Malikappurathamma Temple, also called Malikappuram Temple, is located on a small hill to the right of the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple, just about 100 metres away from the main shrine. The worship of Malikappurathamma is believed to be centuries old, dating back to the time of the Pandalam Royal Family.
The presiding deity is Malikappurathamma, also known as Malikapurathu Amma, Manchambika, and Mancha Mathavu.
She is worshipped as a powerful form of Bhagavati, believed to be the combined energy of Saraswati, Lakshmi, and Parvati.
The temple is built in traditional Kerala-style architecture, with a sloping tiled roof, wooden pillars, brass lamps, and a serene courtyard.
The complex also houses small shrines for Kaduthaswamy, Nagaraja (Serpent King) ,Nagayakshi (Serpent Goddess).
On the way to the temple is Bhasmakulam, a sacred temple tank where pilgrims take a holy dip as a mark of purity and remembrance of Tapaswini Sabari.
The history of Malikappurathamma Temple is deeply connected to Lord Ayyappa, the Pandalam Royal Family, and the traditions of Sabarimala.
According to local belief, the Pandalam King constructed two shrines at Sabarimala—one for Lord Dharmasastha (Ayyappa) and another for Malikappurathamma, to honour her devotion and divine role.
Her temple became an essential part of the Sabarimala pilgrimage, symbolising devotion, sacrifice, and spiritual discipline. Over time, unique rituals, offerings, and processions developed around the shrine, making it a vital part of the Sabarimala experience.
There is more than one legend associated with this temple.
1. The Kalari and Leela’s Love
According to one major legend, Ayyappa learned martial arts at Cheerappanchira Kalari, where the Guru’s daughter Leela fell in love with him.
Ayyappa, being a Brahmachari, could not accept her proposal. But he promised:
“I will marry you on the day when no Kanni Ayyappas (first-time pilgrims) come to Sabarimala.”
Since Kanni Swamis continue to arrive every year, her wait remains eternal.
2. Malikappurathamma as Madhura Meenakshia
Another belief is that Malikappurathamma is Madhura Meenakshi, the ancestral goddess of the Pandalam Royal Family, linking her directly with the ancient Pandya dynasty.
3. The Story of Mahishi and Liberation
The longest and most powerful legend is tied to the avatar of Ayyappa created to kill the demoness Mahishi.
In ancient times, the combined energy of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva took the form of Dattatreya, while their consorts together incarnated as a girl named Leela, daughter of Sage Galava.
(Although Lord Dattatreya is widely known as an Avadhuta and a great Sanyasi, the Puranic tradition accepts that divine beings can take different forms to fulfil specific cosmic purposes. In this legend, Dattatreya appears in a temporary Grahastha (householder) form, through which the karmic cycle involving Leela, the curse, and the later birth of Mahishi takes place. After completing this divine purpose, he continues in his eternal Sanyasi state. Thus, the story does not contradict his renunciate nature but highlights that divine incarnations can assume any form needed for the protection of Dharma.)
Leela married Dattatreya but argued against his teachings on self-realisation. In anger, Dattatreya cursed her to be born as Mahishi, and she cursed him back to be born as Mahisha.
Mahishi later oppressed the Devas through the boon she received from Lord Brahma. To defeat her, Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu created an avatar—Manikantan, born of Hara (Shiva) and Hari (Vishnu as Mohini).
When Mahishi came to the earthly world, Ayyappa fought her, caught her by the horns, and killed her at Azhutha River. Lord Shiva witnessed this victory at Kalaketti.
As Ayyappa danced on her fallen form, Leela emerged from the curse, regained her divine identity, and requested to become his consort.
Ayyappa, bound by Brahmacharya for Dharma, gently declined but promised her a separate shrine at Sabarimala, where she would be worshipped eternally.
She was then known as Malikapurathamma.
The main festival at Malikappurathamma Temple is Malikappuram Ezhunnelathu, held during the Makara Vilakku season. For three consecutive nights, the goddess is taken in a grand procession on a caparisoned elephant to Saramkuthy, where Kanni Ayyappa pilgrims place their arrows. Each night, seeing thousands of arrows, the Devi silently returns, symbolising her eternal wait for Lord Ayyappa to fulfil his promise. Apart from this, the temple also observes important rituals such as Bhagavati Seva, special poojas during Mandala–Makaravilakku, and offerings connected to first-time pilgrims, all celebrating purity, devotion, and feminine divine energy.
