Kaliyattakavu Bhagavathi Temple Festival

About this event

The Kaliyattakavu Bhagavathi Temple Festival, also known as Kozhikaliyatta Mahotsavam, is a traditional religious celebration held at Kaliyattakavu Bhagavathi Temple in Moonniyur, Malappuram district. The temple belongs to the Vili Velli Nair family and is dedicated to Ammancherry Bhagavathi, a form of the goddess worshipped as the presiding deity of the shrine. The annual festival is rooted in distinctive local ritual traditions and attracts substantial participation from devotees and communities in the surrounding area. The temple follows a seasonal pattern of opening, with the shrine functioning for 57 days during two periods of the year, including a second phase during the Mandala season. The main festival takes place during the month of Edavam and forms an important part of the temple’s ritual calendar. The celebrations are characterised by a range of traditional observances associated with the goddess and the ancestral rights of the Vili Velli Nair family. Kerala Tourism records ritual traditions including Velan, Makomaram, Mannaan, Kottum Paattum, Eezhavan, Kalasam, Ayngudikkar, Alavu, Harijanangal, Kuthira, Kaavutheendal and Perumbarayan. These practices reflect the distinctive ritual culture of Malabar, in which different hereditary communities and ceremonial roles form part of the festival tradition. The festival is particularly notable for its strong community participation, with devotees gathering at the temple for the various rituals and ceremonies. Kerala Tourism lists the Kaliyattakavu Bhagavathi Temple Festival among Kerala’s monsoon-season festivals and recorded the 2026 celebration for May 18, corresponding to Edavam 4 in the Malayalam calendar. The broader festival tradition is also associated with Kaliyattam and ritual processions, while the exact sequence and form of ceremonies follow the customary practices of the temple. Rather than being primarily a programme of stage performances, the celebration is centred on worship, ritual observances and community participation. The temple and festival therefore offer an opportunity to experience a distinctive aspect of Malabar’s living ritual heritage, where religious practice and traditional community customs remain closely connected. Visitors attending the festival should respect the sanctity of the temple and follow instructions issued by the temple authorities, particularly during ritual ceremonies and periods of heavy attendance. The exact programme can vary according to the temple’s arrangements and the Malayalam calendar

🚆 Railway: Parappanangadi Railway Station — approximately 7.6 km from Kaliyattakavu Bhagavathi Temple, according to Kerala Tourism.

✈️ Airport: Calicut International Airport — approximately 17.7 km from the temple, according to Kerala Tourism.

🚌 Bus: Kaliyatta Kavu Bus Stop — approximately 20 metres from the temple. Kaliyattamukku Palli is about 110 metres away.

🏨 Stay: Hotels and other accommodation are available in nearby Parappanangadi, Tirurangadi and surrounding towns.

✅ Notes: The festival is officially listed by Kerala Tourism as the Kaliyattakavu Bhagavathi Temple Festival at Moonniyur, Malappuram. The 2026 edition was scheduled for May 18, 2026 (Edavam 4). The temple’s traditional rituals involve several community-specific ceremonial roles, and the celebrations can attract substantial public participation. Visitors should follow temple customs and the directions of the authorities during festival observances.