History of Pattichirakavu Bhagavathy Temple
In an age long past, when harmony upon the Earth began to wane, five radiant goddesses — Bagalamukhi, Dhumavati, Chinnamasta, Bhairavi, and Mahatarini — descended from the celestial realms. Their purpose was to behold the world of mortals and ensure the well-being of every living creature — the humans, the birds of the skies, and the beasts of the wild alike. Traversing forests and rivers, mountains and plains, the divine mothers carried within them the essence of creation itself. But as the long journey continued, they grew weary and sought rest upon the fertile fields of southern India.
Among the five, Bhairavi, the gentle yet fiery embodiment of compassion, noticed nearby a humble hut. Within lived a hardworking family of the Pulaya community — simple farmers laboring under the sun, twisting fibers into ropes. Intrigued by their devotion to life and art, the goddess approached with kindness in her heart and requested to learn the act of rope-making from them. The family, unaware of her divine nature, welcomed her warmly and showed her their craft. But when the other goddesses witnessed Bhairavi mingling with those they deemed impure, they were overcome with anger. They accused her of defilement and cast her away from their divine company.
Heartbroken yet serene, Bhairavi withdrew from her celestial sisters. Wandering alone, her divine feet led her to the grand ancestral home of Pengottu Illam, where two lamps flickered with sacred light atop the mansion. Drawn by that subtle glow, Bhairavi ascended unseen and took her abode there — silent and radiant. From that moment on, prosperity began to shower upon the household. Wealth multiplied, health flourished, and good fortune filled the air. Yet, those within the Illam could not comprehend the divine presence among them. Strange signs appeared — the fragrance of sandal and lotus, sudden glimmers of gold in the dark, and dreams of a radiant goddess — but the mortal minds failed to recognize the truth.
Then came a day when the household’s white rooster laid a black egg — a mystery so divine and fearful that it stirred both wonder and awe. The family sought the wisdom of astrologers and priests.
Through the sacred ritual of Deva Prashnam, it was revealed:
“Goddess Bhairavi herself resides within Pengottu Illam.”
Overwhelmed with devotion, the family built a sanctum for the goddess, performed Prānapratiṣṭhā, and began daily mūrti pūjā — rituals that breathed life into her idol and established her as the protecting deity of their home.
• In the sanctum of Pattichirakav, Bhairavi reigns resplendent, surrounded by her divine attendants.
• To her right stands Karinchathan, guardian of mercy and remover of afflictions.
• To her left, the ever-auspicious Vinayaka (Lord Ganesha), remover of obstacles.
• Behind her, the vigilant Brahmarakshas and Naga Devatas stand guard, ensuring the sanctity of the space.
In time, the goddess appeared once more through divine revelation. She instructed the Pengottu family to install her idol facing west, since the Illam itself faced east — thus ensuring balance and auspiciousness. On a sacred Kumbham month, under the star Bharani, the idol was ceremonially enshrined in a nearby forest grove. That land had long been the place of worship for the Pulaya people, who venerated Bhairava and Karinchathan as guardians of their daily toil. During the consecration, Bhairava’s energy merged into Bhairavi’s form, manifesting as the Bhairava–Bhairavi Sankalpa — the divine union of power and compassion. Thus was born the sacred temple known as Pattichirakav — a name symbolizing Bhairava’s faithful hound mount (patti means dog in Malayalam), representing loyalty, courage, and prosperity.
