Religious Places

Attukal Bhagavathi Temple in Kerala

Written by Sudhir Kumar

The city of Trivandrum is rich with a glorious past that gave the city numerous historical buildings, temples, museums, parks and many more interesting tourist attractions. In addition to these beautiful places of attractions, the natural landscapes of the city of Trivandrum are also awesome. So enjoy sightseeing in Trivandrum and make your trip more exciting and enjoyable. T he Attukal Bhagavathy Temple in Trivandrumone of the most prominent tourist attractions in the city of Trivandrum. You must not miss the chance to visit this outstanding temple.

About Attukal Bhagavathi Temple in Kerala :

The Attukal Bhagavathy Temple,one of the ancient temples of South India, is popularly described as Sabarimala of the Women, as women form the major portion of devotees. The Goddess in the temple of Attukal is worshipped as the Supreme Mother, creator of all living beings and the mighty preserver as well as destroyer of them all. The pilgrims from all over the country, who visit Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple and worship the Lord, do not consider their visits complete without the visit to the shrine of the supreme Mother Attukalamma. Vishnumaya took the incarnation of Bhagavathy to annihilate the evil and protect the good in the world in the present Era namely Kaliyuga.

According to mythology, Attukal Bhagavathy is supposed to be the divinised form of Kannaki, the famous heroine of Chilapathikaram, written by Elenkovadikal, the Tamil Poet. The story goes that after the destruction of ancient city of Madurai, Kannaki left the city and reached Kerala via Kanyakumari and on the way to Kodungalloor took a sojourn at Attukal. Kannaki is supposed to be the incarnation of Parvathy, the consort of Paramasiva. The all powerful and benign Attukal Bhagavathy reigns eternally supreme at Attukal and nurses devotees as a mother does her children. Thousands of devotees from far and near flock to the Temple to bend before the Goddess with awe and reverence to prostrate and redress their affliction and agony. The Pongala Mahotsavam is the most important festival of Attukal Bhagavathy Temple. The offering of Pongala is a special temple practice prevalent in the southern part of Kerala and some parts of Tamilnadu.

History Attukal Bhagavathi Temple in Kerala :

The Goddess Kannaki (Parvathi) is the main deity in this temple. The mythology behind the temple, relates to the story of Kannagi who was married to Kovalan, son of a wealthy merchant. After marriage, Kovalan met a dancer and spent all his riches on her forgetting his wife. But when he was penniless, he went back to Kannagi. The only precious thing left to be sold was Kannagi’s pair of anklets. They went with it to the king of Madurai to sell it. But an anklet was stolen from the Queen which looked similar to Kannagi’s. When he tried to sell it, he was mistaken for the thief and beheaded by the king’s soldiers.

Kannagi got infuriated when she heard the news and rushed to the King with the second pair of anklet. She broke one of the anklets and it contained rubies while the Queen’s contained pearls. She cursed the city of Madurai, and it is said that due to her chastity, the curse came true. Kannagi is said to have attained salvation after the Goddess of the city appeared before her.
It is said that on her way to Kodungalloor, Kannagi passed Attukal. She took the form of a little girl. An old man was sitting on the banks of a stream, when the girl went to him and asked him whether he could help her cross it. Surprised to find the young girl alone, he took her home. But she disappeared. She came back in his sleep and asked him to build a temple where he found 3 golden lines in his grove. He went ahead and did the same, and it is said that this is at the location of the present Attukal temple.

Incarnation of Goddess :

India has ever been the holy land of gods and goddesses. Since ages past, men and women kings and emperors, saints and sages here were worshipping the Lord not only as the omnipotent and absolute ‘one’ but also as the ‘one’ whose manifestations are varied and manifold and who possesses different names, forms and divine attributes. Thus Almighty the Eternal God was worshipped in different forms such as Brahma, Vishnu and Siva, and their consorts; representing specific divine attributes of the Lord. Ancient puranas have described that Siva and Sakthi were simultaneously worshipped from the period of Aryans and Dravidians. Vishnumaya took the incarnation of Bhagavathy to annihilate evil and protect the good in this world. She grants every wish of Her devotees and resides in their hearts in multifarious forms.

Attukal Temple Legend :

Traditions say that Goddess Bhagavathi gave darshan to her ardent devotee of the Mulluveettil family, as a 12-year-old girl. She appeared in his dream and asked him to create an abode for her in the nearby ground at a spot marked by three lines. Accordingly, this temple was built at the spot.

Attukal Pongala :

Attukal Ponkala is the most reputed festival of this temple. ‘Pongala’ means to boil over, and it refers to the customary offering of things to the lord Devi. Devotees from all walks of life, irrespective of their social status, religion and cast, throng the temple to offer the ‘pongala’- a sweet rice, prepared in earthen pots with rice, jaggery and coconut, to the Goddess. Only women are allowed to participate in this custom.

News & Events :

Pongala festival has found a place in the Guinness Book of World Records for the highest attendance of women on February 23, 1997. 1.5 million women had participated in that year’s Pongala.

Festivals & Programs :

Attukal Pongala (Attukal Ponkala) is the most reputed festival of this temple, which attracts devotees from all parts of India. Tens of hundreds of women devotees throng together on the day of Pongala with their offerings to the Goddess and to seek blessings. The festival commences on Karthika dayof Malayalam month Makaram-Kumbham (Feb-March).

Story of Kannaki :

According to mythology, Attukal Bhagavathy is supposed to be the divinised form of “Kannaki”, the famous heroine of Chilappatikaram, the sangham work of Tamil Literature written by ilamkovadikal. After the destruction of the ancient city of Madurai, Kannaki left that city and reached Kerala via Kanyakumari and on her way to Kodungalloor took a sojourn at Attukal. The hymns of the “Thottampattu ) sung during the annual temple festival, are based on the story of Kannaki. Moreover, architectural depictions of Goddess Kannaki seen on the Gopuram temple substantiate this mythology. Small wonder then. that, Sri. Vidyadhiraja Chattambi Swamy, the well known saint of Kerala, found this temple premises ideal for his meditations. And there are so many stories which prove the greatness of the Goddess and which attract thousands of devotees to the temple.

Activities :

The temple is governed by a registered body viz. Attukal Bhagavathy Temple Trust. Ever since the trust commenced its administration, there has been considerable improvement and development in the temple. The renovation of the temple, improvement of the roads leading to the temple, expansion of areas for Ponkala, provision of facilities for the devotees to worship in the temple etc. have all been undertaken by the Trust. The newly constructed Gopuram ornamental gate in front of the temple and the southern Gopuram are richly decorated with visuals depicting the might acts of the Gods and Goddesses. A portion of the gold received as offering from the devotees has been utilised for making ‘anki’ to adorn the Deity. The Trust has also constructed a temple to perpetuate the memory of Chattambi Swamikal a great saint of modern Kerala and daily offerings poojas, prayers, bhajana etc. are held to his glory.

Best time to visit Attukal Devi Temple :

Attukal Pongala Mahotsavam:-This is 10 day long festival which begins on the Karthika star of the Malayalam month in February-March. The festival ends with e sacrificial offerings known as Kuruthitharpanam . Pongala Mahotasam takes place on the 9th day that is celebrated with great devotion by the people of all religions. The festival is restricted only to the women. Pongala, a sweet rice, prepared in earthen pots with rice, jaggery and coconut and offered to the Goddess

Vilakku Kettu is another attractive feature. It is a huge structure made of pith, decorated with shining paper and garlands. Along with the image of the goddess, this is taken to the temple in a procession

Kuthiyottam and Thalappoli at Attukal Temple:-These rituals are performed during the Pongala day. Kuthiyottam is performed by the boys below the age of 13 and Thalappoli by the girls. Major attraction of this festival is the traditional dressing of the girls who hold a thaalam a round tray which is well decorated with flowers, lighted lamp and offerings to the goddess Attukal Amma. This is done to get the blessings from the Goddess with health, wealth and happiness. The boys undergo a seven day Kuthiyotta Vratham starting from the third day of the festival. The Vratham includes various disciplinary activities such as sleeping on the floor, following the diet restrictions; staying in the temple etc. they have to bow before the goddess 1008 times. The boys symbolize the injured soldiers of the goddess Mahishasuramardhini.

How to reach Attukal Devi Temple :

By Air:-Thiruvananthapuram International Airport is, located at Valiyathura which is about 7 km from the temple.

By Rail:- Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station at Thampannor is the nearest railway station to reach Attukal Bhagavathy Temple.

By Road:-Trivandrum Central Bus Station at Thampannor is just 2 km away from Attukal Devi Temple. While Thiruvananthapuram City Bus Station is located at East Fort is just 1.5 km from the temple.

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Sudhir Kumar

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