CHAKKULATHU KAVU DEVI TEMPLE 1
Dear friends,
This is a posting about Chakkulathu Kavu Devi temple near Tiruvalla in Kerala. I had been to the temple about 5 years back after the temple renovation. This is part 1 of the posting. Most of the information are compiled from websites.
Sincerely,
Gopala Krishnan 27-09-09
Re posted on 28-07-2020 after editing and updating . R. Gopala Krishnan
1.Introduction
Chakkulathamma is famously known as the Mother who answers the call of her devotees. Countless pilgrims irrespective of caste creed and colour reach the shrine. The benevolent look of Goddess unfolds a thousand lotus flowers of real bhakthi in the minds of devotees. Chanting of Her names and mantras destroys the feelings of ignorance and pride like the flames of fire that overcomes the darkness. Many are the miracles that we see right in front of the Goddess Chakkulathamma
2.Temple Location
The temple is situated 12 Km westward from the town of Thiruvalla in Neerattupuram Junction. The famous rivers of Pampa and Manimala flow on either side of the temple.
Buses reach Chakkulathukavu from several places of Kerala. From Thiruvalla one can reach Chakkulathu kavu in 15 minutes drive by car. KSRTC buses ply every 10 minutes from Thiruvalla to Chakkulathukavu and bus terminal is in front of the temple itself.
3. Legend about the temple –appearance of Vanadurga
The legend about the temple dates back to almost 3000 years. Area where the temple stands now was a big forest. A hunter had his hut near it and with the idea of collecting firewood one day he entered in the forest. He had his wife and children along with him. The hunter saw a serpent moving towards him all on a sudden. The hunter attacked the snake with his axe.
But the snake was not got hurt and it simply slipped into the forest. The hunter knew well that an attacked snake is dangerous if spared. So he decided to follow it. Finally he reached a lake. He could observe a 'Chithalputtu' and found a snake sitting on a shell.
It was the very snake that he had axed and slipped. Not a second to waste, the hunter thrust his axe again and again upon the serpent. But it was like cutting in the air. Surprisingly the serpent disappeared.
The hunter got horrified at this incidence. With in seconds he saw that abundant water oozing out from the shell. The hunter watched with awe and wonder. 'Akshatham' and 'Darbha' appeared there in front of him. Meanwhile the wife and kids of the hunter joined him. All were spell bound at the unbelievable sight in front of them.
Suddenly a hermit appeared in front of the hunter. The hermit informed him that the very Goddess who is the Mother of the Universe is residing with full powers inside the shell of sand. He advised the hunter to respectfully pay homage while he break the shell. The idol of a Goddess Vanadurga was within it. This Goddess was sure to shower many fold blessings.
The hermit broke the shell and took out the idol. The hunter and his family bowed before it. Meanwhile the hermit too disappeared. The hunter took the idol to his hut brought flowers from the forest, offered garlands and prayed. That night he had a dream and it's was in this dream that the hunter understood that the hermit was sage Narada.
In the next morning, many had gathered near the hut of the hunter. They made many offerings to the Goddess. Henceforth that place turned out to be a spiritually exceptional one. A small temple was constructed and the idol was worshipped in it.
4. Mythological details about the Vana Durga at Chakkulathu kavu
The mythology of the Vanadurga is related to the Sumbha and Nishumbha referred to in the Devi Mahatmyam. The story goes that two demoniac characters called Sumbha and Nishumbha derived super human powers through rigorous meditation of Lord Brahma. They received a boon that they could be killed only through a battle with woman. Such a condition being almost impossible, Sumbha and Nishumbha conquered Indra and other Devas. They became the unquestioned monarchs of the three worlds. The helpless Devas under had to flee away and take shelter in remote jungles.
Saint Narada feeling pity at the misery of the Gods approached his father Lord Brahma. Brahma told Narada that ups and downs are the law of life and that was what the Gods were experiencing. There was only one way out for this despicable state of affair. Only one power could restore power and prosperity to Gods and that power was none other than the Goddess Durga. Devas accordingly moved in search of Goddess.
Reaching near Himavan, the epic King of the mountains, they started chanting powerful mantras to appease the Goddess. Goddess Parvathy had just arrived on the banks of river Ganga at that time. Echoes of the mantras reached her. There was a touch of grief and pleading in the sounds of Devas. Goddess Parvathy realised the pitiable plight of Devas. From her thoughts emerged another Goddess as if something comes out of a cover. This was the incarnation of Goddess Durga, having taken a divine form to rescue the Devas from the hardships caused by the asuras.
Needless to say, the Goddess annihilated all the asuras. The Devas got back the early powers and prosperities. Sage Narada appeared in front of the Gods and explained them about the invincibility of goddess Durga. She was the cause as well as witness for the creation, maintenance and destruction the universe, told Narada.
It is believed that the Goddess residing in Chakkulathukavu is a wholesome reaction of this all-pervading Goddess namely Durga.
5. Pattamana Illam
Years and generations passed like that. Poojas of the temple were structured systematically. Members of a nearby Nampoothiri Illam namely Pattamana constructed proper temple. The idol similar to that of Sivalainga, taken out by Narada was installed in the Sanctum sanctorum with all the prescribed ceremonies and Poojas.
Pattamana Illam still stands near the temple. Members of this family have always been dearer to the goddess. Damodaran Nambudiri is the Chief Priest now. His childhood days vibrate with powerful reflections of the kindness and blessings of Chakkulathamma.
Everyday there was the "Therali Nyvedyam" (a special sweet preparation of rice and jiggery covered with plantain leaves). During his childhood days Damodaran Nambudiri used to ask for this Nyvedyam to his father.
6. Benevolent Mother Goddess
On days his father told him just like that to ask the Goddess for Therali and fruits. The innocent child pleaded the Goddess to give him sweet and fruits. As the child was repeatedly crying for the eatables there was a sound from inside the sanctum sanctorum. Somebody seemed to mention that fruits would soon reach the temple.
Suddenly some devotees approached the temple with basketful of fruits. So intimate was the love of Chakkulathamma to children.. This love becomes renowned that parents used to visit the temple with their children.
Missing children were soon regained through prayers. Diseases were wonderfully cured. Worship of Chakkulathamma sharpens the intellect of children; The Goddess was adored by all as the phenomenal "The Mother who answers".
7. Chakkarkulam
Many places near the temple have derived their original names from the legend about the temple. For instance, the water in the historical pond of the temple had the sweetness of jiggery. 'Chakkara kulam' became shortened in the long run and came to be known as Chakkulam.
'Neeru' in Malayalam means water. Water was absorbed into the sand shell, which contained the idol. So the place around the temple came to be called as 'Neerattupuram'. And the word denotes the place, which carried and contained the holy water.
8 Renovation of the temple
The temple was renovated in 1981. The illuminating idol of Vana Durga with the holy eight hands is installed near the original idol. Lord Shiva, Sastha, Vishnu, Vinayaka, Muruka, Yakshi, Serpent Gods and Navagrahas are installed as 'Upa Devas'.
My note- I had the fortune to visit the temple well after renovation in an evening prayer.
9 Major festivals
9.1 Pongala
This is the phenomenally renowned festival that takes place in the temple during the month of 'Vrischikam' (November/December). This is the time when the glory of the Goddess is at its peak. Lakhs of women devotees gather around the temple as early as even one week before the function.
The temple premises would be overcrowded and the devotees arrange place for offering the Pongal on both sides of the mains streets. The queue usually extends to a surprising length of 20 km. Chakkulathu Kavu pongala is 2nd or equal to famous Attukal Pongala at Trivandrum.
I will have addition about the origin of Pongala in the next part of the posting.
9.2. Naree Pooja
Hindu tradition had always bestowed reverence and acceptance to Indian womanhood. It often reminded humanity that a woman who is respected is the cause for prosperity whereas a woman is dishonoured is exactly like fire and can annihilate everything.
We had even women who rose themselves to the pinnacle of spirituality and gave new dimensions to our culture like Maitreyi and Gargi.
Chakkulathu kavu temple has absorbed this glowing concept and introduced a very appealing ceremony "The Naree Pooja". Women are seated on specially arranged seats. Their feet are respectfully washed. This is an indirect expression of the divine Mother. Thousands of women are invited to take part in this function. Innumerable devotees stand as witness to this rare ritual that proclaims the potency and glory of the divine Mother.
9.3.The First Friday
The first Friday of every Malayalam month marks a spiritually significant day for the Temple. Devotees who observe rigorous fasting and reach the shrine on this day. The number of persons who gather themselves to have a visit of the Mother on this day are literally countless. Special spiritual functions are also conducted on this day. The small idol of the God, which is usually placed inside the sanctum sanctorum beside the main idol, is carried in procession and brought to the specially arranged place for prayer.
Devotees sings hymns and songs in praise of Mother. Scholarly and informative talks are made about spiritual subjects; the chief priest and members of the Pattamana Illam will lead the functions. They will be accompanied by Vedic Brahmin of depth and devotion. As the function progresses the atmosphere is charged with a rare glow of spirituality and divinity.
Celibacy is a must during the day of fasting. The devotee should unfailingly abstain himself from non-vegetarian food, liquors and the like. They should have their bath in the morning as well as in the evening. Sick people can take exemption according to circumstances.
Both male and female members irrespective of age can observe the fasting observing the fast. Those women who are regularly observing the fast on every Friday need not think of the fasting has broken due to menses periods. Such Fridays should not be taken as a day of fasting for completion of any desired number of Fridays. Those persons who observe the fasting only for one or two Fridays of every month should observe the fasting exactly on those periodic Fridays on the succeeding month of regular order. Mental purity and unpolluted devotion should be developed. Births or deaths in the family should be deemed as breaking the fasting. In such cases fasting must be again begun from the beginning.
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