Dakshina Mookambika Temple, North Paravur

Sri Dakshina Mookambika Temple is an ancient temple located in the town of North Paravur in Ernakulam district. The main deity of the temple is Sri Mookambika Devi, the mother of Adishakti. Therefore, the vision of this temple is considered to be the best for education. The main attraction of the temple is a small lotus pond and a small shrine built in the middle of it. In this, the educated form of Sri Mookambika Devi resides in the form of Saraswati facing east. The deities are Ganapati, Subramanian, Veerabhadra, Hanuman, Mahavishnu, Yakshiamma and the serpent gods. The temple is under the Travancore Devaswom Board. The Navratri festival of the month of Tula and the commencement of education are important here.

A lord who ruled over North Paravur and the surrounding areas was a perfect Mookambika devotee. He used to visit the world famous Kollur Mookambika temple in present day Karnataka every month and he was very sad when he could not do so due to old age. After his last visit to Kollur, he returned home and spent days worshiping Goddess. One night he had a dream of the Goddess. In the dream the Goddess seemed to say to him: 'Oh devotee, you do not have to come to Kollur to seek me anymore. I will dwell in your land, where you can walk. All you have to do is build a temple for me in a suitable place there. ' Satisfied with this, Thampuran found a suitable place outside the Paravur fort the next day and started the construction of the temple. The construction of the temple was completed within months. The Lord then performed the rites and opened the temple to the common people. The temple is also known as the 'Dakshina Mookambika Temple' as it is located in the southern (southern) part of the Kollur Mookambika Temple. According to Hindu mythology, Goddess Saraswati is the lord of knowledge, words, knowledge, intellect, music and crafts.

The temple is dedicated to Goddess Saraswati. That is why education is so important here. The Goddess resides in the sanctum sanctorum in the middle of a small lotus pond facing east. The Goddess Chaturbahu is holding an akshamala on her right hand, a water lily on her left hand and a book on her left hand. The Goddess, who was brought from Kollur by the devotee Paravur Thampuran, removes the darkness of ignorance from the devotees and reigns the light of wisdom. The main offerings to the Goddess are Saraswati Wreath, Trimadhuram, Kunkumarchana and Kashayanivedyam. Thousands of children are enrolled in the temple every day in the presence of Saraswati.

Inside the temple quarters, on the south-west side, facing east, is the shrine of Lord Ganesha, the remover of all obstacles. The Lord blesses the devotees with his right hand in front, wearing an ax in his right hand, a rope in his left hand and a modak in his left hand. Ganapati Sreekovil is located a little above Nalambalam. Ganapati Homa is performed in the temple every day for the sake of Vighneshwara. Karukamala, Ottayappam and Modak are also important offerings.

Subramanyaswamy, the Commander-in-Chief, resides in the south-east corner outside Nalambalam facing west. The main offerings to Subramanyaswamy are Palabhishekam, Panchamritham and Narangamala Charthal.

Lord Vishnu, the Lord of Vaikuntha, resides in the south-west corner outside Nalambalam facing east. The idol here is four feet high. The main offerings to Lord Vishnu are Palpayasam, Kalabhabhishekam, Purushasuktarchana and Chandanam Charth.

Outside Nalambalam, in the north-west corner, facing east, is the idol of Lord Ramadasan and Chiranjeevi Hanumanswamy. Hanuman Swami, who is worshiped with both hands folded, is considered to be a symbol of strength and devotion at the same time.

Outside Nalambalam, in the north-eastern corner, there is a shrine facing the west, facing Veerabhadraswamy. It is a three feet high stone idol. The main offering to Veerabhadraswamy is in a coconut bowl.