Annapurneshwari Temple, Cherukunnu
Annapoorneshwari Temple is a famous Parvati temple situated in Kannur, Kerala. The deity is worshipped as Annapurneshwari- The mother who vanquishes hunger.
About the Temple
At this temple, Lord Krishna is co-located along with Goddess Sree Annapoorneswari. It is believed that Sree Annapoorneswari did visit the shrine which was under the sea, centuries ago.[1]
Story of Temple
The temple was formally a Vishnu/Krishna Temple which dates back to 1500 years. The temple after amma's prathishta (giving sacred power to the idol of Annapoorneshwari) was built by Avittam thirunal Raja Raja Varma of Chirakkal Kovilakam. As per hindu mythology it is said that Amma arrived from Kashi with two other devi's ( Kalarivathikal Amma and Madai Kavail Amm ) and a boatman in a golden ship, got down at Azhi Theeram which is now known as Ayirum Thengu.
Punna Prathistha was done on 1994, Malayam Month Kumbam, Pooyam Nakshtram, which now is observed as the parthista dinam every year.
The main festivals of the Temple starts from the Malayam month Medam Shankramam( April 15 ), which is celebrated for the next seven days.The other festivals that are celebrated in the temple are Shiva Rathri, Naomi, Aegadeshi etc.
The temple is presently under the Malabar Devasom Board, and is mainted by the Temple Committee. The Speaciallty of the temple is that it is built with one single type of rock, and the Sree Kovil of both Annapoorneshwari and Krishnan is of the same size as per Vasthu, signifying that both the goddess and the god are given equal importance. The Entrance of the temple is in front of Krishnan's Sree Kovil, and the reason there isnt a direct entrance to Annapoorneshwari's Sree Kovil is because during the olden days it was believed that Women from the Brahmin Family arent supposed to be seen directly ( Antharjanam ). Hence there is a small window that is right in front of the Sree Kovil so that people can get the Darshan from outside. This is the only Annaporneshwari Temple in Kerala. Built using well polished stones and put together using Avil and belam ( miixture of flattened rice and jaggery )Next to the Temple ( right side ) is the Temple pond or the Ambala Kolam, which is close to 2.5 Acres in Area, Centrally located is the Pole other wise known as the stumpa. The Four major entrance of the Chera is built using large layers of rock layed parallelly. The Chera also has a Kollapura ( used for poojari's to bathe and wash ) which is located on the south west of the Chera.