Mullackal Rajarajeswari temple, Alappuzha

Mullackal Rajarajeswari temple, Alappuzha

The temple is located at the heart of Alleppey town. The presiding deity is Goddess Rajarajeswari. Mullakkal Devi Temple is a unique temple with no roof over the sanctum sanctorum and the diety is exposed to sun and rain. The other parts of the temple also do not conform to the architectural pattern of Kerala temples except the gopuram in front and the grand anakottil (elephant house) behind it.

The temple celebrates two festivals every year. The nine-day 'Navarathri' festival is specially important. the last two days, Mahanavami and Vijayadasami are most auspicious. Devotees throng the temple in large numbers to seek the blessings of the Devi. Colourful processions participated by nine elephants are held in the evening. It is witnessed by thousands of devotees. Also several cultural programmes including Ottanthullal are staged in the temple.

Another festival celebrated by the temple is a one day 'Thaipooyakavadi' about fifteen kavadis take part in this spectacular procession which is presented during the evening.

A minor festival, the Kodiyettu Utsavam is celebrated in the temple during the Navarathri day, though the Chirappu is by far the most important festival which is as famous as the Sivarathri festival of Aluva, and the Ashtami celebrations of Vaikom.

Mullakkal Chirappu is one of the main festival time for Alappuzha people.Past the month of Vrischikam, when Dhanu approaches, (December) the entire Alappuzha town assumes a festive look, throbs with activity and exults in jubilation. During these days, streets and buildings are decorated with flags and festoons. Big arches are put up across roads and the entire locality is illuminated with colour bulbs. The main thoroughfares are the bespread with snowy bright sand and the roads would appear as though they were covered with white carpet. Certainly, in no other Devi temple in Kerala, the Chrirappu Utsavam is celebrated on as large a scale as in the Mullackal Devi temple.

There are many stories behind this temple. Some say that the idol seen here was brought by the soldiers of the Thekkumkur king. They were supposed to have kept it in a Jasmine Garden. The idol got permanently fixed at this spot and later a temple was constructed by the king Devanarayana of Chembagasery.

Payasam, Vada, Appam are normally offered to the Goddess as Naivedyam.

The first Sunday of December is celebrated in this temple as a women's festival. On that Day all functions of the temple are carried out by women only.

The temple timings are 5 AM to 10.30 AM and between 5 to 8 PM