Madaikkavu, or Madai Thiruvarkaat Bhagavathy Temple, is one of the most important power centers in North Kerala, especially in Kannur district. Situated near the beautiful landscape of Madaipara, this temple is considered to be the origin of Bhadrakali worship in Malabar. This ancient temple has a history of centuries. Many legends and folk tales are associated with this temple. It is also said that this temple was once the temple of the family deity of the Kolathunad kings.
Although the main deity at Madaikkavu is Bhadrakali, the goddess is also worshipped in the form of Durga. There is a legend that this is one of the 108 Durga temples established by Parashurama, and that the goddess resided here after killing Darika. The worship methods in the temple are unique and strict. The ritual arts here like ‘Chakyarkoothu’ and ‘Poorakkali’ are very famous. In addition, the goddess’s favorite offering, ‘Guruthi Tharpanam’, is important here. The main festival of the temple is Kaliyattam, like other Kavas in Malabar. Thousands of devotees come here to see the various Theyyakolams that are tied during Kaliyattam.
The architectural style of the Madaikkavu temple is reminiscent of its antiquity. The temple is mostly built using black stone and mud. The influence of the Kerala Dravidian style is evident in this. The wooden carvings in the temple, especially the sculptures that depict the history of the goddess, are noteworthy. There is a large wall around the temple. A large temple pond can also be seen on the eastern side. From the vicinity of the Madaikkavu cliff where Madaikkavu is located, one can also see beautiful views of the Arabian Sea.
Madaikkavu is located, Madaikkavu is a wonderland for nature lovers. A vast meadow, the Madaiyappa is lush green during the monsoons and golden in the summers. Many rare species of plants and butterflies are found on this rocky outcrop. Along with visiting the Madaiyappa, many tourists come here to enjoy the beautiful views of the Madaiyappa. A blend of ancient temples and natural beauty, Madaiyappa holds a crucial place in the heritage and customs of Kannur.
The Madaiyappa Thiruvarkat Bhagavathy Temple (Madaiyappa) is notable for its unusual rituals. Unlike many temples in Kerala, there is a custom here of offering chicken to the goddess and distributing it to the devotees as prasadam. Offering and Prasadam: Chicken offerings are mainly performed at Madaiyappa. The devotees who offer chicken as a vow, later cook the chicken and return it as prasadam. This prasad is received with great importance by the devotees. Apart from the chicken prasad, the oott consisting of rice and curry is also important here. It mainly consists of dishes made from chickpeas. This oott consisting of rice and chickpea curry is considered by the devotees as another important prasad of Madaikavu.
