Lokanarkavu Temple Kozhikode Kerala

Lokanarkavu Temple Kozhikode Kerala

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. Lokanarkavu Temple is situated at Memunda 5 km from Vatakara, in North Malabar region of Kerala state of south India. Lokanarkavu is a short form of Lokamalayarkavu which means lokam (world) made of mala (mountain), aaru (river) and kavu (grove). It is the official family temple of the five hundres [Aryan] Nagariks who had migrated to kerala and their successors. temple can be reached by train by getting down at vadakara,which is 4 km from temple. By air the nearest airport is calicut airport which is 87kilometers away. pooram is the important festival here and it is conducted with great pompo and show. The week-long festival begins with Kodiyettam (flag hoisting) and concludes with Arattu. The temple dedicated to goddess Durga has great historical importance as Thacholi Othenan, the legendary martial hero of Kerala, used to worship here every day. Lokanarkavu and Kalarippayattu Forty-one day Mandala Utsavam is the annual festival at the Lokanarkavu Bhagavathy Temple. This is the only temple where a peculiar folk dance called Poorakkali is presented during festivals. The dance, performed during the festival resembles the martial art Kalarippayattu. Even today, all Kalaripayattu artists seek the blessings of the deity before their debut due to the association of lokanarkavu temple with legendary hero thacholi othenan. History of Durga temple The Durga temple was built by Aryans Brahmins who migrated to this place some 1500 years ago. They were Brahmins who took up trade as their main occupation. The Aryan successors of these temple still are of prime importance in the temple. They gradually began to accept some of the traditions of local Nairs and made martial relationship with them. But on close examination their customs and beliefs are evidently different from local Nair community. It is believed that the goddess travelled with them to Lokanarkavu in the form of a lady who followed the five hundred Aryans. The successors still see this goddess as their mother and not as goddess. Often the name of Thacholi Othenan is quoted with the origin of temple. Othenan was a great devotee of durga. It is evident from the fact that the goddess is Durga at Lokanarkavu and not the Kali form. The heroes of Vadakkan Pattukal (Ballads of North Malabar വടക്കേ മലബാര്‍ उत्तर मलबार வடக்கு மலபார்) had their ancestral goddesses as Kali form and not Durga form. The same applies to the local rulers who later claimed Lokanarkavu as their family goddess. All the rulers of Kerala had Goddesses with Thamasa pooja or shakteya pooja; i.e. poojas in which either man or animal was sacrificed. It was a more local tradition and most family temples of Kerala kings and locals had followed such tradition until it was modified. Later due to Aryanisation of temples, modifications were made by replacing human sacrifice with cutting plantain or performing poojas with tender coconut and cereals meant to replace liquor and meat. Unlike this local tradition Lokanarkavu durga temple do not have any such traditions and never had such practices as it was established by Aryans itself. It is said that most other goddess temples in kerala are in Madhyama and rarely in Uthama state. But this temple is said to be in Athyuthama state. The Aryans though manifested as locals they strongly upheld their ethical roots through a complex of differences from rest of the people. The race spirit was so high at older times that it is said that they refused to pay taxes to the local kings of Kerala, as none of them was an Aryan. But at the same time or say at a later period they began to ignore the cast restrictions and even seemed to threaten the cast equations. But slowly they became adjusted and more reclusive and settles around the temple areas and withdrew from all other matters of Local people. Among the mandala vilakku festival, the successors of these Aryan Brahmins migrants conduct the 16th vilakku, that occurs on 16th day and is of prime importance. As we enter the temple we must pray to the stage kept in memory of these Aryan Brahmin Ancestors who built the temple. The stage is at right side to the main entrance and all devotees must seek their permission and pray to them to see the goddess inside. This is to show that the Lokanarkavu Durga holds these people to the highest esteem and she had followed them wherever they went and their happiness is her prime importance. It is said that the prayers done without praying to these ancestors goes much unheard. the aryan successors are called Nagariks and they form a formidable cast with just malayala Brahmins above them in cast equations.

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