Saraswathy Temple, also known as the Dakshina Mookambika Temple is situated in North Paruvur a small town in Kerala. Dakshina Mookambika Temple is one of the rare temples dedicated to Goddess Saraswathy (the Goddess for arts and learning) in Kerala.
According to legends, Pravur Thampuran (ruler) in Paravur was a great devotee of Goddess Mookambika. He used to visit the Kollur temple in Mangalore every year to pay homage to the goddess. But when he became too old, his health worsened and he could no longer undertake the long journey to Kollur. The goddess appeared to the sad devotee in a dream and ordered him to build her idol near his palace so that he can have daily darshan of the goddess.
Thampuran followed her instructions and built a temple at Paravur and installed the Goddess. The 'srikovil' stands in the middle of a sacred lotus pool. At the corner of the Nalambalam (the inner wall) a Ganapati is enshrined and surrounding the nalambalam, there are idols of Subramanian, Mahavishnu, Yakshi, Hanuman and Veerabhadran. A shrine devoted to Yakshi is also at the south west corner. Besides this, a Ganapathi Temple is situated near the large sacred pool.
Traditionally the main poojas here are performed by the Namboothiris ofthe Puliyannur Mana in Thrippunithura. The main Vazhipadu or offerings in the temple are 'Sree Vidhya Manthra Pushphanjali' and Mookambika Kashayam. Mookambika Kashayam, prepared with herbs in traditional manner is considered as a sacred medicine to enhance wisdom. Book A tour Package to Dakshina Mookambika Temple