ORIGIN OF BHAGAVATYHY TEMPLE Bhagavathi (or Bhagavati) is a term used in Malayalam to refer to a deity. It is the feminine form of the Sangam word "Bhagavan". In Tamil, the mother goddess is called "Amman", and in Kerala it is customary to call her "Bhagavati". With the later Vedicization of the Chera Kingdom, where the worship of Kannagi, which was started by Senguttuvan, became widespread, all Kannagi temples became Bhagavati temples. Today, the term is used to refer to all deities, including Parvati and Lakshmi.
1) Bhagavatī (भगवती) refers to the “Supreme Goddess” as a general epithet.—Durgā and all great Kaula goddesses are ‘Bhagavatī’. ‘Bhagavatī’ is the feminine of the word ‘Bhagavat’ which is a manner of referring to the Supreme God in general but is most commonly used in the Sanskrit sources with reference to Viṣṇu. Although the goddess is represented as Viṣṇu’s Māyā in the Devīmāhātmya she is not specifically connected with him. She is called ‘Bhagavatī’ in a generic sense simply to indicate that she is the Great Goddess (Mahādevī). In North India and Nepal, Bhagavatī is particularly Durgā . 2) Bhagavatī (भगवती) refers to the “triple goddess”, according to the Manthānabhairavatantra, a vast sprawling work that belongs to a corpus of Tantric texts concerned with the worship of the goddess Kubjikā.—The Point is the Command which is threefold because of the three lineages that emerge from it. So the goddess who resides in the Yoni in the centre of the Triangle exerts her threefold authority and is called the ‘triple goddess’ (bhagavatī). Thus the Command spreads out by means of the sacred seats from where the Siddhas who founded the lineages reside. This Command is the Liṅga that arises in the centre from the Yoni.[...] 3) Bhagavatī (भगवती) refers to one of the eight Kaula consorts (dūtī-aṣṭaka) associated with Tisrapīṭha (located in the ‘end of sound’—nādānta), according to the Manthānabhairavatantra.—[...] The eight Kaula consorts (dūtyaṣṭaka): Revatī, Bhagavatī, Rāmā, Rohiṇī, Kṛttikā, Khecarī, Khaṇḍinī, Kṣānti Bhagavati temples in Kerala In Kerala, Bhagavati temples can be found in every village, street and street. Some of the famous Bhagavati temples are as follows: Kodungallur Bhagavati Temple - Considered to be the first Kannagi temple built by Senguttuvan. Attukal Bhagavathy Temple - This Bhagavathy is also considered to be a form of Kannagi. Chottanikarai Bhagavathy Temple Chettikulangara Bhagavathy Temple Bhagavathy Temples in Tamil Nadu The Kanyakumari Bhagavathy Amman Temple is the most famous Bhagavathy temple located in the southern part of India. Here, Bhagavathy Amman is depicted in the traditional attire of Tamil Nadu, with a skirt and scarf, carrying a rosary in her hand, and performing penance. The Mandaikadu Bhagavathy Amman Temple is a Bhagavathy Amman temple located in Mandaikadu, Kumari district. Bhagavathy Temples in Other States In the Goa region, it is common practice to worship the Mediyavunankolpavai form of Durga as Bhagavathy. There is a temple of the goddess named Bhagavati in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, and in Ryothipur, Uttar Pradesh. (K K N KURUP KERALA TEMPLE HISTORY K RAJARAM IRS 6525 On Tue, 6 May 2025 at 11:55, 'gopala krishnan' via Thatha_Patty < [email protected]> wrote: > *THE VALLIYOORKAVU BHAGAVATHY TEMPLE, NEAR MANANTHAVADI, WAYANAD > DISTRICT, * > > *KERALA -**COMPILED* > > Dear friends, > > Today my posting is about the Valliyoorkavu Bhagavathy Temple in Wayanad > near Mananthavadi, Kerala which is an ancient shrine dedicated to Goddess > *Durga, > worshipped in three forms: Vana Durga, Bhadrakali, and Jala Durga. * > > It dates back to the 14th century and is known for its annual 14-day > festival, a significant event for the tribal communities in Wayanad. The > temple is also believed to be one of the *four guardian shrines of > Thirunelli Temple. * > > Hope a divine reading > > Gopalakrishnan. 6-5-2025 > > Key Historical Points: > > Ancient Origins: The temple's history is traced back to the 14th > century. > > Tribal Significance: It's a prominent place of worship for tribal > communities in Wayanad. > > Festival: The annual festival is a major event, drawing thousands of > devotees. > > Guardian Shrine: Some sources suggest it's one of four guardian shrines of > Thirunelli Temple. > > Dravidian Origins: There are legends suggesting Dravidian origins for the > temple. > > Cultural Significance: The temple is a center of religious beliefs and > tradition for the Adivasi communities. > > Historical Events: The temple has a history intertwined with the customs > and practices of the Adivasi communities, including the practice of bonded > labour, as noted by scholars. > > Changes in Administration: In 1993, the Travancore Devaswom Board acquired > the rights to the temple, leading to changes in administration and temple > practices. > > Introduction > > The Valliyoorkavu Bhagavathi Temple is a historic temple in the Wayanad > district of Kerala, India, dedicated to the Goddess Durga. It is situated > approximately *3 kilometers from Mananthavady* and is thought to have > been constructed in the 14th century. > > The idol at the temple is believed to have appeared on its own, and the > temple holds great significance in the lives of the Wayanad tribals. The > temple is dedicated to three forms of the Goddess Durga: Vana Durga, > Bhadrakali, and Jala Durga. > > Annually, the temple hosts a 10-day festival in January or February, which > includes various rituals such as kalamezhuthu (floor art), Eedum koorum > (ritual dance performed by oracles), and Sopana nirtham. > > Additionally, there is a 14-day festival held in March that draws in large > crowds of devotees. > > Temple Timings > > 6:00 am – 8:00 pm > > Deity > > The temple is for Goddess Bhadrakali (a form of supreme mother Adi > Parashakthi) as its presiding deity. She is also worshipped in three forms > namely: Bhagavathy, Vana Durga, and Jala Durga. Goddess Durga is the > presiding deity at the Valliyoorkavu Bhagavathy Temple. > > Architecture > > The temple itself is an architectural gem, showcasing traditional Kerala > temple architecture with its intricate carvings, vibrant murals, and a > serene ambiance that invites introspection and spiritual contemplation. > > Distinctive feature > > One of the distinctive features of Valliyoorkavu Bhagavathy Temple is the > presence of a variety of folk art forms and rituals that are an integral > part of the temple festivities. The Theyyam performances, a traditional > dance form with elaborate costumes and vibrant makeup, add a captivating > cultural dimension to the celebrations. > > Rituals and festivals > > The temple has many numerous rituals held during the festival include the > oppana varavu, a procession from Cheramkode Bhagavathy temple at Kallody > near Mananthavady and Adiyaras, a procession with tender coconut for > abhishekam (ablution) marks the arattu of Valliyooramma. The festival > concluded when the oppana varavu returns to Cheramkode Bhagavathy temple > *after > the rudhirakkolam, a symbolic fight between Goddess and the demon king, > Darika, in which the Bhagavathy wins.* > > The festival is important for the tribal people of Wayanad. The > traditional ritual of Kalamezhuthu is performed during the nights of the > festival. On the final day, an array of folk art forms are presented. The > dances are performed by the local tribes with native percussion > instruments, which is a major attraction. > > The tribal chieftains perform the kodiyettu (ceremonial flag hoisting) on > the seventh day of the festival. There are tribal dance and folk art > performances, and the traditional ritual art form known as kalamezhuthu is > performed on all 14 days. Oppana varavu, abhishekam, rudhirakkolam, > kalamezhuthum pattum and eedum koorum are folk rituals conducted during the > festival. > > The Valliyoorkavu Festival which is a festival dedicated to Goddess Durga > is a 14-day festival which is held in March. The beginning of the festival > is marked by bringing the sword of Valliyooramma from Palliyaara Bhagavathy > Temple by the chief priest. The influence of tribal people in the festival > is overwhelming since Tribal chiefs do the flag hosting on the 7th day. On > all the 14-days, there are tribal dance performances and art acts which > includes traditional ritual art form known as Kalamezhuthu performed at > every night of the festival. The main attraction of the festival is on the > last day when there are dance performances by tribal people using > percussion instruments. > > Location and transportation > > Valliyoorkkavu can be accessed from Mananthavady or Kalpetta. The Periya > ghat road connects Mananthavady to Kannur and Thalassery. The Thamarassery > ghat road connects Calicut with Kalpetta. > > The nearest railway station is at Kannur 58;km. The nearest airports are > [Kannur International airport 58;km, > > Entry Fee > > No entry fee > > Address of the temple > > Valliyoorkavu Bhagavathy Temple, Mananthavady Bypass Rd, Valliyoorkavu, > Mananthavady, Kerala, 670645, India . Phone -04935 240 084 > > Best Time to Visit Valliyoorkavu Bhagavathy Temple, Wayanad > > The best time to visit Valliyoorkavu Bhagavathy Temple in Wayanad is > during the annual festival, which usually takes place in the Malayalam > month of Kumbham (February-March). At this time, the temple comes alive > with vibrant celebrations, cultural performances, and a lively atmosphere. > The festival provides a unique and immersive experience, allowing you to > witness the rich cultural heritage of the region. > > However, if you prefer a quieter and more serene visit to the temple > without the bustling crowds, you may consider visiting during the > non-festival periods. The months of October to March are generally > considered pleasant for a visit to Wayanad, with cooler temperatures and a > lush green landscape. This period offers a more relaxed atmosphere, > allowing you to explore the temple and its surroundings at your own pace. > > How to Reach Valliyoorkavu Bhagavathy Temple, Wayanad? > > To be there at the Valliyoorkavu Bhagavathy Temple, you need to first > arrive in Wayanad via airways, railways, or roadways. Depending on your > preferred mode of transportation, you can choose one option that suits you > the best. Once you’re there in Wayanad, look for local transportation like > buses or rental taxis to commute to your desired location within the city. > Alternatively, opt to hire a cab with an experienced chauffeur from the > list of top car rental companies in Wayanad. > > > > > > > > > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "Thatha_Patty" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > To view this discussion visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/1571012963.1137412.1746512732432%40mail.yahoo.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/1571012963.1137412.1746512732432%40mail.yahoo.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. 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