Lokanarkavu or Lokamalayarkavu is a Hindu temple located in Vadakara Taluk Kozhikode district of Kerala, India. It is an ancient and prominent temple known for its historical and cultural significance in the region.
Lokanarkavu temples are very unique as three principal deities are housed in separate temples in a compound. All the three temples are of principal deities, with separate sanctum sanctorum, outer sanctorum, rituals, festivals etc. The deities are of Vishnu, Parasakthi, and Siva in sequential order of their age. Vishnu temple in its present form may be 2000 years old, while the Bhagawathi temple is approximately 1300 to 1500 years old. Siva temple is relatively newer,. approx. 400 years old.
The Vishnu idol is very unique and rare, as the idol stands with the right foot placed in forward mode. It is believed that the idol was sanctified and enshrined by none other than Lord Parasurama. The temple was very prosperous with its own pond, oottupura, koothambalam etc. When time passed, Goddess Bhagavathi temple was constructed adjacent to the Vishnu temple.
The history of Siva temple is that the Puduppanam Vazhunnavar (Puduppanam village Chief) had initiated the establishment of Siva temple around 300 – 400 years ago, with the concurrence of the Nagariks and Kadathanad Raja, in between the space available between Vishnu & Bhagavathy temple. The Shivalinga enshrined at the temple was retrieved from a ruined Siva temple elsewhere.
The Bhagawathi or Lokambika as is universally known is one of the four Ambikas, the other three, being. the famous Kollur Mookambika, the famous Hemambika (from where late Mrs Indira Gandhi choose her party’s symbol, the palm) near Palakkad, and Hemambika, again, at Kanyakumari, It is also heard Kodungallur Bhagavathi and Chottanikkara Bhagawati are Lokambikas. At Lokanarkavu, Bhagavathi is worshipped in three different forms, in the morning as Saraswathi,the Vidya Devatha, at noon as Lakshmi Devi, devatha of wealth, and in the evening as Bhadrakali,siva’s daughter, the destructor.
Legends like famous martial arts warrior Thacholi Othenan, Carnatic Music maestro Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar etc were ardent devotees of Amma Bhagavathi. Othenan’s birth place was ‘Meppayil’ 2 kilometer away from Lokanarkavu. Othenan days start with Devi darshan at Lokanarkavu and it is often said that wherever Othenan went, for good or bad, Amma always stood with him. Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar was born (his mothers house) in Lokanarkavu area and spent his childhood at the courtyards of the temple . He learned his first music lessons at Ammas’ thirumuttam(temple courtyard) witnessed by Omnipresent Shree Lokambika.
The temple has a rich mythological history associated with it. It is believed that Lokanarkavu Temple was the site where a fierce battle took place between the local rulers (Zamorins) and the invading forces. The Goddess is said to have played a significant role in the defense of the region.
Lokanarkavu Temple is famous for its annual festival called “Lokanarkavu Festival” or “Vela Festival.” This festival usually takes place in the Malayalam month of Medam (April-May) and lasts for 41 days. It includes various cultural programs, traditional arts, and rituals. This is the only temple where a peculiar folk dance called Poorakkali is presented during festivals. The dance, resembles the martial art Kalarippayattu.
Visiting Lokanarkavu Temple provides an opportunity to explore the rich cultural and historical heritage of Kerala while experiencing the vibrant traditions and rituals associated with this ancient temple.