Attukal Bhagawati Temple
This temple is known as Sabarimala of women as women accorded supreme importance here. The Bhagawati is considered as creator, preserver, saver and destroyer. The devotees who visit the famous Padmanabha Swami temple in Thiruvananthapuram also visit Attukal Bhagawati and vice-versa as customary.
The visitors to the temple will be aghast by the intricate architecture of the temple. It incorporates the brilliance of Kerala and Tamil Nadu architecture. The figures of Goddess Kali, Rajarajeshwari, Mahishasuramardini, Parvathi, Shiva and numerous other Goddesses accommodated in and around the temple are enticing and revealing. The corridors bear the depictions of various Gods and the epic versions of Dasavathara, (ten incarnations of Vishnu) and carvings and sculptures of Ganesh, the serpent God and Shiva. Front Gopuram (tower) is a giant one which narrates the story of Kannaki. Dhakshayaga is depicted on the southern Gopuram and the decorative entrance gate is a fine example of refined and intricate architecture.
The sanctum sanctorum is treasured by two idols of the Goddess. One is covered by ornamental gold embedded with glittering stones and the other seated beside has no gold covering. Nobody knows the legends behind the twin idols and their different stature.
There is an interesting story behind the deity and the temple. Head of the Mullaveettil family was performing some rituals in Killi river in an evening. At this time a young gril appeared before him and requested to help her go to the other bank of the river. He readily agreed and helped to cross the river. Impressed by her behaviour and charming appearance, he invited her to his house. The girl accepted the invitation and followed him to his house. The family members soon engaged to prepare meal for the invitee-guest and after the preparation when they looked for her to dine the girl was untraceable. During that night in dream Bhagawati appeared before the family head who invited the young girl and told him to create an abode for her at a three lined spot in the nearby grove. In the morning the dreamer went to the dreamed spot where he found three lines on the ground. He constructed a temple there and installed an idol of Bhagawati. Later on when the temple subjected to renovation the dovotees replaced the image of the deity with a modified one having four arms holding destructive weapons in each (sword, shield, spear and skull).
All important religious events celebrated here. Notable among them are Shivaratri, Mandala Vritham, Pooja Vaipu, Vinayaka Chathurthi, Karthika, Ayilla Pooja, Aiswarya Pooja, Ramayana Parayanam, Akandanama Japam etc. Almost all special offerings and rituals in major temples are also conducted here. An atmosphere of divinity prevails all around.
The major festival is Pongala in which participants are women alone. The Pongala is a 10-day event. It is held in Kumbham (February/March) on Karthika star day. The festival concludes with Kuruthi Dharpanam (sacrificial offering) in the night. The surrounding areas of the temple which include compounds of the houses of all castes, creeds and religions, premises of commercial institutions and government offices, open fields, road sides etc serve as venue for conducting Pongala rituals. Several thousands of ladies participate and the event is akin to Kumbamela Festival of North India.
More temples in Thiruvananthapuram
