Thazhoor Bhagavathy Kshetram

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Overview

The temple is located at Vazhamuttam in Kozhencherry taluk of Pathanamthitta district in the south Indian state of Kerala. The temple is situated about 4.5 km far from Pathanamthitta, 10 km far from Konni. Thazhoor Bhagavathy Kshetram, is a 300-year-old Hindu temple.

About The Temple

Thazhoor Bhagavathy Kshetram is one of the most renowned temples in Kerala. The temple is devoted to Sri Bhadra Devi (santham), incarnation of Sri Parvathi who is the chief deity. In addition Ganapathy, Sivan, Sasthavu, Nagadevathas, Mahayakshi, Madaswami and Bhoodathan are the other idols (upadevatas) being worshipped here. The temple is having very vast and beautiful surroundings with scenic beauty, having a huge and beautiful Aanakottil and has a boundary wall and towered entrance (Alankara Gopuram) with full of handicraft and carvings both in stone and wood. Three beautiful hundika towers (kaanikkaa mandapam) are recently built around the periphery of the temple. River Achankovil flows encircling the temple premises which extends to nearly four acres.

Legend and Stories

Bhagavathy (Bhagavathi) or Devi is considered as female aspect of the divine Shakthi, as conceived by the Shakta tradition of Hinduism. Shakthi is considered as the female counterpart without whom the male aspect remains impotent. Shakthi is the energy and Shakthi worship is a vital part of Hindu Tradition. Devi is the manifestation of supreme lord “Prakriti” where male aspect of the divine is considered as a Purusha. The Devi manifests herself as Creator (Durga or the Divine Mother), Preserver (Lakshmi, Parvathy and Saraswaty) and Destroyer (Mahishasura-Mardini, Kali). Devi is worshipped mostly in the form of divine mother. One of the important aspects of the Female divine is the various Shakti Peethas spread all across the country, where over 51 body parts of Devi Sathi, first wife of Lord Siva fell after being broken apart by the Sudarshana Chakra of Lord Vishnu.

Festivals

The Padayani, held in the month of Kumbham, is very famous. Padayani performances are held at the temple annually. Padayani songs are very ancient folklore of Kerala. These folk-dances are traditionally preserved in this part of Kerala. A Paraezhunnellippu is held in the Malayalam month of Kumbham that ends on the Vishu day in the month of Medam. The Paraezhunnellippu is spread all over Vazhamuttom east, Vazhamuttom, Pramadam, Mullanikadu and Vallicode. The Parazhumallippu will cover every Hindu family in those localities. The devotees have this occasion to present as offerings, tender coconuts and seeds. The temple is also famous for the folk arts and the "Kettukaazhcha" procession with Kaala (bull motif) and Kuthira vela (horse motif).

Prasad and Offering

The Pongal celebration commences on the morning of Kumbham 1. The women, dressed in traditional clean costumes for the occasion, offer Naivedyam to the goddess with their bare hands. The Goddess (Amma) accepts the offerings from thousands of devotees. It is believed that viewing Amma in all her glory at this time will free one from all sins and evils.

Accessibility

Trivandrum International Airport serves as the nearest airport to Pathanamthitta. The nearest railway station to Pathanamthitta is Chengannur about 28 kms away. Pathanamthitta is easily approachable through all the major town of Kerala via a well maintained network of roads.

Temple Address