Location
- Address: Chavadinada, venganoor, thiruvananthapuram, kerala, india
- Proximity:
- Approximately 5 km from kovalam
- About 2.1 km from vizhinjam harbour
- Roughly 15 km from Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple
- Around 17 km from thiruvananthapuram international airport
- Approximately 15 km from thiruvananthapuram central railway station
Deity And Significance
The Principal Deity Of The Temple Is Shri Bala Maa Tripura Sundari Devi, Also Revered As Padakaaliyamma, The Divine Protector of the ancient aay dynasty. The Divine Mother Is worshipped in Five Fierce Forms Of Kali: Bala Bhadra, Veera Bhadra, Roudra Bhadra, Krodha Bhadra, And Samhara Bhadra. Devotees seek Divine Blessings for healing, fulfillment of desires, and resolution of various issues.
Historical Background
The Temple’s origins trace back to the aay dynasty, which ruled the region around vizhinjam. Pournamikavu Devi Was Their Divine Protector, Credited With Protecting the dynasty and Contributing To their prosperity. To safeguard the deity from invasions, the aay kings relocated The Idol to a forested area in chavadinada, venganoor. Over time, neglect led to the dynasty’s decline. In 2009, The Temple was revitalized under the guidance of brahmashree poonjar mithran namboothiripad, reinstating the worship Of The Divine Mother and restoring The Temple’s prominence.
Unique Features
- Akshara devatha worship: The Temple is renowned for consecrating and worshipping all 51 Akshara Devathas (Alphabet Devis), a unique practice symbolizing The Divine Mother’s Association With knowledge and learning.
- Sub-deities: Approximately 25 sub-deities are worshipped within The Temple complex, reflecting The Temple’s inclusive spiritual practices.
- Architectural highlights:
- Houses the largest Panjamukha (Five-Faced) Ganesha Idol carved from a single stone, standing 200 cm tall.
- Features the largest Nagaraja Idol in single stone, measuring 275 cm in height.
- The Pournamikavu Devi’s Idol is the world’s largest panjaloha (five-metal) Idol, standing 6.5 feet tall and weighing 1300 kg.
Festivals And Rituals
- Opening days: The Temple is uniquely open only on pournami (full moon) days and select special occasions like navaaham, vidyarambham, and other festivals.
- Major rituals:
- Maha Ganapathi homam
- Akshara Devatha pooja
- Saraswathi pooja
- Sri Chakra pooja
- Chandika homam
- Sarpa dosha nivarana pooja
- Mruthyunjaya pooja
- Devotee practices: On pournami days, devotees perform ‘deepa pradhakshinam’, carrying ghee lamps around The Temple as an offering to The Divine Mother.
