THEVALLIYOORKAVU BHAGAVATHY TEMPLE, NEAR MANANTHAVADI, WAYANAD DISTRICT,
KERALA-COMPILED Dear friends, Today my posting is about the Valliyoorkavu Bhagavathy Templein Wayanad near Mananthavadi, Kerala which is an ancient shrine dedicated toGoddess Durga, worshippedin three forms: Vana Durga, Bhadrakali, and Jala Durga. It dates back to the 14th century and is known for its annual14-day festival, a significant event for the tribal communities in Wayanad. Thetemple is also believed to be one of the four guardian shrines of Thirunelli Temple. Hope a divine reading Gopalakrishnan. 6-5-2025 Key Historical Points: Ancient Origins: Thetemple's history is traced back to the 14th century. Tribal Significance: It's a prominent place of worship fortribal communities in Wayanad. Festival: The annual festival is a major event, drawingthousands of devotees. Guardian Shrine: Some sources suggest it's one of fourguardian shrines of Thirunelli Temple. Dravidian Origins: There are legends suggesting Dravidianorigins for the temple. Cultural Significance: The temple is a center of religiousbeliefs and tradition for the Adivasi communities. Historical Events: The temple has a history intertwined withthe customs and practices of the Adivasi communities, including the practice ofbonded labour, as noted by scholars. Changes in Administration: In 1993, the Travancore DevaswomBoard acquired the rights to the temple, leading to changes in administrationand temple practices. Introduction The Valliyoorkavu Bhagavathi Temple is a historic temple inthe Wayanad district of Kerala, India, dedicated to the Goddess Durga. It issituated approximately 3kilometers from Mananthavady and is thought to have been constructedin the 14th century. The idol at the temple isbelieved to have appeared on its own, and the temple holds great significance in the lives of theWayanad tribals. The temple is dedicated to three forms of the Goddess Durga:Vana Durga, Bhadrakali, and Jala Durga. Annually, the temple hosts a 10-day festival in January orFebruary, which includes various rituals such as kalamezhuthu (floor art),Eedum koorum (ritual dance performed by oracles), and Sopana nirtham. Additionally, there is a 14-day festival held in March thatdraws in large crowds of devotees. Temple Timings 6:00 am – 8:00 pm Deity The temple is for Goddess Bhadrakali (a form of suprememother Adi Parashakthi) as its presiding deity. She is also worshipped in threeforms namely: Bhagavathy, Vana Durga, and Jala Durga. Goddess Durga is thepresiding deity at the Valliyoorkavu Bhagavathy Temple. Architecture The temple itself is an architectural gem, showcasingtraditional Kerala temple architecture with its intricate carvings, vibrantmurals, and a serene ambiance that invites introspection and spiritualcontemplation. Distinctive feature One of the distinctive features of Valliyoorkavu BhagavathyTemple is the presence of a variety of folk art forms and rituals that are anintegral part of the temple festivities. The Theyyam performances, atraditional dance form with elaborate costumes and vibrant makeup, add acaptivating cultural dimension to the celebrations. Rituals and festivals The temple has many numerous rituals held during the festivalinclude the oppana varavu, a procession from Cheramkode Bhagavathy temple atKallody near Mananthavady and Adiyaras, a procession with tender coconut forabhishekam (ablution) marks the arattu of Valliyooramma. The festival concludedwhen the oppana varavu returns to Cheramkode Bhagavathy temple after the rudhirakkolam, a symbolicfight between Goddess and the demon king, Darika, in which the Bhagavathy wins. The festival is important for the tribal people of Wayanad.The traditional ritual of Kalamezhuthu is performed during the nights of thefestival. On the final day, an array of folk art forms are presented. Thedances are performed by the local tribes with native percussion instruments,which is a major attraction. The tribal chieftains perform the kodiyettu (ceremonial flaghoisting) on the seventh day of the festival. There are tribal dance and folkart performances, and the traditional ritual art form known as kalamezhuthu isperformed on all 14 days. Oppana varavu, abhishekam, rudhirakkolam,kalamezhuthum pattum and eedum koorum are folk rituals conducted during thefestival. The Valliyoorkavu Festival which is a festival dedicated toGoddess Durga is a 14-day festival which is held in March. The beginning of thefestival is marked by bringing the sword of Valliyooramma from PalliyaaraBhagavathy Temple by the chief priest. The influence of tribal people in thefestival is overwhelming since Tribal chiefs do the flag hosting on the 7thday. On all the 14-days, there are tribal dance performances and art acts whichincludes traditional ritual art form known as Kalamezhuthu performed at everynight of the festival. The main attraction of the festival is on the last daywhen there are dance performances by tribal people using percussioninstruments. Location andtransportation Valliyoorkkavu can be accessed from Mananthavady or Kalpetta.The Periya ghat road connects Mananthavady to Kannur and Thalassery. TheThamarassery ghat road connects Calicut with Kalpetta. The nearest railway station is at Kannur 58;km. The nearestairports are [Kannur International airport 58;km, Entry Fee No entry fee Address of the temple Valliyoorkavu Bhagavathy Temple, Mananthavady Bypass Rd,Valliyoorkavu, Mananthavady, Kerala, 670645, India . Phone -04935 240 084 Best Time to VisitValliyoorkavu Bhagavathy Temple, Wayanad The best time to visit Valliyoorkavu Bhagavathy Temple inWayanad is during the annual festival, which usually takes place in theMalayalam month of Kumbham (February-March). At this time, the temple comesalive with vibrant celebrations, cultural performances, and a livelyatmosphere. The festival provides a unique and immersive experience, allowingyou to witness the rich cultural heritage of the region. However, if you prefer a quieter and more serene visit to thetemple without the bustling crowds, you may consider visiting during thenon-festival periods. The months of October to March are generally consideredpleasant for a visit to Wayanad, with cooler temperatures and a lush greenlandscape. This period offers a more relaxed atmosphere, allowing you toexplore the temple and its surroundings at your own pace. How to Reach ValliyoorkavuBhagavathy Temple, Wayanad? To be there at the Valliyoorkavu Bhagavathy Temple, you needto first arrive in Wayanad via airways, railways, or roadways. Depending onyour preferred mode of transportation, you can choose one option that suits youthe best. Once you’re there in Wayanad, look for local transportation likebuses or rental taxis to commute to your desired location within the city.Alternatively, opt to hire a cab with an experienced chauffeur from the list oftop car rental companies in Wayanad. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/1571012963.1137412.1746512732432%40mail.yahoo.com.
