Temple

Situated in Malappuram district, Kerala, Thirumandhamkunnu Temple is a famous Bhadrakali temple. The temple deity, Thirumandhamkunnilamma, was the bhara devatha (official goddess) of the kings of Valluvanad. The principle deity of temple is Lord Shiva.

Legend

According to the legends, King Mandhata of Surya dynasty left his kingdom behind and decided to spend his remaining life at Mount Kailash. Pleased by his devotion, Lord Siva offered him a boon. The king asked for an idol to worship till his death and Lord Siva gave him the Siva Linga worshipped by Goddess Parvathy. On his way back, the King put the Shiv Linga down at Thirumandamkunnu and there it got stuck. He started worshipping the idol there. Upon learning about the missing idol, Goddess Parvathy sent Bhadrakali and bhoothas to retrieve it. However, the power of Siva and Mandhata's devotion was much powerful than the might of Bhadrakali and bhoothas. The battle lasted for fifteen days. Since divine forces could not retrieve the idol, Goddess Parvathy got convinced of the King's devotion to the Lord. But she could not stay away from the idol either. So she decided to enter the idol and stay there. The idol in the temple is split in middle, which is attributed to the battle between King Mandhata and Bhadrakali. The idols of Sapthamathrukkal and temple child are made from the same seasoned jack wood from which the idol of the main diety was carved out.

Architecture

Unlike other temples, the door to the Sreekovil is not directly in front of the idol. Here it is slightly shifted to the right. The divinity of Goddess is transferred by avahanam to a metallic bimba and offerings are all done on the replica. The bimba is used as thidambu for mounting on elephant during festivals. The structure of the temple is in elaborate Kerala traditional architecture style with tiled roofs and wooden carvings.

Darsan Info

The Idol of Thirumandhamkunnilamma in Mathrusala is of "daru". A number of Bhadrakali temples in Kerala have daru idols, but one at Thirumandhamkunnu excels them all. In mathrusala installation is the manifestation of a Rurujit - one who conquered Ruru the Asura. The idol is about six feet high, in a sitting posture with the left leg bent up to the lap and the right one freely hanging down. The figure of Devi with the brilliant crown, the glittering ornaments covering the breast bangles and anklets, the head of Darika and weapons held in the eight hand, though fierce as a whole is captivating.

Darsan Dresscode

At Thirumandhamkunnu Temple , Kerala traditional attire is preferred.

Famous Festival

March/April :Pooram

Culture

Malappuram has got a rich cultural backdrop and though it is now popularly associated with the Islamic community, the region hosts many prominent temples. It has played a significant role in the warrior history of Northen Kerala

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Temple Rituals

The Siva Linga installed at Sreemoolasthanam at Thirumandhamkunnu Temple has all divinities according to Vedamanthras. In addition it has Deva divinity. Rishi divinity and human divinity. Thus it is supreme in all respects. According to legend it was first worshipped daily by SreeParvathy. Rishi Mandhatha worshipped it subsequently for a long time and then by two holy Deva like Brahmins, in accordance with the instructions of Rishi codified in Grandha. All these contribute to infinite and unsurpassed Chaithanya of Linga. It is believed that Parvathy, Parameswaran and Durga- the three divinities are ever present in that Idol.

Additional Info