Valayanad Devi temple, dedicated to Bhagavathy, is situated in Valayanad on Mankavu Govindapuram route in the city of Kozhikode. The temple, which faces north, has four gopurams. The Devi temple at Valayanad has its own distinct identity and is different in several respects from other Devi temples in India. It is one of the Saktheya temples where pujas are performed in accordance with practice of Rurujit worship. The presiding deity of this temple is the goddess from Kashmir, known as Chandika, also called Mahartham and Kalasarppini.
The Sreechakra, designed by the great Sivayogi Thayyavur Sivasankar, remains in the sanctum sanctorum, where the presence of the goddess is believed to be ever present. Idols of Shiva, Thevaara Bhagavathi, Lord Ayyappa, and Vigneswara, Khsethrapaalan are also consecrated in this temple. In the sanctum sanctorum on the southern wall idols of Sapthamathrukkal ( seven mother Goddesses) are carved. An important ritual conducted in this temple is the Guruthy Tharpanam.
Festivals and Rites
The annual festival commences every year on the day of Karthika of Makaram and continues for seven days. Devi's 'utavall is Kept in Tali Mahadeva Temple. Few days before the 'Uthsavam'( festival) It is taken to Valayanad temple. The 'Arat'( the holy dipping of the idol after the 'Pallivetta') is conducted in Trissaala kulam in Mankavu. During the annual festival There will be not Madhyama ( saktheya ) Pooja. Brahmins were brought the temple to perform the Uthama Pooja. Kalamezhuthupattu is observed from 1st Vrichikam for 41 days during the Mandala season. Tuesdays and Fridays are considered to be more auspicious for praying in this temple.
The temple priests
The priests of this temple who perform pooja according to Saktheya injunctions in this temple are Pidarar Brahmins. Meat and alcohol is a core feature of worship in this temple, and the priests are by necessity non-vegetarian.
There are five Moosad families residing around the Sri Valayanad Kavu. They have the traditional right to do observances in the temple. The five illams are Vattoli-illam, Vadakke-illam, Kozhiparambillam, Naduvilakandi, and Kozhikodanparambu. The chief poojaris are Vattoli-illam and Vadakke-illam, as an inherited right.
Address: 6RV3+GJR, Valayanad Temple Rd, Govindapuram, Kozhikode, Kerala 673007
Phone: 070250 12215
