A building for veneration
India is well known for its religious architecture, these buildings are representations of the various traditions and cultures within the nation. In the town known as Angadippuram in the district of Kerala, there is a temple named Sree Thirumandhamkunnu Bhagavathi Temple Angadippuram. This temple is one the oldest and most significant religious buildings of the entire district, it is dedicated to the goddess Bhagavathi. To get there one must travel to the Angadipuram Railway Station, and from there, it is possible to walk to the temple, the walk takes approximately 13 minutes, the access however isn’t adequate for disabled people due to the considerable number of stairs that are in the path towards the temple.
The deity venerated at the Sree Thirumandhamkunnu Bhagavathi Temple Angadippuram is known as Thirumandhamkunnu Bhagavathi, a form of the Hindy goddess Parvati, in this form, she embodies strength and symbolizes protection and power as well as the destruction of evil. According to legend the land of the temple was granted to a mythological king by Lord Siva, another deity, the goddess defied the powers at play and established herself on the hill, becoming a symbol of defiance and guardian of her devotees. One of the main causes of worship to the goddess is marital harmony and prosperity, women travel to this temple to ensure peaceful marriages.
The building evokes a sense of harmony with the surroundings, this is intentional as it is an example of the Kerala temple style. The key aspects of this style are simplicity and alignment with the natural environment. The building is adapted to the local climate to ensure the well-being of its pilgrims. Visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the landscape since the temple is located on the very top of the hill. Another significant aspect of the Sree Thirumandhamkunnu Bhagavathi Temple Angadippuram is that it is made of locally sourced wood and embellished with carvings that signify the craftsmanship tradition of the area.
The Sree Thirumandhamkunnu Bhagavathi Temple Angadippuram is a cultural landmark, during the month of Meenam an 11-day festivity is celebrated called Thirumandhamkunnu Pooram. The festival includes processions, musical displays, elephants, and fireworks. Elephants carry the deity as part of the procession and are covered in decorations, the procession is notable for its vibrant colours and crowdedness. People accumulate in the streets, which could cause agoraphobia, and in certain instances, it could become dangerous, however, no major incidents have been reported linked to the festivity, this is likely due to the locals and even the elephants being accustomed to such an environment, meaning they are able to parade without risking safety precautions.
A visitors journey
The stairs towards the temple are made of stone, they are quite steep, so it is common to appreciate people struggling to take them, slowing down the process of reaching the temple. At first glance visitors will perceive the wooden architecture that embraces the natural environment that surrounds the temple, the hill is filled with vegetation, and trees grow surrounding the temple, notably, the trees are ancient due to their height and width. The Sree Thirumandhamkunnu Bhagavathi Temple Angadippuram’s height isn’t very notable, hence the immense trees provide shading for the building and its visitors.
Most of the immediate access to the Sree Thirumandhamkunnu Bhagavathi Temple Angadippuram is covered in grass, however, all the visitors follow the wooden path that surrounds the architecture, they do so barefoot, it is very obvious that most visitors are very respectful of the surroundings, they take a direct path towards their destination, meaning for most visitors the visit isn’t a tourist attraction, instead, they walk with intention as they know the place well from visiting it on several occasions. A notable aspect of the temple is the various kinds of groups that attend it. Some groups are families, others are young couples and there are also individuals that attend the temple by themselves. In general, the ambiance is peaceful, and pilgrims have a notable sense of respect toward their surroundings.
A Religious landmark
Religious buildings always carry significant cultural attributes, as places of worship they automatically become spaces for congregation. However, it is not always that they embody a feeling of belonging to the specific site in which they reside. The Sree Thirumandhamkunnu Bhagavathi Temple Angadippuram is the link of the deity to the land, and this feeling is transferred to the visitors, they pray and celebrate their goddess with dedication, and they do so because they feel appreciative of having a piece on earth specifically dedicated to doing so. Religious landmarks have a sense of gravity that is caused by the value that people give to the ground. Furthermore, faith causes a sense of commonality and belonging that embodies an embrace in a community, feeling part of something makes people feel fellowship, and this causes the communal sense of respect and belonging that guides people within religious buildings such as the Sree Thirumandhamkunnu Bhagavathi Temple Angadippuram.
