Kumaranalloor Devi Temple

Getting there

• By air

  Cochin International Airport is the nearest airport to Kottayam district.

• By road

  The MC road is one of the major roads in Kottayam district. Kottayam city lies 5 km south of Kumaranalloor.

Why devotees come here

Kumaranalloor Devi Temple stands in Kumaranalloor, a suburb of Kottayam city on the banks of the Meenachil river. It is one of the most important Devi temples among Kerala's 108 Durgalayas. Its sanctum and nalambalam are built in the Sreechakra style.

Kumaranalloor Devi Temple is considered one of the most important Devi temples among the 108 Durgalayas, the Devi temples of Kerala. The temple is said to be more than 2400 years old, judging by historical and mythological evidence. In some ancient scripts it is known as Mahishari Kovil.

Legend says a divine light, the thejas, led a Brahmin priest from Madurai a long way until it reached this place. The priest stayed on as the temple priest. The place took the name Kumaranalloor because the sanctum was for the Devi, not for Kumara. Maharaja Swathi Thirunal's krithi Sri Kumara Nagaralaye is a popular composition about the deity. The temple is managed by Kumaranalloor Ooranma Devaswom, which has nine Ooranma Illams.

The nalambalam and the sanctum are built in the Sreechakra style, which is rarely found in temple architecture. The temple covers 15,000 square metres, surrounded by high walls. The walls of the sanctum carry paintings of gods, goddesses and scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata, coloured with natural colours and medicinal plants. Navarathri and Meena Pooram are also celebrated here.

Festivals

• Vrischikam monthThrikkarthika

  The main festival of the temple. The evening display of lights, called Karthika Vilakku, is its highlight.

Tips for your visit

• Besides the main gopuram facing east, high walls around the temple have gopurams on the south, west and north sides that are also entrances.
• Through the main gopuram you see the golden dhwajom (flag staff) and the balickal pura, whose pillars carry carved sculptures of Ganapathy and Shiva.

Questions people ask