Vellayani Devi Temple
Vellayani Devi temple is positioned on the eastern banks of Vellayani Lake in Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram district in the state of Kerala, India. The temple is administered by the Travancore Devaswom Board. Vellayani Devi Temple is said to be build in the 14th century AD. The main attraction of this temple is its picturesque view, since it is situated on the banks of Vellayani Lake. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Bhadrakali, the most ferocious Goddess of all. Other sub deities of Vellyani Devi Temple include Lord Ganapathy, Lord Siva and the Nagaraja. There is a separate shrine for Madan Thampuran in the Vellayani Devi Temple.
The history says that Kelan Kulashekhara, a blacksmith, saw a frog with divine powers near the lake. He caught the frog and brought it to the Nair cheiftains of the locality. Kulashekhara, then, constructed the Thiru mudi (idol) in which the divine spirit is stored. From then on, the right to perform the rituals is held by the Nair families. The priest of the temple also belongs to the blacksmith family.
Another part of the story says that Darika, a demon who received a boon from Lord Brahma went on to conquer the world by defeating the King of gods, Indra, with his immense power. His intolerable atrocities made the divine Sage Narada to request Lord Shiva to destroy Darika. Lord Shiva opened the Third Eye and created the ferocious Kali to destroy Darika who had received a boon that he can’t be killed by any human living in any of the fourteen worlds of the Hindu Mythology. Goddess Kali was a woman who was given birth by a divine power. Kali, the most ferocious form of Lord Shiva’s third eye did not stop even after killing the demon. She went on to kill all the human beings for whom Darika was killed. No God could stop her. Kali was finally calmed down after Lord Shiva, her creator, surrendered to her.
Located on the eastern bank of Vellayani Lake, Thiruvananthapuram, Vellayani Devi Temple is one of the famous temple dedicated to Goddess Bhadrakali. The Vellayani Devi Temple has one of the largest idol of Goddess Bhadrakali among the idols of Kerala Kali temples. The temple is under the management of Travancore Devaswom Board.
Architecture
The Vellayani Devi Temple structure has a bronze roof with traditional art work and carries Dravidian architecture. The temple has eastern and northern towers called Gopurams with statues of different Gods sculptured in them. The Gopurams function as gateways through the walls that surround the temple complex.
Darsan Info
Timings : On First day of all Malayalam months, Vellayani Devi Temple will open at morning 5.30 AM and close at 8.00 AM.Remaining days temple open at evening 5.30 PM and close at 8.00 PM
Vellayani Devi Temple, Nemom, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695 020
Vellayani Devi Temple can be reached easily from Thiruvananthapuram Central Bus Station at Thampanoor (9 km) and from City Bus Depot at East Fort. It is well connected by state road transport and private buses. Nearest airport is Thiruvananthapuram International Airport.