Thevakkal

Edappally - Pukkattupady Road, Thevakkal, Kochi

Thevakkal - NAD Road, Thevakkal, Kochi

Ponnakudam Bhagavathy temple is one of the oldest temple in Kalamassery Muncipality,The temple is located at Thevakkal in Kanayannur taluk of Ernakulam district in South Indian state of kerala. The temple is situated about 4 Km from Thrikkakara and 2 km from Kalamassery Government Medical College. It is spread across an area of 8.5 acres. Ponnakudam Bhagavathy Kshetram, is a traditional Hindu temple, dedicated to goddess Sree Vana Durga The major attraction of the temple is surrounded by thick forest. Many followers of the theory of kerala's genesis by parasurama firmly believe that he had established 108 Durga temples,108 Siva temples, numerous sastha temples, Ponnakudam Bhagavathi temple is one among the 108 Durga temples. Though enough historical evidences and authentic study materials are not available to support, it is believed that this temple dates back to more than 1200 years. Ponnakudathamma is believed to grant boons for extending prosperity to all the devotees. The goddess is worshiped for protecting the devotee from enemies, Sarpa Dosha, getting the unmarried girls married, obtaining job for the unemployed, salvation, wealth, relief from diseases, helping business flourish and local community also believe that Ponnakudam Bhagavathy Prasadam is capable of providing immunity against smallpox and similar contagious diseases. This popular belief and faith makes the temple visited by devotees from far locations.

The Ponnakkudam Kavu at Thevakkal on Edappally-Pukkattupady Road is a biodiversity-rich sacred grove with a unique eco-system managed by Sree Ponnakudam Bhagavathy Devaswom Trust.The sacred grove that is eight and a half acres in area, owned by the Ponnakudam family. Ponnakudam kavu has 4,600 different species of plants and trees and 19 out of them including Ateria indica, Holigarna, Arnotiana, Szygium travancoricum have been named in IUCN Red Data Book as endangered species. The temple is inside the grove, and an old aristocratic ‘ettukettu' (there are two inner spaces in an ettukettu, while there is one inner space, called a nadumuttam' in a naalukettu) close by, the tharavad of the Ponnakudam family.

Ponnakudom Bhagavathy Devasom Trust is a family trust formed to look after the temple and grove.

Sub-deities

There are many Upadevathas (sub-deities) adjacent to the temple, and a few Prathishtas were either revamped or added according to the Deva Prashnam by expert astrologers recently.

The main Upadevathas in the temple premises are

• Bhadrakali

•Sastavu (Ayyappan)

•Nagarajavu (King of Serpents)

•Naga Yakshi (is the divine consort of Lord Nagaraja)(Manjalppodi, Noorum ppalum,Pattu Charthal are the offerings to Nagaraja and Nagayakshi)

•Rakshas (a fierce super natural creature who feed on humans)

•Brahma Rakshas (is the spirit of a scholarly brahmin who lived an evil and suffered an unnatural death) etc.

Beside there is a Sarpakavu( a traditional natural sacred space)

TIME OF DHARSHANAM

6.00 AM to 9.30 AM

5.30 PM to 7.30 PM Special weekly days are Tuesday and Friday

The Festivals

The Thalappoli Maholsavam is celebrated on the Malayalam month of Meenam 13 to 15 (Usually on March). The 3 day celebration consists of annual rituals, Processions of richly caparisoned elephants and cultural programmes. The key day of Thalappoli is celebrated on the third day on Karthika Star. on the day of thalappoli the elephant will be selected for placing the 'Thidampu'(Procession idol of the Holy Mother) Escorted by the beat of Chenda, the procession circles the temple thrice. Then starts the Panchavadyam Performance in the elephant stage (Aanapanthal). Chenda Melam( Beating of the traditional drums along with accompanying instruments) starts at 5pm in the evening and the program will be over by around 1am followed by the fire work. after that melshanthi escorted with Nadaswaram after showing lighted camphor receives the 'Holy Mother' back to the temple.

Kalamezhuthum Pattum On the Third day of Thalapoli Maholsavam Kalamehuthum Pattum will be performed in the presence of many Pilgrims. Kalamezhuthum pattum is a ritual offering to the god, figures of goddesses are drawn on the floor using powders. Songs are rendered to appease the figures/deities. Coloured powders are used for preparing the kalam.

Prathistadhinam The most important festival of the temple prathistadhinam are celebrated during the month of Kumbammasam 29(march month)

Ayilyam Pooja Every month on the day of Ayillyam star a grand pooja is being conducted with great religious observances to appease all Naga Gods including Nagaraja,Nagakanya and their retinue. Being a pompous experience, most of the devotees take part in it to accomplish the ritual without any lapse. It is auspicious to do this pooja at least once for three consecutive years in order to achieve desired things in life.

Mandala Pooja Special offerings to 'Sree Dharma Sastha' for 41 days starting from 1st of 'vrischikam', the fourth malayalam month.

Vishukkanni Aranged on the vishu morning (in the month of medam)

Vidyarambham Offering to goddess 'Saraswathi' from 'Durgashtami' to 'Vijayadasami'

Trikarthika "The festival of lights" is celebrated on Pournami day(Karthika) in the month of Vrichikam(Nov/Dec) every year. Number of lights are lightened on that day evening by the devotees.

How to Reach

Nearest Bus Stop: 50 meters from Thevakkal Bus Stop

Nearest Railway Station: Aluva (8 KM), Ernakulam North (13 KM), Ernakulam South (17 KM)

Airport: 19 KM from Cochin International Airport