Kerala temples - Viruttanam Bhagavathi temple

Viruttanathamma temple

Viruttanam temple is a Devi temple dedicated to Kurumba Bhagavathi, Mahakali (Bhadrakali), a form of Durga. the idol of the Bhagavathi is made of a very old jack fruit tree trunk. The deity is about 4 feet in height and faces the east. Viruttanathamma as she is popularly called by devotees is a very powerful goddess who grant the request of the devotees. The temple is famous around this area. Devotees from around 15 km radius come here on regular basis to worship and get their desires fulfilled and get relief from their problems and obstacles in their life situations. Upa devathas (sub deities) are Veerabhadra and Kshetrapalkan (temple guard deity). There 3 times (morning, noon and evening) pooja daily in this temple

Annual festival of Viruttanam temple

The temple has an annual festival called 'Vela' for 10 days. The utsavam starts with the hoisting of the temple flag on the Rohini star day of the Malayalam calendar Kurumbha month (falls around the 2nd half of February of English calender). On the 10th day on (Makam star day) the festival concludes with the aaraattu (sacred bathing of the Devi) in procession. From 1st to 10th days the festival give chance to perform folk arts of various kinds. The important days of festivals are the 6th and 7th days on the Ayilyam  (Aslesha) and Makam star days. Theyyam, pootham, naayaadi dance and panan kali etc go around many villages around as far as 10 km distance covering most of the houses in these areas. On the 6th day caparisoned elephants of minimum of 10 come to this temple from various temples from neighboring villages in procession with thayampaka, panchavadyam etc and assemble in the temple court yard and perform during the night. Various folk arts like naayaadi, Kuthiravela, pootham, Kaalavela,  theyyam,  etc are presented by the artists in the temple compound.   

Various art forms like  Poraattukali (folk dance) and Kumbhamthullal (pot dance) are presented on the eighth day. As part of the cultural fare, temple art forms like Chakyarkoothu, Kathakali, Ottanthullal, etc., are also performed from recent times.

Kodungalloor connection of Viruttanam temple 

As per legend this deity is supposed to be same as the one in the famous Kodungallur Bhagavathi temple or its sister. The priests of both the temples are from same family branches. The poojarees of both the temples are known as the Adigal. There was a belief that Brahmin priests do not perform poojas to goddess Kali. But in this temple the Brahmin family did the pooja so they were demoted to the status of Adikal. The wear sacred thread (poonol) and do gayathri japam. The priests' families do not use or eat non veg or drink liquors. The preists from Viruttanam go as priests to Kodungalloor when that temple require additional priests and so also in case of Viruttanam where the Kodungalloor priest come when needed. 

Viruttanam village

Viruttanam village is near to Pattambi which is about 10 km from here. From Shornur or Wadakkancheri it is 15 km. The place is connected to the bus route Shornur to Kunnanmkulam (not the regular Shornur Kunnamkulam route via Arangotukara, Thirumittakode). In this route the persons have to get down at the Chellippadi bus stop and walk. Otherwise there is another route from Thrissur, Wadakkancheri to Pattambi - Kunnamkulam via Pilakkad, Thali.  Passengers should get down at Thali and cross the paddy fields for about 0.75 km. Viruttanam is a predominantly Agricultural village. 

Address:

Viruttanam Temple,

Viruttanam village, Peringannur P O,

Via Peringode, Thirumittakode Panchayath, 

Palakkad Dst, Kerala State - PIN: 679 535