Thirumanthamkunnu Temple

Thirumandhamkunnu Sree Bhagavathy Temple
Thirumandhamkunnu Temple
Geography
Country	India
State	Kerala
District	Malappuram
Location	Angadipuram
Culture
Primary deity	Bhadrakali (Sree Parvathy/ Durga/ Maha Kali)
Important festivals	11 day Pooram in March–April

Thirumandhamkunnu Temple is a historically significant Hindu temple in Angadipuram, which was the capital of Valluvanad Rajavamsham,in Malappuram district, Kerala state, South India. The temple deity, Thirumandhamkunnil amma, was the bhara devatha (official goddess) of the kings of Valluvanad, the local feudal kings ruled the area in the Middle Ages. The assassins (called Chavers) of Valluvanad king set out from this temple to Thirunavaya, to participate in the famous Mamankam festival. A memorial structure called the chaver thara ("platform of the assassins") can be found in front of the main entrance of the Thirumanthamkunnu Temple.

The temple is also an important pilgrim center, especially for the eleven-day-long annual festival celebrated in March and April months of the Gregorian calendar. The "principle deity" of temple is supreme lord Shiva. But the famous deity is Sree Bhadrakali or Sree Parvathy, locally called as Thirumandhamkunnilamma and the elephant god Ganesha, for whom the famous Marriage Offering (Mangalya puja) is performed. Devotees believe marriage offering (Mangalya pooja) will remove obstacles for one's marriage. Actually Thirumandhamkunnilamma is the supreme mother, Shakthi devi (goddess of power) in Hinduism. Bhadrakali believed to be born from the third eye of lord Shiva to kill the demon king Daruka. Bhadra means good and Kali means goddess of time. Bhadrakali is worshipped for prosperity and salvation. Devi is considered as the creator, protector, destroyer, nature & kundalini. Mangalya Puja, Rigveda Laksharchana, Chandattam and Kalampattu are the important religious offerings of the Thirumanthamkunnu Temple.

There are ceremonies and rituals specific to this Hindu temple that are not carried out at others. The Thirumanthamkunnu Temple courtyards are on a hilltop that provides a view of the countryside spread out below.

King Mandhata of Surya dynasty ruled his kingdom for a long period. He then gave away the kingdom to his successors and chose to meditate on supreme god]] Shiva and attain the Shiva’s feet at the end. Shiva was pleased with his penance appeared before the king Mandhata and offered him any boon at Mount Kailash. The king prayed to the lord for an idol to worship till his death. Shiva gave him the most holy Shiva Lingam which was too dear to him and which used to be worshipped by Parvati and then the god disappeared.