Kumaranalloor

Kumaranalloor
Big Town/Suburb
Kumaranalloor Bhagavathy
Coordinates: 9°37′0″N 76°31′0″E / 9.61667°N 76.51667°E / 9.61667; 76.51667Coordinates: 9°37′0″N 76°31′0″E / 9.61667°N 76.51667°E / 9.61667; 76.51667
Country	India
State	Kerala
District	Kottayam
Area
• Total	13 km2 (5 sq mi)
Population
• Total	42,481
• Density	3,300/km2 (8,500/sq mi)
Languages
• Official	Malayalam, English
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN	686016
Telephone code	0481
Vehicle registration	KL-05
Nearest city	Kottayam
Sex ratio	1000:1016 ♂/♀

Kumaranalloor is a big town in Kottayam municipality, Kottayam taluk, Kerala, India. Kottayam city is just 5 km south of Kumaranalloor. The region was administrated by the Kumaranallur grama panchayath till 2010, before the local self-governing body was merged into the Kottayam municipality. The former Panchayath office now exists as the regional administrative office for the municipality.

Kumaranalloor is an ancient cultural center. The Town is famous for Kumaranalloor Devi(Goddess) Temple and the annual Trikarthika festival of the temple. This place was known as ‘Thingalkkadu', before the temple came into existence. Later the name ‘thingalkkadu' changed and came to be known as ‘Indu kananam'. In some ancient scripts, the temple is described and known as mahishari kovil (temple).

Kumaranalloor Devi temple is considered as one of the most important Devi temples among the 108 Durgalayas (Devi temples) in Kerala. The temple is said to be more than 2400 years old, as per historical and mythological evidences as well as other sources of information. The architecture of the temple is notable for the unique structure of the nalambalam and sreekovil both of which have been built in the sreechakra style (ring like object with a handle, which is placed in the right hand of the Devi). This kind of architecture is rarely found in temple architecture.

Cheraman perumal was the ruling emperor of Kerala when the construction of a temple at Udayanapuram to install the idol of goddess durga began; while he commenced the construction of another temple at a place (which is later known as kumaranalloor) to install the idol of lord Kumara or Subramanian. Meanwhile, a disturbing incident took place at Meenakshi temple, Madurai in Tamil Nadu. The gem-studded nose ring of devi was stolen or went missing. The king ordered an enquiry. At the same time, he ordered to kill the priest of the temple unless he could solve this problem within 41 days. Because, the nose ring would not be misplaced without his knowledge. However, the priest was innocent. He was confused and perplexed in this dilemma. He took refuge at the feet of Devi.