Travel Guide to Famous Temples

Malayalapuzha Devi Temple is located at Malayalapuzha in Pathanamthitta District in Kerala. Malayalappuzha Temple is dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathy. The temple is famous for its beautiful wall paintings and artistic stone carvings and is situated atop a hill. The idol of the main deity of Goddess Bhadrakali popularly known as Malayalapuzha Amma. It is about 5.5 feet tall and is made of a mixture of molasses, clay and herbs.  

The goddess is worshipped for protecting the devotee from enemies, obtaining a job for the unemployed and helping the business to flourish. There is a small idol of Veerabhadra just before the entrance of the sanctum. Another striking idol that can be seen in this temple is that of Goddess Parvathi, with baby Ganapathi sitting on her lap.

The Naga Raja is consecrated just outside the temple, close to which is a Konna tree has grown, which flowers daily all along the year. A Shiva linga that is present below this tree is believed to keep on growing by the people of this region. They also believe that in order to receive immediate rain, the linga should be bathed with tender coconut water. There is a much smaller temple-like structure for the grandfather who actually brought Bhagavathy here and it is called Sri Kandeswari Moorthi Kaavu.

History and Legend of Malayalappuzha Temple

• Malayalappuzha Temple was originally situated in a small village called Edathitta, in Pathanamthitta Dist. This was a full-fledged village, ruled by Raja Shaktibhadran. He was the only Sanskrit south Indian writer. One day a Tantrik from Malayalapuzha visited this place, as he heard a lot about this temple. Malayalpuzha was in drought for many years. So the Tantrik with his power migrated the shakti’s of the Devi to Malayalapuzha. And the place progressed like anything. As the shakti’s were taken away from edathitta, the place faced many destructions.
• And gradually there were no signs of  Malayalappuzha Temple. Then according to the prashnakundali people found out that when it was migrated and when will it come back, as the power cannot be transferred completely. It mentioned that it will take 3000 years for this shakti to come back. And in 1992, somebody from that village saw a dream that the vigraham and the pooja utensils were beneath the ground. People started digging that place, where they found everything mentioned by the person. And the villagers then contributed towards the temple. And it is very famous now.
• According to one more legend, an old Namboodiri who came back after worshipping Kollur Mookambika had this vision that the Goddess agreed to come with him. When they reached a particular spot, she refused to move any further. The temple was constructed as per the wish of the Goddess and the earlier temple was about 5 kilometres from the location of the current temple. The Edappally Raja then moved the temple to the current location of Malayalappuzha.
• In earlier days the idol is supposed to have been changed every twelve years. But at a particular point in time, Bhagavathy had supposedly ordered not to change the idol in a dream and they have not changed it ever since.

Significance of Malayalappuzha Temple

• The people come here from far and near with prayers for girls to get married to good husbands soon. This is the main prayer for the pilgrims who come here.  Also, the prasad that is offered here is utmost delicious and devotees offer that in thanks for fulfilling their wishes.
• It is also believed among the devotees visiting this temple that if they worship the Brahma Rakshas, located on the eastern part of the temple. They will get rid of black magic, ghosts and other evils affecting them.  
• In this temple Golden Showering tree which provides shade to ‘Shiv Linga’ idol flowers every day year-round. If unction of several tender coconuts is done on that idol it will rain in any hot summer is a  belief. Cobra snakes are seen lying around that ‘Siva Linga’ idol mostly.
• Malayalapuzha Rajan got Gajaraja Pattom which is the auspicious elephant of Kerala.  He is very calm and has a height of 9.5 feet.  His wider eyes and triangle-shaped ears are capturing sights for the elephant crazy Kerala. He has the record of taking the idol of ‘Sri Dharmashastha’  for the last 20 years.
• The deity in Malayalappuzha Temple is an idol which is having a height of five and a half feet. It is composed of so many materials and the method by which it is made up is known as ‘Kadu Sarkara Yogam’.
• Several types of wood pieces several  Ayurvedic herbs, Milk, Ghee, Jaggery, Turmeric, Sandalwood, Camphor, Gold, Silver, Sand, Natural glue etc. are only some of the ingredients used to make it. All the parts like in the human body are included in it. At the time of consecration, the priests give it the power of energy by Tantric methods.

Malayalappuzha Temple Temple Timings

Malayalappuzha Temple is open for darshan from 5:00 AM to 1:00 PM and in the evening 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

Deeparadhana is conducted between 6:30 PM and 7:00 PM

Festivals celebrated at Malayalappuzha Temple

Malayalapuzha Temple Utsavam: The annual festival or utsavam is observed in Malayalam Kumbham month as per traditional Hindu calendar followed in Kerala. The annual festival of the temple commences from the Thiruvathira of Kumbhom and its last for 11 days. Though it is a Hindu temple, Christians and Muslims visit here to seek the blessings of the Devi. Various unique offerings are made at the shrine during the period. Traditional performing arts, music and dance are staged during the period. Caparisoned elephants, melam, fireworks and sheevali are part of the festival. The festival ends with Arattu. The utsava murti of the deity is taken out of the shrine for ritual bathing on the final day.

Vinayaka Chathurthi: Lord Ganesha is worshipped with all sixteen rituals along with chanting of Puranik Mantras during Ganesha Chaturthi Puja which is also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi Puja. Lord Ganesha is considered as the prime god to worship before starting any new venture or task, as per the Hindu customs. The festival lasts for 10 days, ending on Ananta Chaturdashi, and is traditionally celebrated as the birthday of Lord Ganesha. It is believed that Lord Ganesh was born on the fourth day of the bright fortnight of the Hindu lunar month of Magh. Since then, an association between Ganesh and Chaturthi has been established. During the festival days, the Lord is worshipped with great devotion and prayer services are performed daily. There are many devotees who visit the temple and offer their prayers.

Navaratri: This festival is observed twice a year, once at the beginning of summer and again at the onset of winter. These nine days are marked by the worship of the nine forms of Goddess Shakti / Devi. In Kerala, the Vijayadashami day is also considered auspicious for initiating children into the world of letters, which is called Vidyarambham. In the ceremony, words symbolizing the name of God are written on the tongue of the child with a golden ring. The child is also made to write letters in a plate of rice with the help of elders.

Sivarathri: Maha Shivratri, the night of the worship of Shiva, falls on the Krishna Chathurdasi day, on the 14th night of the new moon. In the month of Megha or sometimes in Phalguna also. Shiva is the Supreme Consciousness that illuminates the three states of waking, dreaming and deep sleep. Offering the threefold bilva leaves to the Shivalinga heralds the return to a level of consciousness beyond the three states, which is the fourth state, turiya. The name Shiva does not appear in the Vedas. However, he is identified with the Vedic god Rudra, lord of songs, sacrifices, nourishment, the healer of diseases and provider of property.

Poojas and Rituals at Malayalappuzha Temple

• Tuesday and Friday are considered as the most auspicious days for the darshan of the Goddess. Special pujas are held here for driving away evil spirits and for this purpose only red flowers known as raktha pushpanjali is used.
• To relieve the problems caused by enemies by black magic or by any other evil methods, ‘Raktha Pushpanjali’ is performed. The sweetened rice is known as ‘Chathussatham’ is done by the devotees for getting prosperity. For prophylactic purposes and for physical well being fowl bird is brought and set free in the temple compound is a ritual followed here.
• There is another ritual known as ‘Malayalapuzha Thoopu’ which is performed mostly by farmers. They will display an item which is supplied from the temple on their farm by which nobody will dare to steal anything from that farm.

How to reach: Road, Rail and Air

By Road: Pathanamthitta is well connected to all major cities in Kerala and it is called the spiritual hub as most of the Sabarimala pilgrims also reach here and take a different route. Find out Sabarimala Opening Dates here. So, there are a lot of taxis that ply in this region and there are good numbers of KSRTC buses as well.

By Rail: The nearest railway station to this temple is Chengannur, located at a distance of about 33 km.

By Air: The nearest airport to this temple is Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, located at a distance of about 107 km.

Where to stay

There are decent hotels that operate in the area and pilgrims should be able to find accommodation there. There are no facilities to stay in the temple.

• Kizhakkedathu Tourist Home Contact: Pathanamthitta, Kerala 689645
• Hotel Mannil Regency Contact: Kaipattoor Pathanamthitta Rd, Pathanamthitta, Kerala 689645
• Hotel Wyte Portico Contact: High School Jn, Karuvatta, Pathanamthitta, Adoor, Kerala 691523
• Hotel Midhuna International Contact: Enathu, Kottarakara – Adoor Road, Pathanamthitta
• Park Residency Hotel and Bar Contact: Thiruvalla-Kumbazha Highway, Kozhenchery, Pathanamthitta, Kerala 689641
• Hotel Hey-Day Contact: Thiruvalla-Kumbazha Hwy, Valanchuzhy, Pathanamthitta, Kerala 689645

Where to eat

The cuisine of Kerala is characterized by the use of coconut. One can’t imagine Kerala food without chillies, curry leaf, mustard seed, tamarind and asafetida. The Dal curry made of small gram and ghee. Sambar, the famous south Indian vegetable stew in which any available combination of vegetables is boiled in a gravy. There are various restaurants nearby that offer such delicious food.

• Aananda Bavan Vegetarian Restaurant Contact: Thiruvalla-Kumbazha Hwy, Pathanamthitta, Kerala 689645
• Hotel Evergreen Continental Contact: Kaipattoor Pathanamthitta Rd, Pathanamthitta, Kerala 689645
• Parayil Restaurant Contact: Door No: 788, Near R.T Office, College Road, Azhoor, Pathanamthitta, Kerala 689645
• Khyber Pass Bake & Grill Contact: Kaipattoor Pathanamthitta Rd, Pathanamthitta, Kerala 689645

Nearby Temples:

Kodumthara Subramaniyam Temple: The holy shrine is  dedicated to God Subramanya who is the son of Lord Shiva. It is located on the banks of Achankovil River.  His other name is Murugan, commonly used in the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu and Karthikaya in the northern states. He is also known by the name of Velayudha Swamy because his war weapon is Vel. Carrying Kavadi is the main ritual on the day. People carry various types of Kavadi to the temple in a procession.

Thazhoor Bhagavathi Temple: Thazhoor Bhagavathy Kshetram is a 300-year-old Hindu temple on the banks of the Achankovil river. The temple is also famous for the folk arts and the “Kettukaazhcha” procession with Kaala. The Padayani held in the month of Kumbham is very famous. Padayani performances are held at the temple annually. The Goddess (Amma) accepts the offerings from thousands of devotees. It is believed that viewing Amma in all her glory at this time will free one from all sins and evils.

Chakkulathukavu Temple: The temple has a history of over 3,000 years and is open to people of all faiths. The famous rivers Pamba and Manimala flow on either side of the temple. This Bhagavathy temple is famous for its Pongala Mahotsav. Pongala is a devout offering made of pudding by devotees as a reverent exposure of their awesome offering of love and respect. The ‘pongala nivedyam’ is prepared in earthen pots.  It is believed to be a favourite of the goddess. Only women are allowed to participate in this ritual.