CHALAKKUDI PISHARICKAL BHGAVATHY TEMPLE
Chalakudy Pisharikkal Bhagavathy temple is also known as Kattu pisharikkal. At the Pisharikkal Bhagavathy Temple, two deities are worshipped in separate sanctums: Vanadurga and Bhadrakali. Originally, only Durga was worshipped at the temple. The legend of Bhadrakali’s emergence is fascinating. A devout Brahmin named Padivettathu Namboothiri, who was a regular worshipper at Thirumandhamkunnu Bhagavathy, found himself unable to visit the temple due to old age. In his sorrow, he shared his concerns with the Goddess. Moved by his devotion, the deity is believed to have entered his home and become present at the temple. Additionally, some believe that the temple holds the presence of the deity from Kodungallur. The temple conducts three daily rituals, and offering Palpayasam (milk pudding) on the day of the full moon is considered highly auspicious.
The temple’s main annual celebration is the Pooram festival, which takes place in the Malayalam month of Meenam. The festival begins on the day of Makiram, with a ritual procession in the morning. After the kodimaram nattal (planting the flag pole) and Kodiyettam ( flag hosting) the deity is taken to nearby temple pond where aarattu (holy bath) takes place. (Previously all the aarattu (holy dip or bath) except one on the Uthram star used to take place at Chalakudy river, Arangalikadavu (Thottu Veedhi), about two kilometers away.) Once back at temple Sreebhoothabali, and Navakam ceremonies are performed, followed by the midday pooja. During first Six days of pooram, aararttu takes place in temple pond. One Pradakshinam (circumambulation) each inside and outside the Chuttambalam, completed while going for aarattu. After aarattu, four pradakshinams and one pradakshinam inside the Chuttambalam are done. Seventh day (Pooram star) the deity is taken to Arattupuzha for the grand procession (Devasangamam).
On the way, the deity is placed for rituals (Irakkipooja) at Punilarkavu Bhagavathy temple in Kodakara. At dusk after Deeparadhana, both deities are carried on back of elephants to Arattupuzha accompanied by Panchavadyam, melam and Nadaswaram. Once at Arattupuzha the deities are placed near the Tevar Mandapam on the northern side.
Punilarkkavu Bhagavathy, Kadupassery Bhagavathy, and Pisharikkal Bhagavathy are all welcomed together at Arattupuzha. When the Chothi star rises at noon, the three goddesses, accompanied by five elephants, are taken on a grand procession. After the procession, before the Tevar (deity) begins the ritual bath (Arattu), the ceremonial Arattu is conducted at Mandharam Kadavu. Following the Arattu, the deities are taken around the temple in a ritual circumambulation, after which they receive offerings and then disperse.
On the day of Uthram, the goddesses arrive at the Avittathur Temple by noon. In the evening, they are ceremoniously welcomed with traditional music and taken inside the temple, where they are carried around the temple seven times before being placed down and paraded. The flagpole is then lowered, marking the end of the festivities. The Thantri (head priest) performs the rituals in the Mandapam, followed by the singing of Brahmani Pattu (a traditional devotional song). After the deity’s idol is taken around the temple in a final procession, the temple doors are closed. The ceremonies of Sreebhoothabali, Navakam, and Ganapathi Idal are then performed. On the day of Atham, Bhadrakali is offered the Navakam Aadal , followed by the KaazhchaSheeveli (a procession around the temple). After the evening pooja, vilakku is observed. In memory of the Panappara (a traditional offering), the ritual of Parayeduppu (collecting offerings from devotees) is conducted daily.