Iringole Bhagavathy Temple,Iringole Utsavam.

About this event

Iringole Bhagavathy Temple, popularly known as Iringole Kavu, is a distinctive sacred-grove temple in Rayamangalam near Perumbavoor in Ernakulam district, set within a large forested area traditionally preserved as a kavu. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathy and is regarded by Kerala Tourism as one of the 108 Durga temples of Kerala, with local tradition associating its origin with Sage Parasurama. The grove is an important part of the shrine’s identity: trees, creepers and other vegetation are traditionally treated with reverence, and the natural setting has been preserved around the temple as a sacred landscape. Kerala Tourism describes the grove as covering about 50 acres and notes the presence of a pond within the premises. The shrine is associated with a legend in which Bhagavathy appears in the form of a young girl to protect Lord Krishna from Kamsa, while the deity is traditionally worshipped in different forms during the course of the day, including Saraswathi, Vanadurga and Bhadrakali. The annual Pooram is the principal festival of Iringole Kavu and is held during the Malayalam month of Meenam, generally falling between March and April. According to records cited by the Kerala High Court, the major festival extends from the second to the tenth day of Meenam. The celebrations combine temple rituals with processions and traditional forms of Kerala temple music and performance. A distinctive custom associated with the festival is the participation of female elephants in the procession. The festival atmosphere brings devotees together for worship and customary ceremonies while the surrounding grove remains an integral part of the sacred setting rather than merely a backdrop for the celebrations. Iringole Kavu is particularly notable for the close relationship between religious practice and the preservation of its natural environment. The dense vegetation creates a cool, shaded setting around the temple, while the paths through the grove provide access to the shrine. Kerala Tourism specifically advises visitors to treat the area with respect, avoid disturbing the vegetation and use the established walkway. The temple is a place of worship, not simply a tourist attraction, and visitors should observe its customs and opening hours. The combination of sacred-grove conservation, local mythology, temple rituals and the annual Pooram makes Iringole Bhagavathy Temple an important example of Kerala’s living religious and ecological heritage.

🚆 Railway: Aluva Railway Station – approximately 18 km, according to Kerala Tourism.

✈️ Airport: Cochin International Airport – approximately 16–17 km, according to Kerala Tourism.

🚌 Bus: The temple is about 2 km from Perumbavoor according to Kerala Tourism and is accessible by road from Perumbavoor and surrounding towns. Local auto-rickshaws and taxis are available for the final stretch.

🏨 Stay: Hotels and other accommodation are available in Perumbavoor and the wider Ernakulam area. Airport-area accommodation is also available near Cochin International Airport.

✅ Notes: The principal annual festival is the Pooram, traditionally conducted from the second to the tenth day of Meenam (March–April). The temple is generally open from 5:00 am to 11:00 am and from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Kerala Tourism advises visitors not to enter the grove after the temple closes and to use the established pathways without disturbing the vegetation.