Elanjimel Vallikavu temple is located at Budhanoor near Mavelikara in Alappuzha district, Kerala. The shrine is dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathi or Devi. There are two groves or kavu – Thekke Kavu (South) and Vadakke Kavu (North). The important kavu is the Vadakke Kavu.
The main murti worshipped in the kavu is Goddess Bhadrakali. The deity faces east.
Women are not allowed inside the Vadakke Kavu. Men are not allowed to view the bimbam or vigraham.
Only the eastern side door of the temple is opened. The shrine is only open on Sunday, Tuesday and Friday. Apart from these days, shrine is open on the first day of Malayalam month and also from Vrischikam 1 to Dhanu 1 for 32 days.
Pujari in the temple is a Kuruppu. Nadapanthal is on the south side of the temple. The temple belonged to Mundappali family.
Elanjimel Vallikavu Temple Festival
The main festival begins on the Chathayam nakshatra in Chingam month. The festival lasts for 14 days and is known as Maka Mahotsavam. Kalamezhuthu pattu is held on all fourteen days and the most important day is the 12th day.
Padayani is held in Kumbham month.
The main naivedya in the temple is kalapodi made from rice powder, turmeric powder, kari podi and vakayila podi. This powder is used in Kalamezhuthu pattu. Other naivedyams include vara podi, honey and therali.
As per belief, the Thekke kavu temple was made later. The puja is here performed by Brahmin priest. Goddess Bhagavathi is worshipped here too. The Upa Devatas are Indalayappan, Yakshi Amma, and Bhuta Ganas. Legend has it that Vilwamangalam Swamiyar sat in bhajana here.
The grove of the temple is home to numerous monkeys.