Address Temple Road, Kerala 689110 | ||
Palliyarathalam Bhadrakali Kshethram is a very ancient temple located at Nedumprom East(near Podiyadi, Thiruvalla) in central Travancore district of Pathanamthitta. The deities of temple are:
- Devi (Bhadhrakali)
- Shivan
Poojas are conducted occasionally to the Brahmarakshassu too. The temple is characterized by the distinctive sanctum sanctorum (shrikovil) where all the three deities are seen in the same sanctum sanctorum, which is very rare. The temple belongs to Travancore Devaswom Board. Temple has very much historical importance related to the ancient Travancore King His Majesty Sri Padmanabha Dasa Vanchi Pala Anizham Thirunal Maharajah Marthanda Varma,(1706–1758). Veera Marthanda Varma took asylum in the temple when he needed protection from the 'Ettuveettil Pillamar'(Lords of the Eight Houses, were a group of nobles from Eight Nair Houses in erstwhile Venad in Kerala). The road that runs in front of the shrine is named, on behalf of this, as 'Veera Marthanda Varma Road'.
Nedumprom Nampoothiri family is related to this temple history and the King. The King and his loyal chief minister(Devan) Ramayyan Dalava took asylum in the Madom (Brahmin house). It is said that some members of this Nampoothiri family sacrificed their lives in order to protect the King and became Brahmarakshassu. With courtesy to this sacrifice, the King gave lands in Alapra, Ezhumattoor, Mannur and a Devi temple in the forest region of Pothenpuzha(Alapra) and making all these wealth and possessions free from taxes.
Theeyattu
Theeyattu is an ancient and ritualistic art form done for the blessings of Devi Bhadrakali. It is being conducted in the temple as offerings(vazhipadu) by the devotees of Devi. Theeyattu is performed by the members of a Brahmin community called 'Theeyattunni'. One of the ancient Theeyattunni families is located in front of the temple itself. They are responsible for conducting the above-mentioned Theeyattu in this temple.