Vadakkanthara Sree Thirupuraikal Bhagavathy Temple , Palakkad

http://vadakkantharatemple.in/

Vadakkanthara Sree Thirupuraikal Bhagavathy Temple is a prominent  bhagavathy temple in Palakkad and it attracts many devotees from even the neighbouring states. Devotees believe that the presiding deity here is is Kannaki (Karnagi) who came to Palakkad after burning Madurai, as told in the epic Silappadikaaram. The temple festival celebrated once in every three years, called  Vadakkanthara Valiya vilakku Vela is very popular for its unique rituals and grandeur.

Legend:

There are many stories passed down the generations as how Bhagavathy came to be at Vadakkanthara.

Kannagi is the heroine of the famous Tamil epic –Silappadikaram. Her husband Kovilan is wrongly sentenced by the king of Madurai to death. When Kannagi came to know of this she asked for justice .The king realizing his mistake died instantly. In her fury Kannagi burnt the city of Madurai and then came and settled down as a Goddess in Kodungallore. But on her way to Kodungallore , she took rest under a fig tree at Vadakkanthara, Palakkad. In the place where she took rest an idol was formed. Since no roof was built over the goddess, she was called Thiru purakkal Bhagawathy, and the Goddess still rests under the same fig (athi) tree showering her blessings. Even in rainy seasons during heavy downpour along with wind none of the oil lamps burning in front of the Goddess are disturbed or put out.

There is another story that Lord Shiva created Kannagi along with Kannu kottu Bhagawathy and Kannadathu Bhagawathy to kill Dharuka, a demon. Kannagi after killing of Dharuka, was born as a human being Called Kannagi, who burnt the city of Madurai as told above. She came to Kerala along with her two sisters . The then ruler of Palakkad,  Sri Sekhari Varma built a temple for all the three Goddesses. Later it seems the Kannadathu and Kannu Kottu Bhagawathy went and settled in a place called Pirayari, where the temple for Kannu kottu Bhagawathi is still there. A temple was later built near Thirunallai village of Palakkad for Kannadathu Bhagawathy. Only Kannagi temple remained in a place called “Nadu pathi mandil at the heart of town. The history behind this temple is that the moolasthanam (the root place) where Goddess Karnaki is worshipped, is at nadu–pathi at Moothanthara (Melamuri).  Once this temple was very well maintained and people from other neighboring deshams (places) also came to worship Karnaki (being the only one around at that time).  It is observed from history that the Muslim ruler Tippu Sultan, son of Hyder Ali searched and destroyed this temple during his reign at Palakkad. Devotees gathered to save the possessions of the temple and to prevent destruction of the idol.  Her full idol form was taken by her own sect of Moothan’s and is worshipped at Karnaki Amman temple, Moothanthara. Her other divine possessions like peetam (sitting chair) is worshipped at Vadakkanthara Bhagwathy temple, her umbrella is worshipped at another Karnaki temple in the town circle and the “Kindi” is worshipped at Pirayiri Kannukottu Bhagawathy temple.

Festivals:

The main festival,Valiyavilakku Vela is usually conducted on  the last Friday of Kumbha month ( first half of March ). Duration of this festival is 28 hours starting from 4.00 a.m to the next day 8.00 am . If the last Friday of Kumbha month happens to fall on the last day of the month, then festival will be conducted on previous Friday. It is known as ‘Vadakkanthara Vela’ also. It is the prime festival of this region. All Hindus regardless of their status partake from beginning to end.

Valiya vilakku Vela Rituals:

Kathir Vilichu Parayal:

 It is conducted during second Friday of ‘Makara’ month. The celebration is conducted eastern side of Deity (Deity is facing to West). Place all the offerings on a new bamboo mat and announce the function with temple symphonies and conclude with three Kathina vedi ( type of traditional fireworks).

Kathir Vela (festival of paddy cluster):

It is the first festival of Valiyavilakku Vela. The farm labourers of Tharavath, Variyath and Tharavanatu families bring the paddy clusters from Nellissery Vinayaka Kshethra with festival umbrellas and temple symphony. Along with Komaram (Velichappadu), they proceed straightly to Ayyappa temple and place the paddy clusters in front of Lord Ayappa. The main temple poojari offering poojas to Lord Ayyappa and distribute the paddy clusters among devotees and they normally keep it for three years. Before and after this function, offers three Kathina vedi.

Variyezhuthal ( starting of monetary offerings):

The next Sunday after Kathirvela, all masters from every family assemble before the Deity and transfer old accounts to new books and start collecting money for the expenses of Vela. Before and after function, offer three Kathina vedi.

Preparation of Fireworks:

Next Friday after monetary offering function, devotees assemble before the Deity and handover the materials for fireworks in the presence of Komaram (Velichappadu). This function is conducted by particular family as ‘Mozhipulum Panangad’ family. This function is celebrated to avoid any disasters from fireworks. This particular function is conducted after ‘Pantheerady Pooja’. Offer three Kathina vedi before and after this function.

Cutting Paala Tree:

It is conducted next Friday after the preparation of fireworks. The carpenter along with ‘Velichappadu’ reaches the paala tree and offer poojas to get permissions from the tree and cut the same. Using this wood, normally construct shed for the ‘Thulapandal’. Offers three temple Kathina vedi before and after this function.

Kummatty:

It is celebrated on the second Friday after cutting the ‘paala tree’ . The Goddess Bhagavathy with her bhoodhagana companionship come to perform blissful dance. Many members from local families assemble there after morning pooja and applying ancient cultural dressings and singing folk songs praising Lord Bhagavathy dancing with neem branches in hands , visit every houses and collect sweets, coconuts, money etc. Using these offerings, prepare sweet poridge (idichu pizhinja payasam) and offer to Lord Bhagavathy during evening pooja. The same procession is repeated again during evening hours starting from Nellissery Ganapathy Temple accompanied by elephants and panchavdyam. This function is followed with fireworks and finished by 8.00 pm. Offers three Kathina vedi before and after the function.

Kanniyar (Flag Hosting):

It is performed next Friday after Kummatty. After evening deeparadhana, devotees assemble there, offering poojas to a bell, throws away thrice. Looking into the direction of the tongue of the bell, predicts the immediate future of the surrounding areas. If it directs to east west or north, it is auspicious and favourable. If it directs south, it is inauspicious and unfavourable. In such occasions, every devotee pray Lord Bhagavathy to protect them from the ensuing danger. At last, Goddess Bhagavathy protect them. Next one week till the Valiyavilakku Vela starts, all residents from the nearby surroundings should not leave and reside outside the ‘desham’. Then the flag hosting ceremony occurs.

Testing Sample Fireworks:

Next Tuesday morning residents of Pirayiri Village come to Tharavath family and take sword , Peetam etc along with procession. During evening, testing of sample fire work is done.

Shudhikalasham:

The temple Thanthri purifies the Deity, Sanctum Sanctorum and the premises day before the Vela.

ValiyaVilakku Vela:

It commences from 4.00 am and finishes next day 08.00 am. Main attraction is 9 Kambams (Lighting colourful illumination with chemical mixtures on a mast). Valiyavilakku Vela is divided in to 2 parts:

a)   Day Time Vela

Along with Komaram, temple symphony like Panchavadhyam starts by 3.00 pm proceeding to Melamury as huge procession. At Melamury, devotees receive the Goddess Bhagavathy to a well decorated pandal. As per the order of Komaram, procession again starts there around 4.00 pm proceeding back to temple along with ancient cultural dresses and folk songs praising Goddess.

‘Kinna Pandal’

Devotees carry 36 pandi plates along with elephants accompanied by panchavadhyam and enter to a temporarily constructed pandal illuminated and decorated with ‘Paala Tree’ and offer the plates by Priests with poojas and rituals. There ends day time festival and starts temple symphony.

b) Night Vela

Night time festival starts at 3.00 am from the western nada along with elephants , temple symphony, Garudappathu, Kaalavilakku and numerous devotees chanting mantras loudly. Afterwards, komaram announces start lighting kambas and fireworks. By 8.00 am. Komaram proclaims the closing ceremony of the festival in the presence of thousands of devotees followed by numerous Kathina vedis.

Navarathri festival is very important at this temple. Many famous carnatik singers come to this temple during Navarathri and sing in front of Bhagavathi. Sri Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar used to find time in his busy schedule and come to this temple every year without fail and render his kacheri in front of Devi. On all days of Navarathri  enigmatic artists from various walks of art and culture perform at the Navarathri mandapam here.