Karikakom Temple, considered as the centre of Chamundi worship is situated in the village of Karikkakom near the outskirts of the metropolis of Trivandrum. The temple, according to ancestral lore and famous astrologers, is more than 600 years old. The goddess Devi who is the resident of the Vanasailadri (Forest Mountain) is believed to have come from the east. The goddess was the Upasanamurthi(worshipping deity) of a learned Brahmin well versed in the Vedas and Sasthras. It is believed that this sacred thantri (learned priest) happened to be a close companion of a Yogivaryan (an esteemed spiritual person) who was the head of a noted family. The tantri is said to have advised the Yogivaryan to worship the goddess. The goddess presented herself as a young girl and travelled to the Tharavadu (which is now the Karikkakom Kshetrasthanam) in the company of the thantri and the yogivaryan. There the goddess was installed within a green pandal. Later the temples were constructed and the idol of the goddess was installed by the tanthri himself observing all the traditional rules and daily pujas, along with other pertinent observations. The goddess was delighted and made her presence felt in the idol kept for worship. Since then, the goddess of the Thri Gunas has been reigning here fulfilling all the wishes of her devotees.
In olden days, the goddess used to be brought outside the sanctum sanctorum in procession for the observance of Dikhbali. Such a function used to be held, on the demand of the local people, whenever fatal diseases such as cholera, small pox etc. used to spread in the land. On those occasions, traditional vadyamelas (orchestra) and other observances were strictly followed. The pujas and sacrifices associated with this function used to be held in areas within 8 km of the place. Today, people celebrate this occasion as Devi’s purathezhunnallathu (coming out in procession) outside the sanctum sanctorum.
The goddess at the Devi Nada, Karikakathamma, resides in the main sanctum sanctorum of the temple. Earlier, the idol had a silver face and was made of deer horn and was installed on a peetham in the moolasthanam. Later, the Devaprasna revealed that to visualize the form of the goddess devotees needed an idol installed. Therefore the old sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) was built in the same measurements according to vastusastra, and the panchaloha idol of the goddess was once again installed.
Thousands of people come to worship the goddess daily, seeking everlasting peace, cures from incurable diseases and so on. You can conduct a special puja for the goddess. This is known as puja at the Devi Nada. This puja is conducted for removing sorrows and difficulties with the grace of the goddess. The offering dear to the goddess is Kadum payasam. Other offerings are archana, raktapushparchana, swayamvararchana, sahasranamarchana, palpayasam, panchamrtabhishekam, neyvilakku, vacchunivedyam, pournamipuja, saricharthu, pidippanam varal, udayadakal nercha and so on. Pancharmrtabhishekam is the offering given immediately after Nirmalya darsan in the morning. Conducting raktapushparchana continuously for 13 Fridays and worshipping the goddess daily is ideal for speedy fulfillment of desires and removal of all kinds of doshas. For physical well being, getting rid of frightening dreams and removing doshas caused by various evil spirits, you can avail of the ceremony called charadu japiccu kettuka (tying of the sacred thread around one’s wrist). Wearing the sacred thakidu which has been kept for 21 days at the feet of Devi is ideal for safeguarding pregnancy and for physical safety and well being.
Rakthachamundi Nada, is the abode of the goddess Sri Raktachamundi, who is kshipraprasadini, quick to grant boons and who comes to her devotees as soon as she is invoked. Here one can see a wall mural representing the goddess Raktachamundi in the roudrabhava(fierce form). In the days when Rajas ruled over the land, it was a popular practice to come to this temple and swear, in connection with carrying out legal procedures. Cases which could not be proved in the police station and court were daily brought here and blessings sought from the goddess to prove the cases. For mistakes in financial dealings, robbery, extortion, looting, hindrances in profession, quarrels regarding property, people come daily from different parts of Kerala and even from other states, pay a fine and request the temple to be opened, swear and cry out to the goddess. The goddess is believed to grant a solution to all problems. The most important puja at this temple is Shatrusamharapuja (to destroy one’s enemies). This special puja is excellent for removing evils such as Vilidosha and Kshudraprayoga (black magic), removing obstacles in the way of starting a new venture, Kaivisham, Drushtidosham (the evil eye), Jatakadosha (ill fortune due to hostile planetary positions), to remove deceitful practices of enemies and more. Kadumpayasam, red silk cloth, skirt, garland of thetti flowers, hen, and calf are favourite offerings for Goddess Raktachamundi. You can also make offerings of ornaments and weapons in gold and silver.
Balachamundi Nada is the house of peaceful, fortune providing Sri Balachamundi Devi. Here you can see the wall mural representing the goddess in soumyabhava(Pleasant form). Located just south of Devi Nada and Raktachamundi Nada, this temple is where the goddess, having shed all her wrath after putting an end to Chanda and Munda, resides as an epitome of peacefulness. Since the goddess has a peaceful demeanor here, the offerings here are mostly for securing offspring. The belief is that childless couples will be blessed with children if they pray here. Moreover, the goddess also blesses children who are suffering from numerous childhood ailments and removes all their sufferings. This is achieved by paying a fine and praying before Devi’s open temple. Devotees offer special pujas here. Kadumpayasam, garlands made of jasmine flowers, silk cloth, dresses, gold and silver, cradle and baby as well as toys for being blessed with healthy offspring, Kunjunu, Thulabharam, naming ceremony – all these are offerings most dear to the goddess. Since this goddess is in soumyabhava and the embodiment of good fortune, people come to this spot to pray for success in the sectors of education, arts and culture. The goddess is also believed to amply bless her devotees preparing for competitive exams and such other exams.
Other important deities are Mahaganapathy, Sasthavu, Yakshi, Bhuvaneswari, Annapoorna, Ayiravalli(mountain goddess), Nagaraja, Yogeeswaran etc.
In olden days, the goddess used to be brought outside the sanctum sanctorum in procession for the observance of Dikhbali. Such a function used to be held, on the demand of the local people, whenever fatal diseases such as cholera, small pox etc. used to spread in the land. On those occasions, traditional vadyamelas (orchestra) and other observances were strictly followed. The pujas and sacrifices associated with this function used to be held in areas within 8 km of the place. Today, people celebrate this occasion as Devi’s purathezhunnallathu (coming out in procession) outside the sanctum sanctorum.
The goddess at the Devi Nada, Karikakathamma, resides in the main sanctum sanctorum of the temple. Earlier, the idol had a silver face and was made of deer horn and was installed on a peetham in the moolasthanam. Later, the Devaprasna revealed that to visualize the form of the goddess devotees needed an idol installed. Therefore the old sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) was built in the same measurements according to vastusastra, and the panchaloha idol of the goddess was once again installed.
Thousands of people come to worship the goddess daily, seeking everlasting peace, cures from incurable diseases and so on. You can conduct a special puja for the goddess. This is known as puja at the Devi Nada. This puja is conducted for removing sorrows and difficulties with the grace of the goddess. The offering dear to the goddess is Kadum payasam. Other offerings are archana, raktapushparchana, swayamvararchana, sahasranamarchana, palpayasam, panchamrtabhishekam, neyvilakku, vacchunivedyam, pournamipuja, saricharthu, pidippanam varal, udayadakal nercha and so on. Pancharmrtabhishekam is the offering given immediately after Nirmalya darsan in the morning. Conducting raktapushparchana continuously for 13 Fridays and worshipping the goddess daily is ideal for speedy fulfillment of desires and removal of all kinds of doshas. For physical well being, getting rid of frightening dreams and removing doshas caused by various evil spirits, you can avail of the ceremony called charadu japiccu kettuka (tying of the sacred thread around one’s wrist). Wearing the sacred thakidu which has been kept for 21 days at the feet of Devi is ideal for safeguarding pregnancy and for physical safety and well being.
Rakthachamundi Nada, is the abode of the goddess Sri Raktachamundi, who is kshipraprasadini, quick to grant boons and who comes to her devotees as soon as she is invoked. Here one can see a wall mural representing the goddess Raktachamundi in the roudrabhava(fierce form). In the days when Rajas ruled over the land, it was a popular practice to come to this temple and swear, in connection with carrying out legal procedures. Cases which could not be proved in the police station and court were daily brought here and blessings sought from the goddess to prove the cases. For mistakes in financial dealings, robbery, extortion, looting, hindrances in profession, quarrels regarding property, people come daily from different parts of Kerala and even from other states, pay a fine and request the temple to be opened, swear and cry out to the goddess. The goddess is believed to grant a solution to all problems. The most important puja at this temple is Shatrusamharapuja (to destroy one’s enemies). This special puja is excellent for removing evils such as Vilidosha and Kshudraprayoga (black magic), removing obstacles in the way of starting a new venture, Kaivisham, Drushtidosham (the evil eye), Jatakadosha (ill fortune due to hostile planetary positions), to remove deceitful practices of enemies and more. Kadumpayasam, red silk cloth, skirt, garland of thetti flowers, hen, and calf are favourite offerings for Goddess Raktachamundi. You can also make offerings of ornaments and weapons in gold and silver.
Balachamundi Nada is the house of peaceful, fortune providing Sri Balachamundi Devi. Here you can see the wall mural representing the goddess in soumyabhava(Pleasant form). Located just south of Devi Nada and Raktachamundi Nada, this temple is where the goddess, having shed all her wrath after putting an end to Chanda and Munda, resides as an epitome of peacefulness. Since the goddess has a peaceful demeanor here, the offerings here are mostly for securing offspring. The belief is that childless couples will be blessed with children if they pray here. Moreover, the goddess also blesses children who are suffering from numerous childhood ailments and removes all their sufferings. This is achieved by paying a fine and praying before Devi’s open temple. Devotees offer special pujas here. Kadumpayasam, garlands made of jasmine flowers, silk cloth, dresses, gold and silver, cradle and baby as well as toys for being blessed with healthy offspring, Kunjunu, Thulabharam, naming ceremony – all these are offerings most dear to the goddess. Since this goddess is in soumyabhava and the embodiment of good fortune, people come to this spot to pray for success in the sectors of education, arts and culture. The goddess is also believed to amply bless her devotees preparing for competitive exams and such other exams.
Other important deities are Mahaganapathy, Sasthavu, Yakshi, Bhuvaneswari, Annapoorna, Ayiravalli(mountain goddess), Nagaraja, Yogeeswaran etc.
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