Malayalappuzha Temple is a 1000 years old ancient temple which is located at Malayalappuzha in Pathanamthitta district. Goddess Bhadrakali is the presiding deity of Malayalappuzha Temple where the deity is worshipped in a ferocious form, soon after the killing of the demon, Darika.

The Goddess of this temple is popularly known as Malayalappuzha Amma. The unique feature of this temple is that it houses a rare statue of Goddess Parvati feeding baby Ganapathy on her lap. Malayalappuzha Amma is believed to have special powers to protect the devotees from enemies, obtain a job for the unemployed and can help business to flourish. Brahma Rakshas, Nagaraja and a swayambhu Shiva Linga form the sub-deities of this temple.

History

As per the legends, two Namboothiris were meditating at Mookambika Temple and they had an idol of Bhadrakali with them. After their meditation for a prolonged period of time, the Namboothiris received an oracle from Bhadrakali that the idol will have her perpetual presence. With the idol in their possession, the Namboothiris continued their pilgrimage. When they became old, they couldn't continue their pilgrimage. So, Bhadrakali appeared before them and advised them to erect the idol at Malayalappuzha. The Namboothiris reached Malayalappuzha as per the advice of Bhadrakali and erected the idol there.

Specialty

• Malayalappuzha Temple is 1000 years old and it enshrines the fierce form of Mother Goddess soon after the killing the demon, Darika.
• The idol of this temple is of five and a half feet high with eight hands and is made up of Katu Sarkara Yogam (concentrated jaggery).
• The Goddess of this temple is known as Malayalappuzha Amma and she is also known as Goddess Idathattil Bhagawathi.
• The pilgrims come here from far and near with prayers for their daughters to get married to good husbands soon.
• People offer Thoniyari Payasam to the temple for recovering stolen goods. Thoniyari Payasam is made with 101 Nazhi(120 ml) of rice, coconut milk, jaggery and 101 banana fruits.
• Women offer Manjadi seeds (Adenanthera pavonina Linn) to the temple.
• Arecanut, betel leaves, tobacco and camphor are the offerings to the temple.
• The devotees believe that worshipping the Brahma Rakshas, located on the eastern part of the temple will help to get rid of black magic, ghosts and other evils affecting them. 
• There is a Golden Showering tree inside the temple complex which provides shade to ‘Shiv Linga’ idol and flowers everyday year round.
• Another belief is that if unction of several tender coconuts is done on the idol it will rain in any hot summer. Cobra snakes are mostly seen lying around the ‘Shiva Linga’ idol.
• Malayalappuzha Rajan is a very famous elephant of Kerala. He was awarded the Gajaraja Pattom and has the record of taking the idol of ‘Sri Dharmashastha’  for the last 20 years. He has a height of 9.5 feet, wider eyes and triangle shaped ears.

Festivals

• Malayalappuzha Temple Utsavam: The 11-days long annual festival of the Malayalappuzha is observed in Thiruvathira nakshatra of the Malayalam month of Kumbham as per traditional Hindu calendar. Even though it is a Hindu temple, Christians and Muslims also visit here to seek the blessings of the Goddess Devi. Traditional performing arts, music and dance are staged during this festive season. Caparisoned elephants, melam, fireworks and sheevali are also part of this festival. The annual festival ends with Arattu where the utsava Murti of the deity is taken out of the shrine for ritual bathing on the final day.
• Vinayaka Chaturthi: During the Vinayaka Chaturthi Puja, Lord Ganesha is worshipped with all sixteen rituals along with chanting of Puranik Mantras. It is a 10-day festival that ends on Ananta Chaturdashi which is traditionally celebrated as the birthday of Lord Ganesha. Daily prayers are performed at this temple during the festival days and Lord Ganesha is worshipped with great devotion.
• Navarathri: The Navarathri festival is observed twice a year, once at the beginning of summer and again at the onset of winter. It is a 9-day festival which is marked by the worship of the nine forms of Goddess Devi. The Vijayadashami day is considered as the most auspicious day in Kerala for initiating children into the world of letters, which is called Vidyarambham. During the Vidyarambham ceremony, words symbolizing the name of God are written on the tongue of the child with a golden ring as well as made to write letters with the help of elders in a plate of rice.
• Shivarathri: Maha Shivarathri is another greatest festival celebrated at this temple.

Timings

Dress Code

Traditional wears are the most preferable attire while visiting Malayalappuzha Temple.

Way To Reach

 By Air -  Trivandrum International Airport is the nearest airport to Malayalappuzha Temple which is situated at a distance of 107 Km. On reaching the airport, one can hire a cab or a bus to reach the temple.

Train: Chengannur Railway Station is the nearest railway station to Malayalappuzha Temple which is situated at a distance of 33 Km. On reaching the railway station, one can hire a cab or a bus to reach the temple.

 By Road -  Many state transport buses and private buses are easily available to Malayalappuzha Temple.

Monday through Sunday, all day