Overview.

Lokanarkavu Temple, also known as Lokamalayarkavu, is a unique temple village located in the Memunda area of Villiappally village, in the Vadakara Taluk of Kozhikode District, Kerala. Situated about 5 kilometers east of Vadakara town, the temple complex is easily accessible by road.

What sets Lokanarkavu Temple apart is its distinctive feature of housing three principal deities in separate temples within the compound. Each temple has its own sanctum sanctorum, outer sanctum, rituals, and festivals. The three deities are Vishnu, Parasakthi (Mother Goddess), and Siva, representing a chronological order based on their age. The Vishnu temple, believed to be around 2000 years old, is the oldest among them. The idol of Vishnu in this temple is rare and unique, as it stands with the right foot placed forward. According to legend, the idol was sanctified and enshrined by Lord Parasurama himself. Originally, the temple was administered by Kamukara Brahmins, who were of Tulu/north Canara origin. In its prosperous days, the temple had its own pond, oottupura (a hall where food offerings are served), and koothambalam (a temple theater for performing arts).

Over time, a Bhagavathi temple dedicated to Goddess Parasakthi was constructed adjacent to the Vishnu temple, which led to a decrease in the prominence of the Vishnu temple. There is a saying that when a Parasakthi temple is erected next to a temple of another deity, the importance of the latter diminishes. Recognizing the affluence and devotion of the founders of the Bhagavathi temple, who were migrant businessmen known as "Nagariks" or people from the town, the Kamukara Brahmins handed over the administration and the movable and immovable properties of the Vishnu temple to them. Subsequently, the Kamukara Brahmins left the area, leaving behind two temples under the care of the Nagariks.

The Nagariks, who hailed from the Sindh region and were skilled in trading silk, gold, diamonds, and spices, settled initially in Lokamaleswaram near Kollam (Quilon) and later in Lokamaleswaram near Kodungalloor. Eventually, they arrived at Vadakara, which had favorable sea port facilities and business relations with foreign countries dealing in copra and spices. However, due to jealousy and false accusations from the local community, one Nagarik was wrongfully accused of immorality, leading to his tragic suicide by jumping into the Mooradu river. Before his death, he cursed the region of Puduppanam, declaring that it would never rise to true glory. To commemorate him, the "Pidivilakku" (lamp of atonement) is brought in a procession to the temple on auspicious days.

In search of a new settlement, the Nagariks, accompanied by their family Goddess, reached Memunda, where a Nattukoottam (general body meeting of the residents) was taking place. The Nagarik leaders requested the chief of the Nattukoottam to allow them to settle in the village, as directed by their Goddess. When the chief inquired about the lone mother deity traveling with them, it became apparent that the Goddess herself was guiding them to find a suitable place to settle. Overwhelmed by the presence of the Goddess, the Nattukoottam members welcomed the Nagariks with folded hands and tears in their eyes, granting them permission to settle wherever they desired. At the command of the Goddess, the Nagariks proceeded to a nearby hilltop called Kotakkat Mala, from where an arrow was shot. The arrow struck a nameless tree (perariya maram), and the Goddess manifested herself in that tree as the "Moola Prathishta" (original idol) of the Bhagavathi temple. This event is now celebrated as the Mandalam 16 Vilakku, a festival conducted by the descendants of the Nagariks. During this festival, a group of youngsters symbolizing the Nagariks and Nattukoottam travels to Kotakkat Mala and breaks 11 metallic canisters to announce the arrival of the Goddess, returning joyously to the temple to celebrate the other spectacular events of the day.

With the blessings of Lokambika, the business of the Nagariks flourished, and they gradually became less involved in the temple affairs. The temple manager at the time, Nelliyot Mooss, took care of the temple administration. As he grew older, Mooss requested to be relieved of his duties, and a member of the ruling family of Kadathanadu expressed interest in becoming the manager. However, the temple properties and administration fell into jeopardy, and the Nagariks realized that they were losing control. They demanded the return of the temple and its properties from the ruling family, who had become loyal to the British. A civil case was filed in the District Court and Madras High Court, but due to a lack of sufficient evidence, the Nagariks' claim was not accepted. However, the learned judges reiterated the Nagariks' position and confirmed that the Kadathanadu Raja was merely a "manager" of the temple and not the owner. The court ordered that the temple be administered by the HR & CE (Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments) board, a government agency of the Madras Government at the time, allowing the Kadathanadu Raja to retain hereditary trusteeship. Eventually, with the formation of Kerala State, the temples in the Malabar District came under the administration of the HR&CE board of the Kerala Government, which later became the Malabar Devaswom board. Although the descendants of the Nagarik founders were unable to regain the administration of the temple, their hereditary rights and privileges in the temple rituals were protected and continue to be upheld to this day.

The history of the Siva temple is relatively brief. The Puduppanam Vazhunnavar (chief of Puduppanam village) initiated the establishment of the Siva temple approximately 300-400 years ago, with the consent of the Nagariks and the Kadathanadu Raja. The Shivalinga enshrined in the temple was retrieved from a ruined Siva temple elsewhere.

The Bhagavathi or Lokambika deity in Lokanarkavu is considered one of the four Ambikas, along with the famous Kollur Mookambika, Hemambika near Palakkad (from where late Mrs. Indira Gandhi chose her party's symbol, the palm), and Hemambika at Kanyakumari. Additionally, it is believed that the Bhagavathi deities in Kodungallur and Chottanikkara are also forms of Lokambikas. At Lokanarkavu, Bhagavathi is worshipped in three different forms throughout the day: as Saraswathi, the Goddess of knowledge, in the morning; as Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth, at noon; and as Bhadrakali, the fierce form of Siva's daughter, in the evening. Prominent figures such as the martial arts warrior Thacholi Othenan and Carnatic music maestro Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar were ardent devotees of Amma Bhagavathi. Othenan's birthplace, Meppayil, is located 2 kilometers away from Lokanarkavu. Othenan's day would begin with a darshan (sighting) of the Goddess at Lokanarkavu, and it is often said that wherever Othenan went, whether for good or bad, Amma always stood by his side. Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar was born in the Lokanarkavu area and spent his childhood in the temple's courtyards. He received his first music lessons in Amma's presence at the temple courtyard, with the omnipresent Shree Lokambika watching over him.

The history of Lokanarkavu Temple is filled with tales of devotion, migration, trade, and the struggles to preserve its sanctity and administration. It stands as a testament to the enduring faith and cultural heritage of the people of the region.

5:00AM – 11:00AM, 5:00PM – 8:00PM