Malayalappuzha Temple

Introduction to Malayalappuzha Devi Temple

Kerala, God's own country, is, not unsurprisingly, home to many renowned Hindu shrines. Malayalappuzha Devi Temple is one such temple. It is located in Malayalappuzha town, Pathanamthitta district, Kerala. This is an ancient and powerful Shakti shrine. Malayalappuzha Devi Temple is dedicated to Bhagavathy (Bhadrakali), a form of Parvati. It is also called Malayalappuzha Bhagavathy Temple.

Legend of the Malayalappuzha Devi Temple

According to the temple legend, once, two Namboothiris (Brahmin) were meditating at Kollur Mookambika temple, keeping an idol of Bhadrakali with them. One day, they heard an oracle from Bhadrakali that her idol would have a perpetual presence. Namboothiris continued their pilgrimage with the idol. The deity appeared before them when they became old and advised them that Malayalappuzha was the ideal place to install her idol. Following her advice, they reached Malayalappuzha and installed her idol.

Bhagavathy in the Malayalappuzha Devi Temple is also known as Idathattil Bhagavathy. The temple had a custom of removing the deity's idol every 12 years. Once, the temple authorities found it difficult to remove the idol from the place. One of them had a dream that night where the Malayalappuzha Amma asked him to worship her with the same idol forever.

The Architecture of the Malayalappuzha Devi Temple

The Malayalappuzha Devi Temple was built over 1000 years ago. It features the typical Kerala style of architecture. The temple has a majestic Gopuram at the eastern entrance. A small Namaskara Mandapam, a Chuttambalam, and a Balikkalpura can be seen inside the Malayalappuzha Devi Temple.

The sanctum is rectangular in shape and has a beautifully carved and painted Mukha Mandapam. Bhagavathy, the main deity, is in a fierce form as she was enshrined in the sanctum after killing the demon Darika. Devotees call her 'Malayalappuzha Amma'. Her idol, which is 5.5 feet high and has eight arms, is made of a technique called (Katu Sarkara Yogam).

Several types of wood pieces, Ayurvedic herbs, clay, milk, ghee, turmeric, sandalwood, camphor, gold, silver, jaggery, sand, and natural glue are used to make the idol.

Two more idols are installed in the sanctum; one is for Abishekam, and the other for Sreebali, a daily ritual.

A Shiva Linga is placed in the southern corner of the Malayalappuzha Devi Temple. The deity is made up of jaggery and worshipped with red color flowers. The Upa Devatas (sub-deities) of the temple are Shiva, Nagaraja and Brahma Rakshas. There is a unique statue of Parvati feeding baby Ganapati on her lap. An idol of Veerabhadra is located at the entry to the sanctum.

The Thombil family is the main contributor to the Malayalappuzha Devi Temple. It is under the administration of the Travancore Devaswom Board.

Festivals in the Malayalappuzha Devi Temple

The Malayalappuzha Devi Temple celebrates the annual festival for 11 days, which commences on the Thiruvathirai star in February and continues through March. Kathakali dance takes place on the 4th and 5th day of the annual festival. Arattu (dipping the deity's idol in the river or temple tank) takes place on the 11th day.

Shivratri is also celebrated with zeal. Malayalappuzha Devi Temple is the only temple in Kerala that organizes Satha Kodi Archana.

Benefit of Worshipping at the Malayalappuzha Devi Temple

Devotees believe that performing 'Raktha Pushpanjali' Pooja can relieve them from black magic or evil eyes. Devotees offer a type of Payasam called Chathussatham to the deity for prosperity. People bring fowls and set them free in the Malayalappuzha Devi Temple for good health. The Malayalappuzha Devi Temple conducts special Poojas on Tuesdays and Fridays to drive away evil spirits.

Devotees offer tobacco, betel leaves, areca nuts, and camphor to Bhagavathy to fulfill their wishes.