Valanjambalam Sree Devi Temple

Valanjambalam, Ernakulam south, Dist. Ernakulam.

Valanjambalam Sree Devi Temple is a famous Hindu place of worship located on Chittoor Road in the heart of Ernakulam city. The main deity is Bhagavathy, worshipped as the goddess who gives protection to devotees and prosperity to the land. The temple was formerly known as ‘Perumanur Kavu’ and was later renovated and developed into a Devi temple. It is believed that the name ‘Valanjambalam’ may have come from the temple’s location on a bend in the road. It is one of the ancient and well-known temples in Ernakulam city and the annual Thalappoli Mahotsavam held here is very famous.

Clear written records and historical documents about the temple’s worship and festivals date back about 250 years, to the mid-18th century. However, historians believe that the site existed much earlier as a sacred grove. Historically, the temple was not built by a single king or ruler. In its early days, the Nambyarkuruppath family, one of the prominent local families in the Kingdom of Cochin, is said to have built and maintained the original shrine as their family deity. In the past, the people of Perumanur Desam and Karithala Desam conducted the temple festival in alternate years. This is considered evidence of the two local communities coming together to manage the temple affairs.

The administrative history of the temple can be divided into three main stages. In the early period, the temple was managed by the Nambyarkuruppath family. Later, its administration came under the Cochin royal family and was directly managed by VTK Estate, which looked after the royal family’s properties. After the end of the royal rule, the Cochin royal family handed over the full administration of the temple to the Cochin Devaswom Board under the Government of Kerala. At present, the daily rituals and administration of the temple are managed jointly by the Cochin Devaswom Board and the local advisory committee of devotees.

In the past, after the presence of the goddess was believed to have been found in this area, the prominent Nambyarkuruppath family is said to have established the divine presence as a sacred grove and began worshipping it. This later developed into the larger temple known as ‘Perumanur Kavu’, which is now Valanjambalam Sree Devi Temple.

Located beside the busy Chittoor Road in Kochi, the temple’s exterior immediately catches attention. A large concrete entrance gopuram with beautiful carvings faces the road, with figures of the goddess and other deities displayed on its upper part. On entering through the gopuram, devotees first see the spacious Aanapandal. Its eight main pillars feature beautiful wall paintings of the Ashtalakshmis. The Nalambalam or Chuttambalam, surrounding the main Sreekovil is built in the traditional Kerala temple style, with wooden structures and tiled roofing. The walls of the Chuttambalam also have spaces for placing oil lamps. Despite being surrounded by busy roads and large buildings in the city, the temple provides a traditional Kerala temple atmosphere once devotees enter the premises.

At the centre of the Nalambalam, the main Sreekovil is built in a square shape. Its roof has a pyramidal design covered with copper sheets, with a shining kalasam at the top. The steps leading to the Sreekovil are known as the Sopanam and are carved from black stone. Traditional Vyali figures are carved on both sides of the steps as guardians. A small Namaskara Mandapam with a wooden roof is situated directly in front of the Sreekovil, where priests perform prayers and chant mantras. Bhagavathy, the divine cosmic power, is the main deity. The goddess is mainly worshipped in the form of Bhadrakali, while devotees also worship her as the peaceful form of Durga. She is worshipped as the goddess who grants protection and prosperity to devotees. The idol of the goddess, carved from black stone, is placed inside the Sreekovil facing west. The idol has a calm and pleasant appearance, with less emphasis on the fierce form of the goddess and is seen as blessing devotees.

In addition to the main Devi shrine, the temple premises have shrines dedicated to several other deities. Lord Ganapathy is worshipped in the south-west corner of the main Sreekovil, known as Kannimoola, facing east. A separate shrine for Dharmasastha or Lord Ayyappan, is located near the entrance, outside the Nalambalam on the southern side. In the north-west corner of the temple premises, a natural sacred grove and Naga shrine are maintained, where Naga deities are worshipped. The shrine of Yogeeswaran is situated on the northern side of the temple, close to the shrine of the Uttaramatrukkal. The temple premises also have a separate shrine dedicated to Kunnariyath Bhagavathy, located outside the Nalambalam.

The most important annual celebration is the Thalappoli Mahotsavam, also known as Bharani Utsavam. The festival is usually held for four days in the Malayalam month of Kumbham (February–March), with the day of the Bharani star being the most important. Thalappoli, in which numerous women and girls dressed in traditional Kerala attire carry lamps and thalam in their hands and worship the goddess, is the main ceremony of the festival. The goddess’s ezhunnallathu accompanied by decorated elephants, along with traditional music performances such as Panchari Melam and Thayambaka, adds to the beauty of the celebrations. In addition, during the Mandala-Makaravilakku season, which begins on the first day of Vrischikam (November–December), special poojas and Chuttuvilakku are conducted for the main deity and Lord Ayyappan. During Navaratri in Kanni (September–October), special poojas are conducted for nine days, followed by Vidyarambham on Vijayadashami. Ramayana recitation and special Lakshmi poojas are held during Karkidakam (July–August). On the Ayilyam star day of every Malayalam month, Naga Pooja and Noorum Palum offerings are conducted at the Naga shrine.

The main offerings at the temple include Guruthi Pushpanjali, Raktha Pushpanjali, Chathushatham Payasam, Pattu Charthal and Muttarukkal. Guruthi Pushpanjali is offered for relief from the effects of enemies and to gain freedom from fear. Raktha Pushpanjali is performed using red thechi flowers for fulfilment of wishes and improved health. Chathushatham Payasam is an important offering to the goddess for prosperity and family growth. Pattu Charthal involves adorning the idol of the goddess with silk cloth. Muttarukkal, in which a coconut is broken, is also a popular offering for removing obstacles in life. Among the other deities, Appam Moodal, also known as Ottayappam and Kadumpayasam are the main offerings to Lord Ganapathy. Neerajanam is performed for Lord Ayyappan on Saturdays and during the Mandala season for relief from Shani Dosha. Noorum Palum is also offered to the Naga deities at the temple’s Naga shrine on Ayilyam star days.

The temple’s daily poojas begin at 04:30 AM with the opening of the temple. Nirmalya Darshan and Abhishekam take place at 05:00 AM. This is followed by Malar Nivedyam at 05:30 AM and Usha Pooja at 06:30 AM. Ucha Pooja and the offering are held at 09:30 AM, after which the morning darshan ends and the temple closes at 10:30 AM. In the evening, the temple reopens at 05:00 PM, followed by Deeparadhana at 06:30 PM and Athazha Pooja at 07:30 PM. On normal days, the temple closes at 08:00 PM. During special occasions such as the Mandala season, Navaratri and Thalappoli Mahotsavam, darshan timings may change depending on the number of devotees and on some days the temple may remain open until 09:00 PM.

Key highlight :-

• Located 5 km from Vyttila, 12 km from Fort Kochi and 9 km from Tripunithura.
• The nearest railway station is Ernakulam South Railway Station, located 1 km away.
• KSRTC and local bus facilities are available to the temple.
• Limited parking facilities are available near the temple.
• Accommodation and food facilities are available near the temple.