South India Temples

Alumpeth temple is an ancient kalari temple of Sri Bhadrakali (Devi), located at Vathikulam, a remote but beautiful village in Kerala state of South India. Vathikulam village is accessable by road travelling 7 kms towards east from Kayamkulam town. Kayamkulam is a well known town on national highway 47 about 108 kms towards north of Trivandrum and 110 kms towards south from Cochin. Kayamkulam is well connected by railway also.

Motive behind the incarnation of Sribhadrakali (Devi) is to save the gods from insult and despair, people worship her in times of dejoice, neglect and impending emotional distress. Devi is also known to be a goddess on call at times when life is in risk and existence is felt to be impossible. Since Alumpeth temple is in the form of ancient Indian Kalari (school of literal and martial arts) people depend her when their progress in educational, cultural, scientific and legal endeavours are thwarted by enemies or negative situational factors.

Irrespective of size or amount, devotees offer anything under the sun to Devi. Offerings range from a garland or flower to an elephant. Fridays and Tuesdays are very important for this prayer. For resolving long standing problems, one has to better follow Velliyazhcha Vritham (Friday Fasting Prayer). The program starts on thursday after evening bath, taking no solid food other than fruits from thursday evening to saturday morning. Intoxicants, non-vegetarian food and sex should be avoided during these hours, should bath twice a day and chant the above manthra, this should be continued for any number of weeks until desired outcome is received. This prayer has high significance from naturopathic and yogic perspective also.

Mythology
Lord Siva married Sati, daughter of king Daksha and were living happily at kailas. Daksha conducted a yaga (grand ceremony and feast to gods) where Siva and Sati were not invited. Despite of Siva's admonishment, Sati attended the yaga expecting her parents would apologize and receive her. But she was neglected and insulted in public. Sati felt desperate and ended her life jumping into the fire.

Lord Siva turned furious and bang his hair on earth giving birth to two frightening figures, Sri Bhadrakali(Devi) and Virabhadra. They destroyed the yaga and killed Daksha (Devibhagavatham 7th chapter). Hence Devi is believed to be a savior on call at times when ones esteem is injured.

History

Alumpeth temple is the holy seat of Sri Bhadrakali. Yogiswaran (ancient family chief) of Mulamoottil family was a devotee of Panayannarkavu goddess who brought Devi through penence in 16th century to Alumpeth temple. Yogiswaran is the physical founder of this temple. Yogiswaran's predecessors where accountant generals of kayamkulam dynasty and enjoyed immence power, wealth and all virtues of feudalism. This was a glorious period in the history of temple. In 1924AD the grand family and wealth were divided into 7 branches and the 7th branch is Alumpeth temple. Eravankara Punchaman Madom Thirumeni is the thanthri (spiritual chief) and this position runs hereditary in that family. Temple committee with the consent of thantri appoints poojari and other temple employees from time to time.

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