Malamakkavu Ayyappa Temple, Palakkad, Kerala

About  Malamakkavu Ayyappa Temple

Malamakkavu Ayyappa Temple is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to lord Ayyappan, located in Anakkara Panchayath in Palakkad district of Kerala. A special flower called “Chengazhinir Poovu” which is traditionally used as offering to deity is found and grown only in the temple pond. This temple was depicted in the Malayalam movie Neelathamera, though the film was recorded elsewhere as no permission was given to shoot the film on the temple premises.

Location

The temple is located in Malamakkavu Desom. But the temple is not, as the name suggests, situated on top of a hill, but is located relatively lower in the region. This area is famous for its Thayambaka, a traditional percussion music instrument used in temple festivals.

Temple and its surroundings

The temple is one of the 108 Ayyappan temples in Kerala. Its main idol, Ayyappan is oriented to the east so that offerings can be made. Other idols are Bhagavathi and Lord Siva. The temple’s festival, “Thalapoli” is celebrated on the last Saturday of the month of Dhanu. The temple is owned and managed by the Zamindar family of Padinjarepat Nambiar clan. Temple pond is situated to the east of the premises.

Legends say that, if one prays with full heart and places offerings at the feet of the lord Ayyappa, the “Chengazhi Neer” flower, also known as “Neelathamara”, will bloom the very next day in the temple pond as a sign of God’s blessing. This legend associated with Malamakkavu Ayyappa temple plays a pivotal role in the film Neelathamara. Thiyattu Nambiars, who has the right to conduct the Thiyattu ceremony in Ayappan temples has a branch in Malamakkavu, where they live in the vicinity of Malamakkavu Temple.