Azhakodi Devi Temple (Malayalam: à ´ à ´´à ´Âà µÂà ´Âà ´¿ à ´¦à µÂà ´µà µÂà ´Âà µÂà ´·à µÂà ´¤à µÂà ´°à ´Â) or Azhakodi Devi Mahakshethram is a Hindu temple located in Thiruthiyad, Kozhikode District, Kerala, South India. It is one of the famous Devi temples, situated hardly 1.5 km away from the Mofussil Bus stand and 2.5 km from the KSRTC Bus stand, the area still retains the beauty and charm of un-spoilt rural settings within the heart of the Kozhikode city. The temple and the Kalayana Mandapom (Azhakodi Devi Mandiram) are administered by the Malabar Devaswom Board.
The most ancient and historically renowned temple "Azhakodi Devi Mahashekthram" has its deity in the form of "Bhadrakali" in a calm disposition. The temple consists of seven maternal incarnations: Brahmani, Maheshvari, Kaumari, Vaishnavi, Varahi, Indrani and Chamundi. A sivalinga is also present.
There is a legend behind this temple, that the samoothiri entrusted six of his generals to the temple "Arikkodikkavu" which is now renowned as Azhakodi Devi mahashekthram. An idol of "Bhavani Devi" was also given by the samoothiri which was given to him by the traders of Gujarat. The generals were instructed to place the idol adjacent to the "Bhagavathi Idol" in the "Arikkodikkavu" sreekovil and worship the same. The temple till 1965 known as "Arikkodikkavu" was later renamed as "Azhakodi Devi Mahashekthram".
During the Malayalam month of "Medom", Kodiyettem is celebrated on the "Uthrattadi Nakshathram". Pallivetta is celebrated on the "Thiruvathira Nakshathram", and "Arrattu" is conducted on the "Punartham Nakshathram"."Bhagavatha Saptaham" is also conducted every year. The other festivals are "Navarathri Mahotsavam" and "Vijayadasami Pooja".
This temple is situated at Thiruthiyad which is at the heart of the Kozhikode city. This temple is governed by the elected members. The Malabar Devaswom Board has a direct access towards the day-to-day activities of the temple.
Centuries ago, the site of âÂÂAzhakodi Devi Mahashekthramâ was believed to have been an islet bordered by ocean in the west. Because of its islet form, the region was then called âÂÂThuruthnaduâÂÂ. âÂÂThuruthuâ meaning islet and âÂÂNaduâ meaning region. But with time, âÂÂThuruthunaduâ came to be known as âÂÂThiruthiyaduâÂÂ. Writing the letter 'Aaaaa' on the tip of the childâÂÂs tongue, many seek the blessing of âÂÂVidhya Deviâ (The goddess of knowledge). It is indeed a spectacle to see hundreds of children gathered at the temple on the day of Vidhyarambhamâ to be initiated into learning. It is during the full moon phase in the month of âÂÂAshwiniâ that the âÂÂNavarathriâ festival is celebrated all over India. In Bengal the 10-day festival is celebrated as âÂÂDurga poojaâÂÂ, while in Karnataka it is celebrated as âÂÂDusseraâÂÂ. In kerala it is celebrated as âÂÂSaraswathi poojaâÂÂ. The 10th day of the celebration is marked as Lord RamaâÂÂs victory over the demon king âÂÂRavanaâÂÂ. This festival is also known as âÂÂAyudha PoojaâÂÂ, meaning the worship of weapons. The 10-day-long âÂÂSaraswathi Poojaâ is celebrated in grant manner every year.
One of the most popular offerings to the goddess at âÂÂAzhakodi Devi Mahashekthramâ is the âÂÂSwayamvara PushpanjaliâÂÂ, offered by young girls of marriageable age. Young girls, from far & wide, make the offering hoping to win a suitor and thousands will bear testimony to the goddessâÂÂs benevolence.
Ancient sculptures have it that the saffron powder, âÂÂSindhoorâÂÂ, on the forehead of the âÂÂApsarasâÂÂ, Urvasi and Menaka and the shimmer of the rubies on the DevaâÂÂs crown are caused by the red colour on DeviâÂÂs feet. It is believed that when they pay respect to Devi by lying prostrate; touching the DeviâÂÂs feet, their forehead or crown touch & take the âÂÂsindhoorâ from her feet. The âÂÂsindhoorâ on the forehead of married women symbolizes that they have said their prayers and paid respect to Devi. Azhakodi Devi Mahashekthramâ is unique because it is the only temple in Kerala which has two forms of Devi as the deities.
The idol of lord shiva at âÂÂAzhakodi Devi Mahashekthramâ symbolizes âÂÂAnthimahakaalanâ dancing at dusk, while Nataraja symbolizes the rhythmic Thandava danced by Lord Shiva, âÂÂAnthimahakaalanâ is the sensuous dance performed by him along with goddess âÂÂParvathiâÂÂ.
OneâÂÂs visit to âÂÂAzhakodi Devi Mahashekthramâ is not considered complete, unless he or she visits the âÂÂKizhakkekavuâ (the kavu on the east). This is so because it is believed that âÂÂKaliâ the goddess who protects us is believed to be the deity at the âÂÂKizhakkekavuâÂÂ.
One of the wonders of âÂÂAzhakodi Devi Mahashekthramâ was the banayan tree on the eastern side of the main entrance to the temple. On the Banyan treeâÂÂs trunk, about six feet above the ground, a palm tree grew, tall and healthy. Together, they used to look like a mother carrying her child on her hip. For years, they remained a great sight for one and all. A wonder indeed!
Legend has it that the erstwhile ruler of "Kozhikode", the Samoothiri, gave six of his generals to the temple "Arikkodikkavu", which is presently the renowned "Azhakodi Devi Mahashekthram". The Samoothiri also gave them an Idol of âÂÂBavani Deviâ which had been given to him by traders from Gujarath. He instructed his generals to place the idol adjacent to the âÂÂBaghavathiâ idol in the âÂÂArikkodikkavuâ Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) and worship the same. During Tippu Sultan's âÂÂPadayottamâ the priests of âÂÂArikkodikavuâÂÂ, to safeguard the Idol, are believed to have pulled out the Idol and hidden it in the templeâÂÂs tank. It was a practice during the British rule to try the accused.
The presiding deity at âÂÂAzhakodi Devi mahashekthramâ is Devi in the form of âÂÂBhadrakaliâ in a calm disposition. To her right is goddess âÂÂBhuvaneswariâ and to her left are the seven maternal incarnationsâ Brahmani, Maaheshwari, Kowmari, Vaishnavi, Vaarahi, Indrani and Chamundi. A sivalinga, too, is present.
The Studi of Azhakodi Devi mahashekthram Bhadrakali bedecked with Sword, Kapalam, Trident, Crescent Moon, and Snake; and as fair as a new cloud is the incarnation at âÂÂAzhakodi Devi MahashekthramâÂÂ. Devi blesses her devotees with long lasting married life. She protects her devotees from enemies and she bestows knowledge.
Lord âÂÂShasthaâ along with his wife âÂÂPrabhaâÂÂ, son âÂÂSathyakanâ and decorated in red is the deity here. To his right is âÂÂDhakshinamurthiâ and to his left is the elephant god, âÂÂGanapathiâÂÂ. Meditating lord Dhakshinamurthi Having lost his wife âÂÂSatiâ in âÂÂDhakshayagaâ lord âÂÂShivaâ meditated. Dhakshinamurthi is the meditative form of Lord Shiva.
âÂÂGanapathiâ is the son of lord âÂÂShivaâ and âÂÂParvathiâÂÂ. His Idols are present at the Agnikone of the DeviâÂÂs shrine and also adjacent to that of lord âÂÂShasthaâÂÂ.
âÂÂThripurasâÂÂ, the demons, pleased lord âÂÂShivaâ and gained powers that made them unconquerable. When they started abusing their mighty powers, lord âÂÂShivaâ through his third eye gave form to an incarnation that reduced the âÂÂTripurasâ to ashes. This incarnation of lord âÂÂShivaâÂÂ, âÂÂUnnithripurandakanâ presides there.
Lord âÂÂShivaâÂÂ, posing as a dancer at dusk is known as âÂÂAnthimahakalanâÂÂ.
The child of âÂÂDevakiâ and âÂÂVasudevaâ in his âÂÂVenugopalaâ form (the cowherd who carries a flute) is the deity here. âÂÂAshtamirohiniâ and guruvayoor Ekadesi are observed there.
âÂÂKizhakkekavuâ (the kavu on the east) houses âÂÂKaliâ the goddess who protects the worshipers, is believed to be the deity at the âÂÂKizhakkekavuâÂÂ.