One among another 108 Durga kshetras "Karthyiayani" with Vigneswara and Dharma sastha are deities here. Since the deity is allergic to sunstroke is forced to return on pooram day before the temperature rise and pleased to travel again in the wee hours according to legend . However the foremost offering is "Nai Vilakku" (Ghee is used instead of oil to lighten the lamp) in this temple substantiate the story of "Headache". The chieftains of the foremost among the 32 grammas of Kerala ( to be translated as corporations) Thrissur Namoodiries and Dutches had a long legal battle about the ownership of this temple. The history long back to 280 years. Another version of the story is simple, innocent and straight forward namboodiri families were drawn to this politics between his Excellency of Kochi & the Dutches.

It is believed that while digging for foundation the parts of this Kshetra was found and hence this temlple. The ooralan was Cungrath menon family.

Sri Kathiayani temple at Chembukkavu coming under the direct control of the Cochin Devaswam Board is one of the 108 Durga Temples in Kerala. With its proximity to the Paramekkavu and Thiruvambady temples and its rich tradition of giving spiritual solace to hundreds of its devotes, the temple plays a major role in the Thrissur Pooram every year.
It is customary for every temple to undertake renovative work at least once in every twelve years. But unfortunately no such work or Dosha pariharakarma was done here at least once in the last one hundred and odd years. In the year 2002, a Devaprasnam was conducted which categorically recommended the performance of Naveekarana Kalasa preceded by an Ashtamangalya prashnam. As a result, under the able guidance of Sri Paravoor Sreedharan Thandri an Ashtamangallya prashnam was conducted on December 9,10 and in 2002.It threw much light on the hitherto unknown history of the temple.

Temples are supposed to represent the body of the Deity. While the Srikovil represents the head, the Balivattom the face, the Namaskaramandapam the neck, Nalambalam the hands, the Balikkallu the navel, and the Pathway around the Sreekovil the belly, the Walls outside the back of the tower represents the feet of the deity. When a temple is constructed keeping this in mind and idol is placed therein, it comes to attain a unique grace and grandeur of its own through the poojas and other rituals performed there with due seriousness and utmost devotion. It is well known that every human body is the abode of the divine presence that permeates the whole universe. By offering prayers before an idol in a temple, the devotee is allowing the chaitanya of the deity to pass on to the devotee’s body and mind also. This is where the importance of Naveekarana Kalasa comes in.

The Kshethra Kshema Samithi consisting of a group of like minded devout hindus has ever been in the forefront lending every possible support for the development of the temple. The Samithi strongly feels that the centuries-old temple is badly in need of renovation followed by the customary Naveekarana Kalasam.

As per the direction from "Charth"

• Providing the Main door of the Temple

• The 14 pillars of the Chuttambalam

• Laying of boulders around the temple

• Laying ceramic tiles in the Valiyambalam

• Providing three big doors to the Chuttambalam

• Providing the main door of the Temple.

A blue print of these works has been prepared by Bhramasree Kanipayyur Krishnana Namboothiripad, the much renowned vasthu expert in consultation with Bhramasree Puliyannur Sankaran Namboothripad the - Thanthri

The repair of the srikovil is almost over. The work of the Chuttambalam is also fast nearing completion.