Goddess Jaladurga is a manifestation of Mother Goddess
Shakti. Legend has it that Mother Goddess got the name Jaladurga after she made
water her abode. Mother Goddess appeared as Bhadrakali to annihilate demon
Darigasura (Darika). The demon had got the boon that he will not be killed by men and
gods.
Dharika believed he was invincible and created havoc on the
world. The Gods took refuge at the feet of Shiva. Shiva then opened his third
eye and Mother Goddess appeared as Bhadrakali. Bhadrakali, being a Goddess, was
exempt from the boon granted by Brahma to Dharika that, neither man nor God
could kill him.
Bhadrakali overpowered Dharika and to cool her anger (Roudra
Bhavam) against demonic forces she made water her abode.
Temples of Goddess Jaladurga are found to be on the banks of
ponds and rivers.
The most famous temple is Kuzhuppilly Kavu
Jaladurga Temple
at Perumbavoor near Kochi
in Kerala. Here the murti of Mother Goddess is located inside a pond.
Another famous temple is the Chitrapura Durga Temple near Mangalore in
Karnataka.
Temples dedicated to this form of Goddess Durga are found mainly in northern Kerala and southern Karnataka having border with Kerala.
Temples dedicated to this form of Goddess Durga are found mainly in northern Kerala and southern Karnataka having border with Kerala.