Lokanarkavu Temple or Lokanarkavu Bhagavathi Temple is situated at
Memunda, about 5 km from Vadakara (or Badagara) in Kozhikode district of
Kerala. Also known as Lokamalayar Kavu Temple, Lokanarkavu is derived
from the Malayalam word Lokamalayarkavu which means Lokam (world) made
of Mala (mountain), Aaru (river) and Kavu (grove). The presiding deity
of Lokanarkavu Bhagavathi Temple is Goddess Durga who is named as Lokanarkavilamma (Lokanarkavil Amma). This 1500-year old Goddess Durga temple has two shrines dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva.
The three-rock cut caves in the temple premises are beautifully
engraved with carvings and murals. Lokanarkavu Temple is associated with
the heroes and heroines of the Vadakkanpattu (a collection of Malayalam
Ballads of medieval origin). Thacholi Othenon, the legendary martial
hero of Kerala, is said to have worshipped this temple daily.
Lokanarkavu Temple Festivals
Two annual festivals are celebrated here during the Malayalam months of Vrischikam (November - December) and Meenam (March - April).
Lokanarkavu Utsavam
This main festival of the temple, which lasts for 41 days, is held during the Malayalam month of Vrischikam (mid November to mid December). It is locally known as Mandalavilakku Festival or Mandala Utsavam. The unique feature of the festival is that it is only here a folk dance called Thacholikali is performed during the temple festival. Thacholikali is similar to the traditional martial art form called Kalarippayattu.
Large numbers of people from various places flock here to see this festival. Another attraction is that all the lamps on the walls of the Lokanarkavu Bhaghawathi Temple are lit on the occasion.
Meenam Festival
Meenam Festival at Lokanarkavu Temple is celebrated for eight days with Kodiyettam (flag hoisting) on the Rohini day and the Arattu (holy bath) on the Pooram day. The traditional dance performance of Theyyambadi Kurup is the special attraction on the fifth and the sixth days. On the seventh day is the Nadu Valam Vekka and Pallivetta (holy hunt). On the Pooram day is the Poorappattu and Poorakkali (a traditional dance ritual performed by men). Poorakali, conducted during night, is a fascinating event. Poorappattu includes theme from the life history of the Goddess. The idol of the goddess is taken for Arattu on the Pooram day.
Lokanarkavu Temple Timings
Lokanarkavu Bhagavathy Temple is opened from 4 AM to 9 AM and 5 pm to 8 pm every day.
How to Reach Lokanarkavu Temple
Railway Station / By Train
Vadakara Railway Station (also spelt Badagara Railway Station), managed by the Southern Railways, is the nearest railway station to reach Lokanarkavu Bhagavathi Temple. Situated on the Kozhikode - Mangalore railway line, some of the major trains passing through Vadakara Railway Station include Kannur Express, Parasuram Express, Mangalore Mail, Malabar Express, Chennai Mail, Maveli Express, West Coast Express, Netravathi Express, and Ernakulam Express.
By Road / By Bus
Lokanarkavu Temple is situated at Memunda about 6 km from Vadakara. National Highway 17 passes through Vadakara, and the place is around 48 km north of Kozhikode. Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and several private bus owners operate frequent bus services to Memunda.
By Air / Flight
The nearest airport to reach Lokanarkavu Temple is Karipur International Airport (Calicut International Airport), located at Karipur in the Malappuram district, Kerala. The airport is around 87 km from Memunda.
Tourist Attractions near Lokanarkavu Temple, Vadakara
Thacholi Manikkoth Temple, Memunda Madham Shiva Temple, Siddasramam (Siddha Ashram), Muthappan Kavu (Muthappan Mala), Pattayatt Ambalam, and Moyilothara Siva Temple are religious places situated near Lokanarkavu Temple, Vadakara. Memunda also has three rock-cut caves.
Lokanarkavu Temple Festivals
Two annual festivals are celebrated here during the Malayalam months of Vrischikam (November - December) and Meenam (March - April).
Lokanarkavu Utsavam
This main festival of the temple, which lasts for 41 days, is held during the Malayalam month of Vrischikam (mid November to mid December). It is locally known as Mandalavilakku Festival or Mandala Utsavam. The unique feature of the festival is that it is only here a folk dance called Thacholikali is performed during the temple festival. Thacholikali is similar to the traditional martial art form called Kalarippayattu.
Large numbers of people from various places flock here to see this festival. Another attraction is that all the lamps on the walls of the Lokanarkavu Bhaghawathi Temple are lit on the occasion.
Meenam Festival
Meenam Festival at Lokanarkavu Temple is celebrated for eight days with Kodiyettam (flag hoisting) on the Rohini day and the Arattu (holy bath) on the Pooram day. The traditional dance performance of Theyyambadi Kurup is the special attraction on the fifth and the sixth days. On the seventh day is the Nadu Valam Vekka and Pallivetta (holy hunt). On the Pooram day is the Poorappattu and Poorakkali (a traditional dance ritual performed by men). Poorakali, conducted during night, is a fascinating event. Poorappattu includes theme from the life history of the Goddess. The idol of the goddess is taken for Arattu on the Pooram day.
Lokanarkavu Temple Timings
Lokanarkavu Bhagavathy Temple is opened from 4 AM to 9 AM and 5 pm to 8 pm every day.How to Reach Lokanarkavu Temple
Railway Station / By Train
Vadakara Railway Station (also spelt Badagara Railway Station), managed by the Southern Railways, is the nearest railway station to reach Lokanarkavu Bhagavathi Temple. Situated on the Kozhikode - Mangalore railway line, some of the major trains passing through Vadakara Railway Station include Kannur Express, Parasuram Express, Mangalore Mail, Malabar Express, Chennai Mail, Maveli Express, West Coast Express, Netravathi Express, and Ernakulam Express.
By Road / By Bus
Lokanarkavu Temple is situated at Memunda about 6 km from Vadakara. National Highway 17 passes through Vadakara, and the place is around 48 km north of Kozhikode. Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and several private bus owners operate frequent bus services to Memunda.
By Air / Flight
The nearest airport to reach Lokanarkavu Temple is Karipur International Airport (Calicut International Airport), located at Karipur in the Malappuram district, Kerala. The airport is around 87 km from Memunda.
Tourist Attractions near Lokanarkavu Temple, Vadakara
Thacholi Manikkoth Temple, Memunda Madham Shiva Temple, Siddasramam (Siddha Ashram), Muthappan Kavu (Muthappan Mala), Pattayatt Ambalam, and Moyilothara Siva Temple are religious places situated near Lokanarkavu Temple, Vadakara. Memunda also has three rock-cut caves.
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