Dhakshina Mookambika Temple North Paravoor – Kerala Temples
Dhakshina Mookambika Temple is also known as the Saraswathy Temple and is one of the rare temples dedicated to Goddess Saraswathy (the Goddess for arts and learning) in India and Kerala. The temple is situated in North Paruvur,Ernakulam District, Kerala. This is one of the few Saraswathi temples (Goddess of Learning and Arts) in Kerala and is located in the middle of a lotus pond. Dhakshina Mookambika Temple is well-known for its serenity, festive celebrations and religious significance.
The presiding deity, Saraswathi Devi, the goddess of wisdom, in the sanctum sanctorum of Dhakshina Mookambika Temple at N.Paravur is Bala Parameswari, the daughter of Lalitha Parameswari. The temple is revered the same importance as the Mookambika Temple in Kollur, Mangalore.
Deities
The deities of this temple are Ganapathy, Subrahmanyan, Mahavishnu, Yakshi, Hanuman and Veerabhadran.
The parivara devathas that are installed include mainly Ganapathi inside, kannimoola (is situated near the large sacred pool), Ganapathi outside, near the large temple pond, Muruga- the jnana devatha, Vishnu the preserver of the universe. Among the parivaras Hanuman the powerful deity both Saiva and Vaishnava, Veerabhadra Lord Siva himself, are also there to bless us. A shrine devoted to Yakshi is at the southwest corner.
One of the uniqueness of the temple is the daily Kashaya Nivedyam during the Atthazha Pooja (at 7.30 pm).It is a precious medicine that cures all the problems physical, phychological and intellectual. The leading attraction of this temple is the sanctum that stands in the middle of a lotus pond.
Offerings
“Sree Vidhya Manthra Pushpanjali”
“Saraswathi Pooja”
“Thrimaduram”
“Chuttuvilakku”
“Mookambika Kashayam”
These are the most important offerings in the temple. Mookambika Kashayam, prepared with herbs in the traditional manner is considered as the sacred medicine to enhance wisdom.
Pooja Timings
Daily poojas are performed by thanthris of Puliyanoor mana in Tripunithura. The temple is under the administration of Travancore Devaswom Board. Temple advisory Committee have a team of 10 members and the team gives the strongest support to manage the daily operations, conduct the festivals. It is the one and only saraswathi temple can do Vidhyarambam on everyday.
Morning:
5:00 am – Nadathurupu
6:30 am – Ushapooja/Sreebali
8:00 am – Pantheeradi Pooja
10:30 am – Uchapooja/Sreebali
11:00 am – Nadayadappu
Evening
5:00 pm – Nadathurupu
6:30 pm – Deeparadhana
7:30 pm – Athazhapooja/Sreebali Distribution of Kashaya Nivedhyam
8:00 pm – Nadayadappu
Temple History
Pravur Thampuran (ruler) in Paravur was a great devotee of Goddess Mookambika. He used to visit the Kollur temple in Mangalore every year to pay homage to the goddess. But when he became too old, his health worsened and he could no longer undertake the long journey to Kollur. The goddess appeared to the sad devotee in a dream and ordered him to build her idol near his palace so that he can have daily darshan of the goddess. Thampuran followed her instructions and built a temple at Paravur and installed the Goddess. The ‘Srikovil’ stands in the middle of a sacred lotus pool. In due course the temple which is in the centre of a lotus pond came to be known as dakshina Mookambika. Like in Kollur Temple, the thampuran installed the sub-deities in the exact order and place.
How to Reach
The temple is located at North Paravur in Ernakulam district. Aluvan -Paravur road takes straight to this temple. From Guruvaryur, it is at 60kms, on the way to Sabarimala; 11kms from Kodungalloor Bhgagavathi temple on the route to Chottanikkara Bhagavathi Temple.
Air : International Air Port is at Nedumbassery, near Aluva, about 18 kms away.
Rail : The nearest station is at Aluva about 18km. Kochi has 2 stations, Ernakulam Junction and Ernakulam Town. Trains from the Northern cities/Southern parts of India stop at Ernakulam Junction at D.H Road, Ernakulam South and Ernakulam Town, Near North Bridge .
Road : Buses are very frequent from Ernakulam to North Paravur via Edappally railway overbridge, Varapuzha bridge & Koonammavu. KSRTC Central Bus station is near the Ernakulam Junction railway station.Private Buses operate from Boat Jetty, High Court Junction, Railway Station and Kaloor Junction. The temple is situated near Paravur KSRTC Bus Station.
Dakshina Mookambika Temple
N. Paravur, Ernakulam Dist. ,
Kerala – 683513
WebSite : www.dakshinamookambika.org
