Enchanting Kerala

KERALA TOURISM NEWSLETTER

Bells of Desire Ring at Kattil Mekkathil Temple

A temple in a fairyland! That is what Kattil Mekkathil Temple is all about, where you will find enchantment, natural beauty and devotion intertwining with each other. The temple in the Kollam district of South Kerala attracts devotees from Kerala and abroad with its magical beauty and divine allure. People flock to this place to seek the blessings of Bhadrakali (fondly known as ‘Kattil Mekkathil Devi’), the main deity of the temple, who is believed to bestow love, and show kindness to Her devotees.  The ancient pilgrim centre is located on an isle situated between the Arabian Sea in the west and the TS canal in the east.

It is believed that your wishes will be realised once you tie a bell to the banyan tree in the temple compound. Devotees tie bells to the tree near the sanctum sanctorum after circumambulating it seven times. The sight of hundreds of bells hanging from the tree is a testament to the devotion and belief of the people. The temple, which is located merely 10 metres from the sea, was surprisingly unaffected by the tsunami of 2004. The five wells in the compound have clear and fresh water. 

The 12-day temple feast during the Malayalam month of Vrishchikam (November-December) attracts devotees from Kanyakumari and other districts of Tamil Nadu as well. Tents are put up on the temple premises for their comfort. Apart from Bhadrakali, the other deities in the temple are Ganapathy, Durga Devi and Yakshiyamma. There are boats and Ro Ro services from the nearby village, Ponmana to reach the temple. There is also a national waterway on the eastern side of the temple. People can also take a boat from Alappuzha or Kollam to reach this temple.

Contact:
District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC)
Near KSRTC Bus Stand, Kollam - 1
Ph: +91 474 274 5625
E-mail:  info@dtpckollam.com 
contact@dtpckollam.com

Getting There:
Nearest Railway Station: Kollam Railway Station, about 30 km away
Nearest Airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, about 100 km away