(NSI News Source Info) October 1, 2008: Yesterday (Sept. 30), we with friends Jo L (UK) and Nirmala (New Delhi) visited the Sree Katampuzha Bhagavaty Temple, which is dedicated to Goddess Durga Maa and prayed for family & friends.
K. V. & Carina Seth around the temple 
K. V. Seth in the templeSree Kadampuzha Bhagavathi Temple
The Temple for Sree Parvathi at Kadampuzha dedicated to Godess Vana Durga is one of the most prominent Devi temples in Kerala. The term ‘Puzha’ which in Malayalam denotes river is a misnomer here since the otherwise sylvan surroundings and verdant greenery around the location has no river skirting it.
The idol in the Sanctum Sanctorum is abstract in shape but it is ‘Swaymbhoo’ or natural manifestation. The temple is very simple in architecture without any imposing edifices or gold-plated flag mast. There are no festival processions or rum concerts. But the multitude of birds nestling on the verge of the green belt provide a natural ambience with their non-stop chirping and it is fully in tune with Kerala’s temple culture; ‘Kavu’ as it was known in ancient times, an epitome of preservation of ecological balance.
The serene atmosphere and the divinity attribute to the Godess at Kadampuzha attract thousands of pilgrims everyday. They unload their problems there and return carrying blessings.
Kadampuzha in Malapuram District of Kerala is far from the bustle of city life, just about two kilometers east of Vettichira between Valanchery and Kottakkal o N.H. 17. Those who prefer train journey can alight at Kuttippram or Tirur Railway Station from where there are buses to the temple (Distance 19 k.m.).
Legend about the origin of the temple is associated with the popular episode in the Mahabharatha where Arjuna does penance to appease Lord Shiva to obtain the divine weapon Paasupathastra. Lord Shiva approaches Arjuna as hunter Kiratha with His Divine consort Sree Parvathi escorting Him s huntress Kirathi. Arjuna is challenged by the Lord in disguise to test the skills of the boon-skeer.
In the fierce battle between Lord Shiva (Kiratha) and Arjuna, the arrow that Arhuna showered on Lord Shiva miraculously turned into Thehi flowers. Arjuna then recognizes the Lord and prostrates before him. Having found Arjuna worthy of the deadly weapon, the Lord obliges His devotee very soon. And here He is goaded by Sree Parvathi who hastened the process. Hastening in ‘twaritha’ in Malayalam and Goddess at Kadampuzha is worshipped as ‘twarita’ or one who is quick in granting blessings and favours.
The Shower of ‘arrows-turned into flower’ is symbolized here by a unique offering to the Goddess ‘Poomoodal’, the Swayambhoo Sthanam being covered completely by flowers. Petals of Thechi flowers are mandatory since they resemble arrow-heads. The quantity required is 2 ‘Kutanna’, one Kutanna being the capacity when two cupped palms are held together.
During the divine couple’s wandering in this forest, Sree Parvathi once felt thirsty and the Lord brought forth holy water from river Ganga through a well-directed arrow into the Earth. This event is immortalized as ‘Kaatan-Ambu-eitha-ala’ where ‘Kaaan’ is hunter, ‘ambu’ is arrow, ‘eitha’ is shot and ‘ala’ is hole. This became Katanambueithaala which was later colloquialised as Kadampuzha. Devotees thus worship the hole through which river Ganga sprouted and this is the idol… sankalpa.
Shankaracharya during one of his frequent pilgrimage while traversing this forest area was attracted by an all pervading ‘aura’ emanating from the dense undergrowth. Finding it difficult to approach the spot due to the heat generated by the radiation, he meditated upon Lord Vishnu as Narasimha and the Lord appeared. With the help of Sudarshanachakra of Lord Vishnu the Great saint moved closer only to find the radiance shrinking and finally vanishing into a hole on the Earth’s surface.
Through deep meditation using the ‘Divya-chakshussu’, the Aacharya discerned the nature of the phenomenon… nothing other than the divine presence of Sree Parvathi in the forest. The place was consecrated as a temple and in commemoration of ‘showers of flowers’, Poomoodal gained prominence due to the inherent quality and power of flower petals to contain heat. Lord Narasimha and Sudarshanachakra are honoured through depictions in front of the sanctum sanctorum. There are enclosures for Sree Dharma Shaastha and Nagakanyaka as upadevaas or subsidiary dieties. Modalities of worship are as prescribed by Shankaracharya.
Goddess here is worshipped in three forms viz., Vidya Durga (Saraswathi), Vanadurga (Durga) and Aadi Durga (Mooladurga - Lakshimi). As Durga, Shee blesses the devotees with health, early marriage and domestic harmony. Saraswathi is invoked for education and career. Lakshmi is of course Goddess of wealth and prosperity.
Another unique offering here is ‘Muttarukkal’ where coconuts brought by Devotees are broken by the Poojari in front of Devi’s idol in the presence of the devotees themselves and this is to ward off the system followed. The popularity of this ritual can be gauged from the figure of more than thirty lakhs of coconuts that are brought to the temple every year by the stream of devotees.
The vazhivadu counter is open from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 3.30 p. to 5 p.m. daily. There is facility for the devotees at the Enquiry Counter from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. to arrange their vazhivadus which will performed by the Devaswom on the next day itself.
The Devaswom will arrange to perform the above vazivadus for the devotees from distant places who may send the amount by MO/IPO/DD, etc. with full details such as the kind of vazhivadus, name, star, and address of the devotees, etc. noted in the MO. Coupon or in separate letters. Those who intend to have the vazhivadus performed daily or monthly on their star days can also send amounts noting the details. The prasadam will be sent to them by post after performing the vazivadus on the specified date, for which the postage amount @ 5.50 may also be sent along with the vazhivadu amount.
The reconstruction of the Sree Kovil (sanctum sanctorum) in the traditional architectural style with copper sheet roofing has been completed and the routine Poojas have been resumed with effect from 14-1-2002. The construction of Chuttambalam and Nadappura for providing more convenience to devotees is under consideration.
Accommodation facilities to devotees can be made available only on completion of the Sathram building which is under construction.
The Devaswom is providing free noon meals (Prasada Oottu) to all the devotees who visit this great temple. Annadanam is one of the five great yagnas in human life. Please join us and contribute the prasada Oottu Fund in cash or kind, generously.
The Devaswom is running a well equipped Charitable Dispensary since 1987 with free medical aid and free medicines to all patients irrespective of religion, caste and creed. This is a noble venture of the Devaswom with a view to extend the blessing of Bhagavathi to all devotees and to all people particularly the rural segment of the locality. We propose to expand the medical facilities further and the devotees are requested to join us in this charitable venture.
The Temple for Sree Parvathi at Kadampuzha dedicated to Godess Vana Durga is one of the most prominent Devi temples in Kerala. The term ‘Puzha’ which in Malayalam denotes river is a misnomer here since the otherwise sylvan surroundings and verdant greenery around the location has no river skirting it.
The idol in the Sanctum Sanctorum is abstract in shape but it is ‘Swaymbhoo’ or natural manifestation. The temple is very simple in architecture without any imposing edifices or gold-plated flag mast. There are no festival processions or rum concerts. But the multitude of birds nestling on the verge of the green belt provide a natural ambience with their non-stop chirping and it is fully in tune with Kerala’s temple culture; ‘Kavu’ as it was known in ancient times, an epitome of preservation of ecological balance.
The serene atmosphere and the divinity attribute to the Godess at Kadampuzha attract thousands of pilgrims everyday. They unload their problems there and return carrying blessings.
Kadampuzha in Malapuram District of Kerala is far from the bustle of city life, just about two kilometers east of Vettichira between Valanchery and Kottakkal o N.H. 17. Those who prefer train journey can alight at Kuttippram or Tirur Railway Station from where there are buses to the temple (Distance 19 k.m.).
Legend about the origin of the temple is associated with the popular episode in the Mahabharatha where Arjuna does penance to appease Lord Shiva to obtain the divine weapon Paasupathastra. Lord Shiva approaches Arjuna as hunter Kiratha with His Divine consort Sree Parvathi escorting Him s huntress Kirathi. Arjuna is challenged by the Lord in disguise to test the skills of the boon-skeer.
In the fierce battle between Lord Shiva (Kiratha) and Arjuna, the arrow that Arhuna showered on Lord Shiva miraculously turned into Thehi flowers. Arjuna then recognizes the Lord and prostrates before him. Having found Arjuna worthy of the deadly weapon, the Lord obliges His devotee very soon. And here He is goaded by Sree Parvathi who hastened the process. Hastening in ‘twaritha’ in Malayalam and Goddess at Kadampuzha is worshipped as ‘twarita’ or one who is quick in granting blessings and favours.
The Shower of ‘arrows-turned into flower’ is symbolized here by a unique offering to the Goddess ‘Poomoodal’, the Swayambhoo Sthanam being covered completely by flowers. Petals of Thechi flowers are mandatory since they resemble arrow-heads. The quantity required is 2 ‘Kutanna’, one Kutanna being the capacity when two cupped palms are held together.
During the divine couple’s wandering in this forest, Sree Parvathi once felt thirsty and the Lord brought forth holy water from river Ganga through a well-directed arrow into the Earth. This event is immortalized as ‘Kaatan-Ambu-eitha-ala’ where ‘Kaaan’ is hunter, ‘ambu’ is arrow, ‘eitha’ is shot and ‘ala’ is hole. This became Katanambueithaala which was later colloquialised as Kadampuzha. Devotees thus worship the hole through which river Ganga sprouted and this is the idol… sankalpa.
Shankaracharya during one of his frequent pilgrimage while traversing this forest area was attracted by an all pervading ‘aura’ emanating from the dense undergrowth. Finding it difficult to approach the spot due to the heat generated by the radiation, he meditated upon Lord Vishnu as Narasimha and the Lord appeared. With the help of Sudarshanachakra of Lord Vishnu the Great saint moved closer only to find the radiance shrinking and finally vanishing into a hole on the Earth’s surface.
Through deep meditation using the ‘Divya-chakshussu’, the Aacharya discerned the nature of the phenomenon… nothing other than the divine presence of Sree Parvathi in the forest. The place was consecrated as a temple and in commemoration of ‘showers of flowers’, Poomoodal gained prominence due to the inherent quality and power of flower petals to contain heat. Lord Narasimha and Sudarshanachakra are honoured through depictions in front of the sanctum sanctorum. There are enclosures for Sree Dharma Shaastha and Nagakanyaka as upadevaas or subsidiary dieties. Modalities of worship are as prescribed by Shankaracharya.
Goddess here is worshipped in three forms viz., Vidya Durga (Saraswathi), Vanadurga (Durga) and Aadi Durga (Mooladurga - Lakshimi). As Durga, Shee blesses the devotees with health, early marriage and domestic harmony. Saraswathi is invoked for education and career. Lakshmi is of course Goddess of wealth and prosperity.
Another unique offering here is ‘Muttarukkal’ where coconuts brought by Devotees are broken by the Poojari in front of Devi’s idol in the presence of the devotees themselves and this is to ward off the system followed. The popularity of this ritual can be gauged from the figure of more than thirty lakhs of coconuts that are brought to the temple every year by the stream of devotees.
The vazhivadu counter is open from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 3.30 p. to 5 p.m. daily. There is facility for the devotees at the Enquiry Counter from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. to arrange their vazhivadus which will performed by the Devaswom on the next day itself.
The Devaswom will arrange to perform the above vazivadus for the devotees from distant places who may send the amount by MO/IPO/DD, etc. with full details such as the kind of vazhivadus, name, star, and address of the devotees, etc. noted in the MO. Coupon or in separate letters. Those who intend to have the vazhivadus performed daily or monthly on their star days can also send amounts noting the details. The prasadam will be sent to them by post after performing the vazivadus on the specified date, for which the postage amount @ 5.50 may also be sent along with the vazhivadu amount.
The reconstruction of the Sree Kovil (sanctum sanctorum) in the traditional architectural style with copper sheet roofing has been completed and the routine Poojas have been resumed with effect from 14-1-2002. The construction of Chuttambalam and Nadappura for providing more convenience to devotees is under consideration.
Accommodation facilities to devotees can be made available only on completion of the Sathram building which is under construction.
The Devaswom is providing free noon meals (Prasada Oottu) to all the devotees who visit this great temple. Annadanam is one of the five great yagnas in human life. Please join us and contribute the prasada Oottu Fund in cash or kind, generously.
The Devaswom is running a well equipped Charitable Dispensary since 1987 with free medical aid and free medicines to all patients irrespective of religion, caste and creed. This is a noble venture of the Devaswom with a view to extend the blessing of Bhagavathi to all devotees and to all people particularly the rural segment of the locality. We propose to expand the medical facilities further and the devotees are requested to join us in this charitable venture.
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