Palakkadu Vadakkankarai Sri Bhagavathi Amman Temple, Kerala

Address

Vadakkankarai, Palakkadu,

Kerala district,

Phone: +91 491 250 0229 +91-491 250 4851

Amman

Sri Bhagavathi Amman

Introduction

Palakkadu Vadakkankarai Sri Bhagavathi Amman Temple Situated in Palakkadu, Kerala. Vadakkankarai Sri Bhagavathy Temple is a famous temple dedicated to Bhagavathi amman. The Temple is believed to be more than 1500 years old. The temple is also known as Kannagi Amman Temple. It is the one and only Kannagi temple in Kerala where Kannagi is worshipped in full idolic form.

Puranic Significance

Kannagi, after setting ablaze Madurai, proceeded to the Malayalam region. Kannadathu Bhagavathi, Kannu Kottum Bhagavathi and Pullukkottai Aiyan also accompanied her. Realizing that they possess all divine influence and powers, Malayalam people built a temple for Kannagi in Nadapathi Mannam, and a temple for Kannadathu Bhagavathi and Kannu Kottum Baghavathi in a place called Pirayari. The temple was damaged during foreign invasions and the idols were broken to pieces. The devotees however found the Peeta of the Bhagavathi idol and installed it near the Vishnu Temple in Tirupuraikal Vadakkanthurai. As the Athi Tree and the Peeta were blessed with divinity, Mother Bhagavathi came here to stay. She blessed her devotees with boons they asked. A big temple came into being with Mother Bhagavathi installed as a small pillar. The temple was installed by a group of merchants and another legend says that the temple was installed by a Malayalam King.

The sprawling Vadakkanthara Temple complex is an excellent example of traditional Kerala architecture. To the left of the entrance is the shrine of Lord Vishnu and to the right is the shrine of Goddess Bhagavathy. Sub-shrines of Bramharakshas in the form of a Lingam, Lord Ayyappa, Lord Nagaraja and Lord Ganesha, are all facing in the direction of Goddess Bhagavathi. Lord Ganesha was inside a small Gopuram (a vertical structure).

Beliefs

It is the staunch belief of the devotees that listening to the Thottra Padal song in the temple would relieve them from all the evil effects surrounding them. If and when female children are ill and a critical situation threatening their lives occur or any inconvenience caused to their education and for a good match in future, parents perform Alankara Puja to Amman with Thethi flowers dipped in sandal paste.

Devotees offer Payasam (porridge) nivedhana of many varieties as Iratti Madhuram Payasam, Kattu Payasam, milk payasam, Bhagavathi Sevai payasam etc. to Mother Bhagavati.

Special Features

A festival of difference called “Velai Thiruvizha” is celebrated in the temple once in three years in which people of all religions join together. Though an Amman temple, kumkum is not used here.

Festivals

Chithirai Pratishta day in April-May; Velai Utsav on the last Friday of Masi-February-March (once in three years); Navarathri in September-October and Krishna Jayanthi in August-September are the festivals celebrated in the temple