Palakkad

Historians say the temple might have been built in the 8th century AD during the second Chera dynasty. Traces of Pallava style of architecture can be seen on the semi-finished sanctum sanctorum.

It was only a few years ago that the ASI took over the conservation of the temple.

Sree Bhagavathy is the daughter of Lord Shiva and Goddes Parvathi. Mother Bhagavathy was born during the Jada Dakshayaga of Lord Shiva. The deity is dark in color with four hands holding the Trishul, kapalam, gadkam, and khedam. The goddess appears both in Rudra and as a shanti roop. Sri Manappully Bhagavathy Temple has a very ancient history. It is believed that the temple originally belonged to Sri Mattappilly Bhadrakali Mana, a famous Kerala Brahmin family of Kerala. Numerous Brahmin families living on the banks of Holi River Sokanasini (Bharathapuzha) used to perform ‘Yagas’ on the river bed. Thus the area came to be known as ‘Yaga-kara’ which later came to be known as ‘Yakkara’

There is a myth about the origin of the Chinakkathoor temple which goes back to the Ramayana period. Rama and Lakshmana were wandering in search of Sita when they reached Vilwadri (the Vilwa Mountain). They told lord Ayyappa and Bhagavathy who were accompanying them to find a place to take rest. When they did not return even after a long time, Rama and Lakshmana went looking for them and found them taking rest at the top of the hill. The myth has it that an angry Rama pushed lord Ayyappa down to the south and gave a good beating to Bhagavathy. (The shrine of lord Ayyappa at Vilwadri temple is situated in a lower part from the rest of the structure now- like a pit and the deity is called kundile ayyappan or Ayyappa in the pit!).
Beaten up by Rama, Bhagavathy ran away from there crying “ayyayyo” and stopped running when she reached Chinakkathoor, Palappuram and took position there, facing the north. The temple faces to the south today.

It is believed that the Bhagavathy in the lower shrine is self-manifested or created by its own accord (swayambu). It is also said that Chinakkathoor temple used to be a place of worship for the people from the lower caste. There is yet another myth which suggests this. Once upon a time, a cheruma girl was cutting grass for her cattle. When she tried to sharpen her knife on a rock, it began to bleed. She was frightened and called up her elders. The older members of the community gathered and felt the presence of Bhagavathy there. They decided to worship Bhagavathy there and tried digging at the sides of the stone to know its depth. But even after digging for a long time, they couldn’t reach the root of the stone. From then onwards, that place came to be known as Chinakkathoor, to mean chinakkiyedutha ooru (the place which was dug out).

Maharshi Parasurama consecrated the idol of Mahavishnu in such a concept that the Lord is embracing Goddess Mahalakshmi. After the consecration the Maharshi entrusted the temple responsibilities to some local Brahmins. These Brahmins became prosperous of wealth by the blessings of Goddess Mahalakshmi. But later they became indifferent to the activities of the temple which brought about their downfall. The temple also lost its wealth and glory in the course of time.

After a long period Vilwamangalam Swamikal, a great disciple of Lord Guruvayoorappan visited the temple. He had the vision of Mahalakshmi engaged in the service of Lord Mahavishnu.

This temple is more than 800 years old according to the archeological department and is situated in Ongallur center in Palghat _Pattambi state highway. When we enter the inner side of the temple after crossing the wide-area we will see the wide “namaskar mandapam”with16 pillars which are placed in a particular way. Then we will enter the “thirunada” and can see Shiva linga with lots of Chandra kala in the Vatta Sree Kovil facing the east.