Chakkulathukavu Sree Bhagavathy Temple

Chakkulathukavu Temple has a mention in the Hindu epic Devi Mahatmyam. Two demons Sumbha and Nisumbha attained miraculous powers from Lord Brahma due to their prayers and meditation. The boon was that they would die only owing to the attack of a woman. With this boon in their favour, the demons attacked and conquered many Gods, including Indra. On seeing this sad situation, Lord Narada met his father Brahma to seek a solution. In Brahma's words, the remaining Gods went in search of the Goddess who could save them.

Legend has it that the Goddess heard their prayers and fought the demons to destruction, thus saving the Gods and getting them their powers back. The shrine worshipped at Chakkulathukavu Temple is believed to be another form of the Goddess, thus is considered to be a pious place of worship and the deity here is also considered to be very powerful. The temple is popularly known as the "Sabarimala of women". Thousands of women take part in the grand festival that celebrates the power of the Goddess, or a woman. The festival happens in the month of Vrischikam, which falls in November-December every year.

The annual Pongala festival of Chakkulathukavu Sree Bhagavathy temple is as famous as the pongala festival of Attukal Bhagavathy temple. Lakhs of women from different areas of South India gather here to offer pongala nivedyam, a sweet porridge made up of rice, jaggery, coconut and dry fruits. They line up on both the sides of roads that lead to this temple to prepare pongala payasam which is a favorite dish of the goddess. Sometimes the queue extends up to an unexpected length of 20 kilometers. This festival is conducted every year on the Karthika star of the Malayalam month Vrischikam (November-December). It is believed that the glory of Goddess Durga in this temple is at its peak on this day.

Naree Pooja is another major festival of Chakkulathukavu Sree Bhagavathy temple. Hindu tradition believes that God gets pleased wherever women are adorned. Naree Pooja is a unique ceremony where women are seated on specially decorated seats. The priests wash the feet of women respectfully. It is a way of giving respect and reverence to womanhood. Many devotees visit this temple on this day to witness this special ritual. The first Friday of every Malayalam month is also important for this temple. Special rituals and spiritual functions are conducted on this day and hundreds of devotees reach the temple to participate in them.

Getting there

Nearest railway station: Thiruvalla Railway Station, about 10 km

Nearest airport: Trivandrum International Airport, about 81 km

Google map coordinates: 9G87+QM Niranam, Kerala