Sree Pookulangara Bhagavathy Temple Timings, History, Pooja

The ancient and famous Pookulangara Bhagavathy temple is located in the beautiful village of Kunissery, near Alathur in Palakkad district. This temple is surrounded by a vast Theertha pond, a huge banyan tree and lush paddy fields which adds to its sculptural beauty and grace. The three Desams of Kunissery, namely Kizhakkethara, Thekkethara and Vadakkethara combined to carry out the management and functioning of this temple.

The main idol is of Goddess Bhagavathi in the Sankalpa of Goddess Durga in a calm demeanor. Saptamatrukkal, Ganapati, Veerabhadran, Subramanya and Ayyapa are other idols in the temple along with Bhairavan and Brahmarakshas. The Darusilpa (wooden) idol is in sitting posture with eight arms, holding conch, chakra, mace, lotus, trident, bow, arrow and rope in each.

Pookulangara Bhagavathy Temple structure includes sreekovil with mukha mandapam, sub-shrines, namaskara mandapam, chuttambalam with agramandapam. Navagrahas are carved on the ceiling of the agramandapam.

Sree Pookulangara Bhagavathy Temple Timings:

Nada Opens 5:00 AM
Nada closes after morning rituals 11:00 AM
Nada opens for evening 5:00 PM
Nada closes after evening rituals 7:45 PM

Sree Pookulangara Bhagavathy Temple History:

According to the legends, during the military invasions of Zamorin of Calicut, many places of Palakkad came to be under his rule. While the Zamorin’s army came to capture Kunissery Desam, all the menfolk of Kunissry courageously fought with them but succumbed to death. Fearing disgrace, the womenfolk took refuge in Pookkulangara Bhagavathy’s abode and prayed to Her for saving them. The benevolent Goddess heard their prayers and advised them to jump into the waterfront with brooms and winnows in hand. When they ran to fight the Zamorin’s army, they saw Goddess Durga in her fierce form in each woman and retreated quickly. On hearing this incident, the Zamorin Raja consulted his astrologers, and He was informed that the Raja has earned the wrath of Kunissery Bhagavathy for his wrong deeds.

The King soon reached the abode of Pookkulangara Bhagavathy and prayed for forgiveness. The Zamorin also bestowed many of his Kingly symbols to the Goddess and became an ardent devotee of Her. The King also arranged for a group of brave menfolk from his kingdom to come and stay at this place for ensuring the safety of women.

These men came to live at Kunissry and they asked the King to grant them permission to visit the Mamankam festival each year. Then the King ordered to hold a Kummatti Mamankam festival in Pookkulangara Bhagavathi’s abode on her Birthday each year with grandeur and the King himself presided the festival for many years.

Sree Pookulangara Bhagavathy Temple Poojas:

Kathina
Sahasranama Pushpanjalai
Raktha Pushpanjali
Aikamathya Pushpanjali
Saraswatha Pushpanjali
Swayamvara Pushpanjali
Ayursooktham Pushpanjali
Purushasooktham Pushpanjali
Sree Sooktham Pushpanjali
Neivilakku
Panapayasam
Neipayasam
Kadinapayasam
Paalpayasam
Mala
Trumadhuram
Vellanivedyam
Choroon
Ashtothara Pushpanjali
Ennavilakku
Divasapooja
Thullabaram
Tulasi Mala
Trikala Pooja
Mahaniramala
Valiyaniramala
Niramala
Sreekovilnira Nrideepam
Bhagyasookatha Pushpanjali
Malarnivedyam
Bhagavathseva
Thiruvabharanamcharthal
Techi Mala
Sathrusamhara pushpanjali
Trishathi
thechikkuarchana
Thaalichaarthal
Navarathrivilakku
Mandalavilakku
Chembarathimaala
Sudharshanamchakram
Paalabhishekam
Bhagavathseva (special)
Putharipayasam
Mandalavilakku

Sree Pookulangara Bhagavathy Festivals:

The Kummatti festival started by Zamorin is the biggest annual festival held at the temple. It is held in Punartham star of Meenam month (March/ April) and is attended by devotees even from far away places.

The Valiya Aarattu is held every 12 years and is a Grand Festival, where Pookkulangara Bhagavathy sets out to bow down to Sree Thrippallavoor Mahadevan. The next Valiyarattu is scheduled in 2023.

Sree Pookulangara Bhagavathy Address:

Sree Pookulangara Devaswom,
Thripalur Road,
Kunissery,
Palakkad,
Kerala – 678544.
Ph: 9495396430
Landline: 04922234191