Alumpeth Temple is an ancient Kalari temple of Sri Bhadrakali (Devi), located in Vathikulam, a remote but beautiful village in the South Indian state of Kerala. Vathikulam town can be accessed by road traveling 7 km east from Kayamkulam town. Kayamkulam is a well known town on National Highway 47 about 108 km north from Trivandrum and 110 km south from Cochin. Kayamkulam is also well connected by rail.
The motive behind the incarnation of Sribhadrakali (Devi) is to save the gods from insult and despair, people worship her in moments of joy, abandonment and impending emotional distress. Devi is also known to be a goddess on guard at times when life is at risk and existence feels impossible. Since the Alumpeth temple is in the form of the ancient Indian Kalari (literal and martial arts school), people rely on it when their progress in educational, cultural, scientific and legal endeavors is thwarted by enemies or negative situational factors. .
Prayer
Sit in a comfortable position with your eyes closed and chant the mantra:
“Ya devi sarwabhootheshu
Mathruroopena Samsthitha
namasthasyai namasthasyai
namasthasyai namo nama:”
several times and attain bliss.
Regardless of size or quantity, devotees offer anything under the sun to Devi. Offerings range from a garland or flower to an elephant. Fridays and Tuesdays are very important for this prayer. To solve long-standing problems, it is better to follow Velliyazhcha Vritham (Friday Fasting Prayer). The program begins on Thursday after bathing at night, without eating solid food except fruit from Thursday night to Saturday morning. Intoxicants, non-vegetarian food and sex should be avoided during these hours, bathing should be done twice a day and the above mantra chanted, this should continue for any number of weeks until the desired result is achieved. This prayer also has great meaning from a naturopathic and yogic perspective.
mythology
Lord Siva married Sati, daughter of King Daksha, and lived happily in Kailas. Daksha held a yaga (great ceremony and feast for the gods) where Siva and Sati were not invited. Despite Siva’s warning, Sati attended the yaga hoping that her parents would apologize to her and welcome her back. But she was neglected and insulted in public. Sati felt desperate and ended her life by jumping into the fire.
Lord Siva became furious and smashed his hair against the ground giving birth to two terrifying figures, Sri Bhadrakali (Devi) and Virabhadra. They destroyed the yaga and killed Daksha (Devibhagavatham chapter 7). Therefore, Devi is believed to be a savior on call at times when one’s self-esteem is hurt.
History
Alumpeth Temple is the sacred seat of Sri Bhadrakali. Yogiswaran (former householder) of the Mulamoottil family was a devotee of Goddess Panayannarkavu who took Devi through penance in the 16th century at Alumpeth temple. Yogiswaran is the physical founder of this temple. Yogiswaran’s predecessors were Accountants General of the Kayamkulam dynasty and enjoyed power, wealth and all the virtues of feudalism. This was a glorious period in the history of the temple. In 1924AD the great family and wealth was divided into 7 branches and the 7th branch is the Alumpeth temple.
Eravankara Punchaman Madom Thirumeni is the thanthri (spiritual head) and this position is hereditary in that family. The temple committee, with the consent of thantri, appoints poojari and other temple employees from time to time.
Siva: Third of thrimoorthi (Hindu Holy Trinity) responsible for samharam (destruction). In the Alumpeth temple, Siva sits close to Devi. Purakuvilakku, Dhara and Mrithyunjaya pooja are important to Siva.
Ayyappa: Son of Siva in Vishnu. Ayyappa sits near Devi in the temple. During the sabarimala season, Ayyappa devotees sang at the temple to begin their sabarimala pilgrimage.
Veerabhadra: Devi’s brother, born along with her from Siva at the time of Daksha’s death.
Brahma Rakshas are considered to be part of Lord Vishnu.
Yakshi: Devi’s friend and helper. The young coconut is his favorite offering.
Nagaraja and Nagayakshi: King and queen of snakes worshiped in ancient Kerala Panoor Kavu, bush located 1 km. The southwest of the temple is also known for the cult of snakes.
Yogiswaran: Former family head and founder of the Alumpeth temple. The seat of it is Kadanath Kalari located at 600 m. south of the main temple.
Gandharwan (sky musician) also sits on Kadanath Kalari.
FESTIVALS
The main festival in this temple is on “Pathamudayom” (10th day of Medom month). It usually arrives on April 23 each year. The festival begins with a special pooja for the main and secondary gods. In the morning, the ladies offer “Pongal” to the goddess. Pongal is a custom where ladies cook pudding in the temple premises to fulfill their cherished dreams. Kalasam, ezhunnallathu are held during the day. In the evening there will be traditional cultural programs like Kathakali, Music Contest, Koothu, Theeyattu, etc. The festival ends the next day in the early morning with gurusi (holy sacrifice) and fireworks. Vijayadasami is another festival in this temple, it reads Devibhagavatham (epic text on Sree Bhadrakali). Children from nearby places are brought for vidyarambham (beginning of study). The spiritual chief writes alphabets in the language of children with gold.
During Sabarimala season (Vrichikam, Dhanu months) special Ayyappa Poojas are held. Ayyappa devotees sang here for Malayidil (beginnings of 2 months of penance for Ayyappa) and kettumuruckal (packing their bags for the sabarimala pilgrimage).
Other Hindu festivals like Onam, Vishu, Deepavali, Sivarathri, Bharani, Ayilyam, Ekadasi are also celebrated. The Rohini star of each month is also important here.
OFFERS
(A) Vazhipadu/offering
A short list of the main offers is provided. The rate mentioned is for 1 year. Devotees can reserve offerings by sending a check/money order made payable to the secretary, Alumpeth Devikshethram, Vathikulam, payable at Kayamkalam. This may be accompanied by a letter of introduction stating the item of offering, star/date of birth of the devotee. The puja offering will be held on the same date every month for a period of 1 year (12 pooja) and the prasadam (blessed remains of pooja) will be sent to the devotee by mail.
Ganapathy Homam: Special offering to Ganapathy (Vinayak) for removing barriers and adverse factors in life (Rs. 1250/- / $40).
Mrithyunjaya Homam: Word that means to overcome death. It is a Siva Puja performed with the aim of saving the life of a person whose life is threatened. It is considered that Lord Siva even dared to destroy the god of death to save his devotees (Rs. 1500 /-/ 50$).
Sathru Samhara Pooja: Special offering to Sri Bhadrakali for the total destruction of the enemy (Rs. 1500/- / $50).
Noorum Palum: Special offering to Nagaraja and Nagayakshi for the birth of children and the healthy growth of the next generation. (Rs.1500/- / $50).
Ayyappa Pooja: Excludes the devotee from bad luck due to the influence of Sani (Saturn). (RS.1500/- / $50).
Payasam/pudding for Veerabhadran (Rs. 200/-/$5).
Payasam/pudding for Brahmarakshasu (Rs. 200/-/$5).
Young coconut and varapodi for yakshi (Rs. 200/- / $5).
Full day pooja: for major and minor gods includes all items 1 – 8 and single pooja in the name of Sri Bhadrakali devotees (Rs. 10000/- / $250).
(B) Contributions
Devotees can also contribute to the development of the temple. Such recent contribution includes the contribution of a building from Mr. Pallickal Sunil. Another is an attractive temple protection wall built in memory of Panoor Kizhakkathil Thankamma Kunjamma and Thottathil Raghavan Unnithan.
Visit [http://www.geocities.com/alumpethtemple]
