---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Rajaram Krishnamurthy <[email protected]> Date: Fri, 3 Oct 2025 at 19:54 Subject: Re: DAKSHINA MOOKAMBIKA TEMPLE, NORTH PARAVUR, ERNAKULAM DISTRICT- KERALA STATE To: gopala krishnan <[email protected]> Cc: Kerala Iyer <[email protected]>, Chittanandam V R < [email protected]>, YM <[email protected]>, Dr Sundar < [email protected]>, venkat raman <[email protected]>, Ravi mahajan < [email protected]>, Venkat Giri <[email protected]>, SRIRAMAJAYAM <[email protected]>, Mani APS <[email protected]>, Rangarajan T.N.C. <[email protected]>, Srinivasan Sridharan < [email protected]>, Mathangi K. Kumar <[email protected]>, Rama <[email protected]>, Thatha_Patty-Google < [email protected]>, Sanathana group < [email protected]>, Jambunathan Iyer < [email protected]>
The history of the Dakshina Mookambika Temple is steeped in legend, particularly for the Panachikkadu Temple which is also known as the Dakshina Mookambika, where a Namboodiri was instructed by the goddess Mookambika to bring her presence to his village after he failed to find a male child. A different temple, the Dakshina Mookambika Temple at North Paravur, is a more recently built structure, approximately 500 years old, believed to be as powerful as the original Kollur Mookambika temple in Karnataka. The Legend of Panachikkadu Temple (Dakshina Mookambika) A Pilgrimage and a Divine Instruction: A Brahmin from Kizhupurathillam went on a pilgrimage to the Mookambika temple after failing to have a male child, reports www.panachickadutemple.org. The Goddess's Appearance: After bathing in the Ganges, the Brahmin visited the Mookambika temple and was told by the goddess that she would reside in his native place, according to this website. The Umbrella: Upon his return, the Brahmin bathed in the temple pond and left his umbrella on the southern side. The Goddess's Presence: A divine presence appeared, explaining that the goddess Mookambika was within the umbrella, thus establishing the Dakshina Mookambika temple in the south. Other Dakshina Mookambika Temples North Paravur Temple: This temple is a significant Saraswati temple built about 500 years ago. It's a relatively recent addition to the ancient temples of the region and is one of the many temples that honors the goddess Saraswati. The Significance: The temple is believed to offer the same benefits and blessings as the original Mookambika Temple in Kollur, Karnataka. Architecture and Heritage: The temple architecture is distinctive, featuring a unique design for its Srikovil. Significance of the Name "Dakshina Mookambika" "Dakshina" means "south" in Sanskrit. Thus, "Dakshina Mookambika" refers to the Mookambika temple located in the southern part of India, specifically Kerala. II The saraswati temple in the panachikkadu village of Kottayam district, Kerala is known as Dakshina (southern) Mookambi. Even Though many saraswathi temples perform pooja only during the ‘Navarathri period, this temple offers pooja throughout giving ‘darshan’ to the devotees. Two things specially to be noticed here are the creepers and the immaculate spring. The leaves of the creepers which cover the idol are considered saraswathy leaves. The water coming from the spring here flows touching the feet of the “Devi” never dries even in the peak time of summer. Since the devi remains on such a “Saras” (small rivulet) the name saraswathy becomes meaningful. The water required for poojas and other needs are taken from the spring. No well or other water sources are available here. Above the saraswathy temple on the western side there is a natural habitat made of exotic plants and their fragrant flowers. Here lives the ‘yakshi’ who is at once fastidious and easily made happy. The idol of ‘brahmarakshasu’ is also installed here. Even Though there are yakshi shrines in other temples, as well, the power of the yakshi at panachikkadu seems to be super. In addition there are idols of Siva, Sastha, Ganapathi, Nagayakshi, Nagaraja and the like sub deities too here. When we reach the precincts of the temple we see first a “Vishnu temple” just a few metres south of the Vishnu shrine we can see the ‘saraswathy temple’ in a natural valley with the water dripping and flowing around the idol. The temple does not have the traditional sanctum sanctorum and other pompous structures of the temples elsewhere. There is a rectangular pond-like structure as though it has been caved out of a granite hillock. In this pond there grows lush green creeper plants of exquisite beauty. Covered by the creeper, the original ‘idol’ of saraswathy remains. Near the original idol of “devi saraswathy” there is another alternate idol on which all the poojas are performed. In the ‘lthihyamala’ of kottarathil sankunni there is a detailed description of this temple-this temple having more than one thousand years of history, there are three Brahmin families, kizhupuram,Karunad and kaimukku,asits traditional caretakers. From among these illams a respectful Brahmin from the kizhupurathillam, disappointed by not getting a male child, took up a journey to Ganges to take holy bath. On the way reaching Mookambika he stayed there for a few days praying to the deity there. One day the devi appeared before him and advised him to go back to his native place. She told him that a nampoothiri lady of Karunatillake is now pregnant and that she will deliver two children. One of the children is adopted by him as his own and brings him up. As directed by the devi the next day the devotee took bath, worshipped the devi and returned to his house. In his palm leaf umbrella there was Devi’s blessing and power. When he reached Panachikkad,the palm umbrella became stiff without any movement. Then the holy Godman appeared before him and pronounced that there is devi’s power and blessings in the umbrella. He advised the Brahmin to do poojas and the power of saraswathy be installed in a temple at Panachikkadu. An idol which was lying deserted there was seen. The Brahmin was told to incarnate the power of the devi in this old idol which was worshipped by Godman with supernatural power a long time ago. Since such Godmen with supernatural powers are not available now an alternate idol was installed in Panachikkad. Even today in the temple of the caretakers traditional rituals and poojas are performed as of then. The order in which Pooja performed to Mahavishnu, saraswathi, Ganapathy, Siva, Sastha,Yakshii, and Nagaraja. Like the Ganges which touches the feet of Vishnu it is form the feet of Vishnu that the holy water flows to the shrine of Saraswathi. >From various parts of India devotees come here for ‘Darshan’ Irrespective of religions people come here for ‘Vidyarambham’ (the ceremony of beginning education). Except on the days of ‘Durgashtami’ and ‘Mahanavami’ all other days ‘Vidyarambham’ is performed here. The ghee enriched with; Saraswatha Manthram’ is distributed to devotees from here. The intake of this ghee enriches the intelligence of children for intelligence and education this is considered very good. For saraswati and Vishnu, yakshi, Rakshas , Shasta, Siva, Ganapathy separate is offering can be made. Everyday early morning Pooja is performed to Saraswathi and Vishnu—for saraswathy ‘Saraswatha Sooktharchana’ and for Vishnu Purusha Sooktharchana’. On the Durgashtami’ Day special ‘Pooja’ is performed for textbooks, literary works and ‘Thaliola books’ of ancient wisdom. On the ‘Vijayashtami’ day these books are returned to the owners after Pooja. Eminent writers and literary stalwarts like Karthika Thirunal RamaVarma Maharaja (Dharma Raja), Kerala Varma Vliakoi thampuran, A.R.Raja Raja Varma, Ulloor the famous poet and other famous writers have come and stayed here for ‘bhajan’. It is believed that the famous writer A.R. Raja Raja Varma was dumped during childhood and he got out of the illness and became a famous writer and orator on the blessing of the Goddess here. Thousands of literacy workers, artists, musicians etc. consider this temple as their last resort for help. The temple is becoming more and more famous, day by day. The three Brahmin families Kizhupuram, Karunad, and Kaimukku in addition to a manager look after the up-keeping and pooja etc. here. III SUCHINDRA STALA MAHATMIYAM SPEAKS ABOUT ONLY KOLLUR MOOKAMBIKA SO DHAKSHINA PARAVUR IS VERY RECENT TEMPLE. K RAJARAM IRS 31025 On Fri, 3 Oct 2025 at 17:57, 'gopala krishnan' via Thatha_Patty < [email protected]> wrote: > *DAKSHINA MOOKAMBIKA TEMPLE, NORTH PARAVUR,ERNAKULAM DISTRICT- KERALA > STATE* > > > Introduction > > The Dakshina Mookambika Temple is a famous Mookambika temple in the town > of North Paravur in the Ernakulam district of Kerala. This is an ancient > Temple situated in North Paravur Ernakulam. The temple is dedicated to > Goddess Saraswati (the deity of learning). One of the unique features of > the temple is that it is built in a pool of Lotus blooms. > > Legend > > According to legends, Thampuran (ruler) of Paravur was a great devotee of > Goddess Mookambika. He used to visit the Kollur temple in Mangalore every > year to pay homage to the goddess. When he became old, his health worsened > and he could no longer undertake the long journey to Kollur. The goddess > appeared to the sad devotee in a dream and ordered him to build her idol > near his palace so that he can have daily darshan of her. Thampuran > followed her instructions, built a temple at Paravur and installed the > Goddess. > > History > > The temple was built approximately 500 years ago. > > Architectural style: > > Architecture of Kerala. The temple has a serene atmosphere and magnificent > architecture. > > Sanctum > > The sanctum sanctorum is in the *midst of a lotus pool.* > > Deities > > The presiding deity in this temple is Mookambika . The Goddess Chaturbahu > is holding an akshamala on her right hand, a water lily on her left hand > and a book on her left hand. The Goddess, who was brought from Kollur by > the devotee Paravur Thampuran, removes the darkness of ignorance from the > devotees and reigns the light of wisdom. > > Sub-deities include *Ganapathy, Kartikeya, Mahavishnu, Yakshi, Hanuman > and Veerabhadran*, Lord Ramadasan.A shrine devoted to Yakshi is at the > southwest corner. > > Poojas > > Morning > > 5.00 am – Nadathurappu 6.30 am - Ushapooja/ sreebali > > 8.00 am - Pantheeradi Pooja 10.30am - Uchapooja/Sreebali. 11.00am - > Nadayadappu > > Evening . > > 5.00 pm – Nadathurappu 6.30 pm - Deeparadhana > > 7.30 pm - Athazhapooja/Sreebali > > Distribution of kashaya Nivedhyam. > > Festivals > > Most important festival is Navarathri. The Navarathri mandapam and the > Aanapandal become alive with classical concerts during Navarthri days. Nine > days of dance and music makes the Navaratri fest a glorious celebration. It > is in the month of Kanni(September-October). Mostly small children's > 'Arangettams'- the debut performances- are conducted here during the period. > Thousands of devotees throng the temple these days. *Small children are > initiated to the world of learning on 'Vidyarambha mandapam' of the temple > on Vijayadashmi day.* > > On Durgashtami, books are arranged before the image of Goddess Saraswathy > and on Vijayadashami morning, Ezhuthinirithu or Vidyāraṃbhaṃ ceremony takes > place at a special mandapam which goes from 4 am to 11 am. Thousands of > little children are initiated into the world of letters by making them > write the word hari, sree on rice. > > Apart from the Navaratri festivals, the ‘Ten days annual festival ’ is > celebrated in the month of Makaram ( January-February ). Uthrattathi in the > month of Makaram is celebrating as ‘Arattu’ ( final day of festival). > > Eighth day is ‘Uthsavabali’ and ninth day as ‘Valiyavilakku’. > > Offerings > > Sree Vidya Manthra Pushpanjali, Saraswathi Pooja, Thrimaduram, > Chuttuvilakku, Mookambika Kashyam, Kashayam, Oushada Ghee, Modak, Tamara > Mottu Samarppanam, Kadali Pazham. > > Administration > > The temple is under Travancore Devaswam Board. The main poojas here are > performed by the thanthris of Puliyanoor mana in Tripunithura. > > Address: > > Main Post Office Road, Kacheripady, North Paravur, Kerala 683513. Phone: > 1800 425 4747 > > How To Reach > > By Air: Cochin International Airport is the nearest airport situated 19.3 > KM from the Temple. > > By Road: Paravur KSRTC Bus station is 400 meters from the Temple. > > By Rail: Aluva Railway Station is 16.3 KM from the Temple. > > *Information compiled and posted by R. Gopalakrishnan 3-10-2025* > > > > -- > 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/705219945.2248405.1759494328986%40mail.yahoo.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/705219945.2248405.1759494328986%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]. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/CAL5XZoqEhPcGFoR6NR%2B8W8kCRYYXSkQYO55n3zKoDV32UnkO2A%40mail.gmail.com.
