Kannur Thiruvarkadu Bhagavathi Temple- Kerala

Address

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

Diety

Amman: Bhadrakali

Introduction

Thiruvarkadu Bhagavathi Temple (Madayi Kavu) is the mother temple of all Bhadrakali shrines of North Kerala. The deity is the Fierce form of Bhadrakali. The Bhagavathy is addressed by tantrics in the vicinity as Tiruvarkkad Achchi due to this. The temple administration is Malabar Devaswom Board. This temple is 1500 years Kali Temple in Kerala. The temple is regarded as the mother temple of all Bhadrakali shrines of North Kerala. The primary deity worshiped here is Goddess Madayikkavil Amma or Tiruvarkkad Achchi, a fierce form of Goddess Bhadrakali. Goddess Bhadrakali shrine is facing towards the West. Lord Shiva shrine is facing towards the East. The temple is a revered shrine of Chirakkal Royal Family and a shrine of Chirakkal devaswom before. The temple is situated in Madayi, Payangadi, hence prominently known as Madayi Kavu.

Puranic Significance

There is different folklore about the origin of the temple. One of the legends say, The Bhagavathy, Madayikkavilamma was residing in the Rajarajeshwara Temple. But, as she was non-vegetarian she could not exist in the Shiva temple. She ordered the then King of that region to construct a separate shrine for her. In another legend, long ago Madayi was troubled by a demon Darika and Madayikavilamma killed him and requested Shiva to enshrine in a temple near him. Lord Shiva ordered his disciple Parashuram to consecrate a shrine for the Shakti. Parashurama created the Madayippara and the Holy shrine on it. The shrine is considered the last resort for the removal of Occult Sorcery (Black Magic and Witchcraft). There used to be a “strothasamuchayam” known as “panchasthavi” in Kashmir province. There were Laghustuthi, ghatasthi, charchasthuthi, Ambasthuthi, sakalajananeestuthi. These five came under “sreevidyasambrathaaya” which stipulates like Aanavopayam, Saakthopayam, saambhavopayam, anupoyam etc. These were practiced by the Bhattakaaras of kashmir. One of the Bhattakarar travelled from kashmir towards south and he has built 13 temples of saakthyaaradhana. they are from north starting from mannampurath kavu of Neeleswaram, Thiruvarkkattu kavu or Madaayi kavum, Kalarivathulkkavu of Valapattanam, Mamanikkunnu kavu near Mattannur, Thiruvancheri kkavu near Koothuparambu, Kaliyam kavu near edacheri of Vadakara, Koyilandi kollam pisharikkavu, thiruvalayanaadu kavu of Kozhikode, Modikkunnathu kavu near Pattambi, Thirumandamkunnu kavu of Angadipurath, Kodungallurkkavu, Muthoot kavu of Thiruvalla, Panayannar kavu of Mannar near thiruvalla. The Pradanmar or the Brahmins performed the poojas came from Kashmir and they practiced Saaktheya pujas, which is practiced here at Madaayikkavu. During the incursion of Hyder Ali into Malabar, Circa 1780, Madayi Kavu was desecrated with the entrails of slaughtered cattle, following which a local Nair warrior named Vengayil Chathukutty beheaded the miscreant responsible for the act, delivering the severed head to temple authorities. Thereby the Nair family of Vengayil received the title of Nayanar.

Special Features

The idol is made of Kadu Sarkara; hence, the ritual bath is given to metal idol in the temple. The Goddess represents an extremely fierce look with four hands and face resembling the fire. Namboodiri Brahmins only worship the metal idol.

Festivals

Initially, there were four annual festivals celebrated in Madayi Kavu. But today, the major festivals celebrated in the temple are Pooram in March-April and kalasam in the month of Medam. Pooram festival lasts for seven days, and the Kalasam festival lasts for a few hours only. It is believed that all annual festivals of North Kerala end with the celebration of Kalasam at Madayi Kavu. The Kalasa Utsavam/ PerumKaliyattam / Kaliyattam is observed at the festival.