Situated in Palakkad district, Kerala, Manappullikavu Bhagvathy Temple is a famous temple dedicated to Sree Bhagavathy. Earlier the temple was under the private ownership of 'Kenath Family'. At present, the temple is managed the Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowment Board (HR&CE).

Location Kerala, Palghat, Thiruvananthapuram

Legend

According to the legends, once a demon named Neelan started disturbing the people and became a menace to them. The people complained about the demon to Lord Parasuraman. Lord Parasuraman prayed to Lord Siva and asked his help to kill the demon. and he in turn sought a remedy from Lord Siva. Lord Siva sent Bhadra Kali to Akamalavaram to kill Neelan. After killing Neelan, Kali became Manappulli Bhagavathy showering prosperity to her devotees.

Architecture

The Sree Manappully Bhagavathy Temple has got sreekovil, namaskara-mandapam, chuttambalam, sub-shrines, deepasthambham, well and a tank. The sreekovil faces north. The sopanam has got three direct steps with dragon (vyali) face on the top of banisters. There are two sub-shrines inside the akathe-balivattam - one for Brahmarakshas at northeast facing west and another for Ganapati at southwest facing east.

Darsan Info

The Sree Manappully Bhagavathy Temple opens on normal days at 5 PM till 8 PM

Sree Manappulli Bhagavathi is Bhadrakaali and was born out of the sacred "Jada" of Lord Shiva during Dakshayaga. She is black in colour, with four hands, each one having Soolam, Kapalam, Gadkam and Khedam. She is with three eyes, two 'Dhamshtram', with 'Pattudayada' and valuable ornaments. The Prathishta is in 'Shanta Bhava'. During 'Chandattam' ceremony She turns to 'Rudra Bhava' and becomes 'Shanta Swaroopini' after accepting the 'Kadummadura Payasa Nivedyam'. She is believed to satisfy the desires, hopes and aspirations of her true devotees and also protect them from all evils.

Culture

The Palakkad district where the Sree Manappully Bhagavathy Temple is situated, has mainly paddy cultivation as the main occupation of the people. The district is called the 'Rice Bowl' of Kerala. The social and cultural customs of the people are, therefore, one way or other, connected with paddy cultivation. They believe that the Goddesses of 'Kavu' (Sree Manappully Bhagavathy Temple) protect them in their 'Thattakam' (meaning the area where they live, surrounds the 'Kavu'). The people make offerings to the Goddesses in their 'Thattakam' in the form agricultural produces having bearing on the seasonal agriculture.

Darsan Dresscode

Traditional Kerala attire

Famous Festival

February/March -Manappulli Vela

April - Vishu

September -Onam

October/November -Deepavali

Temple Rituals

Sree Manappullykavu Bhagavathy Temple is famous for the belief to guard the agricultural produce and bring in prosperity. So people make offerings to the Goddesses in their 'Thattakam' in the form agricultural produces having bearing on the seasonal agriculture. The people pray for good harvest and as an offering for this, they celebrates 'Kathir' in the third Friday of the Malayalam month of 'Vrichikam'. On this day, a procession carrying 'Sarodam', in a very ornately decorated form is taken out in the evening from the premises of Lord Muniyappan temple, situated at the southern side of the Sree Manappully Bhagavathy Temple and it culminates at the Manappully Bhagavathy temple at dusk, passing through the streets of Manappullikavu Nair Thara. Another procession from Kenathuparambu, also joins the procession at the Manappullikavu junction and culminates at the Sree Manappully Bhagavathy Temple. An attractive part of this 'Kathir' is the procession carrying decorative umbrellas made of palm leaves tied to freshly cut bamboo poles accompanied by 'drum beating'. The Kathir literally announces the ensuing 'Vela' festival. The procession also carries 'Kathir Koodu', small balls made of tender palm leaves containing freshly plucked 'Nel kathir' (paddy bunches) which are distributed to all the houses in the area and hung in the front yard of each house till the next 'Kathir'. These practices continue to be observed even now with great pomp and show. After the 'Kathir', the next preparatory function of the Vela is 'Kanyar' (Kodiyettam), which is performed on the first Friday of the Malayalam Month 'Kumbam'. The huge freshly cut bamboo pole (flag post) with a typical flag - Koora is hoisted in front of the Sree Manappully Bhagavathy Temple with rituals. This declares and denotes the ensuing Manappully Bhagavathy Vela.

Special Rituals

The Easwara Pooja for Bhairavar is very special and it is believed that by performing Muttu at Bhairavar keeps the evil forces away. Manappalli Bhagawathy is the family deity and so followers perform the Pooja and do an offering before starting any function such as marriage; after the marriage the newlyweds go to the Sree Manappullykavu Bhagavathy Temple and take the blessings.

Additional Info
  

Happy Menu

Near Big Bazar, English Church Rd, Sultanpet, Palakkad, Kerala 678001

Phone:094001 43333

Nalanda Restaurant

Coimbatore Rd, Kunathurmedu, Palakkad, Kerala 678013

Supermarket : Available