Kallil Bhagavati Cave Temple
English Translation
The Kallil Bhagavathy Temple is located in the village of Methala, Perumbavoor, in the Ernakulam district of Kerala. Established in the 9th century, Kallil Temple was a famous Jain temple in Kerala and is one of the oldest Hindu temples in the state. The temple is situated in a forest spanning an area of 28 acres. To reach this temple built on top of a large rock, one has to climb 120 steps (Note: later mentioned as 69 steps). The temple is located 10 kilometers away from Perumbavoor. Formerly owned by the Kallil Pisharody family, the temple is today under the administration of the Pisharath Devaswom. It is one of the protected monuments in Kerala under the Kerala State Department of Archaeology.
Situated in an area of 28 acres (Note: 113,000 square meters / 28 acres), the temple is formed out of a massive rock. Reaching the temple requires climbing 69 steps. The temple can be reached by traveling along the Aluva-Munnar road from Odakkali and covering a distance of 10 kilometers from Perumbavoor. Previously, the Karanavar (head) of the family that owned the temple handed over its administrative control and all its properties to the Sree Ramadasa Ashram at Chenkottukonam. However, due to certain issues between the locals and the ashram authorities, these were taken back.
Etymology of the Name: The word 'Kallu' is of Proto-Dravidian origin. Combining 'Kallu' (stone) + 'Il' (abode/place) resulted in the word 'Kallil'. From this term, which carries meanings like digging or creating a burrow, the Kallil Temple signifies a cave temple.
Upon crossing the entrance of the temple, one can see rock-filled paths and small groves. As you ascend, rocky boulders become more and more visible. All the steps leading to the sanctum sanctorum (sreekovil) of the temple are made of granite. The granite pillars of the anappanthal (elephant pavilion) seen as you climb the steps will amaze anyone! The entire flooring of the pradakshina vavali (circumambulation path) and in front of the sreekovil is paved with stone slabs. Furthermore, the namaskara mandapam in front of the sreekovil, including its roof, is entirely made of granite! The sanctum sanctorum where the Devi is seated is inside a cave that existed or was carved out within a gigantic rock. Because it is a cave temple, unlike regular temples, one cannot perform circumambulation and reach behind the sreekovil for darshan. Devotees circumambulating the Devi are simultaneously circumambulating the very rock on which the sreekovil is situated! Along the circumambulation paths, one can see stone-carved steps, small caves, and roots intertwining with the rocks, having served the feet of the Goddess for ages. Thus, upon visiting here, one can literally witness the Goddess residing in 'Kallil' (the stone).
History: Before the era of Brahmin dominance, the Kallil Temple was a prominent Jain cave temple. Later, with the advent of Brahmin dominance, the concepts and deities were Brahmanized. The origin of cave temples dates back to the era when Jainism prevailed.
Deities: Durga is the principal deity of this temple. The Devi idol is located in a cave carved out of a rock. The idol is covered with a panchaloha kavacham (armor made of five metals). This is actually the idol of Padmavati, a Yakshi in Jainism. An idol of Brahma has been carved on top of this rocky hill. It is believed that Shiva and Vishnu reside alongside Brahma; hence, Brahma is worshipped here along with Shiva and Vishnu. These idols were originally those of Tirthankaras like Parshvanatha and Mahavira. Ganapathy, Sastha, and Karinagayakshi are also present. Outside the valiyambalam, in the northeast corner facing west, there are 9 shrines/deities.
Pujas: Until recently, the custom was to conclude rituals with the uchhapuja (noon puja) and close the temple doors by midday. This was likely due to the difficulty for the chief priest (melsanthi) to travel at night to the temple situated amidst the forest. In those days, sandhyapujas (evening pujas) were performed by the Pisharath family itself. However, for a few years now, the temple, which used to close after the noon puja, reopens in the evening for deeparadhana. After athazhapuja (night puja), rituals conclude around 7:30 PM and the temple doors are closed. Before this ritual schedule came into effect, evening pujas such as deeparadhana were customary only during the Thrikarthika Mahotsavam festival days, which begin with kodiyettu on Karthika asterism in the Malayalam month of Vrischikam. The temple is built outside the cave.
Offerings: There is a unique offering in the temple called 'Idithozhal' (worship by pounding). Having observed fasting, Marars (traditional musicians) rhythmically pound dried raw rice, betel leaves, areca nut, slaked lime, and turmeric together in a mortar with musical accompaniment, and the resulting mixture is offered to the Devi and distributed as prasadam to the devotees. This is customary only once a year on the Karthika asterism in the month of Vrischikam.
Festival: The annual temple festival is held for eight days starting from the Karthika asterism in the month of Vrischikam (falling in November-December). The main deity of the temple is also taken out in a procession seated on a female elephant. Members of the Olli community, who are the Jain descendants of the Kallil Pisharody, worship the Jain deities Parshvanatha, Mahavira, and Padmavati Devi here.
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