Kadakkal devi temple is located on the eastern part of Kollam district and is approximately 15 minutes drive from Nilamel Junction on MC Road and is also one of the ancient shrines of devi worship in Southern Kerala. The devi is called as Kadakalamma, the devi with all the love and care of a mother, by the devotees.
Kadakkal temple has three main temples situated equal distances in three directions from the temple Pond called Kadakkal Chira. The main temples are the Devi Temple, the Shiva Temple and the Taliyil Temple respectively. The uniqueness of the main Devi temple is that there is no idol or priest.
The temple festival Kadakkal Thiruvathira festival is very popular. During Festival thousands of devotees visit Kadakkal to worship the omnipotent 'Devi'. The first day of the festival, thousands of ladies offer Pongal (Kadakkal Pongala) to Devi at the temple ground. The festival starts with Kuthirayeduppu (procession of horses) which is a grand procession followed by various forms of pageants. The festival ends with Guruthi, a spiritual ritual performed in the last day of Thiruvathira festival.
The temple is renowned for its unique mythology and belief. It is believed that one who worships and offering rituals to devi, will be protected from evil and their life will be filled with prosperity and wealth.
The temple festival Kadakkal Thiruvathira festival is very popular. During Festival thousands of devotees visit Kadakkal to worship the omnipotent 'Devi'. The first day of the festival, thousands of ladies offer Pongal (Kadakkal Pongala) to Devi at the temple ground. The festival starts with Kuthirayeduppu (procession of horses) which is a grand procession followed by various forms of pageants. The festival ends with Guruthi, a spiritual ritual performed in the last day of Thiruvathira festival.
The temple is renowned for its unique mythology and belief. It is believed that one who worships and offering rituals to devi, will be protected from evil and their life will be filled with prosperity and wealth.
According to lores and myths, it is believed that Kadakal devi came from Tamilnadu along with her sister, Anchal devi. Anchal is one of the nearby villages of Kadakkal. Kadakkal Devi rested on a Peedika (a small kind of trade shop made of wood) near by Kadakkal while Anchal Devi rested at Kadayattu Kalari near Anchal.
Another story is related with Panayappan, a tamil trader who had been killed by Kadakkal Devi as a revenge towards exploitting her family. After that she situated in Kadakkal Peedika, which became the sactum of the Present Kadakkal temple. The Nettur Kurup, who was the eye-witness of this incident got the permission from devi to do offerings and worship for Devi in the Peedika. Every year Devi's holy birthday, Thiruvathira of Kumbha is celebrated as Thiruvathira Festival and devotees amplify it as the regional festival of Kadakkal.
