Nadakkavu Bhagavathi Temple

Nadakkavu, Tripunithura, Dist. Ernakulam.

Nadakkavu Bhagavathi Temple is a famous and ancient place of worship located near Udayamperoor (Nadakkavu) in Ernakulam district. The main deity is Goddess Bhadrakali. The temple is more than 400 years old and has a close historical connection with the Kodungalloor Srikurumba Bhagavathi Temple. Its special Otada offering, prepared by roasting it over hot embers and the Thalappoli festival held in the Malayalam month of Makaram are the main features of the temple.

Udayamperoor and the surrounding areas were once part of the Kingdom of Cochin and the history of the temple is closely linked to this period. Many of the temple’s major construction and development works were carried out during the rule of the Cochin kings. In its early years, the temple was managed under the supervision of leading Brahmin families of the area, known as Ooraymakar, along with the rulers of Cochin. The temple was established in the 16th and 17th centuries AD, when Shakta worship and Bhadrakali shrines were widespread in Kerala, as part of the Shakta tradition that spread southwards from Kodungalloor after the Kodungalloor Bharani festival. Due to its historical connection with the Kodungalloor Srikurumba Bhagavathi Temple, several of its rituals and worship practices continue here as well. At present, the temple is not under the Travancore Devaswom Board or the Cochin Devaswom Board. Its administration, daily worship, festivals and development activities are managed by a trust and the Nadakkavu Bhagavathi Temple Committee, elected by the local devotees.

Pulyatt Bhattathiri was deeply troubled by not having children. To overcome this sorrow, he went to the Kodungalloor Temple with his friend and observed 41 days of strict prayer. During the final days of his prayers, the Goddess appeared to him in a dream and blessed him. She told him that she would return to his homeland with him and that he would find an idol in a nearby pond when he reached home. After returning, Bhattathiri searched the pond and found the divine idol of Goddess Bhadrakali as seen in his dream. He brought the idol to Nadakkavu near Udayamperoor and installed it there. At the time of the Goddess’s arrival in the village, the ordinary devotees had no elaborate offerings to give her. They therefore prepared Otada by mixing rice flour, jaggery and coconut and roasting it over hot embers, and offered it to the Goddess. Pleased with the offering, the Goddess accepted Otada as her favourite offering, and it continues to be the main offering at the temple.

When viewed from the road, the first thing that catches the eye is the large and attractive gopuram entrance, with red and white colours and a tiled roof. After entering through the gateway, the temple courtyard has large banyan trees and a spacious temple ground. The open ground near the road is used for parking vehicles and conducting festivals. Inside the main gateway is an elephant shelter with large pillars. During festivals, elephants are kept here and processions are conducted from this area. A large Balikkallu, used for making offerings to the attendants of the main deity, is also placed inside the elephant shelter. A large Nalambalam with a tiled roof surrounds the main Sreekovil. The walls of the Nalambalam have spaces for placing oil lamps. A stone-paved pathway around the Sreekovil is provided for devotees to walk around it in prayer.

The Sreekovil is square in shape, with its sides strengthened with granite stones. It has a beautiful two-tiered, sloping tiled roof. The roof allows rainwater to drain easily and helps keep the interior cool. The granite steps leading to the Sreekovil are called the Sopanam. Beautiful stone carvings can be seen on both sides of the steps. The priest gives Theertham and Prasadam to devotees from here. Inside the Sreekovil, the light comes from oil lamps and ghee lamps instead of electric lights. Although Goddess Bhadrakali is worshipped here in her fierce form after the killing of Darika, she is also worshipped as a loving mother who blesses devotees. The idol is carved from granite and has a beautiful Prabhavali made of bronze or brass around it. On special days, the Goddess is adorned with gold ornaments and silk garments.

In addition to the main deity, shrines of other deities can be seen in different parts of the temple. The shrine of Lord Ganesha is located at the south-west corner of the main Sreekovil, known as Kannimoola. A small shrine of Lord Ayyappa can be seen outside the Nalambalam on the southern side. In the north-western part, the Naga Raja and Naga Yakshi are worshipped at a Nagathara within a small grove surrounded by trees. A shrine dedicated to Rakshassu can also be seen on a specially prepared platform on the north-eastern or southern side. After offering prayers and walking around the main deity, Goddess Bhadrakali, devotees also worship these other deities.

The main annual festival is the Thalappoli Mahotsavam held on the Pooruruttathi star in the Malayalam month of Makaram (January–February). Usually held in the last week of January or the first week of February, the main celebrations take place over two days. A grand elephant procession with decorated elephants and a Panchari Melam are the main attractions of the festival. Hundreds of women take part in the Thalappoli, carrying traditional lamps while wearing traditional Kerala dress. The 41-day Mandala-Makaravilakku period, from 1 Vrischikam (November–December) to 11 Dhanu (December–January), is also important. Special daily poojas and bhajans are held during this period, along with a special lamp offering for Lord Ayyappa. During Navaratri in the Malayalam month of Kanni (September–October), special decorations and poojas are held for nine days. Special ceremonies and Vidyarambham, the ceremony of introducing children to learning, are held on Durgashtami, Mahanavami and Vijayadashami. On Thrikarthika day in the month of Vrischikam, thousands of clay lamps are lit in the temple and along the outer walls, along with a special Payasam offering to the Goddess. The Prathishta Day, marking the annual commemoration of the idol’s reinstallation, is also observed with special poojas and Prasada Oottu.

The most special and famous offering is Otada Nivedyam, performed to remove obstacles and difficulties. It is a traditional sweet preparation made by mixing rice flour, jaggery and coconut, wrapping the mixture in a jackfruit leaf or banana leaf and roasting it over hot embers. Kalamezhuthu and Paattu are performed for the blessings of the Goddess and are offered for family prosperity and healing. In this ritual, the form of Goddess Bhadrakali is drawn on the floor using five natural colours, including turmeric powder, charcoal powder and ochre powder. This is followed by Thottam Paattu and the drawing is removed after the pooja. Thalappoli, mainly performed by women during the festival days, is conducted for marital well-being and the fulfilment of wishes. As part of this offering, devotees carry a plate containing rice, puffed rice, flowers, sugarcane and a lit lamp while walking around the Goddess. Other important offerings include Shatrusamhara Pushpanjali, performed to remove obstacles and the effects of enemies; Raktha Pushpanjali, performed for relief from illness and difficulties; Guruthi Nivedyam, conducted in the evening to remove negative influences and calm the fierce aspect of the Goddess; and lighting ghee lamps in front of the Sreekovil for mental well-being and improved eyesight.

The temple is open every day from 5:00 AM to 10:30 AM and from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM. The daily poojas begin at 5:00 AM with Nirmalya Darshan, when devotees can see the Goddess with the flowers from the previous day. This is followed by Jalabhishekam and other Abhishekams. Ushapooja is performed at sunrise, followed by Uchapooja from 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM. The temple closes after Uchapooja. It reopens at 5:00 PM for evening darshan. Deeparadhana is performed at sunset, when the surrounding lamps and the lamps inside the Sreekovil are lit, followed by Camphor Aarati. Athazha Pooja is performed at 7:15 PM, followed by the closing of the temple at 7:30 PM. Pooja timings may change on special occasions such as the Mandala season, Navaratri and the annual Pooruruttathi Thalappoli festival.

Key highlight :-

• Located 8 km from Tripunithura, 22 km from Vaikom and 16 km from Ernakulam city.
• The nearest railway station is Ernakulam South, located 15 km away.
• KSRTC and local bus facilities are available to the temple from Ernakulam and Vaikom.
• Private vehicles can be parked in the temple’s parking area.
• Accommodation and food facilities are available in the nearby towns.
• Contact number +91 4842791129