Alathiyur Sree Hanuman Swamy Temple

Alathiyur, Tirur, Dist. Malappuram.

The Alathiyur Perumthrikkovil Sree Rama-Hanuman Temple, popularly known as Alathiyur Sree Hanuman Temple, is located at Alathiyur near Tirur in Malappuram district. It is one of the major Hanuman temples in Kerala. Although the main deity is Sree Rama, the temple is widely known for its Hanuman shrine. The temple is believed to be more than 1,000 years old. According to Aithihyam, the idol of Hanuman Swami was installed by Sage Vasishtha.

Historical estimates date the establishment of the temple to around the 10th century. In its early history, the area was governed by the Alathiyur village Namboothiris and was one of the prominent Brahmin settlements in Kerala. During the medieval period, the Vettathunad royal family, which ruled from Tanur from the 14th to the 18th century AD, took control of the area, bringing the temple under its patronage. During this time, Vettathunad saw considerable growth in trade and culture.

When the Vettathunad royal family became extinct due to the lack of heirs, particularly towards the end of the 18th century, the administration of the temple came under the Zamorin of Calicut. After this period, before AD 1793, temple administration came under the Malabar Devaswom Board from the 1920s, as part of the Hindu religious and charitable endowment laws introduced during British rule. The temple is still managed by an administrative committee in which the Zamorin is the chief trustee.

According to Aithihyam, the main event took place before Hanuman left for Lanka in search of Sita. Sree Rama sent groups of vanaras in different directions to find her. Angada led the group that travelled south. However, Sree Rama knew that only Hanuman could leap across the sea to Lanka. Before Hanuman left, Sree Rama called him aside and gave him secret information that would help Sita recognise him as Rama’s messenger. This is known as Abhijnaana Vaakyam. Sree Rama also gave Hanuman his signet ring for Sita to identify him. While listening to these instructions, Hanuman stood with his head slightly tilted to the left and his hands folded. The idol of Hanuman at the temple is depicted in this posture. Aithihyam also states that Lakshmana stood slightly away so that the conversation between Sree Rama and Hanuman would not be disturbed. This is associated with the separate position of Lakshmana’s Sreekovil, which is located away from the main entrance. After receiving Rama’s instructions, Hanuman left for Lanka. A large wall at the temple represents the leap made by Hanuman across the sea. Devotees, especially children, traditionally jump over this wall as an important temple custom.

The temple is located in the centre of Alathiyur village, with several shops and marketplaces directly opposite it. From the road, the first structure visible is a large Kerala-style entrance porch with a two-storey padippura, rather than a tall gopuram. It has a tiled roof and wooden carvings. Beyond the padippura is a large elephant shed, used for temple rituals and for devotees to queue. A large balikkallu can be seen further inside. The main temple complex is surrounded by a long chuttambalam with a tiled roof, whitewashed walls and wooden window grills. Outside the chuttambalam, on the southern side, is a symbolic wall representing Hanuman’s leap to Lanka. A sandy area near the wall represents Lanka. Children jumping over this wall is a distinctive sight within the temple premises. A large temple pond is located on the south-western side, near the banyan tree.

The main Sreekovil is square in shape and follows the traditional Kerala architectural style of Thachushastra. Its large pyramidal roof is fully covered with copper sheets and has a gold-plated finial on top. The base is made of black stone, while the walls have wooden carvings and carvings depicting scenes from mythology. The sopana consists of black stone steps leading to the Sreekovil. Stone carvings of figures such as vyali and makara can be seen on both sides. Inside the Nalambalam, two main Sreekovils stand next to each other. The larger one houses Sree Rama, while the smaller one houses Hanuman Swami. The main idol of Sree Rama is in the four-armed Chaturbahu form of Vishnu. Hanuman Swami is the main object of worship at the temple. When viewed from the front, the idol appears slightly turned. His head is slightly tilted to the left, as if listening carefully to Sree Rama, with his hands folded.

Inside the main Nalambalam, the shrine of Mahalakshmi is located next to the Sreekovil of Sree Rama. Devotees regard her as the presence of Sita and according to Aithihyam, Mahalakshmi is worshipped here as Sitalakshmi. Ganapathy is installed at the south-eastern corner of the Nalambalam, facing west. Another notable feature is the separate Sreekovil of Lakshmana Swami. Unlike the usual arrangement of brother deities within or close to the same Nalambalam, his Sreekovil is located outside it on the north-western side. A large separate Sreekovil is provided for Lakshmana Swami, making him one of the main deities of the temple. Ayyappan is installed on a separate platform on the south-western side, outside the Nalambalam. At the north-western corner is a special Nagathara with groves, where Naga-raja and Naga-yakshi are worshipped.

The temple’s main annual festival is the Thiruvona Mahotsavam held in the month of Thulam (mid-October to mid-November). The three-day festival is held on the Pooradam, Uthradam and Thiruvonam stars. It concludes with major celebrations on Thiruvonam. Thayambaka and Panchavadyam performances, along with traditional art forms such as Kathakali and Ottanthullal, are held during the festival. A special Thiruvona pooja and a large feast are also part of the celebrations. Hanumad Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Hanuman Swami, is also celebrated at the temple, attracting many devotees.

Sree Rama Navami, which falls in the months of Meenam and Medam, is also observed at the temple as Sree Rama is the main deity. The annual Prathishta Day is celebrated on the Atham star in the month of Meenam. The month of Karkidakam (mid-July to mid-August) is observed as Ramayana Month, during which many devotees visit the temple for Ramayana recitation. Tuesdays and Saturdays are considered important days for Hanuman Swami, while Thursday is also observed as a special day. On Saturdays, Hanumad pooja and Vadamala are offered for relief from Shani dosha and other difficulties. Wednesday is also observed as a special day associated with Sree Rama.

Aval Nivedyam is one of the main offerings to Hanuman Swami. It is prepared by mixing aval with jaggery, coconut and banana. Devotees offer it for the fulfilment of wishes and mental well-being. Paalpayasam and Panchasara Payasam are offered to Sree Rama, the main deity. Vadamala is also offered to Hanuman Swami. Gadha Samarpanam is performed for the fulfilment of wishes and relief from difficulties. Other important offerings include Ottayappam, Karolappam, Neythiri and Bhagya Sooktham Pushpanjali.

The daily pooja begins at 05:00 AM with the opening of the temple and Nirmalya Darshan. Seeing the deity in the previous day’s decoration is considered auspicious. At 05:30 AM, the idol is bathed with water. Ushah Pooja and the first main offering of the day are performed at 06:00 AM. Ethirettu Pooja is held at 08:30 AM. The morning pooja ends with Ucha Pooja at 10:30 AM, after which the temple closes. The temple reopens at 05:00 PM. Deepaaradhana is held at 06:30 PM, with lamps lit around the Sreekovil and camphor aarati. Athazha Pooja and the evening offering are performed at 07:15 PM. The temple closes at 07:30 PM.

Key highlight :-

• Located 7 km from Tirur, 12 km from Ponnani and 17 km from Edappal.
• 7 km from Tirur railway station.
• KSRTC and local bus facilities are available to the temple.
• Private vehicles can be parked in the temple’s parking area.
• Accommodation and food facilities are available in the nearby towns.
• Contact number +91 4942430666.