Vettakkorumakan History
Vettakkorumakan in the Malayalam language means “A SON FOR HUNTING”. It is well known that when Siva (Sankara) appeared before Arjuna in the form of a hunter to grant him HIS personal weapon, the Pasupatha, “Parvathi was also with him dressed as huntress. After giving Arjuna the Pasupatha the divine couple wandered in the same form for some time .During this period they had a son born of extraordinary effulgence and that is Vettakkorumakan or son born during hunting, to put it roughly. The boy was very mischievous. During his hunting he killed many Asuras. But making free use of his bow and arrows he also gave endless trouble to the DEVAS and RISHIS Unable to bear his mischief they first approached Brahma who expressed helplessness, as the boy was the son of Sankara. Then they besought the help of Sankara Himself who however dismissed them by saying that he being a boy would be naturally naughty and he would be all right when he grew up .As a last resort they approached Mahavishnu who took the form of an old hunter and went to the boy.
Vishnu displayed before the boy a golden Churika , Dragger-cum sword, which was so beautiful that it attracted the boy who begged him to make a present of it VISHNU agreed provided he would behave in a responsible manner by giving up his bow and started protecting the people instead of harming them..The boy accepted the condition and with the churika took leave of his parents from Kailasa .and went to land of Parashurama. He crossed several mountains and forests and rivers and reached North Kerala where he first entered in Balussery Fort. Hence the importance of the Balussery temple dedicated to Vettakkouramakan though the LORD later visited other places where He was revered and worshipped .The Devotion to this Diety is not Worshipping alone but to offer the important Vazivadu namely “OOTUM PATTUM”. "THE VERY IMPORTANT OFFERING TO THE DIETY IS BREAKING OF 12008 No’s OF COCONUT”. Seva or Worship and pattu or singing of Hymns is important annual festival. Various persons celebrate Pattu on different days. Here we are celebrating the thirunal on makam nashram, the month of Makaram, makaram-makam, nashram, thiruna(Malayalavarsham).
CLICK HERE to view old photos of festival at Vettakkorumakan Temple Edathala.