Chirappu 2025 | Mankombu Devi Temple Alappuzha

ചിറപ്പ് 2025 മങ്കോമ്പു ദേവി ക്ഷേത്രം ആലപ്പുഴ | Chirappu 2025 Mankombu Devi Temple Alappuzha

Legend associated with this temple is that, during the reign of king Marthanda Verma of Travancore, one official named Pavathil Kaimal requested the king to allot him some forest wood so that he could build his own house. The king gives permission to Kaimal to cut trees.
Kaimal cut the required logs and when he was trying to transport the logs by the river, three very pretty women approached Kaimal and requested for a lift. Kaimal informed them that he would allow them to travel with him provided they became ugly. They then transformed themselves into ugly women and travelled along with the logs When the boat reached the present location of Mankombu, it stopped there and refused to move further.Then the pretty women revealed to Kaimal that they were goddesses and wanted temples to be built there for them.

They then changed themselves into idols. For the first Goddess a temple was built in Koyikkal, the second in a place called Vadaiattu. When they were considering where to consecrate the third goddess, she possessed one of the people assembled there and that person threw a branch of a mango tree and requested them to build a temple where it fell. They conceded to the wish of the Goddess and since it was the place where the branch of the mango tree fell, it was called Mankombu, meaning "Branch of a mango tree". Till this day the descendents of the man who threw the mango branch have a say in the affairs of the temple. The goddess faces the west direction. A keda-vilakku meaning an eternal lamp is kept lit all the time in front of the Goddess, since it is believed that she likes light. Lighting lamps is one of the very important worship forms in this temple.

In the south-eastern corner of the temple of the Goddess, another one for Lord Shiva can be seen. It is customary that perambulations around the sanctum sanctorum are done four times. The idol of the Goddess is made of Jack wood and is in a roudra-bhava (fierce form of Mahishasura Mardini). However a golden mask having a peaceful feature is adorned on the face of the goddess. This idol has a crown with 15 serpents carved on it, as also a symbol of an elephant as her right ear piece and a lion on the left ear. She also wears an Erukku Maalai (garland of the Erukku flower).

Chirappu 2025 | Mankombu Devi Temple Alappuzha

Chirappu festival starts in the Malayalam month of Dhanu (April). It is a 10 day spectacular event. The shrine is traditionally decorated with plantain, coconut leaves, flowers, leaves, traditional lamps and lights. There are special poojas and offerings during the festival period.Kalabham Charth (application of perfumed sandalwood powder) on the idol is performed at the temple during these days. Many cultural programs, bhajans, Bhagavatha Parayanam etc. are part of the festival. Plenty of devotes visit the temple during this period.

EVENTS/PROGRAMS

• Kalabham Charthu
• Annadanam
• Bhagavatha Parayanam
• Spiritual discourses
• Bhajans
• Seminars
• Percussion Music

Temple Location

📍 Mankombu Bhagawathy Temple, Mankombu, Alappuzha - 688502 Kerala.

Accessibility

🏙️ Nearest Town/ Landmark/ Junction: Alappuzha Town - 21.4 Km

🚌 Nearest Bus Station: Changanassery Bus Station - 18 Km
Alappuzha Bus Station - 21.5 Km

🚂 Nearest Railway Station:Changanassery Railway Station - 19 Km
Alappuzha Railway Station - 22 Km

✈️ Nearest Airport: Nedumbassery International Airport - 104 Km

CONTACT

📞 +91 477 2702 267 (Pulinkunnu Grama Panchayat)