Welcome to Haripad - Alappuzha ! My Home Town !
This time I thought of writing something about my Home Town “Haripad”.
M.G.Sree Kumar a well known playback singer is from Haripad.
The Central Travancore (Thiruvidhankur) consists of the South-Central districts of Kottayam, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, idukki and kollam. Haripad also known as the town of temples is located on national highway number 47, between Kollam and Alappuzha.
Haripad is a town that comes under Alappuzha but very close to Kollam not Kola am Meaning “KILL” that’s how I used to pronounce it when I was a kid.
Travancore was a princely state of Indian Subcontinent ruled by Travancore Royal Family with Thiruvanathapuram as capital.
Travancore today has southern parts of Kerala, Kanyakumari and the southern most parts of TamilNadu. The rulers of Travancore were Malayala Kshatriya who were originally of the Nair caste.
Cochin was not a part of Travancore till 1949. In 1949 after independence Travancore and Cochin Merged to form Indian Kerala State.
Haripad is located in God’s own country Kerala, known as Kshethrangalude Nagaram" has more than 50 temples in and around Haripad.
The vast paddy fields of Kuttanad is Haripad’s major attraction. It is said that even Travancore Royalty Sought for rice from Haripad. Haripad had different names earlier. Haripad contributed to majority of rice demanded by other territories. “Ari” in Malayalam means Rice, hence one of the names was Aripad. The other name was Harigeethapuram, theology addresses that there is nothing wrong in calling Lord Hari as Vishnu.
Lord Subramanya temple of Haripad is the evidence of excellent temple architecture of Kerala.Lord Subramanya temple is popularly called as “Haripad Ambalam “ The diety here with four arms was originally worshipped by Parashurama , the creator of Kerala . Kavadiyattam dance with Kavadi is the most important offering here.
Lord Subramanya Swami Temple !
Lord Subramanya Swami Temple !
Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple is another famous temple of Haripad, is for the devotees of serpent gods. This temple is claimed to be 6000 years old Built in a groove the temple is reputed for having 30,000 images of snake-Gods. In this temple, the rites are presided over by a priestess. The temple covers an area of 16 acres of dense green forest grove.
Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple
Ochira Temple is situated on the way from Kollam to Alappuzha; very close to Haripad. This temple does not have Idol for the visitors to worship the whole concept of worship revolves around the Parabrahmam or the universal consciousness. The temple is also known as Dakshina Kashi and a unique offering to the temple is in the form of bulls.
Unlike other parts of Kerala Haripad is rich. In History when the upper caste ruled the village the privileges existed for lower caste as well , though known as the "Town of Temples" there are 25 more institutions for different religions ; Hence Haripad has always been the rich place of Kerala with no political , religious or cultural Conflicts .
Proud to be a Native of Haripad !
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