Rajeev Menon at 16:20, 4 May 2026

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{{Short description|Hindu temple in Thrissur, Kerala}}
{{More citations needed|date=May 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2023}}
{{Infobox Mandir
| name = Kodungallur Sree Kurumba Bhagavati Temple
| image = Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple-WUS00050.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Kodungallur Sree Kurumba Bhagavati Temple
| map_type = India Kerala#India#Asia
| map_size = 250
| map_caption = Sree Kurumba Bhagavathy Temple, [[Kodungallur]], [[Thrissur district|Thrissur]], [[Kerala]]
| coordinates = {{coord|10.226833|N|76.198425|E|display=inline,title}}
| country = {{flag|India}}
| state = [[Kerala]]
| district = [[Thrissur District|Thrissur]]
| location = [[Kodungallur]]
| elevation_m = 32.53
| deity = Bhadrakali (Maha Kali, Durga or Aadi Parashakthi, [[Kannagi]])
| festivals =
| architecture = [[Architecture of Kerala]]
| temple_quantity = One
| monument_quantity=
| inscriptions =
| year_completed = Before CE. Exact date not known
| creator =
| website =
}}

'''Sree Kurumba Bhagavati Temple''' (alternatively '''Sree Kurumba Bhagavati Temple''') is a [[Hindu temple]] at [[Kodungallur]], [[Thrissur District]], [[Kerala state]], India. It is dedicated to the goddess [[Bhadrakali]], a form of [[Kali|Mahakali]] worshipped and significantly revered in Kerala. The goddess is known also by the names ''"Sri Kurumba"'' and ''Kodungallur Amma'' (The Mother of Kodungallur).<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=വെബ്‌ഡെസ്ക് |first=ജനം |date=2020-08-10 |title=കൊടുങ്ങല്ലൂർ അമ്പലത്തിന്റെ ചരിത്രം |url=https://janamtv.com/80267837/ |access-date=2026-02-10 |website=Janam TV |language=ml-IN}}</ref> This temple is the head of 64 Bhadrakali kavus in [[Malabar district|Malabar]]. This [[Kali|Mahakali]] temple is one of the oldest functioning temples in [[India]]. The [[goddess]] of the temple represents the goddess in her fierce ('ugra') form, facing North, featuring eight hands with various attributes. One is holding the head of the demon king [[Darika|Daruka]], another a sickle-shaped sword, next an anklet, another a bell, among others.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=കൊടുങ്ങല്ലൂർ താലപ്പൊലിക്ക് തുടക്കം |url=https://www.manoramaonline.com/district-news/thrissur/2026/01/15/thalappoli-festival-sreekurumba-temple.html |access-date=2026-02-10 |website=കൊടുങ്ങല്ലൂർ താലപ്പൊലിക്ക് തുടക്കം |language=ml}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-19 |title=Chanting 'Abusive' Words And Drinking Before Entering: Bizzare Things About Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/spiritual/drinking-and-abusing-the-deity-at-the-kodungallur-bhagavathy-temple-article-106116083 |access-date=2026-02-15 |website=Times Now |language=en}}</ref>

[[File:Kodungallur-bhagavathy-300x336.jpg|thumb|Kodungallur bhagavathy]]

== History ==
After [[Parashurama|Parasurama]] created Kerala, a demon named Darikan began tormenting him. Unable to endure this, Parasurama prayed to Lord Shiva for assistance in destroying the demon. Following Lord Shiva’s divine instructions, Parasurama constructed a temple and installed the powerful goddess Bhagavathy. It is believed that the deity worshipped there is Parashakti herself. Darikan was ultimately slain by [[Bhadrakali]], who emerged from the three eyes of Lord Shiva.<ref name=":0" />
Nairs of the Kodungallur region and various sub-castes of the Nair community had representations in the association.[citation needed]

The members of the association O.K.A.Y were the administrators of the Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple (now with the Cochin Devaswom Board).[1][2] The meetings of the association used to be held on the first day of every month in front of the Kodungallur Bhagavathy temple (and considered "all matters" pertaining to the subjects who are within their jurisdiction and took appropriate decisions).

Another legend states that the temple dates back to very ancient times and was established for [[Kannagi|Kannaki]] during the [[Sangam period]]. In remembrance of the Sangam people, Sangam games are conducted at the temple during ''Thalapoli'' festival. During the rule of the [[Chera Perumals of Makotai|Kulasekhara dynasty]], Kodum Kaliyur served as the capital and was an important part of Thiruvanchikulam. Chera king [[Chenkuttuvan|Senguttuvan]], who ruled Kerala from Kodungallur, is believed to have moved Kannaki one furlong south of the present temple site and built a shrine for her. The consecration was carried out through [[Shaktism|Shakta worship]], including the a thousand pots of toddy and sacrifice of thousand chickens. Considering the immense power of the goddess, she was installed at the present temple site along with Lord Shiva facing south, Parashakti facing north, and Bhadrakali facing west. It is believed that Kannaki was installed at Kodungallur about 1,800 years ago.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Kodunagallur Bhagavathy Temple |url=https://www.keralatourism.org/muziris/religious-sites/kodungallur-bhagavathy-temple |access-date=2026-02-10 |website=Kerala Tourism |language=en|url-status=live}}</ref> It is believed that Kannagi after coming to Kodungallur seeks both salvation and divine union with the goddess Bhadrakali enshrined inside the sanctum sanctorum.<ref name=":4"/> Before coming to Kodungallur, Kannagi gave darshan to the native people in Attukkal, where [[Attukal Bhagavathy Temple]] stands.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/101_Pilgrimages/1DtuAAAAMAAJ?hl=en |title=101 Pilgrimages |date=2006 |publisher=Outlook India Pub. |isbn=978-81-89449-03-2 |pages=547 |language=en}}</ref> It is believed that the women there pacified the angry godess by receiving and giving her Pongala, which is celebrated annually as [[Attukal Pongala]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Where devotees of maternal divinity converge: Know salient features of Attukal Pongala |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/lifestyle/astro/2023/03/06/attukal-pongala-devotees-of-maternal-divinity-converge.html |access-date=2026-02-10 |website=www.onmanorama.com}}</ref>

It is also believed that the [[Adi Sankaracarya]] consecrated five chakras that conceives the power of the temple.<ref name=":1" />

The Chicken sacrifice is banned in the temple from 1978 as per the Kerala Animals and Bird Sacrifices Prohibition Act.<ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=2022-04-02 |title=2 held for rooster sacrifice at Kodungalloor temple |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/2-held-for-rooster-sacrifice-at-kodungalloor-temple/article65284359.ece |access-date=2026-02-10 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

[[Image:Kodungallur-RD-11Nov11.jpg|thumb|right|Lighting the evening lamps at Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple]]

==Festivals==
[[File:Kodungallur Thiyya Tara.jpg|thumb|Kodungallur Thiyyar Tara. There are 64 tharas at Kodungallur temple belonging to the 64 Thiyyar tharawads in the [[Malabar district|Malabar]] region, primarily from the [[Kannur]] and [[Kozhikode]] districts.]]

===Bharani festival===
{{Main|Kodungallur Bharani festival}}
[[Image:Kodungallur Bharani.jpg|250px|thumb|right| Kodungallur Bharani festival in Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple]]
The Bharani festival lasts from the [[Bharani|Bharani asterism]] in Kumbham to seven days after the Bharani asterism in Meenam. The festival begins with ''Kozhikkallu Modal'', a ritual involving the sacrifice of cocks and the shedding of their blood. Another key event is ''Kavu Theendal'', overseen by the King of Kodungallur, features [[Velichappadu|Vellichapads]] (oracles) running around the temple waving sabres, while their attendants throw objects, including cocks, into the inner quadrangle. The oracles shout bawdy abuse at the goddess, which is believed to be accepted, followed by a purification ceremony the next day.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Gouthaman |first=K. J. |title=The Object of Madness: A Sexuo-Cultural Reading of Power in the Kodungallur Bharani Songs |journal=Journal of People’s History and Culture |volume=10 |issue=2 |year=2024 |page=98}}</ref><ref name=":2" />

''Chandanapoti Charthal'' or ''Thrichandanacharthu pooja'' is another, involving smearing the image with [[sandalwood]] paste.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://living.oneindia.in/yoga-spirituality/faith-mysticism/2009/oracles-kodungallur-bhagavathy-bharani-310309.html
|title=Oracles Throng Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple
|work=Oneindia
|access-date=2010-12-05
|url-status=dead
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001135315/http://living.oneindia.in/yoga-spirituality/faith-mysticism/2009/oracles-kodungallur-bhagavathy-bharani-310309.html
|archive-date=1 October 2011
}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
|url=http://www.hindu.com/2004/03/24/stories/2004032405250400.htm
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040527175150/http://www.hindu.com/2004/03/24/stories/2004032405250400.htm
|url-status=dead
|archive-date=27 May 2004
|title='Kavutheendal' observed at Kodungallur
|access-date=2010-12-05
|location=Chennai, India
|work=[[The Hindu]]
|date=24 March 2004}}</ref>

===Thalappoli festival===
The [[Thalappoli]] festival is celebrated in the month of [[Makaram]] (January–February). The four-day Thalappoli commences from the evening of [[Makar Sankranti|Makara Sankranthi]] with religious rituals. It is accompanied by elephanant procession and ''kathina vedi'' (barrel crackers). On the first Thalapoli day, the [[Malayarayan]] community members reach the temple with ''Irumudi Kettu.'' They will be fasting and will offer turmeric, pepper etc. They will also perform special poojas in the temple. The [[Kudumbi]] community comes to the temple accompanied by musical instruments. They will perform ''Savasini Puja'' at temple. On the third day procession will start from the ''Pathinettarayalam Kovilakam.'' On remaining days, Devaswom Board will be organising Thalapoli.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Service |first=Express News |date=2013-01-03 |title=Thalappoli fest at Kodungallur temple |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2013/Jan/14/thalappoli-fest-at-kodungallur-temple-442935.html |access-date=2026-02-10 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

==Administration==
The temple was managed by ''Kodungallur Kovilakam ,'' royal family. The temple administration was taken over by the [[Cochin Devaswom Board]] in 1950.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Thiruvanchikulam Group Temples - Cochin Devaswom Board |url=https://www.cochindevaswomboard.org/thiruvanchikulam.html |access-date=2026-02-10 |website=www.cochindevaswomboard.org}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{cite web |title=Kodungalloor Bharani |url=https://www.keralatourism.org/1000festivals//assets/uploads/pdf/1510135087-0.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260210123456/https://www.keralatourism.org/1000festivals//assets/uploads/pdf/1510135087-0.pdf |archive-date=10 February 2026 |access-date=10 February 2026 |publisher=Kerala Tourism |format=PDF}}</ref>

==See also==

* '''13 Shakteya Temples of Kerala'''
# Mannampurath Kavu, Neeleswaram
# [[Madayi Kavu|Madaayi Kavu(Thiruvarkkattu Kavu)]], Pazhayangadi
# [[Kalarivathukkal Temple|Kalari Vatulkkal Kavu]], Valapattanam
# Mamanikkunnu Kavu, Irikkur
# [[Thiruvancheri Kavu]], Kuthuparamba
# Kaliyam Kavu, Vadakara, Edacheri
# [[Pisharikavu|Pishari Kavu]], Koyilandi, Kollam(Malabar)
# Thiruvalayanaadu Kavu, Kozhikode
# Kodikkunnathu Kavu, Pattambi
# [[Thirumandhamkunnu Temple|Thirumandham kunnu Kavu]], Angadippuram
# Kodungallur Kavu
# Muthoot Kavu, Thiruvalla
# [[Panayannarkavu|Panayannar Kavu]], Mannar, Thiruvalla

* [[Kannaki Amman]]
* [[Shaktism]]
* [[Onnu Kure Áyiram Yogam]]
* [[Muziris]]
* [[108 Shiva Temples]]
* [[Temples of Kerala]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://www.kodungallursreekurumbabhagavathytemple.org/ Kodungallur Sree Kurumba Bhagavathi Temple]
{{Commons category|Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple}}

{{Hindu temples in Kerala}}

[[Category:Hindu temples in Thrissur district]]
[[Category:Bhagavathi temples in Kerala]]
[[Category:108 Shiva Temples]]
[[Category:Hindu temples practicing alternatives to animal sacrifice]]

Kodungallur Sree Kurumba Bhagavathy Temple - Revision history

Rajeev Menon at 16:20, 4 May 2026