Ammathiruvadi Temple

Ammathiruvadi Temple.

Ammathiruvadi Temple is located about 12 km away from Thrissur town in Kerala state, south India, in the village of Ūrakam. It is regarded as one of the great 108 Durga temples.

Folklore

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 Namboothiri went to Kanchipuram to visit the Kamakshi Amman Temple, and, happy with the devotion of the Namboothiri, Kanchi Kamakshi decided to come to Kerala on his palm leaf umbrella. He reached home and placed the umbrella on the floor of his house. When he came back later he was unable to take back the umbrella. It was heavily grounded to the floor. Later upon further investigation it was revealed 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. 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, 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.Ammathiruvadi will always participate in pooram festivals with the presence of Chathakudam Sree Dharma Sastha

Architecture

The temple consists of the two majestic and lofty Gopurams (ornamental gateways), the Mathilkettu (compound walls), Ootupura (feeding hall), Naalambalam (building immediately surrounding the sanctum sanctorum) and the double storied Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum).

Events

The Makeeram Porapādu is one of the grand events of the Temple. It is regarded as the beginning of Ammathiruvadi’s journey for the Ārāttupuzha Pooram. Ammathiruvadi plays an important role in the pooram. Ammathiruvadi returns only after days of festivities.

Karthika Purapadu

See also

• Temples of Kerala

References

• Sankunni, Kottarathil (1996). Urakath Ammathiruvadi, Aithhyamala. Thrissur: Current Books.