Sree Annapoorneswari Navagraha Bhadrakali Temple

Thodupuzha, Dist. Idukki.

Sree Annapoorneswari Navagraha Bhadrakali Temple is an ancient place of worship located in Thodupuzha town in Idukki district, Kerala, known for its natural surroundings and cultural heritage. The temple is notable for having shrines dedicated to Annapoorneswari, Bhadrakali and the Navagrahas within the same temple complex. Annapoorneswari is worshipped as the goddess of prosperity and abundance, while Bhadrakali is worshipped as the goddess who destroys evil. The presence of the Navagraha shrine along with these deities makes the temple a distinctive place where different forms of worship and traditional beliefs are practised together.

The temple in Thodupuzha was originally known locally as Thachukuzhikkavu Annapoorneswari Temple. It was once a small kavu, which was later renovated and expanded into a temple through a committee formed by local residents and devotees. The shrine came to be known as Sree Annapoorneswari Navagraha Bhadrakali Temple after shrines for the Navagrahas and Bhadrakali were added along with the existing Annapoorneswari shrine. Today, daily rituals, poojas, traditional ceremonies and festivals are conducted under the supervision of the temple Tantris and the local committee.

According to local tradition, the Bhadrakali deity here represents the form in which the gods prayed to calm Bhadrakali after the killing of Darika. While the Navagrahas are usually given the status of sub-deities in temples, they are given equal importance along with Bhadrakali here. Devotees who seek the blessings of Bhadrakali for relief from planetary afflictions, including the effects of Saturn, also share their experiences of finding relief, adding to the traditional significance of the temple. The area where the temple now stands was once an ancient kavu known as Thachukuzhikkavu. According to local tradition, this kavu was preserved as part of nature worship and was later developed into the present temple through the collective efforts of devotees.

Sree Annapoorneswari Navagraha Bhadrakali Temple (Thachukuzhikkavu) follows an architectural style that combines traditional Kerala carpentry and temple design with modern construction methods. A large entrance gateway welcoming visitors to the temple can be seen close to the road and it is decorated with lamps on special days. A little further inside from the main road, the front section of the temple and the office can be seen under a tiled roof. Large trees and greenery around the temple reflect the old kavu tradition associated with the name Thachukuzhikkavu. Inside the entrance, there is a broad walkway and an Aanappanthal, which provides space for devotees to queue, pray and for various ceremonies during festivals. A special platform for breaking coconuts as part of the main offering, Muttarukkal, is also arranged in this area. A large dining hall is provided within the temple premises for serving Annadanam to devotees.

The main sanctum is square in shape and built with stone and wood in the traditional Kerala temple style. Reflecting the tradition of the old kavu, the sanctum features wooden carvings and brass and copper decorations on the doors. As in traditional Kerala temples, natural light inside the sanctum is limited and the idols are seen in the light of ghee lamps. Within the main Nalambalam, Annapoorneswari is worshipped in a calm and compassionate form, while Bhadrakali is worshipped in her fierce form as the destroyer of evil. Annapoorneswari is worshipped as the mother who removes hunger, while Bhadrakali is worshipped as the goddess who destroys evil. The worship rituals and arrangement of the pooja platforms give importance to both forms of the goddess.

The shrine of Lord Ganapati is located in the south-west corner of the main sanctum, known as the Kannimoola. The shrine of Lord Ayyappa is located on the north-west side of the temple. One of the main features of the temple is the Navagraha shrine, which is housed in a separate Navagraha Mandapam outside the Nalambalam. As prescribed in traditional practice, Surya is placed at the centre of the mandapam, with the other eight planetary deities arranged around him facing the eight directions. A Nagathara for the Naga deities is also arranged under the shade of trees on one side of the temple premises.

The annual Thiruvutsavam is celebrated for 5 to 7 days during Kumbham (February–March). The festival includes special poojas, Kalashabhishekam, Thalappoli, Pooram Ezhunnallippu and Prasada Oottu (Annadanam), attracting numerous devotees to the temple. Pongala is also offered on a special day during Kumbham, with women sitting in rows in the temple courtyard and surrounding areas to prepare and offer Pongala to the goddess. Makam Thozhal is observed on the Makam star day in Kumbham, when many women visit the temple seeking marital fulfilment and family prosperity. Special poojas are conducted during the nine-day Navaratri period and arrangements are also made for Vidyarambham, where children are introduced to writing. Special poojas are conducted on the full moon day every month, when more devotees visit the temple. Thursdays are important for Vyazha Preethi poojas and special offerings performed for relief from Jupiter-related planetary afflictions. During the Mandala season, from Vrischikam 1 to Dhanu 11, devotees also visit the temple for darshan of Lord Ayyappa.

One of the main offerings at the temple is Muttarukkal, in which coconuts are broken as a special ritual to seek relief from various difficulties and obstacles in life, including problems related to work, marriage, enemies and health. Vyazha Preethi pooja is performed on Thursdays to seek relief from Jupiter-related planetary afflictions, as well as for success in education and better employment opportunities. Offering a Manjappattu, a yellow cloth, to Annapoorneswari is another important offering, performed for marital fulfilment and family prosperity. Kadalappara is also an important offering, made for financial growth and success in business. Ghee lamps are lit before Bhadrakali to seek protection from illnesses and the harmful effects of enemies. Special Navagraha pooja and the offering of a ghee lamp with nine wicks are performed at the Navagraha Mandapam for relief from planetary afflictions. Neerajanam is offered to Lord Ayyappa by tying a sesame bundle and lighting a coconut lamp to seek relief from the adverse effects of Saturn. Ganapathihomam and Appanivedyam are also offered to Lord Ganapati to seek the removal of obstacles.

The general darshan timings at the temple are usually from 05:30 AM to 11:00 AM and from 05:00 PM to 08:00 PM. The daily pooja schedule begins at 05:30 AM with the opening of the shrine and Nirmalya Darshan, followed by Abhishekam at 06:00 AM and Ushapooja at 06:30 AM. Muttarukkal offerings begin from 07:30 AM, followed by the Uchapooja at 10:30 AM, after which the shrine closes at 11:00 AM. In the evening, the shrine reopens at 05:00 PM, followed by Deeparadhana at 06:30 PM and Athazha Pooja at 07:30 PM, before closing at 08:00 PM. Thursdays are usually busier than other days due to the Vyazha Preethi poojas. During the Mandala season and the Kumbham festival period, evening darshan timings may be extended depending on the special ceremonies.

Key highlight :-

• Located 19 km from Muvattupuzha and 27 km from Pala.
• 53 km from Aluva railway station.
• KSRTC and local bus facilities are available to the temple.
• Private vehicles can be parked in the temple’s parking area.
• Accommodation and food facilities are available near the temple.
• Contact number +91 4862225477