Malayapuzha, the Village of a Popular Temple in Kerala

Malayalapuzha is a village located outside the suburbs of the city Pathanamthitta in Kerala.
The village is placed at a distance of about 7 km from Pathanamthitta central junction and at a distance of 5 km from Kumbazha junction. The main highlight about this village is the Malayalapuzha Devi temple. The village has been named after this temple. This temple is considered to believe to be over 800 years old. Sri Kandeswari Moorthi Temple is another important temple in this region that is located at a short distance from the Malayapuzha Devi Temple. Devotees visit this temple before going to the Baghavaty Amma Temple.

Malayapuzha Temple

The Malayapuzha Devi temple is also known as the Bhagwaty temple and is a popular pilgrimage centre. The Goddesses of this temple is considered to grant boons to her devotees and also assist them in realizing their dreams. The chief attraction of this temple is the wall paintings and the stone carvings. Hundreds of devotees come to this temple weekly, with Tuesday and Friday being the popular ones for the darshan of Goddess Bhadrakali, a form of the Goddess Parvati. The Goddess is popularly known as Malayalapuzha amma or Malayapuzha mother. A peculiar thing about this temple is that one in every four devotees is either Muslim or Christian. Though it is a Hindu temple, the non-Hindus have been visiting this temple since a long time ago and till date they believe in the blessings of the Goddess of this temple. Rather, the numbers of the non-Hindu devotees have even increased as the years have passed by. The increasing numbers of the noon- Hindu devotees in this temple is just the simple example of the popularity of the Malayapuzha Devi temple. People visiting this temple believe that with the blessings of the Goddess Bhadrakali, the unmarried get married. Other believes regarding the Goddess of the temple is that she protects her devotees from their enemies, help enhance business, get employment and in general providing success in all aspects of life to all her devotees. Special pujas are conducted in this temple in driving away all kinds of evil spirits. During the worship of the Devi and pujas only a certain kind of red flower is used, which is known as "Raktha Pushpanjali".

To the east of the temple is Lord Brahma Rakshas who is believed to let free the devotees from devils, ghost, and evils. The devotees visiting this temple also believe that by pouring tender coconut water on the Swayambu Siva Lingam located in the temple, will result in immediate rain.

Special Features

The idol of the main Goddess of this temple seems very ferocious. The idol of the Goddess has eight hands, with one leg placed on Vetala and the other one placed a step back. The total height of this idol is 5 ft tall. One can also see an idol of Vera Bhadra inside the temple. Another speciality about this temple is the idol of Parvathy holding baby Ganesh in her lap.

Other interesting feature about this temple is Thoniyari Payasam. Devotees offer it to the Goddess to recover their stolen goods. Other offerings in this temple are tobacco, camphor, canut and betel leaves. These offerings are given to the diety to fulfill the wishes of the devotees.

A special offering to the Goddess is Malayalappuzha Thoopu. It is offered by the farmers in which they offer half of their harvest to the Goddess and take a cloth from the temple and write on it that the crops belong to the Goddess.

How to Reach

By Air: The nearest airport to Malayalapuzha is Cochin international airport, located at a distance of about 113 k.

By Rail: The nearest railway station to this place is Thiruvalla railway station, located at a distance of about 8 km.

By Road: The place is easily accessible by bus from Pathanamthitta, located at a distance of about 7 km. The village is also connected with other major places in the city.