CHERUKUNNU ANNAPORNESHWARI TEMPLE 

 Cherukunnu Annapoorneshwari Temple, also known as Cherukunnilamma Temple, is the only Durga temple in Kerala where Parvathi Devi Mahamaya is in ‘Annapoorna Bhavam’ (Mother of all meals). ‘Annam’ in Malayalam language means ‘food’ and ‘Poornam’ (purnam) means full. The meaning of the Bhavam Annapurna is one who gives food to every needy without restriction. The idol is with a ladle in one hand. Annapurna is the goddess with a golden ladle. Sree Annapoorneshwari Temple is situated in Cherukunnu, 15 km from Taliparamaba, in Kannur district of Kerala, India. 

Annapoorneswari

As the name Annapoorna indicates, Annadhanam (free food distribution) is a very important offering to the goddess. The food, rice with at least one gravy curry is given to the devotees as the prasaadams. This temple gives food to all devotees who come here for worship and want to take food. Food is offered two times, during lunch and dinner every day. The chuttambalam – naalambalam surrounding the sanctum sanctorum is vast to take care of the dining place (Outta Pura) for the devotees to partake the food offered. The temple is acclaimed as offering food in abundance to those who come here to worship.

A Monsoon scene from cherukunnu

Cherukunnu Annapurna Temple was supposed to have been built during the 5th century AD. This temple is the principal deity worshiped (family deity) by the erstwhile Ruling family of Chirakkal. The temple was renovated by the Avittam Thirunal Valiya Raja. The present form of the temple is more than century old. A Punah Prathista was done in the year 1994 on the Pooyam star day of Kumbha Masa of Malayalam era.

How the name Cherukunnu came into being

Cheru means small or little and kunnu means hill that is small hill. Around this place there are five small hills. Hence the place got the name Cherukunnu. There is a Mythological version, according to which a heap of cooked rice is made 'choru kunnu', to offer to the people who come here for their par-taking the food prasaadams (Annadhanam). The word 'Chorukunnu' later changed into 'Cherukunnu'.

Festivals of Sree Annapoorneswari Temple

The main festival is the Vishu Vilakku in April every year. This is celebrated for a full week with spectacular fireworks and performances of other forms arts.

The Prathistha dinam is observed on Pooyam star day of Kumbha month. Maha Shivaratri, Navami and Ekadasi are also celebrated in this temple. 

Location and How to Reach Cherukunnu Temple
Cherukunnu Temple is 3 km from the Chirakkal Village and 12 km from Thaliparamba. Kannur is at 14 km distance. Buses and autos and taxis are available from major centers of Kannur. 

courtesy : internet , word of mouth !