Koottummel Sree Bhagavathy Temple

Maravanthuruthu, Vaikom, Dist. Kottayam.

Koottummel Sree Bhagavathy Temple is an important Devi temple located at Maravanthuruthu in Vaikom Taluk, Kottayam district. Sree Bhagavathy (Bhadrakali/Devi) is the main deity. The temple has a close traditional and historical connection with the famous Vaikom Mahadeva Temple and is one of the important temples from where a ceremonial procession is taken to Vaikom Mahadeva Temple on special occasions, including Vaikathashtami. It is also an important place of worship in the area, where special poojas and offerings are held on important days.

Historically, Koottummel Temple was the family shrine of a prominent Theeya/Ezhava family in the Maravanthuruthu area. It was part of the old tradition in Kerala, where many families built small sacred groves or places of worship within their family properties for regular worship. Over time, the management of the temple passed from the family to a local community committee and the temple became an important centre for the social gatherings of people from Maravanthuruthu and Kulasekharamangalam. The cultural traditions of central Travancore can be seen in the festivals and rituals held here. The structure and management of the temple also changed as part of the social reform movements and community activities of the 20th century. Although the temple does not have extensive inscriptions or royal historical records like some of the large temples from the period of royal rule, its history reflects its growth from a family shrine into an important community place of worship through the collective efforts of local people.

According to legend, the head of a local family, who was a devoted worshipper of Kodungallur Bhagavathy, went to Kodungallur and prayed there through bhajanam. Pleased with his devotion, the Goddess is believed to have come and stayed here at his request. The temple is said to have been built at the sacred grove where the Goddess first appeared, and it is believed that she continued to reside there to protect the local people. The main deity is believed to be Bhadrakali in her fierce form after defeating the Asura Darikasura. At the same time, devotees worship her as a gentle and motherly form of the Goddess.

When viewed from the road, the first thing that catches the eye is the large Aanappanthal with its tall pillars. During the festival season, elephants are lined up here and melams are held. Behind the Aanappanthal is a beautiful traditional Kerala-style entrance gate with a tiled roof. The temple premises also have a spacious front courtyard leading from the roadside to the main temple, along with large trees. On entering through the entrance gate, the Balikkalpura, with a large Balikkallu, is the first structure seen. The main temple is surrounded by a large Nalambalam-like structure, with Vilakkumadam arrangements along its walls for placing oil lamps.

Like many Bhadrakali temples in Kerala, the Sreekovil here is built in a square shape. It has a traditional pyramidal roof covered with copper sheets, topped by a golden finial. In front of the Sreekovil are beautifully carved granite steps known as the Sopaanam. Sculptures of Dwarapalakas can be seen on both sides of the entrance, as if guarding the Goddess. Bhadrakali, the form of Adi Parashakti with the divine presence of Kodungallur Bhagavathy, is the main deity. Similar to the tradition followed in many Bhadrakali temples in central Travancore, a shining metal mirror idol is also placed here for worship along with the main deity. Oil lamps are kept lit around the idol and after the daily poojas, the Goddess is adorned with gold ornaments, silk garments and fresh flower garlands.

Inside the Nalambalam, the shrine of Lord Ganesha is located at the south-western corner of the Sreekovil, known as Kannimoola. The shrine of Dharma Sastha, or Lord Ayyappa, is located outside the main Sreekovil on the southern side. In a specially arranged sacred grove at the north-western corner of the temple, the Naga deities, including Nagaraja and Nagayakshi, are worshipped. A shrine dedicated to Rakshass, commonly seen in Bhadrakali temples, is also present within the temple premises. As the main shrine faces east, devotees can enter through the eastern entrance and worship these sub-deities in order while performing the pradakshinam.

The main festival of the temple, the Pooram Mahotsavam, begins on the Thrikkarthika day in the Malayalam month of Vrischikam (November–December) and continues for about 41 days until the Pooram star in the month of Makaram (January–February). During this period, Pooram celebrations are held under the leadership of different local areas, with Kettukazhcha, Thalappoli, Panchavadyam, Theyyam and various traditional art forms making the temple premises lively. The festival concludes with Makara Pooram. On Thrikkarthika, which marks the beginning of the festival, oil lamps are lit in the temple and its surroundings as part of the Karthika Vilakku. Special poojas and offerings are held during the Mandala period from Vrischikam 1 to Dhanu 11 (December–January). The Navaratri celebrations in the month of Kanni (September–October) include Poojaveppu on Durgashtami and Mahanavami, followed by Vidyarambham on Vijayadashami. On the Ayilyam star day, special rituals such as Sarpabali, Nagapooja and Paloot are performed for the Naga deities. The temple receives more devotees on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays, as well as during Rahukaalam, when Muttarukkal is also an important offering. The period from Vrischikam (November–December) to Makaram (January–February) is the best time to experience the Pooram celebrations and related cultural programmes.

The main offerings include Muttarukkal, Raktha Pushpanjali, Guruthi Pushpanjali, Kadumpayasam, Neypayasam, Pattuchaarthal and Thaalichaarthal. Muttarukkal is an important offering performed by breaking a coconut to remove obstacles, enemy-related troubles, health-related difficulties and other hindrances in life. Raktha Pushpanjali is performed with red chethi flowers to remove enemy-related troubles and fulfil wishes. Guruthi Pushpanjali is performed in the evening to calm the fierce form of the Goddess and remove negative influences. Kadumpayasam and Neypayasam are important food offerings made for family prosperity. Pattuchaarthal and Thaalichaarthal involve offering silk garments and a gold or silver thali to the Goddess for marriage and a long married life. Ganapathi Homam and Appam are offered to Kannimoola Ganapathi to remove obstacles, while Neerajanam is performed for Sastha on Saturdays to remove the effects of Shani. Paloot and turmeric powder Abhishekam are important offerings to the Naga deities to remove Rahu-related and Naga-related troubles.

The temple opens every day at 05:00 AM with Palli Unarthal. Usha Pooja is performed at 05:30 AM, followed by Ucha Pooja at 08:30 AM. The temple closes at around 10:00 AM after the Ucha Pooja. It reopens at 05:00 PM for evening darshan. Deeparadhana is performed at 06:30 PM, followed by Athazha Pooja at 07:30 PM. The temple closes at around 08:00 PM, marking the end of the day’s darshan. During the festival season and Mandala period, the temple may open as early as 04:30 AM on some days and the closing time in the evening may be later.

Key highlight :-

• Located 6 km from Vaikom and 22 km from Tripunithura.
• The nearest railway station is Vaikom Road Railway Station, located 11 km away.
• KSRTC and local bus facilities are available to the temple from Vaikom and Ernakulam.
• Private vehicles can be parked near the temple.
• Accommodation and food facilities are available in the nearby towns..