Bhagavatī (भगवती).—The words Bhagavān and Bhagavatī mean Paramātmā
(universal self) and Prakṛti (Nature and its modifications) respectively.
Prakṛti is also called by the name Śakti. The following elucidation once
given by Mahāviṣṇu about Bhagavān and Bhagavatī is greatly illuminating. Time,
space, atmosphere and the universe (Brahmāṇḍam) are, just like Paramātmā,
eternal. This is the truth and reality. Below this eternal Gokula exists
Vaikuṇṭhaloka, which also is, like the former, eternal. Just like this,
Prakṛti, which is a sport to Brahmā and is also without beginning or end
(Sanātanī) too is eternal. In the same manner as flame exists in fire
inseparable from it, moonlight in moon, beauty in the lotus flower and
brightness in the sun, so does nature exist in soul inseparable therefrom.
In the same way as the goldsmith cannot make gold ornaments without gold
and the potter cannot make pots without clay, the Paramātmā will not in the
least be able to function unaided by Prakṛti. Prakṛti (Nature, Devī) is all
powerful. 'Para' becomes powerful enough to do everything when he joins the
Devī.
On the Gāyatrī Stotra
2-29. Nārāyana said :-- O World-Mother! O Thou, favouring Thy devotees! O
Thou, the Prime Force, O Omnipresent! Infinite! Śrī Sandhye! I bow down to
Thee. Thou art the Sandhyā; Thou art the Gāyatrī, Sāvitrī and Sarasvatī;
Thou art Brāhmī, Vaiṣṇavī and Raudrī and Thou art red, white, and black
(the colours of Gāyatrī, Sāvitrī and Sarasvatī) that Thou assumest
respectively. O Bhagavatī! Thou art always meditated by the Munis as young
in the morning, full of youth in the mid-day, and aged in the evening. I
bow down to Thee. Thou art seen by the Tapasvis (ascetics) as Brahmānī,
riding on Hamsa (swan), Sarasvatī riding on Garuḍa, and Sāvitrī riding on
Bull. Thou art seen within by the ascetics as manifesting the Rigveda (in
the form of Sāvitrī) in this world, as manifesting Yayurveda in the middle
space (antarikṣam) and as manifesting Sāmaveda everywhere in the Rudra
loka, thus roaming in the three worlds. I bow down to Thee. O Devī! Thou
art Rudrānī in the Rudra loka, Vaiṣṇavī in the Viṣṇu loka, and Brahmānī in
the Brahmā loka; thus Thou shewest Thy favour to the Immortals. O Devī!
Thou art the Mother delighting the seven Ṛṣis (of the Great Bear); Thou art
Māyā. Thou grantest great many boons to Thy Bhaktas. Thou art sprung from
the eyes and hands, tears and perspiration of Śiva and Śivā.
Thou art the Mother of delights, Durgā Devī, recited by the following ten
names :-- Vareṇyā, Varadā, Vaṛṣṭhā, Varavarniṇī, Gaṛṣṭhā, Varāhā, Varārohā,
Nīlagaṅgā, Sandhyā and Bhoga Mokṣadā. Thou art the Bhāgirathī (the river
Ganges) in this world; the Bhogavatī in the Pātāla; and the Mandākinī (the
milky way) in the Heavens. Thou art in this world (Bhur loka) the
all-enduring Prithvī (earth); Thou art the Vāyu Śakti (air power) in the
middle space (Bhubhar Loka); Thou art the energy (the ocean of Tejas) in
the Heavens (Svar loka); Thou art the Great Siddhi in the Mahar loka; Thou
art Janā in the Janar Loka; Thou art Tapasvinī in the Tapar loka; Thou art
Truth (True Speech) in the Satya lokam. Thou art Kamalā in Viṣṇu loka;
Gāyatrī in Brahmā loka; and the other half of Hara as Gaurī in the Rudra
loka. O Devī! Thou art sung as Prakriti – “Aham” “Om-Mahat” tattva and
beyond that the Highest Sarva
Brahmā rūpiṇī and Sāmyāvasthā Prakriti.
Thou art the Parā Śakti; Thou art the Paramā Śakti; O Devī! Thou art the
Tri-Śakti :-- the Icchā Śakti (the will power), the Kriyā Śakti (power of
action) and the Jñāna Śakti (the force of knowledge). Thou art the Gaṅgā,
Yamunā, Vipāśā, Sarasvatī, Sarayu, Devīkā, Sindhu; Narmadā, Īrāvatī,
Godāvarī, Śatadru; Kāverī, Kauśikī, Candra Bhāgā, Vitastā, Gaṇḍakī, Tapinī,
Karatoyā, Gomatī, and Vetravatī and other rivers; Thou art the Iḍā,
Piṅgalā, and Suṣumnā nerves; Thou art Gāndhārī, Hastajihvā, Pūṣā, Apūṣā,
Alambusā, Kuhū, Śaṅkhinī, Prānavāhinī and other nerves in the body; O Devī!
Thou art the vital power in the lotus of the heart; Thou art Svapna nāikā
in the throat; Thou art Sadādhārā in the palate; and Thou art the
Vindumālinī Śakti in the pituitary space between the eyebrows.
Thou art the Kuṇḍalinī in the Mūlādhāra (sacral plexus), the Vyāpinī
extending upto the roots of the hairs; Thou art Madhyāsanā on the crown of
the head, and Thou art Manonmanī in the Brahmārandhra. O Devī! What need
there is in stating these? Suffice it to say that whatever there is seen in
this universe, all art Thou; therefore, O Śrī Sandhyā Devī! I bow down to
Thee. O Nārada! Thus I have spoken to you about the Gāyatrī-Stotra that
gives all successes, destroys all sins, and yields all merits. He who reads
this in the Sandhyā times, with all attention, will get sons if he has no
sons, will get wealth if he has no wealth. There is no doubt in this.
Whoever reads this Stotra gets the fruits of all Tīrthas, all Tapasyās, all
gifts, all sacrifices and all Yogas. He enjoys happiness in this world and
finally gets the Mokṣa. The Munis who are engaged in Tapasyās read this
Stotra. While bathing, if one reads this, merged under water, acquires the
fruits of his being merged in the Sandhyā. O Nārada! I speak this verily,
verily, verily, unto you that there is no trace of any doubt in this
statement. Whoever will hear with devotion this Sandhyā stotra, the
nectar-like thing, will be freed from all sins. Mahāpurāṇam Śrī Mad
Devī Bhāgavatam
K Rajaram IRS 201025 BHAGAVATI IS UNIVERSAL BRAHMAM
On Mon, 20 Oct 2025 at 08:13, 'gopala krishnan' via Thatha_Patty <
[email protected]> wrote:
> *BHAGAVATHI TEMPLE, CHERPU, *
>
> *TRICHUR DISTRICT-KERALA*
>
> Introduction
>
> The Bhagavathy Temple in Cherpu, Thrissur is a significant ancient temple
> dedicated to the Goddess Durga, believed to be one of the 108 Durgalayas
> consecrated
> by Sage Parashurama. *The temple is famous for its role in the Peruvanam
> Pooram and Arattupuzha Pooram festivals and its main deity, Bhoomi Devi, an
> incarnation of Durga*.
>
> The temple features separate shrines for other deities like *Ganesha and
> Krishna*. It is especially known for blessings related to children's
> speech and writing. Devotees also visit the temple for land related things
> like selling, purchasing, construction of home etc.
>
> Key information
>
> Location: Cherpu, Thrissur, Kerala
>
> Main Deity: Bhoomi Devi, an incarnation of Goddess Durga
>
> Other Deities: Ganesha and Krishna
>
> Significance: Considered the *greatest of the 108 Durgalayas* consecrated
> by Sage Parashurama.
>
> Festivals: Plays a major role in the Peruvanam Pooram and Arattupuzha
> Pooram festivals.
>
> Specialty: The main offering is Chathussatham, a special dish made of
> coconut, jaggery, rice, Kadali banana fruits, and ghee.
>
> Features and religious significance
>
> Deity: The temple's primary deity is Goddess Bhagavathy, who *is also
> called "Bhumi Devi," associated with property matters.*
>
> Festivals: The temple is an important participant in the Peruvanam Pooram
> and Arattupuzha Pooram, two significant festivals in Kerala.
>
> Rituals: A popular ritual at the temple is the bhoomi pooja for resolving
> property-related issues.
>
> Chief deity
>
> Bhagavathy, the divine consort of Lord Siva, acts as the host of the 2000
> year old *Peruvanam Pooram* and is also a leading deity of the 1400 plus
> year old Deva Mela – the Arattupuzha Pooram.
>
> Specialty
>
> Bhagavathy, the presiding deity of the ancient temple of Cherpu is
> something more. She is the Mother and like a true mother, She is determined
> to make Her devotees prosper and excel.
>
> She is the deified sweetness of Maternal Love. As Saraswathy, She blesses
> them with knowledge and wisdom just as a mother lovingly teaches her
> children.
>
> As Lakshmy, She gives them prosperity; every mother loves to feed or
> clothe her beloved.
>
> As Parvathy, Bhagavathy gives them Shakti; a child knows well how
> comforting it’s mother’s hands are. The devotee can beg for anything;
> health, wealth, fame, domestic happiness or knowledge; She grants them all.
> A mother is everything for her baby, a teacher, a nurse or a provider.
> Bhagavathy will assume any qualities Her devotees want; except that of an
> angry destroyer.
>
> The temple had been one of the *main centres of Yajurveda for hundreds of
> years – the Othuttu* at the temple considered second only to the Murajapam
> at the Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple in Thiruvananthapuram.
>
>
>
> Deity
>
> Mother Durga sits on a jewel-encrusted throne in the middle of this
> island. She is like a golden glow. She wears a golden dress and jewel
> studded ornaments. A crescent moon adorns Her head. Her twelve hands hold
> weapons representing the different qualities that Her devotees seek. They
> are the conch, wheel, sword, shield, bow, arrow, mace, trident,
> nectar-crock and jewel pot. Two hands show the sign of refuge and
> benediction.
>
> Poojas
>
> Daily, with three poojas conducted: usha-pooja at 6:30 AM, uccha-pooja
> at 8 AM, and athazha pooja at 7:45 PM.13 Mar 2024
>
> Festivals
>
> Peruvanam Pooram – Participation
>
> The Pooram in its early form was a grand 28-day affair conducted solely at
> the premises of the Peruvanam Mahadeva Temple in Cherpu and was started
> somewhere in the 1st Century AD. Around 500 years later it was stopped
> because of certain technical glitches and restarted in the present form of
> a 10 day event. Later many deities broke away and organised their own
> Poorams to satisfy the locals, the most famous of the lot being the
> Thrissur Pooram which was started around 250 years back.
>
> Cherpu Bhagavathy’s Role: Of the 18 deities who attend the Peruvanam
> Pooram conducted on the Pooyam day of the Meenam month of the Malayalam
> calendar, Cherpu Bhagavathy has a special role in the proceedings.
> Bhagavathy acts as the hostess of the show and comes last, waiting for all
> the deities to finish their processions before starting her own taking
> along with her anybody who is left.
>
> The Pooram at Peruvanam takes place on a walkway broad enough to hold
> seven fully grown elephants. Only the best of elephants used to be arrayed
> on this walkway. That an elephant was chosen for the Cherpu Bhagavathy’s
> procession had been considered to be a mark of its perfect build and grace.
>
> Cherpu from time immemorial has been setting standards in the making of
> elephant decorations, choice of elephants and in the quality of its Melam.
> It is said that the most musical of the Melams, called Panchari, was
> developed by the poet Mazhamangalam and first performed by the Peruvanam
> Marar for Cherpu Bhagavathy.
>
> Arattupuzha Pooram – the Deva Mela
>
> In the early days 108 deities from a radius of some 50 kms used to attend
> the Arattupuzha Pooram which comes on the Pooram day, 3 days after the
> Peruvanam Pooram. Twenty-three of them continue to participate as of date.
>
> Significance of Cherpu Bhagavathy: Cherpu is the most prominent partner of
> this procession hosting the elephants in its part of the array. The
> others being Triprayar and Urakam.
>
> Other Related Events
>
> The festival starts on the Aswathy day of the Meenam month. We offer
> *Chathussatham
> – a sweet porridge made of rice, jaggery and coconut milk* – as Prasad to
> Bhagavathy in the evening and later take Bhagavathy’s idol in a colourful
> procession around the temple. To offer money as Aswathyppanam is excellent
> to beget children.
>
> Makeeram day marks the formal start of the festival parades. Bhagavathy
> also goes out of the temple for Arattu – the ceremonial bath. She has
> processions and Arattu on all days upto Atham.
>
> After the Peruvanam Pooram on Pooyam day and the climax of the season in
> Arattupuzha on the Pooram day we have the Uthram festivities at the
> temple and is considered one of the holiest events of the calendar. While
> the temple employee called *Brahmani Amma sings in praise of Bhagavathy *is
> the most auspicious time to pray at Her holy feet.
>
> On Atham day after the *procession an elephant pulls down the flagstaff* that
> was erected in front of the temple at the start of the festival thus
> marking the end of the summer festival.
>
> Anizham in Mithuna is Bhagavathy’s reconsecration day, the birthday!
>
> The devotees bring their cows to the temple on the first day of Chingam
> and take them round in Pradakshina.
>
> The *Navaratri festival*, a very colourful one is very holy, the devotees
> flock here during that period.
>
> The Thiruvonam Pattu in the month of Thulam also is of great
> significance. The devotees pray here during the function for prosperous
> marriage.
>
> *The Mandala, the 41 days beginning from the first day of Vrischika used
> to be the period of Veda chanting and rituals*.
>
> Offerings
>
> The most important offering here is Chathussatham, made of coconut,
> jaggery, rice Kadali Banana fruits and Ghee.
>
> The temple uses *coconut oil for the lamps* which is unusual.
>
> The devotees offer Niramala; lighting thousands of wicks all-round the
> temple.
>
> Neippayasam, is another sweet dish which Bhagavathy likes particularly.
> Mala, garland of flowers, is another important Seva here.
>
> Bhagavathy really loves Veda. The devotees can offer Murajapam where a
> scholar recites Veda.
>
> A special Seva is to offer Neippayasam on three successive Thiruvonams.
> This is to beget bridegrooms.
>
> Bhoomi Pooja helps take care of the devotees problems regarding their
> housing needs and real estate.
>
> Thrikala Pooja: The devotees offer the three Poojas of a day. Or they can
> offer Udayasthamana Pooja, 18 Poojas in a day. Bhagavathy fulfils all their
> wishes.
>
> An extremely beneficent Seva is the Navapradakshina, *going round the
> temple nine times in circumambulation on Fridays*.
>
> Location
>
> The ancient Cherpu Bhagavathy temple of Padinjattumuri is situated in a
> calm and serene setting about *thirteen kilometres south of Thrissur
> along the Thrissur-Triprayar Road*.
>
> How to reach the temple
>
> The outstation pilgrims have to alight at the *Thrissur railway station.*
> Thrissur-Cherpu-Triprayar bus route. Padinjattumuri bus stop. As the
> temple is off the main road they would have to walk a couple hundred metres
> to reach there.
>
> What is Cherpu Bhagavathy temple famous for?
>
> This ancient temple is dedicated to Goddess Durga and plays a major role
> in two of the most popular Pooram festivals of Kerala. *These are the
> famous Peruvanam Pooram and Arattupuzha Pooram.*
>
> Temple timings
>
> The temple is open from 5 AM to 9 AM and from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
>
> Temple timings
>
> Morning: 5:00 AM to 9:00 AM
>
> Evening: 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
>
> Address:
>
> Sree Cherpu Bhagavathi Temple, Cherpu, Thrissur District, Kerala 680561.
> Phone number: 0487-2341151
>
> Website: cherpubhagavathy.com.
>
> How To Reach
>
> By Air: Cochin International Airport is situated 46.7 KM from the temple.
>
> By Rail: Thrissur Railway Station is 12.8 KM from the Temple.
>
> By Road: Thrissur KSRTC Bus Stand is 12.4 KM from the Temple.
>
> Administration
>
> The temple over the years was governed by five Ooralans, the families of
> Kirangat Mana, Chittoor Mana, Padinjaredathu Mana, Ambalappilly Mana and
> Pazhedath Mana.
>
> A group of five ancestral families known as the Ooraalans. It is not under
> the direct administration of a single government-appointed official.
>
> *Information summarised , compiled and posted by R. Gopalakrishnan on
> 20-10-2025.*
>
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