KADUPPASSERY TEMPLE
On the Irinjalakuda-Chalakudy route, about a kilometer south of Thommana and near the Kadupassery Village Office, stands the historically significant Kadupassery Sri Durga Bhagavathy Temple. This temple is one of the most important among the 108 Durga temples established by Parashurama. The deity here is a Durga Prathishta with the divine essence of Parvati. The temple also houses sub-deities, including Ganapathy and Brahmarakshas.
The Goddess is revered as Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva, and the village deity of Avittathur, one of the famed 64 ancient villages of Kerala. The Uralars of this temple are the VelikkattukaraKuzhikkattu Mana, while the MuriyadNakarnna Mana serves as the temple’s Tantri. Until August 16, 1977, the temple was under the administration of the Cochin Devaswom Board. After that, the temple’s management was taken over by the Temple Protection Committee, ensuring the preservation and continuity of its rich traditions.
Annual Highlights
- One of the key events at the temple is Karthika in the month of Vrischikam. On this day, special rituals such as Navakam, Sreebhoothabali, and Karthika Oottu are conducted.
- A unique ceremony, unlike any other in Kerala, takes place here in Shivaratri. On this day, the Goddess, who is considered the consort of Avittathoorappan, is ceremoniously taken to Avittathoor in a grand procession that begins at midnight. The procession, complete with an elephant, ornate decorations, and musicians, arrives from Avittathoor to escort the Goddess. Upon reaching the eastern entrance of the Avittathoor Shiva Temple, the Goddess is welcomed with loud cheers, Kurava, and the rhythmic Panchari Melam, and is then brought into the temple. At 4 AM, Avittathoorappan and the Goddess are led together in a grand procession atop two elephants. By 5:30 AM, the melam concludes, and the Goddess bids farewell before returning to the temple. All expenses for the Shivaratri celebrations are borne by Avittathoorappan, emphasizing the deep connection between the two temples and their deities.
3. MakiramPurappadu
The seven-day Pooram season at the temple begins on Makiram day in the month of Meenam. Unlike other temples, there is no flag hoisting here. The day begins at 7 AM with the traditional procession, followed by the Arattu at the temple pond, Navakam, and Sreebhoothabali. After these rituals, the ceremonial collection of offerings (Parayeduppu) begins.
During the days leading up to Makam, the offerings are collected from nearby areas, including Avittathur, Thazhekkad, Aloor, Kallettumkara, Muriyad, and Pullur. The Parayeduppu concludes in the evening with the Tharakal Pooram. Each day, the collection starts after the Arattu at the temple pond.
On the third day (Punartham), after collecting offerings from the Avittathur area, the evening concludes with a descending puja at the Avittathur Shiva Temple. For the Peruvanam Pooram, a unique tradition is observed: Irakkipooja at the Tantri Illam and an offering of KozhukkattaNivedyam. Though the deity ceremoniously departs for the Peruvanam Pooram after receiving the traditional silk (Pattu) and permission from Avittathur Thevar, she does not participate in the Pooram itself.
While the deity abstains from the Peruvanam Pooram, the following day, a ritual known as “Melam Kottikanikkal” is held at Avittathur Shiva Temple to honor the Pooram. On the morning of Arattupuzha Pooram, only the Abhishekam and Malar Nivedyam are performed, with no other rituals. At 5 PM, the procession departs for Arattupuzha, after visiting Avittathur Shiva Temple to receive the Pattu and seek permission. At 1 AM, the deity participates in the Pooram alongside the deities of Kodakara, Punilarkkavu Bhagavathy, and ChalakudyPisharikkal Bhagavathy. The next morning, after the Arattu at Mandaram Kadavu, the deity bids farewell to Shasta and returns to the temple, stopping at Avittathur Shiva Temple. The Pooram season concludes in the evening with the Kodikkal Para, Uthram Pattu, and the offering of Kozhukkatta Nivedyam.
- The main festival of the temple is Vishu in the month of Medam. The day is celebrated with Navakam, Sreebhoothabali, KazhchaSreeveli in the afternoon, and the grand Vilakku ceremony at night.
- The temple’s Prathishta Day falls on Chithira in the month of Idavam. On this day, Navakam, Sreebhoothabali, and special pujas for the subsidiary deities are performed. The day also includes the ritual cleansing (Shuddhi), marking its significance in the temple’s annual calendar.