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Sri MAHISHASURA MARDINI Temple - VAAL VACCHA GOSHTAM -II
The main deity was Mahishasura mardini and the yakshi was offered
a place in the north east part of the temple – with in the naalambalam.
The place where Variyar initially placed the 2 deities was made
as a 4 pillar mandapam. This mandapam is made up of wood of maruda tree –
as initially the 2 deities rested under a maruda tree . Twice in a year – durng
Thirukarthikaa and during the annual 10 day festival, the yakshi gets offerings.
On Thrikarthika, Devi is ritualistically escorted from this mandapam into the temple.
Thulabaram, nava kalasa puja, oblation offer to devi (devi padukkai –
a typical offer style in kanyaumari dist), and devi avahana puja (tantric puja)
are done in this mandapam.
Hence the sanctity of the temple is equally distributed to both the places –
the main srikovil and this maruda mandapam. This is a very rare phenomenon
found in this temple, that we rarely see anywhere else.
Recent practices =
Travancore kings – right from the Anizhom Thirunaal Marthanda Varma –
had it a practice to place his sword in front of the Devi here, seek her blessings ,
before proceeding to any war. This temple is of great importance to the
Travancore royal family, that, the next heir to the throne will come to this temple,
seek her blessings and then only gets into the coronation ceremony.
INSCRIPTIONS :
There are quite a few inscriptions in this temple, inscribed in Tamil, Granta,
Sanskrit, Vattezhethu language forms.
continue.............
The main deity was Mahishasura mardini and the yakshi was offered
a place in the north east part of the temple – with in the naalambalam.
The place where Variyar initially placed the 2 deities was made
as a 4 pillar mandapam. This mandapam is made up of wood of maruda tree –
as initially the 2 deities rested under a maruda tree . Twice in a year – durng
Thirukarthikaa and during the annual 10 day festival, the yakshi gets offerings.
On Thrikarthika, Devi is ritualistically escorted from this mandapam into the temple.
Thulabaram, nava kalasa puja, oblation offer to devi (devi padukkai –
a typical offer style in kanyaumari dist), and devi avahana puja (tantric puja)
are done in this mandapam.
Hence the sanctity of the temple is equally distributed to both the places –
the main srikovil and this maruda mandapam. This is a very rare phenomenon
found in this temple, that we rarely see anywhere else.
Recent practices =
Travancore kings – right from the Anizhom Thirunaal Marthanda Varma –
had it a practice to place his sword in front of the Devi here, seek her blessings ,
before proceeding to any war. This temple is of great importance to the
Travancore royal family, that, the next heir to the throne will come to this temple,
seek her blessings and then only gets into the coronation ceremony.
INSCRIPTIONS :
There are quite a few inscriptions in this temple, inscribed in Tamil, Granta,
Sanskrit, Vattezhethu language forms.
continue.............