Panchayath/ Municipality/ Vadakara Municipality Corporation LOCATION District Kozhikode Nearest Town/ Sidhasramam – 1 Km Landmark/ Junction Nearest Bus statio Vadakara New Bus Stand – 3.8 Km Nearest Railway Vadakara Railway Station – 4.7 Km statio ACCESSIBILITY Nearest Airport Calicut International Airport – 74.8 Km The Executive Officer Sree Lokanarkavu Temple Sidhasamaj P O Vadakara – 673101 Phone: +91-496-2527444 CONTACT Website: www.lokanarkavutemple.com DATES FREQUENCY DURATION TIME March-April (Meenam) Annual 8 Days ABOUT THE FESTIVAL (Legend/History/Myth) The Lokanarkavu Utsavam is the annual festival at the Lokanarkavu Temple dedicated to Goddess Durga. It was built by Aryans who migrated to this place about 1500 years ago. It is believed that the Goddess traveled with them to Lokanarkavu and the successors of the race still conceive the divine presence as their mother and not as a Goddess. The rituals at the temple are identified with its Athyuthama state. The temple also finds reference in the ballads of North Kerala as the legendery hero Thacholi Othenan was a devotee of the Goddess. The temple houses a stage in memory of the Aryans who built the temple. As the Goddess is said to have held them in the highest esteem, all devotees must pray to these ancestors and seek their permission to see the Goddess inside. Local Over 15,000 RELEVANCE- NO. OF PEOPLE (Local / National / International) PARTICIPATED EVENTS/PROGRAMS DESCRIPTION (How festival is celebrated) The Lokanarkavu Utsavam is celebrated during Meenam for Kodiyettam 8 days. The festival begins with Kodiyettam (flag hoisting) Aarattu on the Rohini day and the Arattu (holy bath) on the Pooram Aarattu Sadya day. The traditional dance performance of Theyyambadi Nadu Valam Vekka Kurup is the special attraction on the fifth and the sixth days. Thayambaka On the seventh day is the Nadu Valam Vekka and Pallivetta Pallivetta (holy hunt). On the Pooram day, Poorappattu and Poorakkali Poorappattu (a traditional dance ritual performed by men) are organized. Poorakkali Poorakali, conducted during night, is a fascinating event. Kathakali Poorappattu includes theme from the life history of the Goddess..