sweet.
Alokya Mathur Mukha Madarena Sthanyam Pibantham Saraseeruhaksham Sachinmayam Devam Anantha Roopam Balam Mukundam Manasa Smarami
Meaning -I think of this Balamukundan as the one who looks lovingly at his mother's face while taking milk from her, who has eyes similar to the red lotus, who is the embodiment of truth and intelligence and other forms.
Achutham Keyshavam Rama Narayanam Krishna Damodaram Vasudevam Harim Shridharam Madhavam Gopika Vallabham Janaki Nayakam Ramachandram Bhajey
Meaning -Oh Lord who cannot be perished, who also has names like Keshava, Rama, Damodara, Narayana, Sridhara, Madhava, Krishna, Ramachandra the beloved of Janaki, let me say your name regularly.
Vasudeva Sutham Devam Kamsa Chanoora Mardhanam Devaki Paramanandham Krishnam Vande Jagathgurum
Meaning -I bow to you O Krishna, the ultimate guru, Devaki and Vasudeva's son, and the destroyer of Kamsa and Chanur.
Timings
The temple is open from 5.00 AM to 11.00 AM and from 5.00 PM to 8.00 PM.