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TEMPLES IN KOZHIKODE

PISHARIKKAVU TEMPLE

Pishakarikavu Temple, one of the prominent shrines in Kozhikode dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathy is situated at Kollam, 30 km away from the city. The temple has two Sreekovils (shrines), one devoted to Lord Shiva and other to Goddess Devi. The centuries old temple has exquisite wood carvings and mural paintings which is believed to be the oldest in the state. Valia vattala guruthi, Udayasthama pooja, Niramalya, Rekthapushpanjali, Palpayasom are some of the rituals and offerings here.
A myth associated with the origin of the Pishakarikavu temple has been mentioned by the renowned Malayalam scholar Kottarathil Sankunni in his work 'Eithihya mala' which is a collection of myths. According to the myth, the Pishakarikavu temple was built by the Vaisya community who had migrated from southern Kerala. Vaisya's were a trading community who lived in the Kollam district. They had built a temple there, worshipping a sword (Nandhakam) gifted by Sri Porkali Devi to a devotee, as the main idol. Devi’s presence and power in this sword, brought prosperity to this community. Their attitude completely changed, to the extent of challenging even the King of their country. As a result, the king expelled the Vaisya community from his territory and they came to Kurubranadu taluk (Quilandy taluk) and settled there. There they built a temple and installed the idol, which they had brought along with them and named the place as Kollam, in memory of their original place.
The seven day annual fiesta of the Pishakarikavu temple is celebrated in the Malayalam month of Medam (April- May). Moossadu, a sub cast of Brahmins fixes the date of Kodiyettu (flag hoisting) and the rite is known as 'Kaliyattam Kurikkal'. Temple arts such as Thayambaka, pachavadyam, padhakom, Ottanthullal, Chakyarkoothu are performed during the festive days and on the final day, the main idol, 'Nandhakam Vaal' (sword) is taken out of the temple in a grand procession. The festival concludes with 'Kaliyattam'.
LOKANARKAVU TEMPLE

Lokanarkavu temple which is associated with the heroes and heroines of the Vadakkanpattu combines an arresting simplicity and a legendary aura. Dedicated to Goddess Durga known by the name Lokanarkavil Amma, this temple is situated at Memunda, 4 km from Vadakara town (48 km north of Kozhikode). Apart from the main shrine which is believed to be more than 1500 years old, there are two more shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and Vishnu. A notable feature in the temple premises is the three rock cut caves artfully engraved with beautiful carvings and fascinating murals. This temple is said to be in Athythama state while most of the other Goddess temples in Kerala are in Madhyama and rarely in Uthama state. The temple is open to the devotees from 5 am to 11 am and 5 pm to 8 pm every day.
Two festivals are celebrated here annually in the Malayalam months of Vrischikam (November-December) and Meenam (March/April). Pooram that is celebrated in March- April is a week long festival which begins with Kodiyettam (flag hoisting) and concludes with Arattu. Mandala Utsavam alias Mandalavilakku festival held in Vrischikam is the major festival that lasts for 41 days. Thacholikali, a peculiar folk dance that resembles the martial art Kalarippayattu, is performed during the festival by a group of people known as Theeyampadi Kurup.
The legendary martial hero, Thacholi Othenan was a great devotee of the goddess 'Lokanarkavil Amma'. He used to seek her blessings before going for any duel, and even today Kalaripayattu artists seek her blessings before their debut.
Vadakara (4km) is the nearest railway station and the nearest airport Karipur, is 87km away.  
 This temple which is associated with the heroes and heroines of the Vadakkanpattu combines an arresting simplicity and a legendary aura. The candid murals and carvings here are a delight to art lovers.
MANNUR TEMPLE

This temple is 12 km away from Kozhikode. The exquisitely carved Gajaprathista styled laterite structure is more than two centuries old. It is believed that Sree Parashuraman starts his Siva Linga prathista at Tiruvannur and completes it here every noon. The noon pujas here are therefore considered very special.Located 12 km away from Kozhikode at Kadalundi village, Sri Mannur Maha Shiva Kshethram or Mannar Temple is one of the 108 renowned temples in Kerala, believed to be built by the great sage Parashurama. Although no sturdy evidence is available, scholars say that this temple is more than 1000 years of old. Certain inscriptions on the wall of the temple date back to 400 years. The exquisitely carved Gajaprathista (elephant) styled laterite structure is more than two centuries old.
The sanctum sanctorum facing west is constructed at two levels with intricate architectural calculations. The foundation is made of granite and the red laterite stone walls are beautifully carved. Here Lord shiva is depicted as Aghoramurthy, i.e the angry form of Shiva after the Dakshayaga. Sreeparvathi, Dakshinamurthy and Vigneswara are the upadevathas (other deities) in the temple. The temple complex also consists of Mahavishnu temple, Chuttambalam, Sastha temple and Karinkali Kavu.
It is believed that Sree Parashurama starts his Siva Linga prathista at Tiruvannur and completes it here every noon. Hence the noon pujas here are considered very special. Shivarathri and Thiruvathira are the major festivals celebrated here. The temple was administrated by the two families of Perumparambil and Manezhi Illoms and was later handed over to the Hindu Religious Charitable Endowment Department.
PONMERI TEMPLE
The Sree Krishna Temple at Karatt and the Shiva Temple at Ponmeri have flamboyant paintings depicting Palazhimathanam (the story of the churning of the ocean of milk) from the Puranas.Lord Shiva is the main deity at Ponmeri temple. Ponmeri Siva Kshethram situated in Villiapally, Vadakara, Kozhikode district in Kerala state, India, is one of the major siva temple in north kerala.
Centuries ago the renowned rulers of kadathanad constructed this great, grand and splendid Mahadeva Temple. The sanctum-sanctorum of the temple is unique and unrivalled.
The presiding deity of the Temple is LORD SIVA. The peculiarity of the temple is the presence of 'Thrimurtees'- Brahma, Vishnu and Siva. In addition to the supreme deity Ganapathy, Bhagavathi, ankaraNarayana, Adithya, Boothathevar, Ayyappa, Subramaniyam are installed in the temple complex. Ponmeri Siva is fondly called 'Thiyyannur Appa'. Now the temple is absolutely under the control of the Malabar Devaswam Board. Kshetra Samrakshna Samathi plays a major role in temple renovation and development.
VARAKKAL DEVI TEMPLE
The shrine is located in West Hill within the town. It is one of the 108 Durga temples and the last one founded by Parasurama. The deity is Durga Devi (Bhagawathy).This temple was once a promotion centre of art and cultural activities of Malabar in the long past.
There are sub-deities – Ganapathy and Dakshinamoorthy. For Ayyappan there is a shrine outside the premises of Durga Devi temple.The legend says, upon the penance of Parasuraman in Threthayuga (a particular ancient period), Durga Devi appeared and said I will be present in Theertharoopam on the Chothi star day and Vavu (full moon day) to bless the devotees. Following this, Parasuraman erected the temple.
In the initial period of the temple there were proper daily rituals. Afterwards the rituals were given holiday for lack of funds or some other reasons. The people of the region started experiencing impact of negligence to the shrine. Hearing this, the rulers at the time, Perumallors, came on the scene and arranged for daily rituals. Soon the shrine leaped into the position of Mahakshetra (big temple). Later, Zamorins took charge of the temple, renovated and modified the structure to the present state. Even today the temple is managed by Zamorin family.Mahanivedyam is the most important ritual. Pushpanjali, Padivilakku, Naivilakku, Thrikalapooja, Swayamvara Pushpanjali, Santhana Gopala Pooja, Ganapathy Homam, Thila Homam are the other offerings.
The festival is Navarathri which is celebrated with great fanfare. Vavu Bali (a ritual for the departed souls) is conducatd on the full moon day in the month of Thulam (October/November). Thousands of people who have undergone fast the previous day assemble on Varakkal beach and the priests of the temple administer the ceremonies for each individual who performs the Vavu Bali for his dear and near departed souls. The perception is that the Vavu Bali satisfies the departed souls and they stand guard to the living dear and near ones.
PARSI ANJU AMMAN TEMPLE
It is a Fire Temple on S M Street dates back to the period when the Parsis, settled in Kozhikode about 200 years ago.Constructed in the traditional Kerala architectural style, Parsi Anju Amman Baug is located at the city center on SM Street. This fire temple is the only Parsi temple in Kerala, which was built in the 18th century when Parsi traders settled in Kozhikode about 200 years ago. A13th century inscription in the temple reveal that the property was donated by a Zamorin. Non-Parsis are not allowed inside this temple.
TALI TEMPLE
It is the largest and the most important temple in the city. It is situated 1.5km east of Mananchira. It was built in the 14th century. The Tali Temple is a fine example of the total integration that can exist between wood and laterite, which is a remarkable feature of the Kerala style of architecture.Temple Renowned for the 'Revathi Pattathanam', an annual competition of academic skills, Thali temple is situated 1.5km east of Mananchira. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this 14th century temple built by Zamorin Swamy Thirumulpad of Kozhikode kingdom is a fine example of the total integration that can exist between wood and laterite, which is a remarkable feature of the Kerala style architecture. Mukhamandapam, i.e the square sanctorum with a high laterite wall and wide and open temple pond are the peculiarities of the temple.The eight day long annual festival of the temple is celebrated in the month of April/ May. The gala ends with the holy bath ritual known as 'Aarattu'. Devotees throng the temple especially during festival season.
SREE VALAYANAD BHAGAVATHY TEMPLE
Situated at Govindapuram about 6kms away from Kozhikode is the Valayanadu Bhagavathy Temple, renowned for its unique architectural beauty. It is one among the Saktheya Temples in India and the presiding deity Chandika also known as ‘Mahartham’ and ‘Kalasarppini’ is supposed to be a goddess from Kashmir. Here the poojas (temple worship) are carried out along with Ruruji worship. Moosad, the temple priest follows Kashmiri way of worshipping and performs the Pooja according to certain rules.
Another unique features are the 'Sreechakra' in the sanctum which was designed by Sivayogi Thayyavur Sivasankar and the Saptha School of architecture. 'Guruthy Tharpanam', an important ritual of this temple is done from the alleyway of 'Kshethrapalan'. Apart from the main Devi deity, there are also the idols of Lord Shiva, Ayyappa, Vigneshwara, and Bagavathy.
The annual festival of the temple begins on the day of Karthika of Makaram and it continues for seven days. During the Mandala season there will be 'Kalamezhuthupattu' from 1st of Malayalam month Vrichikam and will last for forty one days.
SREEKANDESWARA TEMPLE
Installed by the great spiritual leader Sree Narayana Guru, Sree Kanteshwara Temple is located in the southwest corner of the Kozhikode stadium at a distance of 1.5 km from the railway station. Devoted to Lord Shiva, this temple also known as Puthiyambalam has a Shiva Lingam in the Dhakshinamoorthi Sankalpa as the main deity. Lord Subramanian, Sree Ganapathi, Sree Dharma Shastha, Maha Vishnu, Bhagavathi and Navagraha are the upadevathas (other deities) here. It is believed that centuries earlier a temple named Nalliswara Kshetram, had existed at the exact place where the Sree Kanteswara Temple is now situated.
Maha Ganapathi Homam and Sree Bhoodha Bali are conducted on every 1st and 15th of the Malayalam Calendar. Besides these, many other offerings and rituals like Shodashabhishekam, Udayasthamana Pooja etc are also held here.
PONGATHOUR TEMPLE
The temple is situated at Ponanghotur in Koduvalli. The temple is in the right bank of Cherupuzha River. From Kozhikode town to the temple the distance is about 28-km.
The presiding deity is Subramanya. Vishnu and Shiva are sub-deities who are placed on either side in separate shrines.
The sanctum sanctorums of the Subramanya and Shiva are in circular shape. The idol of Subramanya was installed by Sage Parasurama, the creator of Kerala.





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