![Gopuram](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/91/Gopuram_.jpg)
The magnificent ancient Devi temple is situated in
Urakam
Elthuruth is a residential area situated in the city of Thrissur in Kerala state of India. Elthuruth is Ward 45 of Thrissur Municipal Corporation. This is one of the most scenic suburbs of Thrissur corporation. The place is surrounded by paddy fi ...
, a serene village, located approximately about 12 km from
Thrissur
Thrissur (), formerly Trichur, also known by its historical name Thrissivaperur, is a city and the headquarters of the Thrissur district in Kerala, India. It is the third largest urban agglomeration in Kerala after Kochi and Kozhikode, and t ...
city and almost the same distance from
Irinjalakuda
Irinjalakuda is a municipal town in Thrissur district, Kerala, India. It is the headquarters of
Irinjalakuda Revenue Division and Mukundapuram (tehsil), Mukundapuram Taluk. After Thrissur, this town has most number of administrative, law-enfor ...
town when one travel towards Thrissur.
The famous temple situated there, is the first amongst the major 108
Durga
Durga ( sa, दुर्गा, ) is a major Hindu goddess, worshipped as a principal aspect of the mother goddess Mahadevi. She is associated with protection, strength, motherhood, destruction, and wars.
Durga's legend centres around c ...
temples, popularly called as "Ammathiruvadi Temple".
Urakam Ammathiruvadi Temple is an architectural marvel with its majestic Rajagopuram (ornamental gateways), Mathilkettu (compound walls), ootupura (feeding hall), nalambalam (building immediately surrounding the sanctum sanctorum), the double storied Shrikovil (sanctum sanctorum) and the serene atmosphere maintained at the inner temple.
The Valayadheeswari Temple or the more popularly known as Ammathiruvadi Temple of Urakam is the foremost of the 108 Durgaalayams (durga Temples) of Kerala. According to the
Puraanaas, Kerala was reclaimed by Lord
Parasurama
Parashurama (), also referred to as Rama Jamadagnya, Rama Bhargava and Veerarama, is the sixth avatar among the Dashavatara of the preserver god Vishnu in Hinduism. He is believed to be one of the ''Chiranjeevis'' (Immortals), who will appear ...
, the sixth avatar of Maha
vishnu
Vishnu ( ; , ), also known as Narayana and Hari, is one of the principal deities of Hinduism. He is the supreme being within Vaishnavism, one of the major traditions within contemporary Hinduism.
Vishnu is known as "The Preserver" withi ...
, from sea by throwing his parasu (axe) from Kanyakumari to Gokarna and divided this land to 64 the gramas. He realized that for the prosperity and well-being of this Bhargava Land, it was essential to have the benign blessings of Durga and identified 108 places for the temple. The locations of these temples represent the scattered body parts of Sati Devi, the consort of Lord Paramasiva, cut into pieces by Mahavishnu with his chakra to pacify
Siva after the incident-filled Dakshayaga.
History of Urakam Ammathiruvadi Temple :
According to the Kerala folklore, Poomulli Namboothiri (also sometimes referred to as Thiruvalayannur Bhattathiri) founded Ammathiruvadi temple about 700–1000 years ago. The temple site was once the location of the Namboothiri's household. Ūrakam was then a part of the Peruvanam village (one of the 64 villages of ancient Kerala).
Legend has it that during then, due to the atrocities and calamities happening within the Desham, elders suggested three prominent members from the community, viz, Valaya Bhattathiri, Kadalayil Namboothiri and then Komarathu Menon to travel to Kancheepuram and pray to goddess Kanchi Kamakshi and then please her and bring favourable solutions to ward off the evil effects happening that time. They all went and pleased with their prayers, happy with the devotion, Devi agreed to come with them to Urakam. Accordingly, Kanchi Kamakshi decided to come to Kerala on the palm leaf umbrella of Poomulli (Valayannur) Namboothiri. He reached home and placed the umbrella on the floor of his house. After a short nap, he came back and found that he was unable to take back the umbrella from the place where he kept. It was heavily grounded to the floor. Later upon further investigation it was confirmed that Kanchi Kamakshi was residing on that umbrella. The goddess came in Namboothiri's dreams that night and let him know that he was supposed to build a temple for the goddess, and leave Ūrakam towards North. She also let him know that he was to find an idol in a well far away and reinstate the goddess from the umbrella onto that idol. Namboothiri did as the goddess wished. He built the temple, after a short period of administration of the temple matters by the Poomulli family, he left all that he owned to the temple, and gave the administration to the Maharaja of Cochin. From then on the goddess was known as the Ammathiruvadi.
Later on the temple administration was transferred to
Cochin Devaswam Board, who takes care of it even now. Urakam Ammathiruvadi temple is an integral part of the 1400 year old
Arattupuzha Pooram
Arattupuzha Pooram is an Indian temple festival held at the Arattupuzha Temple in Arattupuzha, Thrissur district of Kerala. Visitors from nearby and far off places reach the village of Arattupuzha during the festival days. The pinnacle of the ...
festival. Arrattuppuzha pooram is called as Deva Mela, where all the gods and goddesses assemble together in the presence of Thriprayar Thevar (Sri
Rama
Rama (; ), Ram, Raman or Ramar, also known as Ramachandra (; , ), is a major deity in Hinduism. He is the seventh and one of the most popular '' avatars'' of Vishnu. In Rama-centric traditions of Hinduism, he is considered the Supreme Bein ...
), considered their head. According to the old customs continued by the family of Cochi Raja and then subsequently by the Kerala State, whenever, Ammathiruvadi travel outside the temple, i.e. for pooram or other festivals, she is supposed to be greeted with official "Guard of Honour" by the police. All festivities of this temple are taken care of a local committee with the guidance of Cochin Devaswom board.
Stories passed on from elders tell also that in those days, the idol installed by Poomulli Namboothiri was originally the Devi idol worshiped by Sri Rama before he went to war with Ravana. There are several historic connections one get to see in places nearer to Oorakam, supporting the claim that the village was part of ancient Hindu history. Due to the same connections, this village and all the adjacent villages carry a divine and prosperous aura throughout. Agricultural and other activities always flourish here.
It is also said that one family close to the temple became so devoted to the Devi that she was pleased with their bhakthi and from then on, the eldest member of this family - Vazhappilly - became the guard of Ammathiruvadi and wherever she goes, she will be accompanied by this member. This continues even now.
Since she came to Urakam on an umbrella made of palm leaf, whenever Ammathiruvadi's idol is carried out, it will be accompanied by a person carrying an umbrella made of palm leaf.
Festivals :
Ammathiruvadi Temple conducts five famous festivals annually. These are the Navaratri, Thrikkarthika, Pooram, Illam Nira and Vavarat. The Navarathri is a nine-day festival which is celebrated very grandly. This temple is decorated with lights, sounds and by flowers. The Thrikkarthika festival is celebrated as the birthday of Ammathiruvadi. On this occasion the goddess is dressed in silk cloths and adorns the temple jewels. The temple elephants are also decorated and take them for procession. The important feature of this festival is the grand feast given o more than 15,000 people's very year whoever comes on this festival occasion. It is said that, no one should go out of this temple with an empty stomach. The Pooram is an important event for cultural programs. This is a 13-day festival grandly celebrated with temple elephants and percussions. The festival is worth to enjoy as one can see the art and culture truly with the religious sentiments of the locals.
{{Hindu temples in Kerala
Hindu temples in Thrissur district