Varanad Devi Temple
Location : Cherthala, Alappuzha
About The Temple :
The Varanad Devi Temple is a very Ancient Temple situated on the North Eastern side of Chertala. It is about 3 kms from the Chertala Transport bus stand. The Devi is represented as riding on the Vethala after killing the demon Darika. She is decked in Ornaments and ready to Bless her devotees. The Holy Place is always througed by divotees coming from different parts of the country seeking the Blessings of the goddess. In almost all the famous Devi Temples of Kerala Pongala is performed as an offering. The devotees of Varanad are very particular that the Pongala should be performed in the ‘Varanad Devi’ Temple. The Devi of this Temple is said to Bless all her devotees and grant all their prayers and wishes.
The Devotees have informed the Devasom officials of the fulfilment of their prayers like the curing of incurable diseases, blind people being able to see and the dumb being able to speak, unmarried girls getting good marriage proposals, enimies turning into friends and the removal of various problems by the Blessings of the goddess. The Bharani Festival during the Malayalam month of “Kumbham” is the most important Festival. The “Garudan Thooku” is an offering particularly favoured by the Devi and it is popular among the devotees ‘Otta Thooku’ is also an important ‘Vazhipadu’ or offering. Uma Maheswara Pooja or Swayamvara Pooja is performed for removal of obstruction and delay in marriages. Many unmarried girls and boys are said to have benifitted by the performance of these special poojas and got good proposals. To remove obstacles caused by enemies and turning them into friends and to once come many problems the ‘Shatru Samhara Pushpanjale and “Rakta Pushpanjali are performed Thousands on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. “Guruthi” is performed in this Temple in the afternoon, and it is a very rare offering. Arunazhi Payasam is the another important offering to Devi by devotees. Advance booking is needed for this offering. During the “mandalakalam” that is from Vrichikam 1st (the middle of November) for 41 days there is a special Pooja every day. The Devis figure with four hands is drawn and works hipped by singing devotional songs and it is called “Kalamezhuttu” and “Pattu” on the 41 st day the Divine figure of the Devi is represented with 16 hands holding many weapons and devotees rush to the Temple to have the Darshan of the Bhagawathy in this form drawn in the “Mukhamandapam” of the Temple. This is supposed to be the “Poorna Roopam” of the Devi – the full Forms which can be seen only on this particular occassion.
Bharani Festival- This festival lasts for 14 long days. On the “Bharani” day the festival ends with the offering called “Garudan Thookam”. Usually the festival is held in the month of FebruaryMarch. An important aspect of the festival is the hoisting of the temple flag on the first day and the community feast soon after that. Thereafter for 13 days (day and night) the Devi goes to the houses of Her devotees to see the~ personally. The devotees welcome her with ‘Nirapara’ and ‘thalapoli’ on the 13th day the Devi completes her personal visits to the houses of her devotees and on her return she is welcomed and accompanied by a ground procession of 11 elephants, divine music and beating of drums (Pandimelam), this scene is memorable and unforgettable to the devotees. On the 12th day evening also I there is a procession of 11 elephants accompanied by the “Panchari Melam” of the best artists of Kerala. Even the foreign visitors are I attracted by the grandeur of the scene. On all the 14 days of the Festival the Devaswam makes arrangements for the performance of various artistic entertainments. Great artists from South India participate in the festival which last for 14 days. With the “Garudan Thookam” on the 14th day the festival comes to an end. Lakhs of people from various countries gather in this place to participate in this function.
Lord Siva – Lord Siva is considered to be an important Upadevata of this temple. He is respected and adored as a father. In this temple, daily offerings and Archana’s are conducted separately. ‘Pradosha Pooja’ and ‘Sivarathri Pooja’ are the most important poojas of this Sivakovil.
Rakteswari Devi – Outside the temple wall there is the main Upadevatha ‘Rakteswari Devi’. Certain ailments related to women, small pox etc can be cured if we pray to the Devi with faith that’s the belief of the people. To cure such diseases there are special poojas conducted here. On the last Friday of every Malayalam month these poojas are conducted.
Kodumkali – Another Upadevatha is ‘Kodumkali’. Every day during the midnoon Pooja “Guruti Abhishekam” is conducted daily and this is the main offering. One of the chief offering is the “Kodumkali Guruti” which is conducted at night. This is performed Special Offerings for Ordinary Days – 1. Every Sunday without fail Kali Sahasranamarchana is performed. This is done during mid noon pooja 2. Tuesdays, Shatrusamhara Pooja. 3. On Mondays at the Siva Upadevata Temple ‘Siva Sahasranamarchana’ is performed. Besides this ‘Udayasthamana Pooja, Trikalapooja, Navagraha Pooja’ etc are important poojas. Pongala is conducted in the month of Makara in the Bharani day. Route to the Temple – From Alappuzha, get down at Cherti.ala Transport bus stand and just 3kms east, the Varanad temple is situated. From Kottayam to Cherthala just 30 kms and from Vaikom temple just 20 kms to the Varanad temple.
Varanad Devi Temple, Varanad P. 0, Cherthala, Alappuzha, Ph : 0478 2812691
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