Information of Ammachiveedu Moorthy Temple, Kollam, Kerala

The Ammachiveedu Moorthy is a Hindu temple located in the Kollam district of the Indian state Kerala. This temple is known to be one of the oldest temples in the area dating back almost 600 years. The temple is highly revered by the devotees and is well known for its ten day festival during the Dhanu festival. This temple is at a distance of around 35 kilometers from the Shasthamokotta temple where the famed teacher of the Dharmashastra lived.

Ammachiveedu Moorthy Temple Religious Significance

This temple is visited by devotees from all over the state so that they can pay their respects. The striking fact about this temple is that unlike the other temples of the Hindu faith, this temple does not have a central or presiding diety. This temple however has been dedicated to the Guru of the Shasthamkotta temple who taught Dharma Shastra. The temple has many shrines in it which are dedicated to gods and goddesses such as Ganesha, Yakshi, Rekhtha Chamundi, Yogeshwaran, Marutha and Gandharavan etc. This temple is also visited by the people from the Muslim community to worship an idol of Ginnu which has been placed outside the main temple premises.

This temple is highly visited by devotees from all over and from all castes because unlike some temples where people belonging to the lower cast cannot enter, this temple welcomes all.

Ammachiveedu Moorthy Temple Mythology & History

The temple doesn't have any kind of myth or legend attached to it. The temple is built as a mark of respect and dedication to the Guru of the Shasthamokotta temple which is a short drive away. The idol is said to have been given to the elders of the Ammachi Veedu family as a sign of recognition for the marriage ceremonies carried out at their temple. It is believed that the idol was presented to the family by the Guru Dharma Shastha himself. They were also given the title "Brahma Rakshas" which means the right hand of the deity. As the deity of this temple was given the status of a Guru and the Ammachi Veedu family as their right hand they could no longer visit the Shasthamokotta temple. This was because the family occupies the position of the teacher of Dharma Sastha.

Ammachiveedu Moorthy Temple Architectural Importance

The temple is not so large and illustrative but it is small and simple. It has a Grabhagriha which is the main hall or room where the deity is placed. This Garbhagriha is small and measures 4 feet by 4 feet by 6 feet. The temple also has a small platform known as the Peedam which is covered with a silver plate and it is on this the deity stands. There are two conch shells in golden covers and are placed outside the peedam.

There are a number of deities placed outsdie the temple which include Ganesha, Yogeshwaran, Gandhravan, Yski, mathura, Rektha Chamundi, Vethalam and Paramparu. Outside the temple complex there is an idol of Ginnu, a deity that the Muslims come to worship.

The temple also has a snake grove known as the Sarpakavu adjoined to it where the images of deities such as Nagaraja, Parappooramma Bhagavati, Nagayakshi and Naga Kanyaka are housed.

Festivals at Ammachiveedu Moorthy Temple

Though the temple holds rituals for almost all Hindu related auspicious times some of the main festivals are Sarpa Bali, Noorum Palum and the Dhanu. Dhanu is the main festival of the temple which is usually held in the time between mid-December and early February. This festival is celebrated with much grandness and goes on for a period of 10 days.