Kadampuzha Bhagawathy Temple
Kadampuzha (meaning Forest River) is a famous temple dedicated to the mother goddess. This place is on the road between Shoranur and Calicut. The nearest railway station is Kuttipuram. One can reach the temple from Guruvayur also.
The goddess in this temple is in the form of a huntress. She took this form when Shiva took the form of a hunter to test the discipline of Arjuna, before giving him the 'Pasupathasthra'. Duryodhana in order to kill Arjuna had sent a wild boar to attack him. Both Arjuna as well as Lord Shiva in the form of a hunter shot arrows at the boar. Both claimed that the boar was killed by their arrow. A fight ensued and though Arjuna shot many arrows at the lord, all arrows turned into flower garlands. They reconciled and later, the Goddess and Lord Shiva blessed Arjuna and gave him the Pasupathasthra.
The 'Ashta Mangalya Prasnam' conducted at the temple indicates that this temple is 1900 years old. It is told that when Adi Sankara was passing this way, he saw a fierce light emanating from a cavity in the ground at this place. Through his divine intellect he could grasp that Goddess was present here in a 'roudra bhava' (very furious form). He decided to consecrate her there and he was helped in this job by a Varrier family. Even today this Varrier family lives near the temple and manages it.
Every Friday night, the idol of the Goddess is completely covered and hidden by 'Thechi' flowers (Ixora coccinea) which is the favorite flower of the Goddess. This ritual is called “Poo-moodal" (covering with flowers). The expense for this is normally met by the devotees as an offering. This is so popular that there is a waiting list for conducting this ritual till the year 2020.
Another interesting ritual here is 'Muttu Neekal' (Removal of obstacles). This is done by the priest by breaking a coconut while calling out our name and stating our problem. If it breaks properly into two equal halves, it is believed that his problem would be solved. If not, he breaks another coconut. It is believed that the water from the coconut when broken, falls into the hole where Bhagawathy is believed to be residing and being pleased she blesses for the removal of the obstacle. Muttu Neekal is done for getting knowledge, welfare of children, getting freedom from disease, getting married, owning a trouble free vehicle and so on.
This temple is open from 6 Am to 12 Noon and in the evenings between 5 PM to 6 PM. No body goes to the temple after 6 PM.