Kerala Temples

Prathishta: Durga

Festival:

Karthika star in the month of Vrishchika is the consecration day. Navratri festival is celebrated in a grand scale. Full moon day in the month of Thulam is observed as Vavu Bali for the departed souls and thousands of devotees assemble for conducting the rites on the Varakkalbeach

Importance / Main offerings:

Mahanivedyam, Padivilakku, Trikalapooja, Pushpanjali, Naivilakku, Swayamvara Pushpanjali, Ganapathy Homam, Tila Homam, Santhana Gopala Pooja are other important offerings

Description:

It is one amongst the famous 108 Durga Temples, established by Parasurama, the creator of Kerala. During the ancient times the art and cultural activities of Malabar was spearheaded by this Durga Devi temple. The temple is situated on a hill top with 28 steps which lead to the temple near West hill railway station in the city of Calicut. In the Sanctum Sanctorum Durga Bhagavati is seen in full splendour. Dakshinamoorthy and Ganapathy are the Sub-deities. The temple dedicated to Sree Ayyappa located on the outer premises. Due to the deep meditation and penance of the holy Parasurama in Threthayuga Durga Devi manifested herself to the holy sage, saying "in the day of Chothi and Vavu I will be present in the Theertharoopa to bless my devotees". Parasurama, thus, created the last temple for Goddess Durga Devi and the creation of this temple gave Him great satisfaction. In Tretayuga, Lord Parasurama's Tapas, remitted in the presence of Dugadevi here. Devi spoke that on the day of 'Chothi & Vavu' she will bless her bakthas. This was the last of the 108th temples created by Parasurama.

After the consecration the temple was deserted for a long time without any temple rituals. Later on when the Divine presence began to be felt by the people, the then rulers, Perumallers, started supporting'the temple activities and it became a Mahakshetra. In the courseof time the temple came into the hands of Great Zamorins who modified the temple to the present state and even today the temple administration is done by the Zamorin Raja of Calicut.

Thanthri:

Trustee:

Address:

Varakkal Sree Durga Temple, West hill, Calicut - 673 005, Ph: 0495 2383134.