Moothedathukavu Bhagavathi Temple

Moothedathukavu Road, Vaikom, Dist. Kottayam.

Moothedathukavu Bhagavathi Temple is a famous and historically important Hindu place of worship located near T.V. Puram in Vaikom, Kottayam district. Bhadrakali is the main deity and the Goddess is known among devotees as ‘Moothedathukavilamma’. The temple has several unique customs and features that are different from those of many other temples in Kerala.

The temple is believed to have been built during the rule of the Vadakkumkoor kings (Vempali Nadu), who were powerful in medieval Kerala. Although the exact year of its construction is not recorded, historians believe that the temple is around 500 to 600 years old. Historical records suggest that the early construction was carried out by ‘Moothedath Thirumeni’ of the Vadakkumkoor royal family, along with the local chiefs. In AD 1750, when Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma, the King of Travancore, conquered Vadakkumkoor, the temple, which was the family deity shrine of the royal family, also came under the control of Travancore. In its early days, it was maintained as a sacred grove with trees and dense vegetation. Later, several renovation works were carried out during the Travancore period and under the leadership of local committees. The present Sreekovil and Chuttambalam were rebuilt in the traditional Kerala style of architecture. The preservation and renovation of the temple are currently carried out under the supervision of the Travancore Devaswom Board. The temple stands as a historical witness to the fall of the Vadakkumkoor kingdom and the rise of Travancore.

According to legend, the Pandya king had Kannaki’s husband, Kovilan, wrongly accused of theft and killed in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. Enraged by this, Kannaki is believed to have torn off one of her breasts and thrown it away, setting the whole city of Madurai on fire. She then travelled south in a fierce form, still filled with anger and eventually reached this area. It is believed that devotees invoked and consecrated her here as Bhadrakali to calm her fierce form. There is also a legend behind the temple remaining closed for three months every year, from Medam to Karkidakam. Devotees believe that after destroying Madurai, the Goddess settled here but travels to Madurai every year after Vishu to meet her husband, Kovilan. As she is believed to be away for these three months, no poojas or darshan are held during this period. According to another local belief, Moothedathukavilamma is considered the daughter of Vaikkathappan (Lord Shiva), the main deity of the famous Vaikom Mahadeva Temple. Therefore, devotees who visit Vaikkathappan also visit this temple to seek the blessings of his daughter.

Before entering the temple, there is a large entrance gate known as the Gopura Vathil (Padippura). After passing through the main entrance, devotees can see a large Aanappanthal, a covered structure for devotees to stand, with a tall flagstaff (Kodimaram) standing at its centre. The front part of the temple, known as the Nampura or Valiyambalam, has a large tiled roof and is clearly visible from outside. The Nalambalam, a spacious passage surrounding the main shrine, has a Thidappalli and rooms for storing pooja materials on both sides of the entrance. Wooden lamps are also arranged around the outer walls of the Nalambalam, forming a Vilakkumaadam.

The Sreekovil is built in the ‘Square Sanctum’ style of traditional Kerala architecture. Its foundation is made of granite and laterite stone. It has a sloping roof designed to provide proper air and light and to allow rainwater to drain easily, with traditional clay tiles covering the roof. Beautiful scenes from Hindu mythology are carved into the wooden panels on the front and sides of the Sreekovil, showing the fine craftsmanship of traditional Kerala carpenters. The granite steps leading into the Sreekovil are known as the Sopanam, with sculptures of Dwarapalakas (guardian deities) on either side. The Bhadrakali idol here is made using rare and sacred Salagrama stones. The Goddess is believed to be present in the fierce form of Kannaki after the burning of Madurai, although she is considered compassionate towards devotees. While most temples in Kerala have deities facing east, the Goddess here faces west.

In addition to the main deity, Dharmasastha (Ayyappan) is enshrined in the south-west corner of the Nalambalam, while Ganapathi is located to the south of the Sreekovil and Lord Shiva is enshrined near the main Sreekovil. Subrahmanya and Lord Hanuman are worshipped in shrines on the sides of the temple, while Jyeshta Bhagavathi has a separate shrine. Nagaraja and Nagayakshi are enshrined at the Nagathara within the temple compound and Brahmarakshas is worshipped at a separate shrine.

The main annual festival is held in the Malayalam month of Kumbham (February–March). The festival begins with the Kodiyettam on the Rohini star and concludes on the ninth day with the Aarattu on the Uthram star. Makam Thozhal and Pooram Thozhal are important occasions during the festival. The famous Garudan Thookkam offering is held on the day of Kumbha Bharani during the festival period. Special celebrations are also held around Vishu in the month of Meenam. After Vishu, the temple remains closed for three months, as the Goddess is believed to travel to Madurai to meet her husband, Kovilan. The temple reopens on the first day of Karkidakam after this three-month period and the Nadathurappu festival is held with special rituals such as Valiya Guruthi, Villadichan Pattu and Theeyattu. Navaratri (Vidyarambham) in Kanni, Thrikarthika in Vrischikam, Deepavali and Maha Shivaratri are also important occasions. The 41-day Mandala period in Vrischikam is also observed with special rituals due to the presence of Dharmasastha (Ayyappan).

Garudan Thookkam, performed on the day of Kumbha Bharani during the annual festival, is the main offering here. Devotees perform it seeking relief from chronic illnesses, blessings for children and the removal of family-related difficulties. Valiya Guruthi and Kumbhakudam are performed to calm the Goddess’s fierce form, while devotees also offer them to remove enemy-related troubles and negative influences from their homes. Thottam Pattu and Villadichan Pattu, which narrate the history and legends of the Goddess, are offered during the festival for family prosperity and the Goddess’s blessings. Bhadrakali Theeyattu, which includes Kalamezhuthu and ritual songs, is performed to overcome difficulties in marriage, seek employment and find relief from hardships. Ganapathi Homam and Ottayappam are important offerings to Ganapathi; Neeranjanam for Dharmasastha is performed to overcome the effects of Saturn, while Neyyabhishekam is offered during the Mandala period. Ayilya Pooja and Palpayasam are offered to the Naga deities to overcome Naga-related afflictions. Other common offerings such as Rakthapushpanjali, Kadumpayasam and Pattucharthal are also performed here.

The temple opens every day at 05:00 AM with Nirmalya Darshan. Abhishekam and Malar Nivedyam are performed at 05:30 AM, followed by Usha Pooja at 06:30 AM and Ethritha Pooja at 08:30 AM. Ucha Pooja is performed at 10:30 AM, after which the morning sanctum closes at 11:00 AM. In the evening, the temple reopens at 05:00 PM, followed by Deeparadhana at 06:30 PM and Athazha Pooja and Valiya Guruthi at 07:30 PM. The temple closes for the night at 08:00 PM. On Fridays, Lalitha Sahasranama Archana and Muttarukkal are performed as special offerings. Special Naga Pooja and lighting of lamps are also performed during Rahu Kalam on Tuesdays and Fridays to remove Naga-related afflictions.

Key highlight :-

• Located 3 km from Vaikom, 17 km from Cherthala and 28 km from Tripunithura.
• The nearest railway station is Vaikom Road Railway Station, 13 km away.
• Limited KSRTC bus services are available and local bus services are available from 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 9446274883.