Nature and the recent (1923) dam are major attractions. Bhagavathy temple on the rock is very recent in the sense after chera entering Kerala; tamil design can be seen in the temple. All deities are normal installations and legends were creations unique to the place. Karamana river is the oldest K R IRS 3825
On Sun, 3 Aug 2025 at 11:59, 'gopala krishnan' via Thatha_Patty < [email protected]> wrote: > THE ARUVIKKARA BHAGAVATHI/SAPTHAMATHRU TEMPLE, TRIVANDRUM DISTRICT- KERALA > -Compiled > > Dear friends, > > The Aruvikkara Bhagavathy/Spatha mathru Temple, a radiant jewel nestled > amidst the tranquil environs of Kerala, invites devotees and explorers > alike. Dedicated to the fierce and benevolent deities *Saptha Mathrus,* > this ancient temple breathes history, cultural significance, and > captivating natural beauty. 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 a symbol of spiritual tranquillity and cultural heritage. *The > deities are called “Aruvikkara Ammamar*. The Goddess Vaishnavi, > positioned centrally is given more importance 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 called Kodungallur Devi temple.* > > One of my senior colleagues who helps me in Kerala Circle matters > regarding Pension etc. is presently residing at Aruvikkara with his son, > who owns a company there. > > Hope a divine reading. > > Gopalakrishnan 3-08-2025. > > Introduction > > The Aruvikkara Bhagavathi Temple is an ancient Hindu place of worship > dedicated to the Sapatha Mathrus/Goddess Durga. The temple is built on a > rock on the banks of river Karamana which has a waterfall that flows below > it. The temple pond created by the dam is located in front of the temple > and serves as a habitat for large fishes that are fed by devotees of the > shrine. > > The presiding deity is Vaishnavi (Bhagavathy-devi) in this temple. This > temple attracts plenty of tourists since it has built in special way. > Temple is built completely in rock. > > The temple is on the banks of Karamana River near Aruvikkara Dam, the > main water supplier to Thiruvananthapuram.. > > The temple pond created by the dam is located in front of the temple and > serves as a habitat for large fishes that are fed by devotees of the > shrine. > > It is revered by the locals who believe that the Devi (Goddess Durga) is > the guardian of the village and its people. Open on all days, this ancient > temple is worth a visit if in this part of Thiruvananthapuram. The evening > light from the spangled blue is soothing. The ambiance of this place wears > a meditative mood. We listen to the gushing sound of water in the dam. Many > are lost in the sight of water relentlessly flowing in the dam. Though > there are visitors, it is not crowded. The very sight of the children’s > park make the kids a happy lot. While they run off to have some fun, the > elders wander around, enjoying the beauty of the place. > > The Durga Devi temple, officially titled Major Aruvikkara Sree Bhagavathy > temple, is one of the biggest attractions here. The temple is famous for > the ritual of feeding fishes in the stream as an offering. It is believed > that people who perform this would be freed from skin diseases like black > heads, ‘palunni’ and ‘arimpara’. Packets of fish food are available from > a small outlet on the temple premises which are bought by devotees 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 > ‘Saptha Mathru’ deities are worshipped. > > History And Mythology of Aruvikkara Bhagavathy Temple > > The origins of the Aruvikkara temple remain shrouded in mystery. Given its > ancient age, several alleged stories and legends surround its origin and > establishment. *Legends talk of its existence for centuries, with some > accounts tracing its roots back to the era of sage Parasurama,* the sixth > avatar of Vishnu. What’s interesting about the temple is the blend of > Kerala and Tamil-style architecture. It further strengthens the narrative > of antiquity. > > The presiding deity, Bhagavathy, is a manifestation of the powerful > Goddess Durga. Here, she is revered as a protector, a fierce vanquisher of > evil, and a symbol of Shakti, the divine feminine force. Mythology > associates the temple with Durga’s slaying of the demon Mahishasura. Some > devotees believe in the story that the temple’s location, on a rock > overlooking the Karamana River, is imbued with the Devi’s power, > safeguarding the surrounding region. > > Pushing aside the mythological and religious significance, the *temple > played a significant role in the 1940s Aruvikkara Insurrection, which was > against oppressive land tax policies.* The temple grounds were a rallying > point for the uprising, highlighting its deep connection to the local > populace. > > There is another legend that the temple was built by sage Vyasa. > > Architecture > > What's interesting about the temple is the blend of Kerala and Tamil-style > architecture. The unique feature of this temple is that it is made of rock > and sits atop another rock. > > The temple features seven devi roopams, including Vaishnavi Devi in the > sanctum along with other deities like Ganapathy and Sastha in separate > sanctums. Visitors appreciate the ancient construction on rocks by the > river, the serene atmosphere filled with the sound of a pious waterfall > inside, and the opportunity to experience Aruvikkara dam during their > visit. Situated on the banks of the serene Karamana River, this temple is > known for its *blend of traditional Kerala and Tamil architectural > styles.* > > Deities > > Presiding Deity: saptha mathrus > > The temple is dedicated to the Sapta Matrikas, or Seven Mother > Goddesses. The main deity, Aruvikkara Bhagavathi, faces east, and the > deities here were traditionally revered as the Aruvikkara Ammamar. Among > the Sapta Matrikas, *Goddess Vaishnavi is given special significance.* > > The idols done in ‘Kadusharkkarayogam’ is a rare combination to 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 on way to the temple)* > > Festivals > > The temple celebrates a three -day annual festival during February and > March, which adds to its popularity. If you want to witness the temple’s > grandeur and vibrancy, this is the period you need to visit. > > *Annual festival, Trikarthika and Karkidaka Vavu*. The temple is famous > like Tiruvallam 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 Karthyayani who is an > incarnation of Goddess Durga. There are also stories that associate the > celebration of the festival with the killing of the demon Narakasura. > > Annual festival in this temple is only for 3 Days. Mahaganapathi Homam > Karthika Vilakku Kalashapooja Deepa , Nangyarkoothu and Bhajans are > part of the festival. The festival starts with Mahaganapathi Homam*. > There are no rituals like flag hoisting, procession etc during this > festival.* > > Karthika Vilakku is the deity’s most favourite offering. On all days of > festival there will be Kalashapooja. In the afternoon free food is served to > devotees. On all days programs end with cultural events staged by > devotees. The last day of the festival is the important day during which > there will be Deepa Kazhcha. *This Karthika Deepam will be lit by famous > persons.* Kerala art forms like Nangyarkoothu and Bhajans will be > conducted. > > Things To Do in the Aruvikkara Bhagavathy Temple > > Usually, the experience starts with paying a visit down to the inner > sanctum where Goddess Bhagavathy resides. This is where darshan occurs and > you can offer your puja and prayers to the deity. The priests around the > temple conduct different kinds of rituals you can witness. > > A unique trait of the temple lies in the pond inside the premises. The > temple pond, teeming with large fish, is considered sacred. Devotees > often partake in the customary practice of feeding these fish, seeking > divine favour. And, lastly, don’t forget to stop and explore the > architecture and design elements that adorn the temple walls. > > Offerings > > Payasam₹60 Pournami Pooja ₹2000 Unniappam ₹100 > > Feeding fish- Local belief is that feeding fish in the river here will > cure skin diseases like wart . > > Specialties > > 1Experience a unique temple made of rock dedicated to Goddess Durga > > 2Witness seven devi roopams including Vaishnavi Devi > > 3Enjoy a serene atmosphere perfect for meditation > > 4 A well maintained lovely old-style temple that still keeps its > traditional charm intact. The peaceful vibe and the classic feel of the > place 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 the Bhagavathy > temple, walk towards the Aruvikkara Dam, located upstream from the temple. It > is one of the most vital 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 66 85. > > Temple Timings > > 5:30 AM: to 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM > > Location and how to reach the temple > > Aruvikkara Dam Bus Stop – 350 m Thampanoor Railway Station – 16.9 Km > Trivandrum International Airport – 19.7 Km Sree Bhagavathi Temple, Aruvikkara > – 695543 Contact: Aruvikkara Grama Panchayat Office Phone: +91-472-2888225 > > Administration > > Years back the temple belonged to Chengannur Alappuram family. > > When the dam was built, 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 > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/1652463493.809951.1754202549644%40mail.yahoo.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. 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