Sree Manappullikkavu Bhagavathy Temple, Yakkara, Palakkad

http://www.manappullybhagavathydevaswom.com

Manappulli Bhagavathy temple, famous for the grand Vela festival,is located at the heart of Palakkad town in a serene backdrop of a village called Yakkara. This is an aesthetically appealing temple dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathy, considered to be Lord Siva’s daughter, Bhadrakaali, born out of the sacred “Jada” or Lord Shiva during Dakshayaga.

Legend:

The temple mythology is that once, Neelan, an Asura was giving lot of disturbances to the people of this area.  People complained about his miseries and menace  to Parasuraman and he advised to take up the matter with Lord Paramasiva.  Paramasiva by incarnation took  the form of Bhadrakali and killed Neelan.  After this, Bhadrakali became to be worshipped as Manappulli Sree Bhadrakali Amman.  This deity is a very powerful deity believed to shower prosperity, to ward off miseries, fullfil all desires, protect from all evils of her true devotees.

Sanctum at Manapullykavu, Yakkara, Palakkad

The temple is situated in a calm and serene place, has a beautiful pond on the south side.  Separate sannadhies are there for Lord Ayyappa, Kala Bairavar on the out side of the main shrine.  Inside the shrine there are sannadhies for Lord Ganesha, Lord Muruga etc.

Sthala Puranas says that this  originally belonged to a famous saintly Kerala Brahmin family Mattapalli Bhadrakali Mana. The Brahmins lived on the banks of rivers and performed Yagas on the river beds and this place was called Yaga-Kara. Thus, this area was known as  Yagakkara and later it took the present name of  Yakkara. The temple is located on the East Yakkara.  It is believed that the deity Bhagavathy Amma was on the West Yakkara and later on shifted to East Yakkara and the Brahmin devotee used to perform his prayers and Pooja to the deity at the kitchen (Madappalli) in his house.  Later on Temple was built there and the temple was known in course of time as Manappallikavu Sree Bhagavathy Amman of Yakkara.

It is believed that the sword used by Mother Bhagavathi to defeat and destroy the demons is still the float tank.  During the Vela festival, an event of Mother Bhagavathi taking out the sword from the Tank called Velichapadu is celebrated.  A devotee possessed with the influence of Mother Bhagavathi dives into the tank, bring the sword and place it in the shrine of Mother for pujas.  Feeding of the devotees also takes place on this day called Vela Oottu.  During this festival, 15 elephants stand in a line with playing of Pancha Vadyam, Pandi and Panjari Melas.  

Significance of Idol:

Mother Manapulli Bhavathi with Her dark complexion is facing north.  She is holding trident, skull, sword and armour in Her four hands.  She is in her best attire wearing jewels.  She has the third eye on the forehead as Lord Shiva and four sharp long teeth.  Those subjected to injustice pray to Her for relief.  It is said that Her long teeth represent four Vedas.

Every day there are three main poojas to the deity.  One can hear the bursting of Vedi (Kathina) at the time of Deeparadhana (aarathi) every day on three occasions.  The sound is heard for about two to three kilometers and every one is mentally reminded of the poojas at the temple as a constant and ever living Force.

The temple processions are conducted generally with about seventeen elephants and the main deity with full flower decoration and ornaments will be taken.  Manapulli vela festival is famous in this temple during which time firework displays, panchavadya performances, Ootam thullal, Kathakali dances, Discourses and various cultural arts are performed.  Nithya Seva to the deity is performed as per stipulated schedule which is displayed near the temple office counter. 

MANAPULLIKAVU VELA:

Manapullikavu Vela is a Festival honouring the deity at Manapullikavu called 'Manapulli Bhagavathy'. The festival is celebrated between last week of February and first week of March based on the Malayalam Calendar year. The celebration starts with 'Kodiyettam' (flag hoisting on a bamboo pole) which declares the 'Vela'(Festival) has started. After the Kodiyettam, a week full of pooja ceremonies and evenings with colourful cultural programmes are organized by the 'Vela Committee' (Festival Committee) which all ends with the grand day 'Manapullikavu Vela'.


 Lots of devotees from various parts of Kerala and other southern states of India come for worshipping Bhagavathy on this auspicious day. The Vela day starts early with poojas to the Bhagavathy continuing with all day poojas. The 'Chaandh Abishekam', one of the important pooja during the day attracts flocks of devotees. 'Vedikettu' (Firework) is also an important attractive element of the festival which is organized in the evening around 9 PM and early morning by 4 AM. The Vela day is declared as Local Holiday which shows the importance of the festival. There are many other festivals celebrated in Palakkad district.

Manapullikavu Vela consists small velas from other desams. Velas from West Yakkara, Vadakkanthara, Vennakkara, Koppam are some of them. These small velas come together to make the final show. Plenty of chariots (bull carts and other motorised vehicles) take part in Manapullykavu Vela.


The temple now has a website (http://www.manappullybhagavathydevaswom.com) where it offers online puja booking for its devotees spread across the world. Website also has a wealth of information about the temple.