Karikkakom Chamundi Devi temple is famous to bring cultural diversity in the historic Karikkakom, Trivandrum. It is a 600-year-old temple that lies within dense green environments of Karikkakom where lush tall palms surround the area.
This is an ancient Hindu temple where goddess Chamundi Devi is worshipped for years. The unique peculiarity about this temple is goddess Chamundi is worshipped here in all her three forms – Bala Chamundi, Maha Chamundi, and Rakhta Chamundi.
What to see:
• Karikkakom Chamundi Devi Temple Trivandrum:
Inside the magnificent temple of Karikkakom Chamundi Devi, there are other shrines too of different goddesses such as Ganapati, Sastha, Bhuvaneswari, Yakshiyamma, Yogeshwara nad Ayiravalli. But, the highlight of the temple remains the major deity – the beautiful Panchahola statue of Karikkakom goddess who is known to be reborn by goddess Chamundi. And, every Hindu believes that Devi Chamundi is a violet form of Devi Kali, and thus idol of Kali’s also present here. The shrine of Rakta Chamundi is situated at the right of the main shrine. But you will see a painting of her instead of an idol. Rakta Chamundi is the violent form of Devi Chamundi. The history of this temple says that if offerings were made to Devi Chamundi, the most ardent wish of the follower could be granted. History witnessed the cure of many fatal diseases!
And, there is the temple of Bala Chamundi, who is Devi Chamundi’s childhood form. The childless couples devotedly make offerings such as cradles, toys, etc. to Devi Bala Chamundi so that they could conceive a child. In case their children were suffering from chronic diseases, they used to take blessings from Devi to cure their children.
• Guru Mandiram
In the north direction from the Karikkakom Chamundi Devi temple, at a few distant, you can spot a cozy and small house – ‘Guru Mandiram’. This is an important destination as Yogiswaran, who brought the idol of Karikkakom Chamundi Devi in the temple.
Festivals celebrated in Karikkakom Chamundi Devi temple:
Pongala is celebrated here with massive joy and excitement. It makes a big hit every year among the tourists and its locals. It is organized in the Meenan month of the year. It is a seven-day long joyous festival.
A special meal is prepared during the festival prepared with ghee, rice, jaggery and coconut which is cooked inside earthen pots.
On the last day, the disciples of the temple carry out the giant idol of Devi of the temple in a gorgeous golden chariot and make it circled around the temple. Many thousands of men and women gather around the temple to witness the festival.
History of Karikkakom Chamundi Devi temple:
This temple has an exciting historical background. In the old days, when kings used to rule here, they have counted this temple as a place to punish the wrong-doers and used to bring justice to their kingdom. The guilty people were brought in front of the shrine of Devi Rakhta Chamundi. The king’s people then used to put 21 coins inside the nada to start the procedure of asking truth from the accused. People believed that liars would be punished by Devi. So, no one dared to lie in front of the shrine!
How to Reach::
The Karikkakom Chamundi Devi Temple Trivandrum is well connected with the roadways throughout the city. You can use and private or public transport to reach this place. You can take a bus from the Karikkakom bus stand which is only a meter away from the shrine.
So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and get ready to make a historical journey!