Muzhakkunnu Sree Mridanga Saileswari Temple , Kerala

Address

Muzhakkunnu Sree Mridanga Saileswari Temple Mridanga Shaileswary Temple Rd, Muzhakkunnu, Kerala 670703

Diety

Amman: Durga

Introduction

Mridanga Saileswari Temple is a famous Hindu temple located in Muzhakunnu, Kannur district, Kerala, India. It is one among the 108 Durga temples of ancient Kerala, believed to have been installed by Parashurama, the sixth avatar of Lord Vishnu. The main deity, Mridanga Saileswari, is a four-armed Durga holding conch and discus in the two hands pointed upwards, blessing her devotees with the front right hand and placing her front left hand on her waist. The temple is in the mid forest. The algae grew in the temple wall. Thirukullam is near to the temple.

Puranic Significance

It is the family diety of Kerala Lion Veera Pazhassi Raja. The temple is believed to be constructed by Lord Parasurama along with the 108 Durga temples. The famous prayer lines of Kathakali is known to have been written in this temple as it is the praise of Porkkali Devi. The existing myth speaks about a drum like musical instrument that fell from heaven called Mridungam. This gave rise to the names Mridungasailam and mizhavukkunnu, to the place. There is a lower trough in the temple premises which is believed to be the ground where the mizhavu fell from the skies. There is a proverb that says that a mist came and fell in this area from the heavens long ago. The place where Mizhava or Mridangam fell later became known as Mridangashilanilayam. Later it came to be known as Mizhavu Hill. Over time, that has changed and is now known as Mizhakkunnu-Mozhakkunnu. It is believed that the mizha fell on a slightly sunken part inside the temple. The temple, which was under ruins for a long time, gained national prominence when Alexander Jacob, a retired DGP of Kerala Police revealed a fascinating story related to the temple. It is said that thieves tried to steal the temple idol 3 times and each time they failed to do so because of strange reasons. Each time the idol was stolen, the idol was returned to the temple by the thieves themselves because of strange paranormal activity. When Alexander Jacob revealed this story in a television interview, from that day onwards, thousands of devotees are visiting the temple everyday. The temple is administered by Mridanga Shaileswari Temple Trust, A National Trust, an autonomous body under the Government of India.