Happy Kerala Piravi: This Keralam temple has Malayalam alphabets as goddesses
Dedicated to Shri Bala Tripura Sundari Devi, this unique full-moon shrine promotes intellectual development and offers free food and study materials on the days its open.
Dedicated to Shri Bala Tripura Sundari Devi, this unique full-moon shrine promotes intellectual development and offers free food and study materials on the days its open.
Dedicated to Shri Bala Tripura Sundari Devi, this unique full-moon shrine promotes intellectual development and offers free food and study materials on the days its open.
Kerala, sir... 100% literacy, sir... is often a line used in the Northern part of India to mock the state's incredible focus on education and its importance. Regardless, Malayalis consider it a matter of pride, and it's been so for ages. In fact, in Keralam's Venganoor, in Thiruvananthapuram district, there is even an ancient, unique temple that has all 51 alphabets of Malayalam worshipped as goddesses! On Keralam's 70th birthday, aka Kerala Piravi, which is today (November 1), here's what you need to know about this unique place of worship.
The sacred grove of the full moon
This ancient Keralam temple is named Pournamikavu aka the sacred grove of the full moon. In Hinduism, the full moon or pournami symbolises divine feminine energy and completeness. The temple authorities say this is the reason behind the shrine's name. The 'Akshara devatha sankalpam ', or the idea of alphabets as goddesses, was apparently present in our Vedas and was promoted by Thunchathu Ezhuthachan, the father of the Malayalam language, as well.
The 51 goddesses
While the main deity in the temple is the war-goddess Shri Bala Tripura Sundari Devi aka Padakaaliyamma, who was worshipped by the Aay Dynasty, it's the Akshara Devathas (alphabet goddesses) here that the shrine is known best for.
A - Amrithadevi
Aa - Aakarshini
E - Indrani
Ee - Imshinidevi
U - Umadevi... the list of the goddesses goes on. Due to their presence, Pournamikavu is considered the right destination for those praying for intellectual development. Interestingly, even the special offering here is a veena, the classical musical instrument held by Saraswati, the goddess of education.
What devotees need to know
Unlike other temples of Kerala, Pournamikavu is not open daily. It opens during the full moon, aka Pournami day and on special occasions like Vidyarambham and other festivals. On Pournami day, it also provides free food to all devotees, alongside study materials and grocery kits. On such days, it remains open from 4.30 am to 9.30 pm.