Nanthiattukunnam Kalikavu temple is located at Nanthiattukunnam near North Paravur in Ernakulam district, Kerala. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Sri Muthi (Bhadrakali). The annual Valiya Vilakku festival is held in Kumbham 12 (usually on February 24 or February 25). The prathishta in the temple is Kannadi Shila Pratishta.
Legend has it that five goddesses worshipped in Kodungallur, Kottuvally, Trikkapuram, Kalikulangara and Thonniyakavu arrived from a distant place here.
An important offering here is Thendu made of jaggery and rice. The same offering which has the length of a human being is known as 'aal thend.'
The rituals associated with the annual festival last for 41 days and the Valiya Vilakku is the final day of the festival. The annual festival is famous for Pongala rituals.
The valiya vilakku is made of
wooden frame on which banana plantains are attached to it. It is lightened using
natural lamps and hundreds of people carry it on their shoulders and complete several
rounds around the temple.
A unique offering made here is broom by women to be blessed with long hair and to overcome hair related problems.