Ayamkudy

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name=Ayamkudy
type=village
locator_position=right
lat_d=9 | lat_m=44 | lat_s=59 | lat_NS=N | long_d=76 | long_m=28 | long_s=22 | long_EW=E
latd = 9.74973
longd=76.473
skyline=
state_name=Kerala
district=Kottayam
altitude = 10-100
coastline = 0
climate = Am
area_magnitude = 8
area_total= 4
area_telephone= 04829
postal_code= 686613
sex_ratio= 1.017
literacy= 100.0%
footnotes=

Ayamkudy (ആയാംകുടി) is a village in the Kottayam district of the Indian state of Kerala.

Location & Access

Ayamkudy is located at 9°45'N & 76°28'E. It nestled in rubber plantations and surrendered by paddy fields and coconut lagoons. It is on the beautiful Backwaters of Kerala.

Ayamkudy is only slightly off from the road linking Kottayam and Ernakulam. Public buses are the best way to access Ayamkudy. There are few dozen buses plying between Kottayam and Vaikom, many of which have stops in Ayamkudy. Alternatively, one can hire a taxi/auto rickshaw from the near by town of Kaduthuruthy - which is very well connected to other cities & towns in the state.

Kottayam and Ernakulam are the nearby major rail-road stations; Cochin International Airport (IATA: COK) is the nearest airport.

Demographics

Ayamkudy is rather densely populated. Religion wise, Ayamkudians are roughly in equal portions belonging to Hinduism and Christianity. Ezhava, Pulayar, Nair, Ashari, Namboothiris are the most common Hindu castes. Ayamkudy always enjoyed good communal harmony.

Ayamkudy is a politically hyper active place. Many of the political parties have deep root in this village.

Institutions in Ayamkudy

Ayamkudy has three educational institutions: a lower primary school, a high school and an English medium school. It has a public library and a post office. There is a famous Siva temple (Thiruvayamkudy Mahadeva Kshetram)in Ayamkudy. There is also a Devi temple (Ambattu kavu) In this beautiful village. There are three catholic churches: Malappuram St. Theresa Church, Maduravelli Infant Jesus Church & Alphansapuram Church. More details about the temple is furnished in the next few sections of this article.

History of the Temple

The history of the temple or its origin could be dated back as early as 1000 AD. The main idol is a Shivalingam, supposed to have appeared on its own in the Homagni (Sacred fire) in a Brahmin's house at Ayamkudy. This Brahmin, Namboothiri, was an ardent devotee of Vaikathappan a temple 15 km away. According to the legend he was not able to reach the temple for worship due to his old age and hence, the Deity of that temple (Vaikathappan) appeared in his Upasana Homagni. The temple was constructed later and it stands presently as the top center of the village. There seem to have been seven Ooranma families (Owners) of the temple; however, only five still have living members. The Present Ooranma Families include Pattamana Illam, Ettikkada Mana, Irishi Illam, Marangatta Mana and Neithasseri Mana. The temple houses a Rahasya Ara (Secret cabin) where the divine Power is located. This is considered to be a reservoir for the Power of the idol. The cabin is well protected with granite stones and this is one of the specialties that is worth mentioning. A lamp is lighted everyday in front of this, before the other main lamps are lighted. A serpent is believed to be sitting in front of this to safeguard the place. There is also a water well, with a continuous and everlasting spring with cool water. This believed to have connection with the Ganga originating from the divine head of Lord Shiva. It should be noted that, although the well is situated in the uppermost part of the Village, its water has never gone below a certain level. Water level here is maintained even when most of the wells in the village dry up. The Ayamkudy village seems to have been always blessed with the grace of Thiruvayamkudiyappan and it has been a center of the learned and learning for centuries. It has always been a center for learning Rig Veda with many experts resident in the village. Education in the Rig Veda takes nearly seven years and the coaching was always associated with the temple. Hence the temple has witnessed many generations learning the Veda and the echoes of the Chanting Rig Veda must have purified the atmosphere of the temple for centuries.

Until recently, the temple has also been famous for its assets in the form of land. However, the situation has dramatically changed in the recent past.

Image(s) of Temple

Festival

The festival in the temple is associated with Mahasivaraathri. It comes in the Malayalam month of Kumbha. The festival starts with Kodiyettu. The six day festival ends with the Aaraattu (Holy Bath), which is conducted on the Amaavasi day (New moon), in this month. Usually this falls on the very next day of Mahasivaraathri.

The main functions associated with the festival are Kalabhabhishekam, Kodiyettu, Uthsavabali, Sreebhoothabali, Mulapooja, Sivaraathri Pooja, Pallivetta, Vilakkezhunnelipu, Aarattu etc.

External links

*Pattamana Illam
* [http://www.ayamkudy.com Website on Ayamkudy Village]