- Shakti
Bhagavathy Temple
- Cherpu,Kerala
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Overview
The city of Thrissur in Kerala, India boasts of a renowned Bhagavathy temple dedicated to Goddess Shakti. The chief deity of this temple is Devi Bhagavathi, or Bhoomi Devi. Lord Ganesha and Lord Krishna are the other deities present in this temple.
About the deity
This temple is set around a beautiful backdrop of Cherpu Padinjattumuri. Goddess Bhagavathi who is the presiding deity of this temple, has been showering immense blessings on her devotee for over a thousands years now. Bhagavathy Devi temple serves as the host of the 2000 year old traditional ceremony of the famous Peruvanam Pooram. The goddess is also the leading deity of the 1400 year old Deva Mela at Arattupuzha. The temple has been an important centre of Yajurveda for more than hundreds of years.
About The Temple
The state of Kerala currently extends from near Gokarna in the north to Kanyakumari in the south. During the ancient times, this region was divided into 64 Gramas or settlements, out of which 32 were in Malanadu which is in the present day Kerala. Peruvanam was regarded as one of the biggest and greatest Gramma. Lord Erattayappan was the main deity of Peruvanam Temple. The thiruvilakavu Sastha who is the Grama Paradevathe is the protector of this Grama. Deity Cherpil Bhagavathy is believed to shower her children with immense love and affection. The temple was governed by five major Ooralans over the centuries namely the families of Kirangat Mana, Chittoor Mana, Padinjaredathu Mana, Ambalappilly Mana and Pazhedath Mana. The temple is regarded as the centre of Yajurveda. For the month long Othoottus every year, Vedic hymns are chanted and a mass feast is offered.
Legend and Stories
Bereaved devotees generally knock the doors of temples to seek refuge with the Gods. Hinduism propagates that every god is benevolent and merciful. But Devi Bhagavathy of this ancient Cherpu temple is something more. She is regarded as the holy mother who is determined to make her devotees prosper and excel in all spheres of life. She stands as an embodiment of Love and affection. Devi Bhagavathi performs the duty of all the three trinity goddesses. Like Goddess Saraswathy, She blesses her devotees with knowledge and wisdom, just like a how a loving mother teaches her children. Like Goddess Lakshmy, Goddess Bhagavathi too gives them prosperity. Any mother would long to feed her children with food and clothing. Like Goddess Parvathy, she also gives them the Shakti (power), a mother is always the best support a child could get. Bhagavathi Devi is so generous in granting any wish to her devotees, be it regarding their health, wealth, fame, happiness or knowledge just like how a mother serves as everything for a child, be it a teacher, a caretaker or even a provider.
A special manifestation that the people often invoke here is that of Shanti Durga. The famous Thantra text Sharada Thilakam describes her as: An ocean of Milk and a golden island growing all kinds of fruit-bearing trees and flowers. Mother Durga sits on a jewel-encrusted throne in the middle of this island. She is like a golden glow. She wears a golden dress and jewel studded ornaments. A crescent moon adorns her head. Her twelve hands hold weapons representing the different qualities that h er devotees seek. They are the conch, wheel, sword, shield, bow, arrow, mace, trident, nectar-crock and jewel pot. Two hands show the sign of refuge and benediction.
Kerala houses a number of famous and historical temples. Yet the Bhagavathi Devi temple of Padinjattumuri stands unique. Lord Bhagavathy is a proud Mother who takes utmost pride in her children’s devotion towards her. She doesn’t expect Her devotees to undergo hard austerities and expensive rituals in order to please her and earn her blessings. She blesses her devotees unconditionally, which can be compared to the unconditional love that a mother renders to her little baby.
Festivals
The important festival celebrated at this shrine includes the aswathi purappadu, makayiram purappadu, peruvanam pooram, arattupuzha pooram, thiruvona pooja for nedumangalyam and ashtaiswaryam which are conducted every month.
How To Reach Bhagavathy Temple
Road
The nearest bus stop is the Thamaramkulangarabus stop.
Railways
The nearest railhead is the Thrissur railway station.
Airport
The closest airport is the Calicut Airport.
Temple Address
Bhagavathy Temple,
Cherpu, Thrissur,
Kerala - 680561.
Significance
Devotees visit this temple to seek fulfillment of the following:-
- Marriage
Shlokas
Sarva Mangala Maangalye Sive Sarvaardha Saadhike, Saranye Tryambake Gauri Naarayani Namosthuthe
Meaning -We offer you our salutations, Oh auspicious Naraayani, who is the good of all good, who can achieve everything and can offer refuge, Oh three-eyed Gowri.
Saranaangatha Dheenaartha Parithraana Paraayane Sarvasyaarthi Hare Devi Naaraayani Namosthuthe
Meaning -We offer salutations to you, Oh Narayani, who has the infinite power of creating, preserving and destroying. You are the basis and epitome of the 3 gunas.
Sarvaroope Sarvese Sarvasakthi Samanvithe, Bhayebhyastrahi No Devi Durge Devi Namosthuthe
Meaning -I offer my salutations to you mother Durga, who is present in all beings and has all power, save us from all our wrongdoings O mother of the universe.
Yaa Devi Sarva Bhooteshu Shakthi Roopena Samsthita Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha
Meaning -Salutations to the Goddess who resides as Shakti in all beings.
Timings
The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 p.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.