Kunnath Bhagavathy Temple, Kerala

Address

Kunnath Bhagavathy Temple Manjeri, Kunnath, Kerala 679551

Diety

Shiva Amman: Mathrukkunnu Bhagavathy

Introduction

Manjeri Kunnath temple was attacked and demolished at the time of Tipu’s Invasion and Moplah Riots that happened while Malabar (North Kerala) was under British rule. The Mathrukkunnu Bhagavathy Temple is famous as Kunnath Ambalam. Kunnath temple is situated at the Municipality of Manjeri, Malappuram District. At 1995, we reached the temple by climbing up the hill east to the Vayappara Bust stop. This time, along with Raghavan master we travelled from Manjeri towards east; Kovilakam road only to reach the Manjeri Kovilakam. There were four kovilakams which had power to rule. They were Puthiyidath Kovilakam, Ettiyottu Kovilakam, Kaniyatta Kovilakam and Manjeri Kovilakam and the later was the main one. Mathrukkunnu Bhagavathy (Goddess of Kunnath Ambalam) was the family idol for worship for all the Kovilakams.

Puranic Significance

The Sanctum Sanctorum is circular in shape with the four handed Durga Goddess idol inside it. The east facing temple has got another small temple which has Erattu Kaalan (Siva) as idol which is 4 meters down the hill. This is built during 1918-192 time period. South to Manjeri, there is a place called Aanakkayam, where the Kovilakam had a lot of agricultural land. Erattu Kaalan was the idol there too. The temple was uprooted from there and installed at near to the Kunnath Ambalam because of the issues created by the Muslims. During Mysore Invasion, a jail was constructed at Manjeri. Hyder’s army was the first to invade and Tipu also lead this army. Conversion of Hindus to Muslims was happening in larger scale and they also put the Hindus who disagreed to convert in jail. At the beginning they use to kill each and every one who came in front of them but later they were put in jail and either starved to death or cut into pieces. Only 200 remained from the 15,000 who was in the custody. Hindus whose house name was Vallanchira and Cheeranthody were all converted to Muslims. Payyanad Athankurukkal was given charge to collect tax. Tipu’s army rushed into the Kunnath Ambalam and demolished the idol into pieces, chopped off the head of an Embranthiri (Priest class) and threw into the well. They used cannons to demolish the temple. Thampuran of the Kovilakam was taken to Tipu and was asked to get converted by undergoing circumcision. He was threatened of death sentence if he disagreed to get converted but he asked for one week’s time which was granted by Tipu’s Army. On 25th of August 1849 the second attack on temple happened, this time by Moplahs. After killing Thorankal Unniyan Padithodi Theyyunni, the Moplah rioters took shelter in the Payyanad Athan Gurukkals house. Next day they killed three more. Servant of Marath Namboothiri and other were killed. Later they camped at Kunnath temple and tried to burn down the temple. They were not successful however. There were 32 attackers at this time inside the temple. The demolished temple was later renovated. A 3 meter long idol was found when devotees cleaned the sacred well. The people in the temple committee disobeyed the Royal Family and threw away the idol away somewhere. The Embranthiri who got his head chopped off is believed to be still present as Raktharashas (Ghost). His soul is evoked in the temple itself. The temple was restored and Deity consecrated again in the 19th century itself. But still the temple is partially dilapidated condition. Kunnath Ambalam is under Malabar Devasom now. There are 134 steps to enter the temple. Each granite piece which contributes to one step is 8 feet long and 2 feet in breadth. You can reach the temple by travelling half a kilometre south east towards Vettakkattu road from Majeri Town.