Kadampuzha Temple
Kadampuzha Bhagavathy Temple
Kadampuzha Devi Temple is a Hindu temple and pilgrimage center situated at Kadampuzha, Malappuram district, Kerala, India. The temple is dedicated to goddess Durga, a form of Devi. There is no idol in the temple.
Karthikai day in the month Vrishchikam (November–December), is considered a special day and is celebrated in a grand manner at the temple. The deity is considered more powerful on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Annadaana (food offering) is made daily at the temple. Plastic bags are not allowed inside the temple. The coconuts are to be “offered” by carrying them on non-plastic bags.
The temple, owned by Malabar Devaswom Board under the Government of Kerala, is administered through a trust consisting of the Hindu-Variar family and non hereditary co-opted trustees.There is another temple, Madambiyar Kavu Temple, situated a short distance away from the Kadampuzha Devi Temple, which was originally constructed and maintained by the “Thekkencheri” Nair family. The idol of the Madambiyar Kavu Temple is god Siva in his “Kirata” incarnation.
History
According to a Prasnam conducted at the temple it indicates that it is 1900 years old. This temple is dedicated to goddess Vana Durga. There is no idol in the temple.
Legend says that once when Adi Sankaracharya was passing through Kadampuzha which was a forest and deserted place, he saw a bright light emanating from a cavity in the ground and at this place. Through his divine power he came to understand that goddess was present there. He decided to consecrate the goddess there and a small temple was built at that time.
There is one more legend which says that Shiva and Parvathy took the form of hunter and huntress to test Arjuna who was doing penance to lord Shiva to get Pasupathastra {a powerful arrow}. Duryodhana thought that it was an ideal time to kill Arjuna and sent a wild boar to kill him. Both Arjuna and Shiva{in hunter form} shot arrows at the boar and killed it. There was an argument between the two that each one had killed the boar. Arjuna enraged shot arrows at the hunter which turned into flowers to his utter surprise and he came to know that it was lord Shiva in hunter form. He prostrated at the lord’s feet and begged to forgive him. Lord Shiva was pleased with him and gifted him the Pasupathastra.
It is believed that this was the place where Sankaracharya saw the bright light and goddess blessed Adi sankaracharya and disappeared in the hole there and a temple was built around the hole. The Devi or goddess here is said to be very powerful and blesses the devotees. Muttuarakkal is one of the interesting ritual done in the temple and Poomoodal is another important pooja done here.
It is believed that water breaking from Mutuarkkal (or breaking the coconuts into 2 halves) falls into the hole where Devi is believed to be residing, gets pleased and removes all the obstacles in one’s lives. The Thechi flower is the favorite of goddess and Poomoodal is done with this flower. This is so popular the bookings for this is already done till 2020. Earlier the Temple used to open 5:30 A.M and now as the temple renovation is taking place puja timings have changed.
