Elamkulam Kavalakkal Sree Bhagavathy Temple

Gandhi Nagar, Elamkulam, Dist. Ernakulam.

Elamkulam Kavalakkal Sree Bhagavathy Temple is an ancient Hindu place of worship located at Katrikkadavu (Gandhinagar, Elamkulam) in Ernakulam district, near the Kaloor–Kadavanthra Road. The main deity is Sree Bhagavathy, whose shrine faces east. The temple preserves its traditional customs and has historical importance and it is one of the main cultural centres of the local community in the heart of Kochi city.

There are no inscriptions or historical records that clearly state the exact age of the temple or the period of any king or individual during which it was built. However, locally, the temple is estimated to be around 100 years old. Like many old local temples, it is recorded in history only as an ancient place of worship. In earlier times, it was a family temple owned by a prominent local ancestral family. Later, as the traditional family system changed, the local people took over its administration. At present, the daily activities and festivals are managed by a Temple Committee formed by local residents. In recent years, the temple complex has been extensively renovated with financial support from devotees and local people and additional facilities have been provided for devotees.

The main local belief is that the Bhagavathy here represents both a gentle form and the fierce form of Bhadrakali who fights against evil. As this was once a sacred grove belonging to an ancestral family, the worship tradition is linked to old practices of worshipping nature spirits and the forms of Vanadurga and Bhadrakali. There is also a local belief that praying to Kavalakkal Amma can help devotees fulfil their wishes.

Built in the traditional Kerala architectural style, this urban temple stands beside the busy Kaloor–Kadavanthra Road. A large traditional tiled gateway can be seen from the roadside and it is one of the main external features of the temple. The compound wall separates the temple complex from the busy city surroundings, while the greenery of the small sacred grove inside can also be seen from the road. Counters for booking offerings are located near the entrance. On entering through the gateway, visitors can see a spacious courtyard and an elephant shed used during festivals. A stone-paved pathway for circumambulation runs around the temple. Inside the Nalambalam surrounding the main shrine, the wooden and tiled structures retain the traditional Kerala style.

The main shrine is square in shape. Its foundation is made of granite, while the upper part is built with wood and walls and covered with clay tiles. The east-facing shrine has a traditional arrangement that allows sunlight to reach it directly. In front of the shrine is a sopanam with steps carved from granite, which is used by the priests to enter the shrine. Wooden frames fitted with traditional oil lamps are placed around the shrine and these are lit during festivals and special days. The main deity is Sree Bhagavathy, a form of Adi Parashakti. The deity is believed to represent both a gentle form and the fierce form of Bhadrakali who fights against evil. After the daily poojas, the idol is decorated with silk clothes, gold ornaments, fruits and flower garlands. During the Deeparadhana, devotees can see the decorated idol in the light of ghee lamps.

The shrine of Sree Ganapathi is located at the south-western corner of the main shrine, known as Kannimoola. Outside the Nalambalam, a small separate shrine is provided for Dharmasastha in the south-western area. Outside the temple compound wall, a Naga shrine with deities such as Nagaraja and Nagayakshi can be seen at the north-western corner. A shrine for Brahmarakshas can also be seen on the northern side of the temple. It is believed that the spirit associated with the old ancestral family is enshrined here in a gentle form.

The main annual celebration here is the Thalappoli Mahotsavam, usually held in Makaram (January–February) or Kumbham (February–March). During the festival, special poojas for the goddess, the Thalappoli procession, traditional percussion performances such as Chendamelam and Thayambaka and various cultural programmes are held in the temple courtyard. The nine-day Navarathri festival in Kanni (September–October) is also important. Special poojas and musical offerings are held during these days and Vidyarambham ceremonies for children are conducted on Vijayadashami. The 41-day Mandalam period, from the first day of Vrischikam (November) to the 11th day of Dhanu (December), is important for both the sub-deity Dharmasastha and the main Bhagavathy. During this period, special Chuttu Vilakku and Chuttuvilakku offerings are lit daily with the participation of devotees. Tuesdays and Fridays are considered important days for Bhagavathy and several devotees visit the temple for darshan on these days. Chovvavilakku, one of the main offerings here, is specially offered on Tuesdays. Special poojas are also performed for the Naga deities on the Ayilyam nakshatra in every Malayalam month.

One of the most popular special offerings here is Chovvavilakku. As the name suggests, this offering is performed only on Tuesdays. Several devotees book this offering on Tuesdays to seek relief from difficulties in life and fulfilment of their wishes. During Niramala, the temple shrine and compound wall are decorated with flower garlands and lamps are lit. Kumkumarchana is an important archana offering to Bhagavathy. Married women perform this offering for a long married life, while unmarried women perform it seeking an early marriage. Thulabharam is also performed to seek protection from illnesses and dangers. In this offering, devotees present items such as jaggery, bananas, paddy and kanal equal to their own body weight to Bhagavathy. Thrimadhura nivedyam, payasam and appam are also offered to the goddess daily. Special flower offerings are performed in the presence of Saraswathi for children’s education and learning. An offering of appam and Karukamala to Ganapathi is also performed to remove obstacles. On the Ayilyam nakshatra days of every Malayalam month, Noorum Paalum and turmeric-powder abhishekam are performed for the Naga deities at the Naga shrine. These offerings are made to seek relief from Rahu–Ketu doshas and the blessings of the Naga deities. Lighting Elluthiri (Neerajanam) for Dharmasastha on Saturdays is also an important offering performed to seek relief from Shani dosha.

The daily pooja schedule usually begins at 05:00 AM when the temple opens with Nirmalya Darshan. At 09:30 AM, Ushapooja is performed with offerings to the goddess and the temple closes at 10:00 AM after the morning darshan. Although the temple usually opens from 04:00 AM, the main pooja rituals begin at 05:00 AM. The temple reopens at 05:30 PM for evening darshan, followed by Sandhya Deeparadhana at 06:20 PM. Chuttu Vilakku and ghee lamps are lit during this time. At 07:30 PM, Athazha Pooja is performed with the evening offering to the goddess and at 08:00 PM, the temple closes after Thrippuka and the final darshan of the day. The pooja timings may change on special days such as Tuesdays when Chovvavilakku is offered, Navarathri, the Mandalam period and the annual Thalappoli festival.

Key highlight :-

• Located 1 km from Kadavanthra, 3 km from Vyttila and 2 km from Ernakulam south.
• 2 km from Ernakulam junction railway station.
• 28 km from Cochin International Airport.
• KSRTC and local bus facilities are available to the temple.
• Private vehicles can be parked near the temple.
• Accommodation and food facilities are available near the temple.