Manakkattu Bhadra Temple

Manakkattu Sree Bhadra Temple
Manakkattu Sree Bhadra Temple
Religion
Affiliation	Hinduism
District	Kottayam
Deity	Bhadrakali
Festivals	Thiruvutsavam in Dhanu, Pongala, Mandala festival
Governing body	Committee of representatives of Vellala Mahasabha
Location
Location	Chirakkadavu
State	Kerala
Country	India
	Location within Kerala
Geographic coordinates	9°32′28.6692″N76°46′51.5856″E / 9.541297000°N 76.780996000°E
Architecture
Type	Traditional Kerala style
Completed	c. early 19th century
Elevation	45 m (148 ft)
Website
	Manakkattu Sreebhadra Temple : Pooja Booking

Last updated October 12, 2023

Manakkattu Sree Bhadra Temple is a Hindu temple located in Chirakkadavu village near Ponkunnam in Kottayam district in the Indian state of Kerala. Goddess Bhadrakali presides there in the form of "Manakkattuamma". Devi provides "Sree" (wealth/prosperity) and "Bhadratha" (security) to the devotees equally.^[1]^[2] The temple is famous for daily Guruthi Pooja & is a major pitstop for Sabarimala pilgrims with Annadana (offering free food).

Legend

The present structure is believed to be built in the early 19th century. According to the legend, once a saint lived in Chirakkadavu village and he belonged to the Thaingannoor family. He was mastered to control certain supernatural forces like Yakshis, Gandharvas and ghosts. He was often invited to distant regions to perform rituals to control them. He used to place these spirits in a "Kanjiram" tree (i.e. nux-vomica tree) or in an idol and consecrate them at appropriate spots. One day, a Yakshi who was installed in an idol begged to the saint to release her. She promised him that she wouldn't do any harm and will accompany him to his house.^[3]

Upon her request, the saint took her to his house and instructed to stay in the "Arapura" (central room). But the saint put a magical thread as a precaution if she violates her promise that she wouldn't harm anybody. Yakshi wasn't pleased with the action of saint and thus she too put some conditions that the Arapura must be preserved like a shrine and nobody should enter the house without talking a bath. Low cast people shouldn't enter or touch the saint within the Padippura (entrance) of the house. If any of these conditions are not obeyed, she will get free from the magical thread and will do anything.^[3]

The saint agreed to the conditions of Yakshi and she started staying in his house. She was only visible to the saint and his aged mother. The mother saw her as a beautiful young girl and she thought that the girl was brought by his son to help her. One day, the saint went for a long journey. He returned to his house after a long time. By seeing his master after a long time, one of the saint's labors accidentally came in joy and touched him within the Padippura. By seeing this, the Yakshi who was staying in the Arapura immediately disappeared from the house.^[3]

After getting released, the Yakshi started to harm the villagers and she spread various contagious diseases like small pox. By seeing the pathetic situation, the helpless saint along with some chieftains went in search for a person who could find a solution for the chaotic situation. They finally reached the "Manakkattu Mana" and told the situations to the "Karanavar" (head). The Karanavar instructed them to build a shrine for Goddess Bhadrakali in their village and that was the only way to avoid further troubles from the evil spirit.^[3]

They returned to their village and erected a small Sreekovil as per the instructions of Karanavar of Manakkattu Mana. The Karanavar was summoned to the village after constructing the shrine. He consecrated a "Kannadibhimbam" idol, made of Panchaloha and invoked the energy of Sree Bhadra Devi into it. Idols of "Kodumkali" and Yakshi were installed near to Sree Bhadra Devi. After the installation of Devi, the Karanavar appointed a Velichappadu, who represents Devi and a Pujari (chief priest) to do the Poojas. The Thantri performed "Panthirukulam gurithi" and he distributed the guruthitheertham (sacred water) to the village folks as a cure to the contagious diseases. He also instructed the villagers to perform this guruthi after every twelve years in order to avoid further misfortune incidents.^[3]

Location

The temple is located 4 km from Ponkunnam and 10 km from Erumely, on Ponkunnam - Mannamplavu road^[2]^[4]

Deity

Apart from Bhadrakali, Durga, Bhuvanesvari, Nagaraja, Nagadevatha, Rakshassu and Vishnumaya are the subordinate deities in the temple.^[3]

Festivals

Mandala festival in December and "Pongala" in April are the noted festivals of the temple.^[5] Thiruvutsavam or annual festival is hosted in the Malayalam month of Dhanu (i.e. December).^[3]

Related Research Articles

Kallil Temple is a hindu temple located at Kerala, South India. It is 8 km away from Perumbavoor in Ernakulam district of Kerala. Kallil in Malayalam means 'in stone'. It is one of the most ancient hindu temple in Kerala. It is one of the protected monuments in Kerala under Kerala State Department of Archaeology.

The Chottanikkara Devi Temple is a temple dedicated to the Hindu mother goddess Bhagavati.She is believed to be residing in Chottanikkara (Mahalakshmi) along with her Husband Maha Vishnu. The main deity is also considered as Lakshmi Narayana according to the temple legend. The temple is Classified one among the 108 Abhimana Kshethram of Vaishnavate tradition. The temple is located at Chottanikkara, a southern suburb of the city of Kochi in Ernakulam district, in the state of Kerala, India and is one of the most popular temples in the state. The temple is also known for conducting exorcism.

Azhakodi Devi Temple is a Hindu temple in Thiruthiyadu, Thiruthiyadu, Kozhikode, Kerala, India. It is about 1.5 km away from the Mofussil bus stand and 2.5 km from the KSRTC Bus stand in the Kozhikode city.

Bhadrakali, is a Hindu goddess She is considered to be the auspicious and fortunate form of Adi Shakti who protects the good, known as bhadra.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Panachikkadu Temple</span> Hindu temple in Kerala, India

The Panachikkadu Temple, also known as the Dakshina MookambikaTemple, is a Hindu temple dedicated to the goddess Saraswati. The temple is located in the southern region of the Indian Peninsula, in Panachikkad in Kottayam District, Kerala, India. It is one of the most prominent Saraswati temples for devotees in Kerala. But, the main deity of the temple is Lord Vishnu, who was installed long before Goddess Saraswati. Still the temple is known as Saraswati temple, due to the popularity of the Goddess. There are sub-shrines for Lord Shiva, Lord Ganapathi, Lord Ayyappan, Snake deities and Panachikkattu Yakshi inside the temple.

Thirumandhamkunnu Temple is a historically significant Hindu temple in Angadipuram, which was the capital of Valluvanad Rajavamsham, in Malappuram district, Kerala state, South India. The temple deity, Thirumandhamkunnil amma, was the paradevatha of the kings of Valluvanad, the local feudal kings ruled the area in the Middle Ages. The Nair warriors of Valluvanad king set out from this temple to Thirunavaya, to participate in the famous Mamankam festival. A memorial structure called the chaver thara can be found in front of the main entrance of the Thirumanthamkunnu Temple.

The Attukal Bhagavathy Temple is a Hindu religious shrine at Attukal in Kerala, India. Goddess Bhadrakali (Kannaki), mounted over 'vethala', is the main deity in this temple. Bhadrakali, a form of Mahakali, who killed the demon king Daruka, believed to be born from the third eye of lord Shiva. 'Bhadra' means good and 'Kali' means goddess of time. So Bhadrakali is considered as the goddess of prosperity and salvation. Goddess 'Attukal devi', itself is the supreme mother 'Bhaadrkali devi', the goddess of power and courage. She is often referred as Kannaki, the heroine of Ilanko Adikal's 'Silapathikaaram'. The temple is renowned for the annual Attukal Pongal festival, in which over three million women participate. A festival that has figured in the Guinness Book of World Records for being the single largest gathering of women for a religious activity, the Attukal Pongala continues to draw millions of women with each passing year. Attukal Temple is situated near the heart of the city, 2 kilometres away from Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, East Fort in Thiruvananthapuram. Devotees believe that all of their wishes will be fulfilled by the goddess, provide prosperity and can attain salvation. Attukal devi is often worshipped in 3 forms such as Maha Saraswati, Maha Lakshmi and Mahakali/ Parvathy.

Karakulam is a panchayat in Nedumangad Taluk in Tiruvananthapuram District in the state of Kerala, India. It is the most populated panchayat in the district according to 2011 census.

Mannanthala Anandavalleshwaram Devi Temple is a Hindu temple in the Mannanthala suburb of Thiruvananthapuram, India.

Irumkulangara Durga Bhagavathi Temple is a Hindu temple in Thottam, Manacaud, Manacaud P.O, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. It is about 1.8 kilometres to the southwest of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram city.

Padayani, also known Padeni, is a traditional folk dance and a ritual art from the central portion of the Indian state of Kerala. A ceremonial dance involving masks, it is an ancient ritual performed in Bhagavati temples. The dance is performed in honor of Bhadrakaali. Meaning, a 'row of warriors', Padayani is an art form that blends all music, dance, theatre, satire, facial masks, and paintings. It is part of worship of Bhadrakali and is staged in temples dedicated to the goddess from mid-December to mid-May. Padayani is unique to central Travancore, comprising the Pathanamthitta and Kottayam districts of Kerala. It is also performed in adjoining regions of Kollam, Alappuzha districts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anikkattilammakshethram</span> Hindu temple in Kerala, India

Anikkattilammakshethram is a Hindu Temple situated in Anicadu Village, 3.5 km from Mallappally in Pathanamthitta district in the southern part of Kerala, India. Here, Adiparasakthi Sivan and benign Parvathi are worshiped with equal significance in one Sreekovil, which is one of the rarest of its kind in Kerala. Agnimahakalan and Agniyekshi are symbolized in these idols, each measuring about 4 feet and installed side by side. The demon-shaped Lord Shiva (Kiratha) has bow and arrow in His arms and Parvati has sword in Her hand. The temple, situated by the bank of river Manimala, is estimated to have come into existence around 1600 years ago during the early days of Edapally dynasty. Apart from the Deities in the main Sreekovil, there are Lord Siva, Bhadra, Nagaraja, Rakshasas and Yekshiamma in the sub-abodes in the courtyard.

Panamattom or Panamattam is a large village in Kerala, India, a part of Kottayam district. It is located in Kanjirappally Taluk. Ponkunnam, Kanjirappally and Pala are nearby places of Panamattom. This place is famous for its fertile land and also rubber plantations. The main village Panchayat is Elikkulam Panchayat.

The MajorVellayani Devi Temple is a highly revered shrine in Kerala, India, dedicated to goddess Bhadrakali. The shrine is situated in Vellayani 1.5 km west of Vellayani junction, 12 km southeast of Thiruvananthapuram on the eastern bank of Vellayani Lake. The temple is under the management of Travancore Devaswom Board. The temple structure has a bronze roof with traditional art work and carries Dravidian architecture. The temple has eastern and northern towers called Gopurams with statues of different Gods sculptured in them. The Gopurams function as gateways through the walls that surround the temple complex.

Pattupurackal Bhagavathy Temple is an ancient Bhadrakali temple located in Njeezhoor village, Kottayam, Kerala. It is the only temple in Njeezhoor village where the presiding deity is present. Offering naranga vilakku and neivilakku every Tuesday and Friday is very significant to this temple. The nearest towns are Kuravilangad and Kaduthuruthy. It is about 6 km and 11 km away from the temple respectively. The last renovation activities were done on March 19, 2016, with the presence of Kshetra Thantri Brahma Sree Anil Dhivakaran Namboothiri. The temple is managed by NSS Karayaogam Number 336.

Sree Krishna Swami Temple is a Hindu temple situated at the heart of Thodupuzha town in Idukki district in the Indian state of Kerala. It is located on the banks of Thodupuzhayar, a tributary of river Muvattupuzha. Lord Krishna presides there in the form of Navaneetha Krishna who holds butter in his right pam. The tantric rights of the temple is held by the Aramallur Kavanattu Mana. The Poojas are conducted by two mutts named as 'Padinjare mutt' and 'Thuruthel mutt'.

Parippu Mahadeva Temple is a Hindu temple located in Parippu in Aymanam panchayath of Kottayam district, in the Indian state of Kerala. This temple mentioned as Nalparappil in the renowned Shivalaya stotra is closely related to Thekkumkur raja. Currently it is administered by Travancore Devaswom Board. Bhadrakali Mattappally Nambudiri holds the tantric rights of the temple.

Kidangoor Subramanya Swami Temple is an ancient Hindu temple located in Kidangoor near Ayarkkunnam in Kottayam district in the Indian state of Kerala. It is one of the renowned Subramanya temples in Kerala which is estimated to be at least 1500 years old.

This is a list of ancient Buddhist sites, relics, traditions and places from the Indian state of Kerala. Even though Kerala does not have any major presence of Buddhists in modern times, many historians recognize a Buddhist heritage that seem to have existed until the 10th century CE along with a widespread Sramana tradition of co-existence between Vedic Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and ancient Dravidian folk religion.

The Kanadikavu Sree Vishnumaya Kuttichathan Swami temple is an ancient and holy Vishnumaya temple located 20 km southwest of Thrissur in Peringottukara, the cultural capital of Kerala, India.

References

↑ Biju Mathew, ed. (2014). Pilgrimage to Temple Heritage, Volume 1. Kerala, India: Info Kerala Communications Pvt Ltd. p. 181. ISBN 978-8192128443 – via Volume 1.
1 2 "✍pedia - Manakkattu Sree Bhadra Temple, Chirakkadavu, Kottayam". ✍pedia. 1 December 2011. Retrieved 24 December 2016.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Temple, Manakattu Sree Bhadra. "Manakattu Sree Bhadra Temple". manakkattusreebhadratemple.org. Retrieved 24 December 2016.
↑ Days, Festival. "Manakkattu Sree Bhadra Temple Dwajaprathishta Programmes - Festival Days". www.festivaldays.in. Retrieved 24 December 2016.
↑ "Thiru Ulsavam 2016 - Manakkatu Radholsavam". allevents.in. Retrieved 24 December 2016.

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.

[1] Biju Mathew, ed. (2014). Pilgrimage to Temple Heritage, Volume 1. Kerala, India: Info Kerala Communications Pvt Ltd. p. 181. ISBN 978-8192128443 – via Volume 1.

[:1-2] 1 2 "✍pedia - Manakkattu Sree Bhadra Temple, Chirakkadavu, Kottayam". ✍pedia. 1 December 2011. Retrieved 24 December 2016.

[:0-3] 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Temple, Manakattu Sree Bhadra. "Manakattu Sree Bhadra Temple". manakkattusreebhadratemple.org. Retrieved 24 December 2016.

[4] Days, Festival. "Manakkattu Sree Bhadra Temple Dwajaprathishta Programmes - Festival Days". www.festivaldays.in. Retrieved 24 December 2016.

[5] "Thiru Ulsavam 2016 - Manakkatu Radholsavam". allevents.in. Retrieved 24 December 2016.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]