Kannagi got upset when she heard the news and with the second pair of anklet rushed to the King. She lost one of the anklets and it held rubies while pearls were in the Queen's. She cursed Madurai 's city and it's said the curse came true because of her chastity and Madurai burned. It is said that Kannagi had attained salvation after the city goddess appeared before her.
Kannagi had passed Attukal on her way to Kodungallur. She had taken the form of a small girl. When the girl went to him and asked him if he could help her cross it, an old man was sitting on the banks of a creek. He took her home, surprised to find the young girl alone. But she vanished. She came back in his sleep and told him to build a temple in his grove where he found 3 golden posts. He went ahead and did the same, and it is said that this is where the present Attukal temple is situated.It is assumed that Goddess Attukalamma (Bhadrakali / Kannaki) will be present at Attukal during the Festival days. Ponkala is offered to commemorate Kannaki 's victory over King Pandya. Another story says 'Attukal devi' is Bhadrakali who was born from Lord Shiva 's third eye to kill the demon king Daruka. Mother Bhadrakali is a form of Shakthi devi (Mahakali), predominantly worshiped in Kerala. 'Bhadra' means good and 'Kali' means Time Goddess. Therefore Bhadrakali is often called the goddess of prosperity, time and salvation.