In the ancient town of Kodungallore, of Kerala, a fascinating legend unfolds, interweaving history, devotion, and the divine presence of the deity Kannaki.
This tale centers around Kannaki, (the heroine of Ilango Adigal's Tamil story Silappathikaram ) a revered and powerful goddess who has inspired generations with her unwavering devotion and extraordinary acts of justice.
Kannaki, a devoted wife, resides with her husband Kovalan in Poompuhar, a prominent trading port in the Kaveri delta. When Kovalan faces financial ruin due to an affair with a courtesan, they relocate to Madurai, the capital of the Pandyan kingdom.
In an unfortunate turn of events, Kovalan is falsely accused of stealing an anklet that resembles one belonging to the Pandyan queen. Without a fair trial, he is swiftly executed by the king's order.
Upon learning of her husband's unjust execution, Kannaki storms into the Pandyan court and demonstrates the difference between her anklet and the queen's, proving Kovalan's innocence. Fueled by anger at the grave injustice, she curses the king and, seeking revenge, cuts off her left breast and hurls it at the palace, setting the city ablaze.
After the destruction of Madurai, Kannaki returned to Kodungallore, where she immersed herself in meditation and prayer. The residents of the town, in awe of her divine aura and spiritual prowess, built a temple in her honor. From that moment on, Kannaki became the revered and beloved deity of Kodungallore.