Kodungallur Sree Kurumba Bhagavathy Temple

After 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. It is believed that Kannagi after coming to Kodungallur seeks both salvation and divine union with the goddess Bhadrakali enshrined inside the sanctum sanctorum. It is believed that the women there pacified the angry godess by receiving and giving her Pongala, which is celebrated annually as Attukal Pongala. It is also believed that the Adi Sankaracarya consecrated five chakras that conceives the power of the temple. ==Festivals==

region, primarily from the Kannur and Kozhikode districts. Bharani festival The Bharani festival lasts from the 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 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. ==Administration==

The temple was managed by Kodungallur Kovilakam , royal family. The temple administration was taken over by the Cochin Devaswom Board in 1950. ==See also==