SARASWATI MANTAPAM Thousands of devotees find solace in worship sites that reflect the history and culture of the land. Similarly, the Saraswathi Devi Temple and Mandapam in Poojappura in Thiruvananthapuram, adorned with traditions and customs, offer a glimpse into its rich heritage.
The Saraswathi Devi Temple in Poojappura, a prominent venue for the main Navaratri celebrations in the district, was constructed during the Travancore royal era. The Navaratri music festival held at the temple within the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation boundaries is renowned. The Saraswathi Mandapam in Poojappura initiates a procession starting with the first letter, leading into the world of letters. It is surrounded by 28 stone pillars, each carrying tales from history, crafted during the reign of Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma. During Navratri, the temple hosts a grand procession where devotees arrive in large numbers, a tradition dating back to the Travancore royal era when the Saraswathi Mandapam was established. During Navratri, a traditional practice involves bringing the silver horse and Murukanta deities from the Kumara temple in Thuckalay, Kanyakumari district, and placing them in the Saraswathi mandapam. Following the rituals, they visit the Padmanabhaswamy Temple before being returned to the Kumara temple. In the royal era, the king used to grant offerings on the seventh day at the Saraswathi Mandapam. This ritual is followed by devotees to this day. Currently, the management of the Saraswathi Mandapam falls under the administration of the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation. Another distinctive aspect of the celebrations here is the Kanakasabha Darshanam, a ritual conducted every festival day at 8:30 pm. During this event, priests carry the moola vigraham (original idol) of Goddess Saraswathi from the temple’s inner sanctum to the mandapam. Special poojas are performed, after which the idol is returned to its original place. Daily rituals at the Saraswathi temple include recitals of Harinamakeerthanam, Lalitha Sahasranamam, Devi Bhagavatham and Narayaneeyam. KR IRS 21025 On Thu, 2 Oct 2025 at 09:01, 'gopala krishnan' via Thatha_Patty < [email protected]> wrote: > SARASWATHI DEVI TEMPLE, POOJAPPURA, TRIVANDRUM > > Introduction > > Poojappura, located in the heart of Thiruvananthapuram, transforms into a > vibrant spiritual hub during Navaratri. Sree Saraswathi Devi Kshethram and > its famed Saraswathi Mandapam become the focal points of devotion, > classical music, and age-old rituals that echo the legacy of Travancore’s > royal traditions. > > Poojappura Saraswati Devi Temple > > Poojappura Saraswati Devi Temple is a temple located in Poojappura, > Thiruvananthapuram district , Kerala . *The temple, which is under the > jurisdiction of the Thiruvananthapuram Municipality*, is famous for its > Navratri music festival . Earlier, worship was only offered during the > Navratri Puja. The temple was rebuilt with a gopuram in 2010. > > Saraswati Mandapam > > The Saraswati Mandapam near the temple is built on 28 black stone pillars. > The black stone pillars have carved characters from epic stories. *It is > said that this Saraswati Mandapam was established during the reign of > Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma . * > > *Relation with Thukkala (Kanyakumari District)* > > During Navratri , there is a tradition of bringing the idols of the silver > horse and Murugan from the Kumara Kovil in Takkala in Kanyakumari district > with a Kavadi and placing them in the Saraswati Mandapam for worship. After > the worship, they also visit the Padmanabhaswamy Temple and return. > > *During the reign of the king, it is said that the king would visit the > Saraswati Mandapam and give 7 silver coins.* Currently, the Saraswati > Mandapam owned by the Thiruvananthapuram Municipality is currently under > the control of the trust. > > History > > Historian M.G. Sashibhooshan traces the place’s significance to the time > of Dharma Raja Karthika Thirunal Rama Varma, who shifted the capital from > Padmanabhapuram to Thiruvananthapuram in the late 18th century amid rising > military threats. > > *Swathi Thirunal, with his deep cultural leanings, later built the Kunnu > Bungalow in Poojappura and began structured Navaratri rituals here, > blending devotion with regal grandeur.* > > Navarathri procedures > > During Navaratri, the temple complex hosts rituals like Ayudha Pooja, > where books and weapons are venerated, and Vidyarambham on Vijayadashami, > where children are initiated into learning. > > > > The idol of Subrahmanya from Aryashala is ceremonially placed near the > Saraswathi Mandapam on the tenth day a tradition known as Nalliruppu. > > On Vijayadashami morning, the king once offered a ceremonial bow to the > deity, a gesture now emulated by devotees. One of the most distinct > traditions is the arrival of the silver horse and Murukanta deities from > the Kumara Temple in Thuckalay, Kanyakumari district. These are brought to > the Saraswathi Mandapam in a grand procession, kept for darshan and > rituals, then taken to the Padmanabhaswamy Temple before returning to > Thuckalay. In royal times, offerings were made by the king on the seventh > day now a continuing tradition upheld by devotees. > > Another key highlight is the Kanakasabha Darshanam, held daily at 8:30 > p.m. during Navaratri*. The original idol (moola vigraham) of Saraswathi > Devi is brought from the sanctum to the Mandapam for special worship before > being returned. *This divine glimpse draws large crowds, reaffirming the > temple's spiritual aura. The Saraswathi Mandapam, is also the stage for the > Navaratri music festival an event cherished by classical music lovers > across Kerala. Devotional recitals like Harinamakeerthanam, Lalitha > Sahasranamam, Devi Bhagavatham, and Narayaneeyam form a daily spiritual > rhythm during the festival. > > Poojappura Saraswati Mandapam and Temple is the place where history and > culture come together. > > Let's explore the Saraswati Mandapam and temple in Poojappura, which are > filled with history, customs and rituals. > > The Saraswati Temple and Saraswati Mandapam in Poojappura are one of the > temples where the main Navratri celebrations are held in the district. This > temple, which is visited by 100 devotees every day, was built during the > Travancore period. > > The temple, which is under the jurisdiction of the Thiruvananthapuram > Municipality, is famous for its Navratri music festival. Many children come > here to start their journey to the world of letters by taking their first > letter at the Saraswati Mandapam in Poojappura > > These granite pillars have carved characters from epic stories. It is said > that this Saraswati Mandapam was established during the reign of Anizham > Thirunal Marthanda Varma. > > > > Swathi Thirunal loved the place due to its geographical location. Poojappura > name means pooja veykkunna pura. Pooja denotes the worship performed on > Mahanavami and Vijayadashami festivals and Pura in Malayalam means a > resting place. Thus, it means a place of worship. *Maybe he was inspired > by Mysore’s Duserra celebrations,” he adds.* > > On Mahanavami, books and weapons were worshipped in the same place, adds > the historian. “Also from the time of Swathi Thirunal, the place also > observed Ayudha Pooja of Travancore soldiers,” he says. > > Poojas > > the Poojappura Saraswathi Temple in Trivandrum has daily Poojas and is > open to devotees. While specific timings aren't listed in the provided > results, Justdial states the temple is open until 8 PM, and you can call > the provided phone number, +91-9388899770 > > Vijayadashami (Vidyarambham Day): > > Vjaya Dasami is the last day of Navaratri celebrations. Thursday, October > 2, 2025 is Vijayadasami day. > > > > Posted by R. Gopalakrishnan compiling from websites.Gopalakrishnan > 2-10-2025 > > > > > > -- > 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/1334781366.1870824.1759375783891%40mail.yahoo.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/1334781366.1870824.1759375783891%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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