Sree Annapoorneshwari Temple, dedicated to Goddess Parvathy, is situated at Cherukunnu in Kannur district in Kerala. This is one of the two Annapoorneshwari temples in Kerala. The deity here is worshipped as the Mother Goddess who vanquishes hunger.
The temple is built in one single type of rock. These polished stones are put together using a mixture of flattened rice and jaggery. There is a beautiful pond in the temple precincts. You can also see a pole or stupa in this temple. The temple festival begins on the 1st of the Malayalam month of Medam (mid-April – mid-May) and lasts for seven days.
Cherukunnu Sree Annapoorneswari Temple Timings:
Morning: 5:30 AM to 12:45 PM
Evening: 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Cherukunnu Sree Annapoorneswari Temple History:
The temple was formally a Vishnu/Krishna Temple, dating back some 1500 years. The temple after Amma’s Prathishta (giving sacred power to the idol of Annapoorneshwari) was built by Avittam Thirunal Raja Raja Varma of Chirakkal Kovilakam. In Hindu mythology, it is said that the goddess arrived from Kashi with two other goddesses or Devis (Kalarivathikal Amma and Madai Kavail Amma) and a boatman in a golden ship, and disembarked at Azhi Theeram which is now known as Aayiram Thengu.
The Puna Prathistha was done in 1994, in the month of Kumbham in the Malayalam calendar, Pooyam Nakshtram, which now is observed as the Prathista Dinam every year.
The main festivities in the Temple start from the Malayalam month of Medam Shankramam (15 April) and is celebrated in the following seven days. The other festivals that are celebrated in the temple are Shiva Rathri, Navami, Ekadashi etc.
The temple is presently under the Malabar Devasom Board and is maintained by the Temple Committee. A unique characteristic of this temple is that it is built of one single type of rock, and the Sree Kovil of both Annapoorneshwari and Krishnan is of the same size as per Vasthu, signifying that both the goddess and the god are given equal importance. The Entrance of the temple is in front of Krishnan’s Sree Kovil, and the reason there isn’t a direct entrance to Annapoorneshwari’s Sree Kovil is that, during the olden days, it was believed that women from Brahmin families aren’t supposed to be seen directly (Antharjanam). Hence there is a small window that is right in front of the Sree Kovil so that people can view the idol from outside.
This temple is one among the two Annapoorneshwari temples in Kerala. It was built using polished stones and put together using Avil and Belam (a mixture of flattened rice and jaggery). Next to the Temple is the Temple pond or the Ambala Kolam, which is approximately 2.5 acres in area. In the center is the Pole, otherwise known as the stumpa. The four major entrances of the Chera have been built using large layers of rock laid parallel to each other. The Chera also has a Kollapura (used by poojaris for bathing), located to the southwest of the Chera.
Cherukunnu Sree Annapoorneswary Temple Pooja:
Ganapathihomam – 6:00 AM
Usha Pooja for Shri Krishnan – 7:30 AM
Ucha Pooja for Shri Krishnan – 9:30 AM
Usha Pooja for Annapoorneshwari – 6:30 AM
Pandeeradi for Annapoorneshwari – 10:00 AM
Ucha Pooja for Annapoorneshwari – 12:15 PM
Annadaanam after the daily temple rituals both morning and evening
Nada opening – 5:00 PM
Deeparadhana At the time of sunset
Athazha Pooja for Shri Krishnan – 7:15 PM
Athazha Pooja for Bhagavathy – 7:45 PM
Cherukunnu Sree Annapoorneswary Temple Annadaanam Timings:
Annadaanam is offered in the Morning & Evening after Daily Temple Rituals.
Nada Opening 5:00 PM
Deeparadhana At the Time of Sunset
Athazha Pooja for Shri Krishnan 7:15 PM
Athazha Pooja for Bhagavathy 7:45 PM
Note:
How to Reach Cherukunnu Sree Annapoorneswary Temple:
By Air
The nearest airport to Cherukunnu Sree Annapoorneswary Temple is Kozhikode International Airport, which is 131 km away.
By Rail:
The nearest Railway station is Tirur which is just 7 km from the temple.
By Road:
Tirur is well connected to other major cities of the country via regular buses.
Cherukunnu Sree Annapoorneswary Temple Address:
Cherukunnu,
Kannapuram,
Kannur,
Kerala – 670301.
Phone: 0497 286 2603