Iringole Bhagavathy Temple, also known as Iringole Forest Temple or Iringole Kavu is a renowned temple in the Kunnathunad Taluk of Ernakulam district dedicated to Goddess Durga. It is one of the 108 Durga temples in the state. Goddess Durga is in the form of a baby girl in this temple who took this living form to save Lord Krishna from the evil hands of Kansa. This temple is believed to be consecrated by Lord Parasurama and it is more than 2700 years old. The idol of the shirne is believed to be Swayambhu and devotees have faith that the power of the goddess is still there in dense forests of Iringole. The main offerings of the temple are thick payasam, jaggery and a special payasam called Chathussatham which is made from wheat.
Unlike other temples in the state, Iringole Bhagavathy temple does not held Ganapathy Homam, reading of Ramayana, Kettu Nira or marriages. Temple also does not accepts fragrant flowers and restricts the entry of women who wear such flowers. Another uniqueness of the temple is that the effigy of the deity is carried only by female elephants. There are many huge trees surrounding this temple and devotees believe that they are Devas who visit the temple to seek blessings from the Goddess. This temple is around 35 kilometers from Kochi. Aluva is the nearest railway station which is almost 18 kilometers from Iringole Bhagavathy temple. Travelers need to travel almost 16 kilometers from Cochin International Airport to reach this temple. Tour My India offers personalized Kerala pilgrim packages for people who search for blissful holiday experience.