Kodungalloor Sri Kurumba Bhagavathy Temple, Kerala

Address

Kodungalloor Sri Kurumba Bhagavathy Temple- Thekkenada Rd, near aswathy hotel, Kodungallur, Kerala 680664

Deity

Bhadrakali

Introduction

• Name:
  • Sri Kurumba Bhagavati Temple, also known as Kodungallur Devi Temple.
• Location:
  • Situated in Kodungallur, Thrissur District, Kerala, India.
• Deity:
  • Dedicated to Goddess Bhadrakali, a form of Maha Kali or Parashakthi.
  • Known as Sri Kurumba (The Mother of Kodungallur).
• Significance:
  • Head of 64 Bhadrakali temples in Kerala, especially in Malabar.
  • One of the oldest functioning temples in India, supported by Tamil poems and inscriptions.
• Iconography:
  • Goddess depicted in her fierce form, facing north, with eight hands holding various attributes, including:
    • The head of demon king Daruka
    • A sickle-shaped sword
    • An ankle (possibly Kovalan’s stolen anklet)
    • A bell, among others.
• Historical Context:
  • During the reign of the Later Cheras, Mahodayapuram (Kodungallur) was the capital of the Chera Empire, a significant region in Kerala.
  • Incorporates ancient Shaktyem customs rarely observed in contemporary temples.

Puranic Significance

• Historical Belief:
  • Believed to have originally been a Shiva shrine; Parasurama installed the murti of Bhadrakali.
  • Five Sri Chakras installed by Adi Shankaracharya are thought to be the source of the goddess’s powers.
• Priests:
  • Performed by Namboodiris and Adikas (Madhu Brahmins).
• Kannaki Amman:
  • The heroine of Ilango Adigal’s Silappathikaram attained salvation here.
• Icon’s Origin:
  • The deity’s figure is believed to have been born from Shiva’s third eye to defeat Daruka.
• Construction:
  • Constructed by Cheraman Perumal; first Shakteya Pooja performed by a Thiyyar from Malabar.
  • Tantric Installation: Follows the Rurujit Vidhaana pattern, with Shiva at one end and Ganesha at the other, surrounded by the Sapta Matrika goddesses.

Special Features

• Temple Structure:
  • Set on ten acres of land, surrounded by banyan and peepal trees; Srikovil faces north.
• Inner Chamber:
  • Houses the Sapthamatrukas (Seven Mothers) and idols of Ganapathi and Veerabhadra.
• Idol Description:
  • The idol of Bhagawati is about seven feet high, made of jackfruit wood, with eight arms.
• Samadhi of Vysoori:
  • Nearby shrine for smallpox and other contagious diseases; devotees offer turmeric.
• Sacred Pond:
  • Called Pushkarini, believed to have been created by the goddess striking the ground with her sword; devotees bathe here before entering the shrine.

Festivals

• Major Festivals:
  • Bharani Festival (Kavutheendal): Begins on Bharani asterism in the Malayalam month of Meenam (March-April).
    • Formerly included animal sacrifices; now banned, but festivities include drinking and singing.
    • The temple closes and reopens on the seventh day after Aswathi asterism.
  • Navarathri: Another significant festival celebrated at the temple.

Century/Period/Age

1000-2000 Years old

Managed By

Malabar Devaswom Board.

Nearest Bus Station

Kodungallur

Nearest Railway Station

Irinjalakuda

Nearest Airport

Kochi

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