Madayikkavu (Thiruvarkkadu) Bhagavathy temple, Pazhayangadi, Kannur

http://madayithiruvarkkadubhagavathytemple.in/

Madayi kavu or Thiruvarkadu Bhagavathi Temple, 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. Madayi Kavu is believed to be the oldest one built in Kerala. 

The temple, now under the administration of Devaswom Board, was originally under the control of the Kolathiri kings. The temple, situated in Madayi near Payangadi, is an important site of worship in the Kannur District and Kerala region.‘Madayikavu Amma’, Goddess who is known for her blessings on devotees is worshipped as Mother Kali and it is a belief that any devotee who worship this Goddess with faith will be free from the black magic’s and witchcrafts of the enemies.

The idol of the goddess is made of Concentrated Jaggery (Kadu Sarkara) and so the Abhisheka(Ritual bath) is given to a metal idol , sanctified in the temple. The Goddess has an extremely fierce look with four hands and face resembling the fire at deluge. 

As soon as you enter the temple you would see a Shiva temple , There over a Peeta covered with silk , a sword called Nandakam representing the Bhagawathi is kept.The main temple of Bhagawathi which is a few yards south of the Shiva temple faces the west. Towards the left of her temple the idols of the Saptha Mathrukas( The seven mothers) who accompanied her in the war with Dharuka can be seen. 

In the front in a an enclosure the metal idol is consecrated . The Brahmin priests at the temple, known as Podavar Brahmins, belong to a particular sect associated with Kali worship, and are not barred from consumption of meat. A particular aspect of the temple is Kozhi Kalasham, which is the sacrifice of poultry for the goddess which is held in high regard. The temple was spared from destruction by Tipu Sultan (whose followers destroyed the nearby Vadukunnu Temple). The Madayi Kavu temple was saved from destruction by a Nair warrior, Vengayil Chathukutty Nayanar, who received the title of Nayanar from the temple authorities for his bravery (Sthanaperu).

As per the history the temple existed from ancient time and there are two different stories about  the existence of the deity.

Legend:

In one of the stories, Madayikavu Amma who is in the form of Bhadrakali originally was existing in Shiva Kshethara Thialiparambha Rajarajeshwara temple. But, as she was non- vegetarian and could not continue to exist at  Thiliparambha Rajarajeshwara temple, she ordered the then King of     that region to construct a separate temple in her name. Then ‘Madayikavu’ temple came into existence as per the deity’s wish.

In another ancient story it is believed the people of  Madayi were troubled by a demon named ‘Dharaka’ and Madayikavu Amma in the form of Kali killed him and requested Lord Shiva to give a place on earth where people can worship her always. Lord Shiva ordered his disciple   Parashuram and as per his orders Parashuram hit the ground with his sword and the sea which made way for a hill was transformed into a “Punya   Kshethara’ of mother Kali very popularly known as Madayi Kavu Amma or Thiruvar Kadu Bhagavathi.

Festival:

Though initially there were four annual festivals in the temple, as of now the major festivals which are celebrated are "Pooram" in the month of Meenam(March-April) and "Kalasam" in the month of Medam. The pooram festival is celebrated for seven days and the Kalasam festival only lasts for a few hours. It is believed that all annual festivals of Northern Kerala end for the year with the celebration of Kalasam at this temple.

The Kalasa Uthsavam was so being called as Perum Kaliyattam(Big play of Kali) or Kalioyattam is observed in the festival . The main rituals are in the afternoon when eight people who dress up as the forms of Goddesses like Kalariyil Bhagawathi, Chuzhali Bhagawathi , Someswari, Padi Kutthi along with the main form of goddess “Veera Chamundi’. These Goddess forms go round the Kalasa(Sacred pot) and offer worship three times to it . Then there is a sport called Kalasa Thallu( The physical fight of the Kalasa , done with bare hands.)

Another important ritual in this temple is a fishing in a near by river which is called “Kavu Pidi”( catch of the temple). The first of month of Edavam (May-june) and the previous day of the Kalasam are considered more propitious for Kavu Pidi. People believe that fishes caught are the Prasada ( ritual gifts) of the Goddess and buy them at huge cost..

The temple now has a website http://madayithiruvarkkadubhagavathytemple.in/ where it offers online puja booking for its devotees spread across the world. Website also has a wealth of information about the temple.