Kottuvallikkavu Bhagavahty Temple is considered
to be one of the rare Bhadrakali Temples in India. There is no evidence to
prove age of the temple but it is considered to be about a thousand years old.
The temple is situated in Valluvalli, almost in the middle of Kottuvalli
Village of Paravoor Taluk and near to NH 17. The Temple belongs to Azhvanchery
Thambrakkal. It is believed that the Idol of the Bhagavathy was found by a
woman working in the fields. In those days the Idol was kept under an Elanji
tree and worshipped. Even to this day the tree is seen very close
more
to the
temple. In ancient times all the thantric rites of the temple was entrusted by
the people to Azhvanchery Thambrakkal. The present temple structure was constructed
by Azhvanchery Thambrakkal and other thantric rites were performed under the
guidance of the Thambrakkal. The Sub- deities of this temple are Siva, Sastha,
Nagaraja, Brahma Rakshas, Yakshi, Ghandakarnan Swami. In olden
times the affairs of the temple were carried out by the family who found the
Idol and the people of the Valluvalli and Kadungallur villages. Even today they
have good relations with the affairs of the temple. The Velichapad of the
temple belongs to the family that found the Idol. The temple festival starting
with the kodiyettam (flag hoisting) is conducted by the people of Valluvalli
Village. The important function of the festival is thalapoli ezhunnullathu
which is conducted by the NSS Karayogam of Valluvalli Village and West
Kadungallur Village. The temple seven days festival starts in the avittom star
and ends in the bharani star of the Malayalam month Kumbham. The most important
events of the festival are the Ayiram Thiri Pooja and Ayiram Thiri Ottam which
are on the Kumbha Bharani Day. The Ayiram Thiri Ottam is a rare ritual
conducted only in Kottuvallikkavu Temple. After Ayiram Thiri Ottam there is
also a special ritual which is known as Aal Thookam. People from different
parts of the world come here to witness these holy rituals and to receive
blessings from the Goddess in Kottuvallikavu Temple.