- Special FeaturesFoundation Year500 - 1000 years oldSthala TreeTheerthamRathamArchitectureTraditional Kerala styleOther SpecialityThe temple is one of the 108 Ayyappan temples in Kerala
- Sthala Puran
Malamakkavu Ayyappa Temple is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Ayyappan, located in Anakkara Panchayath in the Palakkad district of Kerala.
Temple name is variously spelled as 'Mala-Mel-Kavu', 'Mala-Mal-kavu' or 'Mala-yil-Kavu'. They all mean "A temple (Kavu) located on the top (Mel) of a small hill(Mala)".
The legend, which the temple shares with many other temples across Kerala is that many hundreds of years ago a Cherumi couple chanced upon a divine rock while grazing the forest with their livestock. Upon being struck with a sickle, the rock bled blood, and thus its divinity was made apparent to all. Soon word went around of the discovery of a divine entity in the forest and the deity was formally instated in a specially made sanctum. A small temple (Kavu) was established around the idol. Not many historic records exist to authenticate the temple's antiquity, but written records exist that prove that the temple is more than 300 years old.
The temple is one of the 108 Ayyappan temples in Kerala. Its main idol, Ayyappan is oriented to the east so that offerings can be made. Other idols are Bhagavathi and Lord Siva.
Legends say that, if one prays with a full heart and places offerings at the feet of the Lord Ayyappa, the "Chengazhi Neer" flower, also known as "Neelathamara", will bloom the very next day in the temple pond as a sign of God's blessing.
- Architecture
- Alankar of Deity
- Prayers and BenefitsSpecial Vratas and PrayersOfferings to Deity
A special flower called "Chengazhinir Poovu" which is traditionally used as an offering to deity is found and grown only in the temple pond.
Stotras and Mantras
- FestivalsThalapoli is celebrated on the last Saturday of the month of Dhanu
- Sodasha Upcharas
- Prasadhas
- Social ActivitiesAnnadhanMarriageEar BoringHead ShaveDanaasEducation FacilitiesSocial DrivesOther Activities
- Arjita Seva
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