Karikkakom Sri Chamundi Devi Temple , Kerala

Address

Karikkakom Sri Chamundi Devi Temple Karikkakom, Karikkakam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695007 Phone: 0471 250 7671

Diety

Amman: Sri Chamundi Devi

Introduction

Karikkakom Sri Chamundi Devi Temple or Karikkakom Devi Temple is dedicated to Goddess Chamundi located in Thiruvananthapuram, India. This ancient temple, more than 1000years old, is situated at Karikkakom, around 7 km north of Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram. The temple enshrines a Panchaloha idol of the goddess Karikkakathamma – an incarnation of Chamundi. The rare fact about this temple is that Chamundi Devi is worshiped here in three different forms: Maha Chamundi, Raktha Chamundi, and Bala Chamundi. During the period of King’s rule this temple was the venue for imparting justice and truth.

Puranic Significance

Chamundi Devi herself is considered a fierce form of Kali, but the same Chamundi Devi is worshipped here in three different forms in three different adjacent sanctums situated adjacently. An idol of the Devi is located in the extreme left main sanctum. Though the cardinal deity is Chamundi Devi, Rektha Chamundi, Bala Chamundi, Sastha, Ganapathi, Yakshiyamma, Bhuvaneshvari, Ayiravalli and Yogeeswaran are also accommodated in the temple. Also, just to the north of the Devi Temple, there is an old house known as Guru Mandiram. This is believed to be the ancestral house or tharavad of the Yogeeswaran who brought Devi to this place. Rektha Chamundi On the right side of the Devi Nada is the Rakta Chamundi nada. There is no vigraha (idol) in this nada but only a wall painting of the Devi in a Rowdra Bhava. The Karikkakom temple has historical importance since this temple was utilized during the reign of the Maharajas to prove the truth of certain crimes. Accused culprits were brought to the temple and were allowed to proclaim their innocence in front of Raktha Chamundeswari’s sanctum. They had to put 21 panam or coins in the nada and promise to tell the truth. The Devi was believed to protect them if they were truthful and punish them if they were not. So nobody dared to tell a lie in front of the deity. This nada was opened only for this particular ritual. The Chamundi Devi form in the main sanctum is considered as in a calm state, whereas Raktha Chamundi is considered as fierce, but helps devotees to fulfill their wishes. It is believed that if offerings and prayers are given to Raktha Chamundi Devi, she will remove obstacles and problems caused by enemies, cure chronic ailments, and so on. Bala Chamundi Bala Chamundi Devi, as the name suggests, is in childhood form. Couples without a child worship her and present articles like cradles and toys to be blessed with a child. Offerings given to the Devi also help cure ailments in children. Nagar kavu Outside the Devi Temple wall, the nagar kavu and pond belonging to the temple are located. This nagar kavu is rich in numerous varieties of trees and creepers as well as medicinal plants. To remove Sarpa dosha, devotees can offer Ayilya Pooja and Nurum palum, Archana for Nagar and more every month on the Ayilyam day.

Special Features

Chamundi Devi herself is considered a fierce form of Kali, but the same Chamundi Devi is worshipped here in three different forms in three different adjacent sanctums situated adjacently. Though the cardinal deity is Chamundi Devi, Rektha Chamundi, Bala Chamundi, Sastha, Ganapathi, Yakshiyamma, Bhuvaneshvari, Ayiravalli and Yogeeswaran are also accommodated in the temple.

Festivals

The annual festival is in the month of Meenam for seven days. Millions of women gather every year in the month of Meenam around this temple and prepare Pongala in the open in small pots to please the goddess. The idol of Devi is carried out in a golden chariot around the temple on the day before Pongala and thousands of devotees gather to witness it.