Shaivism and Vaishnavism talk about worship of supreme power in male form while Shakthism emphasize importance on the worship of supreme power in female form. If Shakthism is not there then there is no Shaivism or Vaishnavism. Shakthism is nothing but worshipping of the Devine power 'Shakthi' in various female forms which is the ultimate Godmother, supreme Godhead; she is the creator, preserver, nurturer and the destroyer of everything that exists. Shakthi is worshipped by her devotees in the form of Kali or Bhagavathi or Devi etc. swarupams. For assisting her devotes, she takes various forms to ward off their miseries, difficulties, troubles, to destroy evils and to bestow her Boon and Blessings to prosper in their lives. In recognition, lot of Shakthi temples are built around from time immemorial by Rulers, Kings and by common devotees. Shakthi is 'Energy' and Shakthi is 'Power' and Shakthi worship is a vital part in Hindu religion.
There are numerous Shakthi worshipping places in Kerala. We had an opportunity to visit a couple of them during our week long trip to Kerala recently. We visited and had the Devine darshan at
* Manapullikavu Sree Bhagavathy Amman temple in Yakkara, Palghat
* Meenkulathi Sree Bhagavathy Amman temple, Pallassena, Palghat district
* Thirupparaikkal Sree Bhagavathi Amman temple, Vadakkanthara, Palghat district
* Chottanikkara Sree Bhagavathi Amman temple. Chottanikara
Palghat is a small town in Kerala which is also known as Palakkad. 'Pala' means a fruit bearing tree (jack fruit) and 'kad' means forest and thus the name Palakkad derived from it. Palakkad is also the birth place for many of the the finest South Indian cooks who have world famous expertise in vegetarian South Indian cooking. More so, some of the greatest Carnatic musicians are also from this place and to name some among them are Chembai Vaidhyanatha Bhagavathar, great mrithangist Palakkad Mani Iyer. Prominent astrologers are also hailed from this place and 'Palakkad Josiyam' is a very popular one among those who believe in Astrology. Some of the famous Bhagavathi Amman temples are located in Palghat.
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| Palakkad Mani Iyer |
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| Chembai Vaidhyanatha Bhagavathar |
The Manapullikavu is a village which is nearer to Palakkad town in Kerala. This village is very famous for the temple ..Manapullikavu vela. The main deity is Sree Manappulli Bhagavathy Amman. Sthala Puranas says that this was originally belonged to a famous saintly Kerala Brahmin family Mattapalli Bathrakali Mana. The Brahmins live on the banks of rivers and perform 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 Amman 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.
Sree Bhagavathy Amman
The temple mythological legendary says 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.
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.
Temple Entrance views
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| Sri Ayyappa Sannadhi entrance |
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| Sri Bairavar Sannadhi |
In this temple, unlike other temple rituals sandal paste etc are not used to the main deity during poojas. A chandhu paste in black color is used for pooja to the main deity which is unique in this temple. A beautiful temple tank is also there adjacent to the temple in the back side.
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| Temple tank |
Some of the important festivals celebrated in this temple are Vishu, Onam, Navarathri, Diwali and the famous Manapullikavu Vela. 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 are performed as per stipulated schedule which is displayed near the temple office counter. One can contact the office counter and get necessary receipt after paying the requisite amount for the pooja they intend to perform in this temple.
The main occupation of the people of this Palakkad district is paddy cultivation and hence this district is called as "Rice bowl of Kerala". The people's offering to the deity will normally be in the form of agricultural produce and nothing else.
Contact details: Manapullikkavu Sri Bhagavathy Amman Temple,
Palakad 678 013, Kerala, India
Phone Number: +91-491-2539431
After having a Blissful darshan of the Devine Shakthi Bhagavathy Amman, we proceeded to have the darshan of Sri Meenkulathi Bhagavathy Amman temple which is nearby.
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