Tirumantamkunnu Temple

Tirumantamkunnu Temple in Angadippuram in the Malappuram district of Kerala has historical importance also. The famous suicide squad of Valluvanokkathiris used to start from this temple to participate in Mamankam and to fight the mighty army of Zamorins. Even now there is a ‘Chaver Thara’ or the platform of suicide squad which is being preserved as a memorial of hundreds of warriors who died to uphold the prestige of their land.

Tirumantamkunnilamma

The legend behind this temple goes back to the period when ‘Surya’ the dynasty was ruling this area. There was a king called Mandhata in the dynasty and he was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva. After many years of ruling the kingdom, he decided to hand over the power to his heir and to lead the rest of his life in worshiping Lord Shiva. Thus he underwent a penance seeking blessings from Shiva. Pleased on his devotion Shiva appeared in front of him and took him to Mount Kailash, the abode of Lord Shiva. There Shiva asked the king about his wish. King, who was happy to visit Kailash asked to provide him with one Shiva Linga to worship. Shiva took out his favorite Shiva Linga which has been worshipped by Goddess Parvathy and presented to him.

King returned back holding the Linga on his head. On the way, he reached the place where the present-day Tirumantamkunnu is located. The valley of this hillock was beautiful with different types of plants and flowers. The place seemed to be a unique place because a lot of animals including tigers, lions, elephants, and rabbits were living there, forgetting their natural enmity. By the time the king felt tired and the weight of the Linga seemed to be more. He placed the Linga on the top of the hillock and sat nearby to take a bit of rest. The Linga got stuck to the earth as soon as it placed there.

Meanwhile in Kailash Parvathy was a bit worried as she could not find the Linga she used to worship. She was out for a bath when Shiva presented the same to King Mandhata. On inquiry, Shiva told her the truth. She was very fond of that Linga and was not able to leave it. She sent her daughter Bhadrakali along with some demons to retain that Linga from the King.

Although they reached the valley they could not climb the hill as their eyes were blazed with the powerful light emitting from the Linga. Hence they fought with the army of the king from the valley. The army did not have enough weapons; still, they fought with Kali and her army by throwing Athanga nuts which were very common in that area. By the power of Shiva, each and every athanga became an arrow. Demons found it difficult to fight. Fearing a defeat, Kali showed her cosmic figure and seeing the same as the warriors of the king fainted.

Kali went up the hill and try to take over the Linga. At the same time, the King caught hold of the Linga tightly. When both were fighting for the Linga, it got broken and a powerful light emitted from it. Within that light, there appeared Lord Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva along with Parvathy. She told the king that as his devotion is unique and powerful, she did not want to take the Linga back. At the same time, she could not live without worshipping the same. So she will live inside the Linga.

A scene from Athanga Eru

Saying this Parvathy disappeared into the Linga. Before going she instructed the king to install her daughter Bhadrakali too in the premises along with Lord Ganesha.

Now athanga eru or throwing of Athanga is a major offering here along with the marriage offering or Mangalya pooja at the premises of Lord Ganesha.