Aroor Karthiyayani Temple
This temple which faces towards east, is situated on the Ernakulam
- Alappuzha national highway with a convenience of having a bus stop
named as Aroor Temple stop. The presiding deity is Karthiyayani and
sub deities are Sivan and Ganapathi. Five poojas are conducted, with
reference to Puliyannur Tantric method. An eight day festival is organized,
incorporating an Arrattu which falls on an Uthram day during the month
of Meenam. As per the epic, Villuamangalam, enroute in Aroor, noticed
a divine light at the bottom of the Chootha tree, and hence installed
the diety. The archeological records say, that the old statue which
was destroyed by the Dutch, lies in the temple pond. Another historical
record is that, during the attack of the Dutch, the Brahmins living
here fled. It was also told that this temple was situated in front
of the "Jyothisha Kotta" of the King of Co chin. Till 1640
it was Moothedeth Kaimal family who was ruling Aroor and surrounding
areas, with an agreement with the King of Cochin, to pay one tenth
of the earnings they make here and it was been paid periodically.
Even though there arose a dispute regarding this payment and the Dutch
interfered and a new agreement was established on April 6th 1710.
During 1762, the province was handed over to Travancore, and it was
later ruled by 72 Madambis, that is one record. But, originally, the
possibility is that, the temple would have been with the Moothedath
Kaimal's, and it would have been in this period that the Dutch attacked
this province.
History says that the destroyed temple was re-instated by Kannankulangara
Kaimal. Once in the destroyed Kanjira wooden floor of the temple,
Kaimal saw the image of Devi, and in order to "make Devi stay
there itself, he requested not to go away, until he reaches back with
a tender coconut, and he went home and hanged himself. This act was
done for the sake of retaining the presence of Devi in the province.
, as per epic. His spiritual presence remains in the bottom of the
Palm tree, and is called "Arrukolla Ammavan"."
There is also a possibility that Kaimal might have died during confrontation
with the Dutch. Olden days this temple was known as "Kattil Pisharam".
These terms are believed to have originated from lainism and has transited
to Hinduism through the Viashnava branch. and may be during the ages
ofVilliuamangalam it would have changed to be a Vaishnava Durga Temple.
It is believed that Aroor Karthiyayani temple is one" among the
108 Durga temples.
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