AZHOOR BHAGAVATHI TEMPLE

   HISTORY OF AZHOOR BHAGAVATHI TEMPLE

 Azhoor Bhagavathi temple is situated in the first ward of Azhoor grama panchayath. 350 years ago a person saw a "MUDI"(Thrown of Godess) in the seashore of Perumathura,two kilometers away from Azhoor.He worshipped the "Mudi" with the help of some Muslim friends .After some time a temple was constructed by the Hindu families.The administration of the temple is done by Azhoor Temple Trust.The trust was formed in 1982 and the vivification of temple was completed March1983.

KARTHIKA MAHOLSAVAM

 "Karthika Nal" in the month of Meenam is considered as the Birth Day of Goddess of Azhoor This day is celebrated as the Meena Karthika Mahotsavam . In the festival most important "Vazhipadu"(offering) offered by the devoties is the "Garudan Thookkam". It is belived that when a devotie hangs on the Villu and encircles in the temple,the merciful goddess puts an end to all his sorrows. The devotei has to stay in the temple and worship the Goddess for seven days. After the reconstruction of the temple,the celebration of seven days was srared. On the day of the "KarthikaNal" the devotiess visit the "Erathu Madan Nada Temple" and get dressed in festivel clothes. They are accompanied to the Temple by "Thalapolies", "Vadhyamelam"(instrumental music), Elephant processsion. After procession they enter the temple at 5 'Oclock. After that the Garudan Thookkam begins. At 4 'O clock in the the next morning Meenam Karthika festival comes to an end with the lighting of the lamp.

THOOKKAM

 The most important "Vazhipadu"(offering) of the devoties is the Garudan Thookkam. It is believed that when a devoties hangs on the "Villu" and encircles the temple,the merciful Goddess will put an end to all of his sorrows.The devoties with his ongoing fast has to stay in the temple for seven days and to pray the goddess. There are three type of Thookkams, "Pullaketti thookkam","Alankara Thookkam"& "Ordinary thookkam".In pullaketti thookkam children below fine are tied to the Villu and hanged by an elder devoties. In Alankara thookkam the "Villu" is decerated beautifully.The villu used for this Thookkam is made of "Anjil" wood .After the Thookkam the older devotie stays in the temple till the next morning. He usually wears a garland of "Thettipoove" . He removes this garland only after the prays in front of the lamp at early morning 4'O clock. 

PONKALA

On 'Bharani Nal', at 8 O' clock in the morning women often the Ponkala Nivedyam .After the Ponkala the Priests pills holy water on the Nivedyam.The women return their home after the Ponkala receiving the blessings of the Goddess.

URUL

Urul is part of the festival celebrated in connection with the "Karthika Meena Bharani Mahostavam".Urul from the various part of the Azhoor Grama Panchayath reach the Temple on the morning of the Bharani Nalu.Various cultural activities are followed by the Urul. They include Bands,Theyyam,Floats(Courtesy-windsoft-software development, Attingal, thiruvananthapuram)