Kadampuzha Bhagavathy temple is located in Kadampuzha, a Malappuram district, Kerala, India. This place is on the road between Shornur and Calicut. The temple is dedicated to the Goddess Durga. There is no idol other than Maa Durga. The goddess in the temple is in the form of huntress. There is a mythological story behind this temple.



 

It is believed that Goddess took a form of huntress when Lord Shiva was in the embodiment of a hunter to test Arjun, who performing a hard penance to get a boon “Pasupathasthra” a powerful arrow from Lord Shiva. Duryodhana had sent a wild boar to kill Arjun. Both Arjun and Shiva in the form of hunter shot arrows at the boar. Both claimed that the boar was killed by their arrows. In that anger, Arjun shot many arrows at Lord Shiva, all arrows turned into flowers. Then, Arjun realized his mistake and bow down in front of Shiva. And Goddess and Shiva blessed Arjun and gave him the Pasupathasthra.



 

It is said that the temple is 1900 years old. It is also believed that when Adi Sankara was passing this way, he saw a ferocious light originating from a cavity in the ground at this place. He thought that he could grasp that Goddess who was present there in a Raudra Bhava. He decided to consecrate her there and he was also helped for this work by a warrior family. Even today that warrior family lives near the temple and manages it. Every Friday night, the idol of Goddess is completely covered and hidden by ‘Thechi’ flowers which are considered to be the favorite flowers of Goddess. This ritual is called Poo-moodal. This temple is so popular that there is a waiting list for performing this ritual till the year 2020.



 

There is another ritual which is performed with full zealous called Muttu Neekal (Removal of Obstacles). This is done by the priest by breaking a coconut while calling out the name and stating our problems. If it breaks into two equal halves, it is believed that his problem would be solved. If not, he breaks another coconut. It is also believed that the water from the coconut falls into the hole where Goddess residing. She blesses for the removal of the obstacle. This ritual is done for getting knowledge, welfare of children, to get rid from diseases etc.