Sri MAHISHASURA MARDINI Temple - VAAL VACCHA GOSHTAM - IV
SPECIALITIES :
1. Only Devi deity s found. Other deities are not around,
except 2 small Ganapthy deites with Nagas in the North west side.
2. The Mel Shanti and the Tantri roles are done together by 1 single
Me Shanti, with out any support priest.
3.There is a tunnel that was connecting this temple to Padmanabhapuram palace.
It is not operational now.4. We can say that this is a full fledged temple,
as it has all major structures like Anupamandapam, mukhamandapam,
namaskara mandapam, kathir mandapam, sirpa mandapam, ottrai kal mandapam
(plaftform made of 1 single stone), maruda mandapam, belikallpura are found.
A safe locker room for keeping Devi’s ornaments is also there.
The ornaments are not kept here now – for safety reasons.
This inner structure of the temple is surrounded by 2 enclosures / prakarams
and a tall outside wall. Shilpa mandapam is of great sculptural beauty in this temple
The Rathi and manmathan statue in the entrance looks beautiful here.
There are 6 huge pillars (3 per side) in this mandapam –
having Nataraja, Kali, Arjuna, KARNA, Indrajit and Lakshmana.
There is underground way from this temple to Padmanabhapuram Palace.
The entrance of the underground passage is at this temple.
Temple tank is in front of the koil.
FESTIVALS :
Annual festival is the 10 day festival in the month of Medom (April /May).
Vaikkasi Visakom is also an important celebration here.
On the 9th day of vaikaasi visakam festival, Devi is decorated by all aaparanam (jewels).
She goes around the temple for Palli-vettah ( hunting).
The idol is taken 7 times around the temple.
The bow and arrow after the ritual is gifted to some devotee.
There is no Devi Aaraatu. Hence a ritual ceremony is done at the temple pond
on the north side of the temple. 5 days prior to Thrikarthika day in the
Vrischigom month (nov/dec), Thiruvonam, Navarathri 9 days, Pongala
during Pongal (Jan) are the other main festivals here. kalabha chaarthu
is done on all days in karthikai month Ladies worship this deity for getting long life,
auspiciousness, prosperity and happiness in family . A lush green landscape –
with coconut, rubber, plantain estates around, this place is a must see spot
in Kanyakumari district.
cooncluded.
SPECIALITIES :
1. Only Devi deity s found. Other deities are not around,
except 2 small Ganapthy deites with Nagas in the North west side.
2. The Mel Shanti and the Tantri roles are done together by 1 single
Me Shanti, with out any support priest.
3.There is a tunnel that was connecting this temple to Padmanabhapuram palace.
It is not operational now.4. We can say that this is a full fledged temple,
as it has all major structures like Anupamandapam, mukhamandapam,
namaskara mandapam, kathir mandapam, sirpa mandapam, ottrai kal mandapam
(plaftform made of 1 single stone), maruda mandapam, belikallpura are found.
A safe locker room for keeping Devi’s ornaments is also there.
The ornaments are not kept here now – for safety reasons.
This inner structure of the temple is surrounded by 2 enclosures / prakarams
and a tall outside wall. Shilpa mandapam is of great sculptural beauty in this temple
The Rathi and manmathan statue in the entrance looks beautiful here.
There are 6 huge pillars (3 per side) in this mandapam –
having Nataraja, Kali, Arjuna, KARNA, Indrajit and Lakshmana.
There is underground way from this temple to Padmanabhapuram Palace.
The entrance of the underground passage is at this temple.
Temple tank is in front of the koil.
FESTIVALS :
Annual festival is the 10 day festival in the month of Medom (April /May).
Vaikkasi Visakom is also an important celebration here.
On the 9th day of vaikaasi visakam festival, Devi is decorated by all aaparanam (jewels).
She goes around the temple for Palli-vettah ( hunting).
The idol is taken 7 times around the temple.
The bow and arrow after the ritual is gifted to some devotee.
There is no Devi Aaraatu. Hence a ritual ceremony is done at the temple pond
on the north side of the temple. 5 days prior to Thrikarthika day in the
Vrischigom month (nov/dec), Thiruvonam, Navarathri 9 days, Pongala
during Pongal (Jan) are the other main festivals here. kalabha chaarthu
is done on all days in karthikai month Ladies worship this deity for getting long life,
auspiciousness, prosperity and happiness in family . A lush green landscape –
with coconut, rubber, plantain estates around, this place is a must see spot
in Kanyakumari district.
cooncluded.