The Mullakkal Rajarajeswari Temple in Alappuzha, Kerala, is believed to be about 500 years old. Several stories and legends surround its origin and founding. One common narrative suggests that the temple was established in a jasmine garden after the Annapurneswari idol was brought there by a group of Brahmins fleeing the conquest of Kerala by Tippu Sultan. Another story involves the King of Chembagasery, Devanarayana, who was granted the wish to have the goddess with him and built a temple in a jasmine garden in Alappuzha.
Establishment in a Jasmine Garden: The temple's name, Mullakkal, itself refers to the "jasmine garden" where it was initially established. Origin of the Annapurneswari Idol: According to one story, the idol was brought to the temple by a group of Brahmins during the conquest of Kerala. Another story attributes the idol's presence to King Devanarayana of Chembagasery, who desired to bring the goddess with him and built the temple in the jasmine garden. The Goddess's Transformation: Before 1961, the main shrine housed the Annapurneswari idol. In 1962, after an incident where an individual with a mental illness allegedly touched the idol, cracks appeared, leading to the idol's replacement with a Rajarajeswari idol. Architectural Features: The temple's architecture is unique, with an open-roofed Sreekovil, which is a distinctive feature of traditional Kerala temples. The temple's surroundings also contribute to its spiritual ambiance, with a pond, lush trees, and the fragrant jasmine plants. KR IRS 31525 On Sat, 31 May 2025 at 13:04, 'gopala krishnan' via Thatha_Patty < [email protected]> wrote: > *MULLAKKAL RAJESHWARI TEMPLE, ALLEPPEY* > > * KERALA-COMPILED* > > Dear friends, > > Today my posting is about Mullakkal Bhagavathi temple. Situated in the > heart of the busy Alleppey town, know popularly as the *Venice of Kerala,* > Mullakkal Devi Temple is a *unique temple with no roof over the sanctum > sanctorum* and the deity is exposed to sun and rain. > > Hope a divine reading. > > *Gopalakrishnan 31-5-2025.* > > Introduction > > Mullakkal Rajeshwari Temple, also known as the Mullakkal Bhagwati Temple > is situated on the main street of ‘Mullakkal Theruvu’ in Alappuzha district > of Kerala. > > Built-in the traditional Kerala style architecture, the *temple is > accessible to people of all faiths, religions and castes*. The charming > temple boasts of a quaint little pond and well-maintained premises. Graced > with plenty of trees and pretty jasmine plants, the temple presents a > picturesque landscape. > > The temple grounds is filled with jasmine plants, after which the place > may have been named, since 'mullai' in Tamil and 'mulla' in Malayalam mean > jasmine. > > Legends > > The Mullakkal Rajarajeswari Temple's origins are shrouded in fascinating > narratives. One legend recounts exiled soldiers from Thekkamkoor seeking > refuge, carrying the goddess' idol to a jasmine-filled garden. *There, > King Devanarayana of Chembakasserry is said to have built the temple in her > honour.* > > * Another tale speaks of the goddess herself appearing in a dream *to the > king, prompting the temple's construction in Alappuzha. > > Another story says that upon seeing the goddess at the Kodungalloor > Bhagavathy temple, king Devanarayana of Chembagasery desired to bring the > goddess back to his kingdom. That very night, the goddess appeared before > him in his dreams and announced that she would indeed accompany him back to > his kingdom. When he arrived in Alappuzha, the king decided to rest in a > jasmine garden and put his umbrella down. When he awoke he could not move > the umbrella. He took it as a sign that the goddess wished to remain there > and built a temple for here there in the jasmine garden. > > History > > Mullakkal Bhagwati Temple, is a significant Hindu shrine in Alappuzha, > Kerala. This captivating Hindu temple, boasting nearly 500 years of > history, is dedicated to the revered Goddess Rajeshwari, fondly addressed > as 'Mullakkal Devi' or 'Mullakkal Amma'. > > Over the centuries, the Mullakkal Temple has witnessed its share of > historical events. > > During the conquest of Tipu Sultan, Namboodiri Brahmins are believed to > have brought the Annapurneswari idol to a jasmine garden, eventually > forming the foundation of the present-day temple. > > *Originally housing the Annapurneswari idol, the temple underwent a > significant change in 1962*. A peculiar incident involving a stranger's > touch resulted in cracks on the idol, leading to its replacement with the > current Rajarajeswari idol. This shift was accompanied by the installation > of idols of Lord Krishna and serpent gods in separate shrines within the > temple complex. > > Architecture > > The temple conform to the architectural pattern of Kerala temples with > gopuram in front and the grand anakottil (elephant house) behind it. > > Visitors can explore the temple complex, where intricate architectural > details and vibrant decorations adorn the exterior, creating a visually > stunning sight. Inside, devotees offer prayers and seek blessings from the > presiding deity, Goddess Rajeshwari, in an atmosphere filled with divine > energy and spiritual solace. The temple hosts various rituals and > ceremonies throughout the year, offering a glimpse into Kerala's rich > religious heritage and cultural traditions. > > Sanctum > > One of the most striking features of the Mullakkal Rajarajeswari Temple is > its unique open-roofed Sreekovil, a marvel of traditional Kerala > architecture. > > Deities > > The main deity is Durga and the shrine is with open roof structure. > > Prior to 1961, the idol placed in the inner shrine was that of > Annapurneswari, who had a ladle in one hand and a pot in the other. > > In 1961 however the original idol was replaced. It is said that a stranger > entered the sanctum sanctorum and embraced the idol after which several > cracks were observed on the idol. The priests took it to mean that the > goddess was instructing them to make a new idol. And so on 16 July 1962 a > new idol, that of Rajarajeswari, was placed in the inner sanctum, replacing > the old one. > > Apart from the main Goddess, there are also small temples for Lord > Krishna, *Hanuman, Sastha, Subramanya and Nagas (serpents) in the temple*. > A big banyan tree shields the ‘linga’ of Lord Shiva for Darshana. > > Poojas and offerings > > As in other Devi temples > > Customs and Rituals > > Special foods and sweet dishes are offered to the goddess as Naivedyam. > According to legend, when the Annapurneswari idol was worshipped on the > first day, the prasadam consisted of vadas made with whole urud gram that > was offered by a family in the neighbourhood. Following that convention the > same prasadam is made today and the ingredients are offered by various > patrons. This special prasadam is usually offered at night. > > Festivals > > From the first of Vrischigam month (October-November) a festival is > celebrated for forty-one days. *The last eleven days is called as > Chirappu festival and* is a famous festival in these parts and is > referred to as Alappuzha Chirappu. They invite famous musicians and artists > to perform at the temple premises at night. The firework display on this > day at the end of the festive ceremony is usually very elaborate and > attractive to watch. > > *The first Sunday of December is celebrated in this temple as a women's > festival*. On that Day all functions of the temple outside sanctum are > carried out by women only. Thousands of lamps are lit on that day evening > by ladies coming from far and near. During the last 11 days of the > chirappu, the whole town will be full of lights and decoration and will be > the busiest days of the town. > > Navarathri (Dussera) is also celebrated in the temple. > > On Maha navami day 150 girl children are given new cloths and are > worshipped as Kumaris. > > Visiting the Mullakkal Rajeshwari Temple during its major festival, > Mullakkal Chirappu, offers a grand spectacle, while the Navratri Festival > and *Thaipooya Kavadi* add to the temple's vibrant cultural experience. > > "Theyattu" is celebrated on that night. During this function a huge > portrait of the Goddess is made on the floor with different colored powder. > Ace dancers dance on this color Rongolee and slowly this portrait gets > removed from the floor. > > On Maha Navami Children place their text books on the main Shrine for > Pooja; during this time special poojas are performed. "Bommai Kolu > Festival" is an integral part of temple's festive celebrations when all > elderly women from Hindu society set these 'Bommas' in the 'Oottupura'; > These women offer their sincere prayers by reading Bhagavatham loudly, the > main holy scripture of Hindus and offer their prayers. > > Lalithasahasranamam is also recited during the festival days. In the > olden days, elephants adorned with "nettipattam" were paraded in the > evenings and pradakshina around the temple 'prahara' were done with the > deity "seated" on the main elephant to the accompaniment of chendamelam. > > Tips > > Please note cameras are not allowed inside the temple premises. > > Kindly note this is not a Picnic or tourist spot. If you are keen to > visit this place, please be decent in your behaviour as well as dressing. > > Dress Code : The temple follows a proper dress code. Men are supposed to > remove their shirts and vest before the temple. Women are supposed to dress > in traditional clothes- sarees or north Indian suits > > Timings > > 04:30 AM to 10:30 PM - 05:00 PM to 08:00 PM > > Elephant shelter > > Some area of 20 square ft. is roofed and covered and is used to shelter > elephants which are used by the temple authorities for pooja purposes. > > Administration > > The temple is run by the Travancore Devaswom Board. > > Address: > > Rajeswari temple, Mullakkal Mullakkal, Alappuzha, Kerala 688009. Phone: > 1800 425 4747 > > Getting there: > > Nearest railway station: Alappuzha railway station, 5 kms away > > Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, 90 kms away > > Alleppy Bus stand 0.5 KM away. > > -- > 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/1477482569.2022627.1748676855837%40mail.yahoo.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/1477482569.2022627.1748676855837%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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