KAVASSERY BHAGAVATHY TEMPLE

KAVASSERY BHAGAVATHY TEMPLE

Dear friends,  

This posting is about Kavassery Bhagavathi temple near Alathur in  Palght. Kavassery Bhagavathi is the kula Deivam of many Kerala iyers. Hope the compilation about the temple from different websites will be informative.  

Sincerely,

Gopalakrishnan 24-6-2020

1.Legend

The almighty, Pallikkadi, Parakkadi, Kunnaikadi, and Kodikkady named 4 goddesses together started from a place called Thiruvadi. The legend goes like, after a long journey, the goddess Pallikkadi has settled down in a place called, Paruvassery in Kannabra, the goddess Kunnakkadi settled down in Thennilapuram, the goddess Kodikkadi has settled down in Vadakkancheri. 

But the Goddess Parakkady, after resting in Chakyar kodoth, in Kavassery, proceeded to a place where PARAYA community people have lived. Its been believed that the goddess Parakkady has went in to a home in that place, and told the people that, the goddess want to settle down there and the people should conduct poojas and festivals there. 

But the poor people replied to the goddess that, they were very poor people and they are not financially sound to conduct poojas and festivals. Its said that, by hearing that, The goddess gave a "Kuzhal" ( a musical instrument like trumpet) and few other musical instruments and asked them to think of the goddess and go, there by they will be able to get all the things what they required to conduct poojas and festivals. Then the goddess left the place after seeing the in-hygiene surroundings and settled down in the place where the existing temple situates.

1 a Another Legend

It has been believed that, one day, when the Goddess was walking in the dense forest, one Manthravadi was coming along the way who was going for fishing. With the powerful RAKSHA which the manthravadi was wearing, he was able to concur the goddess and asked her to carry the fish carrier ( kooda) and walk with him. That manthravadi was believed to be Chathu ammaman of Kulangara house. 

One day, when the manthravadi was on his way to fishing, and lost his powerful raksha, Devi shown him the real power of her and killed Chathu ammaman, and cut in to 18.5 pieces and thrown in to different places. Those places has been asked to raise the flag post before 7 days of mamangam which is been held in that place. The goddess also ordered that, in response to the activity of chathu ammaman, the ladies of Kulangara family should carry the goddess's vigraham, and should come to all the 18.5 flag posts. That's called "OORVALAM". 

That activity has become the right of Kulangara family. There are many such myths regarding this temple, but the main fact is that, the Goddess is so powerful and her blessings have always brought the disciples all the goodness and the good things they have asked for.

2 History

Its believed that , In order to get Shaapa Moksha from the Goddess, the king of Palakkad, who has lived in Meledam, gave the paddy fields (of kalichira, moolichira, chembarahty ) and the near by areas in the name of the Godess Parakkady for the poojas and other activities. After some time, the king gave the administration to thiruvadi Kodanath Nair Tharavadu.

Then after its been entrusted to mullakal village Pattali (Brahmin Family). When that administration ended, its been took over by the Government of Kerala and put under the administration of Devasom board. Now the temple is been administered by the trustees and managers under the governance of Devasom board. 

In the olden days, the temple has almost 1000 acres of paddy field. When the land law implemented, all the paddy field is been lost to the common people. 

Now the daily activities is been carried on with the annuity amount received from the government of Kerala, Devotees deposits, donation and Vazhipadu.

3 Parakkattu Bhagawathy Temple By P.R.Ramachander

This temple is situated in Kavasseri which is five kilometers from Alathur, and is twenty kilometers from Palakkad. The holy Gayathri River flows by the side of this temple.

3.1 Legend

The story goes that while Goddess Durga was trying to kill Mookasura, from every drop of his blood which was spilled, one Asura arose. Goddess ultimately killed all of them. One of that asuras was Para. It is believed that Para was killed in this forest and the name of the temple is derived from this.

 It is said that initially the Goddess took her place in a place called Paracheribut later migrated to the present place which is called Koottala.

She was dissatisfied being there and requested for a fire torch (Pandam) from an old lady belonging to Unnikumarathu family.That lady made a bundle of paddy straws, tied it in a cloth and dipped it in oil and after lighting same gave it to her. The goddess took that torch and arrived at Kavasseri. This temple is believed to be at least 300 years old.

4 Festival- Bhagavathi pattu

In the month of meena (March-April), the village plants 18 bamboo posts(aria Kodi maram) and the goddess is brought from the temple to this place in a procession. The people of Unnikumarathu family hold the torch before this procession. Later a festival for seven days is celebrated. There would be a song called "Bhagawathi Pattu" sung during these seven days.

People of all castes join in the worship at this temple. There are special rights for many of the castes of this area during the festival.

 It is believed that once upon a time humans were sacrificed to propitiate the Goddess. Once when a young boy was about to be sacrificed he cried and entreated the Goddess to save him. The goddess threw the sword and shield in a near by well. After that the custom of sacrifice was stopped at this temple.

It is believed that this goddess is the sister of Mangottu Kavu Bhagwathi of Athi Petta. Every year she goes shuttling down to her own temple for seven days to be with her sister. This takes place in the month of Meena (March-April).

If any male child is born in any of the houses in the surrounding village, they would come and make a musical throaty sound(Kurava) facing the temple of the Goddess.

5 PARAKKAD BHAGAVATHY from another website

Prathishta / Presiding Deity : Parasakthi (Varahi)

The presiding deity is Parasakthi in the form of Varahi. The unique feature of this temple is that people irrespective of caste and creed participate in all the rituals of this temple. The temple is managed by a board of trustees. There is also prathishta in Linga form in the normal granite for which abhishek is performed.

5.1 Important Festivals

Kavasseri Pooram is annually celebrated in grand manner which is in the month of Meenam month of Malayalam calendar.

Navratri festival is celebrated. And also Ramayana masam is special.

5.2 Main offerings

The main offerings of the temple are Ganapathy Homam, Palabhishekam and Thulabharam.

5.3 Festivals

Parakkad Bhagavathi Temple is located at Parakkad near Kavasseri in Palakkad District of Kerala. Kavasseri is about 5 km west of Alathur, on the Thrissur-Palakkad route. Palakkad Junction Railway Station is the nearest railhead.

Parakkat Bhagavathy Temple, located at Kavassery in Palakkad, is famous for the annual Pooram Mahostavam. Held for seven days commencing from Makeeryam asterism in the Malayalam of Meenam (March – April) and ends on Pooram asterism the festival is regionally known as Kavassery Pooram. The main highlights of this pooram festival are the traditional orchestra's (melam) performance like Pancharimelam, Panchavadyam, Kuthuvilakku Purappedal and Double Thayambaka. Another highlight of the festival is the Kuthira (effigies of horse) procession.

The temple dates back to 17th century C.E and the concept (sankalpa) of the deity is that of Goddess Bhagavathy after slaying an Asura (demon) by the name Paran.

5.4 Main Attraction

Kuthira Procession, Elephants

6 Address

Sree Bhagavathy Temple, Parakkat

Kavassery PO

Palakkad – 678543 phone: +91 4922 222193

Website: www.parakkat.org

7 Festival date

In the Malayalam of Meenam (March – April), he temple is approached with prayers for the longevity of a husband. Significance

8 Specialty of the temple

Devotees visit this temple to seek fulfilment of the following:-

 Marriage -Get married to a person of a girl's choice—Health- and longevity of husband

9 Shlokas

Sarva Mangala Maangalye Sive Sarvaardha Saadhike, Saranye Tryambake Gauri Naarayani Namosthuthe

Meaning -We offer you our salutations, Oh auspicious Naraayani, who is the good of all good, who can achieve everything and can offer refuge, Oh three-eyed Gowri.

Saranaangatha Dheenaartha Parithraana Paraayane Sarvasyaarthi Hare Devi Naaraayani Namosthuthe

Meaning -We offer salutations to you, Oh Narayani, who has the infinite power of creating, preserving and destroying. You are the basis and epitome of the 3 gunas.

Sarvaroope Sarvese Sarvasakthi Samanvithe, Bhayebhyastrahi No Devi Durge Devi Namosthuthe

Meaning -I offer my salutations to you mother Durga, who is present in all beings and has all power, save us from all our wrongdoings O mother of the universe.

 

Yaa Devi Sarva Bhooteshu Shakthi Roopena Samsthita Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha

Meaning -Salutations to the Goddess who resides as Shakti in all beings.