OLARIKKARA BHAGAVATHY

Prathishta / Presiding Deity : Bhagavathy
Upadevatha / Sub Deities : xx
District: Thrissur
Thaluk: Thrissur
Panchayath: Olarikkara
Thanthri: xx
Trustee: xx


Hundreds of years ago there was a Sacred Brahmin’s house where the temple is situated now. At the "Nadumuttom" of the house, it is believed that there was the presence of ‘Goddess Vanadurga’ and this goddess was worshipped by the Brahmin with full faith. At that time the Brahmin was titled with surname ‘OLA’ by the rulers. Hence the location of the temple was renowned as “OLA IRIKKUM KARA” which is later renown as ‘OLARIKKARA’. Later the temple was re-onstructed by the devotees of the Olarikkara Thattakam. Four Desoms come under Olarikkara Thattakam.These are Ayanthole, Olarikkara, Pullazhy and Puthurkkara. They considered the Goddess as their ‘THATTAKATHAMMA’ – The mother of four desoms.

There is a mystic myth about the Kandankkavu, which is situated to the East of the temple. Sree kandan was a dangerous manthrika from the “Umma Pilly” Nair Tharavadu in Chetupuzha. Due to misusing the manthras for devil’s spirit he died prematurely. His soul created plenty of problems to Umma Pilly Tharavadu. Unable to bear the problems created by the soul of Sree kandan the family surrendered in Devi’s feet seeking shelter. Subsequently the evil spirit of Sree kandan was controlled by Temple Velichappadu by absorbing his soul in a mudpot and buried him in the backyard of the temple. Ultimately Sree kandan became the devi’s devotee and blessed with the title “Vettothikkaran”. Whenever the devotees worship Sree Bhagavathy and make offering, they offer an oil lamp to Sree kandan. The main offering of Kandankkavu is “kalasam”.

Thrissur the cultural capital of Kerala is surrounded by various Temples. The world famous festival of Thrissur Pooram conducted here.

Olarikkara Sree Bhagavathi Temple is one of the famous temple which is situated at Olarikkara in Thrissur District. The temple is 4 kms away from Thrissur town and is situated amidst of serenic beauty in natural environment in vast ground facing the east. The Collectorate and three famous hospitals are functioning in Ayyanthole, which is the part of Olarikkara desam. Devotees can visit the temple if they avail the bus services in Trichur – Kanjani road and by getting down in the Mother Hospital stop, one can see the beautiful temple Gopuram. Pilgrims also can visit the “Kandankkavu” which is located opposite direction of the temple. The idol of the Bhagavathy can be worshiped by walking 300 yards through the temple gopura there are two wedding halls namely Durganjali , Sreelakshmy and the Devaswam administrative office alongside. After an external pradakshina one can enter straight into the Bhagavathy’s sanctum Sanitorium and can worship Bhagavathy with the flow of grace the devi is also known as Kalimatha, who possess the natures of godess Lakshmi Devi and Saraswathy Devi respectively. There is a Kshethrapalakan facing the west. There is general belief that one has to offer prayers at Kshethrapalaka before having devi’s dharsan.