It is dedicated to the goddess Bhadrakali, a form of Mahakali or simply Durga or Aadi Parashakthi or Bhuvaneshwari or Kannagi worshipped and significantly revered in Kerala.

It is in this temple, Kannaki Amman, the heroine of Ilango Adigal's Tamil story Silappathikaram attained salvation.

[citation needed] In ancient times, animal sacrifices were offered at the temple, mostly in the forms of birds and goats, by devotees seeking protection and the fulfillment of their prayers.

At the intervention of many social reformers, the government of Cochin banned animal sacrifice in any form at this place.

[6][7] [disputed – discuss] The temple is situated in the middle of a plot of land about ten acres, surrounded by banyan and peepal trees.

[8] The western chamber of the inner temple is the seat of Sapthamatrukas (Seven Mothers) such as Brahmi, Vaishnavi, Maheshwari, Indrani, Varahi, Kaumari and Chamunda (Kali) who also faces the north.

[9] To the left of the temple sits a small stone structure called 'the Samadhi of Vysoori', perhaps a medieval shrine for a deity of smallpox, chicken pox, mumps and other contagious diseases.

About fifty metres further is a sacred pond called (Pushkarini), where devotees bathe before entering the main shrine.

The festival usually starts with a ritual called 'Kozhikkallu moodal' which involves giving cocks over red clothes.

In olden days this involve sacrifice of cocks and shedding of their blood, which forms an important feature of this temple.

Big procession headed by richly caparisoned elephants are taken out to the accompaniment of Pancha Vadyam, Paancari, Paandi, etc.

This temple is managed by the Cochin Devaswom Board along with the Raja of Cranganore, the Kshetra Upadesaka samiti.