THEARUVIKKARA BHAGAVATHI/SAPTHAMATHRU TEMPLE, TRIVANDRUM DISTRICT- KERALA-Compiled
Dear friends, The Aruvikkara Bhagavathy/Spatha mathru Temple, a radiantjewel nestled amidst the tranquil environs of Kerala, invites devotees andexplorers alike. Dedicated to the fierce and benevolent deities Saptha Mathrus, thisancient temple breathes history, cultural significance, and captivating naturalbeauty. Devotees worship all the female deities in their powerful and enigmatic “Bhagavathy”form. Overlooking the stunning background of the Aruvikkara Dam across Karamana river, the temple stands as asymbol of spiritual tranquillity and cultural heritage. The deities are called “AruvikkaraAmmamar. The Goddess Vaishnavi, positioned centrally is given moreimportance and sometimes the temple is called Aruvikkara Bhagavathi temple.Today my posting is about this temple. In Kodungallur temple also it is saptha mathrus are worshipped in sanctum, though calledKodungallur Devi temple. One of my senior colleagues who helps me in Kerala Circlematters regarding Pension etc. is presently residing at Aruvikkara with hisson, who owns a company there. Hope a divine reading. Gopalakrishnan 3-08-2025. Introduction The Aruvikkara Bhagavathi Temple is an ancient Hindu place ofworship dedicated to the Sapatha Mathrus/Goddess Durga. The temple is built ona rock on the banks of river Karamana which has a waterfall that flows belowit. The temple pond created by the dam is located in front of the temple andserves as a habitat for large fishes that are fed by devotees of the shrine. The presiding deity is Vaishnavi (Bhagavathy-devi) in thistemple. This temple attracts plenty of tourists since it has built in specialway. Temple is built completely in rock. The temple is on thebanks of Karamana River near Aruvikkara Dam, the main water supplier toThiruvananthapuram.. The temple pond created by the dam is located in front of thetemple and serves as a habitat for large fishes that are fed by devotees of theshrine. It is revered by the locals who believe that the Devi(Goddess Durga) is the guardian of the village and its people. Open on alldays, this ancient temple is worth a visit if in this part ofThiruvananthapuram. The evening lightfrom the spangled blue is soothing. The ambiance of this place wears ameditative mood. We listen to the gushing sound of water in the dam. Many arelost in the sight of water relentlessly flowing in the dam. Though there arevisitors, it is not crowded. The very sight of the children’s park make thekids a happy lot. While they run off to have some fun, the elders wanderaround, enjoying the beauty of the place. The Durga Devi temple, officially titled Major AruvikkaraSree Bhagavathy temple, is one of the biggest attractions here. The temple is famous for the ritual of feeding fishes in the stream asan offering. It is believed that people who perform this would be freed fromskin diseases like black heads, ‘palunni’ and ‘arimpara’. Packets of fish food areavailable from a small outlet on the temple premises which are bought bydevotees to perform the ritual. Fishing is strictly prohibited in this area.Another highlight of the temple is that it is one of the few fanes where the ‘SapthaMathru’ deities are worshipped. History And Mythology ofAruvikkara Bhagavathy Temple The origins of the Aruvikkara temple remain shrouded inmystery. Given its ancient age, several alleged stories and legends surroundits origin and establishment. Legends talk of its existence for centuries, with someaccounts tracing its roots back to the era of sage Parasurama, thesixth avatar of Vishnu. What’s interesting about the temple is the blend ofKerala and Tamil-style architecture. It further strengthens the narrative ofantiquity. The presiding deity, Bhagavathy, is a manifestation of thepowerful Goddess Durga. Here, she is revered as a protector, a fiercevanquisher of evil, and a symbol of Shakti, the divine feminine force. Mythology associates the temple withDurga’s slaying of the demon Mahishasura. Some devotees believe in thestory that the temple’s location, on a rock overlooking the Karamana River, isimbued with the Devi’s power, safeguarding the surrounding region. Pushing aside the mythological and religious significance,the temple played a significant role in the1940s Aruvikkara Insurrection, which was against oppressive land tax policies. The temple grounds were a rallying point for theuprising, highlighting its deep connection to the local populace. There is another legend that the temple was built by sageVyasa. Architecture What's interesting about the temple is the blend of Keralaand Tamil-style architecture. The unique feature of this temple is that it ismade of rock and sits atop another rock. The temple featuresseven devi roopams, including Vaishnavi Devi in the sanctum along with other deities like Ganapathy and Sasthain separate sanctums. Visitors appreciate the ancient construction on rocks bythe river, the serene atmosphere filled with the sound of a pious waterfallinside, and the opportunity to experience Aruvikkara dam during their visit.Situated on the banks of the serene Karamana River, this temple is known forits blend of traditional Kerala and Tamil architectural styles. Deities Presiding Deity: saptha mathrus The temple isdedicated to the Sapta Matrikas, or Seven Mother Goddesses. The main deity,Aruvikkara Bhagavathi, faces east, and the deities here were traditionallyrevered as the Aruvikkara Ammamar. Among the Sapta Matrikas, Goddess Vaishnaviis given special significance. The idols done in ‘Kadusharkkarayogam’ is a rare combinationto make idols. Only a few people in Kerala know this traditional way. Upadevathas Upa devathas in this temple are Ganapathi, Naagar, and Ayyappan(deity is situated onway to the temple) Festivals The temple celebrates a three -day annual festival duringFebruary and March, which adds to its popularity. If you want to witness thetemple’s grandeur and vibrancy, this is the period you need to visit. Annual festival,Trikarthika and Karkidaka Vavu. The temple is famous likeTiruvallam temple in Trivandrum for Balitharpanam on Karkitaka vavu day. Thrikkarthika is essentially a festival of lights.Most devotees believe that Thrikkarthika is the birthday of Goddess Karthyayaniwho is an incarnation of Goddess Durga. There are also stories that associatethe celebration of the festival with the killing of the demon Narakasura. Annual festival inthis temple is only for 3 Days. Mahaganapathi Homam Karthika Vilakku Kalashapooja Deepa , Nangyarkoothu and Bhajans are part of thefestival. The festival starts withMahaganapathi Homam. There are no rituals like flaghoisting, procession etc during this festival. Karthika Vilakku is the deity’s most favourite offering. Onall days of festival there will be Kalashapooja. In the afternoon free food isserved to devotees. On all days programsend with cultural events staged by devotees. The last day of the festival isthe important day during which there will be Deepa Kazhcha. This Karthika Deepam will be lit byfamous persons. Kerala art forms like Nangyarkoothu and Bhajans willbe conducted. Things To Do in the AruvikkaraBhagavathy Temple Usually, the experience starts with paying a visit down tothe inner sanctum where Goddess Bhagavathy resides. This is where darshanoccurs and you can offer your puja and prayers to the deity. The priests around the templeconduct different kinds of rituals you can witness. A unique trait of the temple lies in the pond inside thepremises. The temple pond,teeming with large fish, is considered sacred. Devotees often partake inthe customary practice of feedingthese fish, seeking divine favour. And, lastly, don’t forget to stop andexplore the architecture and design elements that adorn the temple walls. Offerings Payasam₹60 PournamiPooja ₹2000 Unniappam ₹100 Feeding fish- Local belief is that feeding fish in the riverhere will cure skin diseases like wart . Specialties 1Experience a unique temple made of rock dedicated to GoddessDurga 2Witness seven devi roopams including Vaishnavi Devi 3Enjoy a serene atmosphere perfect for meditation 4 A well maintained lovely old-style temple that still keepsits traditional charm intact. The peaceful vibe and the classic feel of theplace make it a perfect spot to just sit and soak in the divine energy. Aruvikkara dam It is one of the largest dam in Kerala.After exploring theBhagavathy temple, walk towards the Aruvikkara Dam, located upstream from thetemple. It is one of the mostvital water sources for major parts of Thiruvananthapuram city. Address of the temple Aruvikkara Saptha Mathrukkal Devi Temple Aruvikkara, Kerala 695560034 WhatsApp only Phone - 808 967 6685. Temple Timings 5:30 AM: to 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM Location and how toreach the temple Aruvikkara Dam Bus Stop – 350 m Thampanoor Railway Station – 16.9 Km TrivandrumInternational Airport – 19.7 Km Sree Bhagavathi Temple, Aruvikkara – 695543 Contact: Aruvikkara GramaPanchayat Office Phone: +91-472-2888225 Administration Years back the temple belonged to Chengannur Alappuramfamily. When the dam wasbuilt, this temple was taken over by the Travancore Devaswom Board. -- 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/1652463493.809951.1754202549644%40mail.yahoo.com.
