Karikkakom Chamundi Devi Temple
Karikakam Sri Chamundi Temple is one of the oldest and most famous temples in Kerala. The famous Karikakam Devi Darshan Temple is located on the banks of the river Parvati Puthanar, 5 km northwest of the Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple in the city of Thiruvananthapuram. The temple enshrines a Panchaloha idol of the goddess Karikkakathamma – an incarnation of Chamundi. The rare fact about this temple is that Chamundi Devi is worshiped here in three different forms: Maha Chamundi, Raktha Chamundi, and Bala Chamundi. During the period of King's rule this temple was the venue for imparting justice and truth. Truth and justice were tested on oath and solemnization and the punishments meted out accordingly.
The goddess resides in the main sanctum sanctorum of the temple. In the past, the Kalamaan (Horned deer) with a silver face was in the corner of the horn It was an idol in the pedestal. In the astrological verdict, it was found that the devotees needed to install the idol to see the image of the goddess and offer prayers. Subsequently, according to the thachu shastra ruling, the old sanctum sanctorum is built in the same size and the goddess is installed in the Panchaloha (5 Metal Alloy) idol as per the Astrology.
It is advisable to offer blood flowers and darshan to the goddess on 13th consecutive Fridays to get rid of the doshas.
Location
Karikakam
Main Deity
Goddess Chamundeshwari Devi
Other Deities
Lord Sastha (Ayyappa), Lord Ganapathi, Yakshiyamma, Goggess Bhuvaneshvari, Ayiravalli and Yogeeswaran
Festivals
Pongala is the annual festival which is celebrated in the month of Meenam for seven days. The idol of Devi is carried out in a golden chariot around the temple on the day before Pongala and thousands of devotees gather to witness it. Mandala Vratham - Festival in connection with the annual Utsavam of Sabarimala, Vinayaka Chathurthi, Pooja Vaypu - Identical to Dussera festival (Saraswathy Pooja and Vidyarambham), Sivarathri, Karthika - Karthika Deepam, Ayilya Milk, flowers etc. offered to serpent God and special rites, Aiswarya Pooja - On all full moon (Pournami) days, Shasta Pratishta Dinam - Every year in the month of Makaram on the Rohini day Shasta Pratishta Dinam is celebrated in the temple. Vishu Kani - On the first day of the month of Medam people come here for the Vishukani Darshanam.
Main Offerings
Kadumpayasam, Archana, Rakta Pushparchana, Swayamvaraarchana, Sahasrana Marchana, Milk Payasam, Panchamritabhishekam, Ghee Lamp, Vettu Nivedyam, Pournami Puja, Saricharth, Ptipanam Varal, Udayadakal Nercha.
How To Reach
By Air: Trivandrum International Airport is situated at 3.2KM from the temple.
By Rail: Trivandrum Central Railway Station is 7.5KM from the Temple.
By Road: Trivandrum KSRTC Bus Station is 8.3KM from the Temple.