The presiding deity is Goddess Bhadrakali (locally called Paruthikkavil Amma), honoured as a fierce guardian who wards off calamities and blesses devotees with strength and prosperity. Daily worship follows the classic Kerala pattern of abhishekam, pushpanjali, performed by a hereditary namboothiri priesthood. Community life revolves around the temple: local residents organised as the Paruthikavu Temple Trust registered under NGO‑DARPAN—govern its affairs, fund maintenance and stage cultural programmes that range from sopāna sangeetham recitals to Kathakali nights during festival season. Recent news reports note how the shrine regularly hosts multi‑day devotional undertakings and rigorous month‑long readings, underscoring its role as a centre for scriptural learning as well as ritual worship.
Festivals
The Temple has a number of festivals. The important ones are :
Pongala & Annual Utsavam
Taking place in early December, this three-day festival centers on the revered Pongala offering: thousands of women gather around the temple to cook sweet rice over wood fired hearths as an act of devotion to Paruthikkavil Amma. The event concludes with an ezhunnallippu a ceremonial lamp lit procession winding through nearby roads, symbolizing collective homage and the goddess’s blessing.
Karthika Utsavam
Held annually from late November to mid-December, this nine day spiritual observance features continuous chanting of the Devi Bhagavata, scripture based discourses, and special rituals such as balagopala pooja and Uma Mahesvara pooja. The festivities culminate with a solemn ritual river bath and a symbolic victory procession honoring the goddess's triumph.
Contact Address:
Paruthikkavu Devi Temple,
Cherukulanji P.O., Vadasserikkara,
Pathanamthitta, Kerala – 689 673
