Shri Kurumba Bhagavathy Temple ,Kodungalloor

Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple orSri Kurumbadevi Temple ,Kodungallur is an ancient Temple located atKodungallur in Thrissur District,Kerala.The Goddess is dedicated to Bhadrakali and is popularly knownbas Kodungalluramma by devotees and is one of the four famous Devi Temples besides Chottanikkara Temple,at Ernakulam District,Attukal Bhagavathy Temple at Thiruvananthapuram,Kadampuzha Bhagavathy Temple,in Malappuram District,and Kodungalluramma. On the southern side of Kerala is the Kanyakumari Devi Temple in Tamil naadu, and on the northern side,the Kollur Mookambika Temple,in Karnataka all dedicated to Devi Mahamaya. The devi Idol is usually carved in wood of Jackfruit tree and has eight hands carrying various weapons and Symbols The Historical legends are many in relation to Bhagavathy Temple at Kodungallur out of which the most popular two are 1)The Kali devi Temple is known as that of Kannaki. It is believed the Temple originally belonged to Lord Shiva which was later on replaced by Kannaki or Kali at a later stage. The Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple is believed to have installed by Bhargava Raman who had also installed more Devi Temples in and around Kerala. The popular belief is that the idol of Kodungalluramma Temple was installed withb a view to saving the devotees from Chicken Pox epidemic. The glaring peculiarity of Pooja rituals in KodungallurBhagavathy Temple is that the same is notb performed by Brahmins as this was originally a Dravidian Temple.This Temple is also famous for removingv cast restrictions prevailed in old time Temples in Kerala. The Kodungalloor Bhagavathy Temple is existing in an area of around 10 acres .The Temple is sorrounded by Banian and Peepal trees.The sreekovil of ther Temple is facing north which is considered as auspeceous and wealthier sidea according to Hindu Mythology and the western chamber of the Temple is vthe abode of b seven Mothers.This is knowjn as Saptamathrukas and is also facing northern side. The western chamber also consists of Ganapathy Idol & Veerabhadra Idol.These idols are facing East and West side respectively.The Idolm of Lord Shiva is facing the Eastern side.It is believed that the offerings should be first given to Lord Shiva and then Goddess Devi.It is strangely believed that the Poojas in this Temple are prescribed by Devi herself.Similarly another typical belief is that Adi Sankara had installed five chakkras from which the Devi assumes super Powers.On the left side of the Temple there is "Samadhi of Vysoori".This is a walled enshrine and it is believed to bring miraclous cure for certain ailments like smallpox,chickenpox,mumps and other cpntageous diseases.The devotees offer Turmeric Powder here to get cure. Fifty meters left to the Samadhi Vysoori there is a Pushkarini or Sacred pond where the devotees take bath before entering the Temple.The belief is that Devi herself constucted the pond using her sacred Sword. FESTIVALS OF KODUNGALLUR BHAGAVATHY TEMPLE: ********************************************* The Kodungallor Bhagavathy Temple is famous for Festivals.The first is Kodungallor Bharani in the month of Kumbha(February-March)and the most important Festival is the THALAPPOLI in the Malayalam month of Makara(December-January) BHARANI is one of the stars in Indian Astrology and is considered as the star of DeviKali and is respected as Goddess of Success. The major Festival of Of Kodungalloor Temple is called "Kodungallur Bharani" which bears a festival look of the entire town.Many people from all over Kerala as well as India assemble here on the Bharani day &sometimes from abroad also. Pagentry&special songs well known for their fun and double meanings known as Bharanipattu is sung by various groups on the roads. There would be several such groups.Earlier various groups from all over Kerala used to arrive here singing such songs all along their way from their native place to the Temple here. But nowadays such groups are lesser but still exists in some parts of Kerala. Kurumba Bhagavathy Temple is worth visiting by all who believe in Durga and Bhadrakali Godesses. On Bharani day one can have a darshan of Bhagavathy Diety with a majestic look withb Angi. So why wait longer?.Plan a visit to this Temple this year itself to make year 2018 a year of Success and Glory. Sreedharan Mundanat Tuesday the 9th January 2018 Thrissur ,Kerala