Aruvakkad Devi Temple:, Alppuzha Kerala

Aruvakkad Devi Temple:, Alppuzha Kerala

Aruvakkad is located 8-km south of the town. The deity is Devi. A fascinating story backs up the deity. The idol has different forms such as, Saraswathi, Parvathi, Laxmi. After killing evil-force Daruka, she washed her sword in the pond of this temple. According to the ancestors, she is the sister of the Devi of Kanachikulangara and Kodungallur. The deity here is also known as Aruvakkad Amma. 10-day festival in the month of Meenam (March/April) is a great event. Thiripidutham (holding of lighted wicks) is an important ritual during the festival. In this ritual thousands participate, resulting the entire region divine lighted. Deeparadhana (praying to light) is yet another ritual. Deeparadhana is on the Chuttambalam (four sides of the outer portion of main temple). The process is lighting of thousands of oil lamps on the Chuttambalam. This is on the last day of the festival. After witnessing and praying Deeparadhana the devotees go for a dip in the temple pond and come back with wet (including cloths) and again pray for the well-being. At this point of time the Poojari (priest) gives a lighted oil lamp with which the devotee circamambulate the temple to have the blessings of Devi. Pongala is also performed as offering in Makaram (January/February). The women-alone Pongala is a great event of thousands attending.As in other temples here too have Upadevatas (sub-deities). Shiva, Subramanya, Gosala Krishna, Kodum Kali and Saraswathi bag sub-deity titles.

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