Vellayani Temple

Introduction to the Vellayani Temple

Kerala is famous for many ancient Hindu temples. Vellayani Devi Temple, or Vellayani Temple, lies on the eastern banks of the Vellayani Lake in Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala. Its picturesque views attract tourists and devotees from across the country. The Vellayani Temple is under the management of the Travancore Devaswom Board.

Legend of the Vellayani Temple

The legend of the Vellayani Temple is interesting. Once, Darika, a demon, received a boon from Brahma that no one living in the fourteen worlds would be able to defeat him. He became arrogant and powerful and started committing atrocities against all. As it was intolerable, the sage Narada pleaded with Shiva to destroy Darika.

Shiva agreed and declared that Kali, his creation, would kill Darika. He opened his third eye and created Kali to destroy the demon Darika. Thus, Kali beheaded the demon. But she went on killing people as her bloodlust did not abate. Nobody could control her rage. Finally, Shiva, her creator, pacified her.

The Architecture of the Vellayani Temple

The Vellayani Temple is believed to have been built in the 14th century by Kelan Kulashekaran. It has a bronze roof with traditional artwork featuring the Dravidian architectural style. The eastern and northern Gopurams feature carvings of various deities sculpted in them.

Bhadrakali is the presiding deity of the Vellayani Temple. The idol of Bhadrakali is four and a half feet high, one of the tallest among the idols in other Kali temples in Kerala. Precious stones and pure gold adorn the frontal view of the idol. As per the scriptures, Bhadrakali is a wrathful form of Shiva. Her idol is located toward the north and is known as Thirumudi in Malayalam.

Ganapati, Shiva, and Nagaraja Upadevathas have separate shrines. Madan Thampuran (Sudalai Madan), the guardian deity, also has a separate shrine in the Vellayani Temple. Devotees worship antlers in this temple. It is considered to invoke the spirit of divinity at a newly built temple. One piece of antler is kept in the sanctum oriented towards the east. The priest of the Vellayani Temple belongs to the blacksmith family. The Vellayani Temple also allows Jews, Christians, and Muslims to worship there. The main offerings are Pori and Coconut. Devotees also offer Chuttuvilakku.

Festivals in the Vellayani Temple

Kaliyoottu Mahotsavam is the largest 50-day festival held once in three years. It means "the festival to feed the Devi sumptuously." During this festival, hordes of devotees visit the Vellayani Temple and worship the deity.

Kaliyoottu is the dramatic presentation of Bhadrakali and Darika, the representatives of good and evil, their confrontation, and the destruction of Darika.

The "Thanka Thirumudi" darshan during Kaliyoottu is an enlightening experience for the devotees. This celebration gives peace, pleasure, and prosperity to devotees.

In the Kalamkaval ritual, the chief priest carries the main idol of the deity on his head and performs dance steps until he becomes unconscious. People believe that the priest can do this only with the blessings of the Devi.

Kalamkaval, Ucchabali, Dikkubali, Paranettu, and Nilathil Poru are the important rituals associated with the Kaliyoottu festival. The Vellayani Temple observes Ashwathy Pongala on the Aswini Nakshatram day in the Malayalam month.

Benefits of Worshipping at the Vellayani Temple

It is believed that worshipping at the Vellayani Temple can bless newly married women with fertility and safe childbirth.