Devi (Puttingal Amma) temple · Paravur, Kollam, Kerala, India
Puttingal Devi Temple is a Hindu temple to the goddess in the coastal town of Paravur, Kollam district, Kerala. According to the temple, it was founded where the presence of the goddess was experienced on an ant hill — 'puttu' is the Malayalam word for ant hill. The BBC describes it as one of the oldest temples in Kerala.
Faith & Tradition
The temple's main festival falls on the Bharani star of the Malayalam month of Meenam. Its most important offering, 'Thottampattu', begins on the 21st day of Vrischikam (mid-November to mid-December) and continues until the principal festival, the temple notes. Festival events have included Aswathi vilakku, Kathakali, Kampadikali and Marameduppu.
Heritage
On 10 April 2016, at around 3.30 am during the temple festival, a stray firework fell onto a pyrotechnic storeroom, setting off explosions and a fire that killed more than 100 people and injured hundreds, The Guardian reported. The BBC reported that two groups of devotees had set off competitive fireworks in defiance of a ban by authorities. Temple office-bearers later surrendered to the Kerala Crime Branch, the Indian Express reported.
Plan Your Visit
Confirm festival dates and darshan arrangements with the temple office before visiting.
Timings and arrangements change with seasons and festivals. Confirm current details with the temple administration (official website) before travelling. Last reviewed 5 October 2026.
Sacred Calendar
The temple's principal festival, held on the Bharani star of Meenam (temple).
The temple's most important offering, continuing until the principal festival (temple).
Location
The temple is in Paravur municipality, Kollam district, about 70 km from Thiruvananthapuram (Indian Express).
Location: Paravur, Kollam, Kerala, India
More in Hindu temples in Kerala · Devi (Puttingal Amma) temples
Questions
In Paravur, Kollam district, Kerala.
It was founded where the goddess's presence was experienced on an ant hill ('puttu' in Malayalam).
On the Bharani star of the Malayalam month of Meenam.
On 10 April 2016, a fireworks explosion and fire during the festival killed more than 100 people.
The temple's most important offering, which runs from 21 Vrischikam until the main festival.
Further reading: Puttingal Devi Temple, Paravur on Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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