Sree Kollam Pisharikkavu Bhagavathy Temple is a must visit temple in the North Malabar region of Kerala. Pisharikavu Temple is located at a pristine village near Kollam-Koyilandi in Kozhikode district. It is about 30 kms from Kozhikkode town and is situated on the NH-17. One can easily reach there by bus or train. The nearest railway station is Koyilandi.
It is believed that this temple was once situated in the Kollam region of Erstwhile Travancore district and was shifted here by Bhagavathy's devotees when they had fled from their native place. Bhagavathy is worshipped as fierce Bhadrakaali here and the sword of Bhadrakali, known as "Nandhakam" is being offered with Pujas at the Sanctum Sanctorum. Here the main deity Bhadra is facing North, and there is a Shiva temple facing East. Sree Sastha is the sub-deity of this temple. The huge temple pond here is called "Chira" and it is a visual treat to the devotees visiting here.
Legend:
Once, a clan of families from Pandya kingdom belonging to 'Vaisya' tribe came to the Kollam district in Travancore desam and settled there to expand their business in Gold and silk. The eldest of the family was an ardent devotee of "Sree Porkkali Bhagavathy" and he did penance for many years praying for Her blessings. Devi became pleased with his devotion and appeared in his sleep and offered her sword "Nandhakam" to the family as a symbol of Her blessings. He found the divine sword beside him when he woke up. he took it to Kollam and built a temple there for worshipping Bhagavathy and her divine sword. Since this devotee was also a famous "Visha haari" ie. one who cures some one from poison death, this temple came to be popular as "Visha hari kavu" and later to "Visharikkavu".
By worshipping Bhagavathy the Vysya family grew their business very quickly with overseas trades and their wealth knew no bounds. Slowly they became very proud and egoistic and even challenged the King of Travancore. The angry King deported the eight families of Vysyas and they fled in boats along Arabian sea with their possessions and the "Nandhakam"sword given by Bhagavathy. They reached Koyilandi coast belonging to Kurumbanadu Raja and descended there to start anew.
They bought land for their settlements from the King and obtained permission to build a temple for Sree Bhadrakaali. They built a grand temple at Mannanmangalam village near Koyilandi and with respect to their old temple named it as "Kollam Visharikkavu" which later came to called as "KOllam Pisharikkavu". They placed the "nandhakam sword" in the sanctum along with Bhadrakaali idol. The eldest Vysya of the family did the pujas and offerings at the temple and the family prospered there.Devi was worshipped according to the "Kaula" rituals and meat and toddy were offered to her for the "naivedya'. Later a brahmin family was appointed as the priests and these rituals were stopped. Then Bhagavathy's powers multiplied manyfold and it became impossible for devotees to enter the temple. Then the brahmin priests were stopped and "vattoli moossath" were bestowed with the duties and the earlier rituals were started again.
Offerings:
Valia vattala guruthi is the main offering and booked for several years. Udayasthama pooja, Niramala, Rakthapushpanjali, Palpayasom are a few of the other offerings.
Festivals:
Kaliyattam:
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| Kodiyettam |
This grand festival is celebrated annually in the malayalam month of "Meenam" and lasts eight days. The "kodiyettam" or festival flag hoisting is done on a long bamboo pole. On the first 6 days of festival the idol of Bhagavathy is taken out for procession and on the last two days the "Nandhakam" sword is taken out. On the seventh day is the "Valiya Vilakku Mahotsavam" and on the eighth day "Kaliyattam" is performed. An oracle or "velichappadu" holds the Sword during procession on a decorated female elephant. This festival attracts thousands of devotees from near and far.
Navarathri festival is also celebrated in this temple in a grand manner.
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