Thalayapooru Devi Temple
Thalayapooru Devi Temple (തലയാപ്പൂര് ദേവി ക്ഷേത്രം) is a Hindu temple located in Kudappanakunnu, Thiruvananthapuram[1] in the Indian state of Kerala.
| Thalayapooru Devi Temple | |
|---|---|
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Hinduism |
| District | Thiruvananthapuram |
| Deity | Bhadrakali |
| Festivals | Kumbham festival |
| Ecclesiastical or organisational status | Private |
| Location | |
| State | Kerala |
| Country | India |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Architecture of Kerala |
| Temple | One |
Legend
According to local tradition, the Temple was established by Brahmins, who worshipped Durga Devi here up until the Nairs, who were the King's soldiers, overthrew them from the temple and the surrounding regions of Kolasherikonam, Mukkambalavila, Valiyavila, Kulakodu and Andoorkonam. After gaining control, the Nairs went on to establish worship of Bhadrakali.
It is believed that the Brahmins migrated northward and established the Mannadi Temple at Adoor, Pathanamthitta. The nearby temple at Pullamkonam also talks about this connection[2]. The connection of the family to Kings is evident from them being possessors of 'Irayili'[3].
History
The worship of Bhadrakali Devi was conducted in the south side of their 'Tharavadu' in a room called 'Udambara'. This region was called 'Thalayapooru Thekkathu'. The entry to this room was from the top and the rituals were conducted by the seniormost member of the family, the Karnavar, who had complete authority over it. Valuables, documents and the weapons of the Goddess were kept safe in this room. For this reason, there was a special lock for the room and a devotee of the deity slept atop it. Apart from Bhadrakali Devi, worship of 'Malamoorthigal' like Yakshi Amma, Madan Thampuran, Marutha and 'Peyum Ganangalum' were conducted in 'Althara'.
In 1961, due to the deteriorated state of the Tharavadu and Udambara, both of it were demolished. The construction of the new temple concluded the following year. In 1964, a Nagar idol was found from a nearby field, which was later installed in the temple as Nagakanyaka. On 10th March, 1978, a new temple was constructed and a sculpture of the goddess, carved in Myladi, was installed. 1985 saw the construction of the temple's archway while in 1999, the temple was rebuilt yet again.[4]
Deities
The presiding deity of the temple is Bhadrakali. Worship of Durga Devi and Ganapathi are also conducted. Worship of Yakshi Amma, Madan Thampuran, Marutha and 'Peyum Ganangalum' were conducted but currently only Yakshi Amma and Madan Thampuran is worshipped. A kavu for Nagaraja, Nagayakshi and Nagakanyaka also exists.[4]
Rituals
The temple festival is for 3 days, culminating in Karthika of Kumbham. On the final day, the goddess's Shiveli idol is paraded on a palanquin and Gurusi (Kuruthi) ceremony is conducted. Navarathri is also observed, during which a 'Saraswati Mandapam' is created.The temple is famous for the 'Lakshadeepam' (one lakh lamps) ceremony. The first ever lakshadeepam was inaugurated by Suresh Gopi in 2016. Earlier, during the Gurusi (Kuruthi) ceremony, a fowl was sacrificed. It was accompanied with 'Thullal' but gradually these traditions came to an end, with the present-day ceremony using a vegetable substitute for the fowl.[4][5]
See also
References
- ^ "Thalaypuru Devi Temple". Justdial. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Mannadi Temple and Kambithan the Oracle there". keralamythology.blogspot.com. 31 December 2013. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "ഇറയിലി". jenson.in. 17 October 2025. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b c "Thalayapooru Newspaper Article". Internet Archive. Retrieved 15 March 2026.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Thalayapooru Lakshadeepam 2016". Internet Archive. Retrieved 15 March 2026.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)