Madayi Kavu is the most celebrated of the Bhadrakali temples in North Malabar. Historians believe that the temple is more than one thousand years old. The local people refer to it also as Thiruvarkadu Bhagavathi Temple.
Bhadrakali is a popular form of Devi and worshipped in Kerala as Bhagavathi, Mahakali, Chamunda and Kariam Kali Murthi. She is revered in four forms: Darukajit (the destroyer of demon Daruka), Dakshajit (the killer of Daksha), Rurujit (slayer of the demon Ruru) and as Mahishajit (the one who executed Mahishasura).
Worship in Madayi Kavu
On entering the temple, you first see the Shiva shrine which faces east. A few metres to the south of Shiva temple is the principal temple of Bhagawathi. The idol of Bhagavathi faces west.
The idol or vigraham of the goddess is made of kadu sharkara. The Goddess has a fierce look and four hands. The kadu sharkara idol is not subjected to abhishekham. The priests employ a metal idol for performing abhishekam. The Brahmin priests at the temple are not averse to the eating of chicken and fish.
Folklore
According to a legend, the goddess was initially residing in Raja Rajeshwara Temple in Taliparamba. But since she had a liking for meat, devotees built a temple for her in Madayi and re-installed the idol there. Another belief is that Lord Shiva created the goddess to kill an asura called Daruka. After his killing, Shiva consecrated Bhagavathy in Madayi.
Offerings or Vazhipadu
Regular offerings at Madayi Kavu are Akapooja, Raktha Pushpanjali, Thikala Pushpanjali, Sharkara Payasam, Gurusipooja and Karinkalasam. One of the main offerings here is the akapooja. The main ingredient for this pooja is chicken. Unless you define that you wish to do a without pooja, you will get a prasadam that contains chicken.
Devotees get the prasadam at around 1:30 pm on conclusion of the poojas. Long queues are not uncommon on festival days and holidays.
Festivals
The most famous festival in Madayi Kavu is Pooram. This occurs in the Malayalam month of Meenam. Pooram lasts for seven days, from Karthika to Pooram asterisms. The Pooram ends with Pooram Kuli (ceremonial bath) in the Vadakunda lake. Kaliyattam is the Theyyam fesival at the temple. This happens in the Malayalam month of Edavam (May-June).
Gettig to Madayi Kavu
From Kannur New Bus Terminal, Madayi Kavu is 25 km (42 min). There are frequent buses to Pazhayangadi. National Highway NH 66 passes through Taliparamba. The temple is 1.5 km from Pazhayangadi bus stand. Trains connect Pazhayangadi to all major stations in India. Nearest airport is Kannur International Airport.
Location
Madai Paara is a flat topped hillock overlooking Pazhayangadi town on the northern bank of Kuppam River. The top of the hillock is a laterite plain of 365 ha (900 acres) in area. Vadikunda Shiva Temple is located to the south west of Madayi Kavu. Adjacent to the temple s a perennial fresh water pond which is 1.5 acres in size.
Madayi Palli is on the eastern slope of the hill. It is one of the oldest mosques of India. Malik ibn Dinar built it in 1124. The ruins of Madayi Fort are close by. Madayi Sree Muchiloottu Bhagavathi Temple is 2.6 km by walk from Madayi Kavu and 3.8 km (9 min) by three-wheeler.
Biodiversity
Many species of rare plants and flowers thrive in the laterite hills of Madayi. It is home to 670 flowering plants. This is also a great place for the study of moths and butterflies.
Madayipara is a biodiversity hotspot and a butterfly paradise. It is home to 140-150 species of butterflies (nearly half of all the species found in Kerala) within its laterite ecosystem. The area is a prime habitat, particularly near the Vadikunda Shiva Temple. Here 40-50 species of butterflies can be spotted in a single day, including the giant Atlas moth.
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