Sarkaradevi Temple

Sarkaradevi Temple at Chirayinkeezhu, Thiruvananthapuram district, is an old temple of Bhadrakali, a form of Durga, to which tradition gives great age. It is linked with the Nakramcode Devi Temple at Avanavanchery near Attingal.

Its historical importance grew when the Travancore ruler Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma introduced the elaborate Kaliyoot festival here in 1748. Although the Travancore treasury paid for it, he entrusted its running to the Ranis of Attingal, who kept a degree of independence even after Attingal was annexed. The Ranis in turn gave roles to the Niranam poet family, and descendants of the Ponnara family, who are said to have come with princesses adopted from Kolathunad as their guards, still help oversee the festival today.