The Devi Temple where Goddess Appeared in Front of Tipu Sultan

Kollam Pishari Kau, one of the prominent temples dedicated to Goddess Durga is located near Koilandy in Northern Kerala. It is believed that the goddess appeared in front of Tipu Sultan when he came here to loot the temple. It is a historical fact that Tipu Sultan had evaded Kerala and looted many temples and taken away lots of wealth including gold, silver, and precious stones. During that time he came to this temple. The priest requested him to spare the temple and warned Tipu that the goddess present there is very powerful. Just to test it, Tipu worshiped there and then the priest gave him Prasadam (Sandal paste given as the symbol of blessings of the deity present in each temple). Then Tipu told the priest that if the goddess is very powerful, she should come directly and give the prasadam. Suddenly the goddess appeared in front of Tipu and gave him prasadam. Whether it is just a story or a fact, Tipu left the temple without taking anything from there. In turn, he started giving some amount as a regular donation to that temple every month. After the British conquered the region, they also continued this donation.

The legend behind this temple goes like this. There were many merchants belonging to the Vysya community in Kollam of Southern Kerala. On those days, Kollam was under the rule of powerful king Marhtanda Varma of Travancore. One of them used to visit Oorakath Temple dedicated to Goddess Durga. Pleased with his devotion, one day goddess appeared in his dreams and told him that now there is no need for him to come all the way to Oorakam to visit her; instead, she will come along with him in the form of a sword called Nandakam. He suddenly woke up to see a sword near his head. Taking those as the words of Goddess Durga he carried the sword to Kollam and constructed a temple there and installed the sword in the sanctum sanctorum. He started worshiping the sword as Durga.

Although he belonged to the business community, he was an expert doctor treating snake bites too. Such professionals are called as “Vishahari” in the local language Malayalam. Hence the temple came to be known as “Vishahari Kovil” which later corrupted to Vishari Kau and to Pishari Kau.

After the worship has started, the community became very strong in all aspects. They started challenging the rules of the land and avoided paying taxes and other mandatory payments to the king. This provoked the king and he ordered them to leave the place immediately. Although they were very rich, they could not match the strength of Marhtanda Varma. Hence they left the place with whatever they can take from their homes.

They traveled by water towards the north and on the way, they saw a thick forest. The most fascinating thing about that forest was that all wild animals were living there in good harmony. Deciding that forest as the ideal place to stay, they got down from the boat. That place was under the rule of Kurumbanattu King, hence they took permission from him and constructed houses. Along with that, they constructed a temple for the divine sword which they took from Kollam. They installed the sword in that new temple. As they still had nostalgic feelings about their land, they named the temple as Kollam Pishari Kau.

Earlier, the rituals were being conducted by the community members and hence meat and liquors were used to offer to the goddess. In between, the community brought a Brahmin priest and he stopped all such practices. He started tantric rituals which resulted in the enhancement of the power of the goddess. It became difficult for the devotees to enter the temple without fear. When it became unbearable, they stopped the tantric rituals and started the shaktheya style of worship. Even now tantric rituals are being performed in this temple by Brahmins for three days in a year.