Varanad Devi Temple
വാരനാട് ദേവീക്ഷേത്രം
Devi (Varanad Bhagavathy) temple · Varanad, Cherthala, Alappuzha, Kerala, India
Photo: Vis M · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
The Varanad Devi Temple is a temple of the goddess, worshipped as Varanad Bhagavathy, at Varanad near Cherthala in Alappuzha district, Kerala (Kerala Tourism; Onmanorama). Kerala Tourism places it within Cherthala Municipality, about 4 km from Cherthala town (Kerala Tourism).
The temple is best known locally for its annual festival in the Malayalam month of Kumbham, which Kerala Tourism describes as a 14-day event with processions, temple arts and the Garudan Thookkam ritual (Kerala Tourism). News reports refer to the temple's Kumbha Bharani festival, during which large crowds gather for cultural programmes such as a ganamela (music concert) (Manorama Online; ETV Bharat; Onmanorama).
Faith & Tradition
Religious Significance of Varanad Devi Temple
The presiding deity is the goddess, known as Varanad Bhagavathy (Kerala Tourism). According to local tradition recorded by Kerala Tourism, the place takes its name from this goddess: the sand seat (peetam) that a devotee gathered with his hands for her idol is said to have given the area the name Variya Nadu, which later became Varanadu (Kerala Tourism).
During the festival, devotees believe that the goddess goes out to enquire after the well-being of her devotees, and they receive her with nirapara and thalapoli (Kerala Tourism).
Heritage
History of Varanad Devi Temple
According to tradition, Varanad Bhagavathy was the goddess worshipped by an elderly Thampuran of the Vayalar Putiyaykkal Kovilakam, who carried her panchaloha (five-metal) idol with him on a boat journey across Vembanad lake to a relative's house at Mannancherry (Kerala Tourism). The story goes that a sudden storm forced him ashore at a wooded spot, where he sheltered in the hollow of a large tree; the next morning he set the idol on a small seat of sand, lit a lamp and offered worship, but then found that he could not lift the idol again (Kerala Tourism).
Tradition holds that the Thampuran took this as a sign that the goddess wished to remain there, and that the local landlord Vathiyattu Panicker and nearby residents came to the spot (Kerala Tourism). Kerala Tourism records that the Kizhakkedathu family, who lived nearby, and the Vathiyattu Karanavar later built the temple together and installed the idol (Kerala Tourism).
These accounts belong to temple tradition; the sources consulted give no documented date for the founding of the temple (Kerala Tourism).
Plan Your Visit
Darshan and Visitor Information
The annual festival draws large crowds, and space for vehicles near the temple premises can be limited at such times (Kerala Tourism; Onmanorama). Festival dates follow the Malayalam calendar and change each year (Kerala Tourism). Confirm current arrangements and timings with the temple office before travelling.
Timings and arrangements change with seasons and festivals. Confirm current details with the temple administration before travelling. Last reviewed 11 October 2026.
Sacred Calendar
Festivals at Varanad Devi Temple
Thiruvutsavam (annual festival, Kumbha Bharani)
A 14-day festival that opens with flag hoisting, with special poojas, annadanam on every day, temple arts, music and dance (Kerala Tourism). The 13-day Paraeduppu is held as part of it, an elephant procession with Panchari Melam takes place on the 12th day, the goddess returns to the temple with 11 caparisoned elephants and drums at the close of Paraeduppu, and Garudan Thookkam is performed on the 14th and final day (Kerala Tourism). News reports call this festival the Kumbha Bharani festival of the Varanad Devi temple (Manorama Online; ETV Bharat).
Location
How to Reach Varanad Devi Temple
The temple's postal address is Varanad P.O., Cherthala, Alappuzha (Kerala Tourism). Kerala Tourism gives the distances as about 4 km from Cherthala town, 3.2 km from Cherthala bus station and 5.3 km from Cherthala railway station (Kerala Tourism). The nearest airport named by Kerala Tourism is Nedumbassery (Cochin) International Airport, about 65 km away (Kerala Tourism).
Location: Varanad, Cherthala, Alappuzha, Kerala, India
Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, Nedumbassery (about 65 km, per Kerala Tourism)
Nearest railway station: Cherthala (about 5.3 km, per Kerala Tourism)
More in Hindu temples in Kerala · Devi (Varanad Bhagavathy) temples · Temples in Cherthala Taluk · Temples in Alappuzha District
Questions
Varanad Devi Temple: Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Varanad Devi Temple?
It is at Varanad, Cherthala, in Alappuzha district, Kerala, about 4 km from Cherthala town (Kerala Tourism; Onmanorama).
Which deity is worshipped at Varanad?
The temple is dedicated to the goddess, worshipped as Varanad Bhagavathy (Kerala Tourism).
What is the legend of the temple?
Tradition says an elderly Thampuran of the Vayalar Putiyaykkal Kovilakam, caught in a storm on Vembanad lake, sheltered at this spot with the panchaloha idol of the goddess and then could not lift the idol from the sand seat where he had worshipped it (Kerala Tourism). The temple was later built by the Kizhakkedathu family and the Vathiyattu Karanavar (Kerala Tourism).
How did Varanad get its name?
According to local tradition, the sand seat made by hand for the goddess gave the place the name Variya Nadu, which later became Varanadu (Kerala Tourism).
When is the main festival?
The annual festival begins in the Malayalam month of Kumbham (February-March) and lasts 14 days, according to Kerala Tourism (Kerala Tourism). News reports refer to it as the Kumbha Bharani festival (Manorama Online; ETV Bharat).
What is Paraeduppu at Varanad?
Paraeduppu is a 13-day part of the festival during which devotees believe the goddess comes to enquire after their well-being, and they welcome her with nirapara and thalapoli (Kerala Tourism).
How do I reach the temple by train?
The nearest railway station listed by Kerala Tourism is Cherthala, about 5.3 km away (Kerala Tourism).
Sources and attribution
- © OpenStreetMap contributors — location data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)
- Wikidata Q121094494 — structured data (CC0)
- Kerala Tourism (Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala) — Thiruvutsavam, Varanad Devi Temple (festival brochure)
- Manorama Online (Malayala Manorama) — 'Ganamelaykkide Vineeth Sreenivasan odi rakshapettu' enna adikkurippu, videoyude sathyavastha puratthu
- Onmanorama (Malayala Manorama) — Vineeth Sreenivasan tells the story behind his Varanad run
- ETV Bharat — Suneesh Varanad denies allegations against Vineeth Sreenivasan
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