Sree Irumkulangara Durga Bhagavathi Temple — Attraction in Kerala

Irumkulangara Durga Bhagavathi Temple is unique in that no red flowers other than ixoras are used in worship. This temple is in Thottam, Manacaud, Thiruvananthapuram and just 2 kms away from the Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram).

In Travancore, temples have the customary Kavu (a patch of woods) that houses the serpent gods. This green belt and the reflection of the temple in the ponds at the front give this holy place a picturesque and serene ambience.

History Sree Irumkulangara Durga Bhagavathi Temple is on the banks of two ponds that gives it the name Irumkulangara (Irum: two; Kulam: pond). This temple has strong ties with the famous Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple of Thiruvananthapuram. Priests from the big Padmanabha Swamy Temple would arrive at Irumkulangara by country boats for performing poojas and rituals.

Attractions The Temple Sree Irumkulangara Durga Bhagavathi Temple is unlike other Durga temples. Rituals like Thottampaattu (storytelling through song) and Ottam are restricted here. Red colored flowers, except thetti (ixora), are banned. Other flowers such as tulsi, jasmine, lotus, Nandyarvattom, etc. are used.

This Durga Bhagavathi Temple has been recently renovated with a new chuttambalam (circumambulation passage) and sivelippura. These have been designed according to Kerala Vasthu Vidya and temple architecture under the guidance of noted Vastu Shasthra expert, Kanippayyur Krishnan Namboodiripad. Goddess Durga, an avatar of Adi Parasakthi, is the main deity in Durga Bhagavathi Temple. Karthika is considered to be the star of the deity. There are many upadevathas (sub-deities) like Ganesha , Nagaraja, Brahmarakshassu, Maadan Thampuran, Sri Bhairava Moorthy and Navagrahas (nine planets) in the temple. These shrines too were renovated after Deva Prashnam (oracle) by expert astrologers was performed.

Events March Painkuni Mahothsavam The Painkuni Mahothsavam is the major festival of the Sree Irumkulangara Durga Bhagavathi Temple. It usually occurs in March and lasts for ten days. It culminates with Pongala and Ezhunnallathu (procession of a small structure made from plantain kernel and germinating leaves of the...

The Goddess Durga is the main deity in this temple. One important aspect of the temple is that, the deity appears as 'Durgabhagavathi' which is an avatar of 'AdiParasakthi'. 'Karthika' is considered as the star of the deity. The major festival of the temple that is Painkuni Mahothsavam,mostly held in the month of March, lasts for 10 days and ends with Ezhunnallathu & Pongala . A Kavu (a patch of small forest) which houses the serpent Gods,is common in Travancore & the pond in front of the temple gives a beautiful reflection of the temple.The Temple Thanthri is Brahmasree Tharananalloor Parameshwaran Namboodiripad (Same as Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple and Koodalmanikyam temple) and now the temple is under the control of Sree IrumKulangara DurgaBhagavathi Temple Trust. The temple has been recently renovated with a new chuttambalam and sivelippura which is an excellent example of Kerala Vasthu Vidya and temple architecture in new age. The renovation was carried out under the guidance of noted Vastu Shasthra expert Kanippayyur Krishnan Namboodiripad and the Temple architect Manacaud S...

one of the most ancient temples in Kerala. The temple is located on the bank of two ponds from where it got its name: "irum" means two and "kulam" means pond. It is believed that the temple has a relationship with the famous Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple, one of the famous temples in Thiruvananthapuram. The Goddess Durga is the main deity in this temple. One important aspect of the temple is that, the deity appears as 'Durgabhagavathi' which is an avatar of 'AdiParasakthi'. 'Karthika' is considered as the star of the deity. A kavu (small forest patch) which houses the serpent Gods is common in Travancore. The pond in front of the temple gives a beautiful reflection of it. It is about 1.8 kilometres to the southwest of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram city, Irumkulangara Road, Manacaud,...