Kodungalloor Meena Bharani

Kodungalloor the ancient capital of Kerala lying about twenty miles north-west of Eranakulam had a hoary past. The Kodungalloor Bhagavathi temple is one of the wealthiest temples in Kerala. Bhadrakali born of the third eye of Samhara Rudra, killed the demon Darika. It is to commemorate this event that the famous Bharani festival is celebrated in the Kodungalloor Bhagavathi temple in Meenam (March-April) every year. The Kodungalloor temple is also one of the first temples in Kerala which removed the restrictions of caste and religion, and permitted devotees belonging to lower caste entry to the temple premises. The goddess presiding over the temple at Kodungallur is known as the Sri Kurumba Bhagavati. The word 'Kuruppa' in Malayalam denotes small-pox and it has some affinity with the name in which the goddess is known. The goddess is believed to preside over the disease small pox. Bharani is the second asterism of the lunar month and that is the most important day of the festival. A large congregation of  Velichappad or oracles come to participate in this peculiar festival. The shedding of blood by the sacrifice of a large number of cocks form a distinguishing feature of this festival. Pilgrims flock to Kodungallur from all parts of Kerala bringing with them offerings of rice, salt, chillies, betel leaves and nuts, turmeric, pepper and a number of cocks. 'Kavu Theendal', (the pollution ceremony) is the most important event of the Bharani festival and is celebrated on the Aswathy day of the month. It is overseen by the King of Kodungallur.