Karnaki Amman Temple
Karnaki Amman Temple is a Temple situated at Moonthara in Palakkad Town. The temple is also known as Sri Kachanam Kulam Thirupuraikkal Bhagawathy Temple and Thirupuraikkal Temple. It is Kerala's one and only Karnaki Temple where goddess Karnaki is worshiped in her full Idolic-Form and divine glory.
The moolasthanam (the root place) where goddess Karnaki is worshiped is at nadupathimannam at moothanthara(MarketPlace). Once this temple was very well maintained and people from other neighboring places also came to worship Karnaki (being only one around at that time). It is observed from the history that the Muslim Ruler Tippu Sultan, son of Hyder Ali destroyed this temple during his reign at palakkad. Devotees gathered to save the possessions of temple to avoid idolic destruction. Her full idolic-form is taken by her own sect moothan's and worshipped at Karnaki Amman temple Moothanthara, her other idolic symbols are worshipped at Vadakkanthara Bhagwathy temple,another Kannaki amman temple in the marketplace and Pirayiri kannukottu bagwathy temple. All other karnaki temples at palakkad has its basic connection with Moothanthara Karnaki Amman Temple
One of the main attractions of this temple is the way in which the traditional pooja rituals are performed in the goddess karnaki's temple and the Visalakshi Sametha Shiva Temple (Siva-Parvathy Temple) worshipped in the same compound. For goddess Karnaki, Kerala form of pooja practices are done by Kerala Brahmins (Namboothiri's) and in Siva Temple Tamil Shaiva form of Pooja practices are carried out by Tamil Brahmin Priests. This unique cultural blend is one of the rarest found in the state of Kerala. Devotees can feel and enjoy this cultural mix while they visit this temple and came out after their prayers.
Location
Moonthara
Main Deity
Goddess Karnaki (Goddess Shakti)
Other Deities
Lord Siva, Goddess Parvathy & Ganapathy
Festivals
The main festival Valiya Aarattu is celebrated in the Malayalam month of Medam.
Main Offerings
Annadhanam.
How To Reach
By Air: Cochin International Airport is the nearest airport situated at 105KM from the Temple.
By Road: Palakkad KSRTC Bus station is 2.3KM from the Temple.
By Rail: Palakkad Junction Railway Station is 3.8KM from the Temple.