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PONNUGURUVAYURAPPAN TEMPLE, DOMBIVLI (THANE - MAHARASHTRA)

HISTORY

The Kshetra Puranam of Lord Shree Ponnu Guruvayurappan Temple, Dombivili dates back to the mid 70s. Ardent devotees of Lord Krishna used to conduct regular recital of Srimad Narayaneeyam from the year 1973, 74 and 75. Many prominent residents of Dombivili like Shri. M.G. Srinivasan, Shri. Seshan (Ex. General Manager of Advani Orlikon) etc were very supportive and could extend all financial support and assistance to these regular recitals. During one such programme in 1975 the devotees planned to have three days function on November 17, 18 & 19. While deliberating the programme for the function a proposal was put forth in the meeting to have a temple built in Dombivli so that all can daily worship before the Lord.

In spite of initial hesitation and inability to go for the temple solely because of inadequate resource and man power for such a project another meeting was arranged on 26.11.1975 at 6 p.m. at Municipal Hall to decide about the Temple Project.

It was unanimously decided at this meeting to go ahead with the project and left it to God’s desire and blessings by conducting an Ashta Mangalya Prasnam. It was also decided to have the services of Bramah Shree Anjam Madhavan Namboodiri, who was at Matunga, Mumbai in connection with the Mandala Pooja, performing Srimad Bhagawatha Sapthaham. Accordingly he was contacted and who readily agreed to arrange the Prasnam at Guruvayur

On 12.12.1975 Guruvayur Ekadashi day the Ashtamangalya Prasnam was conducted by Br. Shree Pudussery Vishnu Namboodiri under the guidance of Br. Shree Anjam Madhavan Namboodiri. The Prasnam revealed that Shree Guruvayurappan wants the temple to be built similar to Moola - Sthan and the Pratishta to be done by the chief Tanthri of Guruvayur. Also it was found that land for the Temple is acquired where in over Shri. V. Narayanan Nair representing the devotees of Dombivili stated that we have no money as such how could a land be purchased.

Actually the turn of events back in Dombivili turned out to be different. On the very day when the Prasnam was being conducted around 10 am on 12.12.1975, Shri Soma Verma of Bharat Traders, Dombivili with whom the project was discussed, came forward and offered to donate a land for the Temple. This incident took place nearly two hours before the Prasnam was conducted at Guruvayur. Though Shri Soma Verma & his wife Smt. Uttradam Nal Saraswatibai Thumpurati offered the land, a token amount was paid on 7.1.1976 and secured the Land. Br. Shree Kalloor Narayanan Namboodiripad performed the Bhoomi Pooja on 25.6.1976 followed by a Maha Ganapathi Homam with 1008 coconuts, Ghee, Sugar canes etc. Thereafter the Land development took place and an Ashta Mangalya Prasnam was conducted again by Pudussery Vishnu Namboodiri to ascertain future course for the temple.

In this Prasnam it was revealed that Br. Shree Melpathur Narayana Bhattthiripad around 374 years back with his devotees stayed at this land site and lost the Idol of Lord Guruvayurappan enroute to his pilgrimage to Kashi. Thus the seed was sowed by this Maha Purusha, who was not only a devotee and Scholar but also the one who had composed Srimad Narayaneeyam. Besides the above sanctity to the place, the following Yagnas and rituals were performed as per the Prasnam to sanctify the place before construction of the temple.

Br. Shree Kalloor Narayanan Namboodiripad and his assistanats conducted 8 days Sudharsana Homam, Tala Homam. Samadharana and Maha Ganapathi Homam followed by Bhagvathi Seva. Also side by side Br. Shree Pathirikunnath Raman Namboodiri performed Suprabadha Homam and Payasa Homam for 5 days. Soon after the above retrials a Deva Prasnam works conducted to ascertain that all Badhas were warded off.:

Subsequently Shila Sthapana (Foundation Stone) was laid on 29.08.1977 by Bhagavada Sapthaha Siromani and an ardent committed devotee of Shree Guruvayurappan, Shree Anjam Madhavan Namboodiri of Narayanalay Guruvayur. To perform Shadadharya Prathishta by Br. Shree Puzhakara Chennas Parameswaran Namboodiripad the Chief Tanthri of Guruvayur Temple a compound wall with Gate and Foundation for Moola Vighraha were built guided by Thachu Sashtra Vidworn Kanippayur Krishnan Namboodiripad on 02.07.1978. Shadadhara Pradhishta were performed after Guruyaurappan Pooja. For this function Kamalam, Kooremam, Kumbum and Nalam Prathishta took place. Soon after heavy rain followed and also was seen a Garuda flying above the Sky. Once the Shadadhara Prathishta was performed, daily an oil lamp was lighted in the evening before sun-set.

The Tantri thereafter opined to have the Temple Vighraha Prathishta to be performed on an auspicious day in 4th Arayana, Sukla Paksha, Wednesday, Makeyeram Nakshatra on 3rd June, 1981 between 9am to 10 am.

Soon after Makara Vilakku on 14.1.1981 Thachu Sachtra Vidwan Kanippayur Krishnan Namboodiripad as per plan and drawing laid all markings to proceed with the Temple construction. He also advised to engage a Local Contractor to work along with his men from Kerala. M/s. Nanji Meghji & Sons who was engaged as local contractor assured and promised to complete all essential work to enable the Prathishta ceremony by funding all cost. His good will and timely gesture to advance the cost towards construction was a blessing of God. Meanwhile many un-expected events took place creating a lot of tensions and anxiety which would have stalled the Prathishta and our cherished dreams.

Meanwhile all preparations for the Temple prathishta progressed with renewed enthusiasm. Dr .U.P. Rao donated Idol Ganapathy, Dr. Yogesh Acharya the Idol of Lord Guruvayurappan, Dr. V.S. Upasini donated the Idol Goddess Bhagavathi and Shri S.L. Palani Swamy of Manglorean Stores donated Lord Ayyappa’s Idol and each one of them bared the Prathista cost also.

The temple opening ceremony was inaugurated by Mananeeya Sri Patwari the then Municipal President on 31.05.1981 and the Prathishta Pooja commenced. Br. Shree Pizhakara Chennas Parameswaran Namboodiripad the chief Tantri of Guruvayur Temple performed the Prathishta ceremony on 3rd June 1981 and also appointed two priests to do day to day Pooja thereafter. One could say that it all happened by the grace of the Almighty only.

In order to legitimize the sanctity of the organization’s aims and objectives as per the statute of our country Shree Ponnu Guruvayoorappan Aradhana Samjam was registered under "the Bombay Public Trust Act 1950 on 28.7.1976" and the first governing body to manage the day-to-day affairs of the temple was formed. They are as follows:- Shri M.G. Srinivasan - President Shri V. Narayanan Nair – Vice President Shri S. Venkiteshwaran – Hon. Gen. Secretary Shri M. Shreekumar – Hon. Jt. Secretary Shri E. Kumar – Hon. Treasurer Committee Members: Shri K.N. Srinivasan Shri P.C. Anantharaman Shri K Srinivasan Shri V.T.R. Nair Shri V.K. A Rowrey Shri P.R. Ranganathan – Internal Auditor Shri K.J. Menon – Devaswam Manager Temple Architect – Br. Shree Kanipayyur Krishnan Namboodiripad R.C.C. Civil Architect – Shri M.L. Bhirud – B.E. (Civil)

Daily Pooja started strictly accordingly to Tantric order and with help, support and gradual mass participation of all devotees the resources grew slowly and rapidly. The following year the Prathishta Pooja was performed with Dravya Kalasa Abhishekam followed by Srimad Bagawada Sapthaham by Br. Shree Anjam Madhavan Namboodiri and Br. Shree Anjam Krishnan Namboodiri with 8 days Annadhanam during this period.

Today after 25 years in this Silver Jubilee Year, when we look back, we can very proudly say that even today this temple strictly adhere to all the rituals and Poojas in the most traditional way religiously and literally as per the guide lines of Guruvayur Tantri.

Praying Lord Shree Ponnu Guruvayurappan to bless one and all with Ayur Arogya Saukhyam, prosperity, peace and happiness.