The origin of this temple goes back to antiquity. However, the legend of this ancient and holy temple that has emerged through the various deliberations of DIVINATION such as THAMBOOLA PRASNAM and ASHTAMANGALYA PRASNAM by the astute and eminent astrologers and handed down from the hoary past to us through hearsay is summarized as follows:
It is presumed that this asylum was once a training centre (KALARI ASTHANAM) for practising physical exercises and conducting sports of soldiers of ZAMORI RAJA. It was a VAYANATTU PANICKER belonging to the SUDRA COMMUNITY who owned the place then. Long long ago four families staying in the VAYALI THERU, on the north-eastern side of Kannancheri, left for a prosperous place in search of a better livelihood. During their journey, they also carried the idol of their house-hold deity and reached Kannancheri by a sunset. With the advice of the natives, they placed the idol in the garden of KALARI asylum and at a distance of the Goddess KHALURIKA BHAGAVATHI already present there. On the next morning before starting their decisive journey, they attempted to take the idol they brought. But to their quite amazement and dismay, they failed to lift it.
Understanding the DIVINE WILL and enticed by the exquisite beauty of the land and enamoured of the affection and affinity of the natives, they decided to settle there permanently. Later, perfoming prevalent rites and the relevant rituals, they would have managed to pick up the idol of ganapathy from the orginal place and fastened it on a finely polished platform, presently known as MANITHARA. Afterwards on its rightside (south), KHALURIKA BHAGAVATHY was provided with a seat consisting of a wooden slab on three legs. It is this family with an abundant financial help from the ZAMORI RAJA and with the timely assistance of the local people that would have constructed the entire temple complex in due course and in accordance with the prevailing customs & observances.
This ancient temple, as we see to-day, has the idol of the MAIN DEITY, SREE MAHAGANAPATHI in the SANCTUM SACTORUM, in addition to the subgods namely DHARMASASTHA, KANJIRANGOTTU BHAGAVATHI (DURGA) BHADRAKALI, BHIRAVAN, PARADEVATHA and the TRINITY BRAMHA, VISHNU and SHIVA. The former four subgods are on the right side (south side) and the latter four are on the left side (North side) of the entrance door to Sreekovil. All these sub gods are contiguously installed in a row on a slightly raised up platform in the EDAKKETTU, the room between SREEKOVIL and the FOYER (PATTUPURA) of the temple and adjacent to the wall bifurcating the MANITHARA and the EDAKKETTU. GURUMURTHY, NARACHIAMMA and NARASIMHA MOORTHY are meticulously enshrined in a row facing south in the EDAKKETTU adjacent to the northern wall, while KARUMAKAN is solely installed in the southern corridor of the Sreekovil. POTTEN-GOD is also provided with a holy seat nearer to the northern exit but outside the temple. All these sub gods are adored and worshipped duly and daily with proper offerings.
There are separate temples for SREE PARVATHI, KANHIRANGOTTU BHAGAVATHI, KURUTHIKAV BHAGAVATHI and GULIKAN. The temple for Sree Parvathi is in the proximity to the main temple and is within the temple compound. But the temples for KANHIRANGOTTU BHAGAVATHI and KURUTHIKAV BHAGAVATHI are situated within easy walking distance of the main temple, the former on the south and the latter on the east. The distinct and distinguished tiny temple built exclusively for Gulikan, the son of Saturn, adjacent to the south of the main temple is a rare and unique sight that stands out from the other temples. Further, there is an open DANCING HALL (KOOTHAMBALAM) on the north side of the main temple. A raised flat-topped platform is put up on the northern side for PARADEVATHA.
Only those who profess HINDU FAITH are permitted entry to the temple.
FOOT-WEAR is strictly prohibited within the temple compound.
Men are allowed to enter the temple, provided that they do not wear shirt or banian or any other dress covering the chest, above the waist. But, if need be, they are conceded to cover the chest with VESHTI. Below the waist, they are permitted to wear MUNDU (Dhoti) or PANTS. Boys are also prohibited from wearing shirt or banian. Below the waist, they are allowed to wear shorts, trousers, pants or small MUNDU (Dhoti).
Women are allowed to wear SARI and girls are to wear long skirts and blouses. At present, they are also given consent to wear SHALWAR KAMEEZ (CHURIDAR PYJAMAS). Nevertheless, nobody is allowed to cover their heads with any piece of cloth inside the temple.
