Sri Kannenkavu Bhagavathy Temple, Nannamukku village, Changaramkulam, Malappuram

Kannenkavu Bhagavathy Temple, the abode of Goddess Bhadrakali, is situated in the spiritual village of Mookkuthala, near Changaramkulam in Malappuram district. The Bhadrakali consecrated here is in a very fierce and powerful mode, yet quick to please and shower her blessings on her ardent devotees. Kannenkavu is part of a temple complex comprising of Mookkuthala Bhagavathy Temple( Melkkavu)and Durga Temple( Keezhkavu). The legends of all these temples are connected with Adi Sankaracharya, who consecrated Bhagavathy here.

Legend:

At the age of 10, when Sankaraacharya set out for his travels, he happend to come to a thick forest land on crossing the 'Narineenthi' river. He witnessed a powerful light emanating from a rukraksha rock and he meditated to find out the source of this divine light. Then , first Yogamaya with Vaishnavite powers appeared and he placed Her in Melekavu. Then Durga appeared and she was consecrated in Keezhkkavu. Upon meditating again on the still flowing light, the powerful and fierce Bhadrakali appeared and Sankara placed Her onto the right of Melekavu. She was came to be worshipped as the famous Kannenkavu Bhagavathy.

Hearing about these wondrous events the landlords and village folks came to that place and prayed to Sri Sankara to guide them about further rituals regarding the divine Goddesses established there. The erstwhile Aazhvanchery Thambrakkal had also come there, and he immediately promised to build a temple for Sri Bhadrakali and handle all expenses regarding her poojas and temple upkeep. Thus Aazhvanchery Thambrakkal came to own the Kannenkavu temple.

Sankara had decided the brahmin families to perform poojas in each temple. When brahmins started performing poojas to Bhadrakali according to Tantric rituals, her power kept on incrementing and it became impossible for devotees to enter the temple even during day time. She even came to be referred to as "Bhayankari" and out of fear people stopped going there even during the annual festivals. Then the Thamprakkal and tantris decided to stop the brahmin tantriks performing poojas there and appointed an "Ilayathu" for the same. Gradually, Bhagavathy's power diminished and devotees could enter the temple fearlessly for worship and her fame reached all over the land.

Significance:

As per Sri Sankaracharya , Sri Bhadrakali has to be revered with equal importance as the Parasakthi at Mookkuthala temple. Whatever Naivedya is offered at Mookkuthakla temple has to be offered at Kannenkavu too. Still the 'vella nivedyam' at melekavu is offered to  Kannenkavu Bhadrakali at the sanctum steps by the priest.

Festivals:

Kannenkavu Pooram:

The main festival here is the 'Pattu Thalappoli' or Pooram  held every year on the first Friday of the malayalam month Makaram, falling in January. This is a grand festival where in Idol of the Bhagavathy is taken out on a caparisoned elephant procession along with percussions (panchavadya) to bow to Mookkuthala bhagavathy and is received back with a 'thalappoli'. 

There is also a 'Kalam pattu' throughout the month of "vrishchika" and ending on the pooram day. The fireworks display ('vedikkettu") during festival attracts large crowd from near and far.