| Temples & Legends Of Kerala |
|
 |
| Temples & Legends Of
India |
|
|
|
A TEMPLE FOR KANNAKI |
|
|
| The next
important deity is Kshetrapala, which literally means the guard of the square. It,
therefore, stands outside in the courtyard on the north-east side in the Position of
guarding the temple. The image in stone, twelve feet high is said to be a rare feature in
a Devi temple. There are various legends on the origin of this deity. One relates to the two children whom Siva created to suck the
breasts of Kali when she returned to Kailasa in hysterics after killing Daruka. The one
who sucked her right breast was called Virabhadra and the other who sucked the left one
was called Kshetrapala. According to another legend Siva created Kshetrapala along with
others to organize the army of Kali when she went to fight Daruka.
On the south-west is another subsidiary deity called Vasurimala, She was the cause of all
contagious diseases like small-pox. The Kodungallur Bhagawati is believed to have subdued
her and installed her at the place with the injunction that she should never trouble her
devotees. Sprinkling of turmeric powder is the offering for this deity. Guruthi-a red
fluid made out of mixing turmeric with lime-is also offered here. |
[ Back ] [ Up ] [ Next ] |
|
|
|
