Chirattamon Dhanwantari Temple, Olassa

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Mention the name Dhanwantari, and the average temple goer is likely to raise his/her eyebrows quizzically. Though worshipped fervently by "vaidyans" of all hues and colours, and no less fervently by the laity suffering  from chronic ailments, Dhanwantari temples are few and far between.

Dhanwantari, who emerged from the the ocean of milk  (following the great churning by Devas and Asuras --'Palazhi Mathanam') with a pot of the elixir of immortality (Amrut), is considered an avatar of Vishnu himself. He is the patron God of medicine and healing and it is thought that he had revealed the age old science of Ayurveda, thought to originate from Brahma the Creator himself, systematically dividing it into eight specialties (Ashtangas); the format is assiduously followed till date as Ashtanga Hrudaya forms the basis of Ayurveda teaching and practice. Susruta, the great Indian sage, surgeon and man of medicine from antiquity, and Charaka, the great ancient physician, are thought to be disciples of Dhanwantari. Modern scholars have marvelled at the heights scaled by ayurveda in those times.

The Olassa Dhanwantari temple, though little known, and certainly away from the usual temple circuit, deserves special mention as it is connected with the 'Chirattamon' Olassa Ashtavaidyans. Not only that, here poojas and rituals have been going on without any break since the temple was built in the 18th century.

Chirattamon Illam, one of the Ashtavaidyan families, used to be at Angadippuram in Malappuram district. (The family temples, one for Dhanwantari and another for Siva, are still extant there.)  Following Tippu's invasion, they had fled to Travancore,  staying for some time in Cherthala. Afterwards under the patronage  and protection of Marthanda Varma, the Maharaja of Travancore, they settled in Olassa permanently. They were acknowledged as Court Physicians, and also as experts in the treatment of elephants. The famous Narayanan Mooss who was Travancore Ayurveda Director from 1938 to 1944, was a member of this family. His third child, Parvathy Devi was the first lady doctor who studied and practised Ayurvedam. His son who was the first to learn Allopathy among Ashtavaidyans, is now practising as a paediatrician in America. Today the scion of the family, another Narayanan Mooss, (all the first-born sons are named Narayanan) practices ayurveda in Olassa.

The Dhanwantari temple was built adjacent to the Chirattamon Illam in the traditional Kerala style. Though badly in need of maintenance today, it is a haven of peace and quiet and exudes old-world charm. The priest, a wizened gent, is a second generation Tulu Brahmin whose parents had migrated here from Mangalore. Noteworthy are the ancient murals on the temple walls and the carving of Garuda hanging before the Dhanwantari sanctum. Dhanwantari faces west, while Shiva is installed in the sanctum facing east. Sub-deities include Ganapathy, Sastha and Bhagavathy. The large pond and the bath-house, though in disrepair, transports you to the ambience of yesteryears.

Today it is mostly the knowledgeable among both the doctors and patients who make a pilgrimage to this ancient abode of Dhanwantari to seek his blessings. For the avid traveller and pilgrim, the temple, I believe, is a must-visit for many reasons, and one is likely to be rewarded by the positive vibes the shrine emanates.

Google Map Location: https://goo.gl/maps/ghwY6EFfUeHzPzV6A

Ashtavaidya: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashtavaidya

Chirattamon Mooss family: https://www.myheritage.com/site-159051991/chirattamon-illam-olassa-mooss

Ayurveda and Ashtavaidyam: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3117315/

http://ayurvedamana.com/ayurveda/Ashtavidya-Tradition

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Considering the rarity of Dhanwantari temples, it will be useful to take a brief look at some of the other well known shrines elsewhere. Dhanwantari temples are located mostly in Kerala, and often trace their links to the various Ashta Vaidya families.

1. The Prayikkara Dhanwantari temple, located hardly 2 km from Mavelikkara town on the Mavelikkara-Thiruvalla road, is another ancient shrine where the principal deity is Dhanwantari. The  idol made of 'Krishna sila' is in the traditional four-handed pose, bearing in each hand Conch, Chakra, Leech (Jalukam) and Amrutha Kalasam.

Google Map Location: https://goo.gl/maps/HzvonJiisvL1Aidp8

2. Thevalakkattu Sree Dhanwanthiri temple at Kulasekharamangalam, Kottayam, is another temple  dedicated to Lord Dhanwantari Moorthy, which dates back about 400 years plus. The shrine is located on the banks of the Muvattupuzha River in a quiet and charming area, and is about 34 km from the Kottayam railway station. The square sanctum faces east, and Ganapati and Hanuman are installed within the tiled Nalambalam itself, while other sub-deities and upasana murtis are installed outside. 

Google Map Location:  https://goo.gl/maps/joH9dRfGsR6zE2qj6

3. Thottuva Sree Dhanwanthari Moorthi Temple's claim to fame comes from the belief that it was consecrated by Parasurama himself, and so known popularly as Adi Dhanwantari temple. Originally attached to Koramboor Mana, the shrine is in Ernakulam district, a kilometre away from Thottuva junction on the Perumbavoor- Kodanad. The presiding deity is Dhanwantari and the idol, almost six feet tall and facing east, is in the traditional four-handed pose. 

Google Map Location: https://goo.gl/maps/UGEXZXRwTBHqpsa46

4. Maruthorvattom Sree Dhanwanthari Temple traces its origins to the family of Vellodu Mooss, an ayurvedic practitioner who lived in the locality some 600 years ago. The belief is that the idol installed in the sanctum is the one worshipped by the Mooss, and lore has it that the temple was built jointly by the Chirattamon and the Vellodu Ashta Vaidya families. The copper-roofed sanctum faces west and there is an idol of Garuda installed in the namaskara mandapam. Ganapati, Sastha, and Bhagawathi are installed inside the Nalambalam on the right side of the sanctum, while the shrine for Lord Siva is on the left side.

Google Map Location: https://goo.gl/maps/GgM6btJpKzwYbG6m9

5. Chirakkal Dhanwanthari Temple, part of Chirakkal Kovilakam, is famous for the "Rogashamana Pooja"  believed to ward of all diseases. Adjacent to the temple is the huge pond Chirakkal chira, overrun with wild lotuses. The temple structure is an ancient one built of laterite.

Google Map Location: https://goo.gl/maps/KEGhYH2R1U2VxeAh6

6. Among the Dhanwantari shrines in Kerala, the Nelluvaya Dhanwanthari Temple perhaps wears most of the superlatives comfortably --oldest, largest, and probably the most famous. Common belief is that the idol here was installed by the Ashwini Devas (physicians of Gods) and so said to date back to the Dwapara Yuga. The temple has obvious connections to the Kuttancherry Mooss family, who are tasked with the preparation of the "Oushadha Prasadam" (Mukkudi) offered at the temple, which is an ayurvedic drink that aids healing and boosts immunity.

Google Map Location: https://goo.gl/maps/ie2naYVw2gM828N88

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