Sarkara Devi Temple is one of the major pilgrim destinations in Trivandrum. The main deity worshipped here is Goddess Bhadrakali. Goddesses' idol is installed facing the North. Mythological stories narrate that once a group of molasses merchants from Ambalappuzha on a business tour visited this place. They took shelter here. When they decided to move, they found that one of their molasses pots were not moving. As they tried to lift the pots by force, the pots broke, and molasses flowed, and an idol appeared. Later, an old lady who visited the place to clean the shelter found the god and informed others. A temple was made in the same spot. Since the Goddess came from Sarkara, i.e. Molasses; she was called Sarkara Devi.
The sanctum sanctorum in Sarkaradevi Temple is two-storeyed, with a rectangular structure and a bronze roof. The second storey is decorated with various sculptures Krishna, Rama, Durga, Ganapathy, Vishnu, Narasimhamoorthi and several other deities.
The holy shrine gained immense historical importance for introducing Kaliyoot festival by Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma – Travancore sovereign, in 1748. The Sarkaradevi Temple is closely associated with Nakramcode Devi Temple located in Avanavanchery, Attingal.
Kaliyoot Festival is the leading annual festival celebrated in Sarkara Devi Temple. It is observed during the Malayalam month of Kumbham (March). It is a nine-day festival. Ceremonies on the first seven days depict the war between Goddess Bhadrakali and Demon Darika. The celebrations take their peak with the Mudi uzhichil on the 8th day and Nilathil poru on the 9th day.
Meenabharani festival is the second annual festival celebrated with grandeur in Sarkara Devi Temple. It is a ten-day festival that falls on the annual special pooja of Nattuvishesham. It is believed that on the tenth day, the Goddess appears to shower blessings on her devotees.
Sarkara Pongala is the annual Pongal festival observed on Kumbha Masam. Usually, women participate in this ritual and offer Goddess Rice, coconut gratings, nuts, sweet brown molasses, and raisins. Earlier Pongala festival was held on the last day of Kaliyoot Festival. The date was later changed to Kumbham month.