Vadakkanthara Thirupuraikkal Bhagavathy temple is located at Vadakkanthara in Palakkad district, Kerala. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Kannaki. The shrine is also known as Kachanam Kulam Thirupuraikkal Bhagavathy Temple, Thirupuraikkal Kannaki Amman Temple and Vadakkanthara Bhagavathy Temple. The annual Valiya Aarattu festival in the temple begins on the Revati nakshatra and ends on the Punartham nakshatram in Malayalam Medam month (April – May).
The seven day festival is famous for caparisoned elephants, temple art forms of Palakkad region, melam and fireworks. Kambham lighting – 9 posts fitted with fire crackers – is a major event in the shrine.
The famous Vadakkanthara Vela
festival also known as Valiya Vilakku Vela is held once in three years. This is
held during the second week of March. The temple is beautifully decorated on
the occasion. The murti is adorned with vegetables, fruits and flowers for the festival
rituals.
The main deities worshipped in the temple are Goddess Bhagavathi (Kannaki) and Sri Krishna (Vishnu) in two separate temples. The ancient shrine of Bhagavan Vishnu (Krishna) is located left of entrance and that of Goddess Kannaki is located to the right.
The upa devatas worshipped in the temple are Dhanvantari, Ayyappa, Nagas and Ganapathy. There is also a Shiva – Parvati temple in the same compound. Another interesting aspect is that Brahmarakshas is worshipped in the Shivling form in the temple.
The story of the temple is associated with the Kannagi legend. It is said that after burning down the city of Madurai, she reached the Palakkad region. Here she appeared in the dream of King Shekhara Varma and on Her directions the king built a temple known as Nadappathimannam temple.
This temple was completely destroyed by Tipu Sultan. Hindus of the area later recovered the divine peedam or seat of Devi and kept in at the Tharavathu family house in Vadakkanthara. The murti form of Goddess was consecrated under the fig tree near Vadakkanthara Ramapuram Vishnu temple.
This temple is one of the rare temples in Kerala in which Goddess Kannaki is worshipped in standing form.
The temple follows the traditional Kerala style temple architecture.
Morning puja and darshan timing is from 4:30 AM to 11:30 AM.
Evening puja and darshan timing is from 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM.