Kodumbu Subramanya Swamy Temple
The Kodumbu temple is believed to be one of the oldest Murugan temples in the Kerala region and is located in the village of Kodumba in the Palakkad district. Devotees believe that taking a bath in the Soka Nasini river can alleviate their sorrows. The Raja Gopura of this temple is the second tallest among all temples in Kerala.
According to legend, a group of Tamil weavers from Kanchipuram settled in Kodumbu near Palakkad and began the weaving industry. While traveling to Avinasi town near Coimbatore to sell their textile products, they heard a voice from the bushes near Kozhi Mampatti village saying, “I will also come”. They searched for the source of the voice but could not find it. On their next trip, the same thing happened, and they discovered a shining stone in the bushes. They took the stone and placed it in one of their bundles. The next moment, their cow began to move forward. After returning to Kodumbu, they set up a unique shrine in the Shiva temple and placed the stone, which they started worshiping as Subramanya Swamy, the Kuladevta for the Senguntha Kaikolar community.
During those days, the poojari of the Shiva temple was Achuthan Namboodiri, who insisted that the pooja should be performed according to the Agama followed in Kerala. However, the Mudaliars were not prepared for it. The kurror Mana Nambudiripad asked the Malayali and Tamil sides to keep a Kumbha at the northern gate of the temple and asked the Nambudiris to lift the pot kept by the Tamil side. They were not able to lift it, but Manikka Vachakar, the great Saivite saint who represented the Mudaliars, easily lifted the pot kept by the Nambudiris. As a result, it was decided that the pooja in the Subramanya temple would follow Tamil Agama, while that of the Shiva temple would follow the Kerala Agama. This practice is still being followed.
Location
Kodumbu
Main Deity
Lord Subramania
Other Deities
Lord Shiva, Goddess Umadevi, Lord Parasurama, Lord Krishna, Lord Ayyappa, Lord Bhairava, Nagarajavu, Chandikeshwara, Nandi, Mooshikan, Mayil Vahanam, Statues of Senguntha Navaveerargal and Veerabahu (ancestors of Senguntha Kaikolar).
Festivals
The Brahothsavam of the temple is conducted during Thaipooyam.
Main Offerings
Panchamrutha Abhishekam.
How To Reach
By Air: Kochi International Airport is situated 109 KM from the temple.
By Rail: Palakkad Junction Railway Station is situated 10.7 KM from the Temple.
By Road: Palakkad KSRTC Bus Stand is situated 6.7 KM from the Temple.