Mridanga Saileswari Temple (Malayalam: മൃദംഗശൈലേശ്വരി ക്ഷേത്രം) is a famous Hindu temple located in Muzhakunnu, Kannur district, Kerala, India. It is one among the 108 Durga temples of ancient Kerala, believed to have been installed by Parashurama, the sixth avatar of Lord Vishnu. The main deity, Mridanga Saileswari, is a four-armed Durga holding conch and discus in the two hands pointed upwards, blessing her devotees with the front right hand and placing her front left hand on her waist.
The three principle forms of Durga worshiped in Hinduism are Maha-Durga, Chandika and Aparajita. Of these, Chandika has two forms called Chandi who is of the combined power and form of Saraswati, Lakshmi and Parvati and of Chamunda who is an esoteric aspect of Chandi created by the goddess for killing demons Chanda and Munda. Maha Durga has three forms, Ugrachanda, Bhadrakali and Katyayani. Bhadrakali Durga is also worshiped in the form of her nine epithets called Navadurga.
The main Deity in this temple is Durga who is also called Mizhavil Bhagavathi in a separate Sanctum prohibited to public. Mizhavil Bhagavathi, exists as Chandi and Chamunda in this temple. Mizhavil Bhagavathi exhibits herself as Saraswati, also called Mridanga Shaileshwari in this temple Srikovil, with a predominant power of knowledge, giving blessings of skill (Siddhi) in arts and as Chamunda also called Porkali outside the main temple complex. Mizhavil Bhagavathi as Mridanga Shaileshwari, in this temple acts as the patron of music, arts and all kinds of knowledge. Mridanga Shaileshwari in the main temple sanctum sanctorum (Srikovil) can also be worshipped as Saraswati, Parvati Lakshmi or Chandi depending upon the need. The power of Saraswati, knowledge is said to be predominant here and she is the goddess of arts, especially music as per legend. The worship of this temple is said to be not complete unless one worship the secret Mizhavil Bhagavati in the secret sanctum.
Mridanga shaileshwari is the family deity of Kottayam royal family. The legends of Pazhassi Raja is closely associated with this temple.
The temple, which was under ruins for a long time, gained national prominence when Alexander Jacob, a retired DGP of Kerala Police revealed a fascinating story related to the temple. It is said that thieves tried to steal the temple idol 3 times and each time they failed to do so because of strange reasons. Each time the idol was stolen, the idol was returned to the temple by the thieves themselves because of strange paranormal activity. When Alexander Jacob revealed this story in a television interview, from that day onwards, thousands of devotees are visiting the temple everyday. The temple is administered by Mridanga Shaileswari Temple Trust, A National Trust, an autonomous body under the Government of India.
Popularly known as Muzhakkunnu Mridanga Saileswari Temple, this is one of the most famous shrines dedicated to Goddess Durga in Kerala. Situated at Muzhakkunu in Kannur district, the Goddess here is believed to have two forms - Mridangaleswari and Sreeporkali.
Popular lore suggests that long ago, a Mridanga, a percussion instrument, fell on this spot from the heavens. Thus this site got the name 'Mridangashaila Nilayam' which means, the place where the Mridanga fell. Later on, it also came to be known as Muzhakkunnu.
The temple is the family deity of the royal dynasty of Kottayam (Kannur) and is the family temple of the legendary Pazhassi Raja. It was here that the renowned royal Kottayathu Thampuran composed famous Kathakali (dance drama) plays such as Bakavadham, Kirmeeravadham, Kalyanasaugandhikam and Nivathakavacha Kalakeyavadham. This idol and deity became famous after the interview given by Alexander Jocb IAS officer of Kerala.
An old temple at Muzhakunnu , a 90 minutes drive from Kannur town, that was in shambles and not maintained for many years till attempts were made by robbers to steal the idol. Thrice they tried and thrice they gave up half way through as they could not proceed with the idol. They surrendered the idol to the police and she was back in her sanctum sanctorum. The credibility of the story was well established and went viral as the narrator was Dr Alexander Jacob, an ex DGP who was in charge of the district at that time.
Today the temple is frequented by many and an ambitious attempt is being made by the temple committee to raise funds and upgrade the pathways and the surrounding of the temple as the Devi beckons more and more devotees.
My wife and I had heard the stories too and hence wanted to visit the temple during our recent Kannur trip. It was a most satisfying visit as it was not very crowded and we could stand right in front of the Devi and pray. The deity was truly beautiful and radiant and the image of her from the flames of the lit lamps inside lingered for long.