Ancient temple of Jaladurga

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This picturesque temple in the village of Moodadi stands along the coast of the Arabian Sea. The temple still has its roots in the old times with the way it looks and feels, apart from some minor changes along the coastal promenade, most of the traditional rituals & architecture are still present here as it did at the time of origin. The history of the temple is unknown but it is around 5000 years old & one among the 108 Durga temples consecrated by Lord Parasurama which has its devotion towards Jaladurga or Sea Goddess. The temple is built along the coast which resembles the letter Ohm as it makes a turn along the land. To save the land from the sea, Parasurama built the temple & is now known by different names – Oru Punyakava, Uru Punyakavu, Guru Punyakavu. One can also worship Ayyapan, Ganapati & Vishnu here.

The temple has 5 holy ponds, out of these water from one pond is taken for the rituals of the temple. The water from these ponds are also used to cook food for the devotees. Inside the temple, you would also find a pond that is used by devotees to bathe before performing ancestral pujas. The temple is on a hillock & built over rocks but if you dig one foot into it, you will find pure water. Even though the temple is next to the vast sea, the water in the ponds is sweet & clear which is indeed a divine phenomenon.

The temple dedicated to Jaladurga is also a place that is considered to be a place of solace for the departed. As per Hindu traditions, the bali tharpanam or ancestral rites have to be conducted for the soul to find moksham & the temple is considered to be one among many temples where these offerings are made. Most of the devotees who come to the temple are to perform puja after the death of their ancestors on the 16th or 41st day. Some devotees also come here to perform yearly pujas. The rites are usually held along the sea & the remains of the departed are dissolved in the sea waves to provide moksha to the dead.

The Karthika vilakku festival is for 7 days & is the important festival here. On Karthika day, non-stop recitals of mantras (Agenda Namajapam) and Prasada Oottu are conducted here. The 10-day Navarathri festival is also conducted here unlike any other festival seen around Kerala, it is conducted without a lot of fuss & no fireworks are allowed as the goddess is considered to be in a state of peace.

As the deity is a combination of Goddess Lakshmi, Goddess Vidya Swaroopini, and Goddess Annapoorneshwary, devotees can conduct rituals like Vidhyarambham, and Choroonu on all days at this temple.

It is considered that no amount of sea turbulence will ever affect the temple & that waves only touch the steps of the temple. Another unique thing about the temple is the fact that even though it is next to the sea & the heavy wind blows all the time, the lamps inside the temple sanctum are always glowing.


#ancienttemple I #pasarurama I #jaladurga

 

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