The temple is eight kms south of Alleppy town, at the eastern side of N.H at Punnapra. This Temple is dedicated to Devi, represented in her mighty form, after Killing the demon Daruka. The idol is designed out of ‘Krishna Sila’ and represents the different forms of the ‘Devi’ as Saraswathi, Parvathi and Lakshmi at different times. She is said to have washed her sword in the Temple pond behind the temple. The Devi of Aravukad temple is said to be the sister of the Devi of Kannichakulangara and Kodungalloor. In ancient times this Temple was in the
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custody of Brahmins but during the invasion of Tipu Sultan they left the place in fear, handing over the Temple to a family residing nearby in Komarathussery. They in turn handed it over to five branches of S.N.D.P Union. Subsequently these S.N.D.P branches handed it over to all Hindus of 10 ‘Karas’ south from Neerkunnam to north upto Kalarkode. The Festival of this Devi Temple starts in the Malayalam month of “Meenum” from ‘Bharani’ to ‘Pooram’ for ten days. People from various parts of the state come to the temple to witness the various Festivities and Programmes. “Thiripidutham”, holding of the Lighted torch is a very important offering in which thousands of devotees participate. On the tenth day of the Festival after the “Deeparadhana”, devotees take a dip in the Temple Pond and come before the temple in wet clothes. The Poojari will give a lighted torch to the devotees and they go round the Temple in ‘Prathikshna’. It is their belief that all their Prayers will be granted by performing this particular offering. The ‘Swarna Dhawajam’ is another attraction of this famous temple. The Devi of this temple is said to bless all her devotees and grant all their prayers and wishes. In this Devi Temple ‘Pongala’ is performed as an offering. In the Malayalam month of Makaram on the “Makayiram” day the Pongala is celebrated. This is the “Punaprathishta” day. The chief “Nivedyam” is “Arunazhi Payasam”. Aravukad Devi Temple is always thronged by devotees coming from different parts of the country seeking the blessing of goddess ‘Aravukad Amma’. Lord Siva, Saraswathi, Gosala Krishnan, Kodum Kali, Navgrahas, Subrahmania Swami, Brahmarakshus and Maha Ganapathi are the important upadevatas in this famous temple. Special poojas are performed for the fulfilment of various desires of the devotees. Lord Siva consecrated on Krishna Sila is another speciality of the temple. One chief offering is Guruthi . For the best marriage proposal there is the Swayamvara pushpanjali and this is performed on Mondays. Ganapathi Homam, Angi Charthal for the Devi are other important offerings. The performance of Ganapathi Homam and Bhagavathy Seva on the Full Moon Day is also very important. Many people participate in the Shashti Vritam performed for the Upadevata Subramanyan.