 Irumkulangara Durga Devi Temple is a Hindu temple located in Thottam, Manacaud, Thiruvananthapuram, and Kerala. It is one of the most ancient temples that is situated about two kilometres to the southeast of Padmanabhaswami Temple in Thiruvananthapuram city. There are two ponds that are located in the premises of the temple. It is from here that the temple got its name, "irum" means two and "kulam" means pond. The temple located in the midst of scenic beauty and natural greenery is visited by many devotees from different places.
Irumkulangara Durga Bhagavathi Temple is believed to have some associations with the Padmanabhaswami Temple. It is said that earlier priests from Padmanabhaswami Temple arrived at Irumkulangara by country boats for the purpose of performing pooja and rituals. Architecture of Irumkulangara Durga Devi Temple Irumkulangara Durga Devi Temple has been beautifully decorated and designed. There is pond in which one can see the reflection of the temple. The temple is under the control of Sree Irumkulangara Durga Devi Temple Trust. The temple does not offer Red coloured flowers, except thetti. Other flowers such as tulsi, jasmine, lotus, Nandyarvattom, etc. are used. The temple had been recently repaired and renovated under the guidance of noted Vastu Shasthra expert Kanippayyur Krishnan Namboodiripad. It has been adorned with a new chuttambalam and sivelippura. This is an excellent feature of Kerala Vasthu Vidya. The temple architect was Manacaud S Narayanamoorthy. Deities of Irumkulangara Durga Devi Temple The main deity of Irumkulangara Durga Devi Temple is Goddess Durga. The deity here appears as Durgabhagavathi, an avatar of AdiParasakthi. Apart from the main deity there are many other upadevathas (sub-deities) adjacent to the temple like the Lord Ganesha, Nagaraja, Brahmarakshassu, Maadan Thampuran, Sri Bhairava Moorthy and Navagrahas. The temple also houses a kavu (grove) which has the serpent gods. The temple kavu was awarded by Kerala Government Department of Forest and Wildlife as one of the best maintained. Recently a Nakshtravanam (trees relating to birth stars) was created by the temple. Festivals of Irumkulangara Durga Devi Temple The Irumkulangara Durga Devi Temple celebrates many festivals throughout the year. During this time the temple is beautifully decorated with lights and flowers. The Painkuni Mahothsavam is the major festival of the temple. It is held in the month of March and is celebrated for almost 10 days. It concludes with Pongala and Ezhunnallathu. In 2011, Painkuni Mahothsavam was celebrated from March 29 to April 8. The main Ulsavam was on April 7. Apart from this there are many other festivals that are celebrated. Mandala Vratham is the festival celebrated in connection with the annual Utsavam of Sabarimala. Vinayaka Chathurthi is celebrated in honour of Lord Ganesha. Pooja Vaypu is like the Dussehra festival. The festival of Kartika is celebrated during Kazhchakula Samarpanam, Navakabhishekam, Karthika Pongala, Annadhanam. During the Ayilya Pooja milk, flowers etc. are offered to the serpent god. Ayilyolsavam, Ramayana Parayanam and Bhagavathi Seva and Vavu Bali are also celebrated by the temple authorities. (Last Updated on : 23-12-2015) |
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