This Onam, we turn to the stories that nourish Kerala’s cultural memory. The Forever Green: Lore and Legends of Kerala by Sreekumari Ramachandran gathers more than 40 legends and traditions from across the state — be it the firelit vigour of Theyyam, or the legends of women warriors and mystics. In celebration of the festival, we are pleased to share this excerpt as an ode to Kerala’s rich and enduring heritage, republished here with due permission from Penguin Random House India.
***
THE CHERUKUNNIL ANNAPOORNESHWARI TEMPLE, a renowned shrine dedicated to Parvati, is situated in the picturesque Kannur district of Kerala. The deity here is worshipped as Annapoorneshwari, the divine provider of food and the conqueror of hunger.
According to Hindu mythology, the temple’s origins can be traced back to a fascinating legend. Once, devastating floods and storms ravaged the land of Kolathunad. Trees were uprooted and rivers and canals overflowed, swallowing houses and fertile paddy fields. This catastrophe led to a severe famine, casting a shadow of despair over the kingdom. In desperation, the people turned to their king, Kolathiri, seeking refuge and solace.
Overwhelmed by the plight of his subjects, the helpless king made a heartfelt plea to the Goddess of Kashi, imploring her divine intervention to protect his people. Moved by the king’s sincere appeal, the goddess summoned the celestial architect, Lord Vishwakarma, to construct a vessel for her journey to Kolathunad. The ship, laden with precious seeds of paddy and cereals, was soon ready. Accompanied by her divine retinue, the goddess set sail for the beleaguered kingdom.
The ship anchored at Ayiramthengu, a coastal region of Kolathunad, where it was warmly welcomed by the local chieftains. The goddess and her entourage settled at a place called Cherukunnu. Following her divine guidance, the chieftains dispatched their men to the market of Talipparamba to purchase rice and vegetables for a grand feast to honour their esteemed guest.
However, they had only two annas, a meagre sum, to their name. Lord Shiva of Talipparamba, upon learning of their predicament, was astonished. He questioned them, ‘Two annas? How can you possibly feed the goddess and her vast retinue with the scant amount of rice that two annas can buy?’ Confidently, they declared, ‘Oh lord! The goddess will handle the rest.’
Intrigued, the lord wished to meet this divine being and followed them to Cherukunnu. However, the goddess was hesitant to appear before him without her usual adornments. The lord, ever accommodating, provided her with a sari, a necklace and earrings. Yet, she remained unsatisfied, her gaze fixed on his crown, bangles and other ornaments. Without hesitation, the lord removed all his adornments and offered them to her.
Still, the goddess had one more request: ‘I wish to see you every day.’ The lord readily agreed, promising to visit Cherukunnu daily. With this assurance, the goddess was finally content. As a token of her gratitude, she bestowed her blessings upon Kolathunad, leading to unprecedented prosperity in the region.
It is believed that even today, Lord Rajarajeshwara leaves for Cherukunnu immediately after the final ritual, Athazhapooja, to reunite with Goddess Annapoorneshwari. In honour of this divine connection, women devotees are only permitted inside the Rajarajeshwara temple after the Athazhapooja, when the lord is believed to be absent.
In the Cherukunnu temple, devotees offer neyyamrutham, a special ghee offering, at the feet of both Lord Rajarajeshwara and Goddess Annapoorneshwari after the Athazhapooja, symbolising their eternal bond.
***
Another story surrounds the goddess: Annapoorneshwari, accompanied by Lord Krishna and his entourage, set sail from Kashi and landed on the coastal region of Kolathunad. Carrying her beloved golden peetha (pedestal) and vattalam (cauldron), she was guided by the Vedic Brahmins of the Munnillam family, their lamps illuminating the way. Mungatthu Sharody, bearing a vase filled with divine flowers, walked beside her.
As they reached the shore, the goddess unloaded the peetha and sat upon it. However, as her retinue attempted to unload the vattalam, it sank into the depths of the sea along with the ship. Only the handle remained, tightly clutched in the goddess’s hand. Legend has it that a chattukam, a type of spatula, was later fashioned from this handle.
Meanwhile, Lord Krishna ventured out in search of an auspicious abode for the goddess. He soon found a suitable spot and claimed it for himself. The goddess, unaware of his actions, set out on her own quest. Upon discovering the perfect location, she was dismayed to find Krishna already settled there. In a playful gesture, she tapped his head and moved on.
The goddess then made her way to the Maniyangad Illam and quietly took her seat in the Padinjatti, the western wing of the house. The female members of the household, noticing her serene presence, assumed her to be a weary traveller seeking respite. Unaware that their guest was Goddess Annapoorneshwari, they invited her to join them for a simple lunch of plain rice, condiments and a pumpkin pachadi.
Rice, served on plantain leaves from a winnow, was shared generously among the family and their guest. Even after the meal, the winnow and condiment vessels overflowed with food. The guest was deeply touched by the warm hospitality. Pleased with the love and respect shown, the goddess blessed the Maniyangad Illam family. Though unseen, her presence was felt, and they believed her to be Goddess Annapoorneshwari herself. Her blessings ensured the family’s prosperity, and astrological calculations revealed her divine will.
As a token of gratitude, the Maniyangad family was appointed as the temple cooks. In remembrance of the first meal served on a winnow from Kolathunad, this tradition continues in the Cherukunnu temple during feasts. Similarly, pumpkin pachadi, though not a common dish in north Malabar, holds a special place as a main item in the temple’s feasts, as it is believed to be a favourite of Goddess Annapoorneshwari.
Sreekumari Ramachandran is a bilingual writer and translator with 40 books to her credit across fiction, non-fiction, and translation.