Panachikkadu temple

"Panachikkadu Temple"' is a Hindu temple for the goddess Saraswathi, situated at Panachikkadu in Kerala, India. It is also known as the "Dakshina Mookambika" Temple as it is a Saraswathi temple located in the Southern region of the Indian peninsula. This temple is dedicated to Goddess Saraswathi, the Goddess for arts and learning. It is also one of the prominent Saraswathi Temples in Kerala.

The Panachikkadu Saraswathi temple has Vishnu as the main deity. Myths say that there once lived a poor but pious Brahmin who was a devotee of Kolur sri Mookambika devi and that he used to visit Kolloor temple every year. As the Brahmin grew old, his health worsened and on one of his trips to Kollur, he realized that he could no longer visit Mookambika again due to his poor health. As he returned to Panachikkadu, it is said that the Goddess Mookambika came mounted on his palm-leaf umbrella and settled at the present location at Panachikkadu Temple.

The major festival of this temple is the Saraswathi Pooja in the month of Thulam [A month in the Malayalam calendar known as Kollavarsham (Kolla era) which falls approximately in September-October] . During this festival, also known as Navaratri (Nine Nights), a large number of pilgrims congregate here to pay homage to the deity.

The ceremony of Vidyarambham (formal initiation into the letters of the alphabet) for the children is held on Vijayadashami (last day of Navaratri) day. On that day thousands of people arrive at this temple to initiate learning to their children.A major cultural festival of classical dance and music is held in the temple for the duration of the nine nights to coincide with the festival.

Panachikkadu can be reached from Chingavanam (4 km) by travelling through MC Road and from Eravinalloor (2.5 km).

The official website of [http://www.panachikkad.org Panachikkaadu Temple]