Chakkulathu Kavu is a Hindu temple, dedicated to goddess Durga.
The temple is located in Neerattupuram, Thalavady panchayat, Alappuzha District,
Kerala and is one of the most popular temples in the state.
Bhagawathi is one of the most popular deities in the area. Pilgrims from all over
South India visit and worship the Devi.The temple was less known even to the
local residents and lay as a family temple of a local resident.This remained until
it was renovated a few decades before.
Located on the banks of the holy Pampa River, this temple has attracted pilgrims
all over Kerala and became one of the most popular pilgrim centre of the state ,
thanks to the excellent promotional strategy of the temple management.
The major festival is Pongala which takes place in the temple during the month
of Vrischikam (November/December).This is the time when the glory of the
Goddess is at its peak. Lakhs of women devotees gather around the temple as
early as even one week before the function. The temple premises will be over
crowded and the devotees arrange places for offering the pongala on both sides
of the main streets. The queue usually extends to a surprising length of 20 km. Rice,
coconut and jaggery are brought by women devotees along with round earthen
pots for cooking. The Chief Priest lights the main hearth from the divine fire inside
the sanctum sanctorum. This fIre is exchanged from one oven to another.
Panthrandu Noyampu is another festival celebrated at the temple. This is the type
of fasting and prayer which qualifies the devotee for eternal blessings of
Chakkulathamma. This fasting starts every year from the first day of the
Malayalam month of Dhanu till the twelfth.
The other festivals are Naree pooja, Thrikkarthaka.
Chakkulathamma
There is an eternal divinity which is the ultimate cause
for the creation as well sustenance of this universe. As oil in sesame seeds, water in river beds and fire in
friction sticks, this divinity defines all that we see and
see not, all that we know and not know or all that we
hear and hear not. The concept of Goddess which in
way is a manifestation of Nature is the supreme symbol
of his divinity that shapes us. The Devi at Chakkulatukavu
temples is a benign example of the love and motherliness that Almighty showers upon any devotee who seats that
inimitable Goddess in his heart.
Let us have a look at the temple history that dates back to almost 3000 years.
This area where the temple stands now has been a fearful forest. Trees that
seemed to touch the sky, serpents with hissing noises and wild animals in
barbaric freedom created and atmosphere one would shudder to think. Rays
of the sun failed to look through the trees. Afternoons were like midnights.
Into this forest came a hunter with the idea of collecting firewood. The
hunter was not alone. He had his wife and children with him. But everything
was so sudden and unexpected. The hunter saw a serpent moving towards him.
Its hood was erect and its hissing noise was fearful. Not thinking too much the
hunter attacked the snake with his axe.
But the snake was not hurt it only slipped into the forest. An expert in the
habits of animals, the hunter knew too well that an attacked snake is dangerous
if spared. So he followed it. Searching and searching and still he couldn’t spot
out the snake. Finally he reached a lake. It was not much difficult to observe a
‘Chithalputtu’. (A cover of sand made by insects).
And what was it that ornamented it like a golden chain? Yes, it was the very snake that
he was in search of. Not a second to waste, the hunter thrust his axe again and a
gain upon the serpent. But it was like cutting in the air. Surprisingly the serpent had
disappeared.
The hunter had a touch of horror. The next second he saw that the shell upon which
the snake coiled was broken. Water was oozing out f it. The hunter watched with
awe and wonder. Now there was ‘Akshatham’ (paddy and rice) and ‘Darbha’
(a peculiar type of grass used for pujas). Meanwhile the wife and kids of the hunter
joined him. All were spell bound at the unbelievable sight in front of them.
New surprises were to follow. There appeared in front of the hunter a hermit with
an inexpressible glow of spirituality. The hermit continued to inform that the
very Goddess who is in herself the Mother of the Universe has been residing with
full powers inside the shell of sand. He advised the hunter to respectfully break
the shell. The statue or image of Goddess was within it. This Goddess was Vanadurga
whose worship was sure to shower many fold blessings.
Narada himself broke the shell and took out the statue. The hunter and his family
bowed before it. Meanwhile the hermit had disappeared. The hunter brought flowers
from the forest, offered garlands and prayed. That night he had a dream and it’s was
in this dream that the hunter understood that the hermit was Narada.
As the sun sent down its gentle golden rays in the next morning, many had gathered
near the hut of the hunter. They submitted many offerings to the Goddess. Henceforth
that place turned out to be a spirituality exceptional one.
The river of time flew gently and continuously. Poojas of the temple were structured
systematically. Members of the Illam (Brahmin House) namely Pattamana constructed
proper temple. The idol similar to that of Sivalainga, taken out by Narada was installed
in the Sanctum sanctorium with all the prescribed ceremonies and Poojas.
Pattamana Illam still stands near at the temple. Members of this family have always
been especially dearer to the goddess. Damodaran Nambudiri is the Chief Priest. His
childhood days vibrate with powerful reflections of the kindness and blessings of
Chakkulathamma.
Everyday there was the “Therali Nyvedyam” (a special sweet preparation of rice and
jaggery covered with plantain leaves). During his childhood days Damodaran Nambudiri
used to ask for this Nyvedyam to his father. On days when Therali was not available
the father told his son at asks the Goddess for Therali and fruits. The innocent child
pleaded the Goddess to give him sweet and fruits. Who has really realized the extreme
benevolence of the Goddess who in herself is the mother of all living beings! As the child
was repeatedly crying for the eatables there was a sound from inside the sanctum
sanctorum.
Somebody seemed to mention that fruits will soon reach the temple. Wonder of Wonders!
Some devotees were seen approaching the temple with basketful of fruits. So intimate was
the love of Chakkulathamma to children. This love becomes renowned that parents used to
visit the temple with their children. Missing children were soon regained through prayers.
Diseases were wonderfully cured. Worship of Chakkulathamma sharpens the intellect
of children; The Goddess was adored by all as the phenomenal “The Mother who answers”.
Many places near the temple have derived their original names from the history of the temple
. For instance, the water in the historical pond of the temple had the sweetness of jaggery.
‘Chakkarkulam’ became shortened in the long run and came to be known as Chakkulam. ‘
Neeru’ in Malayalam means water. Water was absorbed into the sand shell which contained
the idol. So the place around the temple came to be called as ‘Neerattupuram’. ‘Puram
means place and the word denotes the place which carried and contained the holy water.
The temple was renovated in 1981. The illuminating idol of Vana Durga with the holy
eight hands is installed near the original idol. Lord Shiva, Sastha, Vishnu, Vinayaka,
Muruka, Yakshi, Serpent Gods and Navagrahas are installed as ‘Upa Devas’.
Official Website is www.chakkulathukavutemple.org
Major Vazhipads
Ganapathy Homam 15.00
Archana 05.00
Pushpanjali 30.00
Raktha Pushpanjali 40.00
Navagraha Pooja 10.00
Choroonu (Anna Prasanam) 15.00
Kadumpayasam 25.00
Abhisheka Oil 05.00
Kudumba Archana 10.00
Lalitha Sahasranam Pooja 50.00
Mrithyunjaya Pooja 50.00
Pithru Pooja 15.00
Bhagavathy Seva 100.00
Kumkuma Pooja 100.00
Chen Guruthi 250.00
Valiya Karim Guruthi 750.00
Erratta Guruthi 500.00
Valiya Pooja 500.00
Chowa Pooja 350.00
Karma Pooja 400.00
Pithru Pooja 500.00
Anjana Guruthi 350.00
Nirapara 25.00
Neeranjanam 15.00
Shatru Samhara Pooja 100.00
Thrimaduram 05.00
Thulabharama 10.00
Advance Booking Poojas Charge
Asthra Draviya Ganapathi Homam 250.00
Ganapathi Homam (with Karuka) 25.00
One day Pooja 1501.00
Oru Nerathe Pooja 1001.00
Muzhukappu (Devi) 250.00
Karthika Pooja 1500.00
Adianthra Pooja 2001.00
Palpayasam 20.00
Aranazhi Payasam 450.00
Kalasham 150.00
Noorum Paalum 100.00
Manjaneerattu 2001.00
Kalabha Abhishekham 7001.00
Kumkuma Abhishekham 7001.00
Thiruvabharanam Charthi Pooja 501.00
Oru Divasatha Vayana 650.00
Udayasthamana Pooja 5001.00
Sakthi Pooja 1501.00
Chuttu Vilakku 4001.00
Uthasva Pooja 5001.00
Pithru Sakthi Pooja 650.00
Contact Details
ADDRESS
Manikuttan Namboothiri
ADMINISTRATOR
CHAKKULATHUKAVU SREE BHAGAVATHI TEMPLE
NEERETTUPURAM P.O
THIRUVALLA, KERALA, INDIA
TEL: 0477-2213550, 9447104242
Email: amma@chakkulathukavutemple.org
Major Festivals
This is the phenomenally renowned festival that takes place in the temple during the month of ‘Vrischikam’ (November/December). This is the time when the glory of the Goddess is at its peak. Lakhs of women devotees gather around the temple as early as even one week before the function. The temple premises will be overcrowded and the devotees arrange place for offering the Pongal on both sides of the mains streets. The queue usually extends to a surprising length of 20 km.
Naree Pooja
Hindu tradition had always bestowed reverence and acceptance to Indian womanhood. It often reminded humanity that a woman who is respected is the cause for prosperity whereas a woman is dishonoured is exactly like fire and can annihilate everything. We had even women who rose themselves to the pinnacle of spirituality and gave new dimensions to our culture.
The First Friday
The first Friday of every Malayalam month marks a spiritually significant day for the Temple. Devotees who observe rigorous fasting and penance reach the shrine on
this day. The number of persons who gather themselves to have a visit of the Mother on this day are literally countless. Special spiritual functions are also conducted on this day. The small idol of the God which is usually placed inside the sanctum sanctorum beside the main idol is carried in procession and brought to the specially arranged place for prayer.
Thrikkarthika
Thrikkarthika that falls on the malayalam month of Vrischika is an important day of the Temple. This day became famous after a surprising incident that took place in 1851. A Friday of 1981.3.30 am in the early morning. Some devotees had gathered to have the “Nirmalya Darsanam”. Everyone was amazed to see rings of perfumed smoke all around. Rare glow of light was seen in front of the temple. No body could discern what was happening. As the priest opened the temple, everyone was spell bound. All the lamps inside were alive with a unique touch of brilliance.
Kalamezhuthu
This ritual has both the influence as well as tremendous mental sense of awakening. The divine of the goddess is drawn in an elaborate size using differently coloured poweders.
Nirapara
All the prosperities of this universe are a blessing that comes from the mother. After all, nature is one with the Goddess and whatever we receive is Her boon. Money, agriculture, handicrafts and everything prosper through her silent sanction. This belief prompts the devotees to offer helpful of paddy in the ‘Para’ or rational vessel to the Goddess
