Hemambika Temple is situated at Kallekulangara, Akathethara village in Palakkad district and is also known as Emoor Bhagavathy Temple or Kaipathi Temple or Kallekulangara Bhagavathy Temple. The principal deity worshiped here is Goddess Hemambika. There is no idol except two upraised divine palms of hand of Goddess Hemambika. There are some amazing stories on how such an idol came into existence. It is also believed that the deity takes three forms a day viz., Goddess Saraswathi in the morning, Goddess Lekshmi in the noon and Goddess Santhi Durga in the evening. It is believed that this ancient temple was established by Lord Parasurama who consecrated Balambika of Kanyakumari, Lokambika of Lokanarkavu, Hemambika of Kallekulangara and Mookambika of Kollur. According to the legends, Goddess Hemambika and Sree Durga together killed Neelasura, a powerful demon king, who was a real menace for the hermits and locals at western ghats (Sahya mountain ranges) during early periods. After demolishing Neelasura, Sree Durga sat at Manapullikavu and Hemambika found her abode at Karimala and was worshiped there for a very long time.
As said, during the ancient period, the original abode of Goddess Hemambika was on the top of Karimala hills near Palakkad Gap. A senior Brahmin of Kurur Mana of Kallekulangara and Kaimukku mana used to worship the deity regularly by going all the way to Karimala in early morning. They became old and were unable to reach Karimala. Hearing their prayers, Goddess appeared in dream and told Kurur Namboothiripadu that her presence would be felt in a pond near to his house. To his surprise, he could find a pair of palms of Goddess in the pond. The delighted Brahmin jumped into the pond to catch the palms but they turned into stone. Next day, to everybody's amazement, the entire area was seen raised above the water level in the pond.
Later, with the aid of Palakkad Rajah, a temple was constructed and the idol of divine hands were consecrated. This is the one and only temple in India where the unique idols of two hands of the Goddess is consecrated. In earlier periods the worship was only in the morning and it is believed that it was Sri Adi Sankaracharya who initiated the Thrikala pooja(worship at three times a day) at the temple.
The idol was the tutelary deity of the Palakkad royal family. It was in this temple that the coronation ceremony, also known as Ariyittuvazcha, of the kings of Palakkad is conducted. The temple became famous during the period of Sekhara Varma Valiya Raja(1831-1911 AD). 'Neelasura Vadham' Kathakali verses based on the origin of the temple and enormous powers of the Goddess was also written by Sekhara Varma (known as Kombi Achan). The administration of the temple was looked after by Palakkad royal family till 1994. Now it is under the control of the Malabar Devaswom Board.
It is said that Smt. Indira Gandhi, the former Prime Minister of India, decided to choose the palm of the Goddess as the election symbol of Congress-I after her visit to this temple and impressed by the powers of Goddess. Navaratri festival at Hemambika temple is considered auspicious.
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