The temple's three main deities are
Bhagavathy,
Sree Oorpazhachi Daivathar and
Kiratha sunu (
Vettakkorumakan). Within the inner courtyard are
Shaiva,
Vaishnava, and
Shaktheya sanctums. There is also a shrine of
Thondachan at the upper citadel (
Mele Kottam).
Bhagavathy The deity of
Bhagavathy represents the Mother Goddess. A legend associated with her at
Sree Oorpazhachi Kavu tells how
Kali (the dark complexioned Goddess
Parvathi) became
Gauri (the fair complexioned Goddess
parvathi) after
Shiva repeatedly addressed her as
Kali which she took to be taunting her for her dark complexion. She said, "Wounds from arrows can heal and axed trees can regrow during the rain but a heart broken by impolite words cannot be made". After promising herself that she would rejoin her husband only after attaining a fair complexion, she left her husband’s home to perform penance for a hundred years to attain a fair complexion. Pleased with her penance,
Brahma granted her the colour of a lotus tendril (
gaura varnam) and she became
Gauri.
Sree Oorpazhachi Daivathar The deity of
Sree Oorpazhachi Daivathar is
Vaishnava amsham. A legend tells how
Sree Oorpazhachi became
Sree oorpazhachi Daivathar Kiratha sunu. (
Vettakkorumakan) was a great warrior but his pride distressed the Gods, at whose request
Vishu disguised himself as a hunter and engaged
Vettakkorumakan in a duel with bow and arrows. During the duel
Vettakkorumakan sensing a divinity in his opponent, asked, "
Daivathil aar?" and received the reply "
Daivathar". In the course of the duel.
Vettakkorumakan The deity of
Vettakkorumakan is
Shaiva amsham. A legend says that he was the son of,
Shiva and
Parvathi. He misbehaved, disturbing the peace. Mahavishnu humbled the boy, gave him a dagger (
Churika) and, when eventually pleased, blessed him.
Thondachan The deity of
Thondachan represents
Kshetrapalan (temple custodian) and is believed to be the grand ancestor. The shrine of
Thondachan is at the upper citadel (
mele kottam). His idol has a bow and arrow on his left hand and a
churika in his right. His citadel serves as the site of performance for two forms of oracle dances,
Vellattom and
Kaliyattom, representing
Vaishnava and
Shaiva elements respectively.
Thondachan is thus revered as
Vishnu-Shiva in single form (as
Guru and
Vaidya (physician)).
Shaneeshwara Sankalpam (Saturn worship) Melekottam is also the sanctum for the worship of
Shani (
Saturn). A legend says that
Rama visited the holy grove of Eachil and received the blessings of Sree Oorpazhachi Bhagavathy to redeem him of his Shani Dosha and facilitate the destruction of Ravana and his contingent of demons. ==See also==