Ammachiveedu Muhurthi

Ammachiveedu Muhurthi is a Hindu temple located in the Kollam district of the state of Kerala. It is believed that this temple is almost 600 years old. The most important festival celebrated here is the Dhanu festival that is celebrated for a 10 days. As per historical record the temple had been founded by the Ammachi Veedu family, the aristocrats from Kollam. The temple of Ammachiveedu Muhurthi does not house any idol. It is dedicated to the guru of the Dharma Sastra. The Ammachiveedu Muhurthi temple does not follow any caste bar; hence it is used by worshippers of various castes and creeds.

Structure of Ammachiveedu Muhurthi
The Ammachiveedu Muhurthi has been built in a simple way. The garbhagriha or the sanctum sanctorum of the temple is small in size. It measures only 4 feet by 4 feet, by 6 feet tall. A Peedam or a small platform can also be seen here. It is clad with silver plate on which the deity is seen standing. Two Shankha, in golden covers, are placed over the Peedam. Apart from the main deity the temple also houses many other idols like Lord Ganesha, Rektha Chamundi, Paramparu, Yakshi, Marutha, Rekshas, Gandharvan, Vethalam and Yogeshwaran. There is another deity Ginnu that has been installed outside the temple. It is worshipped by the Muslim community. There is a Sarpakavu, or snake grove adjacent to the temple. It has the images of Parappooramma Bhagavathi, Nagaraja, Nagayakshi, and Naga Kanyaka installed in it.

Festivals of Ammachiveedu Muhurthi
Ammachiveedu Muhurthi celebrates many festivals and pujas during which the temple is beautifully decorated with lights and flowers. The ceremonies of Sarpa Bali i.e. sacrifice of snakes and Noorum Palum i.e. making offerings to snakes are conducted by the priest from the Pampummekkattu Mana, in Mala, in the Thrissur district. The main festival that is celebrated in the temple does not fall on any specific date. It is celebrated during Dhanu, which runs from mid December to early January. It is always held after the Mandala Puja at the Sabarimala Dharma Shastra temple. The main puja is conducted on the 10th day by the Karanavan i.e. the eldest male in the family. A Kalam is prepared specially for the puja and boiled Ninam is offered to the deity.