Variyath Parambil Cholakkara Durga Bhagavathy Temple, Kerala

Address

Variyath Parambil Cholakkara Durga Bhagavathy Temple, Vailature Puthanathani Rd, Valavannur, Kalpakanchery, Kerala 676551

Diety

Durga Bhagavathy

Introduction

The demolished Durga Bhagavathy temple at Ponmundam Junction on the way from Tirur to Kottakkal road. The temple is situated at Valavannoor Panchayath of Valavannoor Village. the northwest they “the sacred pond of temple”. The 11 cent Pond under the Valavannoor re survey 5/13 (old 14/35) was totally abandoned. There was only a small pathway through the arrowroot plantation. There is no proper way to the temple. As a remembrance of the ancient age and prosperity one could see a huge old Balikkallu. The temple is east facing. The sanctorum has granite pillars at its face. The wall at the south is ruptured. The shrine also is demolished. From the present situation, we can read that the Shrine led to a big hall and then to the Sanctorum. Sanctorum has a different door for itself of which both the parts of the door are missing. The floor of the Sanctorum as well as the Mughamantapam is in square shape. Beautifully sculptures red stones have been arranged in patterns. The roof of the sanctorum is also made in red stone. The drainage towards the south to the sanctorum was seen destroyed. South east up to the sanctorum there is the sacred well. To the east of it all the ruptured figures and properties of the demolished temples are piled up.

Puranic Significance

The temple walls were also demolished. Only the floor part exists now. No sub shrines over there. The Deity for which, rituals are performed on Karthika Nakshathram day of every month has been found from the temple premises. The neck, hands and foot of the idol were chopped off then. There are people who believe that Tipu demolished the temple and that the temple was later abandoned. At the same time the ruptured figures and properties of the temple premises proves that the temple has been attacked. The granite pieces wouldn’t rupture by itself and the parts of idol were chopped off. If this temple has been attacked there would be other temples in the neighbourhood which would have been demolished too. The temple was completely under forest. There were two huge Palm trees on the sanctorum. They were removed and the roots are still seen on the walls of the sanctorum. During the cleaning process they got the Durga Goddess’s idol in the ruptured state. They also got parts of the pillars and drainage of the temple. The sacred temple pond was dry. It was desecrated by dumping the meat waste and the waste from marriage feasts.