Kumaranallur near Kottayam is home to a Bhagawati temple that is associated with interesting legends.

Legend has it that this temple was originally built to house a shrine to Subramanya. However, given the occupation of the shrine by an image of Bhagawati, this town came to be known as Kumaran-alla-oor, or Kumaranallur. The image of Skanda which was originally meant for this shrine is enshrined in the Udayanapuram temple near Vaikom.

Legend also has it that in the famed Madurai Meenakshi temple, the nosering of the deity was stolen and a priest was unjustly accused of stealing the jewel. Fearful of unjust punishment, he fled from Madurai, and a ray of light guided him through the jungles till he reached this temple in Kerala which had originally been built for Kumara - Skanda. The ray of light it turned out was Bhagawati who took abode in this temple.

The descendants of this runaway priest are said to be the Madurai Namboodiris of this area. Elements of tamil (Dravidian) temple architecture are seen in this temple.

The Kartikai festival is celebrated here in the month of Kartikai.