A Story from my Travel Diary
The magnificent Temple of Paramekkavu Bhagavathi Amma stants in the heart of Thrissur, where tradition dances with devotion and history hums through temple corridors. The temple is a sacred space that embodies Kerala’s spiritual intensity and cultural vibrancy. On the same day as our visit to Vadakkunnathan Temple, we found ourselves drawn to this powerful shrine, just 500 metres away, where the festive celebs were in full fervor.
Also Read: Our Vist to Sree Vadakkunathan Temple in Thrissur
After the serene darshan at Sree Vadakkunnathan Temple, on suggestion of locals, our footsteps carried us just a short distance to another sacred space — the Paramekkavu Bhagavathi Amma Temple where devotion takes on a vibrant, living rhythm. The air was alive with the pulse of Kerala’s traditional chenda melam, the courtyard thronged with devotees, and the goddess herself seemed to radiate through every beat, every prayer, every procession. In that moment, Thrissur revealed its dual soul — quietly meditative and fiercely celebratory — reminding us that divinity can be both tender and triumphant.
Paramekkavu Bhagavathi Temple in Thrissur, Kerala, is one of the most revered shrines dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathi and a cultural cornerstone of the iconic Thrissur Pooram festival. We entered inside with zero knowledge about the temple and were spellbound on entering inside, on hearing the vibrant traditional drumbeats by the orchestra. Myself and my daughter were in traditional dress, so we were allowed to step inside but my husband was stopped as he was in pant-shirt. He then rushed to the parking area where our cab was parked, wore traditional dress and was back into the temple.
The origin of the temple dates back to the ancient times. According to local lore, the idol of Bhagavathi Devi was originally housed in a small shrine and later moved to the current location. However, under the patronage of Sakthan Thampuran - the ruler of the erstwhile Kingdom of Cochin, the temple became prominent and he started organizing the Thrissur Pooram which Kerala’s grandest temple festival. It is believed that Bhagavathi Amma has manifested at this place to protect the people and protect dharma.
We were completely lost in a different world, a world full of spirituality, and we don't even know for much time there was drum beat but I assume it is more than an hour but yet the drum beaters were as energetic at the end as they were, when we entered the temple premises.
We felt ourselves very very fortunate to have visited the temple when the vibrant festive celebration was going on. The temple and it's surroundings was lively with divine vibes spread all around and the devotees in traditional festive attire. The energy was like a high voltage electric current and drum beats were astounding. We knew nothing about the festival that was being celebrated in the temple. At the end of the drum beat we went round the temple, did pradakshina. We then bought a basket of offerings which contained ghee lamp, flowers, haldi and kumkum at the counter and offered it to Bhagawathi Amma. The temple priests told that no special puja will be performed as the festive celebration was going on and he asked us to just place the butta in front of the main shrine. We stood in front of the main deity with folded hands and had a wonderful darshan of Bhagawathi Amma and walked out with contentment for having the divine blessings.
As we were walking out of the temple premises some locals informed us that free meals prasadam is being served in the dining hall. But on reaching the spot we were asked whether we have the special coupons / tickets or not. We were totally in blank when one of the organisers understood our situation and was kind enough to allow us for free meals prasadam. Once again we felt the presence / blessing of Bhagawathy Amma and had a tasty meal with very tasty butter milk. We thanked the organiser again and again and headed to Guruvayur in the cab with a blissful and contented feeling. It was afternoon and was terribly hot and we were exhausted and had an after lunch nap as the driver was doing his duty.
Jai Bhagawathi Amma!
The magnificent Temple of Paramekkavu Bhagavathi Amma stants in the heart of Thrissur, where tradition dances with devotion and history hums through temple corridors. The temple is a sacred space that embodies Kerala’s spiritual intensity and cultural vibrancy. On the same day as our visit to Vadakkunnathan Temple, we found ourselves drawn to this powerful shrine, just 500 metres away, where the festive celebs were in full fervor.
Also Read: Our Vist to Sree Vadakkunathan Temple in Thrissur
After the serene darshan at Sree Vadakkunnathan Temple, on suggestion of locals, our footsteps carried us just a short distance to another sacred space — the Paramekkavu Bhagavathi Amma Temple where devotion takes on a vibrant, living rhythm. The air was alive with the pulse of Kerala’s traditional chenda melam, the courtyard thronged with devotees, and the goddess herself seemed to radiate through every beat, every prayer, every procession. In that moment, Thrissur revealed its dual soul — quietly meditative and fiercely celebratory — reminding us that divinity can be both tender and triumphant.
Paramekkavu Bhagavathi Temple in Thrissur, Kerala, is one of the most revered shrines dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathi and a cultural cornerstone of the iconic Thrissur Pooram festival. We entered inside with zero knowledge about the temple and were spellbound on entering inside, on hearing the vibrant traditional drumbeats by the orchestra. Myself and my daughter were in traditional dress, so we were allowed to step inside but my husband was stopped as he was in pant-shirt. He then rushed to the parking area where our cab was parked, wore traditional dress and was back into the temple.
Temple History and Sthalapuranam
Paramekkavu Bhagavathi Amma temple is one of the largest and most prominent Bhagavathi temples in Kerala. It is located near the famous Vadakkunathan temple in Thrissur district, Kerala.The main deity in the temple is Bhagavathi Amma - one of the forms of Durga Devi. The temple is located near the Swaraj Round in Thrissur city, close to Vadakkunathan temple. Sree Bhagavathi Amma is worshipped in the temple as the protector of the land, the granter of strength and the embodiment of Shakti.The origin of the temple dates back to the ancient times. According to local lore, the idol of Bhagavathi Devi was originally housed in a small shrine and later moved to the current location. However, under the patronage of Sakthan Thampuran - the ruler of the erstwhile Kingdom of Cochin, the temple became prominent and he started organizing the Thrissur Pooram which Kerala’s grandest temple festival. It is believed that Bhagavathi Amma has manifested at this place to protect the people and protect dharma.
The Festival Celebration
We knew nothing about the festive celebrations when we visit the temple. Tons of thanks to the locals who suggested us to visit the temple to watch the vibrant festival celebrations. The temple was lively with the traditional Kerala-style drum beats when we reached the temple. We don't know how time we spent in the temple watching / listening to the rhythmic vibrancy of the drum beat. It was really a spell-bounding performance which cannot be expressed in words but can be only experienced. On the right there were three beautifully and colourfully bedecked temple elephants and the 'festive idol' of Bhagavathi Amma was placed on the middle elephant. The temple persons, one on each elephant, were waving a different kind of temple fans held one in each hand. The beauty of the bedecked elephants with Bhagawathi Amma on it is beyond description.We were completely lost in a different world, a world full of spirituality, and we don't even know for much time there was drum beat but I assume it is more than an hour but yet the drum beaters were as energetic at the end as they were, when we entered the temple premises.
We felt ourselves very very fortunate to have visited the temple when the vibrant festive celebration was going on. The temple and it's surroundings was lively with divine vibes spread all around and the devotees in traditional festive attire. The energy was like a high voltage electric current and drum beats were astounding. We knew nothing about the festival that was being celebrated in the temple. At the end of the drum beat we went round the temple, did pradakshina. We then bought a basket of offerings which contained ghee lamp, flowers, haldi and kumkum at the counter and offered it to Bhagawathi Amma. The temple priests told that no special puja will be performed as the festive celebration was going on and he asked us to just place the butta in front of the main shrine. We stood in front of the main deity with folded hands and had a wonderful darshan of Bhagawathi Amma and walked out with contentment for having the divine blessings.
As we were walking out of the temple premises some locals informed us that free meals prasadam is being served in the dining hall. But on reaching the spot we were asked whether we have the special coupons / tickets or not. We were totally in blank when one of the organisers understood our situation and was kind enough to allow us for free meals prasadam. Once again we felt the presence / blessing of Bhagawathy Amma and had a tasty meal with very tasty butter milk. We thanked the organiser again and again and headed to Guruvayur in the cab with a blissful and contented feeling. It was afternoon and was terribly hot and we were exhausted and had an after lunch nap as the driver was doing his duty.
A Personal Reflection
The temple premises was surrounded by the pulse of drum beats and the divine fragrance of flowers, chandan and agarbattis. And as I stood before the sanctum lost myself in the divine world and felt that I Bhagawathi Amma is omni-presence whom we can hear and feel in the rhythm of the drum beats, in the devotees who were immersed in the festive celebs, in the ghee deepams, in the air that we are breathing. She is just everywhere and in everyone. Even today as I am penning down my story here, the rhythmic drum beats are echoing in my thoughts. Both the temples - Sree Vadakunnathan temple and Sree Bhagawathi Amma temple in the heart of Thrissur, are a must-visit temples.Jai Bhagawathi Amma!
Comments
Post a Comment