Karikode Bhagavathy Temple

Mangattukavala, Thodupuzha, Dist. Idukki.

Karikode Bhagavathy Temple is located at Karikode, near Thodupuzha town in Idukki district. The main deity, Bhadrakali, is worshipped as Karikottamma. The temple is more than 460 years old and is associated with the history of the old Keezhmalainadu royal dynasty and the traditional Kerala style of architecture.

Historically, Karikode was the main centre of Keezhmalainadu, which was part of the Vadakkumkoor royal dynasty. The Vadakkumkoor king built Karikode Bhagavathy Temple and the nearby Annamalai Siva Temple for the protection of the region and for royal worship. According to historical records, the temple is more than 460 years old and was built in the 16th century AD, around 1564. The Bhadrakali deity at the temple was the family deity of the Vadakkumkoor and Keezhmalainadu kings. During the period of royal rule, the temple was managed and protected directly by the rulers. After Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma Maharaja conquered Vadakkumkoor and brought it under the Kingdom of Travancore, the temple also came under the control of the Travancore administration. At present, this historic temple is managed by the Travancore Devaswom Board.

According to local legend, the Vadakkumkoor king who ruled the Thodupuzha region was a devoted worshipper of Kodungalloor Bhagavathy. He regularly visited the Kodungalloor temple, but as he grew older, travelling to Kodungalloor became difficult. Distressed by this, the king prayed to the goddess and performed penance for a long time. According to the legend, Kodungallooramma, pleased with the king’s devotion, appeared near a field close to his palace. After recognising the presence of the goddess, the king built a temporary shelter there, began worshipping her and later built a temple. The legend also states that a Shilakannadi Prathishta, believed to hold the presence of Kodungallooramma, was installed facing west.

From the road, the main entrance of the temple is the first feature that comes into view. A large temporary shelter is set up here during festivals and other special occasions. Instead of a large gopuram, the entrance has a traditional Kerala-style gateway with a Padippura. One of the notable features of the temple is the Nandi idol located close to the road, in front of the main entrance. Nandi idols are not usually seen in front of Bhagavathy temples, making this Nandi installation a distinctive feature here. A large banyan tree and its raised platform can also be seen near the entrance. After passing through the gateway, visitors enter a large Chuttambalam enclosed on all four sides, with a tiled roof and wooden pillars. A large temple pond is located behind the Chuttambalam on the eastern side.

The Sree Kovil is built in a square shape in the traditional Kerala style of architecture. Its foundation and walls are made of laterite, with a wooden roof covered with clay tiles. The Sree Kovil faces west. Old wood carvings can be seen on the front of the Sree Kovil and on both sides of the entrance. The main form of worship here is a Shilakannadi Prathishta instead of a conventional idol. The deity’s presence is believed to be held in a black stone with one side polished like a mirror. In addition to the Shilakannadi, a large wooden idol is installed inside the Sree Kovil for worship. About six feet tall, this wooden idol represents Karikottamma in the fierce form of Bhadrakali. As it is a wooden idol, water abhishekam is not usually performed on it.

The shrine of Mahadeva is located at the south-eastern corner of the main Sree Kovil, at the Kannimoola and faces east. The presence of Shiva can be seen at different places inside and outside the temple, including the Nandi idol, in connection with the history that the Vadakkumkoor king originally wished to build a large Siva temple here. The shrine of Lord Ganesha is located inside the Nalambalam, to the south of the main Sree Kovil. Ghantakarna, who is worshipped as the guardian of the goddess, is also worshipped here. Outside the temple complex, a separate raised platform houses the shrine of the naga deities, with Nagaraja and Nagayakshi installed in the traditional Kerala style.

The main annual festival of the temple is the Kumbha Bharani Mahotsavam, held during the Aswathi and Bharani nakshatras in the Malayalam month of Kumbham (February–March). This one-day festival attracts numerous devotees who come to worship Karikottamma. Tantric rituals, Thalappoli, traditional percussion performances such as Pandi and Panchari and various art forms are held as part of the festival. Rituals similar to those observed during the Kodungalloor Bharani can also be seen on this occasion. The Navaratri Mahotsavam, held in the Malayalam month of Kanni (September–October), is another major celebration at the temple. Special decorations and poojas are performed for the goddess throughout the nine days, followed by Vidyarambham ceremonies on Vijayadashami. Bhairava pooja, associated with the fierce form of the goddess and her role as a guardian, is also performed during this period. The 41-day Mandala worship, which begins on the first day of the Malayalam month of Vrischikam, is another important observance. During the Mandala period, Karthika Vilakku is held on Thrikkarthika, the birth star of the goddess, with numerous lamps lit in the temple and its surroundings. Special Sarpabali and Nagarootu are performed for the naga deities outside the temple complex on the Ayilyam nakshatra in the month of Kanni.

The main offerings to the goddess include Rakthapushpanjali, Guruthi, Pushpanjali, offering garlands made of hibiscus flowers, Pattucharthal and Thali Samarpanam. Rakthapushpanjali is performed to calm the fierce form of the goddess and to seek relief from the effects of enemies and fear. Guruthi is a special offering made to Karikottamma with devotion. Devotees offer Pushpanjali as part of their regular prayers and also offer garlands made of hibiscus flowers, which are considered dear to Bhadrakali. Devotees offer silk cloth and thali to the goddess and pray for the removal of obstacles to marriage and for a successful married life. Among the offerings to the sub-deities, Dhara at the Mahadeva shrine in the Kannimoola is an important offering, performed for relief from illness and for long life. Maha Ganapathi Homam and breaking coconuts before Lord Ganesha are performed to remove obstacles. Special Ayilyam Pooja and Sarpabali are performed for the naga deities in the temple complex on the Ayilyam nakshatra in the month of Kanni and devotees make these offerings to seek relief from Rahu-related doshas and for family prosperity.

The usual darshan timings at the temple are from 05:00 AM to 11:00 AM in the morning and from 05:00 PM to 08:00 PM in the evening. The morning rituals begin with the opening of the Sree Kovil, followed by Nirmalya Darshan and Abhishekam and then Ushapooja. Before the temple closes in the morning, offerings are made to the goddess and Uchapooja is performed. In the evening, Deeparadhana is followed by Athazha Pooja before the temple closes for the night. The darshan timings and pooja schedule may change on special days and during festivals.

Key highlight :-

• Located 21 km from Muvattupuzha and 30 km from Pala.
• The nearest railway station is Piravom Road Railway Station, located 38 km from the temple.
• 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 9947237127.