Prime Minister Narendra Modiji virtually unveiled a 55-feet tall Hanuman statue at a plot close to Sree Seetharama Swamy Temple in Poonkunnam, Thrissur, Kerala. He also dedicated 22 carat gold sopanam (steps to enter the shrine) and front walls of Sreerama Siva and Sree Ayyappa shrines in the temple complex.
Speaking on the occasion, PM Modiji said, “Thrissur has long been considered the cultural capital of Kerala, a place where tradition, spirituality, festivals, and arts converge. Today, it gives me great pleasure to dedicate the golden sopanam to Bhagwan Seetharam, Swami Ayyappan and Bhagwan Shiva. As we celebrate this Kumbabishekam, we are reminded that wherever there is Sri Seetharam, there is also Hanuman, and the magnificent 55-foot Hanuman statue that we unveil today will surely bless the devotees. On this joyous occasion, I extend my heartfelt wishes to everyone, especially Sri TS Kalyanaraman and the Kalyan family.”
A single stone Hanuman statue is installed in a small plot opposite to the Sree Seetharama Swamy Temple in Thrissur. The plot belongs to the temple. Family members of R Radhakrishnan, USA, contributed Rs 50 lakhs for the Hanuman statue. Gold decorations are the contributions of the Kalyan Jewellers chairman TS Kalyana Raman and his family members.
Paying Obeisace to Hanuman
A native of Pushpagiri Village, who was born and brought up there but prefers to remain anonymous, told Organiser Weekly that even though Kalyan Groups took initiative for the investment, they were all ears for the suggestions from the other villagers. While Sivan and Sreerama are the presiding deities in the temple, Bhagwan Hanuman, Laxmana, Ayyappa and Krishna are upadevatas (sub deities). The unveiling and dedication was performed on April 25, 2023.
The inception of the village dates back to 1895 when Divan Bahadur Ramachandra Iyer came to Thrissur, from Chennai, to take over as the Divan of Kochi kingdom. The oldest temple was of Shiva; it was made of earth and clay. Later on Sreeswamy temple was consecrated. This time, Shiva temple was renovated.
Shiva’s shrine was renovated using chembola (roofing tiles made of copper). The main structure is of granite. The renovation cost is Rs 1.5 crore.
