Attukal Bhagavathy Temple – Kerala:
In Attukal, Kerala, India, there is a Hindu holy temple called the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple. The principal deity of this temple is Goddess Bhadrakali (Kannaki), who is seated atop a ‘vethala’. Bhadrakali, a manifestation of Mahakali, is said to have emerged from Lord Shiva’s third eye and slew the demon king Daruka. “Kali” means goddess of time, while “Bhadra” means good. Thus, Bhadrakali is revered as the goddess of wealth and deliverance. Goddess ‘Attukal devi’ is the ultimate mother ‘Bhaadrkali devi,’ the goddess of strength and bravery (in soumya aspect).She is frequently referred to be “Kannaki,” the protagonist of “Silapathikaaram” by Ilanko Adikal.
The temple is well-known for hosting the yearly Attukal Pongal celebration, which attracts more than three million women.Attukal Pongala is a religious festival that has been attracting millions of women every year. It is recognised in the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest gathering of women for a single event. In Thiruvananthapuram, Attukal Temple is located close to the city’s centre, two km from Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple and the East Fort. Devotees think that the goddess will grant all of their wishes, bring riches, and allow them to find salvation. Attukal Devi is frequently worshipped as three different goddesses: Mahakali/Parvathy (goddess of marriage, time, and death), Maha Saraswati (goddess of education, arts, and language), and Maha Lakshmi (goddess of prosperity, auspiciousness, and power).
Attukal Bhagavathy Temple History:
The primary deity of this temple is the Goddess Kannaki, also known as Bhadrakali. The temple’s mythology revolves around the tale of Kannagi, who wed Kovalan, a prosperous merchant’s son. Following his marriage, Kovalan met Madhavi, a dancer, and forgot about his wife while spending all of his wealth on her. But he returned to Kannagi when he was completely broke. Kannagi’s pair of anklets was all that was left to be sold. They took it to the Madurai king in order to sell it. However, the Queen had an anklet taken that resembled Kannagi’s. The king’s men executed Kovalan after mistaking him for the thief when he attempted to sell it.
When Kannagi learned the news, she became enraged and hurried to the King with the second set of anklets. The Queen’s anklet was made of pearls, but the one she shattered was made of rubies. She supposedly cursed the city of Madurai, and because of her chastity, the curse was fulfilled as Madurai burned. It is stated that after seeing the city’s goddess in front of her, Kannagi found salvation.
It is stated that Kannagi passed Attukal en route to Kodungallur. She assumed the shape of a young child. The girl approached an elderly guy who was relaxing on the edge of a stream to ask if he might help her over. He took the young girl home, surprised to find her alone. After some time, she vanished. He spotted three golden lines in his grove, and she returned to him while he was sleeping, asking him to construct a temple there. He proceeded to follow suit, and it is reported that this occurred where the current Attukal temple now stands. Attukal is thought to be the home of Goddess Attukalamma, also known as Bhadrakali or Kannaki, on festival days. Ponkala is served to commemorate Kannaki’s triumph over Pandya the monarch. Another legend claims that “Attukal devi ” is actually Bhadrakali, who was created from Lord Shiva’s third eye in order to defeat the demon king Daruka. Mother Bhadrakali, also known as Shakthi devi or Mahakali, is primarily revered in Kerala. “Kali” means goddess of time, while “Bhadra ” means good. Thus, Bhadrakali is frequently called the goddess of time, money, and salvation.
Attukal Bhagavathy Temple Timings:
The timings of Attukal Bhagavathy Temple is 4.30 am to 8.30 pm
Pooja Details:
4.30 – Palliyunarthu (waking of the Goddess.)
5.00 – Nirmalyadarsanam
5.35 – Abhishekam (ablutions of the idol in oil, milk etc.)
5.45 – Ganapathy homam (specific offering to God Vinayaka)
6.00 – Deeparadhana (burning incense and lighting lamps to the Honour and Glory of the Almighty)
6.30 – Usha Pooja (Morning rite)
6.40 – Deeparadhana
6.50 – Usha Sreebali (morning Sreebali)
7.00 – Kalabhabhiskekam (consecration by pouring liquid sandal)
8.30 – Pantheeradi Pooja (special rite)
12.00 – Ucha Pooja (noon rite)
Noon 12.00 – Deeparadhana
12.10 – Ucha Sreebali (Noon Sreebali)
12.30 – Nata adappu (Closure of Sreekovil)
Evening 5.00 – Nata Thurappu (Opening of Sreekovil)
6.45 – Deeparadhana
7.30 – Athazha Pooja (Night rite)
8.00 – Deeparadhana (Night rite)
8.05 – Athazha Sreebali
8.30 – Nata Atappu (Closure of temple Sreekovil)
Pooja timings may be altered on special occasions
Festivals Celebrated in Attukal Bhagavathy Temple:
The primary is Attukal Pongala. An annual ten-day event called Attukal Pongala Mahotsavam takes place in February or March (the Malayalam month of Kumbham).The traditional Kappukettu and Kudiyiruthu ceremony, which starts the festival on the Karthika star, adorns the idol of Devi with kappu (bangles).
Worship at Tippu Street, South Fort, Thiruvananthapuram, during Attukal Pongala.
The festival’s main feature is the Attukal Pongala day on the ninth day, known as “Pooram day.” The Kuruthitharpanam will take place on the tenth day, Makam Star Night, to cap off the celebration.
Every year in the month of Kumbham, millions of women congregate around this temple to prepare Pongala, which is rice cooked in small pots outside with jaggery, ghee, coconut, and other ingredients to appease the goddess Kannaki. Pongala, which literally translates as “to boil over,” is a traditional dessert offered in rituals that includes rice porridge, raisins, almonds, and coconut gratings. It is performed as a sacrifice to the Goddess, also referred to as Attukal Amma, who is the temple’s presiding deity. It is said that Goddess Attukal Devi grants their requests and brings them prosperity.
The other festivals in this temple are:
Mandala Vratham – Festival in connection with the annual Utsavam of Sabarimala
Vinayaka Chathurthi – Pooja to the Lord Ganapathy
Navaratri and Pooja Vaypu – Identical to Dussera festival (Saraswathy Pooja and Vidyarambham)
Sivarathri – Siva Pooja
Karthika – Karthika Deepa
Ayilya Pooja – Milk, flowers etc. offered to serpent God and special rites
Aiswarya Pooja – On all full moon (Pournami) days
Nirayum Puthariyum (Ramayana Parayanam) – During the month of Karkadakam
Akhandanama Japam – 4th Sunday of every month
Attukal Bhagavathy Temple Official Website: http://www.attukal.org/
Attukal Bhagavathy Temple Location:
Attukal – Chiramukku Rd, C Block, Attukal, Manacaud, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695009.
How to reach Attukal Bhagavathy Temple:
By Air: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport is the closest airport to the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple.
By Rail: Trivandrum Central Railway Station is the closest train station. It may be found in Thampanoor. It is three kilometres away from the temple.
By Road: The east fort bus stop is only 1.5 kilometres away from the temple. The shrine is about two km from the Trivandrum central bus stop.
attukal bhagavathy temple dress code:
There’s no particular attire required to enter the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple. On the other hand, attendees are expected to dress traditionally for festivals.
attukal bhagavathy temple room booking:
On the Temple grounds, rooms and dormitories are available for daily rental.
check for more detail – http://www.attukal.org/Facilities.aspx
Attukal Bhagavathy Temple Photos:
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