Mullakkal Bhagavathy Temple

Overview

The Bhagavathy temple at Mullakkal is a shrine dedicated to Devi Parvathi in the city of Alappuzha, Kerala. Alapuzha is a place in Kerala where people from varying faith live in harmony. The temple is also known by the names Mullakkal Rajarajeswari Temple and the Mullakkal Bhagwati Temple. The temple is open for devotes from all walks of life, irrespective of their castes or religions. The temple follows the Kerala styled temple architecture and is located on one of the main streets of Alleppey, “Mullakkal theruvu”. The temple is well fenced by a compound wall, with a beautiful pond within its premises which is surrounded by green trees and Jasmine garden. Several tales are attributed towards the origin of the temple and its foundation. The vigraha (idol) of Goddess Durga Devi is found here with four arms. The deity is popularly called the “Mullakkal Devi” or the “Mullakkal Amma”. The Travancore Devaswom board looks after the management and administration of this temple in Kerala.

About The Temple

The Sanctum sanctorum or the Garbhagriha of the presiding deity Devi Bagavathi is open roofed. At the entrance of this shrine, an area of about 20 feet is kept under roofing. According to conventional beliefs, this roofed place is meant for housing large elephants that bring the “thidambu” of the goddess on special occasions. The temple also houses other deities like Sri Hanuman, Lord Ganesha, Subramanya Swami, Nagaraja, Navagraha, Sree Krishna, and Lord Ayyappa. There is also a banyan tree inside the temple premise where a Shiva Linga is installed.

About The Deity

Goddess Bhagavathy (perceived as Vana Durga) is the principal deity while other deities such as Lord Sri Krishna, Lord Hanuman, Nagaraja, Navagrahas also graces from the temple.

Legend and Stories

The temple is believed to be about 500 years old. Several stories about the origin of the temple are in rounds. According to one version, the idol of this Mullakkal Devi was brought here by a group of exiled soldiers from Thekkumkur territory. They are said to have placed the idol in a jasmine garden where a temple was later built under the patronage of King Devanarayana of Chembagasery.

Yet another popular tale narrates about the foundation of this temple. At the time of Tippu Sultan’s conquest of Kerala, a group of Namboodiris are believed to have escaped from Malabar region, taking along the auspicious idol of Mata Annapurneswari. When they came across this Jasmine garden, they decided to install the idol there to build a temple later.

Prior to the year 1961, the idol consecrated on the main sanctum was of that of Devi Annapurneswari’s , who was seen holding a ladle in one hand and a pot on the other. Since the deity was installed in a Jasmine garden, she was given the name Mullakkal Bhagawthy (Mulla in Malayalam denotes the flower Jasmine). The idol of this Devi was found in the standing pose facing west.

Devotees of this deity had witnessed an incredible event in the year1961. Few reported that a mentally unbalanced person had entered the sanctum sanctorum of the Devi and embraced the idol suddenly. The idol had later developed some cracks. An astrologer had predicted that the Goddess had instructed them to create a new idol, which should be placed on the sanctum in place of the old one. Accordingly, a Rajarajeswari idol measuring 4 feet high was placed on the sanctum replacing the old idol, on 16th July 1962. A few years later, the vigrahas of Lord Krishna and the serpent gods too were consecrated on separate shrines within the temple complex.

Festivals

A number of festivals are celebrated in this Bhagavathi temple at Mullakkal. The Mullakkal Chirappu is the annual temple festival which is celebrated here for a period of 41-days. The festival is begins on the first day of the Malayalam Month Vrishchikam (Middle of November) and it ends on the eleventh of Malayalam month of Dhanu (December–January).The last 11 days of this festival are more important and is called the Chirappu festival. The last two days of this festival are even most special and sacred. This is when a contingent of nine decorated elephants are taken out on a procession. Thousands of devotees throng this temple to witness this auspicious event. Mullakkal Chirappu is the most prominent festival of this temple that is celebrated with much fervour and pomp. Several religious ceremonies are performed on the deity which includes special puja. Cultural programs are also organised as part of the festive celebrations which displays Kerala’s rich cultural heritage. A massive feast called ‘Annadanam’ is the main highlight of this festival. This Annadhanam is organised on the final day where food is offered to more than 3000-4000 devotees. Renowned musicians and artists perform at the temple complex at night which is followed by a spectacular display of fireworks. This marks the end of Mullakal Chirappu festival.

The first Sunday in the month of December is celebrated every year as women’s festival as a respect to all the women in his world. On this particular day, all the pooja rituals are performed exclusively by women. Women devotees from different localities visit the temple on this occasion and offers worship to the deity by lighting lamps.

Navarathri is another much celebrated festival is this temple which spans for about 9 days. On the following 10th day morning, which is called the Maha Navami, around 150-200 baby girls are offered new clothes. This is because of the fact that girl babies are regarded as the divine Kumaris. “Theyattu” is also celebrated on the night of Maha Navami where a huge portrait of the Goddess is drawn on the floor with different colored powder as rangoli. Ace dancers dance on top of these colours displaying their dancing skills. Children also place their text books on the main Shrine for Pooja on the day of Maha Navami, praying the deity to bless them with abundant knowledge and wisdom. “Bommai Kalu Festival” is an also an integral part of temple’s festive celebrations when all elderly women from the Hindu society set their ‘Bommas’ on ‘Oottupura’. These women offer their sincere prayers by reciting the holy Bhagavatham.

“Thaipooyakavadi” is a significant festival celebrated in this temple once in a year in the Tamil month of Thai. Atleast 15 different Kavadis participate in the parade and offer traditional dance on this auspicious occasion.

Worshipping

Few South Indian sweet dishes and special foods are offered to Goddess Bhagavathi here as Naivedyam. According to myths, Urid Vada was the Prasad offered on the first day when goddess Annapurneswari idol was worshipped. Following this tradition, the same dish is offered as Prasad till date. This special prasad is offered for the puja performed at night.

How to Reach Mullakkal Bhagavathy Temple

Airport

The nearest located airport is the Kochi International Airport at Nedumbassery. A 90km drive from this airport would take us to this Bagavathi temple at Mullakal.

Railways

The city of Alleppey has a railway station which has numerous trains connecting the city with rest of India. This railway station from is located about five kilometers from the temple.

Road

Well laid roads connect Alappuzha with most towns and cities of South India. The National Highway 47 connects Alleppey to the rest of the India. Private bus services are available in plenty. Auto rickshaws also take the tourists to and fro the temple from Mullakal town.

Temple Address

Mullakkal Bhagavathy Temple,
Mullackal Rd, Mullakkal,
Alappuzha District, Kerala
Pincode - 688011.