Kadakkal Devi Temple
Encyclopedia
Kadakkal Devi Temple is situated at Kollam District, Kerala, India. Kadakkal city is in the eastern part of Kollam District
, Kerala. Kadakkkal is well known for the social revolutionary activities held in the Pre-independent period of India. Kadakkal is an agriculture village and its known for its spice production. Main agricultural cultivation include, Rubber, Coconut, Pepper etc.
Kadakkal Devi Temple is one of the foremost Devi temples in Kerala. The Temple is renowned for its unique mythology and belief. It is believed that one who worships and offering rituals to Devi (Kadakkalamma), will be protected from evil and their life will be filled with prosperity and wealth.
Kadakkal Temple has three main temples situated equal distances in three directions from the Temple Pond (Kadakkal Chira). Main Temples are Devi Temple, Siva Temple and Taliyil Temple.
The uniqueness of the main Devi temple is there no Idol and Pujari. Read Mythology of Kadakkal Temple for more details. The temple festival 'Kadakkal Thiruvathira Mahotsavam' is very popular. During Festival thousands of devotees come to Kadakkal to worship 'Devi'. The first day of the Festival, Thousands of Ladies Offer Pongal to Devi at the Temple Ground. The Festival Start with "Kuthirayeduppu' which is a grand procession followed by 'Kuthiyottam' and various forms of pageants. The festival ends with 'Guruzi', a spiritual ritual performed in the last day of Thiruvathira festival
Mythology
Kadakkal temple has a very unusual mythology related to its existence.
It is believed that Kadakal Devi came from Tamil Nadu along with her sister. Kadakkal Devi situated in Peedika (a small kind of Trade Shop made of wood) near by Kadakkal and Anchal Devi Situated in Kadayattu Kalari near by Anchal.
Another story is related with Panayappan, a Tamil trader who have been killed by Kadakkal Devi as a revenge towards exploitting her family. After that she situated in Kadakkal Peedia, That became the sactum Sanctorium of the Present Kadakkal Temple.
The Nettur Kurup, who was the eyewitness of this incident got the permission from devi to do offering and Pooja for Devi in the Peedika. Every Year Devi's holy birthdate " Thiruvathira" of Kumbha ( According to Malayalam Calendar
) is celebrating as " Thiruvathira Festival" . Devotees celebrate it as the regional Festival of Kadakkal.
Festivals of Kadakkal Temple
The very inmportnat days of Kadakkal Devi Temple is Thiruvathira Nakathram(star) of Malayalam Month Kumbha. This day celebrating as the holy birth day of the mother goddess "Kadakkalamma". The Important events are listed on the table below:
Kadakkal Thiruvathira
Thiruvathira' day in 'Kumbham (According to Malayalam Calendar) celebrates as the holy birthday of Kadakkal Devi. Kadakkal Thiruvathira attracts a large number of devotees from far and near. People celebrate it as the festival of Kadakkal. Every year Thiruvathira come in February- March month.
During Festival thousands of devotees come to Kadakkal to worship Devi. The Festival Start with "Kuthirayeduppu' which is a grand procession followed by 'Kuthiyottam' and various forms of pageants.
Pongal
The first day of Thiruvathira, Thousands of Ladies Offer Pongal to Devi at the Temple Ground. Pongal starts early morning (around 5.30) on Makayiram (The day before Thiruvathira). Devotees from all over the state come for this particular Pongal Festival.Devotees from other districts come and stay nearby Kadakkal to offer Pongal at Early morning. Most of the people stay with relatives or friends. Affordable lodging and accommodation available near by Kadakkal Temple.
Thiru Mudi Ezhunnellathu
This peculiar event happens once in a 12 year. This is a grand procession from Kadakkal Temple to Arakkal Temple (Anchal) carrying holy circlet of Kadakkal Devi (Thirumudi). It is believed that the sister of Kadakkal Devi situated in Arakkal Temple.
The last Grand Procession happened in 2002. The next Procession will be in 2014.
Guruzi
The ten day "Thiruvathira" festival ends with 'Guruzi'. This is a spiritual ritual performed in the last day of Thiruvathira festival. Guruzi starts at midnight and continues till early morning. There will be number of pageants followed by the holy circlet procession (Thirumudi Ezhunnallippu).
Thousands of devotees gather in the temple on this day to witness this spectacle which they believe the realization and manifestation of devotion to Kadakkal Devi (Kadakalamma).
Kollam district
-Climate:Kollam's temperature is almost steady throughout the year. The average temperature ranges from 25 to 32 degrees Celsius. Summer usually runs from March until May; the monsoon begins by June and ends by September. Kollam receives an annual average rainfall of around...
, Kerala. Kadakkkal is well known for the social revolutionary activities held in the Pre-independent period of India. Kadakkal is an agriculture village and its known for its spice production. Main agricultural cultivation include, Rubber, Coconut, Pepper etc.
Kadakkal Devi Temple is one of the foremost Devi temples in Kerala. The Temple is renowned for its unique mythology and belief. It is believed that one who worships and offering rituals to Devi (Kadakkalamma), will be protected from evil and their life will be filled with prosperity and wealth.
Kadakkal Temple has three main temples situated equal distances in three directions from the Temple Pond (Kadakkal Chira). Main Temples are Devi Temple, Siva Temple and Taliyil Temple.
The uniqueness of the main Devi temple is there no Idol and Pujari. Read Mythology of Kadakkal Temple for more details. The temple festival 'Kadakkal Thiruvathira Mahotsavam' is very popular. During Festival thousands of devotees come to Kadakkal to worship 'Devi'. The first day of the Festival, Thousands of Ladies Offer Pongal to Devi at the Temple Ground. The Festival Start with "Kuthirayeduppu' which is a grand procession followed by 'Kuthiyottam' and various forms of pageants. The festival ends with 'Guruzi', a spiritual ritual performed in the last day of Thiruvathira festival
Mythology
Kadakkal temple has a very unusual mythology related to its existence.
It is believed that Kadakal Devi came from Tamil Nadu along with her sister. Kadakkal Devi situated in Peedika (a small kind of Trade Shop made of wood) near by Kadakkal and Anchal Devi Situated in Kadayattu Kalari near by Anchal.
Another story is related with Panayappan, a Tamil trader who have been killed by Kadakkal Devi as a revenge towards exploitting her family. After that she situated in Kadakkal Peedia, That became the sactum Sanctorium of the Present Kadakkal Temple.
The Nettur Kurup, who was the eyewitness of this incident got the permission from devi to do offering and Pooja for Devi in the Peedika. Every Year Devi's holy birthdate " Thiruvathira" of Kumbha ( According to Malayalam Calendar
Malayalam calendar
Malayalam calendar is a solar and sidereal Hindu calendar used in Kerala, India. The origin of the calendar has been dated as 825 CE....
) is celebrating as " Thiruvathira Festival" . Devotees celebrate it as the regional Festival of Kadakkal.
Festivals of Kadakkal Temple
The very inmportnat days of Kadakkal Devi Temple is Thiruvathira Nakathram(star) of Malayalam Month Kumbha. This day celebrating as the holy birth day of the mother goddess "Kadakkalamma". The Important events are listed on the table below:
Kadakkal Thiruvathira
Thiruvathira' day in 'Kumbham (According to Malayalam Calendar) celebrates as the holy birthday of Kadakkal Devi. Kadakkal Thiruvathira attracts a large number of devotees from far and near. People celebrate it as the festival of Kadakkal. Every year Thiruvathira come in February- March month.
During Festival thousands of devotees come to Kadakkal to worship Devi. The Festival Start with "Kuthirayeduppu' which is a grand procession followed by 'Kuthiyottam' and various forms of pageants.
Pongal
The first day of Thiruvathira, Thousands of Ladies Offer Pongal to Devi at the Temple Ground. Pongal starts early morning (around 5.30) on Makayiram (The day before Thiruvathira). Devotees from all over the state come for this particular Pongal Festival.Devotees from other districts come and stay nearby Kadakkal to offer Pongal at Early morning. Most of the people stay with relatives or friends. Affordable lodging and accommodation available near by Kadakkal Temple.
Thiru Mudi Ezhunnellathu
This peculiar event happens once in a 12 year. This is a grand procession from Kadakkal Temple to Arakkal Temple (Anchal) carrying holy circlet of Kadakkal Devi (Thirumudi). It is believed that the sister of Kadakkal Devi situated in Arakkal Temple.
The last Grand Procession happened in 2002. The next Procession will be in 2014.
Guruzi
The ten day "Thiruvathira" festival ends with 'Guruzi'. This is a spiritual ritual performed in the last day of Thiruvathira festival. Guruzi starts at midnight and continues till early morning. There will be number of pageants followed by the holy circlet procession (Thirumudi Ezhunnallippu).
Thousands of devotees gather in the temple on this day to witness this spectacle which they believe the realization and manifestation of devotion to Kadakkal Devi (Kadakalamma).