Kodungallur · Thrissur · Kerala
Sree Kurumba Bhagavathy Temple — the Mother of Kodungallur, head of sixty-four Bhadrakali kavus, and one of the oldest living temples in India.
The temple
In the sanctum stands Bhadrakali in her ugra form — about six to seven feet, carved from jackfruit wood, eight-armed, holding the head of the demon Darika, a sickle-sword, an anklet, a bell, and other weapons. Devotees know her as Sree Kurumba, the mother of this town.
The compound is Kerala architecture on about ten acres: a Shiva shrine without the usual Nandi, the seven mothers in a dark western chamber, a pond said to have been struck open by her sword, and a smallpox shrine still rubbed with turmeric.
Tradition holds that Adi Shankara seated the temple’s power in chakras behind the image, and that the priest worships those yantras facing east — not the wooden murti herself.
Read the history
The courtyard at the centre of Kodungallur town. Photography is not allowed inside the sanctum.
Sthalapurana
The shrine holds two founding legends. The website does not choose between them. Both are living tradition.
After Parasurama raised Kerala from the sea, the demon Darika tormented the land. From Shiva’s eyes Bhadrakali was born. She slew the demon, and Parasurama installed her here as Parashakti — the fiercest of four sisters he is said to have seated in the south.
The Darika legend →
The Tamil epic Silappatikaram brings Kannagi north after Madurai burns. Chera king Senguttuvan is believed to have built her a shrine at Kodungallur about 1,800 years ago. Devotees still offer an anklet to Amma.
The Kannagi legend →
The town around the temple is ancient Muziris — a Chera port known to Greeks and Romans, later Mahodayapuram. The temple stands in that old capital, about 1.5 km from today’s bus stand.
Plan a visit →Utsavam
From the Bharani of Kumbham to seven days after the Bharani of Meenam. Oracles in red, Kavu Theendal, turmeric on the roof, and a week of purification. Animal sacrifice is banned; the old rite is now symbolic.
Festival calendar →
Four days from Makara Sankranti. Elephants, barrel crackers, and women carrying lamps of rice and coconut. Malayarayan, Kudumbi, and the Kovilakam each keep a day.
How Thalappoli unfolds →
The wooden image is protected each year by Chandattam, a bath of sacred adhesive. Navaratri brings the mother as Saraswati, Lakshmi, and Durga in turn.
All observances →Darshan
The nada opens at 4:00 AM with Malar Nivedyam. Ucha pooja is at 11:30. The temple rests from noon to 4:00 PM, then Deeparadhana at 6:15 and Athazha pooja at 7:30. Guruthy follows the night closing.
Full timetable & vazhipaduTuesdays, Fridays, and the Sabarimala season are the busiest days. Traditional dress is expected. Book Nakshatra Pushpanjali or Guruthy a few days ahead.
Request a poojaSeva
Donations keep the daily feeding, the wooden image, and the charitable work of the temple. You may give online here or through the Cochin Devaswom Board.
Donate to the temple