Popularly known as Mullakkal Rajarajeswari Temple, and Mullakkal Bhagwati Temple, Mullakkal temple is one of the most popular temples in Alappuzha, Kerala. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Rajarajeswari. The temple also houses the idol of Lord Krishna, Lord Naga, Lord Ayyappa and Lord Hanuman.

Location Kerala, Alappuzha, Thiruvananthapuram

Legend

Legend related to the Mullakkal Rajarajeswari Temple says that once King Devanarayana of Chembagasery went to the Kodungaloor Bhagawathy Temple for worship and wanted to have the Bhagawathy in his town. That night, the goddess appeared in his dreams and told him that she would accompany him to his kingdom. When he reached Alappuzha, the king kept his umbrella in the jasmine garden before taking rest. The umbrella got fixed there. Later, the astrologers who were brought in, found that the Goddess wished to stay there and hence the king built a Mullakkal Rajarajeswari Temple for her at that spot.

Architecture

The Mullakkal Rajarajeswari Temple is built in Kerala style of architecture. The sreekovil is an open roof shrine. At the entrance point of the Mullakkal Rajarajeswari Temple , around 20 feet area is kept under roofing. According to convention and old custom this roofed place is used for keeping large elephants that bring the "thidambu" of the goddess on special occasions. There is banyan tree inside the premises where the lingam of Lord Shiva is also placed for darshan.

Picture Courtesy: commons.wikimedia.org

Culture

Alappuzha is known as the Venice of the East and is famous for its early trade links with outside world. This has instilled a cosmopolitan spirit to the land. Also, the region has always been politically vibrant

Darsan Info

The Mullakkal Rajarajeswari Temple is open from 4.30 AM to 10.30 AM and from 5 PM to 8 PM.

Darsan Dresscode

Typical Kerala traditional wear is preferred, including dhothi for men and saree for women.

Famous Festival

September-October: Navaratri

November-December :Mullakkal Chirappu.Mullakkal Chirappu is a 41-day-long celebration, when the whole town will be full of lights and decoration and the last ten days are the busiest days of the town.

Temple Rituals

The idol worshipped prior to 1961 in Mullakkal Rajarajeswari Temple was indeed that of Annapurneswari with a ladle in one hand and a pot in the other. Since the temple was built in a jasmine garden, she was known also as Mullakkal Bhagawthy. She was consecrated in the standing pose facing west.

Special Rituals

In 1961 when they were consecrating the golden flag staff for the Goddess, a mentally unstable person got inside the sanctum sanctorum and embraced the idol. Subsequently it was found that cracks had developed on the idol. A deva prasnam (getting divine opinion through astrology) which was conducted revealed that the Goddess wanted a new idol to be made and installed there. Therefore on 16th July 1962 a four feet tall Rajarajeswari idol was consecrated in the same place replacing the damaged one

Additional Info

 

Kream Korner

Mullackal Rd, Mullakkal, Alappuzha, Kerala 688011

Phone:098470 07087

Indian Coffee House

Opp. Alleppey Jewellers, Mullakkal, Alappuzha, Kerala 680011

Phone:0487 233 5275

 

  Supermarket : Available