5/5 Sanjay R. 5 years ago on Google
Sree
Chirakkakavu
Bhagavathi
Temple is
one
of
the
oldest
Devi
Temples
in
North
Kerala.
The
presiding
deity
of
this
temple
is
the
goddess Kaali,
who
is
worshipped
in
three
forms,
or
Thrigunaathmika.
The
temple
was
built
by
the
king
of
Kolathiri- Chirakkkal
Rajaafter
the
swayambhoo
of
the
goddess
in
Koduvally
River,
and
so
became
renowned
as Sree
Chirakkakavu.
According
to
established
belief,
the
goddess
Kaali
appeared
in
the azhimugham of
Vamal
with
her parivaras(retinue),
in
the
palace
where
the
river
meets
the
sea.
She
assumed
the
form
of
a
divine
fish.
The
place
is
now
known
as Vamal,
the
Sree
Moolasthana
of
Sree
Chirakkakavu
Bhagavathi.
Chiirakkal
Raja
visited
the
palace
and
bowed
to
the
goddess.
The
king
then
built
the
temple
on
top
of Illikkunnu,
believed
to
be
the thapovan of
an
earlier
era.
The
temple
is
surrounded
by
kavu
or
groves
of
trees.
The
temple
festival
is
celebrated
every
year
on
days
9-12
of
the
month
of medaom which
usually
falls
on
April
22
to
25th.
On
Medom
9th
the thantrik
poojas and Uthsavabali is
observed.
In
the
evening
the
Uthsalva
kolam
(Thidambu)
is
taken
out
of
the
temple
as
Ezhunnallathu
by
the
temple
priest.
This
occasion
is
the
only
time
where
the
goddess
comes
out
of
the
temple
in
full
alankaras
in
Ulthasava
Thidambu.
This
is
the
next
three-day
festival.
The
four
manifestations
of
the
goddess,
Chorakalathil
Bhagavathi,
Puthiya
Bhagavathi
and
Cheriya
Thampuratty,
are
the
daughters
of
the
mother
goddess
and
Valiya
Thampuratty.
Guntoor
Kotta
vanavan,
Ilankarumakan,
Poothadi
are
the
other
male
Theyyams
here.
On
Medom
10th
the
Nattathira
is
celebrated
here.
On
11
th
Medom
Ariyalavu
is
observed.
This
is
a
practice
of
giving
rice,
pulses
and
coconut
oils
to
the
all
concerned
communities
to
the
kavu.
This
custom
recalls
the
riches
of
bygone
times.
In
the
olden
days,
the
Temple
owned
land
from
Vamla
To
Kali.
In
the
morning
of
11th
medom
Valaiya
Thampuratty
visits
all
devotees
in
the
village
(hosuses
comes
under
Anchukandy
Parambu)
and
blesses
the
devotees.
Kalasams
come
from
various
parts
of
the
villages
to
make
offerings
to
the
devi.
Motha
Kalasam
and
Vaikalasam
have
the
right
to
enter
to
the
temple
first.
By
the
early
hours
of
12th
Medom
the
Theyyams
start
to
come
to
the
Thirumuttam
in
this
order:
Guntoor
Kotta
Vanavar,
Chorakalathil
Bhagavathi
and
Puthiya
bhgagavathi.
It
is
considered
a
blessing
when
a
few
drops
of
rain
sweep
through
as
Chaorakalthil
bhagavthi
theyyam
appears
on
the
courtyard
of
the
temple.
A
Mulla
Mala
(Jasmine
garland)
is
the
traditional
offering
to
Chorakkalathil
Bhagavathi.
Thirdly
comes
the
Theyaam
of
Puthiya
Bhagavathi
(Theethira),
The
theyaam
comes
with
the
fire
as
ornaments
and
blesses
the
devotees.
By
the
morning
of
12th
Medom
the
theyyam
of
Ilankarumankan
and
Poothadi
appears
on
the
courtyard
of
the
temple.
The
theyyam
is
of
divine
war
between
the
two.
This
theyyam
makes
us[who?] recollect
the
thought
of
Bali–Sugreeva
war.
Then
Thampuratty
comes
out
into
the
courtyard.
The
Aattam
of
Thampuratty
with
her
divine
sword
is
a
very
rare
sight
which
gives
her
devotees
a
life’s
blessings.
Then
the
Cheriya
Thampuratty
appears
on
the
courtyard
of
the
temple
with
beautiful
white
hair
and
other
decorations.
Then
the
Thampuratty
with
Thirumudy
and
her
daughter,
Cheriaya
Champuratty
travel
around
the
temple,
followed
by
the
kalasalams
and
devotees
in
procession.
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