There are only a few temples in India dedicated to Goddess of learning- Saraswathi. One such temple is situated in Kottayam, just 5-6 Kms from the main town. The presiding deity is Maha Vishnu, enshrined in a small sanctum and Goddess Saraswathi is the sub deity enshrined in a well like structure without a roof. The temple is popular in Her name.
One has to climb down a few steep steps to get to Maha Vishnu's temple and a few more to get to the divine seat of Goddess Saraswati. This place is a beehive of activity as parents and students wait to seek blessing of the Mother. The seat of Goddess appears like a well and the priests get into the well to perform poojas. Devotees view and worship from top. The parapet wall of this well has sand spread all over and children write in front of the Goddess. This is also a temple where Vidyarambam is conducted throughout the year. There is always some elderly, learned person available near the deity to initiate little ones into the world of letters and learning. I could also see elderly priests even listening and giving suggestions to students having study related problems.
There is thick growth of greenery inside the well and a spring at the foot of the deity. An Olakkuda ( an umbrella made of palm leaf) is kept in front the Goddess.
The legend of the temple, origin and and why the Olakuda is worshipped here is in this link.
There are also sub shrines for Ganpathy, Shiva and Yakshi ans Sasthavu.
A temple worth visiting especially for children to seek Mother's blessings which would instill lot of confidence.
* Vidyarambham is inititating small children into the world of learning. An elder member in the family performs this ceremony by writing first on the tongue of the child. Then the child is made to write his first letters in rice which considered to be auspicious. This is usually performed on Vijayadashami (Last day of Navarathri )but in the above temple it is a daily ritual.
In olden days young children were sent to teachers house( Guru kulam) for learning. Here the children learnt by writing in sand with their fingers. Little sand would be spread in front and disciples would write on it with their fingers.
Check this link you tube link to have a glimpse of the deity with Olakuda in front .
Check more pictures here .
https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipOahcjo17Dim6eUklfNMexLrwc8K2soAdyt1Yyq
