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Introduction and History
ARAKATHU devi temple of Idagramam of Nemom Panchayat, in thiruvananthapuram is one of the oldest temples of Sothern Kerala. Idagramom is a small village sandwhiched between the Mahavishnu Temple of Chirakkara Villages of Kaimanom in the north-east and the parashurama Temple of Thiruvallam Village in the north-west. Accordingly. The village came to be known as Idagramom (Ida – in between and Gramam – Village). The temple has a history of more than 500 years.
According to history, natural calamities which devastated Travancore in 914 ME (1739 AD) changed the direction of Karamana River. Prior to this, the river was flowing through Niramankara and to the east of Idagramam, finally reaching the Vellayani Lake which is considered to be one of the fresh water resources in Kerala. From there, the water used to overflow via Karumam and Thiruvallam, finally reaching the Arabian Sea. But after the natural calamity, the river changed its path to the present. One. The old bridge of Niramankara and the present Muttar River flowing in front of the Arakathu Devi Temple and Theertha Kadavu of Thiruvallam indicate the route the erstwhile Karamana river took.
According to a legend, the temple owes its origin to saint Vilwamangalam Swamiyar a great devotional poet, who is also associated with the consecration of the Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple. Once the Swamiyar happened to pass through the earlier path of Karamana River. Having seen the serene location between the two serpent shrines facing each other in diagonally opposite positions, he alighted there for penance and contemplation of nature in all its bliss and beauty. He strongly felt the spiritual presence of the Mother Goddess and congregated the villagers and urged them to build a temple on the site. Later, the Swamiyar consecrated the idol of Devi Parvathi in a charming black-granite to be adored as Vana Durga’ (the goddess protesting up spring and the woods.)
The roof top of the temple was designed in such a way that during monsoon, the rain water drips gently drop by drop on the crown of the idol. Vilwarnangalam Swamiyar was a great builder of temple culture around the settlements in closer harmony with nature and ecology. Even today, this locality remains a ‘green belt’ of Thiruvananthapuram city. The sage is honoured for his divine services to this day at the annual festival of theArakathu Devi temple by performing `Yogishwara Pooj a’ The Structure of the temple is purely based on Kerala’s Vasthushasthra. The `Sri kovil’, ‘Mukhamandapam’, ‘Chittambalam’, `Thidapalli’,’Namaskara Mandapam’, ‘Belikallupura’, etc. Were built by using stones. The flooring, roofing, walls and pillars are so closely packed that even an attempt to replace a single stone may affect the entire structure. This makes it difficult for renovation work on modern lines.
The temple structure solidly stands resisting the ravages of time. Its construction was entirely native and indigenously built by exploiting the local talents and resources most economically. According to the temple president, Mr.S.Madhavan Nair, the cementing material and wood could have been brought from nearby fields. The stones also might have been brought from ‘Kallu Vettan Kuzhi’, at a walking distance. Even the pillars, the reefs adoring the roof, the doors etc., made of wood (Azhil tree), are as old as the temple itself The only work carried out at present are the painting and periodical varnishing of wooden works. Of course some of the structures are plated by bronze metal by some devotees”. The spherical shape of the ‘sri kovil’ (Sanctum sanctorum) facing east, with a door opening to the ‘Mukha Mandapam’ (corridor) with one more door leading to the exit/entry point, is the speciality of the temple. There are two ‘Dwara Pallkas’ (Divine Guards) Sculptured out of the extended part of the corridor on either side. “the spherical forms of sri kovils or inner shrines were popular in the early days of temple constructions dating back to 7th century. In the later periods, the architecture of Kerala temples adopted square-shaped inner shrines” the president says.
The Sthala Purana mentions the name of the four-armed deity as ‘Azhakotha Devi’ (Beautiful Goddess). The term, in the course of time might have become ‘Arakathu Devi’. There is also another folklore, saying that, since the place was under the protection ofAravama (serpents), the Goddess presiding over such a place came to be known as ‘Aravathu Devi’ and later, transformed as ‘Arakathu Devi’ . The idol with four assuring arms, possessing ‘abhaya mudra’, ‘Shankhu’ and ‘amritha kalasham’, is extremely beautiful.
The ‘Vana Durga’ is supposed to be a young virgin of shy and reserved nature. Since the `moorthi’ (Idol) is of satva guna (composed quality), no sacrificial offering is given. Unlike in other Durga temples, there are no ‘pongala’, fireworks or red flower offerings as they are deterrent to the eternal peace of the divine nature. The deity favours smooth and soft rhythms produced by Instruments like `nadaswaram’, `Paani’ and ‘Panchavadyam’. The ritual strictly avoids use of provocative instruments like ‘chenda’ that disturbs peace and harmony of the environment.
There are some unique rituals performed at this temple. One such ritual is ‘pidipanam vaaral’, a three-handful offering of raw rice, coins and flowers by children guided by their mothers for their health and longevity. The `mangalya ganapathi homarn’ to remove obstacle that come in the way of fixing marriages and leading a happy married life is yet another ritual. The ‘dwadasaksharii pooja’ is performed in the malayalam month of ‘Karkadakam’ to bring family well-being.
As the consecration of the Arakathu Devi temple was attributed to the legendary Saint Vilwamangalam Swamiya, the administration ofthe Devi temple was exercised by the ‘Pushpanjall Swamys’ of the Padmanabha Swamy Temple from its early days. In due course of time, the property of the Devi temples was trespassed by the public and daily rituals also come to be affected. This alerted the people of Idagramam to come together to renovate and protect the spiritual centre. The ruins of serpent idols, `Nagaraja’ and ‘Nagayakshi’ of the old shrine, were brought into the temple compound making them to rest in the original position. The other accompanying deities ofthe temple include Lord Shiva, Dharmashatha, Ganapathi and Brahmarakshas, Office room and bathing ghat were freshly built and the age-old rituals were streamlined. By 1980, a trust called ‘Arakathu Kshethrea Devi Samithi’ was registered and the property right was transferred from the pushpanjali Swamy’s administration to the Newly-formed trust.
King Marthanda Vanrma after reconstructing the Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple, restarted the temple rituals and festivals. The re-initiated ‘Alpashi’ in 926 ME, became a regular performance in the Malayalam month of ‘Thulam’. The deity of Arakathu Devi used to accompany in procession to the ‘ arattu’ of Sree Padmanabha Swamy since the re-initiation of the Alpashi ceremony. This tradition is retained even to this day though the property-related rights have been changed.
The `Kallu Vilaku’ (Stone lamp) that is installed in front of the temple bears some inscriptions. The epigraph reads an inscription ME 812 Makaram. It is presumed that some devotes might have offered it to the temple. It records a span of more than 360 years while the temple has been in existence for over five centuries
Photos
Presiding Deity
Maa Arakath🙏
Timings
Temple remains open from
Morning – 6.00 to 12.00
Evening – 4.00 to 8.00 .
Alll days in week but the timings can be deffer on the festival days!
The months between September to January are the best to visit Mandir due to salubrious weather of the place. In Summers, it gets quite cold making it a bit inconvenient to travel.
Temprory Closed due to Covid-19 Chrises.
Festivals
The festivals in this temple are:
Parshuram Jayanti
Ram Navami
Krishna Janmashtami
Diwali
Holi
Karadikottu
Kalamkaval
Nagaroottu
Uchabali
Paranettu
Nilathilporu
Aaraattu
Pongal or Pongala
Basic services
Drinking Water Cooler , CCTV Security, Prasad, Puja Samagri stalls etc..
Activities
Open the Darbar gates of Presiding Diety and pay Prayers after Bhagwan Subrabhat Bhauj.
Morning Vedic enchanting and Nature’s welcome (ethnic way).
Vedic Yagya- To purify our inner self for realization and world peace.
Tribute to five basic elements i.e. Land, Water, Sky, Fire and Air.
Pay the last pray of the day in evening after Presiding God Bhauj.
THINGS TO DO
MEDITATION
Discover inner peace and positive energy through the ancient practice of meditation
AYURVEDA
If you are looking for holistic physical healing through non-invasive methods, Ayurveda could be of interest to you.
ASTROLOGY
Wish to know more about your stars and your place in the firmament? Consult an astrologer.
ARADHANA and ARCHANA
Devotees and visitors come here to take experience of pure spiritualism and peace as they use to do visit every day and pray to Maa Arakath🙏
Pooja, Aartis and Timing
Basically the Aartis to be perform as per the Concern Shraddhas of devotees and Concern Deities.
Believing Aartis are :
Lord Shiva and Maa Durga Aarti and Bhauj at 6:10 AM and Jal Arpit to Surya Dev at 6:30
Ganesha Aarti and Pooja at 6:40
Maa Arakath aarti and puja at 7Am
Sita Maa , Bhagwan Ram, Hanuman Ji, Vishnu Bhagwan and Shiv Bhagwan Bhajans etc…
Nearby Interesting Temples
Padmanabhaswamy Temple
Pazhavangadi Ganapathi Temple
Sreekanteswaram Temple
Mithranandapuram Trimurthi Temple
Agrasala Ganesh Temple etc..
Nearby Hotels
Click the link below to look upon the hotels-
Shops and Markets
Please click the links below to look upon Markets-
Latika Market
Khairali Handicraft
Pettah Market
People Bazar
Chalai Bazar
Fruite Nazar etc..
Restaurants
Please click the links below to look upon Restaurants-
Please click the link below to know about Golden Dragon Restaurant
Hotel Saravana Bhavan
Golden Fiesta
Govinda’s Restaurant etc…
Hospitals
Please click the link below to look upon hospitals-
NDIA HOSPITAL ( Unit of Manhattan Hospital Pvt Ltd)
Taluk hospital
General Hospital
Valiathura Government Hospital
Women and Children Hospital, Thycaud etc..
Concern Police Stations
Fort Police Station
Attakulangara, Trivandrum Vizhinjam Rd, Near Vanitha Jail, Manacaud, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695023
☎️0471 246 1105
Vanchiyoor Police Station
Vanchiyoor Rd, Vanchiyoor, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695035
☎️0471 246 1129
Thampanoor Police Station Thiruvananthapuram
New Theatre Rd, Thampanoor, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695014
☎️0471 232 6543
Names, phone numbers , photos and brief introduction of Pujaris, Archaks, Mahants and Management Committee.
Details to be taken.
Miscellaneous information
Details to be taken.
Legal information
The temple is situated on legal site taking care by Mandir Commitee , there is no legal obligation on Temple Property or Temple Schedule, Criteria, Adequates etc..
Samajik Sahayat,Goshalas, Sadhus, Sants, Mahants, Famous Dharmik Writers/ Musicians/Dancers/ Craftsmen around the Temple.
Pashu Sewa, Pakshi SEwa, Langar Sewa, Vedic Pathshals.
There is a temple group of some devotees who use to role as band of temple as they do kirtans, Kathas and Narrating sewas time to time.
Mitra Mandal Link for Advice/Guidance*
Forms will be allow to fill for getting membership soon.
Modes of Travel
By Air:
Trivandrum Airport, located just 6 km away, is an international airport that connects this beautiful city with rest of India and world. As it is situated at the southern tip of Indian subcontinent, the airport serves as shortest point from India to Maldives and Sri Lanka. There are two main terminals here, Terminal 1 handles the domestic flights and Terminal 2 is for international airlines. Air India, IndiGo, Air Pegasus and Jet Airways operate regular flights for cities such as Bangalore, Dehradun, Delhi, Mumbai and Mangalore. Besides, there are regular flight options offered by most of the major carriers like Emirates, flydubai, Etihad Airways and SilkAir from Trivandrum Airport for Singapore, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Visitors can avail bus services or hire cabs to reach various destinations in the city, after landing at the airport.
By road:
Several KSRTC (Kerala State Road Transport Corporation) buses operate from Thampanoor Bus Station in Trivandrum for Kovalam (20 km), Kochi (199 km) and Kottayam (147 km). Suiting their budget and requirement, travellers can choose from executive, deluxe, sleeper and luxury buses. You can also drive to Trivandrum from Kovalam via Kovalam Bypass Road or NH 47 Bypass Road, a journey that takes just around an hour.
By rail:
Trivandrum Central, about 6 km away from the city centre, is well linked to major cities in India via an extensive rail network. There are frequent trains plying from Trivandrum railway station for cities such as New Delhi, Bangalore, Indore, Mumbai, Chennai and Guwahati, to mention a few. Some of the major trains available from here include Kerala Express, Swaranjayanti Express, Trivandrum Mail and Anantapuri Express. Taxis, cabs and buses are easily available from outside the railway station.
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Address for Donation and visiting purpose
Arakath Devi Temple
Edagramom, Karumam, Arakath, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695002
097469 32004
Visitors Views
Apart from the structural beauty, the divine rituals around the Temple are also the main centres of attraction for devotees. We at Mandir Darshan, we intend to provide you with the tiniest details of every temple and the rituals carried out in the premises. With us as your touring guides of Thiruvannathpuram , Kerala you are sure to explore and enjoy every bit of the numinous land. The Data mentioned above as links are taken from Google, YouTube, TripAdvisor, Justdial, Wikipedia, Google Maps etc,. just for Knowledge purpose. There is no Followers or Money gaining intentions behind that!