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Karikkakom Sree Chamundi Temple

Karikkakom Sree Chamundi Devi Temple is located about seven kilometers east of Kizhakkekotta in Thiruvananthapuram. The shrine is dedicated to Mother Goddess Shakti who is worshipped in the form of Goddess Chamundi.

Karikkakom Sree Chamundi Temple History

It is believed that the place had a Kalari of a group of soldiers of erstwhile Travancore kingdom. Therefore the place was known as Kalarikkakom and got abbreviated to Karikkakom.

Some scholars are of the view the the place where the present temple is located was a Vayal - known as Kari in local language. So the place got the name Karikkakom from the vayal or kari.

Those who committed crimes or were suspects had to prove their innocence in the temple through the procedure of Satyam Thellikkal. 

People who have committed sin get redemption after offering prayers here. In ancient times, the temple was a place where justice was delivered and punishments meted out.


Three Forms Of Chamundeshwari In The Same Vigraham

The deity worshipped in the temple is Chamundeshwari, Raktha Chamundi and Bala Chamundi. All the three deities are worshipped in the same murthi or Vigraham. The main deity thus has three forms.

The murti worshipped in the sreekovil is a panchaloha vigraham of Goddess Chamundi. The deity is highly ferocious - ugra murti.

On the south side there is a separate shrine for Raktha Chamundi and Bala Chamundi. There is no murti of Raktha Chamundi - there is only a painting.

The temple has  five-tiered gopuram. Adjacent to the gopuram there are two very old mango trees which are believed to be the bodyguards of Goddess. 

Before 1997, the temple was opened to devotees only on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Today the temple is open on all days.

The subsidiary deities worshipped in the temple include Sastha, Vinayaka, Yakshi Amma, Bhuvaneshwari, Ayiravalli and Yogeswaran.

Nagar Kavu, famous for medicinal plants, is located outside the temple wall. The temple pond is also located here. Special rituals are observed here to remove various Sarpa Dosha.

Pongala in the temple is held on Makam nakshatra in Meenam month.

The main offering in the temple is Thannir Koda.