View source for Ammachiveedu Muhurthi

{{Short description|Hindu temple in Kerala, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2019}}
'''Ammachiveedu Muhurthi''' is a [[Hindu]] temple located in the [[Kollam district]] of the state of [[Kerala]], [[India]]. It is estimated to be around 600 years old, and holds an annual 10-day celebration during the Dhanu festival.

==History==
Although there are no historical records of the early history of the temple, it is thought to have been founded around 600 years ago by the Ammachi Veedu family ("Ammachi Veedu" means "Ammachi home"), aristocrats from [[Kollam]].<ref name=kollamcity1>[http://www.kollamcity.com/index.php?menu=other&menu1=Religious Ammachiveedu Muhurthi Temple] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101115114800/http://kollamcity.com/index.php?menu=other&menu1=Religious |date=15 November 2010 }} at kollamcity.com</ref><ref name=thekeralatemples1>[http://www.thekeralatemples.com/templeinfo/others/ammachiveedu_muhurthi.htm Ammachiveedu Muhurthi Temple] at thekeralatemples.com</ref>

==Structure==

The Ammachiveedu Muhurthi's [[Garbhagriha]] is small, measuring only 4 feet by 4 feet, by 6 feet tall.
The temple has a [[Peedam]] (small platform), clad with silver plate, upon which the deity stands. Two [[Shankha]], in golden covers, are placed over the Peedam.

The temple has a number of other deities seated outside, including [[Ganesha]], Rektha Chamundi, Paramparu, Ykshi, Marutha, Rekshas, Gandharvan, Vethalam, and Yogeshwaran. Another deity, Djinn, is placed outside the temple premises and is worshipped by the [[Muslim]] community.

Adjoining the temple there is a Sarpakavu, or snake grove, which houses images of Parappooramma Bhagavathi, [[Nagaraja]], Nagayakshi, and Naga Kanyaka.<ref name=kollamcity1/>

==Dedication==

The Ammachiveedu Muhurthi temple has no main idol, and is dedicated to the [[guru]] (teacher) of the [[Dharmaśāstra]], of the [[Shasthamkotta]] temple, about 35&nbsp;km away.<ref name=kollamcity1/><ref name=thekeralatemples1/>

The deity was entrusted to the elders of the Ammachi Veedu family as a recognition of the marriage ceremonies carried out at the temple, and they are now also revered as "Brahma Rakshas" on the right hand of the deity. Because the deity of the temple has the status of a guru, members of the family are prohibited from entering the premises of the Shasthamkotta temple.<ref name=kollamcity1/><ref name=thekeralatemples1/>

The Ammachiveedu Muhurthi temple has no [[Caste system in India|caste]] bar, and is used by worshippers of various castes and creeds.<ref name=kollamcity1/> ‘Ginnu’ ''([[Jinn]])'', a supernatural being in Arab folklore and Islamic teachings, is one of the sub-deities here at Ammachiveedu Muhurthi temple along with the Hindu sub-deities like Raktha Chamundi, Ganapathy, Marutha etc.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.asianage.com/life/travel/270418/a-temple-like-no-other.html |title=A temple like no other |publisher=The Asian Age |access-date=2018-04-27}}</ref>

==Festivals and Ceremonies==

Various [[Puja (Hinduism)|puja]]s (ceremonies, or festivals) are performed at the Ammachiveedu Muhurthi temple, at auspicious times.

The ceremonies of [[Sarpa Bali]] (sacrifice for snakes) and [[Noorum Palum]] (making offerings to snakes) are conducted by the priest from the [[Pampummekkattu Mana]], in [[Mala, Kerala|Mala]], in the [[Thrissur]] district.

The temple's main annual festival has no specific date, but falls during [[Dhanu (month)|Dhanu]], which runs from mid-December to early January, and is always held after the [[Mandala Puja]] at the [[Sabarimala]] [[Dharmaśāstra|Dharma Shastra]] temple. By an agreement, members of Ammachiveedu must not make a pilgrimage to Sabarimala.<ref name=thekeralatemples1/>

On the 10th day the Karanavan (the eldest male in the family) conducts the puja in the Kalam specially prepared for the purpose, when boiled Ninam is offered to the deity.<ref name=naturemagics1>[http://www.naturemagics.com/kerala-temples/ammachiveedu-muhurthi-temple.shtm Ammachiveedu Muhurthi Temple] at naturemagics.com</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of Hindu temples in Kerala]]
* [[Temples of Kerala]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{coord missing|Kerala}}

{{Hindu temples in Kerala}}

[[Category:Hindu temples in Kollam district]]