Sarkara Devi Temple is a Hindu temple located in Chirayinkeezhu in Varkala, 7 km from Varkala Railway Station. It is one of the well-known temples in Varkala and a well-liked pilgrimage site close to Trivandrum. One of the best temples to explore during the Varkala tour package. 

Because of the city's Kaliyoot festival, which takes place in March, or Kumbham in Malayalam, the temple has earned cultural and religious significance. The Travancore king Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma established this event in 1748. The nine-day Kaliyoot celebration includes a spectacular reenactment of Kali's creation and her battle with the demon Darika. The two significant festivals observed in the temple are Sarkara Devi Pongala in mid-February and Meena Bharani in March/April. One of the best places to visit in Varkala is the Sarkara Devi Temple. 

A rectangular, two-story building serves as the sanctum sanctorum. The roof's polishing material is bronze. The goddess sculpture faces north. Several statues of Narasimhamoorthi, Lord Vishnu, Durga, Lord Ganapathy, Lord Krishna, and several other important deities adorn the second floor. The Nakramcode Devi Temple, which is in Avanavanchery, Attingal, and the Sarkara Devi Temple, share certain fundamental connections. Before entering the temple, devotees can wash their hands in a little pond located there. In addition, there is a sizable compound close to the temple where the elephants are kept in chains.

History of Sarkara Devi Temple

Originally, the north of Malabar was the location of the practice famous as Kaliyoot. This ritual was first practiced in Kerala's southern districts during King Marthanda Varma (1729-1758). King Marthanda Varma allegedly made multiple attempts to annex the kingdom of Kayamkulam. Despite continually losing and being let down, he was so determined that he chose to try again. With this unyielding vision, he created yet another plan of war. The monarch stopped to rest in a large area close to the Sarkara shrine on the road to Kayamkulam.

The locals and their leaders quickly came around him. They were the source of the king's chance knowledge of the Sarkara Devi's abilities. If she gave him the blessing to win the war, he would give her a Kaliyoot, he had vowed. In that conflict, he triumphed and maintained his word.