Major Vellayani Devi Temple
The Vellayani Devi is a highly revered shrine in Kerala, India, dedicated to goddess Bhadrakali. The shrine is situated in Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram on the eastern bank of Vellayani Lake. The temple structure has a bronze roof with traditional artwork and carries Dravidian architecture. The temple has eastern, and northern towers called Gopurams with statues of different Gods sculptured in them. The Gopurams function as gateways through the walls that surround the temple complex.
Vellayani Devi Temple is renowned for celebrating the longest non-Pilgrimage festival of South India and the duration of the festival is around 56 to 65 days. This festival is held every three years.
The deity, as per the scriptures is a form of Shiva's wrath. Goddess Kali is situated toward the north (vadakke nada). The idol is known in the local Malayalam language as Thirumudi. The idol of the Goddess in the Vellayani temple is one of the largest among the idols of Kerala Kali temples. The idol is four and a half feet in height as well as width. Pure gold and precious stones decorate the frontal view of the idol.
Legend says that a Kollan (blacksmith) named Kelan Kulasekhara saw a frog with divine spirit of Goddess near Vellayani Lake. He caught the divine frog with the help of his assistant who belonged to a low caste. They brought the matter to the Nair chieftains of the locality and with their help Kulasekhara consecrated the Thiru Mudi (idol) in which divine spirit is evoked. The right to perform Uchabali (a ritual connected with festival of the temple) is still held by the Nair families. Priest of the temple is not belonging to Brahmin community but a selected person belonging to the Kollan (blacksmith) community.
In the temple Antler is also worshipped. The circulating notion about this is that the antler serves as a medium to invoke the spirit of the divinity at a new-built temple. One of the antlers kept in the Sanctum sanctorum oriented towards the east is from the Thekkathu.
Location
Kalliyur
Main Deity
Goddess Bhadrakali
Other Deities
Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesh and Nagaraja, Madanthampuran
Festivals
Kaliyoottu Mahotsavam- the duration of the festival is around 56 to 65 days & is held every 3 years, Pongal.
Main Offerings
Madhu Pooja is the special pooja performed to the Goddess.
How To Reach
By Air: Trivandrum International Airport is situated at 15.8KM from the temple.
By Rail: Trivandrum Central Railway Station is 9.1KM from the Temple.
By Road: Trivandrum KSRTC Bus Station is 8.7KM from the Temple.