Kottayam Panachikkadu Dakshina Mookambika Temple- Kerala

Address

Kottayam Panachikkadu Dakshina Mookambika Temple- Eravinalloor Panachikkad Temple Rd, Panachikkad, Kuzhimattom P.O, Kerala 686533 Phone: 0481 233 0670

Deity

Mahavishnu Amman: Saraswathi

Introduction

Name: Panachikkadu Temple (also known as Dakshina Mookambika Temple)
Location: Panachikkad, Kottayam District, Kerala, India
Significance: An ancient temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, over 1000 years old, and one of the most prominent Saraswati temples in Kerala.
Main Deity: Although primarily known for Goddess Saraswati, the main deity is Lord Vishnu, who was installed before the goddess.
Sub-Shrines: The temple also includes shrines for Lord Shiva, Lord Ganapathi, Lord Ayyappan, Snake deities, and Panachikkattu Yakshi.

Puranic Significance

Historical Account: The temple’s history is detailed in Kottarathil Sankunni’s Aithihyamala.
Legend:
- A Nambudiri from Kizhapuram Illam, without male heirs, set out for Varanasi to pray. On his journey, he stopped at Mookambika, where he stayed for a year, chanting bhajans.
- He had a dream in which a beautiful woman advised him that he would not have children in this life but should adopt from a nearby family destined for two children.
- Upon returning to Panachikkadu, he bathed in the temple pond and placed his umbrella (Olakuda) down, which he could not lift afterward.
- A mysterious man appeared and revealed that Goddess Mookambika Devi was residing in the umbrella, and the Nambudiri needed to transfer her divinity to an idol hidden in the forest.
- After appeasing a Yakshi guardian, the Nambudiri established the Goddess Panachikkadu Devi as the temple’s deity, with a smaller idol facing west for worship.
- The main idol is located in a low area that resembles a pond, overgrown with creepers referred to as Saraswati leaves. The spring water that nourishes the idol never dries up, even in summer, reinforcing the goddess’s connection to water.

Festivals

Panachikkadu Festival:
- Celebrated during Navaratri, this festival culminates in Vijayadashami, making it one of the holiest times at the temple.
- The festival is marked by rituals dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, emphasizing learning and knowledge.