Kuzhalmannam Agraharam

Thrikkarthika (Karthikai)- the Festival of Lights

As you know the Thrikkarthika is defined as the Festival of Lights.

In Central Travancore,there is a famous Bhagavathi temple at Kumaranalloor.Kumaranalloor Bhagavathi temple is situated in the perumbaicadu Village of Kottayam Taluk,nearly 5 kilometers from Kottayam town,and also equal distance from the famous Ettumanoor Mahadeva temple .The ten day's festival at the temple begins in the month of Vrischigam and ends in the day of Thrikkarthika. 

Legend has it that the Bhagawati temple at Kumaranallur nearby was originally intended for Subramanya and the temple at Udayanapuram near Vaikom was originally constructed for Bhagawati and was known as Udayanayakeepuram. It is believed that Bhagawati occupied the temple intended for Kumaran, at Kumaranalloor and hence her temple town took on the name Kumaran-alla-ooru (not for Kumaran). In conjunction with this legend, Bhagavathy Sevai is conducted at the Subramanya temple at Udayanapuram.It's history.The Bhagavathy is originally Madhurai Meenakshy.Both these temples were constructed by Chempakassery Raja.

Now the Temple is owned by a few Nampoothiri families.(Known as Uranma Kshethram )The temple is held in high esteem by the local people of nearby Kumaranalloor and it's construction is like the temples in Tamilnadu.  the important festival is Thrikkarthika,which celebrated in the month of Vrischigam ( November,December).On the Karthika day it is usual to make a Special Nivedyam (Offering ) for Bhagavathy at Udayanapuram and also at Thrissur Vadakkumnatha temples.the Story goes that the Gods in these two temples,(Lord Shiva and Lord Muruga)were greatly charmed by the beauty of the Bhagavathy returning after the Thrikkarthika Bath.They came out of the temples and stood outside looking the bright figure of the Bhagavathy.It's history.

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