Sree Mridanga Saileswari Temple

Introduction to the Sree Mridanga Saileswari Temple

Sree Mridanga Saileswari Temple is located in Muzhakunnu, Kannur district, Kerala. It is the family temple of Veera Pazhassi Raja, who used to offer his prayers to his kuladevata here. Sree Mridanga Saileswari Temple is one of the 108 Durga temples in Kerala.

Kottayam Rajavu, the father of Kathakali, wrote the popular Vandana Sloka "Mathanganana Mabjavasaram" about this deity.

Legend of the Sree Mridanga Saileswari Temple

There is a belief that the musical instrument Mizhavu, a big copper drum played as a percussion instrument during Kerala festivals, fell at the present Sree Mridanga Saileswari Temple spot. The temple has a close association with music, and it is believed that Devi appeared here in the form of a Mridangam (traditional two-sided drum). Parasurama happened to witness it and consecrated the Murti of Bhagavathi here.

Sree Mridanga Saileswari Temple is a unique temple in Kerala dedicated to a musical instrument, Mridangam.

According to the temple legend, when the divine instrument Mridanga descended from heaven, Devi Saileswari rose from her meditation to catch it. A dent was created on the spot, which remains till today. The temple's principal deity is Mizhavil Bhagavathi, incarnated as an anthill shaped like a Mridangam (Mizhavu).

As the instrument created echoes in the mountain during the fall, the place became Mridanga Sailam; later, the place where the Sree Mridanga Saileswari Temple is located in Kannur, came to be called Muzhakkunnu, or the mountain that echoes.

Another legend explains that it is where the music of the Mridanga Roopini Saraswati resounds.

The Architecture of the Sree Mridanga Saileswari Temple

Sree Mridanga Saileswari Temple is in the typical Kerala style of architecture. It is believed that Parasurama built the temple.

The temple has a Sreekovil, a two-tiered sanctum, Namaskara Mandapam, Chuttambalam, and a pond. There are also Upa Devatas (sub deities) in the temple. Chamunda is the sub-deity, also called Porkali, worshipped outside the main temple complex. Visitors can see the statue of King Pazhassi Raja at the premises of the Sree Mridanga Saileswari Temple.

The presiding deity of the Sree Mridanga Saileswari Temple is Mizhavil Bhagavathi, an incarnation of Durga. She graces from a secret sanctum, which is prohibited to the public. Devotees worship Mizhavil Bhagavathi in the secret sanctum as Chamunda and Chandi.

In the main sanctum, Mizhavil Bhagavathi is in the form of Saraswati, the patron of art, music, and knowledge. Her Panchaloha idol has four arms with two arms pointing upwards. Each arm holds a conch and discus. The first right arm blesses her devotees while the front left arm is placed on her waist.

In the main sanctum, devotees can also worship Mizhavil Bhagavathi as Lakshmi, the deity of abundance, and Kali, the evil destroyer. In whatever form devotees worship her, Mizhavil Bhagavathi appears in the same form and blesses her devotees.

Devotees strongly believe that the Sree Mridanga Saileswari Temple visit is complete only when they worship the Mizhavil Bhagavathi in the secret sanctum.

Now, Sree Mridanga Saileswari Temple is under the management of the Malabar Devaswom Board, Kozhikode, Government of Kerala.

Festivals in Sree Mridanga Saileswari Temple

Sree Mridanga Saileswari Temple celebrates two major festivals annually. One is Navaratri, and the other is the Pooram celebrations.

The temple celebrates Ashtami, Navami, and Vijayadashami, the last three days of Navratri, to worship the deity of wisdom. On Vijayadashami day, children and their parents visit the temple for Vidyarambham. It is also called Akshara Abhyasam and Muthal Ezhuthu. (Starting to learn new skills and education).

Pooram Mahotasavam is grandly celebrated in the Malayalam month of Meenam. The Sree Mridanga Saileswari Temple celebrates the annual Kathakali festival on Vishu day (April 15).