Changanassery Kavil Bhagavathy temple is located at Puzhavathu near Changanassery in Kottayam district, Kerala. This is a traditional Kerala temple dedicated to Goddess Bhagathy. The annual Meena Bharani day, which is observed in Malayalam Meena Masam, is an important festival in the temple.
The annual festival in the temple is held in Malayalam Dhanu Masam.
Changanassery Kavil Bhagavathy Temple – History
As per local history, Kavil Bhagavathy temple was the family deity of Changanassery Idam, a branch of the Thekkumkoor Royal family. Though the Thekkumkoor Royals were vanquished by King Marthanda Varma of Travancore in the 10th C AD, the temple survived. The temple was given its present form by Thekkumkoor Udaya Marthanda Varma Rajah nearly 900 years back.
The sankalpam of Goddess Bhagavathy in the temple is that of Goddess Bhadrakali. The temple has a west facing sanctum. The shrine has a nalambalam, namaskara mandapam, chathura sreekovil and shrines of upa devatas.
The annual festival in the temple is famous for melam, caparisoned elephants, traditional performing art forms of Kerala and procession.
The shrine observes Navratri with Ashtami, Navami and Vidyarambham or Ezhuthiniruthu on the Vijayadashami day.