Thirumandamkunnu Bhagavathi Temple

Overview

Thirumandamkunnu Temple is a historically significant Hindu temple in Angaadipuram, which was the capital of Valluvanad Rajavamsham, in Malappuram district, Kerala, India. The temple deity, Thirumandamkunnilamma, was the family deity of the kings of Valluvanad, the local feudal kings who ruled the area in the middle Ages. The assassin group (called Chavers) of Valluvanad king set out from this temple to Thirunavay, to participate in Mamankam festival. A memorial structure can be found in front of the main entrance of the Thirumandamkunnu Temple.

About The Temple

The temple is an important pilgrim centre, especially for the 11 day long annual festival celebrated in March and April. The "main deity" of temple is the Hindu god Shiva. Other deities include goddess Bhagavathi, locally called as Thirumandamkunnilamma and Ganesha. Mangalya Puja, Rigveda Laksharchana, Chandattam and Kalampattu are the important offerings of the Thirumanthamkunnu Temple. The Thirumandamkunnu Temple courtyards are on a hilltop that provides a view of the countryside spread out below.

Legends and Stories

King Mandata of Surya dynasty chose to meditate on Shiva and attain the Shiva’s feet at the end. Shiva pleased with his penance appeared before the king. The king prayed to the lord for an idol. Shiva gave him the holiest Shiva Lingam which used to be worshipped by Parvathi and then the god disappeared.

Carrying the Lingam on head, King Mandata started his downward journey and reached the hill now known as "Thirumandamkunnu". Feeling the heaviness of idol on his head he placed it on the ground and immediately the Shiva Lingam got stuck to the earth.

Shiva had gifted the Lingam to the king when his consort Parvathi was away. When Parvathi turned up for worship the Lingam was not there. She got upset on enquiry she came to know that it was presented to King Mandata, by her husband. She wanted the Lingam back. Parvathi now sent Bhadrakali and a host of bhoothas (demons) to rush up and get back the Lingam from the King. The brightness of the Shiva Lingam was so great that it dazzled the eyes of Bhadrakali. So they started throwing up the weapons from the foothill. To protect themselves, the people attending to the king plucked Attanga nuts from creeper plants and threw them at the enemy. The nuts changed into arrows instantly. Bhadrakali could not resist them and the fight lasted for fifteen days.

Fearing a defeat Bhadrakali took her viswaroopa (universal form). She wore an elephant in one ear and a lion in the other as earrings. Seeing this, the ascetics fell down senseless. When Bhadrakali reached the hilltop Mandata was also helpless. He embraced the Siva lingam. In the struggle that followed the lingam got split into two. In the flames that arose from it Brahma, Vishnu, Siva and Parvathi appeared on the spot.

Parvathi told Mandata this that idol was very dear to her. Still I did not want to take it away from him against the wishes of her husband. Leaving it is also difficult for her. So she entered that lingam and remained there forever. The Siva lingam here is still in split condition.

Festivals

Thirumandamkunnu Pooram, the annual festival of the temple is an eleven-day-long celebration which is a major festival.

Accessibility

Airport

The Nearest airport is Calicut International Airport.

Railways

Angaadipuram is the nearest railhead.

Road

There are plenty of buses from Palghat to Calicut through Malappuram. Angaadipuram is midway between the three cities.

Temple Address

Thirumandamkunnu Bhagavathi Temple,
Angaadipuram,
Malappuram,
Kerala.