Shree Tharamekavu Bhagavathy Temple Choorakkad, Thripunithura, Ernakulam

Sri Tharamekkavu Bhagavathy Temple is one of the important Devi temples in Thrippunithura, also known as Poornavedapuri. The temple is located at Choorakkad (Shanthi Nagar, Vaikom Road) in Thrippunithura, Ernakulam district. Kovilparambu in Ambalappuzha is regarded as the original site of the temple.

This local temple has a historical connection with the royal family of Thrippunithura, the former capital of the Cochin Kingdom and with the management of the Sree Poornathrayeesa Temple. When some prominent Brahmin families (Manas) from Ambalappuzha moved to Thrippunithura during the rule of the Cochin kings, they brought and consecrated the deity they worshipped as their family deity here. The temple later developed on this family-owned property on Vaikom Road in Thrippunithura. Historically managed by the Ooranmar (Ooralans), the temple is now managed by the Tharamekkavu Bhagavathy Temple Welfare Trust, a group formed by devotees.

A devotee from Kovilparambu in Ambalappuzha regularly travelled there to worship his family deity, Bhagavathy. As he grew old and could no longer travel to Ambalappuzha, he bid a tearful farewell to the Devi and returned to Thrippunithura carrying his palm-leaf umbrella. When he reached Choorakkad, he placed the umbrella on the ground to rest, but later could not lift it. A prasnam conducted by astrologers revealed that Bhagavathy had travelled from Ambalappuzha to Thrippunithura with the devotee in the palm-leaf umbrella. Worship then began by invoking the Devi’s sword and anklet on the sacred ground beneath a banyan and mango tree. A shrine was later built over this sacred ground and the Devi was consecrated there. This is how the temple came to be known as Tharamekkavu.

From Vaikom Road, a large entrance gate can be seen welcoming devotees to the temple. The gate has a roof with beautiful carvings and is decorated with lamps during festivals. The banyan tree and sacred grove associated with the temple legend can also be seen from outside. On entering through the main gate, there is a large Aanappandal, with a large stone lamp pillar beneath it.

At the centre of the temple is the main square-shaped Sreekovil, built in the traditional Kerala style. It has a granite base, laterite stone walls and a tiled roof. In front, there is a stone-carved Sopana with steps and a stone Pranala for draining the Abhisheka water. The Sreekovil is surrounded by a Nalambalam with a lamp tower and a Balikkalpura with a large sacrificial stone. Bhadrakali, a form of Adi Parashakti, is the main deity. The temple has a rare eight-armed Ashtabahu idol carved from black stone. Veerabhadra is also present in the main Sreekovil along with the Devi. The sword and anklet associated with the legend of Ambalappuzha are worshipped in the Sreekovil as symbols of the Devi’s presence. Moolaganapathy is installed in the south-west corner of the Nalambalam, facing east, while Dharmasastha has a separate Sreekovil along the outer circumambulatory path. Outside the Nalambalam, there are shrines for Veera Hanuman, Subrahmanya and Ambalappuzha Krishna. Vettakkorumakan, Mariyamma and Shilpaguru also have special places within the temple premises.

The temple’s main annual festival is held every year in the month of Vrischikam (November–December) and begins with the hoisting of the festival flag. Special poojas, Valiya Guruthi and Thalappoli are held during the festival. Thrikarthika, which falls on the Karthika star day in Vrischikam, is another important occasion. On this day, the temple and its surroundings are decorated with traditional oil lamps and special offerings and Deeparadhana are performed for the Devi. The 41-day Mandala season, from the first day of Vrischikam to Dhanu 11, is also important, with special poojas, Shani Pooja and Vilakku for Ayyappan. Special poojas are held during Navaratri and Vidyarambham is conducted on Vijayadashami. Tuesdays and Fridays in every Malayalam month are also considered important days for the Devi. During the month of Karkidakam, Ramayana Parayanam and Bhagavathi Seva are performed as offerings at the temple.

The main offerings include Valiya Guruthi, Chathussatham, Thalappoli, Rakthapushpanjali and Pattu Charthal. Valiya Guruthi is performed to calm the fierce form of the Devi and to remove Shathru Dosham and Drishti Dosham. Chathussatham is an offering in which a large quantity of Kadumpayasam, a favourite offering of the Devi, is prepared and offered. Women perform Thalappoli for marital blessings and prosperity. Rakthapushpanjali is performed with red flowers to remove obstacles and Shathru Dosham and to fulfil wishes. In Pattu Charthal, silk cloth is offered to the Devi for prosperity in the family. Among the offerings to other deities, Ganapathi Homam is performed for Moolaganapathy, while Appam Moodal and Karimkalabhishekam are performed for Hanuman Swami. Palabhishekam is offered to Subrahmanya Swami and Neerajanam with sesame wicks is performed for Ayyappan to remove Shani Dosham. Noorum Palum is offered to the Naga deities to remove Naga Dosham.

The temple opens at 05:00 AM with Nirmalya Darshan. Abhishekam and Malar Nivedyam are performed at 05:30 AM, followed by Usha Pooja at 06:15 AM, Ethirettu Pooja at 07:00 AM, Pantheeradi Pooja at 08:15 AM and Ucha Pooja at 10:00 AM. The temple closes at 10:30 AM. It reopens at 05:30 PM, followed by Deeparadhana at sunset and Athazha Pooja at around 07:30 PM. The temple closes at 08:00 PM. Pooja timings may change on festival days and special occasions such as Navaratri, Thrikarthika and the Mandala season.

Sacred History & Spiritual Significance

This sacred temple stands as a testament to deep spiritual devotion, ancient architectural grandeur, and rich local cultural traditions.

Temple Sanctum & Architecture

The sanctum sanctorum houses the divine idol consecrated according to ancient Vedic traditions, surrounded by serene courtyards and traditional temple architecture.