Legend of Kodungallur Devi and Kodungallur Bharani

Kodungallur is a small temple town located in the Thrissur District of Kerala. Although this small town houses many temples, most of them are dedicated to Lord Shiva, Kodungallur Sri Kurumba Temple or Kodungallur Devi Temple is the most famous one. It is believed that Kannaki of Tamil classic Chilapathikaram attained salvation here.

The mythology behind this temple goes back to the period of the creation of Kerala by Lord Parasurama, the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. When he created Kerala and donated the land to many Brahmins to free from the curses of killing kshatriyas, a demon called Daruka came there. He started driving out people and they all approached Parasurama.

Parasurama underwent a penance to appease Lord Shiva to find a solution. Shiva appeared in front of Parasurama and asked him to construct a temple and consecrate an idol of Goddess Bhadrakali and start worshipping her. Parasurama did accordingly and the Goddess appeared in her most fierce form. She fought a long war with the demon and killed him.

When she came back, Parasurama pleaded her presence at that temple forever for the protection of the people. Pleased with the devotion of Parasurama, she agreed to do so. And the temple is believed to have the presence of Goddess Kali there.

Another legend says that Kannaki of Chilapathikaram came to Kodungallur after setting ablaze the entire Madhurai City and prayed to the goddess. After a few minutes of prayer, she got absorbed into the idol of Goddess.

Kodungallur Amma, as the deity is called quite often by the devotees, is the family goddess of the royal family of Kodungallur. Hence, the presence of the senior member of the family, who is referred to as Kodungallur Thampuran is necessary for all festivals related to the temple.

Kodungallur Bharani is the major festival in this temple. On that day there is a ritual called “Kozhikkal Moodal” which was originally the sacrificing of cocks and offering the blood. After the ritual performed, Kodungallur Thampuran will spread a red umbrella. This is called “Kavu Theendal” which is a symbolic way to give permission to people belonging to all casts to enter the temple. As soon as this is over, devotees, especially hundreds of oracles wearing red cloth will enter the temple and run three times around the temple holding sticks in their arms.

This ritual is to commemorate the return of Goddess Kali and her army after killing Daruka. The sticks in the arms of devotees represent weapons. After completing three rounds, they will enter the temple. In earlier days, the devotees used to air filthy languages against the Devi while they run around the temple. This ritual was based on a belief that the Goddess enjoyed the victory in the war with her soldiers who were shouting bad words out of joy. Later this ritual has been stopped.

Later, Adi Shankara installed five Sri Chakras in the temple and these chakras are believed to be a source of the power of the temple.   People belong to the Namboodiri community or Adiga communities have the right to perform rituals here in this temple. There is one more Sri Kurumba Temple in the Southern part of the town where the rituals are being performed by the people belonging to the Kudumbi community.