Madayi - Goddess worshipped by Rajas of Chirakkal

Madayi,a nearby place of Payyanur(Kannur) is a historically important location as it is mentioned by historians like Ptolemy, Plini and Marcopolo. A fort constructed by Tippu, the sultan of Mysore, which is now in a dilapidated state can also be seen at Madayi. But,undoubtedly, the main attraction of the place is none other than the fascinating Madayikavu(aka Thiruvarkadu) temple.The principal deity worshipped here is Bhadrakali in her fiercest attribute.

The main view of the temple is towards east. As one step into the Naalambalam, he could see the shrine of Lord Shiva homing a Shiva Linga ornamented with three eyes and a half moon. As we move on to the southern side of the Naalambalam, Devi's splendid chamber will be visible with idol facing west. On the left side of the Sree Kovil,idols of Sapthamathakkal(Seven Mothers - Brahmani, Maheshvari, Kaumari, Vaishnavi, Varahi, Indrani and Chamunda), who went along with Bhadrakali to kill demon Daruka, were placed. The main idol of devi will be around five feet tall, as sitting on a golden pedestal with weapons on its four hands. The idol is neither of stone nor of wood but made with 'Kadusarkkarayogam' which is a rarity. Another idol made of Kadusarkkarayogam is the one at the famous Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple at Trivandrum. The temple is said to have an age of more than one thousand years.

When the doors of the sanctum sanctorum are unlatched at the time of deeparadhana, amid sonorous chantings and jingling bells, one feels himself risen up in ecstasy as he visualizes the idol, haloed with golden crown, begemmed with ornaments and outfitted with aristocratic scarlet silk, is transforming into a dazzling beacon of tawny-red. Usually, the main idol is not offered with abhishekam as it is made of soluble substances. For such purposes, another small idol is kept in a separate chamber inside the Sree Kovil. Moosaths(Saktheya Brahmins) are the ones who are performing the rites for the principal deity of Madaikavu.

The main festival(also called as Madayi pooram) of the temple will fall in the month of Meenam which lasts for seven days. Perumkaliyattom is performed as a part of the Kalasotsavam in Edavam.The temple is belonged to the Chirakkal Kovilakom and Madayi Bhagavathy rescued the Rajas of Chirakkal from numerous attacks of enemies.