Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple

Sree Kurumba Bhagavati Temple (alternatively Kodungallur Devi Temple) is a Hindu temple at Kodungallur, Thrissur District, Kerala state, India. It is dedicated to the goddess Bhadrakali, a form of Maha Kali or Parashakthi worshipped in Kerala. The goddess is known also by the names “Sri Kurumba” and “Kodungallur Amma” (The Mother of Kodungallur).This temple is the head of 64 Bhadrakali temples in Kerala especially Malabar. 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 Daruka, another a sickle-shaped sword, next an anklet, another a bell, among others
Kurumbakavu Bhagavathi Temple, popularly known as Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple is located about 1.5 km southeast of the Kodungallur bus stand. It is assumed that the placement of the idol of Kannaki was done about 1800 years ago by Cheran Chenkuttuvan of the Chera dynasty. The presiding deity of the temple is Bhadrakali (Goddess Kali). The shrine is crowded on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays and is busy during the Sabarimala season as well.

Kurumbakavu Bhagavathi Temple, popularly known as Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple is located about 1.5 km southeast of the Kodungallur bus stand. It is assumed that the placement of the idol of Kannaki was done about 1800 years ago by Cheran Chenkuttuvan of the Chera dynasty. The presiding deity of the temple is Bhadrakali (Goddess Kali). The shrine is crowded on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays and is busy during the Sabarimala season as well.

Bharani festival

The Bharani festival at the Kodungallur Bhagawati temple is one of the major festivals of Kerala, which starts on the Bharani asterism, as per the Malayalam month of Meenam (March-April). The festival usually starts with a 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 Veedu” are allowed to participate in this ritual. It is to appease the goddess Kali and her demons who take delight in blood offerings. The animal sacrifices that once were part of the festival in this temple are now banned, but the pilgrims still drink liquor and sing lewd songs, all the way from their villages to the shrine, as part of the ceremony. At the end of the festival, the temple closes and opens on the seventh day, after the Aswathi asterism. Another important festival at this temple is the Navarathri.

Thalappoli festival

The Thalappoli festival is in the month of Makaram (January–February). The four-day Thalappoli commences from the evening of Makara Sankranthi with religious rituals. Big procession headed by richly caparisoned elephants are taken out to the accompaniment of Pancha Vadyam, Paancari, Paandi, etc. It is celebrated by all sections of people of Kodungalloor and adjacent areas. The first day of Thalappoli consists of many offerings to goddess. “souseeni” as it is called among the kudumbi community is one among them. This is basically mixing riceflakes with jaggery and coconut, later on this is shared among the devotees around.

Routine worship at the temple every day at 03:00 and ends at 21:00 local time