Kodakara Poonilarkkavu Bhagavathy Temple
In Thrissur district, within Kodakara Panchayat, just half a kilometer north of Kodakara town along the Vellikulangara road, you will find the renowned Poonilaarkavu Devi Temple. The presiding deity of this temple is none other than Nanadurga, an embodiment of Parashakti (Supreme Power). Among the 108 Durga shrines, this goddess is famously known by the name Poonooliyamma.
The Prathishta Day (consecration anniversary) is celebrated during the Makayiram star in the month of Idavam. On this special day, the following rituals are performed: the Palli Unarthal (waking of the deity), the Usha Pooja (early morning worship), the Ethirthu Pooja (welcome worship), Sreebhoothabali (offering to celestial spirits), a grand Ezhunnallippu procession with elephants, Pantheeradi Pooja, Kalabhishekam (anointment with sandal paste), Ucha Pooja (midday worship), followed by Sheeveli in the evening, Deeparadhana (lamp worship), Thayambaka (percussion performance), Athazha Pooja (night worship), and a grand VilakkuEzhunnallippu (procession with ceremonial lamps and music).
These rituals are conducted with great reverence and are accompanied by the traditional orchestra (melam).
It is believed that from the very beginning of the famous Arattupuzha Pooram, Poonooli Amma along with her younger sisters, the goddesses of Kadupassery Bhagavathy and Pisharikkal Bhagavathy of Chalakudy, have participated in the grand festival. According to the esteemed Sri Kaimukku Parameswaran Namboothiripad, this temple is at least 2000 years old. He further elaborated on the origin of the temple, saying that it is believed to have been established by the avatar of Sri Parashurama himself.
During his travels, Parashurama once passed through the site where this temple now stands and encountered a magnificent divine light. In an attempt to determine whether this light was of Shaiva, Vaishnava, or Shaktheya nature, he performed a ritual by invoking Shaiva mantras and placed a stone in its direction. However, the light remained unchanged. Next, he invoked Vaishnava deities, but the light still showed no reaction. He then invoked deities like Ganapati, Subramanya, and Shasta, but the divine light remained unaffected.
Finally, Parashurama, convinced that the light represented Parashakti (the Supreme Goddess), meditated and invoked the Devi into a stone. Instantly, the brilliant light merged with the stone, and from the earth, water sprang forth with great force, signifying the manifestation of Devi. Thus, a temple was constructed in this spot, and since the goddess emerged from the water, the temple came to be known as Poonilaarkavu.
Parashurama is said to have stayed in this place for an extended period, practicing penance. The cave in which he resided, known as “Muniyara”, still exists today, located just south of the eastern gopuram of the temple. In memory of Parashurama, lamps are lit twice daily at this spot, honoring his presence.
Inside the temple compound, to the south, stands the Sri Dharma Sastha Temple. The Atham Star Day during the month of Vrishchikam (November-December) marks the celebration of the Pratishtha Dinam (installation day). During this month, the temple also conducts the Ayyappan Vilakku ceremony.
To the southwest of the main temple, adjacent to the larger sanctum, is a small shrine dedicated to Sri Ganapati Bhagavan. Perched in a location that overlooks the entire Kodakara region, is the location of Subramanya Temple, where the Skanda Shashti festival is celebrated on a grand scale every Vrishchikam. Beneath the Aalinchuvadu tree in front of the Subramanya Temple, lies the shrine of Hidumban, while behind the temple, facing east, is the Sri Mahadeva Temple, surrounded by a complete array of associated deities. The Vaikathashtami and Shivaratri festivals are observed with special Kalabham ceremonies here.
Below the Shiva Temple, towards the east, is the Vishnu Temple, within whose walls rests a single stone slab said to have been used by Parashurama as his resting place, along with a rolling stone that he used as a pillow.
The PoonilarKavu Devi Temple celebrates many significant annual festivals, including Thrikarthika, the Arattupuzha Pooram, Parapoorappad, UthramVilakku, Navaratri, Vavaratt, and the Ayyappa Pratishtha Dinam. On the day before the Parappurappad, the Ashtavaidyan Sri VaidyamadamCheriya Narayanan Namboothiripad prepares a special Kashayam (herbal medicine), which is offered to the Devi. This prasadam is considered highly effective for treating conditions like fever and other ailments. It is believed that consuming this Kashayam has cured many mental health conditions, such as madness and delirium.
(At present journeys for Parayeduppu are no more. But until recent time the following programs were held as pooram rituals.)
One of the main annual events at this temple is the Parappurappad, which takes place before the famous Arattupuzha Pooram. On the day of Karthika, after the temple flag is hoisted, the Ooralan (chief) begins the Parappurappad ritual by visiting the illam (ancestral home) for offerings. After completing the Irakki Pooja, they return to the temple.
On the second day, the Parayeduppu (collecting offerings) takes place in the village. The ritual proceeds to the Vallappadi Chammangad Devi Temple, where another Irakki Pooja is held, followed by the same at Thattayathu Mana, before returning to the temple. On the following days, the Parappurappad continues with visits to the Chalakudy Pisharikkal Temple for offerings. On the fourth and fifth days, the Parayeduppu takes place in Nellayam Kunnathu Mana and Ananda purath Mana.
On the sixth day, the procession departs for the Peruvanam Pooram. After completing the Irakki Pooja at Naduvathu Mana and Thekkedathu Mana (the Tantri’s illam), the ‘Vilakku’ takes place at the Peruvanam Pooram, after which the procession returns to the temple.
On the seventh and eighth days, the Parayeduppu continues throughout the village. On the ninth day, the Arattupuzha Pooram is celebrated, with the younger sister goddess from ChalakudyPisharikkal Temple joining the procession. The Chalakudy Pisharikkal, kaduppassery and Poonilarkkavu goddesses together hold the pooram. After the Arattu (holy bath) in the morning, the procession returns to the KunnamThrikkovil Shiva Temple at Kodakara, where the goddess is kept throughout the day, from morning until 6 PM. No pooja takes place during this time. At 6:30 PM, a grand procession with musical accompaniment departs from the KunnamThrikkovil Shiva Temple, collecting offerings along the way and reaching the temple courtyard. The ceremony concludes with the Kodikkal Parayeduppu (final offering collection).
From the day the Pooram Flag is hoisted, daily Arattu ceremonies are conducted at the temple pond.