Kodungallore, the ancient capital of Kerala lying about twenty miles north-west of Ernakulam had a hoary past. The Kodungallore Bhagavathy temple is one of the wealthiest temples in Kerala. Bhadrakali born of the third eye of Samhara Rudra killed the demon Darika. It is to commemorate this event that the famous Bharani festival is celebrated in the Kodungallore Bhagavathy temple in Meenam (March-April) every year.