An ancient
Kalari temple, Alumpeth Devi Temple is located at Vathikulam, a beautiful village in Kayamkulam in
Alappuzha District,
Kerala. The temple is dedicated to Goddess
Bhadrakali. The temple is managed by Mulamoottil Alumpethu Devi Kshetra Trust.
Folklore has it that the Devi was brought to Alumpeth temple in the 16th century, through the rigorous penance undertaken by the Yogishwaran (ancient family chief) of Mulamoottil family, who was a devotee of Goddess Panayannarkavu. Other deities enshrined in the temple are Lord Shiva, Ayyappa, Veerabhadra, Brahma Rakshas, Yakshi, Yogishwaran, Gandharvan ,
Nagaraja and
Nagayakshi.
The annual festival is on Pathamudayam, the 10th day of the Malayalam month Medom (April). Usually it falls on the 23rd of April every year. During the festival, women offer Pongala to the goddess in the morning. Apart from the ceremonial rites, various cultural programs such as Kathakali, Koothu, Theeyattu are conducted in the night. The festival concludes on the next day early morning with fire works. Vijayadashmi and the Rohini asterism of every month are also auspicious days.
By road, Vathikulam is 7 km east from Kayamkulam town. Kayamkulam railway station, a major railhead on the Southern Railways, is the nearest railhead.
