Panchayat/ Municipality/ Aruvikkara Grama Panchayat Corporation

LOCATION District

Nearest Town/ Aruvikkara Dam Bus Stop – 350 m Landmark/ Junction

Nearest Bus statio Aruvikkara Dam Bus Stop – 350 m

Nearest Railway Thampanoor Railway Station – 16.9 Km statio ACCESSIBILITY

Nearest Airport Trivandrum International Airport – 19.7 Km

Sree Bhagavathi Temple, Aruvikkara – 695543 Contact: Aruvikkara Grama Panchayat Office Phone: +91-472-2888225 CONTACT DATES FREQUENCY DURATION

TIME Novemeber - December Annual 3 Days

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL (Legend/History/Myth)

The Aruvikkara Bhagavathi Temple is an ancient Hindu place of worship dedicated to the Goddess Durga. The temple is built on a rock on the banks of river Karamana which has a waterfall that flows below it. The temple pond created by the dam is located in front of the temple and serves as a habitat for large fishes that are fed by devotees of the shrine. The myth says that this temple was built by Vyasan. Years back the temple belonged to Chengannur Alappuram family. When the dam was built, this temple was undertook the temple’s administration. At present the temple is under the control of Devaswom Board. Thrikkarthika is essentially a festival of lights. Most devotees believe that Thrikkarthika is the birthday of Goddess Karthyayani who is an incarnation of Goddess Durga. There are also stories that associate the celebration of the festival with the killing of the demon Narakasura.

Local About 5000 RELEVANCE- NO. OF PEOPLE (Local / National / International) PARTICIPATED EVENTS/PROGRAMS DESCRIPTION (How festival is celebrated)

Mahaganapathi Homam The festival starts with Mahaganapathi Homam. There Karthika Vilakku are no rituals like flag hoisting, procession etc during this Kalashapooja festival. Karthika Vilakku is the deity’s most favourite Deepa Kazhcha offering. On all days of festival there will be Nangyarkoothu Kalashapooja. In the afternoon free food is served to Bhajans devotees. On all days programs end with cultural events staged by devotees. The last day of the festival is the important day during which there will be Deepa Kazhcha. This Karthika Deepam will be lit by famous persons. art forms like Nangyarkoothu and Bhajans will be conducted.