Kalarivathukkal Bhagavathi Temple — Attraction in Kerala

This sacred shrine is part of the Devi temple triad that once belonged to the Chirakkal Kingdom. The other two temples in this triad are the Cherukunnu Annapoornashwari Temple and the Tiruvarkadu Bhagavathy Temple (Madayikavu). According to mythology, Annapoornashwari arrived in Chirakkal from Kasi in a boat, accompanied by Kalarivatukkalamma and Madayikkavilamma, who were her companions. Their purpose was to visit the Krishna Temple, and they never returned. The Chirakkal Kings were the successors of the Kolathiris, who were direct descendants of the Mooshika kings. The Mooshika dynasty of the North and the Ay dynasty of the South were the oldest dynasties in Kerala. The Ay dynasty eventually became extinct, while the Mooshika dynasty endured. The Mooshika Raja later adopted the name Kolathirippad. The Kolathiris relocated their capital from Ezhimala to Chirakkal, near the Valapattanam river. The temple was originally owned by Vadakkeillam and later came under the ownership of Chirakkal Kovilakom. The holy shrine is one of the Devi temple triads of the erstwhile Chirakkal Kingdom. The other two being Cherukunnu Annapoornashwari Temple and Tiruvarkadu Bhagavathy Temple(Madayi kavu). The mythology says that Annapoornashwari came from Kasi to Chirakkal in a boat along with Kalarivatukkalamma and Madayikkavilamma who were her mates; to see the Krishna Temple and never returned. The Chirakkal Kings were the successors of Kolathiris' who in-turn was the direct descendants of the Mooshika kings. Mooshika of North and Ay of South were the oldest dynasties of Kerala. The Ay dynasty eventually became extinct but the Mooshika was able to sustain. The later name of Mooshika King was Kolathirippad after the amalgamation of Aryan culture to the local one by Brahmins. The Kolathiris' relocated their capital from Ezhimala to Chirakkal near Valapattanam river. The temple was once owned by Vadakke illam and was acquired by Chirakkal Kovilakom.

Temple speciality:

The temple is in traditional Kerala architecture style. The temple design is Rurujith Vidhanam(Kaula Shakteya Sampradaya) where in there are shrines of Shiva, Sapta Mathrukkal, Ganapathy, Veerabhadra and Kshetrapalakan(Bhairava) in 4 sanctums. The main deity is facing west. The shrine of Shiva is facing East, Shrine of Sapta Mathrukkal (Maathrushaala) facing North and the Shrine of Kshetrapalaka (Bhairava) facing East. The Maathrushaala has idols of SapthaMathrukkal (Brahmani, Vaishnavi, Shankari, Kaumari, Varahi, Chamundi, Indrani), Veerabhadra and Ganapathi. Every morning after the rites the Sacred Sword is taken to the Mandapam adjacent to the Maathrushaala and taken back in the evening after the rites. The main idol is made of KaduSarkaraYogam so for performing rites and rituals a Archana bimbam of Devi is used for rites and ablutions. The temple is opened throughout the year, in morning there will be Usha Pooja, at noon Pantheeradi Pooja and in evening...

Kalarivathukkal Bhagavathy Temple is an ancient Bhadrakali shrine located near Valapattanam river and is about 8 km from Kannur town.

The temple was the family shrine of the erstwhile Chirakkal Kings, the successors of the Kolathiri dynasty. The very name points to the association of the temple with the 'Kalari' (martial arts school) that, according to lore, existed in the Valapatanam Fort (originally Baliapatanam or large city) in ancient times, and which provided soldiery for the Kings. Another story connects it to the legendary martial guru Wayanattu Kulavan (who is deified as a Theyyam now) who, it is said, was the chief of the Kalari in those days.

In the earlier centuries it was common practice in Kerala for well-to-do families and local chieftains to worship Durga as their patron goddess. As for practitioners of martial arts, worship of Shakti (the powerful and fierce feminine aspect) was but natural, and in Kalaris all over Kerala, Durga reigns as the patron goddess.

The deity of the Kalarivathukkal shrine is the fierce form of Bhadrakali or Porkkali Bhagavathy, the goddess in her warlike aspect, ensconced within the central sanctum facing West. Adjacent to this is the sanctum of Lord Shiva, facing East. Mathrusaala or the shrine for Sapta Mathrukkal faces north, and houses Brahmani, Vaishnavi, Shankari, Kaumari, Varahi, Chamundi, Indrani, as also Veerabhadra and Ganapathi. A sanctum for Kshetrapalaka (Bhairava) is also there within the Nalambalam. Daily there are five poojas--Usha pooja, Nivedya pooja, Pantheeradi pooja, Sakthi pooja and Athazha pooja.

The temple is a good example of the traditional Kerala temple architecture, though parts of it suffer from disrepair and the thoughtless addition of modern steel and concrete structures, which detract in no small way from the original perfection of concept and design. This, sadly, is the fate of many of our great temples these days.

Though the deity of the temple is in a fierce aspect, the temple and surroundings exude peace and quiet. There remains a large area of greenery, probably a small fragment of the original vast "Kavu" (Sacred Grove) that was part of the temple in days of yore. In the north-east corner, outside the Nalambalam and in the heart of the 'Kavu', there is a shrine devoted to Saraswati Devi, the patron goddess of the arts and learning. The shrine is approached along the walkway on the southern and eastern side, and not along the northern walkway. Walking back, from the East Nada, one can have an unimpeded darshan of Lord Shiva.

With its sylvan ambience and storied past, the temple offers the traveller and the pilgrim a unique and...

One of the most famous temple in Kannur District. Located near to Valapattanam river. Special offerings can be done from this temple which were not done in other temples. The prasadam distributed from this temple includes non vegetarian items in it depending on the type of pooja/offering.

Kalarivathukkal Bhagavathy Temple, located near Valapattanam River, is the family temple of Chirakkal Royal Family in Kannur. Dedicated to Goddess Bhadrakali, the deity here is considered as the mother of the ancient martial art of Kerala, Kalaripayattu.

The temple mainly celebrates two annual festivals, one is the Pooram Mahotsavam and the other is Kalaasholsavam (Thirumudi Utsavam).

Pooram Mahotsavam celebrates in the Malayalam month of Meenam (March-April). This nine-day festival starts on the Karthika asterism and ends on the Pooram asterism with Kalaripayattu performance. Performances of Thayambaka and Poorakkali, traditional art form performed by men, make the festival celebrations splendid.

Kalasholsavam (also known as Thirumudiyattam) will be celebrated in the Malayalam month of Edavam (May-June). This annual Kaliayttam festival of Kalarivathukkal temple marks the conclusion of Theyyam season in north Malabar. The festival begins with Kalaripayattu performance. The Thirumudi Utsavam has seven Theyyams on the stage such as Kalarivathukkal Bhagavathy Theyyam, Thiruvarkattu Bhagavathi Theyyam, Chuzhali Bhagavathy, Someswari, Padikutti, Sreeporkkali Bhagavathy and Madiyan Kshethrapalakan. These theyyams are characterized using their big headgears (mudi). The headgear of Kalarivathukkal Bhagavathy is the tallest among the...