Dhanteras has given me a new perspective especially after my Kerala visit. Reading up more and more about Dhanwantri I came to know that Dhanteras (Dhantrayodashi, two days before Deepavali) is also Dhanwantri Jayanthi. Dhanwantri is the God of Medicine. When the ocean was churned to get the elixir of immortality, along with other treasures, Lord Dhanwantri, a form of Vishnu appeared holding a pot of nectar or Amrit in his hands.
It was our good friend, Sam, who first told us about the Nelluvaya Dhanvantri Temple in Thrissur district. It is an ancient Vishnu temple with Dhanvantri, the God of Medicine as the leading deity. Senthil and I decided to leave our hotel at Guruvayoor at 6 am. The driver was unfamiliar with the temple, so we relied on Google Maps. It was a 30 min ride. The car turned into a narrow road. This brilliant lush green can only be witnessed in Gods own country. The location was a feast for the eyes.
Google led us down a winding quite narrow road, making me feel like I was living in one of the Malayalam movies we often watch. I almost expected Actor Suraj Venjaramoodu to walk by! “You have arrived”, declared Google. Clambering out of the car, we found a grassy path which obviously led to the back entrance of the temple, and after stepping down carefully, we entered the premises. The architecture was typical Kerala type with a conical roof. In most Kerala temples the men have to remove the shirts and go bare chested. But almost 80% of the men wear the shirt on one arm! And these days women in salwar and leggings are also allowed unlike a few years ago.
It was early so there were hardly any people. There were two women stringing garlands quietly and about 8 people who seemed like local regulars.
The Dhanvantri Murthi was not too tall about 4 feet and obviously was several 1000 years old. He had the conch on one hand and the chakra on the other. And in the front set of hands a bowl of Amrit and on the other a leech to signify the ancient method of sucking out bad blood from the body. There is a legend which says that the temple authorities sculpted a new idol of Dhanvanthri and while they were bringing the idol for consecration, Ashwini devathas or the angels of health led them to another idol found in the paddy fields, worshipped by Vasudevar the father of Lord Krishna. This was installed eventually and the newly sculpted one found its place in a shrine in the outer prahaara as Chorethevar.
After having a very fulfilling darshan (always reminds me of the song Kaana aayiram kan vendum…I also pray for the divine form to be permanently etched in my memory) the 8 devotees present at the temple moved aside and waited in silence respectfully. We too waited, curious about what was to come. Looks like the priest was doing the Naivedyam (offering of food to the deity). Instead of using a curtain as is the norm in Tamilnadu temples, the people simply stepped back, maintaining a respectful distance until the ritual was complete. Afterward, we worshipped again and received the aval prasadam, along with sandal paste. Then we walked to the front of the temple where there was space to park the car and took picture of the Gopuram. But we both were glad we took the scenic back entrance route to enter.
The Nelluvaya temple is famous for a special herbal medicine called Mukkudi, known as the Oushada Prasad. It is prepared by the Namboodiris upon special request and is believed to have cured numerous ailments when taken with devotion. It is made of a root called Neela Koduveli, Dried Ginger, Kurumilagau, Thippili and Jeera.
Ayurveda doctors perform special poojas at this temple and devotees visit before they begin treatment to seek the Lord’s blessings.
There was also a Ganesha shrine, and as we moved to the outer praharam (corridor), we worshipped Lord Ayyappan. Interestingly, while Guruvayoor Krishna faces east, Dhanvantri at Nelluvaya faces west. It is said that Nandagopa, Krishna’s foster father, worshipped at Guruvayoor, while Vasudeva, his real father, prayed at Nelluvaya.
Happy Dhanteras. Wishing you the wealth of love and the wealth of health.
The Back Entrance
Really Fantastic narration of the temple covering all aspects. Super Anni Many more to come
Good detailed naration and looking forward for more pilgrimage trips with complete details like temple timings, traditional customs to follow and topography.
I loved the way you have penned it. All the nuances of the temple has been explained well. As I was reading it looked like I was touring in the temple. Thanks Megu.
As usual, very well written Meghu! Your vivid narration makes me feel that I was right there beside you taking in the tranquil and pristine beauty of this ancient temple and its surroundings! Keep up the blogging!
Again a veritable treasure trove of information Megu. Thank you so much. Hope to visit this wonderful temple sometime in my lifetime. Thank you for the taking me there through your words.
Wow. What a refreshing write up. Going beyond the usual Tamil Nadu temples, visiting and writing about a peaceful place in God’s own Country is enjoyable. God bless 🙏
Meghu… now I have begun to accept this amazing narration as a norm from you . Cannot expect anything less. Your talent and ability to describe the events as it happens, is like reading a novel. I literally see through your eyes and travel with you. Thank you for taking us through these travels of your and explaining facts about our heritage and culture. Though I am from Guruvayoor I’ve never been to this temple . it’s on my list now thanks to you. Waiting for the next write up 🙂
Reading the write up itself made me feel very serene, peaceful and blissful. Wonderful Megha.
It’s always pleasure to read ur article.well articulated and makes reader to experience real time.Thank for sharing.
Nice to see temple along with ur message and blessed to know the lot of information ,thank u Akka
Good write up, Megha.
I have gone numerous times with our Sabari Malai group and on 4 or 5 occasions with Lakshmi.
Ma’am, Love your narrations. It makes me feel like I’m immersed in VR, experiencing everything firsthand. 👌
Very wonderful narration feel hving been taken on a field trip to this place
Excellent Dhanwantri temple. We felt like visiting the temple on the eve of Dhantreras.
Good narration as usual Megha. Nice photos add value to the narration. Keep it coming! God bless!
Very good…very well written.. by God’s grace should visit this temple…
Very well explained. Thank you Megha.
Thank u for sharing ,megu !
I always thought danteras was linked to kubera and consequentially, to wealth ! Perhaps wealth is health and modern day life might testify to the same !!
I coulld picture the verdant surroundings as I read your narrative and I hope that the visit has been a blessed one .
Well done megu !
Rare temple.with your valuable comments n observation the temple gets a new parinamam.
Lovely pictures too.the devotee in green saree n the green background…valliya katchi knoki yaan
Thank you for sharing the rich history of this wonderful temple. Your attention to small details and your vivid description of the scenery transported me to the temple and I could feel the vibe and take in the divine beauty. Lovely photos! You lead by example and I hope to someday visit these temples. Thank you, Megha!
Never been to this temple, you have inspired me to make it Meghu. Well written.
Beautiful explanation with perfect use of words taking us to the historic moments with absolute picturesque views. I really enjoyed as if I was myself going through the situation. Simply fantastic. Thank you and wish you all the best 🙌
Well written Megu! You have explained it in detail about the temple and the rituals.
Divine. Had a wonderful darshan of Lord Dhanvanthari through your vlog. Adding this temple to my bucket list and praying to visit the temple soon. Thanks for sharing your experience with us. Thanks for sharing during Dhanteras . Very thoughtful 🙏
Akka… Now after reading your narration… I cannot wait to visit this temple.. that was a lovely and brief description❤️❤️❤️❤️
It’s always a pleasure to read your writing Megha. Wish to visit this wonderful temple sometime.