“BHATTIYIL AMBALAM” - This ancient temple of LORD SHIVA ( BHATTIYIL THEVAR) stands on the bank of NILA River (also known as BHARATA PUZHA or 'River of Bharata') which adds to the splendour and serenity of the sacred temple.It is assumed that the temple has 1700 years of heritage.
Early History
Long back this place was ruled by “ BHATTIS” who were basically learned scholars and
spiritual gurus. Hence this village was earlier known as “BHATTITHARA” and the temple “BHATTIYIL AMBALAM”.However later on due to loose diction it became known as ‘PATTITHARA”. Bhattis were the owners of most of the properties of this village(ancestral properties). Hence the day to day affairs of the temple were conducted in a grand way. Everyday there was ANNADANAM (distribution of free food ) In those days the temple had its own elephants for the pujas and other 'Utsavams' (festivals).
Decline of the temple
But later on due to the enmity of other villages and other religions, “BHATTIS” were forced to flee the place. It is said that the “Samudiri Raja”( royal king of Kozhikode) came to their rescue and helped to settle down at other places. This led to the down fall of the temple. Samudiri raja invited BHATTIS to perform pujas in other temples and gifted them with money and land properties. However the descendents of BHATTI’S still visit the temple to have a darshan of “ BHATTIYIL THEVAR”.
The temple’s downfall was completed due to the flood which occurred in 1099 in 'BHARATA PUZHA'. 'Sreekovil' (House of God), all idols and the 'Nalambalam'(i.e. outer wall) all got washed away into the river. Elderly people of the village still remember that other natives came from far away places ( like Ponnani) and transferred most of the beautiful idols to other places using small rowing boats('Thoni'). However miraculously the MAHA VISHNU’S beautiful circular shaped 'Sreekovil' survived all this. The 'Sreekovil' of MAHAVISHNU had 125 years of heritage. Slowly the owners of BHATTIYIL AMBALAM managed to get the” SHIVA LINGA” from the river and made a temporary shed and installed idol of LORD SHIVA and other 'Upa Devathas' and started the daily pujas .
However there were many obstacles in continuing the daily puja. But like every dark cloud had a silver lining, the local ladies continued to light a lamp every day in the evening without fail.
Here we would like to acknowledge Smt. O.P. Padmavathy Amma who used to light a lamp everyday in the evening. She continued this noble work till her death.
Rebuilding of the Temple
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| Smt.O.P.Padmavathy Amma |
Rebuilding of the Temple
In 1976 with the help of local devotees a new committee was formed and daily pujas started.
Shri N.Krishnan Nair who had retired as 'Inspecting Asst. Commissioner of Agricultural Income Tax and Sales Tax' started the noble work of rebuilding the temple.He considered this as his past birth’s responsibility and by completing this he thought he would achieve spiritual salvation. With all his social connections and experience he visited places and people for donations and knocked the doors of various govt offices.
One of the major successes was the construction of Bund with black stones ('Karingal') on the river banks, in order to stop the erosion of mud during raining seasons .For this Kerala Government sanctioned one lakh Rupees.
Current Status
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| Shri N.Krishnan Nair |
One of the major successes was the construction of Bund with black stones ('Karingal') on the river banks, in order to stop the erosion of mud during raining seasons .For this Kerala Government sanctioned one lakh Rupees.
Under the guidance of famous astrologer Shri A.V.Kuttikrishnan Nair and Shri Aloor Madhava Panicker the "Deva prashnam" (astrological investigation) was conducted. The famous Tantri Andaladi Parmeswaran Nambudhiri was appointed as the tantri of the temple. In accordance with the findings of Devaprashnam a cleansing ritual ('Shudi Kalasham') was also conducted.
Famous temple architect Shri Kanipayur Nambudiri had prepared the plan and estimated the amount for the reconstruction of all 'Sreekovils'. With the recognition of HINDU DHARMA FOUNDATION the construction work started. A new 'Sreekovil' was constructed for the main Prathishta “ BHATTIYIL THEVAR”. New idols were made for Lord Ganapati, Bhagavathy, Lord Murugan & Lord Ayyappa. At last in the year 1984 in the presence of local devotees and in an atmosphere charged with religious fervor Tantri Andaladi Narayanan Nambuthiri performed the “Asthabandhakalasam” between May 19th & 22nd and then the 'Sanctum Sanctorum' was constructed and all idols were installed in their 'Sreekovils' with “Naveekarana Kalasham”.
Famous temple architect Shri Kanipayur Nambudiri had prepared the plan and estimated the amount for the reconstruction of all 'Sreekovils'. With the recognition of HINDU DHARMA FOUNDATION the construction work started. A new 'Sreekovil' was constructed for the main Prathishta “ BHATTIYIL THEVAR”. New idols were made for Lord Ganapati, Bhagavathy, Lord Murugan & Lord Ayyappa. At last in the year 1984 in the presence of local devotees and in an atmosphere charged with religious fervor Tantri Andaladi Narayanan Nambuthiri performed the “Asthabandhakalasam” between May 19th & 22nd and then the 'Sanctum Sanctorum' was constructed and all idols were installed in their 'Sreekovils' with “Naveekarana Kalasham”.
Here we express our deep gratitude to Kerala government, Guruvayur Dewaswam, and Kadambuzha Dewaswasam for their support in helping us achieve this great task.
Current Status
Currently the temple is associated with the Malabar Dewaswam board. The Dewaswam is in charge of paying the salary of the main priest,clerk,sweeper and kazhagam(person who prepares the flowers and floral garlands for the deities). The Dewaswam board has appointed Mr. V.K.Divakaran Nambiar to administer the temple as a FIT person.
In addition the temple has a system by which a family from Pattithara village takes care of the expense of the temple for a day. So in all 31 families manage the temple's day to day expenses. Thus everyone participates in maintaining the temple's sanctity.
In addition the temple has a system by which a family from Pattithara village takes care of the expense of the temple for a day. So in all 31 families manage the temple's day to day expenses. Thus everyone participates in maintaining the temple's sanctity.
