Karthyayani Devi Temple — Attraction in Kerala

For the devotee, the Cherthala Karthyayani Devi temple is somewhat special, probably because it is believed that the Devi is easily propitiated and she is 'Mangalya Dayini'--giving prosperity and plenty to the devotee. Another very popular belief, especially among women, is that prayers to her regarding 'mangalyam' (marriage), and the many possible obstacles to obtaining a suitable groom for the eligible young ladies are removed in a trice once they make a pilgrimage to the sanctum of Karthyayani Devi. Many others, particularly travellers, get attracted to the annual festival Cherthala Pooram, which, after the famous Thrissur Pooram, is perhaps the second biggest in Kerala, when huge crowds gather.

The temple is an ancient one, at least as old as the famous Padmanabhaswamy temple in Thiruvananthapuram. Legends connect the temple and its consecration to Sage Vilwamangalam Swamiyar. After consecrating Anantha Padmanbha at Thiruvananthapuram, the sage was returning home. While resting near the present temple location, he noticed a perfect young maiden on a swing beneath a Chambaka tree, and divined that this was Goddess Karthyayani.

Try as he might, the Sage could not approach her as she evaded him by diving into a deep pond. This hide and seek between the goddess and Swamiyar continued for six long days, the Godess disappearing into the depths of respectively Kalikulam, Pallikulam, Cherakulam, Pullamkulam, Kelankulam and Trippurakulam. On the seventh day as she dove into the mud-filled Karuppankulam, the Swamiyar caught hold of her tresses and lifted her up, made her sit on its shore, and consecrated her then and there.

The Swamiyar's angry response to the mischievous Goddess finds echoes in today's "poorappattu" (songs addressed to the Goddess, with no expletives deleted!) at the time of the annual festival. (This is a tradition in a few other Devi temples also in Kerala, probably the most in/famous one being Kodungalloor Bharani.) This incident, it is said, accounts for the origin of the place name Cherthala, as it can be translated as 'muddy head'.

The sanctum of the Goddess is a few feet below ground level and only her head is clearly visible. Sub shrines are there for Ganapathy, Dharma Sastha, Vishnu and Siva.

A notable sight here is the free-ranging cockerels in the temple courtyard. Devotees offer them to the Goddess and they have the run of the place, and they dirty the courtyard too. Normally Hindu temples are squeaky clean and this is a sight that does not go down well with many pilgrims. In the olden days, these birds were offered for sacrifice, a common practice in many Devi temples. Now that animal sacrifice has been prohibited, they are let loose in the temple precincts, and often pilgrims feed them grains as an offering. (It may be noted that in many Devi temples, such birds are auctioned off at the end of the day.)

Another peculiarity is connected with the popular offerings at the temple called 'Iratti' and 'Thadi'; Iratti is the usual Ghee Payasam, but with double the quantity of jaggery used in its preparation. Thadi is a stranger concoction unique to this temple. Rice flour, jaggery, and coconut are mixed with powdered dry ginger and other spices into a thick paste. This is then placed in a sheath of areca nut frond, and then baked in a hole dug in sand and covered with burning coconut shells. The baked offering has the consistency of wood ('thadi') and is supposed to be an exotica liked by the Goddess.

The Karthyayani Devi temple is a shrine the traveller and the pilgrim must add to his/her itinerary for one reason or another. A short detour from the National Highway will take you to the ancient shrine and some out of the ordinary...

The temple is located in Cherthala in Alappuzha district. The main deity is Goddess Karthayani, another form of Goddess Durga.

On his way back to Guruvayur from the Ananthapadmanabha Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, Vilvamangalam Swamiyar rested at Cherthala for a while. He was resting on a tree. He could see several pools of flamingos swimming. In the meantime he came across a divine virgin. He was convinced that it was Karthiyani, one of the Navadurgs. As soon as he approached the Goddess, the Goddess jumped into the pool. When Vilvamangalam saw for six days, devi jumped into six pools and hid. And the seventh day came. The goddess jumped into the seventh pool. But the pond was full of mud. Vilvamangalam grabbed her by the hair and lifted her up before the goddess descended to Cher. Legend has it that the name Cherthala was derived from the word Cherilaya Thala.

Temple Highlights

The flag is usually flown at all the temples before the festival. However, this is a temple that is flagged off a few days after the festival. The temple has three shrines. Apart from the Goddess, other deities are Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. This temple is one of the few temples where Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu are worshiped together. The Goddess is enshrined at a depth of about 4 feet above the ground level. The belief that the Goddess is self-existent also exists. Unlike other temples, the temple faces east. The shrine is made of square granite. Saraswati, Lakshmi and Parvati are worshiped in various guises.

Offerings

The main offering in this temple is flying chickens. As soon as we enter the temple, we see hundreds of chickens. The temple courtyard is full of chickens. Another important offering in the temple is the thadi offering. It is made by mixing rice powder, honey, fruit, grapes, caraway seeds, chukka powder, cardamom powder and cumin powder. The mixture is then filled into a tube-shaped layer. It is then buried in the soil and burned on top of the fire. Many people make this offering to cure their illness.

Festival

Arat has been held here since the Makairam day in the month of Meenam. Arat will be held for seven days. Other ceremonies at the temple include the Saraswati Padayani on the day of Puyam, the Padayani on the days of Ayilyam,...

-Karthyayani Devi Temple, Cherthala is a famous Hindu temple located at the heart of Cherthala, Alappuzha. -The deity 'Cherthala Karthyayani Devi' is worshipped in this temple. The deity is famous as 'Mangalya Dayini' in the sense she provides welfare and prosperity for her devotees and removes obstacles for the marriage of young girls.

-Calm and Quiet atmosphere. -Not much space for parking vehicles nearest to the temple but it is available just opposite to Cherthala KSRTC Bus Stand (Pay and Park facilities).

-Cherthala pooram is the famous pooram in Kerala. -Following are the events conducted in occasion of the Pooram Festival:-Kodiyettam, Thalappoli, Aarattu, Vela Thullal and Padayani. -The Aarattu ritual is held twice every day during the festival. -The ritual is performed in seven different ponds unlike in other temples. -Lot of interesting stories are related with the seven ponds, temple and the events of Pooram.

-Iratti and Thadi are the famous vazhipadu. Kalabham, is also a famous Vazhipadu here.

-Nearest Railway station is "Cherthala Railway Station" situated 3km away from the Temple. -Nearest Bus Station "Cherthala KSRTC Bus Stand" is about 50 metres of...