Panachikkadu Temple

The Panachikkadu Temple, also known as the Dakshana Mookambika, Mookambika of the South Temple, is a Hindu temple dedicated to the goddess Saraswati. The temple is located in the Panachikkad in Kottayam, Kerala, India. It is one of the most prominent Saraswati temples in Kerala. Vishnu is the main deity, who the devotees worship before Saraswati. Ganapati, Shiva, Sasthavu and Yakshi are sub-deities who are also worshiped in this temple. The trusteeship of the shrine is vested with Kizhapuram, Karunattu and Kaimukku Nambudiri Illams. They are the residents of Panachikkadu. The boys of the Illams carry out the rites there. The major festival this temple hosts is the Saraswati Pooja in the month of Thulam A month in the Malayalam calendar known as Kollavarsham which falls approximately in September–October. During this festival, also known as Navaratri Nine Nights, a large number of pilgrims congregate here to pay homage to the deity. From various parts of India, devotees come here for Darshan, and religious people come here for Vidyarambham. The ceremony of Vidyarambham is held on Vijayadashami. On the day of ceremony, quite a number of people arrive at this temple to initiate the education of their children. A major international cultural festival of classical dance and music is also held in the temple for the duration of the nine nights of the Navarathri festival.Panachikkadu can be reached from Chingavanam 4 km by travelling through MC Road and from Eravinalloor 2.5 km.