• Durga

Karthyayani Devi Temple

Overview


The famous Karthayayani Devi temple is located in Chertala town in Kerala. Goddess Karthayayani is being worshipped in this temple. Right outside the main temple, there are separate temples of Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. There are other temples dedicated to other lords, as well.


About The Temple


It is believed that the famous Indian Saint Vilwamangalam Swamiyar consecrated Devi in this temple. While he was going back after consecrating 'Padmanabha Swamy' at Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram he saw Devi at this place and consecrated her in this place is the popular belief. The deity 'Cherthala Karthyayani Devi' is famous as 'Mangalya Dayini' in the sense she provides welfare and prosperity for her devotees and removes obstacles for the marriage of young girls.

Cherthala Karthyayani Devi is famous as "Mangalya Dayani" which means, she provides 'welfare and prosperity' for the devotees and also helps, for removing obstacles in marriage for girls, provides good bridegroom, assures better married life. The etiquette and rituals followed in Cherthala Karthyayani temple, differs a lot from other temples in Kerala.


Legend and Stories


There is an enchanting legend about the temple. Shivaguru, the father of Adi Sankara, revered Shri Karthyayani Devi for quite a while. One day, when he was not able gone to the temple for his day by day venerate, Aryamba, the mother of Jagadguru Shri Adi Sankara, sent little Sankara to the temple to offer drain. At the point when Shri Sankara achieved the temple, it was shut and couldn't play out the advertising. Little Sankara began crying in disillusionment. Around then, an awesome light showed up from sanctum sanctorum and the drain in his offering vessel depleted. The little Sankara was upbeat that Shri Karthyayani Devi acknowledged his offering, however the kid again cried on the grounds that, a bit of the drain he used to reclaim home as prasada was not there. Devi showed up before him, reassured him and filled the vessel with drain as prasada. It is trusted that, by drinking this drain (Nectar of learning ) Jagadguru Adi Sankara got enlightenment and got to be Jagad Guru, the most famous Hindu savant of the world.

There is a tale about this temple. It appears that Vilwamangalam Swamiyar was coming back to Guruvayur in the wake of sanctifying the Ananthapadmanabha temple in Thiruvananthapuram. He achieved the present Cherthala and was taking rest beneath a Chambaka tree. He saw a few swans swimming in the lakes in that place. All of a sudden he saw a perfect woman swinging in a swing, attached to the Chambaka tree. He perceived her as Goddess Karthyayani and moved toward her, when she hopped into a close-by lake. Despite the fact that Vilwamangalathu Swamiyar hunt down her in the lake, he couldn't find her. The following day likewise he saw her in a similar place and this time she hopped into a moment lake. This proceeded for six days. On the seventh day, the Swamiyar (sage) figured out how to grasp her hair and pulled her up, before she could submerge. He could just draw her head (thala) up, uncovering her neck. Additionally, a few hairs which he was holding got removed. The seventh tank was loaded with slushy mud called "Cher" in Malayalam. Due to this occurrence, the place was called Cherthala. (This being an extraordinary place for coir produce was additionally called Shertala by the British). The present icon has just the head obvious. We can see the gaps from which hairs have been hauled out. So after Abhisheka, this head part of the icon is cleaned utilizing a fabric. Additionally while doing blossom offerings to the Goddess, these parts are secured with a material. It appears, the Swamiyar got irate with her since he was not ready to catch her. Thus, honoring the occasion, in the time of Edavam (May-June), the fans energetically mishandle the goddess amid a pooram celebration.

The Goddess in the sanctum sanctorum is sanctified beneath the floor level. Outside the temple, there are separate hallowed places for Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. The fans hand over cockerels as an offering to the goddess Karthyayani. So we can discover a few chickens at this temple. Close to the sanctum sanctorum of the goddess, there are separate holy places for Ganapathy and Lord Dharma Sastha moreover. Simply outside the temple, is where Vilwamangalam Swamiyar is said to have discovered her in a swing.

It appears to be before a gandharva was giving a great deal of inconvenience to the general population around this temple. So the goddess asked for Shastha to educate the gandharva a lesson. Master Sastha went outside and executed the Gandharva. When he was coming back to the temple, the Goddess requested that he remain outside itself, so he can secure the general population. A different temple was worked there. The Sastha in this temple is called Kavu udayon (he who has the employment of security or he who has a Kavu). He grasps a mace. Individuals who are in dread or are assaulted by fiendishness spirits make a mace of wood, shading it and give it as an offering to Kavu udayon. There are two extremely uncommon and exceptional prasadam offerings at this temple. They are called Iratti and Thadi


Festivals


Usually in other temples of Kerala, during the annual festival, 'Aarattu' is a ritual held once annually. At Chottanikara Devi Temple Aarattu is held every day during festival. At Cherthala Karthyayani Temple 'Aarattu' is held twice every day during the annual festival. Karthika Star day in the Malayalam month of Vrichikam is also well celebrated.


How to Reach Karthyayani Devi Temple


The nearest bus stop is in Cherthala. The nearest railway station is Shertalai. The nearest airport is Cochin International Airport.


Temple Address


Karthyayani Devi Temple,
Kodathikavala, Cherthala, Kerala - 688524

Significance

Devotees visit this temple to seek fulfillment of the following:-

  • For welfare and prosperity
  • For wishes relating to matrimony for women
  • For cure from physical ailments
Shlokas

Dhuumranetra Vadhe Devi Dharma Kaama Artha Daayini Ruupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisso Jahi

Meaning -I offer my salutations to Durga Devi, who killed Dhumranetra, the demon, I offer my salutations to the giver of dharma, kama and artha to Her devotees. Please bestow on me spiritual beauty, victory and glory and crush my inner enemies.

Yaa Devii Sarvabhuuteshhu Maatrirupena Sansthitah Yaa Devii Sarvabhuuteshhu Shaktirupena Sansthitah Yaa Devii Sarvabhuuteshhu Shaantirupena Sansthitah Namastasyaih Namastasyaih Namastasyaih Namo Namah

Meaning -Goddess Durga is omnipresent and a personification of the universal mother, who is omnipresent and who embodies power and energy. Oh great mother, who also embodies peace, I bow to you, mother, I bow to Durga and I bow to Shakti.

Ayi Giri Nandini Nandita Medini Vishva Vinodini Nandi Nute Giri Vara Vindhya Shiro Adhi Nivaasini Vissnnu Vilaasini Jissnnu Nute Bhagavati He Shiti Kannttha Kuttumbini Bhuri Kuttumbini Bhuri Krte Jaya Jaya He Mahissaasura Mardini Ramya Kapardini Shaila Sute

Meaning -I offer my salutations to the mountain's daughter, who fills the world with joy, who is praised by Nandi, who lives on Vindhya's summits, who gives joy to Her brother Lord Vishnu and who Lord Indra praises, Oh Goddess who is Lord Shiva's consort and who created abundance. The destroyer of the demon Mahishasura, the one with beautiful hair and the mountain's daughter, victory to you.

Madhu Kaittabha Vidhvamsi Vidhaatr Varade Namah Ruupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisso Jahi

Meaning -Oh Devi Durga, we salute you for destroying Madhu and Kaitabha and granting Lord Brahma the boon of protection. Please bestow on me spiritual beauty, victory and glory and crush my inner enemies.

Timings

The temple is open from 05:30 to 11:00 in the Morning and 17:00 to 20:00 in the Evening.

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