Kavinpuram Devi Temple is located in Kerala, close to the towns of Pala and Ramapuram in Kottayam district. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and his holy consort Parvati. The temple has been recently repaired and renovated with the help of the local community. Now it has become an important Hindu worshipping centre of the region. Devotees from far off places visit the temple to offer their worship and prayers to the Lord and receive their blessings.
Legend of Kavinpuram Devi Temple
Kavinpuram Devi Temple is associated with a legend from the famous epic Mahabharata. According to it Arjuna, third of the five Pandavas was once passing through a forest. Arjuna`s achievements as an archer and a warrior had made him famous. This had inflated his ego. Hence to teach the lesson of humbleness Lord Shiva and Parvati decided to humiliate Arjuna. They disguised themselves as primitive hunters "Kiratha" and "Kirathi" living in the forest. They went to Arjuna and challenged him for a fight. Arjuna, not being aware of their true identity proceeded to fight them with contempt. He however faced a humiliating defeat. Arjuna then realized that his opponents must be Lord Shiva and Parvati. Arjuna then asked for forgiveness and received blessings from them. The main idol of Kavinpuram Temple depicts their blessing posture in this context.
Festivals of Kavinpuram Devi Temple
Kavinpuram Devi Temple celebrates many festivals and rituals with much pomp and show. During the festival time the temple is beautifully decorated with lights and flowers. Apart from the main deities the temple also has many other idols like Lord Ganesha and Lord Sastha. Other sub temples for Naga Raja, Naga Yakshi, Naga Kanyaka and Rakshas are also located within the main compound.
The main festival of the temple is celebrated on the 12th and 13th days of the month "Dhanu" in the native calendar. It usually falls in the month of December. The principal attraction at this festival is the "Kavinpuram Thalappoli." This is a long procession of people carrying oil lit lamps at night. Devotees from different places come to the temple to participate in this event. Apart from this there are many other festivals celebrated by the temple like "Pongala" and "Naranga Vilakku." These are celebrated in the month of "Vrischikom".
Devotees who visit the temple also perform many pujas and rituals here on a daily basis. Some of the most important ones are "Aranaazhipayasam", "Niramala" and "Pushpanjali". Others include cracking coconut for Lord Ganesha, "Neerajanam" for Lord Sastha, "Palpayasam" for Rakshas, and "Thalichukoda" and "Ayilyapooja" for Sarpam. Many poojas are also conducted by the temple for couples to have a long and happy married life. One such notable ritual is the "Swayamvara Pushpanjali" pooja. This is organised on seven consecutive Mondays and culminates with the "Uma Maheswara" puja on the evening of the final Monday.
