Sree Vettikkavu Bhagavathi Temple is located in Irumpanam, a peaceful town near Thripunithura, in Ernakulam district, Kerala.
The presiding deity is Goddess Bhadrakali, worshipped here in her fierce and powerful form as Mahishasuramardini—the slayer of the demon Mahishasura. The idol depicts the goddess in a majestic posture, standing above the demon, with a spear (Vel) thrust into him, symbolizing the victory of good over evil. Though fierce in appearance, the goddess is believed to be kind-hearted, protective, and quick to respond to sincere prayers.
The temple is known for its deep-rooted spiritual practices and pure Vedic rituals. It is one of the few temples in Kerala where Rig Vedic chanting is performed daily, and special Murajapam (chanting of 1000 Vedic verses) takes place regularly.
The temple follows the traditional Kerala-style architecture with tiled sloping roofs, stone floors, and a square sanctum (sreekovil). The outer structure is simple but elegant. The temple walls are decorated with lamps and flowers during festivals. The atmosphere inside is serene, filled with the fragrance of sandalwood, incense, and oil lamps. There is also a Kodimaram (flagpost), Balikkalpura, and an open courtyard where devotees gather.
Long ago, the region of Irumpanam, near Thripunithura, was covered with dense forests and was sparsely populated. The villagers living nearby often felt a mysterious energy and a divine presence in the woods. Cattle would not enter certain parts of the forest, birds remained silent, and even the wind carried an aura of sacredness. Elders and forest dwellers spoke of visions, unusual sounds, and a presence that seemed to be watching over them.
One day, a local woman who was spiritually inclined had a powerful dream. In her vision, a fierce yet compassionate goddess appeared, adorned with weapons, standing atop a demon. She introduced herself as Bhadrakali, a form of Shakti created by Lord Shiva to destroy evil and protect the righteous. The goddess told the woman that she resided in this forest area and had chosen it as her permanent abode to protect the land and its people from dark forces, curses, and injustice.
The woman, awestruck and filled with devotion, shared her vision with the village elders. Around the same time, a group of woodcutters clearing the area found a shining idol of the goddess beneath a sacred tree. As soon as they touched it, a powerful gust of wind blew through, and some among them fainted or felt overwhelmed with divine energy. This was seen as a clear sign that the place was divinely chosen by the Devi herself.
Soon, the villagers erected a simple shrine to house the idol. As the years passed, many people who prayed at the shrine began to experience miraculous recoveries from illness, resolution of family problems, and protection from misfortune. Word spread across Thripunithura and Ernakulam, and the shrine grew into a powerful Bhagavathi Temple.
The name “Vettikkavu” comes from two Malayalam words: “Vetti” meaning to cut or destroy, and “Kavu” meaning sacred grove. This name symbolizes the Goddess’s power to cut down negativity, demons, diseases, and fears, making her a powerful divine mother and protector of the land.
The goddess is believed to be extremely powerful in curing diseases, protecting families, removing obstacles, and fulfilling sincere wishes. Devotees perform Guruthi Pooja, Janma Nakshatra Pooja, and Valiya Guruthy to seek her blessings for marriage, childbirth, family harmony, and peace of mind. Many say that even serious problems disappear with true devotion and regular offerings at this temple.
