Presiding Deity and history
The presiding Deity of the Sree Kathiayani Bhagavathi Temple is "Vana Durga" ( Goddess Durga of the Forest )
Determining the exact antiquity of the temple is difficult which leaves questions such as "Who built the temple ?" and "When was the temple built" unanswered. However, it is believed that the temple once belonged to one of the three "Swamiyar Madhams" (Monasteries) founded by the great Holy Saint Sri Adi Sankaracharya (788 AD - 820 AD).
During the recent past, this temple and the equaly ancient Lord Shiva temple at Tali were under the trusteeship of two aristocratic Namboodri families ( A sect of Hindu Brahmins ) - the Koodalloor Mana and the Desamangalam Mana. Since it is established that the Shiva temple at Tali dates back to the period of the Perumal kings of Kerala, the Sri Karthyayani Bhagavathi Temple may be regarded to be equally ancient.
Unique aspects of Sree Kathiayani Bhagavathi Temple
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There is no installed idol in the temple - A fact that gives credence to the theory that the temple pre-dates the establishment of Brahminical religion in Kerala. Temples built after the advent of Brahmins in Kerala have idols consecrated by famous Saints.
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There is no roof for the Sanctum-Sanctorum or Garba-Griha / Sree-Kovil in the temple.
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In place of an idol, there is a deep hole near which a creeper plant grows. The creeper, called "Madhavi Latha", is of a very rare variety and is so old that it looks more like a tree than a creeper !
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The "Madhavi Latha" is so rare that, at present, it is seen at only two other places (both Goddess Durga temples) - one of which is the Bhagavathi Temple at Mookkuthala which is associated with the famous Saint "Vilwamangalam Swamiyar".
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Legend has it that the creepers represent the tresses of Goddess Durga. It is said that once, there was a "Kannadi Bimbam" or idol in the shape of a hand mirror ( Many temples of Goddess Durga have such idols ). When it was decided to remove it, it sank down into the deep bowels of earth.
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Once, the temple priest decided tried to find its depth by lowering a ring tied to a long thread into the hole. But even after joining several threads together, the bottom could not be reached !
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During the rainy season, water overflows from the hole filling the entire Sanctum-Sanctorum with 6~10 inches of water. During this period, Poojas are performed sitting on a stone platform. The Pooja utensils are also placed on a stone platform above the water level. It is believed that the water has medicinal properties.
About the Temple
Introduction
The Sree Kathiayani Bhagavathi Temple in Arangottukara is an ancient temple for Goddess Durga (Goddess of Power) who forms the Holy Trinity along with Goddess Saraswati (Goddess of Knowledge) and Goddess Lakshmi (Goddess of Weath and prosperity)
Arangottukara is a village located ~30 km from Thrissur city and 14 km to the west of Shoranur railway station on the Palghat-Guruvayoor road in the southern state of Kerala in India.