Pallickal Maha Devi Temple | About the Temple

Situated just two kilometers along the Mannady road, north of the famous kottarakkara Ganapathy temple, Pallikkal Maha Devi temple has a rich history of more than thousand years. This temple is one among the Pathinettu pattupura kshethram of the erstwhile Mannady temple which is closely associated with the history of Travancore. For the numerous devotees around the globe Pallikkalamma is the mother goddess, who saves them from all the trials and tribulations in their lives. Contrary to Devi’s usual posture of anger, Pallikkalamma is a symbol of love and passion for her devotees. Pallikkalamma is a mother goddess with sathvika bhavam. There are a number of incidents to illustrate her kindness.

One among the legend is the visit of Kaambithan to the temple. Kaambithan was a renowned Sidha of the region. He was undertaking a pilgrimage to Devi temples. Thus he came to the world of Pallikkalamma. But at that time the temple and sanctum sanctorum was locked. Pallikkalamma felt the visit of her true devotee Kaambithan. Thus he heard the conch-shell voice from the locked sanctum sanctorum. The bells in the temple rang. Thus Amma proved her divine presence there.

Historical evidence about the importance of this temple is linked with Veluthampy Dhalava who sacrificed his life for the freedom of his motherland. After the very renowned Kundara Proclamation Veluthampy and his younger brother fled to the Mannady temple.It is sure that on the way to the Mannady Temple the duo visited the Pallikkal Mahadevi temple.

The Great Cotton Tree
To the North side of the temple near by the Kavu(grove), there is a huge Cotton tree (Elavu maram). It is more than thousand years old. The tree can be seen from every part of the region. It looks like an umbrella to the temple. The devotees also bow before the natural wonder.

Great Cotton Tree

KULAKKADA THAMARASSERRY NAMBIMADOM

This is a very old thanthrik family in Kollam district in Kerala. It still holds the Thanthrasasthra, which was instituted by Parasurama. It is also believed that Parasurama brought this family from the North in order to systematize the ritualistic procedures in this holy book. With continuous and rigorous commitment the members of this family completed this work commendably well. These systems and procedures are being performed without fail.

The family got the unique distinction in worshiping the very rare moorthy’s such as Vallabha Ganapathy, Aavahanthy, Sreechakram, Bhadrakaly, Durgayakshy and Sooryan(Sun).These moorthy’s were consecrated in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple in the nalukett of the family decades back


Kshethra Thanthri Sri. Ramesh Pandarathil	Melshanthi Sri. R. Mohanan Potti

Being the devotees of soorya, the male members of this family are known as Bhanu, which is a synonym of Sun. One among the Acharya of this family Bhanu Pandarathil, who lived from 1102 to 1184 of the Malayalam year, consecrated Swayamvara Parvathy and systematized the rituals for her.

This great family is the thanthry of more than 400 temples all over Kerala. There are historical evidences which suggest that one of the heads of this family consecrated the so called 18 pattupura temples of the Mannady temple in the first year of the Malayalam era (A.D. 825).

Dr.Mannar N.P.Krishna Pillai
	Dr.Mannar N.P.Krishna Pillai is the main astrologer (prasnikan) of the temple. Under his leadership Ashtamangala Devaprasnam was held here. As per the directions of the ‘Prasnam’ the renovation of the temple took place. Since then the glory of the temple increased several folds. Dr. Krishna Pillai is a famous astrologer of modern days. He is also an expert in Vastu, Palmistry and Holistic medicine. He is now working as the vice president of Jyothisasthramandalam.