27 September, 2024 10:23:02 PM
Durga Puja / Navarathri Festival at Kochi Avanamcode Saraswathi Temple
Kochi : Durga Puja / Navarathri Festival at the Avanamcode Saraswathi Temple located in the Ernakulam district of Kerala, where the holy saint Adi Sankaracharya Swami undertook his Akshara Abhyasam, is held from 3 to 13 October 2024. This ancient and holy Saraswathi temple is located near Cochin International Airport Ltd., 7 Kms. from Kalady, the birth place of Adi Sankara. According to Kerala Panchanga, Mahanavami falls on 12 October and Vijayadashami falls on 13 October.
It is also a holy abode where Goddess Saraswathi appeared in front of Sree Sankara during his Akshara Abhyasam when he was a child and blessed him. Hence, this temple is an ideal holy place to undertake Akshara Abhyasa. In this temple blessed by the presence of the holy trinity of knowledge, the first holy guru, Lord Dakshinamurthy, Lord Ganesh, and Goddess Saraswathi, Akshara Abhyasa can be done throughout the year. Vijayadashami & Vasanth Panchami are celebrated in a grand manner in this temple.
The temple has arranged facilities for the Akshara Abhyasam ritual of 1200 children for the Vijayadashami day, 13 October. Online booking can be made for Akshara Abhyasam for Vijayadashami. Link to make bookings can be found on the official website of the temple, www.avanamcodesaraswathi.com. Around 15 acharyas will be present for Akshara Abhyasam which includes Veda Scholars, Academics, High Priests, Artists and Teachers. Booking online helps to avoid long queues for Akshara Abhyasam and temple darshan.
Dance and music aradhanas can be made daily during the Durga Puja Festival as part of the 33rd edition of the Navarathi Classical Nrith-Sangeeth Festival. Around 600 dance and music students take part in this festival, which runs for 11 days. Facilities are arranged for students to perform and make their debut in front of Goddess Saraswathi.
As part of the Durga Puja Festival, Special Pushpanjalis, Special Durga Pujas, Maha Saraswathi Puja, and Nivedyas will be done by priests led by the high priest. Saraswatha Ghee, an ayurvedic ghee enchanted with Saraswathi Chants, will be available, which can be consumed and is ideal for students and artists. The offering unique to this temple, 'Navu-Mani-Narayam', representations of tongue, bell, and ancient pen, which improve one's ability to speak, listen, and write, can be done during this festival period. Devotees can also book special Saraswathi Puja, Vidyavageeshvari Puja, and Annadanam.
The nearest railway station to the temple is the Aluva Railway Station with the station code: AWY. For more details: +919446061160
