Sarkara Devi Temple

Getting there

• By air

  Fly into Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, the nearest airport to Chirayinkeezhu town.

• By train

  Chirayinkeezhu railway station is the nearest railway station to the town.

• By road

  Frequent private buses connect Chirayinkeezhu with Attingal, Kadakkavur and Varkala.

Why devotees come here

Sarkara Devi Temple stands in Chirayinkeezhu town, Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala. It is dedicated to Bhadrakali, a form of Devi Durga, and is described as one of the most important temples in South India. Legend ties its Kaliyoot festival to a king's vow of victory.

Legend says King Marthanda Varma of Travancore prayed to Bhadrakali for victory before his war with Kayamkulam. He vowed to hold a Kaliyoottu in front of the temple if he won, and the legend ties the festival to that vow. The temple is described as one of the most important in South India, and its main deity is Bhadrakali.

Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma, the Travancore sovereign, introduced the Kaliyoot festival here in 1748. Kaliyoot is the chief festival of the temple. It falls in the Malayalam month of Kumbham, which is February or March. The festival lasts nine days, with rituals and traditional ceremonies in the temple premises.

The festival story says that on the eighth day, Bhadrakali herself goes out in search of the demon king Darika. She returns at the end of the day without finding him.

Festivals

• February or March, in the Malayalam month of KumbhamKaliyoot

  The chief festival, with nine days of rituals and traditional ceremonies in the temple premises.

• March to AprilMeenabharani Mahotsavam

  Another festival that makes the temple the center of attraction. It is held for ten days.

Tips for your visit

• The road from Chirayinkil to Varkala runs via Kadakkavoor and passes Anjengo Fort.
• Kaliyoot follows the Malayalam calendar, so check the month before you plan a visit.

Questions people ask