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Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple
Photo: Rainer Halama, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Famous temples · Kerala

Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple

The Bhadrakali shrine at Kodungallur, head of 64 Bhadrakali kavus in Malabar

Checked 19 Oct 2026 with 4 sources2 min read

DirectionsShare

Getting there

  • By road

    The temple is about 1.5 km southeast of the Kodungallur bus stand.

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Rules to know

  • Animal and bird sacrifice is banned in temples under the Kerala Animals and Bird Sacrifices Prohibition Act, 1968.
  • Chicken sacrifice has been banned at this temple since 1978.

Why devotees come here

Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple is a Hindu temple in Kodungallur, Thrissur district, Kerala, dedicated to Devi Bhadrakali. It is the head of 64 Bhadrakali kavus in Malabar and one of the Shaktipeedhams of Kerala.

Devi here is Bhadrakali, a form of Mahakali, and she is shown in her fierce form, facing north, with eight hands. The temple is the head of 64 Bhadrakali kavus in Malabar. It is also one of the Shaktipeedhams, the powerful seats of Devi in Kerala. Legend says Parasurama built a temple here after Shiva asked him to destroy a demon, and installed Devi Bhagavathy. Another legend says Bhadrakali came out of Shiva's three eyes to slay the demon Darikan.

The temple sits on 10 acres and is built in the typical Kerala style. It has many secret paths and chambers. Kannaki is considered its second abode, and her idol is said to have been found about 1,800 years ago by the Chera king Cheran Chenkottuvan. The Kodungallur Kovilakam royal family once managed the temple. The Cochin Devaswom Board took over its administration in 1950.

The temple is said to be one of the oldest functioning temples in India. Its Bharani festival is set by the Bharani star, and the Thalappoli festival is held in the month of Makaram.

Festivals

  • From the Bharani asterism in Kumbham to seven days after the Bharani asterism in MeenamBharani festival

    The dates are set by the Bharani star.

  • Makaram, January to FebruaryThalappoli

    A four-day festival that begins on the evening of Makara Sankranthi, with 1,001 barrel crackers fired at the start.

Tips for your visit

  • Devotees visit in large numbers on Tuesdays and Fridays and during the Sabarimala season.
  • The Bharani dates follow the Bharani star, so check the year's dates before you plan a visit.

Darshan at home

Not in the app yet

Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple is not in the Divya Darshan 360 app yet. These Famous temples temples are, with darshan videos you can watch at home:

In the appChamundeshwari Temple, MysuruChamundi Hill, Mysuru, KarnatakaIn the appDakshineswar Kali Temple, KolkataDakshineswar, North 24 Parganas, near Kolkata, West BengalIn the appShirdi Sai Baba Temple, MaharashtraShirdi, Rahata taluka, Ahilyanagar district, Maharashtra
Get the appAndroid

The app is free, Android only. For darshan as if you are standing there, see the VR box (₹899, or ₹949 cash on delivery).

Questions people ask

Is this one of the Shakti temples?

Yes. It is one of the Shaktipeedhams, the powerful seats of Devi, in Kerala. The temple is also considered the second abode of Kannaki.

How is Devi shown in the temple?

Devi is shown in her fierce, or ugra, form. She faces north and has eight hands with various attributes.

Who is Kannaki in the story of this temple?

Kannaki, an incarnation of Kali, is linked to the temple by a legend from the Sangam period. Her idol is believed to have been installed about 1,800 years ago.

How we checked this page

On 19 Oct 2026 we checked every fact on this page against these sources, official ones first. Anything we could not confirm is left out.

  1. Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple, Kerala Tourism (Government of Kerala) keralatourism.org
  2. Kodungallur Sree Kurumba Bhagavathy Temple, Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  3. Thalappoli fest at Kodungallur temple, The New Indian Express newindianexpress.com
  4. Kodungalloor temple news report, The Hindu thehindu.com

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