13 Kvu ( )

Muthoot Devi Temple (

) - Pathanamthitta)
Panayannarkavu Devi Temple (
) - Allapuzha
Kodungallor Temple (
)- Thrissur
KodiKunnu Kavu (
) - Palakkad
ThirumandhamKunnu (
)- Malappuram
Thiruvalayanadu (
) - Kozhikode
Kaaliyamvelli Kaavu (
)- Kozhikode
Pishari Kaavu (
) - Kozhikode
Vaazhuncheri Kavu (
) - Kannur
Kalarivathikal (
)- Kannur
Madayi Kavu (
)- Kannur
Mamanathu Kavu (
)- Kannur
Manampurathu Kavu (
)- Kazarkode

Muthoot Kavu
Other names

Muthoor Sree Bhadrakali Temple

Location
Situated in between Thiruvalla and Changanasseri, 250 mtrs from Muthoor junction . It is about
1 kms from Thiruvalla Railway station.
Main investitures
Bhadrakali

Sub investitures

Legend
HISTORY
Temple Timings and order of worship
The temple is opened around the year all days from 5.00 am to 10.30pm and evening from 5.00
pm to 8.00pm. Pushpanjali, Rakthapushpanjali, Muzhukappu etc are main offerings

Panayanar Kavu
Other names

Sree Panayanar Bhadrakali Temple

Location
Situated in Parimala, near Pampa river and 2 miles from Mannar, Alapuzha district.
Main investitures
Along with Mahakali / Bhadrakali, the Sreechakra-meru is also there in which all poojas are
performed. and Siva, as aghora murthy
Sub investitures
The seven goddesses Sapthamathrukal , Shulini, Ganapathi, Veerabadra, Rakshas,
Kshethrapalans are also among the sub dieties.

Legend
The goddess is for fierce nature as at the time of Prathista the nature of Goddess as at the time of
going to kill daruka Hence it became an athyugra moorthy. In order to reduce the power and
fierceness of Kali the king had started giving BALI (slaughtering of animals and human being).
This continued and after many years during a narabali, a girl was brought to temple to be given
as sacrifice in front of the Central sanctum. However, the girl prayed to the goddess and from the
central sanctum there was a voice saying not to kill the girl. Then onwards the central sanctum is
closed and never opened for any rituals or poojas. A meru srichakra pratishta was done again and
all rituals are performed before the same. The king then gave the ownership of the temple to the
same girl and the same family continues to be the present owners.

HISTORY
A king from Chiravayil Kovilakam went to Panayanar Kavu for conducting bhajans. As he made
his bhajans with utmost devotion, he had the darshan of Devi. He requested the devi to come to
his land for prosperity. Devi asked him to conduct a 12 day Bhagavati seva at Paumala kavu.
King did the rituals as informed and on the day of completion people witnessed a ball of fire
coming towards the temple from the north direction. The king with the help of the tantri made
the consecreation of devi in the southern side of siva temple.
Temple Timings and order of worship
The temple is opened around the year all days from 5.00 am to 10.30pm and evening from 5.00
pm to 8.00pm.

Kodugallor Temple
Other names
Sree Kurumba Bhagavathy Temple

Location
The temple is situated in Kodungallur, Thrissur district
Main investitures
Goddess Bhadrakali facing north, is a unique form as it has eight hands with various attributes.
Sub investitures
The western chamber of the inner temple is the seat of Sapthamathrukals which is also facing
north. The idols of Ganapati and Veerabhadra are found in the same chamber, facing east and
west respectively.

Legend
The temple was built to commemorate the martyrdom of Kannaki in the SANGAM age. It is
said that Sage Parashurama had built this temple. After creation of Kerala by Parasurama, he was
harassed by a demon called Daruka. To kill this evil demon, Parasurama prayed to Lord Shiva
for help. As advised by Siva, Parasurama constructed the Shrine and installed the Shakthi Devi
as Bhagavathi. The deity in the temple, it is believed is Parashakthi herself. According to the
legend it was Bhadrakali who killed the evil demon Daruka.

HISTORY
According to another belief the temple was built by Cheran Cheguttuvan. Elango Adigal, the
younger brother wrote his monumental work Shilappadhikaram residing at Kodungallur.
Temple Timings and order of worship
The temple is opened around the year all days from 5.00 am to 10.30pm and evening from 5.00
pm to 8.00pm.

Festivals
The Bharani festival at the Kodungallur Bhagawati temple is one of the grandest in Kerala. It is a
month of festivities from the Bharani asterism in the month of Aquarius to 7 days after the
Bharani asterism in the month of Pisces. It normally falls between the months of March and
April. The festival usually starts with the ritual called 'Kozhikkallu moodal' which involves the
sacrifice of cocks and shedding of their blood, which forms an important feature of this temple.
The members of the Kodungallur Bhagavathy temple are allowed to participate in this ritual. It is
to appease the goddess Kali and her demons who take delight in blood offerings.
'Kavu Theendal', another important event of the festival, overseen by the King of Kodungallur
where a hord of Vellichapads (Oracles) make a mad rush around the temple waving their sabers
in the air while the members of their retinue throw objects (including cocks) over the inner
quadrangle. They make a wild cry of abuse at the goddess in bawdy language. Their abuse is said
to be accepted by the goddess followed by the purification ceremony the next day. Chandanapodi
Charthal is yet another festival of smearing the image with sandal paste.
The Thalappoli festival is in the month of Makaram (JanuaryFebruary). The four day
Thalappoli commences from the evening of Makara Sankranthi with religious rituals. Big
procession headed by richly caparisoned elephants are taken out to the accompaniment of Pancha
Vadyam, Paancari, Paandi, etc.

KodiKunnu Kavu
Other names
Sree Kodikunnathu Bhagavathy temple

Location
Situated 14km west of Pattambi in Pallippuram, Pallakkad district
Main investitures
Bhagavathy facing west in ekathala type fierce form in rurujit vidhanam

Sub investitures
Siva facing east, matrasala facing north with Sapthamathrukal Kshetrapalan facing west, and
Ganapati are the sub dieties.

Legend
Sree Mezhathol Agnihotri had got along with him three tridents (Gold, Silver and iron) which
were installed at the three places. Golden trident was installed at Vimanacheri mana, Silver on a
rock close to Sree Yagneswara temple and the iron trident at this temple. The sankalpa of this
diety is as the elder sister of Sree Kodungallur Bhagavati. The legend tells that at the time of
consecreation of the iron trident it started shivering. One day when Sree Agnihotri could not go
for Pooja, he sent his brothers son, a Brahma Chari who was also proficient in Tantric mode of
worship. He performed Shakteya pooja by cutting the bottom of a tender coconut and offering it
to the Goddess. The shivering of the trident immediately stopped.
When Agnihotri noticed this change the next day he stopped the Brahma Chari and his family to
enter the mana and outcaste them. Now the Goddess is of mild nature.

HISTORY
Timings and order of worship
The temple is open all days from 5:00 to 10.30 am and 5.30 to 7.30 pm Three poojas are held,
usha pooja at 7:00 am, Ucha Pooja at 10:30 am and Athazha pooja at 7:30 pm
Pushpanjali, Rakta Pushpanjali & Guruti kuttam, Sankabhishekam & Katina payasam are main
offerings. There was a ritual of Kalamezhuttu pattu, but now it is performed as a vazhipad

Festivals
Chirankara pooram and Kathiratta vela (harvest festival)

ThiruMandhamKunnu Temple
Location
The Temple is located at Angadippuram in Malappuram district.
Main investitures
This is one the ancient Bhadrakali temple. The Siva Linga installed at Sreemoolasthanam has all
divinities according to Vedamanthras. The Idol of Thirumandhamkunnilamma in Mathrusala is
of daru. In mathrusala installation is a Rurujit one who conquered Ruru the Asura The idol
is about six feet high, in a sitting posture with the left leg bent up to the lap and the right one

freely hanging down. The figure of Devi with the brilliant crown, the glittering ornaments
covering the breast bangles and anklets, the head of Darika and weapons held in the eight hand,
though fierce as a whole is captivating. While standing before the diety with bowed head the
bhakta experiences Devils motherly affection at heart.
Sub investitures
Apart from the main at Mathru sala, the Kshetrapala and sreemoolasthanam Siva, Nagas and
Brahmarakshas are also installed in the temple. There is also an idol of Child Ganapathy at the
foot the age-old peepal tree standing on the northern side of the temple.

Legend
The King Mandhatha of surya dynasty ruled the country for long period. He then gave away the
kingdom to his successors and chose to meditate on lord Siva and attain the lords feets at the
end. Siva was pleased with his penance appeared before the king and offered him any boon. The
king prayed to the lord for an idol to worship till his death. Siva gave him the most holly Siva
linga at Kailas, which was too dear to him and which used to be worshiped by Parvathy and he
disappeared.

HISTORY
Temple Timings and order of worship
The temple is opened around the year all days from 6.00 am to 11.30pm and evening from 4.30
pm to 8.00pm.

Festivals
The important festivals at Thirumandhamkunnu are kalampattu from Vrischikam Ist to the
Pooram festival in Meenam extending for 11 days with twenty- one Araattu from makayiram
star.Other functions held in the temple are Laksharchana at Sreemoolasthanam and the Mangalya
pooja on the Ist Friday in Thulam.

Thiruvalayanadu kaavu
Other names

Location
Situated 3 km southeast of Kozhikode at Palayam Junction, at Kommeri

Main investitures
Sub investitures

Legend
When Villvamangalathu swamy personified and bought Goddess in front of him, due to
excitement, the Calicut Samoodhiri held her hand. The king pulled out one of her Bangles. This
bangle was kept in the kavu and worshipped. Thus the name Sree Thiruvalayanadu kavu came
into existence. The Calicut king wished that like Valluvanadu Konathiri even he may be
fortunate enough to see Thirumantham Kunnilamma. He wanted to own the Goddess. By taking
intense Vrata and worshipping the Goddess, the Goddess Bhadrakali finally appeared in front of
him. Goddess initially sat in Muriyat Tharaykal. The king was overwhelmed and shocked to
see the Goddess, on seeing this, the Goddess threw her bangle out to him and hid behind the door
frame. In memory of this incident, during the festival time, a door frame with complete royal
Mudras is brought to Thiruvalayanad when the king enters the temple for Utsav. The Kolam
is drawn in the form of a bangle. Connected to this legend, we can see only look at the deity
through a row of bars.

HISTORY
Datable to 14th Century, the temple has historial association with Samoothiries.
Temple Timings and order of worship
The temple is kept open from 4:45 to 11:00 AM and 5:30 to 7:30 PM.
Offerings:- Pushpanjali, Rakhtapushpanjali, Guruthikootam, Palpayasam, Sharkarapayasam and
Vellanivedyam are important offerings.

Kaliyam Valli kaavu

Other names
KalliyaamVelli Kaavu

Location
Situated at 10kms from vatakara at police station jn on kainatti-kuttyaatti road.The temple is
right behind the Etacheri Police station.

Main investitures
Sub investitures

Legend
HISTORY
Earlier the Temple Belonged to Raavari Nairs who Workshiped the goddess for protection from
their enimies and after them the administration of the temple was with katathanattu Royal family
.During the invasion by tippusulthan the entire Chuttambalam was demolished and now only its
remnants is there. A custom of this temple is that there should not be any Programs after the
Gurisi rite was over. Few years back some entertainment programs was organized by the
committee after the guriti. When the program was about to be started all of a sudden a hurricane
blew and all fled for safety
Temple Timings and order of worship
5:00am 12:00noon and 5:30 7:30pm

Pishari kavu
Other names
Kollam pishari kavu.

Location
pishari kaavu is located at Kollam, Calicut district (Kozhikode). This location is 30 Km from
Calicut through NH 17 towards Quilandy - Vadakara. It is 2.5 km from koyilandi Railway
Station and close to Anakkulam junction.
Main investitures
The main Sreekovil is facing east; of lord Siva is considered more ancient than goddess Shrine.
Two important shrines are there in this temple. The shrine of goddess (considering to be
Badrakali) is facing north. Both the main shrines are rectangular. The shrine of lord shiva is
Dwithala and the shrine of goddess is Ekathala. This temple is also classified under the sankalpa
of Rurujitth-Vidhanam with a fierce nature of goddess facing north. The idle of goddess has
eight arms with conch, disc, club, lotus, trident, skull, sword and rope in hands. A nadakam
sword is fixed to the wall of the garbagraha of goddess.
Sub investitures
The sub shrine of the temple is Sapthamathrukkal with lord Veerabadra and Ganapathi.
There is also a sub shrine of lord Ayyappa in this temple.

Legend
One legand says that, The Pisharikavu temple was built here by Vaisya community who had
came from southern Kerala. This community lived in Kollam(a district in Kerala) and trade was
their main profession. They built a temple there and the main idol of this temple was a
sword(Nandhakam) which was presented by Sri Porkali Devi to a believer of this community.
The presence of Sri Porkali Devi in this sword and her grace brought richness and prosperity to
Vaisya community. The wealth changed the behavior and attitude of this community towards the
King of their country and tried to challenge the authority. The angry King expelled vaisyas from
his kingdom. The expelled vaisya community later came to Kurubranadu Taluk(Now koyilandy
taluk) and brought some land from the natives and settled here. They built a temple here and put
the idol(namdhakam) that they had taken along with them, and started to worship. They named
this place as kollam to memorize their old place.
One more legend relates Tippusulthan also worth mentioning. During the time of his invasion, he
came to plunder the temple. The main priest of the temple decided to give prasadam to tippu.
Tippu then insisted that instead of the priest, the goddess herself should give him prasadam. It
says the goddess herself appeared and droped prasadam in to his palms. Tippu became
unconscious on receiving it. When he regains his conscious, instead of plundering the temple
assets, he donated properties to the temple. Rs:342 was fetched from these properties annually.
This continued even during the British rule.

HISTORY
History says that the temple complex was renovated during 16th century with the help of local
naayar familes and thantries of kattumadam illam. The traditional nadakam sword was by then
permanently fixed on the wall of garbhagraham.
Temple Timings and order of worship
The temple is opened around the year all days from 5.30 am to 1.30pm and evening from 5.30
pm to 8.00pm.
Important poojas are ucha pooja at 12pm Athazha pooja at 8.00 pm. In this ucha pooja is
madyama pooja or saktheya type pooja.
Enter the temple trough eastern nada and following circumambulatory path, worship Lord Siva
first, then Ganapathi then to the main shrine of Goddess where you should worship nadakam
sword then the main idle, then the Sapthamathrukkan and finally the Sastha. Ladies are not
supposed to enter the temple through eastern nada.

Festivals
The important festival of the temple is Kaaliyaatta mahothsavam held for eight days in Meenam.
The dates are fixed by a prasna of 10th of kumbam every year. The date is announced after the
athazha poja infront of the deity and takes out the naandakam sword and kept away from the

Temple. It will return only when the Festival commences. Another important festival celebrated
here is Navaratri.

Thiruvancheri Kavu
Other names
Vaazhuncheri Kaavi , Sri DurgaBhagavathy Temple ,Kuthuparamba.

Location
Situated 2kms from Koothuparamba, Towards Kannor Road at porkkalam Jn.
Main investitures
There are two main Shrines (sreekovil) in this temple.Circular SreeKovil of Lord Siva Facing
west and Rectangular Sreekovil of Durga facing North. Lord Siva is in the form of Silaa linga.the
idol of Goddes is made of Panchaloka of mirror type and is a chala prathishta (Movabale idol).
Sub investitures
Brahmarakshas and Thamburan (Its says Sankalpa of Pazassi Raja)

Legend
HISTORY
The temple is considered to be belongs to kottayam Rajas, and is belived that the members of
that family worshipped here before going for wars.
Temple Timings and order of worship
The temple is opened around the year all days from 5.00 am to 1.30pm and evening from 5.00
pm to 8.00pm.
Raktha Pushpagali, Sarkarapayasam and Niramaala are the important offerings , in that
Rakthapushpanjali is most popular.

Festivals
There is no festivals in this temple.

Sri Kalarivathukkal

Other names
Sri kalari vathukkal bhagavathi

Location
is located at valapattanam, Kannur District. This location is 8 Km from kannur via toll junction
NH 17.
Main investitures
The main Sreekovil of goddess is square and facing west. The idle of principal diety of sree
maha rajarajeswari (made of wood) in standing pose on lord sadasiva. The idle has 4 arms with
lotus, sword, goblet and shield in hands. An archana bimbam is placed at its front as the main
idle is a darusilpam. There is a shrine of lord siva facing east with a silalinga idle.
Sub investitures
The sub shrine of the temple are kshetrapaalan, sapthamatrukkal along with lord
Veerabadra and Ganapathi made of wood, sivanaga and kuzhinaga.

Legend
It is believes that the temple is consecrated by Lord Parasurama.

HISTORY
The temple was originally worshipped by vadakke illam and it was forcefully handed over to
chirakkal rajas. When it came into the hands of chirakkal rajas, it was renovated with large
properties attached to the temple.
Temple Timings and order of worship
The temple is opened around the year all days from 5.00 am to 12.45pm and evening from 6.00
pm to 8.00pm.
Important poojas are usha pooja at 6am pantheeradi pooja 12 noon and shakthi pooja at 6.00
pm.
Every day the Silver Sword of the Goddess is taken out of the sreekovil and kept in the
mandapam in the morning and taken back to the sreekovil after the sakthi pooja.

Festivals
The important festival of the temple is Pooramahothsavam held for nine days in Meenam. It
starts on karthika and ends on uthram. The thidambu of devi is taken on a procession on
everyday evening from karthika to makam to valapattanam kotta. 7th day, ayilyam taken to sri

siveswaram and kadalaayi srikrisna temple. 8th day on poram, pooram kali at chirakkal chira. 9th
and final day, uthram, the thidambu is taken back and placed at vedikkettu thara. After the
fireworks and performing arts, deity is taken back to shrine. Theyam is also performs in this
temple. Another important festival celebrated here are Navaratri, Sivarathri, vishuvilakku and
kalasam, perum kaliyattam in 10th Idavam and Niraputhari in karkkidakam.

Madayi Kavu
Other names
Sree Thiruvarkattu kavu ,

Location
Maatayi Kaav is one of the oldest temple, situated in Kannur (Cannanore) dist. (Kerala)
.Maadaayi near Pazhayangadi,Kannur
Main investitures
There are two main Shrines (sreekovil) in this temple. SreeKovil of Lord Siva Facing East and
Sreekovil of Goddess (Considering as Bhadrakaali localy) facing west.Lord Siva is in the form
of Silaa linga.the idol of Goddes is made of Kadu Sarkkara yogam.It is in sitting posture with
right leg folded.The goddess has eight arms with two tridants,sword,shield,skull,rope,elephanthook and serpent.
Sub investitures
In front of the sreekovil dedicated for Goddess is the sub-shrine of SAPTHAMATHRUKKAL.
The idols of SAPTHAMATHRUKKAL is in an order as Chamundi first and Braahmi ,
Maaheswari,Koumari, Vaishnavi,Vaaraahi and Indraani facing north with Veerabhadran facing
west and Lord Ganapathi facing east.Other Sub investitures are Kshethrapaalan facing West
,Lord Shastha facing East and idols considering to be Sree Pathaala Bhadra,Sree Bhairavi ,and
sree Bhairavan is also there.

Legend
one of the legends in connection with the origin of the temple is associated with Sree
Rajarajeswara temple, Thalipparamba.It is said that, once the Goddess Bhadra kaali of Sree
Rajarajeswara temple, believed to have been installed by Load Parasurama manifested herself in
front of the priest of the temple and demanded a separate abode for her. The priest agreed in a
condition that the new temple to her will be at the place where the firewood (viraku) would fall
which he throws. By the power of the deity the firewood flew and fell on the hill, called
Maadaayu kunnu. Since the temple legend is connected with a blazing firewood,the temple was
named Thiru viraku kaattiya kaavu. And which was later became Thiruvar kattu kaavu.

HISTORY
It is belived that the idol was originally installed by Lord Parassurama at Rajarajeshwara Temple
and the instillation details of the idol at Maadayi is unknown.
The Madaayi kavu is considered as the principal temple of Chirakkal royal family.
Temple Timings and order of worship
The temple is opened around the year all days from 4.30 am to 12.00pm and evening from 5.00
pm to 7.00pm.
Important poojaas of the temple are usha pooja at 5am ucha pooja at 11.30 am and sandya pooja
at 6.15 pm.
Enter the temple trough eastern nada and following circumambulatory path ,worship Lord
Shastha first, then Kshethrapaalakan then lord Siva, then Mathrusaala and finally the Goddess.

Festivals
There are six festivals in this temple.
One month of Kooth,starting from kanni-Sankramam day.
9 Days of Paatt in Thulam (Starting from Tullam - samkramam Day).
1Month of Paatt in Vrischikam (Starting from Vrischika - samkramam Day).
14 Days ofKalyaana Paatt in Maakaram (Starting from Makaraa - samkramam Day).
Poorothsavam(For 9 days from kaarthika to pooram) in meenam.It is the important festival of the
temple.
Perunkaliyaattam in Idavam.
It is one of the temple having a powerful goddess. Peculear feature is that the concept of goddess
here is of Rurujith-Vidhanam .Toddy ,meat etc are offered to the deity of Maadaayi at the time of
atthaazha pooja.

Mamanathu Kavu
Other names
Sri mamanikkunnu mahadevi temple. Irikkoor

Location
The Temple is Situated at Irikkoor (Sreekanthapuram - Thaliparamba Road).

Main investitures
The main Sreekovil of goddess is rectangular and no idle but only a silapeedam (concidering to
be mahishasuramardhini). Silalinga idle of lord Siva facing east is the second main shrine of the
temple. There is a pit at the north called vadakkumbagam used for sacrificing the cork.
Sub investitures
In this temple sapthamatrukkal are install next to the southern wall of the goddesss sreekovil.
Other deities are kshetrapaalan and lord sastha.

Legend
It is believes that , in Ramayana lord Bharatha came and visited lord Sri Rama at this place. The
place got the name irikkoor after this.(Iru- both, kooru- meeting place). It is believes that the
temple is consecrated by Lord Parasurama. One Legend Says that the place was the abode of
Many Rishis (Maamunis) and from them the place got the name Maamunikunnu and later
bacame 'Maamaanikunnu'.

HISTORY
It says that originally the idle of goddess believes to be mahishasuramardhini was existed in this
temple. The idle of lord Siva was installed later considering the fierce the nature of the goddess.
Temple Timings and order of worship
The temple is opened around the year all days from 6.00 am to 12.00 pm and evening from 6.00
pm to 8.00pm.
Important poojas are usha pooja at 6am, ucha pooja at 11am and athazha pooja at 7pm. Shakthi
pooja for relief from sathru dosha pooja is also important in this temple.

Festivals
Pooram in meenam and meenam 4th (prathishta day) are celebrated in this temple.

Manampurathu Kavu
Other names
Sree Chanda Yogeshwari Temple

Location
Situated at 200ms away from Neeleshwaram Railwaystation , Kasarkode district.

Main investitures
Sub investitures

Legend
HISTORY
Earlier the Temple Belonged to Raavari Nairs who Workshiped the goddess for protection from
their enimies and after them the administration of the temple was with katathanattu Royal family
.During the invasion by tippusulthan the entire Chuttambalam was demolished and now only its
remnants is there. A custom of this temple is that there should not be any Programs after the
Gurisi rite was over. Few years back some entertainment programs was organized by the
committee after the gurisi.When the program was about to be started all of a sudden a hurricane
blew and all fled for safety.
Temple Timings and order of worship
5:00am 1:00pm and 5:00 8:00pm