What is the sthala katha — the legend — of Sree Madiyan Koolom Temple?

Late medieval · Hindu · India

Sree Madiyan Koolom Temple

Kanhangad, Kasaragod district, Kerala · 12.3519°, 75.0808°

Kshetrapalan, with Kalarathri Amma (Bhadrakali) and Nadayil BhagavathiUndeterminedKerala

Sacred since

1500 CE

first attestation / structure

Standing structure

c. 500 years old

Undetermined

History & significance

One of the oldest temples of north Kerala and the seat of the Allada Swaroopam, dedicated to Kshetrapalan alongside the goddess Kalarathri. It admitted worshippers of the lower castes even before the Temple Entry Proclamation.

Sthala katha — the legend

Kshetrapalakan is said to have come to earth at Mahadeva's command to take the Allada country, but was so taken by the smell of appam being made for Nadayil Bhagavathi that he sat down and stayed — his followers calling him Thampuran Madiya, the lazy lord, from which the name Madiyan comes.

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