Situated in Memunda, Kozhikode, Lokanarkavu Temple is an ancient temple deicated to Goddess Durga. It is the official temple of 500 Aryan Nagariks and their successors who had migrated to Kerala. The temple is listed as a must view site in the Incredible India campaign by Government of India.

Location Kerala, Kozhikode, Thiruvananthapuram

Legend

According to the legends, the temple was built by the 500 Aryan Nagariks and their successors who had migrated to Kerala. It is believed that the goddess accompanied the Aryans from the previous place of stay. According to another legend, thousand years back, a quarrel broke out between the family members of the Zamorin royal family. One part of the family members crossed the river and they brought along with them an idol of Goddess. They settled in Badagara and established a temple for the Goddess which was near the already existing Shiva and Vishnu temples.

Architecture

Even though shrine of Lord Vishnu is the oldest, believed to  consecrated by Sage Parasurama, there are not much carving there. Shrine of Lord Siva sports some, but the shrine of Goddess Durga is where they all are. This temple is said to be in Athyuthama state while most of the other Goddess temples in Kerala are in Madhyama and rarely in Uthama state.

Culture

Kozhikode has made substantial contribution to the cutlure of the land. The district is famous for folk songs or ballads known as Vadakkan Pattukal. The most popular songs celebrate the exploits of Thacholi Othenan and Unniyarcha. Kozhikode also has a strong associations with ghazals and football.

Darsan Info

Lokanarkavu temple which is associated with the heroes and heroines of the Vadakkanpattu combines an arresting simplicity and a legendary aura. The legendary martial hero, Thacholi Othenan was a great devotee of the goddess 'Lokanarkavil Amma'. He used to seek her blessings before going for any duel, and even today Kalaripayattu artists seek her blessings before their debut.

Darsan Dresscode

Kerala traditonal dress is preferred.

Famous Festival

Lokanarkavu Utsavam, which lasts for 41 days, is held during the Malayalam month of Vrischikam (mid November to mid December). It is locally known as Mandalavilakku Festival or Mandala Utsavam. The unique feature of the festival is that it is only here a folk dance called Thacholikali is performed during the temple festival. Thacholikali is similar to the traditional martial art form called Kalarippayattu.

Pooram is in the month of March \ April

Temple Rituals

There is a legend related to the rituals at Lokanarkavu. A devotee of Chingapuram used to worship Lokanarkavilamma. When he became old, he built a temple at his native place with blessings of the Goddess and this deity was known as Kongannoor Bhagavathi. This deity is believed to be the younger sister of Lokanarkavilamma. During festival, uchchal ezhunellathu is held, where Lokanarkavillamma is taken out in procession to Kongannoor temple by night. The two sisters meet and the younger one falls asleep on elder one's lap. At midnight, the elder one leaves without her sister knowing it, proceeds to Keezhoor Siva Temple and returns next day morning to Lokanarkavu.

Special Rituals

The poora-mahotsavam was introduced around 1840. It is marked with kavootu, paatu and traditional dance by Theyyampatti Kurups. On the final day of the festival, poorappattu and poorakali are held. The bali-idol of Goddess is taken for aarattu along with those of Vishnu and Siva. On return, Goddess first enters the Devi shrine followed by other two. After Sreebhootha bali, the idols are taken out for uccha paatu. Idols are returned after Pooja at paatupura and Poorakkali. While the Goddess is returning the bell is rung to ensure that no one is inside the akathe-balivattam. This is known as Maniyital.

Additional Info

 

Regant Hotel Railway Station Road, Mahe, Kannur, Kerala 673310 Phone:0490 233 6332 Sree Krishna International Shop No:383,NH 17, opp new bus stand, narayananagar, Vadakara, Kerala 673101 Phone:093887 41088

 

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