Kannur Thiruvarkadu Bhagavathi Temple- Kerala

Address

Kannur Thiruvarkadu Bhagavathi Temple- Pazhayangadi, Kannur District, Kerala-670303.

Deity

Amman: Bhadrakali

Introduction

• Thiruvarkadu Bhagavathi Temple (also known as Madayi Kavu) is the mother temple of all Bhadrakali shrines in North Kerala.
• The temple is dedicated to Goddess Madayikkavil Amma or Tiruvarkkad Achchi, a fierce form of Goddess Bhadrakali.
• It is located in Madayi, Payangadi, and is under the administration of the Malabar Devaswom Board.
• The temple is believed to be 1,500 years old and was once a shrine under the Chirakkal Royal Family.

Puranic Significance

• One legend states that Goddess Madayikkavil Amma originally resided at the Rajarajeshwara Temple but asked for a separate shrine as she was a non-vegetarian deity, and thus could not stay in Lord Shiva’s temple.
• Another legend describes that the goddess killed a demon named Darika and requested a temple near Lord Shiva. Parashurama was then ordered to create the shrine, which he did on Madayippara.
• The temple is known as a last resort for people seeking relief from black magic and witchcraft.
• The temple follows Sreevidyasambrathaaya practices, with links to a Kashmiri tantric tradition that spread to Kerala.
• During Hyder Ali’s incursion in the 18th century, the temple was desecrated, leading a local Nair warrior, Vengayil Chathukutty, to avenge the act, earning the Vengayil family the title of Nayanar.

Special Features

• The idol of the goddess is made of Kadu Sarkara, and hence, the ritual bath is performed on a metal idol.
• The goddess is depicted with an extremely fierce look, having four hands and a face resembling fire.
• Only Namboodiri Brahmins are allowed to perform the worship of the metal idol.

Festivals

• The temple celebrates two major festivals:
  1. Pooram Festival: Held in March-April, lasting for seven days.
  2. Kalasam Festival: Held in the month of Medam and lasts for a few hours.
• It is believed that all annual festivals of North Kerala conclude with the Kalasam festival at Madayi Kavu.

Century/Period/Age

1000-2000 Years old

Managed By

Malabar Devaswom Board.

Nearest Bus Station

Pazhayangadi

Nearest Railway Station

Pazhayangadi Station

Nearest Airport

Kannur

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