Ayyanthole Karthyayani Temple, Thrissur
Devi (as Karthyayani Bhagavathy) temple · Thrissur (Ayyanthole), Thrissur, Kerala, India
The Ayyanthole Karthyayani Temple is a temple of the goddess Karthyayani (Bhagavathy) at Ayyanthole, a part of Thrissur city in Kerala. Wikipedia describes it as one of the prominent Hindu places of worship in Ayyanthole and states that it is controlled by the Cochin Devaswom Board.
The temple is one of the participants in Thrissur Pooram, the great festival held each year at the Vadakkunnathan temple. The Thrissur District Tourism Promotion Council lists Ayyanthole among the ten temples that take part, and Wikipedia places it on the Thiruvambady side of the festival.
Faith & Tradition
Religious Significance of Ayyanthole Karthyayani Temple, Thrissur
Two legends are told about the goddess here, both recorded in Kerala Tourism's festival profile of the temple. In the first, after the destruction of Daksha's sacrifice, the body of Sati was cut into 108 pieces and one is believed to have fallen at this spot; later Parasurama is said to have performed penance here, received a vision of the goddess, and installed an image in her likeness. Devotees believe the present idol is the one he installed.
The second legend comes from the Krishna story. According to tradition, the divine child born to Yasoda and exchanged for Krishna slipped from the hands of Kamsa, flew away, and finally merged with the idol at Ayyanthole. Kerala Tourism says local belief links the place name to this episode, and Wikipedia's article on Ayyanthole likewise describes the deity as the daughter of Nanda and Yasoda who escaped from Kamsa.
Heritage
History of Ayyanthole Karthyayani Temple, Thrissur
Wikipedia's account of Thrissur Pooram says that the festival was started by Sakthan Thampuran, the Maharaja of Cochin (1790–1805), after a group of Thrissur temples, Ayyanthol among them, arrived late for the Arattupuzha Pooram in 1796 because of heavy rain and were refused entry to the procession. The Thrissur District Tourism Promotion Council gives the same origin, saying the ruler invited the surrounding temples to pay their respects to Shiva at the Vadakkunnathan temple and divided the procession into the Paramekkavu and Thiruvambady sides.
Kerala Tourism describes the Ayyanthole pooram as the biggest of the constituent poorams, next only to those of Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu, with thirteen elephants taking part.
Plan Your Visit
Darshan and Visitor Information
The temple is an active place of worship that follows the customs of Kerala temples, so dress modestly and expect traditional dress rules inside. Ayyanthole and the Thrissur town centre are extremely crowded on Thrissur Pooram day. Confirm current darshan timings, dress rules and festival arrangements with the Cochin Devaswom Board or the temple office before visiting.
Timings and arrangements change with seasons and festivals. Confirm current details with Cochin Devaswom Board (per Wikipedia) before travelling. Last reviewed 1 November 2026.
Sacred Calendar
Festivals at Ayyanthole Karthyayani Temple, Thrissur
Ayyanthole Pooram (Thrissur Pooram)
An eight-day festival that begins with the hoisting of the temple flag on an areca-nut flagmast. On Pooram day the goddess sets out early in the morning on elephant-back for the Vadakkunnathan temple, with the street decorated and lamps lit along the route.
Karthika Vilakku
Wikipedia's article on Ayyanthole says the temple holds an annual Karthika Vilakku festival of lamps.
Location
How to Reach Ayyanthole Karthyayani Temple, Thrissur
Kerala Tourism's festival profile gives Thrissur KSRTC bus stand as about 3 km from the temple, Thrissur railway station as about 3.4 km and Cochin International Airport as about 57 km.
Location: Thrissur (Ayyanthole), Thrissur, Kerala, India
Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport (about 57 km, per Kerala Tourism)
Nearest railway station: Thrissur (about 3.4 km, per Kerala Tourism)
More in Hindu temples in Kerala · Devi (as Karthyayani Bhagavathy) temples · Temples in Thrissur Taluk · Temples in Thrissur District
Questions
Ayyanthole Karthyayani Temple, Thrissur: Frequently Asked Questions
Which deity is worshipped at the Ayyanthole temple?
The goddess Karthyayani, a form of Devi (Bhagavathy). Devotees believe the idol was installed by Parasurama.
Is Ayyanthole Karthyayani Temple part of Thrissur Pooram?
Yes. It is one of the ten temples that take part in Thrissur Pooram, on the Thiruvambady side.
When is the Ayyanthole festival?
The main festival is linked to Thrissur Pooram in Medam (April–May). It lasts eight days, from the flag hoisting to Pooram day.
Who manages the Ayyanthole Karthyayani Temple?
According to Wikipedia, the temple is controlled by the Cochin Devaswom Board.
What is the legend behind the Ayyanthole temple?
One legend says a part of Sati's body fell here and Parasurama later installed the goddess's image. Another says the child Kamsa tried to kill, who had been exchanged for Krishna, escaped and merged with the idol at Ayyanthole.
How do I reach the Ayyanthole Karthyayani Temple?
Thrissur railway station is about 3.4 km and the Thrissur KSRTC bus stand about 3 km away; Cochin International Airport is about 57 km away, according to Kerala Tourism.
Sources and attribution
- Kerala Tourism (Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala) – 1000 Festivals of Kerala — Ayyanthole Pooram, Ayyanthole Karthyayani Temple (festival profile, PDF)
- District Tourism Promotion Council, Thrissur — Thrissur Pooram
- Wikipedia — Ayyanthole Karthyayani Temple
- Wikipedia — Ayyanthole
- Wikipedia — Thrissur Pooram
Further reading: Ayyanthole Karthyayani Temple, Thrissur on Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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