Malayalappuzha Devi Temple

Overview

Malayalapuzha Devi Temple is situated in Malayalapuzha in Kerala. It is dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathy. This is the most popular and powerful Shakti shrine in Kerala.

About The Temple

The temple has a small Namaskara Mandapa, a chuttambalam and a Balikkalpura inside the temple. The ancient inscriptions and beautiful carvings on the outer wall of the sanctum are worth seeing. The temple is believed to be more than 3,000 years old. The temple is medium-sized with a majestic gopuram on the eastern entrance. When you enter the temple complex, the temple exudes a peaceful environment in contrast to the fierce form of the main deity. The inner sanctum is rectangular with a mukhamandapam (entrance porch). The idol has been made using a technique called 'Kadu Sarkara Yogam'. Several types of wood pieces, clay, Ayurvedic herbs, milk, ghee, jaggery, turmeric, sandalwood, camphor, gold, silver, sand and natural glue are used to make it. All the parts similar to the human body are included in it. At the time of the consecration of the image, the priests endow the figure with the power and energy by Tantric methods in a ritual called Prana Prathishta (life-giving ritual). There is a Sivalinga in the temple which is a swayambu (self manifested) and is believed to be growing in size. There is no shrine for this linga but a flowering Konna tree (Casia fistula) provides shade to it all year round.

Just before entry to the sanctum, there is a small idol of Veera Bhadra and another peculiarity of the temple is the statue of Parvathi , on whose lap is the baby Ganapathi suckling her. Unlike other Bhagwathi temples, there is no practice (asked to be discontinued by the Goddess ) of drawing her figure using rice powder, turmeric, saffron etc but the usual singing of her story is done there without it. Another peculiar custom of the temple is that the procession carrying the deity turns left (ie clockwise) and because of this people called this Goddess Idathattil Bhagwathi( Bhagawathi of the left).

About The Deity

The main deity is Bhadra Kali Devi, the fierce warrior form of Shakthi or Parvathi but is said to be a benevolent mother to her devotees. The deity is five and a half feet high. It is made of many materials unlike other temples where the deity is usually made of stone.

Legend and Stories

Long, long time ago one Namboodiri Brahmin went by walk to the Mookambika temple at Kollur. He spent a lot of time there unable to part with the Goddess Mookambika. When he decided to go back to his native place near Maruthwa Mala, the Goddess appeared in his dream and told him that she will come along with him to his place and entered the Saligramam that he was worshipping. Since this happened at night, she appeared in the form of Bhadra kali, with eight arms and a very fierce look. The Namboodiri reached along with a Saligramam and an Palm leaf umbrella a palatial home called Thombil Kottaram. He stayed and took rest for the few days. But when he wanted to take the Saligramam and Umbrella, they did not move from that place. That night in his dream, the Goddess came and told him that she likes the place and would like to stay there. She also told the Namboodiri, that he will not live very long and would merge with her soon. He died soon and due to that her worship was affected. Bad omens came in large number in that place and the Goddess entered in to a member of the Thombil family and asked them to build a temple for her at that spot. This temple was about 5 km from the present temple. That Goddess was consecrated facing east and nearby a Shiva Linga also has been consecrated. This was in a plateau which is in between five hills. Later according to the wish of the idapally king, the chief of Thombil clan shifted the Goddess to the present location. One story is that the Chief of the clan became very old and was not able to climb the hills and reach the temple. He consecrated the Goddess in a spot on the shores of the south Malayala puzha, and below the Idathattil mountain. It seems that there was a temple of serpents in that place and this was destroyed to accommodate the temple of the Goddess. Even today there is worship in the original temple of the Goddess and lot of devotees gather there on the first of every Malayalam month.

There is another story about the origin of this temple “ This temple was originally situated in a small village called Edathitta, in Pathanamthitta Dist. This was a full-fledged village, ruled by Raja Shaktibhadran, the only Sanskrit south Indian writer. One day a tantrik from Malayalapuzha visited this place, as he heard a lot about this temple. Malayalpuzha was in drought for many years. So the Tantrik with his power, migrated the shakti's of the devi to malayalapuzha. And the place progressed like anything. As the shakti's were taken away from edathitta, the place faced many destructions. And gradually there were no signs of the temple. Then according to the prashnakundali people found out as in when it was migrated and when will it come back, as the power cannot be transferred completely, it mentioned that it will take 3000 yrs for this shakti to come back. And in 1992, somebody from that village saw a dream that the vigraham, and the pooja utensils were beneath the ground, and people started digging that place, where they found everything mentioned by the person. And the villagers then contributed towards temple.

History

Malayalapuzha Devi Temple was originally situated in a small village called Edathitta in Pathanamthitta District. This area was ruled by Raja Shaktibhadran, the Sanskrit writer. One day a Tantrik from Malayalapuzha visited this place as he had heard a great deal about this temple. Malayalpuzha had been suffering from a severe drought for many years.

Festivals

Vinayaka Chathurthi, Navarathri, Sivarathri and other major festivals are celebrated in a grand manner. Tuesdays and Fridays are important days in all Devi temples. The heavy rush on those days can make you wait for darshan (viewing). The annual festival of Malayalapuzha Devi Temple starts on the day of the star Thiruvathira in Kumbham (February–March). Aarattu (dipping the deity in the temple tank or river) is performed on the eleventh day.

Prasad and Offering

Offerings include Thoniyari Payasam (sweet rice), Ney Vilakku (lighting of ghee lamps), Nirapara (offering of rice, paddy and sugar to the brim of the measuring vessel called para). Ablutions are done with white ash, sandal, oil, milk, ghee and tender coconut water too.

Significance

There is a strong belief that any Negative Influences Caused By Enemies Through Black-magic Or Other Evil Methods, can be alleviated and negated by performing a raktha pushpanjali pooja (red flower oblation) for Malayalapuzha Devi. A sweet rice preparation called Chathussatham is cooked by devotees for prosperity. For curing fertility problems and for physical well being, a ritual followed here is to bring a chicken or rooster and set it free to fly away in the temple compound.

For recovering stolen goods people offer Thoniyari Payasam (Payasam made of 36 ¼ para (Para is approximately 14 kg) of rice.

People believe that offer of Payasam made of 101 Nazhis (120 ml = One nazhi) of rice, coconut milk, jaggery and 101 banana fruits offered to the goddess leads to fulfillment of our desires and success in business.

Ladies offer Manjadi seeds (Adenanthera pavonina Linn.) to the Goddess for increase of breast milk. This same seed, after taking it round their hair is offered by ladies near the flag post for luxurious hair growth.

Offer of arecanut, betel leaves, tobacco and camphor to the Goddess at the sanctum is believe help us fulfill our desires. The sacred ash that you get back from the temple after this offer should be kept in the prayer room. People believe that within a year their desires would be fulfilled. People believe that when we make requests to the Goddess, if a honey bee from outside enters the Sanctum sanctorum and returns back in our presence then our desire would definitely be fulfilled.

There is another very peculiar belief in the temple. It is believed that the soul of the devotees of the Goddess, after death comes and stays in the temple. So their sons/daughters come to the temple along with a piece of sandalwood packed in a red silk, make the soul enter that and take it out. This is called Chavirakkal (removal of death).

Farmers pray that they will give a part of the harvest of their field and take a cloth from the temple, write on it that the produce belongs to the Goddess. People believe that if this is done then theft of the produce from their field is prevented. This is called “Malayalappuzha Thoopu”

People also worship the Brahma Rakshas which is on the east of the temple for getting rid of ghosts, devils and evil magic affecting them. Offering of Mangalya to the Goddess to get married quickly is also done.

There is a temple (half a km away) for the Yogeeswara grandfather who brought the Goddess to this place, This is called Sri Kandeswari Moorthi Kavu. There are also Panchamoorthi idols in this temple. Here toddy, meat, Agar Bhathi, tobacco etc., are offered to the grandfather statute. People believe that the Goddess would be happy only if we visit this temple first before visiting her.

Weather and time to Visit

The months of June, July and August are rainy seasons in Kerala, so there might be downpours. However this need not stop the pilgrims from visiting Kerala. Local transport and the temple could be crowded during the Sabari mala season from November to February and again from March to April

Accessibility

Thiruvananthapuram airport is the closest to Pathanamthitta. Tiruvalla is the closest railway station and from there Malayalappuzha is an hour’s journey. Pathanamthitta is well connected to all major cities in Kerala.

Temple Address

Malayalappuzha Devi Temple
Malayalappuzha,
Pathanamthitta, Kerala