Cherukunnu Annapoorneswari Temple

Getting there

• By air

  Airports are at Kannur, Mangalore and Calicut.

• By train

  Kannapuram is the nearest rail head.

• By road

  Cherukunnu town lies on the Valapattanam-Pappinisseri-Pazhayangadi main road, which connects to NH-66 at Pilathara in the north and at the Valapattanam bridge in the south.

Why devotees come here

Cherukunnu Annapoorneswari Temple stands near Cherukunnu town in Kannur district, Kerala. Sree Annapoorneswari is worshipped here, and Krishna is installed with her. It is one of the two Annapoorneshwari temples in Kerala.

The deity here is worshipped as Devi, the Mother who vanquishes hunger. Legend says Devi came from Kashi with two other devis, Kalarivathikal Amma and Madai Kavail Amma, and a boatman, in a golden ship. They landed at Azhi Theeram, now known as Aayiram Thengu. It is believed that Sree Annapoorneswari visited this shrine when it was under the sea. There is also a mythological belief that Parashurama elevated the shrine.

The temple was formerly a Vishnu and Krishna temple, dating back about 1500 years. After Devi was consecrated, the temple was built by Avittam Thirunal Raja Raja Varma of Chirakkal Kovilakam. It is built of one single type of rock. Devi's shrine and Krishna's shrine are the same size, as per Vasthu, to show equal importance. It is now under the Malabar Devaswom Board and maintained by a temple committee.

The re-consecration was done on 23 February 1994, and that day is observed every year as Prathista Dinam. Shivaratri, Navami and Ekadashi are also celebrated here.

Festivals

• April every yearVishu Villakulsavam

  Religious, ritual and entertainment activities, including spectacle fireworks, are shown at the temple.

• 1st of Medam, mid-April to mid-MayMedam festival

  The temple festival lasts seven days. Medam is the Malayalam month in which it begins.

Tips for your visit

• Ayiram Thengau and Mungam, two small islands called thuruths, are places of interest nearby.
• The Oliyankara Juma Masjid at Pallichal, near Cherukunnu town, is a dargah that people of all religions visit.
• A large chira, which is a swimming pool, can be seen near the temple.

Questions people ask