By Ashok SP
The Saraswati temple in the Panachikadu village of Kottayam district, Kerala. The temple of Goddess Saraswathi Devi here is also called as Dakshina Mookambi. Even though many temples of Goddess Saraswathi perform pooja only during the ‘Navarathri period, this temple offers pooja throughout the year and giving ‘darshan’ to the devotees.This temple is situated in the Ppanachikadu village 11 kilometers away from the well-known Kottayam, the District Head Quarters of Kottayam District. Two things especially to be noticed at this temple are the creepers and the immaculate spring. The leaves of the creepers which cover the idol are considered Saraswathy leaves. The water comes from the spring here flows touching the feet of the “Devi” never dries even in the peak time of summer. Along with Goddess Saraswathi, there are some other deities give darshan in separate shrines. They are Lord Siva, Sastha, Ganapathi, Nagayakshi, Nagaraja and the like sub deities too here. In the ‘lthihyamala’ of Kottarathil Sankunni there is a detailed description of this temple this temple having more than one thousand years of history. The temple is a famous temple known for “Vidyaarambam” ceremony i.e first letters written by children. The other sacred temple where this ritual is performed is the Mookambika Temple located in Karnataka. The Vidyarambham or Ezhuthiniruthu ceremony celebrated at the temple during the Navarathri festival attracts thousands of devotees from various parts of India. Parents get there children here for their Vidyaarambam. The Navaratri celebrations here are colourful events, major international cultural festival of all sort of arts including classical dance and music is also held in the temple for the duration of the nine nights of the Navarathri festival.
Festivals : Navaratri, Vasantha panchami, Maha Saptami, Karthika Pournami,
darshanams & special sevas: Saraswatha Ghrutham (prasadam), Abhishegam, Thirumathuram,
The temple is open from 5:30 am to 11 am & also opens in the evening.
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