Pishari Kovil - At the abode of Poornatrayeesa's sister

Pishari Kovil is considered as one of the ancient temples in Tripunithura, situated at Eroor. This temple is one among the 108 Durgalayas praised by Adi Sankara. The devotees worship the deity as BAALAMBIKA, the exemplification of Goddess of Knowledge. Devi is in her adolescence. The beautiful picturesque figure of devi is carved out of stone with all the minute aspects. The chathurbahu (four-handed) idol is in the standing posture adorned with precious ornaments. She holds a "Shanku" (Conch) in her top left hand and a "Chakra" in her top right hand. The bottam left hand is held near her hip and the bottam right hand is in "Varadamudra"(giving blessings). Her favorite dress is yellow-silk and her favorite flowers are Jasmine (Mulla), Chrysanthus (Chethi), Lotus (Thamara), and Basil flower(Tulasi).

The temple is believed to be about two thousand years old. This historical temple is an ideal example for the architectural beauty of Kerala temples. When we enter into the Naalambalam, a spacious Namaskara Mandapam(a stage for meditation) can be seen. The extensive round-shaped Sreekovil also intensify the structural beauty of the temple. The temple pond is maintained at the North side of the temple. It is a large fresh water pond which occupies about one third of the temple area. There is also a large banyan tree in front of the temple.

The chieftain among the Upa-devathas(Sub-deities) is Lord Vishnu, idol is again that of chathurbahu, installed as viewing towards west at Agnikone (south-east corner). Near to Lord Vishnu at left side, Lord Vinayaka is installed. In south-west corner of the temple Lord Sastha is installed viewing towards east. In the west nada of the temple there is a sarppakavu (place where snakes are worshipped). In the north-west corner Panchamoorthis (combination of Five Gods) are installed. Inside the Naalambalam, Ganapathy and Dakshinamoorthy are installed at the left side of the Sreekovil. For all these Upadevas separate poojas are done. 

The Thantram(Spritual administration of the temple) of the temple is carried out by Puliyannoor Mana, one of the famous Thantris in Kerala. They are authorised to conduct the pujas at the temple and decide how the rituals should be conducted.

In the beginning, the temple was owned by the family members of Elemprakkodath Mana. Then it came under the patronage of five Brahmin families, say Elemprakkodath Mana, Puliyannoor Mana, Maniyampilly Battathiri (Kalloor Mana), Mambat Battathiri (Muriyamanghalam Mana), Morakkala Mana and Pera Battathiri. Later the temple administration came under the direct control of Kochi Royal family. Now the temple comes under Cochin Devaswom Board. The Kshetravrithi or Kazhakam (service of cleaning of the temple and arranging flowers etc for poojas in a temple) is allotted to Pishari Kovil Warriyom from early days. The Adiyanthram (right to perform traditional orchestration) is allotted to three families, Kumbayil, Kezhakkekkra and Mattur.

Legend says that the Goddess is the incarnation of famous MOOKAAMBIKA of Kollur. A Malayali Brahmin ("Pishara") had brought a part of the divinity of Kollur Mookambika to this holy place. Yogis, monks, sages etc are called commonly as "Pisharas". The temple of "Pishara" is termed latter as "Pishari Kovil". The Pishara who was in Mookambika for a long period of his life-time returned to his native place in his old age and decided to spend the rest of his lifetime here. However, Amma appeared before her dearest devotee as "Balambika". The place in which Amma gave holy darshana can now be seen at the north-west corner of the temple. The "swayambhoo" idol can also be seen there and kept as "Sreemoolastahanam". It is believed that "Pishara" had spent his latter years in a "Madom"(the place where saints live) at the East side of the temple, which now belongs to Thottakkattu Mana. We can see his Samadhi at the south side of Thottakkattu Mana.The "Pishara" has been installed at the south-west corner of the temple in front of the "Sreemoolastahanam".


Stories relating Sree Poornathrayeesa as the elder brother of the goddesses of Chottanikkara and Pishari temples are also popular among the people. As a part of the renewal of this relationship, Lord Poornathrayeesan will visit the temple during the Parayezhunnellippu( typical procession with an idol of god on top of an elephant) and a combined pooja is held in the Mandapam for Lord Poornathrayeesan and Pishari Kovil Amma. During her annual festival which will be held in Kumbham, Amma will visit Sree Poornathrayeesa Temple for a combined procession which is termed as "Laksmi Narayana Vilakku"(Goddess Laksmi and Lord Vishnu) and the Aaraattu (holy bath) of Pishari Kovil Amma will be held at "Phalguna Theertham" (Temple pond of Sree Poornathrayeesa Temple) on Uthram Naal (the birth day of Lord Poornathrayeesan).


"Theeyattu"(a type of artistic form as part of religious rites usually done for Devi) is conducted only on this day at Sree Poornathrayeesa Temple for pleasing his sister. It is really a heart throbbing experience to see Amma saying goodbye to her beloved brother and wishing to see next time.