Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple

Kurumba Bhagavathi Temple or Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple is in Kodungallur town in Thrissur District of Kerala situated on the west coast, was once a great port of the Chera rulers of Tamilnadu, It was known by the Greek as the musris. The first name of this place was Kodilingapuram, now a suburb of Kodungallur was a center of great historic significance during the chera period. Cheran Senguttuvan is said to have built the temple to Kannagi - a manifestation of Kaali or Kotravai or Durga, here (Silappadikaaram). Bhagavathi temple was created in the heart of the town many centuries ago.The temple was built to commemorate the martyrdom of Kannakis in the Sangam age. During the reign of Kulasekhara dynasty

Most of the surronding people of Kodungallur believe that this temple was, in the olden days, a Shiva shrine and it was Parasurama who installed Sri Kurumba Bhagavathi close to the idol of Shiva. Although this is a small town and has several temples, most of them are Shiva shrines. The poojas are conducted under direct instructions from Sri Bhagavathi Herself. Five 'Sri Chakras' installed by Adi Shankaracharya are believed to be the main source of the powers of this deity.

The Temple structure : The temple is situated in the middle of a plot of land about ten acres, surrounded by banyan and peepal trees. The magnificent idol of Bhagavathi, facing north is 6 ft tall and carved out of a single jackfruit tree.The srikovil is facing north. The western chamber of the inner temple is the seat of Sapthamatrukas (Seven Mothers) who also face north. The idols of Ganapathi and Veerabhadra are found in the chamber, one facing east and the other facing west, respectively. The idol of bhagawati is about six feet high and made of wood, carved from a jackfruit tree. The idol has eight arms that carry weapons and symbols.The idol of Shiva faces east and that of Kali north. The practise in the temple is to offer pooja and naivedyam first to Lord Shiva and then to the Devi.
To the left of the temple is the walled enclosure which has a peculiar ‘Samadhi of Vysoori', perhaps a medieval shrine deity for small pox, chicken pox, mumps and other contagious diseases. Devotees offer auspicious turmeric powder which gives credence to the influence of the Goddess and the legend. Its widespread fame is evident through its clean and well-kept sanctuaries. About fifty metres away to the left is a sacred pond (Pushkarini), where devotees bathe before entering the main shrine. It is believed that this pond was created by the goodness by striking the ground with her sword.

Festivals :-The festivals of significance at Kodungallur are Makara Sankaranti(Thalappoli) and the Bharani Festival’

Bharani festival:- The Bharani festival is a month of festivities from the Bharani asterism in the month of Aquarius to 7 days after the Bharani asterism in the month of Pisces.The festival usually starts with the ritual called 'Kozhikkallu moodal' which involves the sacrifice of cocks and shedding of their blood, which forms an important feature of this temple. The members of the Kodungallur Bhagavathy temple are allowed to participate in this ritual. It is to appease the goddess Kali and her demons who take delight in blood offerings. Traditionally the temple (especially during the Bharani festival) has been associated with a lot of animal sacrifices. These customs have been done away within the 20th century. The blood of the sacrificed used to be spilled over two stones in the prakaram, and as mentioned above, this practice is now stopped. 'Kavu Theendal', another important event of the festival, overseen by the King of Kodungallur where a horde of Vellichapads (oracles) make a madrush around the temple waving their sabres in the air while the members of their retinue throw objects (including cocks) over the inner quadrangle

Thalappoli festival:- is in the month of Makaram (January–February). The four day Thalappoli commences from the evening of Makara Sankranthi with religious rituals.Makara Sankaranti coinciding with Pongal in Tamilnadu. Makara Sankranti brings with it 4 days of colorful fanfare, with processions twice a day on elephants to the accompaniment of music, fireworks. The final day's procession is marked by the accompaniment of several women carrying plates of rice and coconut. In fact, the centermost entity in the procession, is a plate containing these offerings, on an elephant. A grand reception is offered to this procession when it reaches the temple. The procession leaves from the original location of the Bhagawati temple, (the Kurumbayamma shrine in Kodungallur). Big procession headed by richly caparisoned elephants are taken out to the accompaniment of Pancha Vadyam, Paancari, Paandi, etc.

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