PANACHIKKADU SARASWATHY TEMPLE

                                                         PANACHIKKADU TEMPLE

Between Kottayam and Chenganachery, there was a place named Chingavanam. 4Kms from Chingavanam, is this place called Panachikkadu. This place is referred as Dakshina Mookambika. This is basically a Vishnu temple, which is more than 1000 years old. The ancient Vishanva Alvar – Namaalvaar has also sung hymns in praise of this lord. 3 Nampoothiri families were doing pujas in this Vishnu temple. (Keezhapuram Illam, Karunadu illam , Kaimukku Illam were the 3 Illams).

Of the 3 Illams, the Nampoothiri of Keezhapuram Illam didn’t have kids. He was worried. He decided to go to Kasi and worship Lord Shiva for the same. On the way he halted at Kollur Mookambika temple. He stayed there for many days. One day, the Devi appeared in his dream and told the following -  ‘ In this birth, you don’t have kids. You adapt a child. When you go back home, you  approach Karunadu Illam. The lady will get pregnant and will give birth to twins. You ask 1 child.They will give 1 child to you You take the child after the lactation period is over.At the right time, you do upanayanam and marriage to the boy. He will give birth to 10 kids. By this, your family lineage will continue and no one will have the Issueless Issue’.

The Nampoothiri reaches Panachikkadu and tells the entire dream to his family and Karunadu Illam family. They also assured that, if they get a twin baby, they will give 1 to him. The Nampoothiri was happy and went to the temple pond to take bath. After taking bath, he tried to take his Olakuda (umbrella made of dried palm leave). He couldn’t lift it, A sage appears before him and says ‘While coming back from Kolur, Mookambika has come along with you and  she is residing in this Umbrella. In this dense forest area, earlier, a few Rishis were doing yagna and pujas to an Idol. The idol wont be identified by you easily. There is an Yakshi which is safeguarding this idol. You have to offer her  Podiari ( ground rice), Vellam (Jagery), Tender coconut as daily oblation and cool her and takecare of her. After she is cooled down, you will be able to identify that Idol. Once you find it, you have to do avahanam of the Mokambika in the umbrella into this Idol and should start doing pujas. Since the sages who did puja to this idol earlier were very powerful, and since, no one doesnt have the power to do the pooja now, you install a prathibimbam (identical idol) and do puja to the prathibimbam “

                                          Saraswathy (Mookambika),Nampoothiri,Olakuda - carvings

Based on the instruction of the sage, he identified the idol  and installed it facing east, and did a prathibimbam, an identical idol facing west. The daily puja is being done even today for the Idol facing west. The idol facing eastside has roopam but no nitya puja. The idol facing the Westside has no roopam, but has nitya puja.

                                         SRI VISHNU TEMPLE - on the left side of the Saraswathy temple.

                                                    Entrance to Saraswathy deity 

                                       

DAY TIME VIEW.

Night view. (Vidya mandapam seen at the far end)

Devotees at the east side of the pond. Devi deity inside the pond. Nampoothiri standing inside

The Olakuda @ the east facing deity. (Water constantly trickling from the Vishnu Temple into the Devi temple)

SIDEVIEW - from Northside of the temple. Green Climbers (Valli) as a canopy)

The Devi deity is inside a pond, whichlooks, as if its carved out from a rock.  Devotees have to worship the Devi standing from above from  the pond’s hindside / west side . The eastside view is not generally seen , as its considered privy to the Nampoothiri  family. There is a spring at the Vishnu temple situated a few meters on the North of this temple. Water oozes and flows continuosly as a slender stream, all round the year, even during the dry days. This deity is always wet. I was puzzled to note that, there was a turtle which was there for more than 20 minutes near the southeast corner of the pond deity, on the south of Devi. ( Turtle – Koormavatharam of Vishnu). 

                           Koormam - Turtle was staying there on the South east corner of the deity.

There is a kalvilakku ( lamb made of stone), which is always light. People go around the pond, from above and write “ Harisree Maha Ganapathiyae Namaha” on the coarse sand nearby . This is done, under the belief that kids will get more sharper in studies.

The Devi facing east is fully covered by  big  evergreen  climbers. Its very very difficult to see her under any circumstances, as its fully covered by the climbers. This climber has never gone dry / died for centuries together.

Above the Saraswathy pond, we have the pradhishta of the Yakshiamma, Rakshas & Nagarajavu. Before   doing any  special pujas to Saeaswathy, permission is sought from Yakshiamma.  Kaimukku Manai family does puja here.

                                                 Yakshi pradhista at an elevated level.

                                            Rakshas, Yakshiamma,Nagarajavu

After Morning abhishegam, Thirumathuram is offered to devi.  Afternoon oblation is Paal payasam. For all Dvadasis, 12.5 Naali Nel ( paddy ) is offered to devi and annadhanam is offered with that rice to Bhramins.

The Travancore Raja has offered a Gold chain with 5 rekha (lines) to Devi and a gold chain to Vishnu. He has given standing instructions / grant to do Daily nivedyam for both the shrines and for Bhramin feeding.  A.R.Rajaraja Varma was not able to speak in his childhood. He visited this temple for every Navarthri and after a few years, he was able to speak.

Even today, lots of devotees come during Navarathri. They are offered Ghee from Saraswathy temple, which is belived to improve the studiousness of kids. Vidyarambam (Initiation to kids for studies) is also done here during Navarathri. Guru initiates Vidyarambam @ Vidyamandapam. Followed by that, Parents make the kid write "Harisree" in the coarse sand on the sidewall (groove) of the deity.

A huge jack fruit tree was cut and some beautiful images of Vishnu ( west facing), Saraswathy & the Nampoothiri and the Olakuda ( facing south), Ganapathy, Nagaraja, Sastha, Yakshiamma ( facing North) are carved beautifully.

The Carving - front view. 

MahaVishnu - front side of the carving.

 

                                      Northside - Nagarajavu, Sastha,Ganapathy,Yakshi - on the top.

The 51 Akshara devatas picture, with Mookambika in the centre is very beautiful to see, meditate upon. Vidyamandapam has different pictures of Saraswathy.The most captivating is the 51 akshara devatas with Mookambika in the centre.

People in art and music come atleast once in a year and perform in this Kalamandapam. Navarathri will be a fully occupied stage, all time across.

                  The stage - ( poor light - as this picture was taken after 8pm.Temple closes at 7.30PM)

Worshiping Saraswathy and Vishnu at Panachikadu will bring in both Knowledge enhancement and prosperity to the devotees.

                                                The westfacing deity - Pradhibimbam                                         

                                                       "Amala kamaladhi vaasini, manaso,
                                                        Vaimaya dhayini, manogne,
                                                        Sundara gathri, susheele,
                                                        Thava charanamboruhayo namami sadaa..."
                                                                                       - Vaageswari Stavam (By Adi Sankarachaya)

                                                                         Meaning :
                                                       " I always worship your lotus feet,
                                                        Oh Goddess, who lives in pure white lotus flower,
                                                        Oh Goddess, who grants purity of mind,
                                                       And Oh Goddess who is pretty and good natured..."

   Temple Timings

Morning Visiting Hours - 05.30 AM - 11.00 AM
Evening Darshan Timings - 05.00 PM - 07.30 PM

Contact Address

Panachikkadu Saraswati Temple
Kuzhimattom P O
Kottayam
Kerala – 686533
India
Phone Number – 0481 - 2330670

GARBARAKSHAMBIKAI - Thirukkaruhavur - Tamilnadu

Sri GARBARAKSHAMBIGAI TEMPLE - THIRUKARUHAVUR.

                                                         Sri GARBARAKSHAMBIGAI.

                                                          Sri Mullai Vana Nadhar
                                                    
The present day Thirukaruhavur – was earlier known as Mullai Vanam. ( The very idea of creating this blog came after visiting Thirumullaivoyil @ Chennai, in December 2nd week, during the Lunar eclipse evening. After a gap of 4 months, starting to write on the temples of Devi, Im restarting with Mullai Vana nadhar and Garbharakshambigai of Mullaivanam.  Mullaivanam & Thirumullaivoil..Lots of similarities.

Thirukkaruhavur is located in Tanjore district of Tamilnadu – about 20kms from Tanjore.
                                                      
                                           STORY BEHIND THE TEMPLE:Rishi Nidhruvar was leading a pious life and was doing services to the Sages ( Gowthama & Gargeya) who were doing Maha Yagyam in Mullaivanam. Life was blissful, except for the fact that the couple didn’t have any issues. Seeing his worry, the Sages adviced Nidhruvar that, if he worships Mullai Vana Nadhar and Garbarakshambigai, they will be blessed with a kid.

Their prayers got answered and his wife Vedika got pregnant. During her 7th month of pregnancy, one day, Nidhruvar went out and Vedika was taking rest at home. That day, Sage Urdhavapadar came there seeking food. Since she was in her advanced pregnancy, she couldn’t get up fast and receive the Sage. Seeing the undue delay, the Sage got angry and cursed Vedika. She was affected by the curse and led to miscarriage. She ran to the deity of Garbarakshambigai and pleaded for mercy.
Devi Parvathy offers protection to the mother and offers a protection shield to the fetus by doing aavaahanam of the fetus in a divine metal pot. At the due time, a baby boy was born to Vedika. She couldn’t feed her child. She prayed Devi Parvathy. Kamadhenu appears before them and milk was offered to the child and then on, the child grows. The sage and his wife prayed to Devi Parvathy that henceforth, who ever comes to Thirukaruhavur and prays to Garbarakshambigai, she should ensure pregnancy and safe delivery of child. Since she takes care of Pregnancy, she is named as Garba Rakshambigai.

Devi’s idol is 7 feet tall. The Nandi and Vinayagar are believed to be swambu moorthys. Worshing Lord Shiva will get rid of skin ailments. Hymns were sung by Appar, Sambandar & Sundarar.
Sthala Viruksham : Jasmine – Mullai Kodi.

Couples who are praying for being blessed by kids, come to this temple and offer Ghee to the diety. The priest chants the required mantras and returns back the same. Ladies smear a small portion of the ghee on the sides of the entrance and applies rangoli using rice flour in the temple. The same ghee has to be consumed by the couple in small quantity for 7 weeks and then the couples are blessed with pregnancy. The same way, pregnant women are given Oil as prasadm. They apply it over the abdomen daily as a divine shield for safe pregnancy and easy delivery. 
Punugu Abhishegam (Ablution) to Mullaivananathar is believed to cure incurable and chronic illness.  Since the Lingam is a SwayamBhu Lingam no other abhishegam is done to the Lingam.
There are 5 aranya sthalas in Tanjore district. If the 5 are worshiped in the series ( Thirukaruhavur, Alangudi,Avalivanallur, Haridwaramangalam, Thirukollampudhur ) in the same day, one’s sins are absolved and he / she gets mukti. ( Same effect we get here in Chennai, when we go to the 3 temples - Meenjur,Thiruvottriyur, Thirumullaivoil on a Fullmoon day - Friday - all 3 to completed between dawn to dusk).

The Lord Shiva, like in Thirumullaivoyil in Chennai is a swambu lingam, on a mullai forest. In both the temples, we can see a mark on the Shiva Lingam. Here we can see the mark of jasmine creaper more  prominent during deeparadhana. Here too, there is no abhishegam and they offer punugu chaarthu to the Shiva Lingam. He is known as Madhavi Vaneshwar ( Madhavi in Sanskrit means Jasmine). One more similarity with Thirumullaivoil – Here too Indiran came and did puja to Mullaivana nathar and got resolved from his curses on the Full moon day of Panguni. This is also the day when Shiva became Chandra choodan. So, on this particular day, every year, we can see Moon’s light falling on the Shiva Lingam deity. Its believed that Sage Gautama & Bhrama also got relieved from their curses here.
On the full moon day of the tamil month of Panguni (March-April) moon’s rays falls on the Shiva Lingam.
The navagraha deity has a peculiarity. All the 8 other grahas havig Abaya – Varadha mudras are facing Sun, which is placed in the centre.

There are 4 thirthams here. 1. Bhrama Thertham in south west corner.  2. Sheera Kundam ( the place where Kamadhenu created a pond of milk for the child of Vedika). 3. Between the Shiva and Parvathy Sanidhi, we have a well named as SathyaKoobam, in which on  the Sunday of Thirukarthika its believed that  Sanjeevani gets mixed in the theertham and it can cure all major diseases especially Skin diseases. 4. River Cauvery flowing on the South west of the temple.
Temple timing : 6AM to 12.30 PM, 4.00 PM to 8.30 PM.

Auspicious days : Pradosham is important ( Coincidence that today is also Pradosham – 16.6.12)
ADDRESS :
Arulmigu Mullai Vananathar Thirukkoil,
Thirukkarugavur (P.O),
Papanasam Taluk.
Thanjavur Dt. 614 302
Tamil Nadu .
 Phone : 04374 -273 423           
                                           USEFUL MANTRAS
1. Chanting her Gayatri 108 times will bless the ladies who are yet to get conceived.
                              “Aum Garbarakshambigaayai cha vidhmahe
                               Mangala dhevadhaayai cha dheemahee
                               Dhanno devi prachodhayaath”.
2. Pregnant ladies may chant the mantra below for safe pregnancy
                                Hey sangara Shamarahara Pramadhaadhi Naadhari Mannaadha shaamba sasisuda
                                HarithiriSulin sambo sugaprasava kiruthbavame dhayaalo
                                HeyMaadhaviVanesa Paalayamaam Namaste”
3.Expecting Mothers may chant the mantra below for safe delivery.
                                “Hamavath yuthare Paarchve shuradhaa naama yakshini
                                 Dhasyaa Shmarana Maathrena visalyaa Garbinibavedu”.
 4. Mantra for Marriage & Childbirth :
                                “Aum devendhiraani namosthubyam
                                  Dhevendhira piriya baamini
                                  Vivaaha baakyam aarokyam
                                  puthra laabam sadhehime
                                  Padhim dhehi sudham dhehi
                                  Soubaakyam dhehime subhe
                                  Soumaangalyam subam Gnayanam
                                  Dhehime Garbarakshake
                                  Kaathyaayini mahaamaaye
                                  Maha yoginya dhisvari
                                  Nandhagoba seedham dhevam
                                  Padhim Megurudhe Namah.”

May the blessings of Garbarakshamba be with all.

“YA DEVI SARVA BHUTESHU MAATRU RUPENA SAMSTHITHA
NAMASTASYAI NAMASTASYAI NAMASTASYAI NAMO NAMAH” !
(My repeat Salutations to the Supreme Devi, who resides in all beings in the form of Motherhood)
                                                                                                 - Devi Stuti ( @ Devi Mahatmyam)



LION .... KARMA...DURGA...

Once a Lion fell in love with a beautiful girl ! He approached her and told his wish. The girl told - " I dont decide on these matters. You better ask my Dad. I will do anything only when my Dad says OK. "

The Lion goes to her house and discusses. The Girl's father tells the lion - " See, your claws will pierce my daughter. You better go and remove your claws and come. " The lion goes off and comes the next day - clawless. This time the dad says " Your teeth (incisors) are too sharp. It will hurt my daughter. You better go and remove them and come ." The lion goes off and come the next day teethless, clawless.

Now the Dad tells the Lion - " You stupid being, comeon, be my slave and listen to me and do what ever I say." The poor lion couldnt do anything, but for what ever the Girl's dad told.

Here the Lion symbolises KARMA.
The Girl symbolises Jeevatma.
The Dad symbolises Paramatma or the Higher Soul.
The Claws and Sharp teeth symbolises Ego and Ego linked actions.

The Image of Durga on the Lion says - Take control on Karma and Ego and Ego linked actions in the divine journey.

May the blessings of Divine Mother be with all.

Om Sreem !

SRI VARAHI - 5th of the SAPTHA MATHAS

                                  Today (4th Feb 2012 - Saturday) is VARAHA DWADASI. This is the day, when  Vishnu took Varaha avatar to salvage the drowning earth. In line with that, would like to write about VARAHI.

The 7 sapta mathas are as follows.

S.No	SAPTAMATHA	FORM / AMSAM
1	BHRAMI	BHRAMA
2	MAHESWARI	MAHESWARAN
3	KOUMARI	KUMARAN
4	VAISHNAVI	HARI
5	VARAHI	VARAHA MURTHY
6	INDRANI	INDRAN
7	CHAMUNDI	RUDRAN

Varahi is the 5^th amoungst the 7. Varahi takes care of the peace and prosperity of all.  This form of Devi is worshiped by Shaivites, Vishnavites & Sakthas.

Lets see the mythological stories behind the 3 sects.

VAISHNAVITE version: 1. Asura Hirnyaksha pulled the land and sunk the earth under the oceans, Vishnu took the form of a boar and rescued Mother earth. 

                                   2. At Thiruvanamalai, when Shiva stood as a pillar of fire, Bhrama and Vishnu tried to see the head and feet of Shiva. Bhrama flew up as Swan and Vishnu moved down as a Boar.

SHAIVITE Version: Reference from Thiruvilaiyadal Puranam. A story from Madurai. At a place called Kuruvirundathurai, near Madurai, there lived a Saiva Vellala family. Though, born in an orthodox back ground, didn’t take care of their 12 kids. They passed away. The kids loafed around in the forests with hunters. Guru Bagavan was doing tapas in that forest. These kids throw stones and sand at Guru Bagavan. The furious Guru Bagavan curses the kids that they will be born as pigs and will loose their parents and will suffer out of hunger. The kids pleaded for forgiving them. Guru bagavan told that Shiva himself will come for the rescue. As cursed, the kids become piglets and their parents were killed when Pandya king came for hunting in the forest. The piglets were let in lurch and were suffering. Shiva & Parvathy took pity on the piglets and Shiva took the form of a Boar and fed them like a mother. They were converted back to human form and he made them ministers in Pandya kingdom in Madurai. From then, the Varaha form came to be worshiped in Shaivite culture also.

SAKTHA Version: Ref from Devi Mahatmiyam. Pandasuran did tapas and got lots of powers. He also got a boon that, he can be killed only by a lady, who is not born to a mother and who has a face of a pig. He thought that both probabilities will never happen and went ahead ravaging all. Devas went to Devi and sought for rescue. Devi created a Divine power with a lady form with a face of a boar and killed the asuras. Buddhist worship her Vajra Varahi.

ROOPAM:

Varahi has 4 hands. Abaya, Varada, 1 hand has plough ( When Varaha avatar took the earth out of the waters, he used the horn to plough the earth and cultivated plants to start life cycle). 1 hand has Pestle (Ulakkai in Tamil). At times she is even shown as 8 handed - Sangu, Chakram, Gadhai, Kadgamalai, Damaragam (udukkai), Abaya mudra, varada karam and Ulakkai.

She is generally draped in yellow color dress and has dark jewels.

Vehicle – GIRI CHAKRAM

Position – 16^th CORRIDOR (Pragaram) in Sri Chakra.

Feet - @ Noopuram. Her left foot is placed on a small peetam.

She is the military commander of Sri Lalitha Tripurasundarai. Hence she is called as Danda natha.

She is the 5^th amoung the SAPTA MATHAs. Hence she is also called as PANCHAMI.

12 NAMES:

1.       Panchami

2.       Danda naka

3.       Sanketa

4.       Samayeswari

5.       Samaya sanketa

6.       Varahi

7.       Bodhini

8.       Shivey

9.       Varadhasi ( she strengthens the speech of kids)

10.   Maha sena

11.   Ajna Chakreswari

12.   Arikiri

Time to worship: She is considered as Panchami, as she is taking care of Anugraham, which is the 5^th job The 5 jobs are

1.       Srishti = BHRAMA = creation, symbolized by Conch,Books,Lotus bud, Damaru, Veena, Flute and musical instruments)

2.        Sthithi = VISHNU = Preservation, symbolized by Sugarcane, Parrot, Deer, Flowers, Food, Abhaya mudra, Chin Mudra.

3·          Laya / Samhara = RUDRAN= Dissolution, symbolized by various weapons like Sudarshana Chakra, Bow and arrow etc, the Thiruvaasi ( arch above the idol made of an arch of fire and Maha Kala at the centre of the Arch / Thiruvasi , which talks about Time and limitedness of time)

4·    Thirobhavam = MAHESWARAN = Obscuring grace . Certain prayers / wishes are not answered by God, because God sees a better plan / wants to save us from a worst case scenario in the long run, if our present day wish is OKed. Even knowledge addition is also given in phases, like in education system. Not all subjects are dealt in 1 stroke. Certain topics r kept un-discussed for till the sadaka gets the required maturity . Though there is no direct representation of this concept, but still , images like Devi sitting / standing on a lotus flower (spiritual enlightenment / wisdom), Holding a bud of lotus or holding an inverted lotus, Devi standing on an asura named Muyalakan (ego, selfishness, ignorance).

5·         Anugraham = SADASIVAN = Revealing grace / God’s limitless benevolence. Varahi is also the Anugraha sakthi of Sadasivan.

The 5 main forms of VARAHI:

1.       Ashvarudae Varahi : She got genesis from the Noose (Paasam) of Rajarajeswari. Symbolising that, we have to get ourselves tied with bakthi on Lalitha, like the way she uses the paasam. She comes in a horse named Aparajita. Head of the horse force of Devi. She brings in self control for the devotee, like the horse rider has mastered the riding.

2.       Sampathkari Varahi : She got genesis from the Ankusham (Goad) of Rajarajeswari.Heads the elephant battalion of Devi. She helps us to win over our ego. She  also helps us to get control over our mind, like she controlling the elephant (named Ranakolahalam) that she is riding.. She is auspicious. Like Gaja lakshmi considered auspicious and giving lots of wealth & prosperity, Sampathkari Varahi also gets lots of prosperity. She uses Ankusham to control the elephant. Like wise, by bakthi on Lalitha, we should be able to control our mind.

3.       Dandani Varahi : Heads the armed force of Devi. She is golden color and has 8 hands – Sanghu, Chakram, Plough, Dandha(ulakkai), Noose (Paasam), Ankusham(Goad), Staff .  She helps to win over obstacles. Thiruvanaikaval in Trichy is considered as Varahi Peetam.

4.       Swapana Varahi: She comes in our dream and guides us! She is dark skinned and has  3 EYES. She has Crescent moon on her head. She holds Sword,Shield, Noose, Sickle, Varadam,Abhayam

5.       SUDDHA Varahi : She has a projecting white tooth, Crescent moon on head, and holds Trishulam, Kapalam, Ullakai, Serpent.

                                                                   HOW  TO WORSHIP :

DAYS : Wednesdays, Saturdays.

1.       THIRUVONAM STAR

2.       NAVAMI Thidhi

3.       PANCHAMI Thidhi – will give prosperity, leadership capabilities,

4.       ASHTAMI Thidhi – Mental strength, Power, success.

5.       EKADASI, THRIYODASI Thidhis – removes fear and worries

TIME : LATE EVENINGS -  7PM TO 9pm. For Swapana Varahi – upto 11PM. If we do 1 hour puja in the night, the same  1 hour puja has to be done in the morning also. (Equal timings both times)

Colors :

1.       Yellow / White dress for her = gives knowledge, oratorical skills.

2.       Red = Removes obstacles

3.       Green = gives us prosperity

4.       Blue = removes the fear about enemies.

OBLATION:

 Sarkarai pongal, Vadai, Mochchai Sundal, chukku drinks, Dosa mixed with spices like pepper, Nava dhaaniya  vadai, Jaggery, Milk mixed with spices, Saffron flower & Cardamom,  Tapioca, White pumpkin, Honey.

Nei deepam in coconut / Neeranjanam will help to reduce the impact of Karma.

PUJA :

Mantra deeksha required to do the puja as per rituals. So, normal people can worship her by invoking her in their mind and saying – Sri Varahi, Sri Varahi, Sri Varahi – 3 times. She will accept our prayers.

PLACES TO WORSHIP

1.       CHENNAI – Sri Durgai Chithar Peedam, Padappai – east of Tambaram in Kanchipuram road

2.       Varanasi

3.       Thiruvidanthai – ECR – Chennai

4.       ARIYALUR

5.       Thirupanrikodu @ Kanyakumari district : Lord Varaha was feeling proud of saving the earth. This made him behave differently with all. Devas were worried and reached Shiva for rescue. Shiva appeared in front of Varaha murthy, broke his single horn (with which he ploughed the land and cultivated crops after taking the land out of water), and added it to his mala. Varaha apologized to Shiva and took his form of Vishnu and went back to Vaikundam. This place where Vishnu did puja to Shiva is called Thirupanrikodu.

6.       Haridwara mangalam

7.       Kulithalai

8.       Tanjavur

9.       Udrakosamangai ( Ramanathapuram)

10.   Pallur – Arakonam to Kanchipuram road

11.   Thiruvanamalai

12.   Kalahasthi

13.   Srimushnam

14.   Thirupathy.

Will write a detailed note on Sapta madhas in a subsequent post.

1. CHERTHALA DEVI KATHYAYANI KSHETHRAM

1.CHERTHALA

Cherthala is along the NH 47, southwards, about  40 Kms from Eranakulam. . Its 1 hour by bus or 30 min drive from Eranakulam. Cherthala Karthiyayani Temple is located very close to the KSRTC bus terminus of Cherthala.

Of the 108 Devi temples in Erstwhile Kerala , the very famous ones are  Kanyakumari, Aattukal, Saarkara, Chengannur, Kumaranellur, Cherthala, Chottanikkara, Kodungallur, Angadippuram, Thirumaanthamkunnu, Chittoor &  Kollur.

FRONT VIEW

VIEW FROM LEFT SIDE

VIEW FROM RIGHT SIDE

FROM REAR RIGHT - while coming from Sastha temple

SREEKOVIL FACADE

ETYMOLOGY: Vilwamangalam Swamigal was returning from Trivandrum after the pradishta of Sri Padmanabahaswamy. He halts  at Cherthala for a while. He could see lots of swans around in a pond near by. But for the pond, it was a relatively dense forest all across. He noticed that on a gracious divine looking girl swinging in a swing on a Thamka tree. ( The tree remainant is still protected and is considered as Sree Moolasthaanam. Pic given below.

SREE MOOLASTHANAM - ( Reminants of Thambaka tree where Devi swung.)

THE TREE - (in close up)

 When he went near the tree, she jumped into the near by pond. Swamigal also jumped into, but couldn’t get any trace of her. This happened continously for 7 days. Everyday, she jumped into 7 different ponds. Swamigal was extreemly frustrated on the 8^th day. On the 8^th day, somehow, she jumped into a pond which was full of slush and mud. This time, Swamigal was able to catch hold of her hair. But he couldn’t catch hold of her. The hairs came off from her scalp. Out of rage he yelled at that girl. Later he realised it as Devi. Symbolising that, even now, during the 8 day annual festival, people call the diety with slang malayalam , like what Swamigal did.

Even now, this diety is located in a 4 feet deep pit. Only the head part is visible. Even in the Shila roopam of Devi, one can observe pits in a part of the head, symbolising the hair loss when Swamigal pulled her up from water, but in vain. So, after the daily abhishegam, the deity is dryed using a cloth, like we do for a child.

Since the land was having lots of swans earlier, now people give Cockerel as owe to the temple. This is offered to the temple, when people pray for the well being of their kids, especially for good health. Over a 1000 of the cockerels freely move around the temple, except into the sanctum sanctorum.

BLESSED ROOSTERS

THEY ARE FREE TO MOVE AROUND - Rear entrance of the temple

The 2^nd next temple in Kerala, where cockerel is offered to temple is the Bagavathy temple at Pazhayanoor, near Thrisur.

During the 8^th day of the temple function, a wooden cockerel is circumvented the temple.

THE WOODEN ROOSTER

The wooden face is Bhima ( Mahabharata) is also used during the festival.

BHIMA's FACE

We have deties of Shiva, Vishnu,Sarpa kaavu, Naga Lingam, Yakshi amma spread around the whole vast of the temple around the main temple.

SARPA KAAVU

NAGA RAJA DIETY

YAKSHI AMMA

Ganapathy & Sastha were earlier installed inside the Sreekovil only. But, once a Gandharvan was creating problem to the local people. Devi asked Sastha to go and get rid of him. Sastha killed the gandharvan and came back. That time Devi asked him to stay back and be a gaurdian for her temple. The present temple for Sastha is on the South west corner of the temple. Since he is protecting the temple he is known as Kaavudaiyon. Here there are 2 idols inside the Sastha temple. 1 is Sastha. The other is Kaavudiyon with a Mace in his hand. People who are affected by evil forces come to this Kaavudaiyon temple and offer him a wooden mace as owe for protecting them.  Every year in the month of March its festival period for this Sastha ending at Uthram of Meenam month / Panguni Uthram – his birth day

SASTHA TEMPLE ( South west corner )

2 IDOLS - SASTHA, KAAVUDAIYON

WALKING BACK FROM SASTHA TEMPLE - SARPA KAAVU (Rear view - on the right)

 SHIVA, VISHNU TEMPLE ( on the right side of the temple)

SHIVAN

VISHNU

 During the 8 day main function of the temple in the month of Meenam, Aaraatu ( taking the ulsava moorthy for holy bath in the temple pond) happens twice daily, morning and evening.  Rather this is the only Devi Kshethram where Aaratu happens twice in a day .

The 8 tanks of aaratu are

1.       Kali kulam

2.       Chera Kulam

3.       Kelan Kukam

4.       Pullan Kulam

5.       Palli kulam

6.       Karupa kulam

7.       Thiru poora kulam

8.       Palli kulam.

These were the 8 holy ponds where Devi went and hid herself

After the aaratu, they take the idol of Devi, Shivan and Vishnu on procession on the 8^th day.

On Magam and Pooram days, ‘ Velai ‘ is celeberated, wherein they pull huge wooden models of Cockerels. But now only smaller versions are used as seen in the picture.

Irati is the oblation offered to Devi. Thadi is offered as oblation to Sastha.

Worship of Maa Kathyayaini was more common during Lord Krishna period. Young gopikas used to worship Maa Kathyayani praying that they should get married to Lord Krisna himself. That practice was more for Devi worship. But in the past 1500 years, this early morning worship in the month of Maargazhi got extended to Saivites, Vaishnavites and even Jains in South.

The early morning pooja if done here at Cherthala Karthyayani temple, in the month of Margazhi will ensure that girls get married to good groomes. 

SWAYAMVARKALA MANTRA

‘Om hreem yogini yogini yogeshwari
yogeshwari yog bhayankari
Sakalsthavarjangmasya mukham
Hradyam mum ashmakarshayakarshaya
Swaha’

KATYAYANI MANTRA

‘Katyayani Mahamaye
Mahayoginiyadheeshwari
Nand Gop Sutam Devi Patim Me
Kuru te Namah’

Durga Gayatri

Om Katyayanyai ca vidhmahe
Kanyakumari ca dhimahi
Tanno Durga pracodayat

Vamana Puranam considers Kathyayani as the Thejo roopam of all Devathas. It goes like this -

 " Thachabi thejo varamuthamam mahath / naamnab rrodivya mamavath prasidim / Kathyayiniyeva ththbabau naam na sa devanaiva jagath prazeeda //

May the divine providence of Devi KATHYAYANI be with all.