MAHOTSAVAM AZHAKODI DEVI MAHASHEKTHRAM

Panchayath/ Municipality/ Thiruthiyad Corporation

LOCATION District Kozhikode Nearest Town/ Sarovaram Bio Park Landmark/ Junction

Nearest Bus station Arayidathuppalam Bus Stop– 800 m

Nearest Railway VellayilRailway Station–2 km station ACCESSIBILITY

Nearest Airport Calicut International Airport –29 Km

Azhakodi Devi Mahakshetram Thiruthiyadu Puthiyara (Po) Kozhikode 4 CONTACT Ph: 0495 - 2771370 (Temple) Email : [email protected]

DATES FREQUENCY DURATION

TIME April-May (Medam) Annual 8 days

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL (Legend/History/Myth)

The most ancient and historically renowned temple Azhakodi Devi Mahashekthram, has its deity in the form of in a calm disposition. The temple consists of seven maternal Incarnation- brahamani, Maheshwari, Kowmari, Vaishanavi, Vaarahi, Indarni and Chamundi. A sivalinga is also present.

There is a legend behind this temple, that the samoothiri entrusted six of his generals to the temple Arikkodikkavu which is now renowned as Azhakodi Devi mahashekthram. An idol of "Bhavani Devi" was also given by the samoothiri which was given to him by the traders of Gujarat. The generals were instructed to place the idol adjacent to the Bhagavathi Idol in the Arikkodikkavu sreekovil and worship the same. The temple till 1965 known as "Arikkodikkavu" was later renamed as Azhakodi Devi Mahashekthram.

During the month of Medam, Kodiyettem is celebrated on the Uthrattadi Nakshathram. Pallivetta is celebrated on the Nakshathram, and Arrattu is conducted on the Punartham Nakshathram. Bhagavatha Saptaham is also conducted every year.

Local Approximately 8000 RELEVANCE- NO. OF PEOPLE (Local / National / International) PARTICIPATED EVENTS/PROGRAMS DESCRIPTION (How festival is celebrated)

Kodiyettam Kazhchasheeveli The beginning of the festival celebration is marked with the Dheeparadhana hoisting of the flag known as Kodiyettam in the Uthrattadi star in the Malayalam month of Medam. Daily events during Cultural programmes the festival days include Kazhchasheeveli, Uccha pooja, Elephant procession prasada oottu, Dheeparadhana, Thayambaka, etc. Aarattu Kodiyirakkal Traditional art forms like and is staged on all days. Various cultural programmes like dance, music shows, aksharaslokam, , , etc forms a part and parcel of the festival celebrations. On the last day of the festival, aarattu (holybath) takes place in the night after the Kodiyirakkal with the accompaniment of yathrabali and elephant procession.