Mannadi Sri Bhagavathi Devi Temple
Mannadi Sri Bhagavathi Devi Temple
Suprabhatam
Mannadi Sri Bhagavathi Devi Temple
The shrine of Mannadi Devi, devoted to the goddess Bhagavathy, is located in the village of Mannadi, Adoor Taluk, Pathanamthitta District of Kerala. Mannadi Bhagavati, is the family deity of the Pandalam Royalty. Whenever Raja went to Sabarimala would worship in this temple. The stone idols in the ancient Bhagavathi temple are extraordinary. The river Kallada is flowing closely nearer to this sacred temple.
Goddess Bhadrakali in the Roundra Bhava (fierce form) after killing Darika, the demon king, is the main deity.
There are numerous mythologies on the source of this early temple. According to one such belief, Bhagavathy is ‘Self Appeared’ in this temple. An old lady was collecting grass from the present temple premises centuries ago. When she rubbed her sickle for sharpness on a stone, blood started oozing out from it. People gathered in the place and one of them suggested to beat the sand with force on the stone from which the blood was flowing. And when they did so the blood stopped. Thus the name ‘Mannady’ (‘Mannu’ means Sand and ‘Ady’ means beating). Then the Perakkattu potty who reached the place announced that the stone is Devi “Self appeared” and the Velichappadu announced that the Devi is “Bhadrakali”.
Legend says that the idol contains the divine power of Goddess Bhagavathi of Pattazhy. The temple was once owned by a local ruler known as Kambithan (a Nair title) of Pattazhy. When Kambithan established a new temple, he invoked the divine spirit of Goddess Bhagavathy of Pattazhi in an idol and consecrated here.
Thrikkarthika in the month of Vrichikam (November-December) is the main festive event. Yearly festival is celebrated in the month of Kumbham (February-March).