Malappuram to Kadampuzha in One Day

Malappuram is a Muslim majority area comparatively speaking it houses a number of Hindu temples that form a singular part of the pilgrimages undertaken by devotees at various parts of the year. Among the places most famous for the temples the one most venerated has been Kadampuzha.


This is more so because of the presence of two powerful Devi temples of the region. The trip from Malappuram to Kadampuzha is treat for sore eyes along undulating green slopes interspersed with sparkling rivers and streams. There is also the surprise of a bubbling cascade across some curves as also the fragrances of aromatic and medicinal plants growing along the hillside on both sides of the curving road.

The very name suggests the river bank but this little green township nestled in the hills of the Western Ghats stands situated far off from any of the green countries several rivers. Belief has it that probably a river may have been flowing nearby which with time had probably dried off. An early start is indicated because the timing for worship at these temples is fairly early in the morning are quite a few.

The Sree Kadampuzha Bhagavathy temple is a superbly unique temple because there is the idol that is worshipped here. According to myths the Goddess had presented herself before Adi Shankracharya and then disappeared into a six centimeters diameter round hole in the rock faces. Devotees make all their offering at this hole. A significant feature pertains to the offering of the ‘Thecchi’ flower or botanically called ixora indica. Besides flowers, the other forms of offering or Poomoodel are that of Muttikkal which is the cracking open of coconuts into two exact halves in front of the divinity.

The temple lies about three kilometers on the highway from Malappuram to Kadampuzha . Another major temple is the Kadampuzha Sree Parvathi Temple. The deity has been depicted in the form of the hunter or the ‘Kirathi’ The idol does not have a form but is made up of ‘Panch loha’ or five metals alloyed together to form a rod like form kept in ‘Sree Kovil’ or Sancto Santorum. The metallic representation is in the form of Bhagavathy but an amalgamation of all its manifestation namely Bhadrakali, Laxmi and Durga. More than ten thousand devotees obtain ‘annadhanam’ in the form of food grains. This ceremony is held during the month of Vrichinkam.

On reaching Kadampuzha from Malappuram there is a deep seated feeling of satiation.

Directions

The distance between Malappuram to Kadampuzha is just about ten kilometers and can be covered in less than half an hour if one does not stop enroute to drink in the myriad bounties of Nature. By bus the fare may be just about ten rupees depending upon the route taken.

Driving out from Malappuram one heads South west and travels for about a kilometer and takes a right onto the Parapanagadi road. After half a kilometer take three left turns after about two kilometers and one comes onto the Othukungal-Panakkad Road. Going for about two kilometers on this road one comes upon the Tirur-Malappuaram-Manjeri State Highway. After four kilometers is a right turn on the same road and after about two kilometers one gets onto the Puthoor Chinakkal Bypass. Going about two hundred meters further one come onto the Kottakal-Amappara-Kadampuzha road. After going about three kilometers one turns right onto Kottakal-Marakkara-Kadampuzha road. Going for another three and a half kilometers one takes a slight left onto the Kadampuzha-Chelakkuthu Road. After about a kilometer one need just takes a slight right into Kadampuzha.