Temple

Dedicated to Goddess Durga, Iringole Kavu Bhagavathy Temple is a famous temple situated in Ernakulam district. It is believed that it is one of the 108 Durga temples in Kerala concecrated by Lord Parasurama.

Legend

According to the legends, King Kamsa imprisoned Devaki and Vasudevar due to the prophecy that the eighth son of Devaki and Vasudevar is destined to kill Kamsa. In fear, Kamsa slaughtered the children of Devaki and Vasudevar when they are born. Before the birth of eighth child, Lord Vishnu appeared before Vasudevar and Devaki and asked Vasudevar to secretly carry the eighth son out of the prison cell to be raised by his foster parents, Yasoda and Nanda, in Gokula. Soon after the birth, Vasudevar shifted baby Krishna to Vrindavan and placed another baby girl in the cradle. Kamsa decided to kill the baby girl too, even after realising she was not the eight son of Vasudevar. When Kamsa lifted the baby above his head to kill, the baby skipped from his hand and became a supernatural power and remained in the atmosphere as 'Irrinnole'. Later this area was named as 'Iringole'.

Architecture

The kavu or grove is spread over 60 acres, featuring an amazing variety flora. It holds a virgin patch of tropical rain forest. The structure of the temple is in the southwest of the grove, which includes sreekovil, namaskara mandapam with agra mandapam, valiya balikal and deepasthambham. There are no sub-shrines here. The sila dwarapalas at the sides of the prasada-dwaram or entrance and the figurine of Goddess on the ceiling of the namaskara mandapam are examples of exquisite carvings.

Darsan Info

It is believed that the Goddess is incarnated here as Yaga-Nidra (Maya). The Goddess is present in her original three forms of power: Morning - in the form of Saraswati (The power of knowledge); Noon - in the form of Vana Durga (The power of forest) and Night - in the form of Bhadrakali (The power of fury and termination of evil). The grove is virgin tropical rain forest with an annual rainfall of 3,084.5 mm. The trees here are having heights ranging from 30 to 60 metres. The approximate density of trees is 2,314 per hectare. The grove has a pond whose water is attributed with medicinal qualities.

Darsan Dresscode

Traditional Kerala attire

Culture

The Sacred Grove culture is representative of the umbilical connection the land had with Nature. It not only protects the flora and fauna, but marks out specific areas for conservation. Irinjole Kavu is one of the few surviving sacred groves, though the influx of tourists are having a negative impact on the sanctity.

Temple Rituals

The swayambhu stone idol of Rudraksha-sila is just 15 cm high and has not anthromorphic form. This is related more to Nature worship. A main ritual associated with the temple is a member from the family of the girl who first spotted the idol places a palmyrah umbrella (olakuda) in the temple.

Special Rituals

The temple is also a celebration of womanhood. The deepakazhcha during the festival are done by maidens and only female elephants are engaged for the annual festival procession.

Additional Info