Kootayanimoodu Sri Chamundeswari Temple

Kootayanimoodu Sri Chamundeswari Temple is in Kootayanimoodu, in Vellanadu panchayat of Thiruvananthapuram district, and dates back to the 18th century. It is dedicated to Chamundeswari Devi, a form of Durga regarded as the wrathful aspect of the goddess yet gentle towards true devotees. Her name recalls the demons Chanda and Munda, whom she is said to have slain.

The temple marks Pooja Vaypu, its equivalent of Dussehra, with Saraswathy Pooja and Vidyarambham. In Karkidakam, the last month of the Malayalam year, a 31-day Ramayana observance is held. On the 10th of Medam only women take part in Pongala, offering a porridge of rice, molasses, grated coconut, nuts and raisins.