Kidangoor, Kottayam
Subramanya Swamy Temple
### Subramanya Swamy Temple

Southern Kidangoor has the Subramaniya Swamy Temple, a very old [temple](/wiki/Temple "Temple") on the banks of the river. It is believed that the [idol](/wiki/Cult_image "Cult image") of [Subramanya Swamy](/wiki/Subramanya_Swamy "Subramanya Swamy") came out of the 'Kamandulu' (pot) carried by Maharshi Gauna when it tilted and the water flowed out. Along with the flow of the water, the [vigraha](/wiki/Vigraha "Vigraha") was carried away to the Vishnukshetra in Kidangur. Inside the temple where a new [Sreekovil](/wiki/Sreekovil "Sreekovil") was built for [Lord Vishnu](/wiki/Lord_Vishnu "Lord Vishnu"), the temple officials felt the presence of Subramanya Swamy, and so they kept the Subramanya Vigraha there instead of Vishnu. So, along with the Vishnu Vigraha on the northern side, the Subramanya Vigraha was also consecrated in the new Sreekovil.

One more legend is associated with the formation of Subramanya temple. The temple was created to do the 'pratishta' (positioning the idol) for Lord Vishnu. The same morning when the 'pratishta' was supposed to occur, a person (believed as Lord [Subramanya](/wiki/Murugan "Murugan")) was asking for lift to cross the Meenachil river and to reach the bank of the river where the temple is located. A person who was carrying salt in his 'vanchi' (a wooden boat used for travelling in water) gave lift to him. The temple people who arrived to do the 'pratishta' saw Lord Subramanya inside the Sreekovil and decided to perform Subramanya 'prathista' there as a new Sreekovil has been constructed later for the Vishu 'pratishta'. It is believed that the Subramanya idol is in standing position because the god has been seen by the [priest](/wiki/Priest "Priest") before he get enough time to sit. The story also say that the salt inside the boat which Subramanya used to cross the river was not ending upon measuring it.

The Temple houses a [Koothambalam](/wiki/Koothambalam "Koothambalam"). Bharata Muni's concept of [Natya Shastra](/wiki/Natya_Shastra "Natya Shastra") is evident in the sculptural work inside the Kuthambalam, as it is different from all other Kuthambalams of various temples of Kerala. It is believed that the Kuthambalam was constructed by [Perunthachan](/wiki/Perunthachan "Perunthachan"). The scenes from [Ramayana](/wiki/Ramayana "Ramayana") and [Mahabharatha](/wiki/Mahabharatha "Mahabharatha") are sculptured on the [Rangamandapam](/wiki/Ramamangalam "Ramamangalam") of the Kuthambalam. There is a huge [pillar](/wiki/Column "Column") curved out of the wood of "[Kurumthotti](/wiki/Kurumthotti "Kurumthotti")" \- a [medicinal plant](/wiki/Medicinal_plant "Medicinal plant"). Inside the hall there is a vigraha of [Devi Bhuvaneswari](/wiki/Bhuvaneshvari "Bhuvaneshvari"). Women are [not allowed](/wiki/Sexism "Sexism") to enter the Kuthambalam and the '[Nalambalam](/wiki/Nalambalam "Nalambalam")'. '[Koothu](/wiki/Koothu "Koothu")' and '[Koodiyattom](/wiki/Koodiyattom "Koodiyattom")' are performed inside the Koothambalam. A special performance of 'Brahmachari Koothu' is conducted only in this temple as this is for the benefit of those who have no children. Mahamaya Devi, [enshrined](/wiki/Enshrined "Enshrined") in the Kuthambalam facing south is well known as Kuthambalathil Amma. 'Guruthi' is performed for the Devi inside the Kuthambalam by devotees for the removal of all their problems and for the destruction of enemies. During the Annual Festival, [Chakiyar Koothu](/wiki/Chakyar_koothu "Chakyar koothu") is conducted regularly.


How does the Subramanya Swamy Temple relate to Lord Vishnu?