Iringole Kavu

Iringole Kavu is a forest temple to the goddess Durga near Perumbavoor in Kunnathunad taluk, Ernakulam district, about 35 km from Kochi. It is counted among the 108 Durga temples of Kerala believed to have been consecrated by Parasurama.

Its legend goes back to the birth of Krishna. When Kamsa tried to kill the baby girl left in Krishna's place, she rose from his hands as a divine power and hung in the air, giving the place its name; the gods are believed to have gathered round her as trees and plants, which grew into the thick forest that surrounds the shrine today. Once held by 28 families, later only by the Naganchery, Pattasheri and Orozhiam families, the grove and temple are now run by the Travancore Devaswom Board. A nearby mana, an old Brahmin house, is kept as a heritage site.