Puthucode Bhagwathi Temple
Puthucode is a picturesque small village lying on the western most border of
Palghat District and bordering Thrissur District. It is approximately 40kms away
from both Palghat and Thrissur towns. The nearest railway stations are Palghat
and Thrissur. The nearest airports are Coimbatore and Kochi. The village is located
6 km west of Vadakkencherry on the Palakkad-Thrissur stretch of the National
Highway 47. There are regular bus services from Thrissur and Palghat to
Puthucode.
Puthucode agraharam with four streets with row houses was exclusively
inhabited by Brahmins until a few decades back. Where the four streets meet is
the famous Annapoorneswari temple. It would be apt to say the 4 agraharams
are radiating from the central Annapoorneswari temple.
It is said that Sage Parasurama installed 108 Durga temples in many parts of India
and this is one of them. Currently this comes under Naduvil Madom Devaswam.
The daily poojas are performed by Tamil Brahmins except during the Navarathri
festival when they are performed by Thantris affiliated to Naduvil Madom
Devaswam.
There is a belief among Brahmins of this village that this idol (4 feet tall) was got
made in Truthala near Kuttanad and was brought by Brahmins of the village
belonging to three Vedas by head load, with chanting the Vedas all the way
without stopping any where on the way. It is believed at some stage in the life of
the temple , the Tamil Brahmins gave the temple to the Naduvil Madam.
According to a satone inscription, Sri Godavarma Raja gifted lots of rice fields for
the maintenance of the temple. These properties were abolished due to the Land
reform act of Kerala. But the Tamil Brahmins of the village joined together and
formed an organization of a trust called SAPCO (Sree Annapuneshwari Pooja
Coordinators trust ) which is managing the temple at present. Though the
Goddess is called Annapurneshwari , she holds in her hands Shanku and Chakra
(Not ladle and vessel like the Annapurneshwari of Benares) .
The temple occupies a vast area with a large outer Prakaaram and an inner
Prakaaram. The main entrance to the temple faces east and as you enter the
temple there is a Deepasthambham beyond which is the entrance to the inner
Prakaaram of the temple. The inner Prakaaram is also very large with wide
corridors known as Vathil maadams along the four sides, where discourses and
concerts used to take place. The madapalli or the cook house is also situated
here. As you go inside is the Mahaganapathy Sannidhi facing east. Going around
the Mahaganapathy Sannidhi you reach the main temple of Annapoorneswari.
The Deity faces west. The Deity is also known as Santha Durga and is a very
powerful Devi bestowing Her benevolent blessings to all Her devotees. The four
handed idol of Devi is almost 4 feet tall. She is always dressed in a Pattu Pavadai.
To see the Devi in her full Chandana kappu after the Deeparadhana in the evening
is at once electrifying. It gives one such a joy and peace and real happiness. One
just cannot take the eyes off Devi when She is adorned in full Chandana kappu.
In front of the Garba Griham or Sanctum is the Namaskara Mandapam, where
Veda Parayanams and other daily recitals of Devi Mahatmyam and Shyamala
Dandakam are done by devotees.
When you come around the Namaskara Mandapam, there is the Prathishta for
Naga devata, Dharmasastha and Palliyarkkal Bhagavathy on the north-west
corner of the main temple. A unique offering (vazhipadu) of Azhil is conducted in
front of this Sannidhi. A new cloth (a set of 4 thorthus) dipped in Gingelly oil is
hung on the poll in between two stone pillars. After doing a special pooja the
archaka lights the cloth dipped in oil and allows it to burn down to ashes. This ash
is used as prasadam and smeared on the forehead. It is believed that this offering
will relieve one of all types of obstacles and misfortunes in life.
The other important offerings (vazhipadu) in the temple are Kalabhabhishekam,
Niramala, Chuttuvilakku, Archanas, etc.
On the outer prakaaram, is the west nada, which is also known as Aanapandhi
which has the gold plated dwajasthambam. This is where the Thayambaka and
Keli take place during Navarathri celebrations.
Along the northern compound wall of the temple is the Agrisala, where cooking
and dining take place during the Annadhanam of Navarathri.
The Sarat Navarathri during the months of September and October is the biggest
festival in Puthucode Bhagavathy temple. All Her subjects who are far from home
assemble at Puthucode during these nine days. The Dwajarohanam for the
festival is on the Prathama thithi after Mahalaya Amavasya and the Aarattu on
Vijayadashami day or the 10th day from the Dwajarohanam. There are daily
processions with caparisoned elephants twice a day for the first 4 days inside the
temple on the outer Praakaram and on the following 4 days the procession of
caparisoned elephants with accompanying Panchavadyam and Chendamelam is
taken to the 4 villages on successive days, starting with the South village on the
6th day. The Utsavamoorthy of the deity is taken atop the caparisoned elephant to
all the villages for Her to see Her subjects. There is a Pallivetta on the 9th night
followed by Aarattu on the 10th day. During Navarathri the Utsavamoorthy is
taken atop the elephant to the nearby stream every morning where the deity is
given bath and after due alankarams taken back to the temple.
Measures of paddy and rice and other things like puffed rice, flowers, etc known
as Parayeduppu are offered to Bhagavathy during the procession of elephants to
the respective villages. The Parayeduppu for the south village is on the Aarattu
day when the deity returns to the temple after her holy bath in the stream.
After Aarattu the elephant has to touch the Dwajasthambham which will mark
the end of the festival for that year.
In 2003, devotees installed a new Dwajasthambham covered with full gold.
True to Her name there is Annadhanam on all the 9 days of Navarathri for all
devotees. Puthucode Pulinkari which is served with Rice and Olan is unique to this
Navarathri Sadhya. The Sadasadaya Payasam (Idichujpizhinja payasam) offered to
Bhagavathy during these days is also very famous. There is a saying in tamil
Puthucoda vitta gramamum illai, Pulinkariye vitta kootanum illai which can be
translated as, Puthucode is the ultimate among agraharams and Pulinkari is the
ultimate in curries.
Several families had bequeathed land to the Devaswom in the olden days for the
Annadhanam during Navarathri. However with the enactment of land reform bills
in the early 70s the annuities to the temple became so meager that for sometime
there were not enough funds even to conduct the daily poojas of the temple.
With the cooperation and effort of the villagers a trust by name SAPCO (Sri
Annapoorneswari Pooja Coordinators) , the poojas and other daily rituals have
been reinstated with increased vigor. The Devi has blessed all Her children with
wealth, health and positions and they in turn pay their respects to Her by
donating to the temple funds.
The temple is open from 5.30am to 10.00am and 4.30pm to 9.00pm for worship.
The Deeparadhana in the evening is at 6.30pm.
At the end of North Village is a Siva temple. The temple is situated at a lower level
than the surrounding village. There is a large tank known as ayyankulam in front
of the Siva temple. The presiding deity is facing east. There are also sannidhis for
Mahaganapathy and Dharmasastha inside the temple. The annual festival in this
Siva temple starts on the Thiruvathira day of the Malayalam month Dhanu and
the Arattu is on the 8th day. Mahasivarathri is also celebrated in a grand manner
with Maharudram, Abhishekam etc. Annabhishekam on the Pournami day of the
Malayalam month Thulam is also very famous.
The temple opens for worship at 5.30am to 10.30 am and again at 4.30pm to
9.00pm.
Just outside the Siva temple there is a newly constructed Sivamahal in the north
village, which can be used for functions like Marriage, Upanayanam etc.
Palghat District and bordering Thrissur District. It is approximately 40kms away
from both Palghat and Thrissur towns. The nearest railway stations are Palghat
and Thrissur. The nearest airports are Coimbatore and Kochi. The village is located
6 km west of Vadakkencherry on the Palakkad-Thrissur stretch of the National
Highway 47. There are regular bus services from Thrissur and Palghat to
Puthucode.
Puthucode agraharam with four streets with row houses was exclusively
inhabited by Brahmins until a few decades back. Where the four streets meet is
the famous Annapoorneswari temple. It would be apt to say the 4 agraharams
are radiating from the central Annapoorneswari temple.
It is said that Sage Parasurama installed 108 Durga temples in many parts of India
and this is one of them. Currently this comes under Naduvil Madom Devaswam.
The daily poojas are performed by Tamil Brahmins except during the Navarathri
festival when they are performed by Thantris affiliated to Naduvil Madom
Devaswam.
There is a belief among Brahmins of this village that this idol (4 feet tall) was got
made in Truthala near Kuttanad and was brought by Brahmins of the village
belonging to three Vedas by head load, with chanting the Vedas all the way
without stopping any where on the way. It is believed at some stage in the life of
the temple , the Tamil Brahmins gave the temple to the Naduvil Madam.
According to a satone inscription, Sri Godavarma Raja gifted lots of rice fields for
the maintenance of the temple. These properties were abolished due to the Land
reform act of Kerala. But the Tamil Brahmins of the village joined together and
formed an organization of a trust called SAPCO (Sree Annapuneshwari Pooja
Coordinators trust ) which is managing the temple at present. Though the
Goddess is called Annapurneshwari , she holds in her hands Shanku and Chakra
(Not ladle and vessel like the Annapurneshwari of Benares) .
The temple occupies a vast area with a large outer Prakaaram and an inner
Prakaaram. The main entrance to the temple faces east and as you enter the
temple there is a Deepasthambham beyond which is the entrance to the inner
Prakaaram of the temple. The inner Prakaaram is also very large with wide
corridors known as Vathil maadams along the four sides, where discourses and
concerts used to take place. The madapalli or the cook house is also situated
here. As you go inside is the Mahaganapathy Sannidhi facing east. Going around
the Mahaganapathy Sannidhi you reach the main temple of Annapoorneswari.
The Deity faces west. The Deity is also known as Santha Durga and is a very
powerful Devi bestowing Her benevolent blessings to all Her devotees. The four
handed idol of Devi is almost 4 feet tall. She is always dressed in a Pattu Pavadai.
To see the Devi in her full Chandana kappu after the Deeparadhana in the evening
is at once electrifying. It gives one such a joy and peace and real happiness. One
just cannot take the eyes off Devi when She is adorned in full Chandana kappu.
In front of the Garba Griham or Sanctum is the Namaskara Mandapam, where
Veda Parayanams and other daily recitals of Devi Mahatmyam and Shyamala
Dandakam are done by devotees.
When you come around the Namaskara Mandapam, there is the Prathishta for
Naga devata, Dharmasastha and Palliyarkkal Bhagavathy on the north-west
corner of the main temple. A unique offering (vazhipadu) of Azhil is conducted in
front of this Sannidhi. A new cloth (a set of 4 thorthus) dipped in Gingelly oil is
hung on the poll in between two stone pillars. After doing a special pooja the
archaka lights the cloth dipped in oil and allows it to burn down to ashes. This ash
is used as prasadam and smeared on the forehead. It is believed that this offering
will relieve one of all types of obstacles and misfortunes in life.
The other important offerings (vazhipadu) in the temple are Kalabhabhishekam,
Niramala, Chuttuvilakku, Archanas, etc.
On the outer prakaaram, is the west nada, which is also known as Aanapandhi
which has the gold plated dwajasthambam. This is where the Thayambaka and
Keli take place during Navarathri celebrations.
Along the northern compound wall of the temple is the Agrisala, where cooking
and dining take place during the Annadhanam of Navarathri.
The Sarat Navarathri during the months of September and October is the biggest
festival in Puthucode Bhagavathy temple. All Her subjects who are far from home
assemble at Puthucode during these nine days. The Dwajarohanam for the
festival is on the Prathama thithi after Mahalaya Amavasya and the Aarattu on
Vijayadashami day or the 10th day from the Dwajarohanam. There are daily
processions with caparisoned elephants twice a day for the first 4 days inside the
temple on the outer Praakaram and on the following 4 days the procession of
caparisoned elephants with accompanying Panchavadyam and Chendamelam is
taken to the 4 villages on successive days, starting with the South village on the
6th day. The Utsavamoorthy of the deity is taken atop the caparisoned elephant to
all the villages for Her to see Her subjects. There is a Pallivetta on the 9th night
followed by Aarattu on the 10th day. During Navarathri the Utsavamoorthy is
taken atop the elephant to the nearby stream every morning where the deity is
given bath and after due alankarams taken back to the temple.
Measures of paddy and rice and other things like puffed rice, flowers, etc known
as Parayeduppu are offered to Bhagavathy during the procession of elephants to
the respective villages. The Parayeduppu for the south village is on the Aarattu
day when the deity returns to the temple after her holy bath in the stream.
After Aarattu the elephant has to touch the Dwajasthambham which will mark
the end of the festival for that year.
In 2003, devotees installed a new Dwajasthambham covered with full gold.
True to Her name there is Annadhanam on all the 9 days of Navarathri for all
devotees. Puthucode Pulinkari which is served with Rice and Olan is unique to this
Navarathri Sadhya. The Sadasadaya Payasam (Idichujpizhinja payasam) offered to
Bhagavathy during these days is also very famous. There is a saying in tamil
Puthucoda vitta gramamum illai, Pulinkariye vitta kootanum illai which can be
translated as, Puthucode is the ultimate among agraharams and Pulinkari is the
ultimate in curries.
Several families had bequeathed land to the Devaswom in the olden days for the
Annadhanam during Navarathri. However with the enactment of land reform bills
in the early 70s the annuities to the temple became so meager that for sometime
there were not enough funds even to conduct the daily poojas of the temple.
With the cooperation and effort of the villagers a trust by name SAPCO (Sri
Annapoorneswari Pooja Coordinators) , the poojas and other daily rituals have
been reinstated with increased vigor. The Devi has blessed all Her children with
wealth, health and positions and they in turn pay their respects to Her by
donating to the temple funds.
The temple is open from 5.30am to 10.00am and 4.30pm to 9.00pm for worship.
The Deeparadhana in the evening is at 6.30pm.
At the end of North Village is a Siva temple. The temple is situated at a lower level
than the surrounding village. There is a large tank known as ayyankulam in front
of the Siva temple. The presiding deity is facing east. There are also sannidhis for
Mahaganapathy and Dharmasastha inside the temple. The annual festival in this
Siva temple starts on the Thiruvathira day of the Malayalam month Dhanu and
the Arattu is on the 8th day. Mahasivarathri is also celebrated in a grand manner
with Maharudram, Abhishekam etc. Annabhishekam on the Pournami day of the
Malayalam month Thulam is also very famous.
The temple opens for worship at 5.30am to 10.30 am and again at 4.30pm to
9.00pm.
Just outside the Siva temple there is a newly constructed Sivamahal in the north
village, which can be used for functions like Marriage, Upanayanam etc.