Panachikkad Saraswathi Temple

Panachikkad Saraswathi Temple in Kottayam district is considered so powerful a shrine that it is popularly known as the Mookambika of the South. The presiding deity of the temple is Goddess Saraswati (goddess of learning and the arts), and the temple holds an annual Saraswathi pooja in October / November. Children are initiated into the world of letters and knowledge at the Vidhyarambham ceremony held here.

Kollur Mookambika Temple in Karnataka, witnesses a large number of devotees, especially Malayalees, during Navratri. The Kollur Temple attracts devotees especially for the ritual of Vidyarambham during Navratri and witnesses a large crowd for the same. For those who are unable to make it to the abode of Kollur Mookambika, visit the Panachikkadu Temple which is also known as Dakshina Mookambika.

Although the temple gets its name and fame after the presence of Saraswathi, she is not the presiding deity here, but Maha Vishnu is. Hence, those who come here, offer their prayers first to Lord Vishnu and only then head towards the shrine of goddess Saraswathi, which is located a few metres south of Maha Vishnu's shrine.

One can notice the shrine of the goddess is actually a rectangular pond-like structure which has been carved out of a granite hillock. The shrine does not have a traditional sanctum sanctorum and other grand structures of a typical temple, but dwells in a pond which is surrounded by green creeper plants which further adds to the beauty of the place.

Getting there
Nearest railway station: Kottayam Railway Station, about 11 km
Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, about 95 km
Google map coordinates: GHQ2+5X Panachikkad, Kerala