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= Malimel Bhagavathi Temple = Malimel Bhagavathi Temple is situated in Kurathikad village of Mavelikkara Taluk in Alappuzha district. “Malimel Bhagavathi” is the “Gramadevatha” of the Village. It is believed that Malimel Bhagavathi came from Ayiroor Puthiyakavu temple near Kozhencherry with a saint (Yogeeswaran) of Pullelil Nadalayil family, about 900 years ago. The fact that Malimel Bhagavathi temple is identical to Ayiroor Puthiyakavu temple supports this belief. The goddess is conceived as Bhadra. Brahmasree Akkeraman Kalidasa Bhattathiri is the thanthri (Chief Priest) of the temple. The Prathishta is “Kannadibimbom” of Bhadra. The divine power of Devi is absorbed to the Kannadibimbom

The temple stands on the highest ground level of Kurathikad. The temple is surrounded by paddy fields on three sides. A beautiful grove of dense wood fully covers the northern side of the temple. Upadevathas in all corners, the cool grove and the paddy fields all add to the beauty, calmness and divinity of the place.

Revathi Festival
The festival is celebrated on the “Revathi” day of the Malayalam month “Meenam”. There are special poojas like “Kalasam” on the day apart from the daily pooja. The ‘Parakkezhunnallathu” is for three days. It is before the festival. A wooden chariot adorned in silk and gold named “Jeevatha” is used to the purathezhunnallathu of Devi. On the eve of the festival day Devi’s ezhunallathu is performed on “Jeevatha”, with oil lighted lamps, decorated long umbrellas and drums.

The Bharani Ezhunnallathu is a special function in this temple. On the bharani day of Vrichikam month to “Meenam” the purathezhunnallathu is performed. The sight of ezhunallathu is quite amazing. The spectacular Ezhunnallathu procession with lighted lamps and tall umbrellas is a beautiful sight. It is named as “Mezhuvattom”.

The festival is managed by the festival committee consisting of the devotees in the village and members from the bharanasamithi. The festival is celebrated on “revathi” day of Meenam month by the blessings of Bhagavathi and the cooperation from devotees.

Vazhipadukal - Main Offerings.
The main offerings to Devi are Pushpanjali, Niramala, VIlakku, Kadumpayasam, Archana, Vilak and Mala. “Uthrada Pooja” is the main Offering to the Valyachan. This special pooja is on the Uthradam day of the Malayalam month “Chingam”. Ayilyam pooja is performed to the Nagadevathas.

Special Vazhipadu for Safe Delivery
There is a special offering in this temple in the nada of “Ammumma” for safe delivery and to avoid complications in delivery. The Ammummakkavu is in the northwestern corner of the temple. There is a small temple inside the groove. Ammumma is believed to be the protector of women especially in the period of pregnancy and delivery. Devotees after prayer collect a small stone from Ammommakavu before delivery. After safe delivery they return the stone along with some offerings for Ammumma in the form of small rings of gold or silver. Such several rings collected from here are kept as ‘ring mala’ for this deity. Here Poojas are performed by the eldest woman member of the Nadalayil family.

Jeevatha of Malimel Temple
Jeevatha is a wooden chariot used to the ‘purathezhunnathu’ of Devi. There are two types of Jeevathas in Onattukara. They are ‘Kettu Jeevatha’ and ‘Ura Jeevatha’. The Jeevatha of Malimel temple is ’Ura Jeevatha’. The drum style for Kettu Jeevatha and Ura Jeevatha is diiferent. Kizhakkanthalam is used at the procession of Ura Jeevatha. The priests who takes jeevatha, steps according to the drums. This kind of typical dance steps are only seen in the Onattukara area. The Jeevatha of Malimel temple is made up of gold. There are twelve big golden bubbles and a number of small bubbles are seen in front of the Jeevatha. The Kannadibimbom is taken to Jeevatha at the time of Purathezhunnallathu. The top of the Jeevatha is adorned with ‘Alukku”, this is made up of pure silver. It is believed that divine serpents are safeguarding the Jeevatha of Malimel Bhagavathi.

Other Temples of Malimel Devaswom
Apart from Upadevathas, the Kuzhikkalakotta temple at the premises of N.S.S High School Kurathikad, Moorthykkavu temple at Pallikkal east and Ayankovil temple at Varenikal are also governed by the Malimel devaswom. The main deity of Moorthykavu is ‘Moorthy’. Morthy is one other state of Lord Siva. Other deities at Moorthykavu are ‘Kodumkali’ and ‘Rakthachamundi’. It is believed that the presence of the ‘Moorthy’ is there at Malimel temple premises after the closure of the temple. It is believed that the ‘Morthy’ used to stay at the ‘Kalathattu’ of Malimel temple on late nights.

Contact Details
MALIMEL BHAGAVATHI TEMPLE, Kurathikad, Thekkekkara.P.O, Mavelikkara, Alappuzha District, Kerala – 690107. Phone Number : 0479 2329775