Valam Chuzhi Temple (Pathanamthitta)

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About
Valamchuzy Temple

Valamchuzy "Sree Bhuvaneswary" temple is one of the oldest temples in Pathanamthitta, also known popularly as the town of temples. Valamchuzy temple is in fact considered one of the most renowned temples in South India. The temple is situated at a distance of 4.5 kms from the city centre. The temple is surrounded by the sacred river anchankovil that has its origin in the Achankovil mountain ranges. The very name " Valamchuzy" derived from the fact that the river circumvents the temple on three sides. Due to the constant fury of the river over the past 3000 years large tracts belonging to the temple have been washed away. The temple presently is well protected from the ravages of floods. Formerly this area was under dense forests and its remnants can still be seen in the "Sarpakavu" that presently exists there. The sarpakavu is also home to a large variety of rare medicinal herbs. Constant threat due to illegal sand mining from the river is posing a danger to the Sarpakavu.

Meditation and prayers in this cool, quiet and serene surrounding will bring in abundant blessing to the devotees.

The Kodungalloor temple and Valamchuzy temple are similar in several aspects. It is believed that the sword and the chilambu kept at this temple had been brought over from Kodungaloor. It is also believed that there existed in this temple at one time, both human and animal sacrifice.

As elsewhere, the great floods of 1096 had its repercussions in Pathanamthitta and it caused severe damage to the temple.

However, after the floods had receded a lot of reclamation and maintenance work had been undertaken by the temple authorities with the active participation of the government and the landlords within the vicinity of the temple. A bund was also constructed to make access to the temple easier. The temple continued to be under the patronage of the velluvettuvelil madam family till the year 1974. They also served as the priests of the temple all this while. Later on, the administration of the temple passed on to the senior members of the 14 Karas hailing from Pathanamthitta municipality, pramadam and Mylapra Panchayats. A Devasom council and a team of 14 members of executive are elected every two years from this 14 karas. These representatives are the pillars of the temple administration. The administration of the temple is presently on the lines of the Indian Parliament.