Sree Bhagavathy Temple, Cherpu

Regarding its history and administration, the temple’s origins are ancient, with two perspectives on its inception. One belief is that the idol was consecrated by Lord Parashurama. Another suggests that dissidents among the Nambootiri families of Peruvanam gramam established the temple when they decided to separate from the rituals of the Oorakam Temple. This led to the installation of Sree Bhagavaty of Cherpu, an important deity in the Peruvanam-Aarattupuzha Pooram festival.

The temple was once renowned for its annual “othuttu” gathering, where many Yajurveda scholars participated. Additionally, a “pancha-sandha” ritual used to be conducted here every 64 years. Over time, scholars lost interest due to the rigid nature of the associated rituals, leading to its discontinuation.

The temple had ties to the Zamudhiri and the Chittoor mana, with the head of the mana holding certain rights in the Zamudhiri’s coronation and the administration of Perinchalloor, Panniyoor, and Guruvayoor temples.

Ownership of the temple is shared by five manas: Chittoor, Keerangatt, Pazhayedathu, Ambalappilli, and Kunnattoor Padinjaredathu. The day-to-day affairs are overseen by a member of the Chittoor mana.

Structures within the temple’s 1.76-acre property include the Sreekovil, sub-shrines, chuttambalam, valiya-balikkal, deepa-stambham, well, oottupura, maryaada, and tank.

The main Sreekovil is a square dwi-tala structure of the sandhara type, facing west, with a granite adhishthānam adorned with padukam, vetta-kumudam, galam with vajana motif, and padi with projections. The sub-shrine of Lord Ganapati, facing west, is attached to the southern wall, along with an idol of Lord Siva. A bronze deepastambham is located at the front, and the temple compound is surrounded by a laterite stone wall.

Carvings and paintings adorn the niches around the Sreekovil, adding to the temple’s beauty.

The sila idol of Goddess Durga is of standing pose (75 cm.) with four arms holding conch in the upper left hand, disc in the upper right hand while the left lower hand is kept at the waist (kați-bandha) and the right lower hand in varada pose. All other idols are also made of sila, Lord Ganapati in sitting pose (30 cm.), Lord Siva in linga form (15 cm.) and Lord Vishnu in standing pose (45 cm.) with four arms and weapons in hands.

The temple is open from 5 AM to 9 AM and from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM daily, with three poojas conducted: usha-pooja at 6:30 AM, uccha-pooja at 8 AM, and athazha pooja at 7:45 PM.

Offerings such as Sarkkara-payasam, neyvilakku, pushpanjali, and mala (flower garland) are popular. Chathushatham is also offered as a special vazhipadu for wish fulfillment.

The pratishtha-day is observed on Anizham asterisk in the month of Mithunam.

The main festival is that which is associated with the participation of the deity in the Arāttupuzha-pooram. The rituals associated with this festival start in the temple 28 days ahead of the Utram asterisk of Meenam. The temporary dhwajam (arecanut tree) is erected after the attazha-pooja on the first day. The tree is cut with chisel and wooden hammer and brought to the temple. This flag-staff is tied up with leaves of peepul and mango trees and the dhwajam is erected. The eldest karanavar of the desam proclaims three times on behalf of the Goddess that on 28th day would be the arattu-pooram and those present there agree to it. Then other rituals start. On Revati asterisk śuddhi kalasam and navakam are performed followed by kotiyettam, nivedyams, pancha-vadyam, ezhunnellatt, sree bootha-bali, itayka pradakshinam etc. On Bharani, Kärttika and Rohini asterisks navakam, śreebhoota-bali etc. are performed. On Makeeryam asterisk navakam, valiya-pāņi, Brahmani-pāt! and ezhunnellatt are the items besides panti- mēlam, ārāttt at Tõlkkulam and irakki- pooja at Ambalappilli mana. On Tiruvātira day the main items are ārāt! at Mitrānandapuram, irakki-pooja at Elappalatt mana, Chittoor and Pazhēțatt mana. On Punartam asterisk, ārātt at Narukulangara is held. On Pooyam-day parayetupp at Peruvanam temple and ārātt at Tolukkulam are held. On next day ārātt at Peetikkaparamb is the main item. On the evening of Makeeryam asterisk, ārāt! at Totukulam, irakki-pooja at Patiññārētatt mana and visit to Tāyamkulangara temple are performed followed by irakki-pooja at Keerangātt mana. On Pooram asterisk the deity proceeds to Arattupuzha. The main items are ärätt at Mandaramkatav and then pradakshina of Arattupuzha Shastha and then the return. On Utram asterisk the festival concludes with Bharani patt. On Attam asterisk visit to Tirullakkaav takes place and after a pradakshina returns to the temple followed by seven pradakshinas. Then kotiyirakkam is performed.

The temple staff includes a tantri from the Padinjaredathu mana, a shantikaran from the Malayala Brahmins, and other roles such as kazhakam and aticchu-tali.

The temple is located 14 km south of Thrissur at Cherpu, then 250 m west on the Triprayar road, with access via a tarred road.