Narayan Ravi - Mumbai

Navarathri Shakti Series

Shakti series part 8: Panachikkadu Saraswati Temple, Kerala.

This is an ancient Saraswati temple located in the Panachikkadu village of Kottayam district in Kerala.

Upon reaching the temple premises, we first see a Vishnu shrine & the shrine for Saraswati a few metres to the south of it. This shrine does not have the traditional sanctum sanctorum like other temples, nor any other grand structures. There is just a rectangular pond like structure which looks like it has been carved out of a granite hillock. In this pond grow lush green creepers of exquisite beauty. These creepers cover the original idol of Devi Saraswati. Close to this is another idol of Saraswati to which all poojas are performed. The leaves covering the idol of Saraswati are called 'Saraswati leaves'. The water in the pond constantly washing Devi's feet comes from a nearby stream & does not dry up even during the peak summer times.

A 60 year old brahmin of the village who had no children decided to undertake a pilgrimage to Varanasi & bathe in the Ganga. On the way he stopped at Mookambika & enchanted by the beauty of the place, stayed there for over a year praying to the goddess. One night a divine lady appeared in his dream & said since it was not possible for him to have a child of his own in this birth, he should return to his village & adopt a child from the neighbouring family. He obeyed & returned to his village, where he decided to take a bath in the pond. On returning when he tried to pick up his umbrella he found he could not do so. A divine being appeared before him saying Devi's powers were present in the umbrella & that he should get the powers transferred to an old idol from the nearby forest. The brahmin did so & the temple came into being.

Except Durgashtami & Mahanavami, 'Vidyarambham' (beginning of formal education in any field) is performed on all days. Ghee empowered by the 'Saraswata Mantra' is distributed as prasad. This ghee when consumed by children is said to enhance their intelligence.

May Sri Saraswati Devi of Panachikkadu bless one & all. Jai Mata Di