Poonilarkavu Devi Temple is located on Kodakara – Vellikulangara road in Thrissur district, Kerala.
Parashakti Swaroopini Nana Durga is worshipped in the temple. The deity is also known as Poonooli Amma. The murti is swayambhu. The Kannadi Shila Pratishta faces east. The sanctum sanctorum is square – chatura sreekovil. The Upa Devatas worshipped in the temple are Ganapathi and Ayyappa. Sarpakavu with Nagaraja and Nagayakshi is located on the west side of the temple.
Poonilarkavu Devi Temple History
It is said that when Parashurama avatar of Vishnu was passing through the area happened to find a Divya Tejas. He attempted to consecrate the Divya Tejas as Shiva, Vishnu, Ganapathy and Subrahmanian. But he was unable to do it. Finally he realized that the Divya Tejas is Adi Parashakti. He then consecrated her on a Shila. The tejas entered the Shila and it gave rise to a swayambhu murti.
The cave in which Parashurama resided can be seen near the eastern gopuram of the temple. It is known as Parashurama muniyara.
The temple is one among the 108 Durga temples in Kerala.
It is believed that the original temple is 2000 years old.
Kunnath Thrikkovil Subrahmanya temple, Sri Mahadeva Temple, Sri Mahavishnu temple and Hidumban temple nearby are associated with Poonilarkavu. There are numerous rituals that connect these temples. Every Subrahmanian from his shrine comes and visit Mahadeva.
These temples have numerous ancient items associated with Parashurama. A granite slab and round stone atop it before Vishnu temple is believed to have been the spot in which Parashurama rested.
Poonilarkavu Devi Temple Festivals
The temple takes part in the Arattupuzha Pooram and Peruvanam Pooram.
The important festivals observed in the temple are Thrikarthika in Vrischikam, Skanda Sashti, Ayyappan Vilakku, Navratri, Mahashivratri, Prathishta Dinam, Para Purappadu, Uthram Vilakku and Pavarattu.
The day before Para Purappadu, special Ayurvedic medicines are offered as Naivedya to Goddess in the temple. The ayurveda kottu is prepared by Vaidyamadom namboothiris. This oushadakottu naivedya is disturbed as Prasad on the next day to devotees.