Karikkakom temple- the abode of justice

                           

               

The 500-year-old temple is deemed to be the seat of sathyam (truth), dharmam (duty) and neethi (justice). The temple stands as a legacy of our ancient culture, where thousands of devotees visit every day to offer their prayers regardless of caste, creed and race.

Surrounded on all sides by the panoramic lush, Karikkakom temple is one of the most ancient and renowned shrines of Kerala situated seven kilometres east of Trivandrum. Karikkakom Devi is worshipped as the slayer of demons (justice giver), Goddess of truth (establishing truth) and as Universal mother (Nurturer).

Chamundi Devi, a ferocious form of Kali, is worshipped here in three different forms in three different sanctums situated adjacently. Chamunda, also known as Chamundi, Chamundeshwari and Charchika, is a fearsome aspect of Devi, the Divine Mother and one of the seven Matrikas (mother goddesses). She is also one of the chief Yoginis, a group of sixty-four or eighty-one Tantric goddesses, who are attendants of the warrior goddess Durga. The name is a combination of Chanda and Munda, two monsters whom Chamunda killed. She is sometimes identified with goddesses Parvati, or Durga as well. According to the Hindu scripture ‘Devi Mahatmya’, Chamunda emerged as Chandika Jayasundara from an eyebrow of goddess Kaushiki, a goddess created from "sheath" of Durga and was assigned the task of eliminating the demons Chanda and Munda, generals of demon kings Shumbha-Nishumbha. She fought a fierce battle with the demons, ultimately killing them.

The Karikkakom temple enshrines a Panchaloha idol (composed of traditional five-metal alloys). Though the cardinal is Chamundi Devi, other deities like Raktha Chamundi, Bala Chamundi, Sastha, Ganapati, Yakshiyamma, Bhuvaneshvari, Ayiravalli and Yogeshwara are also accommodated in the Karikkakom temple. Also, to the north of the Devi Temple, there is an old house known as Guru Mandiram which is believed to be the tharavad of the Yogiswaran who brought Devi to this place. In the main shrine rests the Goddess and on the north side are the shrines of Rektha Chamundi, Bala Chamundi, and other sub shrines of shastha, Vinayaka and Yogiswaran. There is no vigraha (idol) for Rektha Chamundi but only a wall painting of the Devi in her Rowdra Bhava. The Chamundi Devi form in the main sanctum is in a calm state, while Raktha Chamundi is considered as fierce, but helps devotees to fulfill their wishes. It is believed that offerings and prayers to Raktha Chamundi Devi helps the devotees to do away with obstacles and problems caused by enemies. Bala Chamundi Devi, as the name suggests, is the childhood form. Couples without children worship her and present offerings like cradles and toys to be blessed with a child.

Nager Kavu and pond are located outside the temple wall housing different species of trees, creepers as well as medicinal plants. To remove Sarpa dosham, devotees offer Ayilya Pooja, Nurum palum and Archana for Nager every month on the Ayilyam day. Apart from this, there is Anna poorneswari temple and tharavad temple nearby.

The Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) sub-shrines Mukha Mandapam and Chuttu Madapam are constructed in accordance with the ancient architectural principles, under the guidance and supervision of Sree Kanipayoor Krishnan Nampoothiri. The re-installation of the panchaloha Idol of the Goddess followed by tantric rituals was performed in 1997 under the supervision of Bhrahmasree Rishimangulam Vasudeva potti. Earlier the temple was opened to devotees only on Sundays, Thursdays and Fridays. After the reinstating, regular poojas and rituals are performed from morning 5 am up to 11.30 am and in the evening from 5 pm to 8 pm. All the sanctums of this temple are facing towards east which is yet another peculiarity unique to Karikkakom temple.

Another exclusive and rare feature of the temple is its rajagopuram (royal tower) which is of 63 Feet Height. It took more than six years to complete its construction. The rajagopuram is a large pyramidal tower built at the entrance to the temple in accordance with the guidelines included in `Aintramatham', an authoritative text on the science of sculpture, says Sangameswaran, the temple sculptor. The five storeys, each with a pair of small cross-windows, represent panchentriya, the five senses of human beings. A special festival, Rajagopuram Kumbabhishekam', was held recently to commemorate the event. The temple was originally owned by Madathu Veedu in Karikkakom. From 2005 the temple functions under the Karikkakom Chamundi Temple Trust.

During the rule of Travancore Kings, people who were accused of various crimes pleaded their innocence before the presiding deity. Whoever prays to the Goddess, remitting penal charges and opening sacred sanctum sanctorum, is said to be rewarded immediately by fulfilment of their needs and desire. Today, there is a tremendous rush to worship the Goddess in the sanctum sanctorum specially opened for this particular pooja.

Folklore tells us that in the ancient times, the Maharaja Himself had the sanctum sanctorum opened for worshipping when many valuable items were stolen from the palace and Devi helped him to recover the items. In return, the Maharaja is said to have gifted one year’s temple festival expenses.

The Karikkakom temple has historical importance since this temple was utilized during the reign of the Maharajas to prove the truth behind certain crimes. Accused culprits were brought to the temple and were allowed to proclaim their innocence in front of Raktha Chamundeswari's sanctum. They had to put 21 panam or coins in the nada and promise to tell the truth. It was believed that Devi would protect them if they were truthful and punish them if they were not. So nobody dared to lie in front of the deity. This nada was opened only for this particular ritual.

The daily rituals of the temple start with Nirmalya darshanam, early morning pooja at 5 AM and ends with Nada adaikkal (closing sanctum sanctorum) at 11:50 AM. The evening rituals include Deeparadhana, Athazhapooja and so on. Apart from Kadum payasam, other main offerings to Chamundi Devi include Panchamrita Abhishekam, Sari Charthu, Pournami Pooja, Rakta Pushparchana, and Thakidu Pooja. It is believed that conducting Raktapushparchana for 13 consecutive Fridays will eradicate all types of doshas and improve well being of the devotees. ‘Sathru samhara’pooja, ‘Sathru samhara’ pushpanjali, and ‘Sarvalankara’ Pooja are considered very auspicious. Devotees also present offerings such as red coloured silk to devi, ornaments in gold and silver, garlands of jasmine etc.  Vinayaka Chathurthi Pooja, Mandala Vratham, Karthika Deepam, Shasta Pratishta Dinam, Aiswarya Pooja etc are other significant events of the temple.

The annual festival of the temple is for seven days. The Makam nakshatra in the Malayalam month of Meenam is regarded as the star of Goddess Chamundi Devi. Thousands of devotees from all over Trivandrum and nearby districts visit the temple to offer Pongala (Rice Pudding cooked in traditional earthen pots) to the Goddess. The idol of Devi is carried out in a golden chariot around the temple on the day before the Pongala and thousands of devotees gather to witness it. This year Pongala hails on 1^st April and the procedures start from 10:00am onwards.

Apart from the variety of poojas there are some interesting rituals peculiar to the Karikkakom temple. Bali Sadhya is one among the special rituals that take place in the month of Karkitaka on the Karthika day. Special poojas are performed for the Guru and Mantramoorthi. Brahmins are given food and dress. After this ceremony devotees are given Bali Sadhya. This is a very old custom of the temple, which is followed even today. The ceremonial procedure of offering Devi the paddy taken from the land belonging to the temple is called Nirayum Puthiriyum. There is another very ancient and significant ritual conducted during the month of Chingam on Uthradam day known as Uthrada Taneerkuda. Kodi Charthu is another auspicious ritual conducted in the month of Chingam on Thiruvonam day after the Nirmalya Darshanam where devotees offer yellow silk to Devi.  Special poojas are conducted for the Nagas on the ayilyam day in the month of Makaram which is known as Ayilyam Ootu. This particular pooja is practised from ancient times for propitiating the Nagas and eliminating Naga Dosham.

Karikkakom Chamundi Devi Temple is open on all days from 05:00 AM to 11:30 AM in the morning and 5:00 PM to 08:00 PM in the evening. There is no entrance fee as such. Karikkakom is just 7 km from Thiruvananthapuram city. Pilgrims can reach temple by K.S.R.T.C bus service plying every half an hour. The temple is at walkable distance from the Kochuveli Railway Station and Titanium bus stand.

Chamundi Devi never fails to heed the grievance of her devotees. From hundreds of years Karikkakom temple is renowned as the abode of justice and righteousness. It is the only temple in Kerala where Goddess Chamundi is worshipped in all her three forms.