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Methala Kallil Bhagavathy Temple – Miracle Hanging Stone – History – Festival – Kallil Cave Temple Timings

Methala Kallil Bhagavathy temple is an ancient cave temple inside a miracle hanging stone and is located at Asamannoor in Kunnathunad, Ernakulam District in Kerala. The main pratishta in the temple is that of Goddess Bhagavathi in a cave beneath a massive rock that stands without any support. The 8-day annual festival in the temple begins on the Thrikarthika day or Karthika nakshatra day in Vrischika Masam (November – December).

Methala Kallil Bhagavathy Temple Timings

Morning darshan timings are from 5:30 AM to 10:15 AM
Evening darshan timings are from 5:00 PM to 7:15 PM

Methala Kallil Bhagavathy temple is a giant monolith stone which is apparently suspended in air with no visible foothold on to the earth below. Bhagavathi is seated fully bejeweled little to the right of the door of the shrine. There is a balikkallu in front of the sreekovil, stone roofed elephant shed, steps made of stones and the temple pond and the oottupura carved in stone. The main upa devata worshiped in the temple are Ganapathi and Nagas.


Methala Kallil Bhagavathy Temple Rock

The very rock holding on to its position solely owing to the grace of Mother Goddess Bhagavathy which is a miracle is the unique feature of this temple. This giant of a monolith measuring a whooping 75 feet length, 45 feet width and 25 feet height stands tall as nothing less than enigma before devotees, onlookers, skeptics and scientific community.

All the important aspects of the temple architecture here are carved in huge boulders. 

Methala Kallil Bhagavathy Temple History

Studies indicate that the inception of the temple might date back to third century BC. This natural structure situated right in the middle of a jungle as wide as 28 acres is considered one among prime ancient Jain temples in Kerala.

The temple and the adjoining lands belonged to the erstwhile powerful Kallil Pisharom.

The presence of Vardhaman Mahavir, Paarshwanadhan and Padmavathi devi as deities point towards Jain influence. It is believed that Jain monks meditated here during ancient times and then the place was abandoned for a long period. The presence of Devi Chaithanyam led people to the cave. It is said to have become a Hindu temple in the 9th century CE.

Methala Kallil Bhagavathy Temple Story

Once, people gathering forest resources in the then dense forest came to see a divinely beautiful woman toying with huge stones. They were curious to know who this was, but in fraction of a second the divine woman hid herself in the cave forming a cover with the stones she was playing with. The lady was none other than Kallil Bhagavathi. The stone that went up became the roof and the one fallen down became the seat of the Goddess.

Methala Kallil Bhagavathy Temple Festival

The 8-day annual festival in the temple is famous for the procession by a female caparisoned elephant. It is quite a scene to witness the ‘Pradakshinam’ through the intricate pathway with the amazing illumination forming a befitting accomplice to the whole course of action. Utsava bali is held on the sixth day of the festival. The seventh day of the festival is famous for Valiya vilakku. The famous edithozhal takes place on the first day or the thrikarthika day.

The shrine observes the nine day navratri festival, niraputhari in chingamasam, ayiliyam puja in Kanni Masam (September – October), Kalashavarshika Mahotsavam is held on Uthradam nakshatra in Medam month, Ramayana Masam and Vinayaka Chaturthi.

The most important days in a week are Tuesdays and Fridays. Special pujas and rituals are held on Karthika nakshatra day in a Malayalam month.