Azhakodi Devi Mahakshethram, located in Thiruthiyad, Kozhikode, is an ancient and revered temple dedicated to Goddess Bhadrakali in a serene form.
Just a short distance from the city's main bus stands, the temple beautifully blends the spiritual aura of rural charm within the heart of Kozhikode. It is managed by the Malabar Devaswom Board and features the divine presence of the seven mother goddesses—Brahmani, Maheshvari, Kaumari, Vaishnavi, Varahi, Indrani, and Chamundi—along with a Sivalinga.Azhakodi Devi Mahashekthram, formerly known as Arikkodikkavu, has a rich legend tied to the Samoothiri (Zamorin) of Kozhikode.
It is believed that the Samoothiri entrusted six of his generals to oversee the Arikkodikkavu temple and presented an idol of Bhavani Devi—gifted to him by Gujarati traders—to be installed beside the original Bhagavathi idol in the Sreekovil (sanctum). The temple was renamed Azhakodi Devi Mahashekthram in 1965.
Located in Thiruthiyad, at the heart of Kozhikode city, the temple celebrates vibrant festivals including Kodiyettem during the Malayalam month of Medom on Uthrattadi Nakshathram, Pallivetta on Thiruvathira Nakshathram, and Arrattu on Punartham Nakshathram.
Annual highlights also include the Bhagavatha Saptaham, Navarathri Mahotsavam, and Vijayadasami Pooja. The temple is managed by an elected committee under the supervision of the Malabar Devaswom Board. Centuries ago, the location of Azhakodi Devi Mahashekthram was believed to be an islet surrounded by the ocean on its western side, hence the area was once called Thuruthunadu — with Thuruthu meaning islet and Nadu meaning region. Over time, the name evolved into Thiruthiyadu. A special ritual here involves writing the letter "Aaa" on a child's tongue to invoke the blessings of Vidhya Devi, the Goddess of Knowledge.
On the day of Vidhyarambham, it is a heartwarming sight to see hundreds of children initiated into learning at the temple.
The temple also celebrates Navarathri with great devotion during the full moon phase in the month of Ashwini. This pan-Indian festival takes different forms across states — Durga Pooja in Bengal, Dussera in Karnataka, and Saraswathi Pooja in Kerala. The tenth day marks Vijayadashami, symbolizing Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana, and is also observed as Ayudha Pooja, the worship of tools and instruments. The temple hosts the ten-day Saraswathi Pooja with grandeur every year.
One of the most popular offerings at Azhakodi Devi Mahashekthram is the Swayamvara Pushpanjali, performed by young girls seeking a suitable life partner. Many devotees believe in the goddess’s grace, as numerous success stories are attributed to this ritual.
According to ancient legends and sculptures, the reddish glow of *sindhoor* on the foreheads of celestial nymphs like Urvasi and Menaka, and the gleam of rubies on divine crowns, are said to come from the sacred red hue on Devi’s feet. As they prostrate before the goddess, their foreheads or crowns touch her feet, taking on the Sindhoor. This same sindhoor symbolizes reverence in the lives of married women who wear it after offering prayers to the Devi.
Azhakodi Devi Mahashekthram is distinct in Kerala as the only temple with two forms of Devi as presiding deities. The temple also houses a unique idol of Lord Shiva in the form of Anthimahakaalan, symbolizing a powerful twilight dance, which differs from the usual depiction of Shiva as Nataraja performing the cosmic Thandava. This dance form is shared with Goddess Parvathi in divine harmony.
A visit to the temple is considered incomplete without paying respects at the Kizhakkekavu (eastern grove), where Goddess Kali is believed to reside as the fierce protector.
A natural wonder once graced the temple grounds — a banyan tree at the eastern entrance with a palm tree growing from its trunk, six feet above the ground. The two trees, intertwined, resembled a mother holding her child on her hip, captivating devotees and visitors for years. The presiding deity of Azhakodi Devi Mahashekthram is Goddess Bhadrakali, enshrined in a calm and benevolent form.
To her right stands Goddess Bhuvaneswari, and to her left are the seven divine maternal manifestations: Brahmani, Maheshwari, Kaumari, Vaishnavi, Varahi, Indrani, and Chamundi. A Sivalinga is also present within the sanctum, signifying the presence of Lord Shiva.
The idol of Bhadrakali at the temple is adorned with symbolic emblems such as the sword, kapalam (skull bowl), trident, crescent moon, and serpent. Radiant like a fresh rain cloud, she blesses her devotees with a blissful married life, protection from adversaries, and the gift of knowledge.
Among the sub-deities, Lord Shastha is worshipped along with his consort Prabha and their son Sathyakan, all richly adorned in red. Flanking him are Lord Dakshinamurthi on the right and Lord Ganapathi on the left. Other deities worshipped in the temple include Ganapathi, Unnithripurandakan, Anthimahakalan, and Lord Sreekrishna.
A special sanctum known as Kizhakkekavu (eastern grove) is dedicated to Goddess Kali, revered as the fierce and protective guardian of the temple and its devotees.
അഴകൊടി ദേവീ മഹാക്ഷേത്രം
കേരളത്തിലെ കോഴിക്കോട് നഗരത്തിലെ തിരുത്തിയാട്ട് സ്ഥിതിചെയ്യുന്ന ഒരു പ്രശസ്തമായ ഭഗവതി ക്ഷേത്രമാണ് ശ്രീ അഴകൊടി ദേവി മഹാക്ഷേത്രം. ഈ ക്ഷേത്രത്തിലെ പ്രധാന പ്രതിഷ്ഠ ജഗദീശ്വരിയും ആദിപരാശക്തിയുമായ ശ്രീ ഭദ്രകാളി ആണ്. ശാന്തസ്വരൂപിയായ ഭദ്രകാളിയാണ് ഇവിടെ സങ്കല്പിച്ചിരിക്കുന്നത്.
ഭദ്രകാളിയോടൊപ്പം തുല്യപ്രാധാന്യമുള്ള ഭഗവതികളായ ശ്രീ ദുർഗ്ഗയും ഭുവനേശ്വരിയും ഇവിടെയാണ് പ്രതിഷ്ഠിക്കപ്പെട്ടിരിക്കുന്നത്. കൂടാതെ, ഗണപതി (രണ്ട് രൂപങ്ങൾ), ദക്ഷിണാമൂർത്തി (ശിവൻ), ശ്രീകൃഷ്ണൻ, ത്രിപുരാന്തകൻ, വേട്ടക്കൊരുമകൻ, സപ്തമാതൃക്കകൾ, വീരഭദ്രൻ, ശാസ്താവ്, നാഗദൈവങ്ങൾ, ബ്രഹ്മരക്ഷസ്സ് എന്നിവയും ഉപദേവതകളായി ക്ഷേത്രപരിസരത്തുണ്ട്.
ഉത്തരകേരളത്തിലെ പ്രധാന ദേവീക്ഷേത്രങ്ങളിൽ ഒന്ന് എന്ന നിലയിൽ അഴകൊടി ദേവിക്ഷേത്രം വളരെ സുപ്രധാനമാണ്, ആചാരപരമായും, ആസ്തികവിശ്വാസപരമായും.ശ്രീ അഴകൊടി ദേവി മഹാക്ഷേത്രത്തിൽ മേടമാസത്തിലെ പുണർതം നക്ഷത്രം ആയുള്ള ദിവസത്തിൽ ആറാട്ടോടെ സമാപിക്കുന്ന എട്ടുദിവസത്തെ ഉത്സവമാണ് ആഘോഷിക്കപ്പെടുന്നത്. നവരാത്രി, ക്ഷേത്രത്തിൽ ഏറെ വിശേഷപ്പെട്ട ദിവസങ്ങളിലൊന്നായി ആഘോഷിക്കപ്പെടുന്നു.
മുന്‍കാലങ്ങളില്‍ കനലാട്ടം എന്ന ആചാരം പതിവായി നടന്നിരുന്നുവെന്ന് പ്രായംചെന്ന വലിയവർ ഓർക്കുന്നു. ഏകദേശം 40 കുറ്റി പ്ളാവ് കൊണ്ടായിരുന്നു കനലാട്ടം നടത്തുന്നത് എന്നാണ് വിശ്വാസം. പൂജാരി തെച്ചിമാല അണിയിച്ച് സത്യം ചൊല്ലാനുള്ള രീതിയും അന്ന് നിലനിന്നിരുന്നുവത്രെ.
ശ്രീ അഴകൊടി ദേവി മഹാക്ഷേത്രം ഇപ്പോള്‍ മലബാർ ദേവസ്വം ബോർഡിന്റെ കീഴിലായാണ് പ്രവര്‍ത്തിക്കുന്നത്.
Address:
Azhakodi Nagar,
Thiruthiyad,
Kozhikode, Kerala 673004
