Kadampuzha Devi Temple

Kerala, Malappuram, Thiruvananthapuram

Jagathguru Adi Shankaracharya, during one of his frequent pilgrimages while traversing this forest area, was attracted by an all pervading 'aura' emanating from the dense undergrowth. Finding it difficult to approach the spot due to the heat generated by the radiation, he meditated upon Lord Vishnu as Narasiminha and the Lord appeared. With the help of Sudarshanachakra of Lord Vishnu the great Saint moved closer only to find the radiance shrinking and finally vanishing into a hole on the earth's surface. The Aacharya realized that the the aura was nothing other than the divine presence of Sreeparvathy in the forest. The place was consecrated as Kadampuzha Devi Temple and in commemoration of 'shower of flowers' on Lord Shiva, Poomoodal gained prominence due to the inherent quality and power of flower petals to contain heat. The modalities of worship in this temple are as prescribed by Shankaracharya.

Legend

The legend about the origin of the Kadampuzha Devi Temple is associated with the popular episode in "Mahabharatha" where Arjuna does penance in Kamyakavanam to appease Lord Shiva to obtain the divine weapon "Paasupathastra". Lord Shiva approaches Arjuna as a hunter or Kiratha with His divine consort Sreeparvathy escorting Him as a huntress, Kirathi. Arjuna is challenged by the Lord in disguise to test the skills of the boon seeker. In the fierce battle between Lord Shiva (Kiratha) and Arjuna, the arrows that Arjuna showered on Lord Shiva miraculously turned into Thechi flowers by the will of Sree Parvathy and Lord Shiva was fully covered with flowers. The flowers and leaves offered by Arjuna to the Shivalinga were also seen on Kiratha itself. Arjuna then recognizes the Lord and prostrates before him. Having found Arjuna worthy of the deadly weapon, the Lord obliges His devotee very soon, and here He is goaded by Sreeparvathy who hastened the process with a motherly affection to Arjuna. Hastening is 'twaritha' in Malayalam and Goddess at Kadampuzha is worshipped as 'twaritha' or one who is quick in granting blessings and favours.

During the divine couple's wandering in the forest, Sreeparvathy once felt thirsty and the Lord brought forth holy water from river Ganga through a well-directed arrow into the earth. This event is immortalized as 'Kaatan-Ambu-eitha-ala' where 'kaatan' is hunter, 'ambu' is arrow, 'eitha' is shot and 'ala' is hole. This became Katanambueithaala which was later colloquialised as Kadampuzha. Devotees thus worship the hole through which river Ganga sprouted and this is the idol, the divine sankalpa in Srikovil.

Architecture

The hole in Kadampuzha Devi Temple, believed to be the one created by the mighty arrow of Lord Shiva that summoned Ganga for quenching Parvathi's thirst, was perceived as the Divine Power Source by Adi Shankara and hence there is no idol to represent the Devi's presence here. That there are no idols here is also a unique aspect of Kadampuzha. To mark this place and for the common man's reference, a Thidambu or Arch is kept on top. In the Deva Prashna of 1993, it was found that the sanctum sanctorum was to be rebuilt using granite stones and the roof should be paved with brass and immediately the work was taken up. The sanctum sanctorum was built using a complex calculation known as "Siddharthakam"

Darsan Info

The Kadampuzha Devi Temple is open from 4 AM to 12 noon and from 3:30 PM to 7 PM.

In Kadampuzha Devi Temple, Lord Narasimha facing south and Sudarshanachakra facing north are honoured through depictions in the same sila idol in an enclosure in front of the sanctum sanctorum. There are sreekovil for Sree Dharma Saastha and enclosure for Nagakanyaka as upadevaas or subsidiary deities.

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Darsan Dresscode

Devotees are not supposed to enter the Nalambalam of the Kadampuzha Devi Temple wearing shirt, pants, banyan, pyjama, lungi, chequered cloths, chappals, etc.

Famous Festival

January - Rigveda Laksharchana

July - Ramayana Month

August - Ramayana Month

October - Dravya Kalasam, Devi Bhagavatha Navaham, Bhagavatha Sapthaha

November - Dravya Kalasam, Thirukarthika, Devi Bhagavatha Navaham, Bhagavatha Sapthaha

December - Rigveda Laksharchana, Thirukarthika

Culture

Only Hindus are allowed to enter the Kadampuzha Devi Temple. Non-hindus should contact the Devaswom office or Enquiry Counter for facilities to perform their offerings

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Temple Rituals

Dedicated to Kirathaparvathi, Sree Kadampuzha Bhagavathy temple has no idol. Poojas are performed at a hole (about 6 cm in diameter) into which the Goddess is said to have disappeared after showing Her presence to Adi Sankaracharya.

Special Rituals

Goddess in Kadampuzha Devi Temple is worshipped in three forms viz., Vidya Durga (Saraswathi) in the morning, Vanadurga in twaritha form (Durga) at noon and Aadi Durga (Mooladurga Lakshmi) in the evening. As Durga, she blesses the devotees with health, early marriage and domestic harmony, Saraswathi is invoked for education and career. Lakshmi is of course Goddess of wealth and prosperity.