Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple is situated at
Kodungallur in
Thrissur District. This is the most ancient temple in the northern part of
Kerala. It was one among the first temple which removed the restrictions of caste and religion and people from all walks of life were admitted into the temple.
The deity of the temple is the image representing Kali, who killed the demon Daaruka. The majestic six-foot high wooden image of Kali faces north and there is a cloth hung on the western wall of the sanctum where the worship is offered. The idol has eight arms and holds different kinds of potent weapons. The crown of the image is similar to the Kathakali type. The idol is covered with golden raiment all over except hands.
The unique feature of the temple is the secret chamber, which is the Sakthi Kendra of the temple. It lies on the eastern side of the sanctum sanctorum of Goddess Bhagavati. The sanctum and secret chamber have a common wall. The secret chamber is closed all around with granite and on the top there is a roof. There is a closed door (from inside) on the western wall of the chamber along with the sanctum sanctorum of Bhagavati.
There is an idol of Mahameru and Adi Shankara, which was installed by Parashuram. Other deities in the temple are Lord Ganesh, Lord Veerabhadra and the Seven Divine Mothers. There is a separate shrine for 'Silappathrkaram,' the chaste Kannagi, an avatar of Goddess Durga. The idol of Lord Shiva is facing to the east without a Nandi. The temple has been associated with animal sacrifices.
The temple celebrates two festivals. The main one is the Kodungaloor Bharani festival in the Malayalam month of Kumbha (February - March). Thousands throng the temple from all over Kerala congregate to celebrate this festival amidst great pageantry. Another festival is the Thalappoli Festival in the Malayalam month of Makara (December-January).
