Thiruvalathur Sree Randu Moorthy Temple is located at Alathur in Palakkad district, Kerala. The temple lies on the banks of Sokanasini River at Thiruvalathur. The temple is one among the 108 Durga temples in Kerala. It is also one of the biggest temples in Palakkad district.
There are two deities worshipped in the temple. Annapurneshwari (Goddess Annapurna) is worshipped in Kizhekavu and Mahishasura Mardini is worshipped in Melkkavil.
The murti of Annapurneshwari is swayambhu – of divine origin. The murti of Mahishasura Mardini is 7 feet tall and is carved in wood.
The temple is famous for its striking architecture and structural beauty. There are two flag posts or kodimaram in the temple. The temple has a circular sanctum sanctorum (vatta sreekovil). The temple has an anapalla mathil made out of granite stone. The temple has a beautiful Koothambalam (traditional temple theatre) and a huge Mizhavu (a percussion instrument).
As per history, the temple stands on an ancient farmland. The Swayambhu murti was discovered in the farmland by a Mannadiyar. The temple was earlier managed by Naduvil Madom.
The 10-day annual festival is held in such a manner that Pallivetta is held on Karthika nakshatra day in Vrischikam month. The major attraction of the festival is the lighting of Chuttuvilakku (stone lamps) surrounding the temple on Thrikarthika day.
Alathur Randu Moorthy Temple Story
It seems for a long time that the sanctum sanctorum and others around the murti of Bhagwathi was incomplete in spite of great efforts and people used to call it “pani theeratha kovil” (the incomplete temple.). It seems then suddenly, some Bhootas constructed the entire temple in 14 days. The entire construction was done by granite stones.
The two Bhagavathi are in two different heights. The Annapurneshwari is at a lower height and Mahishasura Mardini in the higher plane.
Mahishasura Mardhini is made of jack wood. She has eight hands and holds all her weapons in those hands. Unlike other temples with murtis made of jack wood, here Chanthattam (painting the statue with kumkum) is not done. In spite of this the statue is not even slightly damaged.
There is utsava murti of Mahishasura Mardini and abhishekam is done on this . This murti is surrounded the seven Durgas – Brahmani, Maheswari, Koumari, Vaishnavi, Vaarahi, Indrani and Chamundi.
The entire Ramayana has been painted in the roof of the mandapam of this temple in six parts. In spite of no maintenance, these pictures look as if they were just painted.
Another peculiarity of this temple is that unlike all other temples in Kerala, in this temple Brahmins are not allowed to sit in the Mandapam opposite the sanctum sanctorum.
Morning darshan and puja time is from 5:30 AM to 10:30 AM
Evening darshan and puja time is from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM