Manjulal: A Tale of Devotion …
In the sacred precincts of Guruvayur, where devotion unfolds its mystic stories, there lies a tale resonating with the echoes of a warrior girl named Manjula and the revered banyan tree known as Manjulal.
Manjula, with her valiant spirit, wove
garlands adorned with profound devotion and boundless love for Lord Krishna.
Her daily ritual unfolded at the Guruvayur temple, symbolizing an unwavering
commitment to the divine. The Devaragam, the divine music that fills the temple
air, accompanied her sacred offerings.
However, the narrative took a poignant turn
when one day, time slipped through her fingers, and the temple gates closed
before her. Overwhelmed by guilt, Manjula sought solace beneath the sheltering
branches of the banyan tree, the very tree where the vibrant spectacle of
elephant races commenced during Utsavam.
In this moment of despondency, the tale
took a divine twist. Sree Poonthanam Nampoothiri, a great devotee of Sri
Guruvayurappan, encountered Manjula's tears on his way back from the temple.
Providing comfort and sage advice, he encouraged her to place the garland on a
stone below the towering banyan, considering it as an offering to Srikrishna,
acknowledging the omnipresence of Bhagavan.
Convinced by these wise words, Manjula
adorned the stone with her garland and returned home with a heart full of
happiness. Guruvayur darshan, the divine vision of Lord Krishna, lingered in
her thoughts, and her spirits were uplifted by the divine tunes of Devaragam.
Little did she know that this act of
devotion would set in motion a series of divine events. The following morning,
as the Melsanthi diligently removed all the garlands from the Deity, one
singular garland clung steadfastly to the divine form. A perplexing sight for
the devotees, but for Poonthanam, it was a revelation. The same garland, placed
by Manjula on the stone beneath the banyan tree, now adorned the Deity.
Poonthanam, recognizing the sanctity of the
previous night's event, shared Manjula's devotion with the gathered devotees.
As if in acknowledgment, the garland slipped down from the Deity, sparking a
fervent chant of Bhagavan's name among the faithful. Guruvayur, with its divine
aura, embraced the tale with open arms.
A pilgrimage to the banyan tree ensued as
devotees sought to pay homage to the sacred space. And from that moment forth,
the banyan tree became known as "MANJULAL," forever etching Manjula's
devotion into the heart of Guruvayur.
In the echoes of SreeKrishnarppanamasthu,
the hymns of devotion continue to resonate, weaving Manjula's tale into the
tapestry of Guruvayur's divine folklore. As pilgrims embark on their spiritual
journey, a comfortable stay awaits them, ensuring their experience is as serene
as the devotion that graces Guruvayur's sacred grounds. Devaragam, ideally
located at a distance of 500 mtrs from the temple, private bus stand and about
300 mtrs from Guruvayur railway station, offers the best in contemporary luxury
incorporating all the facilities that a modern traveler would expect.
