Saraswathy Temple

Views:

Sight Address : Saraswathy Temple is located 18 kms away from Kottayam town on the way to Changanacherry. Edit

Detail InformationEdit

Saraswathy Temple, dedicated to Saraswathy (Goddess of knowledge and learning) is Also known as Dakshina Mookambika Temple, it is famous for the Saraswathy pooja held every year in the month of Thulam (September/ October). The annual festival of the temple is also held during this time and the last three days, Durgashtami, Mahanavami and Vijayadashami are considered to be the most sacred for worship.Children are initiated into the world of letters at the Vidhyarambham ceremony held on Vijayadashami day. Devi Saraswathi does not have a temple structure here in this temple. The idol of the Goddess is beneath a Pond, completely covered over with a green creeper. The creeper never withers. Though devoted to Saraswathi, the main deity in the temple is Lord Mahavishnu. Devotees worship Mahavishnu before worshipping Goddess Saraswathi. Ganapathy, Shiva, Sasthavu and Yakshi are worshipped as sub deities.

Saraswathy Temple, Kottayam

HistoryEdit

Saraswathy Temple has Vishnu as the main deity. Myths say that there once lived a poor but pious Brahmin who was a devotee of Kollur Sri Mookambika Devi and that he used to visit Kollur temple every year. As the Brahmin grew old, his health worsened and on one of his trips to Kollur, he realized that he could no longer visit Mookambika again due to his poor health. As he returned to Panachikkadu, it is said that the Goddess Mookambika came mounted on his palm-leaf umbrella and settled at the present location at Panachikkadu Temple. The major festival of this temple is the Saraswathi Pooja in the month of Thulam [September – October]. During this Navaratri festival a large number of pilgrims congregate here to pay homage to the deity.

Must SeeEdit

Attraction

Visiting TimeEdit

N.A.

Closed OnEdit

N.A.

Best Season to VisitEdit

September to February.

Best Time To VisitEdit

Morning, Afternoon & Evening.

Time Required for SightseeingEdit

Minimum 30 minutes.

Ticket Required : No Edit

Individual National Adult Rs. : N.A.

Kids Rs. : N.A.

Individual Foreigner Adult Rs. : N.A.

Kids Rs. : N.A.

Still Photo Camera Rs. : N.A.

Video Camera Rs. : N.A.

Guide Required : No Edit

Approximate cost: N.A.

Dress Code (If Any) : No Edit

Dress Require: N.A.

Restaurants NearbyAdd / Edit

How to ReachEdit

Taxi : Local taxis are also available, though they are considerably more expensive than autorickshaws. There are taxi stands at the District Collectorate, and at the District Hospital.

Bus : There are bus services operating from cities like Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, Chennai, Bangalore, Mangalore, Coimbatore to Kottayam. Kottayam has a comprehensive local bus system which is inexpensive. Be warned, however, buses can become extremely crowded during rush hour.

Train : Kottayam has a number of long distance trains coming through. The town is linked to most major cities in India by trains, categorized as being either express or non-express. Short-haul trains also pass through Kottayam, connecting it to most cities and towns in Kerala.

Air : The Nearest airport is Cochin International Airport, 90 km to the north.

Others : Autorickshaw – This is another inexpensive way of getting between places in town, and is recommended if you’re weary of travelling by a crowded bus. As is the case, some of the drivers may try to cheat the traveller. Official rates are INR 12 for the first kilometre and INR 6 for every additional kilometre, though the rate increases at night.

Things to CarryEdit

Carry items such as camera, sunglasses, and own food and plenty of water.

Safety / WarningEdit

Keep your cell phone on silent mode inside the temple.

HelplineEdit

Police Control Room, Kottayam : 100/0481-5550400
Dhanwandhari Service Society Gandhinagar : 0481-2598935
Kottayam Fire Station : 101/0481-2567444 Mobile Ambulance : 108 Women Helpline : 1091