History & Legend

The legend

In the Nandikattu family there lived a seer (Yogeeswaran) — a practitioner of yoga, a devotee of the Devi and a master of mantras. While living at Kudamaloor, he sat in bhajanam at the Kumaranalloor temple and, having won the Devi's grace through worship, invoked her divine presence into a vaalkannadi (sacred mirror). He brought it home and worshipped it in the ara-pura, the inner chamber of his family house.

Over time the poojas lapsed and the family met with many misfortunes; the Devi was not pleased with that abode. Following the findings of an Ashtamangalya Prasnam, and after consulting the people of the land, a temple was built to exact measurements by a master craftsman on the spot where it stands today. At an auspicious moment the divine presence was invoked from the ara-pura and the idol was consecrated.

1. KumaranalloorThrough bhajanam, the Devi's presence was invoked into a vaalkannadi (sacred mirror)
2. Nandikattu ara-puraWorship of the Devi in the family's inner chamber
3. Ashtamangalya PrasnamAfter consulting the villagers, the temple was built at its present site
4. Kollavarsham 1089, Meenam 3Temple renovated and the idol consecrated (1914 CE)

For the poojas, a Brahmin family was brought from Mariyappally near Kottayam and settled at Koviladuthu Madom (Kolathu Madom). Unnis were brought from a village in Cherthala to prepare the pooja materials and were settled at Kovilcheri (Koyicheri). The Paroor family was entrusted with the sopana seva.

The deity

The Devi, carved in anjana stone, is gracefully four-armed, bearing the chakra and showing the varada and abhaya mudras. The temple was renovated and the idol consecrated on the 3rd of Meenam in Kollavarsham 1089.

The square sreekovil is roofed with copper sheets. The Devi's ornaments include a golden thirumukham, a silver anki and prabha, and many devotees have offered valuable ornaments.

Festival

The Utsavam begins with the flag hoisting on Chathayam star in the Malayalam month of Vrischikam and, after the Karthika Vilakku, concludes with the Aarattu on Rohini star.

See the festival programme

Administration

The temple is administered jointly by the Kandankary and Pullangady Karayogams. Committee members are elected every two years at a joint general body meeting.

Belief

Devotees believe that worshipping Kandankarykkavilamma brings a blessed married life and the gift of children. Kavilamma, in the form of a serene Durga, is revered as Sri Karthyayani Devi, the giver of boons. Jagadambika, who fulfils every wish — Induchoodapriya, beloved of Lord Shiva — Kandankarykkavilamma stands blessing the people of the village and showering prosperity upon them.

Kunchan Nambiar & Kavilamma

Kandankarykkavilamma, the Devi who fulfils every wish, was an inspiration to Kunchan Nambiar — the greatest of Malayalam poets, who carried the strength and beauty of the language into the heart of every Malayali. The kalathattu (performance platform) that bears the footprints of that great artist is the pride of Kandankary and Kandankarykkavu in Kuttanad.

In his Kalyanasougandhikam, Nambiar salutes the Devi of Kandankarykkavu in this stanza:

Devi Vilasam Higher Secondary School

Devi Vilasam Higher Secondary School, named after the Devi, is run by the Kandankarykkavu Devaswom and enjoys a fine reputation.