PUZAKKARA KAVU DEVASWOM, MOOVATTUPUZHA KERALA, FROM WHERE I
COME
Compiled by
Sri.N.Ramdas Iyer
Beauty and holiness flows to a point where three rivers
(Kaliyar,Kothayar and Thodupuzhayar) confluence naming the land
Muvattupuzha(means joining of three rivers). Shining at this Thriveni's holy
bank situates the shrine of Puzhakkara kavu Devi blessing the worshippers
benevolently. As per legends this temple is 2000 years old and the Devi here is
'Swayambhoo'(self originated). Half kilometer away from the busy noises of
Muvattupuzha town, enchanting all people irrespective of caste and creed
establishing the Devi expressing in three styles. At dawn Devi is Sree
Bhuvaneswary, afternoon she is Sree Vana Durga, and evening Sree Bhadra.
In olden days the wild tribe worshipped this temple and
gradually developed to the present situation. For years Thengode Mana was
controlling the day to day affairs of the temple and in 1976 administration was
vested to a local trust selected from the devotees. Shrine is constructed with
granite and thatched with copper plate. Upper portion of the shrine is open for
getting sunshine and rain. Devi takes ceremonial bath (Arattu) more than once
in a year, is a peculiarity of this temple. This is due to the flood which
happens more than once in a year enters the temple for Devi's arattu. Here Devi
never goes to the river; river comes to her for her spectacular ceremonial
bath. Holy ground of the shrine is covered with single granite blocks and the
circumambulating path also is made with same.
Installed left side of the temple outside the sanctum
sanctorum is the deities Ganapathy and Sastha, outside the pathway is the
Serpent. Special poojas are conducted here during the auspicious day of
aayillyam. Another important offer is "Chathusatham". This is by
submitting 101 naazhy(a measure) rice to Devi by the devotee and believed she
grants the desire fulfilled. "Swayamvara Parvathy Pooja" also is done
here for getting desired marriage. Devi celebrates her birthday in the
Malayalam month of Meenam, her birth star is pooram and special poojas
'Ponkala, Annadana (feast for devotees) are conducted. Pooram star of every
month such poojas and annadana are done. Tuesday and Friday are special days of
devi.
During the 41 days of Mandala period celebrates the festival
and seven days specially celebrated. Irrespective of any religion all the
people co¬operate for the well being of the temple and pray before the Devi for
their needs. A Muslim family blessed by Devi many years back has been given the
right for' Vedivazhipadu' (fire cracking) even now. A devotee from Tamilnadu
donated the giant elephant barn during 1092 of Malayalam era
