Shree Varaha temple Azheel, Kerala. www.muzirisheritage.org |
Sree Varahamoorthy in Chathurbahu form with shnkha chakra abhaya varada mudra is the presiding deity of this temple. Sree Venkatachalapathy with Lakshmi Devi and Bhoomi Devi on left/right side is also installed in the Srikovil (Garbagraha - Sanctum). Sree Varaha Murthy soon became the Gramadevata of the Azeekal community. Sri Krishna Prabhu donated the lands upon which this temple was built and the idol was consecrated in 1565 AD by Sri Yadavendra Tirtha Swamiji, the first pontiff of Kashi Mutt. The idols in the temple at Azheekal,unfortunately, were stolen in 1723 AD and and were replaced by new idols. After a long period of time, the stolen idols were recovered. The Mahajanams and the families, living in that area donated extensive lands to the temple for upkeep, maintenance, daily (nithya)puja rituals, etc. The temple came to be known as Sree Varaha temple. The temples established by them serve as centers of religious and cultural life of that community, thus preserving their age old tradition, language, worship and aesthetic values. It is under the control of Azheekal Varaha Devaswom Board. The Dwajsthambam was installed in 1900. This temple is famous for Rathoutchava - pulling of big Chariot with the deity on the ratha along the rathaveethi (street). The chariot was introduced in 1909 and the rathaveethi was built specifically for ratha procession. This temple takes the credit of being the only Sampoorna Kshetra - 'complete temple' of the Nagara type in South India. Hanuman, Ganapati, Mahalaxmi, Garuda, Shiva, Durga, Yakshi and Nagadevatha are the upadevathas or sub deities in this famous shrine.
Ref:
http://www.muzirisheritage.org/azheekal-sree-varaha-temple.php