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