Azhakodi Devi Temple Festival

About this event

The annual Mahotsavam at Azhakodi Devi Mahakshetram in Thiruthiyadu, Kozhikode, is a prominent religious celebration centred on the worship of Bhadrakali. The temple, noted for its Kerala-style architecture, also houses the seven maternal forms—Brahmani, Maheshwari, Kaumari, Vaishnavi, Varahi, Indrani and Chamundi—along with a Shiva shrine. The festival is held in the Malayalam month of Medam, corresponding roughly to mid-April to mid-May, and begins with Kodiyettam, the ceremonial hoisting of the festival flag, on the Utrattathi asterism. The celebrations include a sequence of daily temple rituals and devotional observances, creating an atmosphere of worship and communal participation. Kazhchasheveli, Ucha Pooja, Prasada Oottu and Deeparadhana form part of the festival programme, while Thayambaka and Panchavadyam bring the distinctive rhythms of Kerala temple music to the festivities. Traditional performing arts are also an important feature, with Ottan Thullal and Chakyar Koothu presented during the festival, alongside dance, music programmes, Aksharaslokam and Tholpavakoothu. The festival also features an elephant procession as part of its ceremonial observances. Among the principal ritual milestones are Pallivetta, observed on the Thiruvathira asterism, and Aarattu, the ceremonial bathing of the deity, which takes place on the final day after the festival flag is lowered. The concluding Aarattu is accompanied by Yathrabali and an elephant procession, giving the closing rituals a distinctive ceremonial character. The temple’s annual celebration reflects the devotional traditions of northern Kerala while bringing together ritual worship, percussion, classical and folk performance, and community participation within the temple precincts. A yearly Bhagavatha Saptaham is also associated with the temple. For visitors interested in Kerala’s religious heritage, the Mahotsavam offers an opportunity to observe established temple rituals and traditional art forms in their customary setting, while respecting the sanctity and practices of the shrine.

🚆 Railway: Vellayil Railway Station — approximately 2 km from the temple; Kozhikode railway facilities are also accessible from the city.

✈️ Airport: Calicut International Airport — approximately 29 km.

🚌 Bus: Arayidathupalam Bus Stop is approximately 800 m from the temple. Kozhikode city bus services also provide access to the area.

🏨 Stay: Hotels, homestays and other accredited accommodation options are available in Kozhikode; Kerala Tourism maintains an official directory of registered accommodation providers.

✅ Notes: The annual Mahotsavam is held in Medam. Kerala Tourism describes the festival as a nine-day celebration beginning with Kodiyettam on Utrattathi and concluding with Aarattu on Punartham; an official festival inventory document records the programme as eight days, so visitors should confirm the current year's schedule with the temple before planning around specific rituals. The celebration is the temple's annual Mahotsavam rather than a separately identified Pooram festival.