Vellamkulathala Sree Bhagavathy Temple

Venpakal, Neyyattinkara, Dist. Thiruvananthapuram.

Vellamkulathala Sree Bhagavathy is an ancient Lakshmi-Durga temple located in Venpakal village in Neyyattinkara, Thiruvananthapuram district. Goddess Durga, the motherly form of Adi Parashakti, is the main deity worshipped here. With centuries of history and tradition, the temple is regarded as a symbol of prosperity for the Venpakal region. Its beautiful and distinctive design also sets it apart from many other temples.

There are no major written historical records or official inscriptions from the period of royal rule relating to Vellamkulathala Sree Bhagavathy. Therefore, the history of the temple is mainly understood through its rituals, architecture and information passed down through generations. In the past, the temple grew closely connected with the agricultural traditions and social life of the Venpakal region. The continued practice of rituals related to the harvest is considered a sign of its strong connection with the farming community of the area in earlier times.

It is believed that, in the past, there was a perennial water body in this area, with the presence of the Goddess nearby. According to local belief, the place came to be known as ‘Vellamkulathala’ because the Goddess is believed to have settled in this landscape associated with water and a pond and the temple came to be known as Vellamkulathala Sree Bhagavathy. The legend says that when the village faced crop failure and famine in earlier times, the local people came together and prayed to Adi Parashakti, the divine force of nature. The Goddess is believed to have then settled here and blessed the land. As part of this belief, the special harvest ceremony known as ‘Nira and Puthari’ is still conducted with devotion as an offering of thanks to the Goddess. Beyond official historical records, these beliefs and traditions passed down through generations continue to make the temple an important part of the Venpakal region.

The temple is built in the traditional Kerala style of architecture. At the entrance, there is a beautiful Padippura and gateway. The Chuttambalam and Nalambalam are arranged around the main Sreekovil. A sloping tiled roof is one of its main features. The Vilakkumaadam, with rows of oil lamps fixed along the outer walls of the Chuttambalam, is also notable. When the lamps are lit in the evening, the temple surroundings look especially beautiful. A temple pond, which reflects the traditional culture of earlier times, can also be seen nearby. Inside the Nalambalam, there is a stone-paved pathway for devotees to walk around the Bhagavathy shrine in prayer. A small Namaskara Mandapam with pillars stands directly in front of the Sreekovil.

The Sreekovil is a simple square structure. It has a sloping tiled roof designed to protect it from heavy rain, with a finial at the top. In front of the Sreekovil, there is a small set of steps made of black stone called the Sopana, through which the priests enter for worship. Beautiful sculptures of Dwarapalakas, the guardian figures, are carved on both sides of the Sreekovil doorway. The main deity is Goddess Durga, the motherly form of Adi Parashakti. The deity is a four-armed, serene form beautifully carved from black stone. Unlike the fierce form usually associated with Bhadrakali, the Goddess is worshipped here in the Lakshmi-Durga form, believed to bless devotees with prosperity. During the daily worship, the Goddess is beautifully adorned with silk cloth and locally made flower garlands.

Apart from the main Sreekovil, other deity shrines can also be seen around the temple. The shrine of Lord Ganesha is located on the south-west side. Outside the temple compound, there is a sacred grove with a Naga shrine dedicated to Nagaraja and Nagayakshi. Surrounded by trees and plants, this area reflects the traditional Kerala practice of nature worship. Shrines dedicated to local guardian deities such as Madan Thampuran and Yakshi Amma can also be seen outside the temple and in the south-western corner.

The Uthrittathi Mahotsavam is the main festival celebrated here. The festival begins with the hoisting of the temple flag on the first day under the guidance of the temple Tantri. Special rituals such as Udayasthamana Pooja, Navakam and Sree Bhootha Bali are performed during the festival days. Traditional Kerala art forms such as Kathakali, Chakyar Koothu and Theyyam, along with other cultural programmes, are also presented in the evenings. On the final days, Pallivetta is followed by Aarattu at a nearby water body, marking the end of the festival. Nira and Puthari in the month of Chingam is an important ceremony linked to the agricultural traditions of the region. New rice sheaves are brought to the temple, offered in worship and then distributed among devotees. During the Mandala period, from Vrischikam 1 to Dhanu 11, special poojas, lighting of lamps, Kalamezhuthu and traditional songs are held. Special poojas and Vidyarambham are conducted during Navaratri in the month of Kanni. Karthika Vilakku, held on Thrikarthika day in the month of Vrischikam, is another important observance, when clay lamps are lit throughout the temple and its surroundings. Special poojas are also held on the first day of every Malayalam month and on Tuesdays and Fridays, which are considered important days for the Bhagavathy, attracting many devotees for darshan.

The main offerings include Naranga Vilakku, Pongala, Pattu Chaarthal, Payasa Nivedyam and Pushpanjali. Naranga Vilakku is offered to remove obstacles and seek relief from difficulties. Pattu Chaarthal is performed for the prosperity and well-being of the family. Various forms of Pushpanjali are offered to seek the Goddess’s blessings for health, prosperity and long life. Pongala is prepared and offered as a gesture of thanks to the Goddess and to seek her blessings. Devotees also offer different types of payasam, including Kadumpayasam, Neypayasam and Palpayasam. At the shrine of Lord Ganesha, Ganapathi Homam is performed to remove obstacles and to seek a smooth beginning for new ventures. Appam Moodal and Modakam are also important offerings to Lord Ganesha. At the Naga shrine, rituals such as Nagaroot and Nagapooja are performed to seek relief from Sarpa Dosha and for family prosperity.

The temple is open every day from 05:00 AM, beginning with Nirmalya Darshan. At 05:30 AM, Abhishekam and Malar Nivedyam are performed. Usha Pooja follows at 06:00 AM, after which Prasadam is distributed to devotees. At 09:00 AM, Ucha Pooja, the main offering and Aarati are performed. The temple reopens at 05:30 PM for evening darshan. Deeparadhana is held from 06:15 PM to 06:45 PM, when the temple lamps are lit and Karpoora Aarati is performed. Athazha Pooja and the evening offering take place at 07:30 PM, followed by the closing of the temple at 08:00 PM after prayers. Pooja timings may vary slightly on special days such as Tuesdays and Fridays and during the annual festival.

Key highlight :-

• Located 7 km from Balaramapuram and 22 km from Thiruvananthapuram city.
• The nearest railway station is Neyyattinkara, 4 km away, while Thiruvananthapuram Central is 22 km away.
• KSRTC and local bus facilities are available to the temple from Thiruvananthapuram city.
• Private vehicles can be parked in the temple’s parking area.
• Accommodation and food facilities are available in nearby towns.
• Contact number +91 6282262438