This temple is at Puthukadu in Thrissur district. It is on the northern banks of the Kurumali River and thus got the name. Nandikara is a village on the southern banks of this river. Cheriyan and his wife Panthikoranchiri, who belonged to the Paraya community used to live in this village. They were experts in making baskets, umbrellas and mats from reed. One hot summer day when they were going to sell their wares they saw a beautiful lady sitting alone in the hot sunlight. They approached her and presented her with an umbrella. Promising to meet her on coming back they went their way. But more when they came back she was not there. The umbrella was there at the spot where she had been sitting. When they tried to take the umbrella, it was found stuck to the spot. They informed the eldest member of the Kakkanad Nair family about it. He had an astrological consultation and it was seen that the umbrella carried the effulgence of Goddess Bhadrakali.  Mullaykkal Parayan made a shed at the spot and Kakkanad Nair built a thatched platform on which the Goddess was consecrated. The present structure of the temple was built at the orders of the King of Kochi by Changaramkotha Kartha, the local chieftain. The performance of rituals by Brahmins was also started at the time of Changaramkotha Kartha. Now the temple is under the Kochin Devaswom Board.