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Valliyoorkavu Bhagavathy Temple – Festival – Valliyoorkavu Mahotsavam

Valliyoorkavu Bhagavathy temple is located near Mananthavady in Wayanad district, Kerala. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathy. The temple is famous for its 14-day annual festival and it falls in Malayalam month of Meenam (From 1-14) (March 15 to March 28).   

The sword of Valliyoorkavil Amma is brought from the Palliyara Bhagavathy temple at Pandikkadavu near Mananthavady by the chief priest on the first day, which marks the beginning of the festival. The kodiyettam (ceremonial flag hoisting) is performed on the seventh day of the festival by tribal chieftains.

The temple has numerous unique temple rituals including the oppana varavu, a procession from Cheramkode Bhagavathy temple at Kallody near Mananthavady and Adiyaras, a procession with tender coconut for abhishekam (ablution) marks the arattu of Valliyoorkavil Amma. The festival concludes when the oppana varavu returns to Cheramkode Bhagavathy temple after the rudhirakkolam, a symbolic fight between Goddess Bhagavathy and the demon king, Darika. Bhagavathy annihilates the demon. 

Performance of traditional ritual arts like Kalamezhuthum pattum, Eedum koorum (a special dance performed by oracles) and Sopana Nritham are part of the annual festival. A tribal dance performed by the tribes here using folk percussion instruments is another highlight of the festival.

This is a small temple with no major structures. The shrine is surrounded by a Kavu (grove).

Goddess Bhagavathy is worshipped here in three forms – Vana Durga, Bhadrakali and Jala Durga.

The annual puthari utsavam is held in Thula Masam (October - November)