Parappadam Devi temple is located at Illikkal on the Kottayam – Kumarakom road in Kottayam district, Kerala. The 8-day annual festival is observed in such a manner that it ends on Aswathy nakshatra in Meenam month.
The goddess worshipped in the temple is Goddess Bhadrakali. It is believed that the Shakti of Kodungallur bhagavathy is worshipped in the shrine. The temple is nearly 500 years old. Parappadam Devi is the fierce form of Goddess Kali who had just killed Darika.
The belief is that the murti appeared as a result of the intense devotion of Thumbayil Karnavar who was unable to go to Kodungallur due to old age. It was first discovered among creepers and climbers. First a temporary temple was created later. Later Thekkumkoor king built the temple.
The Upa Devatas worshiped in the temple are Kshetrapala, Ganapathy, Shiva, Sastha and Naga Devatas.
During the flag hoisting ceremony of the temple festival, a Muslim family fires gun. This is because the Thekkumkoor king had asked Vazhakkoottathil Mammali to safeguard the Devi murti until temple was constructed. Mammali was the commander of the Thekkumkoor Naval Force. Even today at the time of Kodiyettu, a chosen member from the Vazhakoottam family, who are Muslims, fires the gun. This custom has been in practice for centuries. Historians opine that this is a privilege given to the Vazhakoottam family by the then ruler of Thekkumkoor for protecting the murti of goddess during the time of temple construction.