Sri Kachanam Kulam Thirupuraikkal Bhagawathy Temple

This temple at Moothanthara in Palakkad town, is also known as the Karnaki Amman Temple.

Karnaki Amman Temple

It is Kerala’s one and only Karnaki Temple where Goddess Karnaki is worshiped in her full Idolic-Form and divine glory. This temple is situated at Palakkad Town circle – Moothanthara (New Name - Karnaki Nagar), a dwelling place of Karnaki’s own people descended from the neighboring state of Tamil Nadu in historic times.

One of the main attractions of this temple, is the way in which the traditional pooja rituals are performed in the Goddess Karnaki’s temple and the Visalakshi Sametha Shiva Temple (Siva-Parvathy Temple) worshipped in the same compound. For Goddess Karnaki, Kerala form of pooja practices are done by Kerala Brahmins (Namboothiri's) and in the Shiva Temple, Tamil Shaiva form of Pooja practices are carried out by Tamil Brahmin Priests.

Devotees can feel and enjoy this cultural mix while they visit this temple and come out after their prayers. Unlike other Tamil speaking caste groups already present or having descended from neighbouring states, Moothan’s have accepted both cultures alike. Even though there are Tamil traces to their origin, they speak only the language Malayalam. This acceptance has induced a new cultural life style in and around Palakkad. This unique cultural blend is one of the rarest, found in the state of Kerala. This temple has emerged as one of the spacious and beautiful temples of Palakkad where Tamil - Malayalam architecture mix beautifully.

One of the main festivals is "Valiya Aarattu" festival which is celebrated by the community on three days and in a great way in the month of Malayalam – Medam Masam Punertham Star. On the day of “Valiya Aarattu”, Annadhanam (meals) is given as Prasadam, which is the biggest event organized in Palakkad every year. Materials for organizing this big function (Annadhanam) is fully sponsored by the devotees of Karnaki, who are merchants in all categories of business in Palakkad.

Some History Behind The Temple

The moolasthanam (the root place) where Goddess Karnaki is worshiped, is at nadu–pathi at Moothanthara (Melamuri). Once this temple was very well maintained and people from other neighboring deshams (places) also came to worship Karnaki (being the only one around at that time). It is observed from history that the Muslim Ruler Tippu Sultan, son of Hyder Ali ransacked and destroyed this temple during his reign at Palakkad. Devotees gathered to save the possessions of the temple and to avoid destruction of the idol. Her full idolic-form was taken by her own sect of Moothan's and is worshipped at Karnaki Amman temple, Moothanthara. Her other divine possessions like peedom (sitting chair) is worshipped at Vadakkanthara Bhagwathy temple, her umbrella is worshipped at another Karnaki temple in the town circle and the “Kindi” is worshipped at Pirayiri Kannukottu Bhagawathy temple.