| Temples & Legends Of Kerala |
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| Temples & Legends Of
India |
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THE GODDESS WHO HAS PERIODS |
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The Bhagavati,
as already mentioned, is also housed in the same srikoil but facing west. There is a
passage inside connecting both the deities. The Mandapam in front of her shrine is
comparatively small. So also other structures like anakottil and gopuram.
The outer wall of the srikoil and the pillars and ceiling of the eastern mandapam have
fine woodcarvings depicting scones from the Puranas. They speak of the artistic skill of
the carpenters of those times, for which Chengannur and nearby Thiruvalla were famous. It
is on record that Marthanda Varma who built the famed Sri Padmanabhaswami temple at
Trivandrum took these artisans for woodwork.
The image of Siva, which is self-born, is hot chiseled into any shape. The deity is said
to represent the forlorn Siva after his separation from his consort, Sati, after she cast
off her body. It is, however, adorned with a gold cover with the image of an attractive
Ardhanariswara--half-man and half-woman - of about 3 feet height. The idol of
Bhagavati was originally in stone. Since this was damaged in a fire one made of Panchaloha
replaced it. -According to legend fishermen found the vigraha in the river. |
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