Poomkavu Devi Temple

Thalayazham, Dist. Kottayam.

Poomkavu Devi Temple, one of the well-known places of worship in Kerala, is located at Thalayazham near Vaikom in Kottayam district. The main deity is Bhagavathi (Devi). The temple is known for its local rituals, traditions and festivals. One of its main attractions is Garuda Thookam, a traditional offering performed by devotees as part of the temple’s religious practices.

Although no inscriptions or other records confirming the exact age of the temple have been found, it is believed to be around 200 to 300 years old based on the accounts of local elders and the structure of the temple. The village temple is said to have been built by local landlords and Hindu families from the Vaikom area. In earlier times, Bhagavathi was worshipped only in sacred groves and later a small Sreekovil was built for the deity. During the Vaikom Satyagraha (1924–1925), the social changes related to the right of disadvantaged communities to worship also influenced the village temples in this area. In the past, the temple was managed under the Oorazhma system, with leading local families and landowners having major authority over its administration. The income from the agricultural lands around the temple was used to conduct daily poojas and festivals during that period. At present, the temple functions under a local temple committee or trust. Committee members elected by the local people manage the daily poojas, festivals and other activities of the temple.

The main offering at the temple, Garuda Thookam, is associated with a legend about the killing of Darika. It is believed that after Bhadrakali killed Darika, she remained angry and the gods and people tried various ways to calm her. Finally, Garuda, the vehicle of Lord Vishnu, is said to have appeared before the goddess, danced and offered drops of blood from his body to her. Pleased with this offering, Bhagavathi became calm, according to the legend. To remember this belief, devotees dress as Garuda and perform Garuda Thookam by hanging from a bow and offering blood to the goddess. There is also another local belief that when infectious diseases such as smallpox spread in the area in the past, the local people prayed together to Bhagavathi in the sacred grove and the disease was completely cured through the goddess’s blessings. It is said that the local people later began celebrating a grand festival here as a way of expressing their gratitude for the recovery.

When viewed from the road, the entrance gate welcoming devotees to the temple can be seen, along with an Aanappanthal, a structure beside the entrance where elephants can be brought and kept during processions. The large laterite stone compound wall surrounding and protecting the temple complex is also visible from outside. In keeping with its name, Poomkavu, the temple is surrounded by large trees and the greenery of the sacred grove. On entering through the gateway, the first main feature is the large Balikkallu (sacrificial stone). A wide stone-paved circumambulatory path runs around the main shrine, through which devotees perform pradakshina around the temple. The main shrine is enclosed by a large, roofed Chuttambalam / Nalambalam. Small platforms known as Vilakkumadam, used for placing oil lamps, can be seen along its walls and these are lit during festivals. Directly in front of the Sreekovil is a small Namaskara Mandapam with pillars. This mandapam is used by the priests for prayers and namaskaram and it features traditional woodwork and carvings.

The Sreekovil is built in the square sanctum style of traditional Kerala architecture. Its foundation is built entirely of granite. While most temples in Kerala face east, the here faces west, towards Vembanad Lake, which is one of the temple’s distinctive features. The upper part of the Sreekovil has a sloping roof in the traditional Kerala style, designed to allow rainwater to drain quickly. A Sthoopika (finial) is placed above the roof. In front of the Sreekovil is a small Sopanam made of granite, with simple stone carvings on both sides. The main deity, known as Poomkavu Amma, is Bhadrakali in a calm and graceful form. Instead of a full stone idol, the shrine has a traditional Kannadi Bimbam (mirror-like idol) or a stone form shaped like a traditional Valkannadi, commonly found in sacred groves and Devi temples in Kerala. The deity is decorated with natural flowers, especially thechi flowers, along with sandalwood. Devotees can have darshan of the deity in the soft light of ghee lamps.

The Kannimoola Ganapathy (Lord Ganesha) shrine is located at the south-western corner of the main Sreekovil, within the Nalambalam. In the south-eastern part of the temple, near the large Balikkallu, is the shrine of Shastha/Ayyappan (Lord Ayyappa). At the north-western corner, the Nagathara, or sacred Naga grove, houses the shrines of Nagaraja and Nagayakshi. The shrine of Rakshas is located outside the temple compound wall at the north-eastern corner.

The main annual festival of the temple is the Poomkavu Thookka Mahotsavam. On the main days of the festival, devotees perform Garuda Thookam as an offering. Another local highlight is the Ther (Temple Chariot/Structure), which is specially made for the festival. Elephant processions, Thalappoli, Panchavadyam and Chenda Melam add to the festive atmosphere. Meena Bharani (March–April) is an important day in Bhadrakali worship and special poojas, Prasadam Oottu and Thottam Paattu are conducted on this day. As it is associated with the killing of Darika, the temple receives a large number of devotees. During the Mandala–Makaravilakku season, special poojas are conducted for Shastha and the main deity for 41 days, from the first day of Vrischikam to the month of Dhanu. Daily Kalamezhuthu and Paattu and Chuttuvilakku are among the main features of this period. Navarathri is celebrated for nine days during the month of Kanni, when the goddess is worshipped in the form of Durga. Facilities for Poojaveppu and Vidyarambham are also arranged during this period. In addition, on the Ayilyam star day of every Malayalam month, special poojas are conducted for the Naga deities at the Nagathara, along with offerings such as Sarpabali and Noorum Paalum.

The most well-known offering at the temple is Garuda Thookam. Devotees make this offering mainly during the festival season, seeking relief from serious illnesses, the removal of obstacles and blessings for children. Chathussatham is a special type of payasam offered to the goddess. Rakta Pushpanjali is an important archana performed with red thechi flowers, seeking relief from negative influences and the fulfilment of wishes. Guruthi Tharpanam is a special evening ritual performed to calm the fierce form of the goddess and to remove negative influences. Pattu Charathal, in which a silk saree and thali are offered to the goddess, is performed for marital blessings and a long married life. The main offerings to the sub-deities include Ashtadravya Ganapathi Homam, performed for Kannimoola Ganapathy using eight types of offerings to remove obstacles; Noorum Paalum, offered to the Naga deities on Ayilyam days for relief from Naga-related doshas; and Palpayasam, offered to Rakshas for his satisfaction.

The daily poojas at the temple begin at 05:00 AM with Nirmalya Darshan. This is considered an auspicious time when the previous day’s decorations are removed and devotees can have darshan of the goddess. This is followed by Abhishekam with pure water and milk, after which flowers and fruits are offered. Usha Pooja is conducted after sunrise, along with a homam for the sub-deity Ganapathy. Ucha Pooja is performed from 09:30 AM to 10:00 AM with special offerings to the goddess, after which the temple closes at 10:00 AM. The temple reopens at 05:30 PM for evening darshan. At dusk, Deeparadhana is performed by lighting the Chuttuvilakku and the lamps inside the Sreekovil, followed by camphor aarati. This is usually a busy time for devotees. Athazha Pooja is conducted from 07:00 PM to 07:30 PM, followed by Thrippuka, after which the temple closes at around 07:30 PM. Pooja timings may vary during festivals and special days such as Meena Bharani.

Key highlight :-

• Located 8 km from Vaikom, 14 km from Kumarakom and 18 km from Cherthala.
• The nearest railway station is Cherthala Railway Station, located 16 km away.
• KSRTC and local bus facilities are available to the temple from Vaikom and Cherthala.
• Private vehicles can be parked in the temple’s parking area.
• Accommodation and food facilities are available in the nearby towns.
• Contact number +91 7012583693.