PISHARIKKAVUTEMPLE, KOYIILANDY, CALICUT DISTRICT- KERALA- COMPILED Dear friends,
Today my posting is about the Pisharikkavu Temple, dedicatedto Goddess Bhadrakali, in Kozhikode (Calicut), Kerala. It is known for itsintricate wooden carvings, ancient murals, and sacred groves. The temple issituated in Kollam,near Koyilandy. I worked as DE Installation Telecom during 1996 at Calicut. Whilepassing through Koyilandy to Vadakara for works, I came across the location Kollam for about a KM in the state highway manytimes. At that time my thinking was just a few families from Kollam(50KM from Trivandrum towards North) settled there and got the name assuch. On reading about this temple only I could gather, thenaming is related to the KingMarthanda Varma of Travancore and “Ettuveetil Pillaimars”. Hope a divine reading. Gopalakrishnan 17-6-2025 Key Features of thetemple: Presiding deity: The temple's presiding deity isGoddess Bhadrakali, a fierceand auspicious form of the divine feminine in Hinduism. Two Shrines: Besides the main shrine dedicated to the goddess, there's a separateshrine for Lord Shiva. IntricateArchitecture: The templeboasts exquisite wooden carvings and traditional murals. Sacred Groves: The surrounding groves areconsidered sacred and are protected by the local community. Meenam Utsavam: The temple is famous for its annualfestival, Meenam Utsavam, also known as Kaliyattam, which is conducted by the Ravari community, traditionallyassociated with the temple. Location: Pisharikavu Temple is located in Kollam, Koyilandy, in the Kozhikode district of Kerala. 1500 YEARS OF OLDHISTORY Kollam Sree Pisharikavu is a centuries-old temple. Althoughthere are no authentic historical records indicating the year of constructionof the temple. Legend The legend says that the remaining members of theEttuveettil family after the conspiracy against Marthanda Varma settled down inKollam. They were richdiamond merchants. One of family members did severe meditations with sinceredevotion to please the Goddess Bhadrakaali. One night the Goddess Sri Porkali(the family goddess of Ettuveettil Pillai family) appeared in his dream andgave him a very special sword named “Nandhakam” and told him to pray her in theform of this sword also advising him to return to his home town. Astonished bythe dream, he raised a temple in his home town and revered the Nandhakam sword.The family, by the grace of mother Bhadrakaali, turned out to be very rich andpowerful. The community is said to be in existence till and it is also saidthat some special rights are given to them for conducting festival called“Kaliyattam”. Since that Vaishya was also a poison remover , the temple hefounded was named 'Vishahari'.Vishahari' gradually became 'Pishari'. The Vaishya merchants who received theblessings of Bhagavati prospered and became very wealthy. Introduction The Sree Pisharikavu Temple, dedicated to Goddess Bhadrakali,is an ancient temple located in Kozhikode, Kerala, with a rich history andlegend. The temple is known for its intricate carvings and the famed annualMeenam Utsavam. The temple has two shrines, locatedto Lord Shiva and Goddess Devi, respectively. This is a centuries-old temple andhas exquisite, eye-catching mural paintings and wood carvings in itsarchitecture. The Elephant Pageants during the festival season are a specialattraction here. Devotees flock in large numbers to seek blessings of theGoddess. The temple celebrates a festival for 8 days in the Malayalam month,performing various poojas and rituals. It is an ideal place to visit duringyour spiritual trip to Kerala. Establishment of thetemple The Pisharikavu Temple is situated in Koyilandy, Kerala, andhas a history spanning several centuries. Dedicated to the goddess Bhagavathy,an incarnation of Durga’s fierce form, the temple’s establishment is attributedto the Pisharikavu family, who once ruled the area. For generations, it hasbeen a significant centre of worship and devotion, playing a crucial role inshaping the region’s cultural and religious landscape. History The merchants, who had become immensely wealthy, had problems with theking of the south over taxes. The king, who was the main source of income from foreigntrade, naturally demanded more taxes from the wealthy Vaishyas through foreigntrade. Eight Vaishya families, including the family who worshiped Nandakam,sailed north with all their possessions. They did not forget to invokeBhagwati, the cause of all their prosperity. The rest of the Vaishya familiesmoved south. Those who travellednorth saw an unusual sight on a beach during the journey. It was a sight ofcows and tigers drinking water together without caste animosity.Realizing the peaceful nature of the area from this unusual sight, they landedthere. Realizing that the area was suitable for the worship of Bhagwati and forthem to live and trade freely, theybought the land and built the temple and the houses they needed from the rulersof the Kurumpranad king, Komath. They named the temple Kollam Pisharikavu to preserve itspre-memory. Nandakam, who brought Bhagwati from Kollam, was worshiped at thetemple shrine. The temple was dedicated by the famous Tantri KattumadamNamboothiri. The early priests were Vaishyas. Eight Vaishya families settled ineight houses near their goddessOver time, the temple has undergone numerousrenovations and expansions, evolving into an impressive structure thatshowcases Kerala’s rich cultural heritage. The temple’s history is deeplyconnected to that of the local community, and it remains a place of greatimportance for the residents of Koyilandy. Its enduring presence serves as a testament to the region’slong-standing religious and cultural traditions. The architecture and design of Pisharikavu Temple showcasetraditional Kerala style, with intricate carvings and vibrant colours. The temple hosts various festivals and celebrationsthroughout the year, attracting devotees and tourists alike. Religious practices and beliefs at Pisharikavu Temple revolvearound the worship of the goddess Bhagavathy and the performance of rituals toseek her blessings. Architecture andDesign of Pisharikavu Temple The architecture and design of the Pisharikavu Temple are atrue reflection of Kerala’s rich cultural heritage and traditionalarchitectural style. The temple’s main entrance is adorned with a toweringgopuram, which is intricately carved with images of gods, goddesses, andmythical creatures. The gopuram is a striking feature that welcomes visitorsinto the sacred space of the temple. As one enters the temple complex, they are greeted by aseries of beautifully carved wooden pillars, each telling a story from Hindumythology through its intricate carvings. The inner sanctum of the templehouses the idol of the goddess Bhagavathy, which is adorned with exquisite jewelleryand colourful silk garments. The idol is placed within a sanctum sanctorum thatis adorned with elaborate murals depicting scenes from Hindu epics such as theRamayana and Mahabharata. The temple’s architecture is characterized by its use ofwood, stone, and terracotta, which are all traditional materials used inKerala’s architectural heritage. The temple’s design also includes a sacred pond or tank, known as‘Pushkarini’, which is used for ritualistic bathing and purification ceremonies.The overall design of the Pisharikavu Temple reflects the principles of VastuShastra, an ancient Indian architectural tradition that emphasizes harmony,balance, and spiritual well-being. Deities After the arrival of the Vaishyas, Lord Shiva and GoddessBhagwati were enshrined in this place. Upadevatas are Ganapati and Sastha. Poojas Important poojas performed in the temple are Ucha pooja at 12pm Athazha pooja at 8.00 pm. Here, Ucha Pooja is also considered as thesaktheya type pooja The temple priests conduct daily pujas and rituals to honourthe deity, offering flowers, incense, lamps, and food as part of their worship. The rhythmic chanting of sacred hymns creates an atmosphereof devotion and reverence within the temple premises. The practice of"Guruthi" (a blood offering ritual), which is now replaced with aturmeric and lime solution. Festivals The Ravari community, ancestrally connected with the templeand their builders, has special rights to conduct the Kaliyattam festival, themost important festival held here. (The word 'Ravari' was a colloquial version of 'vyaapari' which meansmerchant in Malayalam.) Annual Meenam Utsavam The annual festival of the Pisharikavu temple is held everyyear in the Malayalam month of Meenam. The celebrations go on for eight days. On the seventh day known asValiya Vilakku, and the eighth, the Kaliyattom, the Nandakam is paraded aroundthe temple on the back of a female elephant, decorated in the traditional manner. This elephant pageantis well-known across Kerala. During this festival, many theyyams traditionaldance-dramas - are performed. Other than the Meenam Utsavam, the temple is also known forits celebration of the nine-day festival of Navarathri. During Makaram month, the month of the Makara Vilakku festival whichheralds the new year, the Shuddhi Kriya ritual, a cleansing ritual,and various other rituals are also performed. Theyyam One of the unique aspects of religious practices atPisharikavu Temple is the performance of Theyyam, a traditional ritual art formindigenous to Kerala. Theyyam involves elaborate costumes, vibrant makeup, andritualistic dances that depict various deities and mythical characters fromHindu mythology. During certain festivals, Theyyam performances are held atthe temple grounds, captivating audiences with their mesmerizing movements andpowerful storytelling. Devotees also engage in acts of charity and service aspart of their religious beliefs, such as offering alms to the poor andparticipating in community welfare activities. The temple serves as a centerfor spiritual learning and moral guidance, promoting values such as compassion,humility, and selflessness among its followers. Divine sword Nandhakam The sword was given to the devotee who did very strongausterity and prayed to Porkali Devi. The pleased Porkali Devi blessed thedevotee of Vaishya community, saying that she will fulfil all wishes of himprayed with pure devotion. After so many centuries later also the Nandhakamsword stays as a divine representation of Pisharikavu Devi to all devotees whotake refuge to the mother Pisharikavilamma. The divine words of Sri Pisharikavilamma is that"Believe I am there with you where were you are irrespective of anyplaceyou are...proves that the divine mother would rescue her devotee if theybelieve and pray with full heart devotion anywhere, they are." Significance ofPisharikavu Temple in Koyilandy The temple is not only a place of worship but also a vitalpart of the local community, where devotees come to seek the protective andnurturing powers of the goddess Bhagavathy. It is a place where people come toseek blessings, guidance, and solace. The temple is a symbol of unity and community spirit, as people from all walks of life come together to celebratefestivals and participate in religious rituals. The temple’s historical and architectural significance isalso noteworthy, with its intricate carvings, vibrant paintings, and majesticgopuram (entrance tower) showcasing the skilled craftsmanship and artisticprowess of the artisans who built it. Pisharikavu Temple’sRole in the Local Community The Pisharikavu Temple plays a pivotal role in fostering asense of community spirit and social cohesion among the residents of Koyilandy.The temple serves as a gathering place for people fromall walks of life, transcending barriers of caste, creed, and social status. Itprovides a platform for cultural exchange and mutual respect, as people cometogether to celebrate festivals, participate in religious ceremonies, andengage in charitable activities. The temple also contributes to the local economy bygenerating employment opportunities for artisans, priests, musicians, andvendors who provide goods and services during festivals and other events.Additionally, the influx of pilgrims and tourists to the temple has led to thedevelopment of infrastructure such as hotels, restaurants, and transportationservices in the surrounding areas. Pisharikavu Temple actively engages inphilanthropic activities by supporting educational initiatives, healthcare programs,and environmental conservation efforts in collaboration with localorganizations. Temple Timings : 5.30 AM to 12 PM and from 5.30 PM to 8 PM Address of the temple: Anakkulam, PisharikavuRd, Koyilandy, Kerala 673307 District: Kozhikode, Phone: 0496 262 0568 Governing body: Malabar Devaswom Board How To Reach By Bus-Koyilandi Bus Stand, about 3 km away By Flight-Calicut International Airport, about 52 km away By Train-Koyilandi Railway Station, about 3 km away |Kozhikode Railway Station, about 30 km away Paloor Sree MahavishnuTemple Thikkodi, Phone: 9526105940 (Sri Pisharikavu Devaswom) The Paloor Sree Mahavishnu Temple is a sub-temple of theKollam Sree Pisharikavu Temple. This temple is located 300 meters south of theThikkodi Railway Office. The main deity of the temple is Mahavishnu in the formof Chaturbahu and there are also sub-deities like Ganapathy, Subrahmanya,Shasta. The speciality of this temple is the deity of Brahmaraksha, who is Offerings at the Paloor Sree Mahavishnu Temple, a sub-templeof the Sree Pisharikavu Temple, can be booked from the Pisharikavu TempleOffering Counter. -- 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/845146533.1072630.1750161383893%40mail.yahoo.com.
