Cherukunnu Sree Annapoorneshwari Temple, Pazhayangadi, Kannur

http://www.cherukunnuannapoorneswaritemple.in

Cherukunnu Annapoorneshwari Temple, also known as Cherukunnilamma Temple, is the only Durga temple in Kerala where Goddess Parvathi  is in ‘Annapoorna Bhavam’ (Goddess of Nourishment). ‘Annam’ in Malayalam language means ‘food’ and ‘Poornam’ (purnam) means full. The meaning of the Bhavam Annapurna is one who gives food to every needy in plenty. Here the idol is consecrated with a ladle in one hand. Annapurna is the goddess with a golden ladle. 

Sree Annapoorneshwari Temple is situated in Cherukunnu, 15 km from Taliparamaba, in Kannur district of Kerala, India. This temple is in a beautiful locality  with back waters around a large portion, and in the midst of hills with greenery all around.

At this Temple, Lord Krishna is enshrined with Sree Annapoorneswari. It is believed that Sree Annapoorneswari had visited this shrine which was under the sea. There is a mythological belief that this shrine was elevated by Sage Parashurama.

Significance:

The belief about the structure of the temple is that the same is made of polished stones bonded with a mixture of flattened rice and jaggery (Avil and Vellam). 'Cheru' means small and 'kunnu' means hill that is, small hill. Around this place there are five small hills. Hence the place got the name Cherukunnu. There is a Mythological version, according to which a heap of cooked rice is made 'choru kunnu', to offer to the people who come here for their par-taking the food prasaadams (Annadhanam). The word 'Chorukunnu' later changed into 'Cherukunnu'.

Situated next to Cherukunnu Temple on the right side is the temple pond . The pond is of about 2.5 acres in area and is called as Chira, which remains full throughout the year. In the center of this Chira there is a stambham or pole. The pond  has four major entrances. On the south west side of the pond there is shelter. This sheltered portion of the pond is exclusively for the use of the priests .

As the name Annapoorna indicates, Annadhanam (free food distribution) is a very important offering to the goddess. The food, rice with at least one gravy curry is given to the devotees as the prasaadams. This temple gives food to all devotees who come here for worship and want to take food. Food is offered two times, during lunch and dinner every day. The chuttambalam – naalambalam surrounding the sanctum sanctorum is vast to take care of the dining place (Outta Pura) for the devotees to partake the food offered. The temple is acclaimed as offering food in abundance to those who come here to worship.

History:

Cherukunnu Annapurna Temple was supposed to have been built during the 5th century AD. This temple is the principal deity worshiped (family deity) by the erstwhile Ruling family of Chirakkal. The temple was renovated by the Avittam Thirunal Valiya Raja. The present form of the temple is more than century old. A Punah Prathista was done in the year 1994 on the Pooyam star day of Kumbha month of Malayalam era. 

Festivals:

The main festival is the Vishu Vilakku in April every year. This is celebrated for a full week with spectacular fireworks and performances of other forms arts. 

The Prathistha dinam is observed on Pooyam star day of malayalam month Kumbha . Maha Shivaratri, Navami and Ekadasi are also celebrated in this temple. 

Management of the temple is done by the temple committee under the Malabar Devasom Board. 

The temple now has a website (http://www.cherukunnuannapoorneswaritemple.in) where it offers online puja booking for its devotees spread across the world. Website also has a wealth of information about the temple.