The temple is located amidst vast expanse of Paddy fields and enjoys the most beautiful position in a valley. Utherikkavu is about one kilometer from Kanjiramattom Railway Station and almost the same distance from Kanjiramattom Mosque and Millunkal Junction. The Temple can be accessed by road or by a walk through the paddy fields.
Goddess Bhadrakali is the main Deity here. Amma along with Goddess Vanadurga takes atmost care of her disciples. The idol is carved out of stone and it faces the west. The idol is erected under a tree called vetti and thus the temple have no roof. . The shrine of Nagadaivangal facing the west can be seen on the North East corner of the temple. The thidappally is on the South East Corner. The space for Pattambalam(where Kalamezhuth and pattu is done) can be seen of the North West corner of the temple premise.
Administration : Nair Service Society
Utsavam(Annual Festival, Meenathil Revathi), Guruthi, Onam, Mahanavami, Vijayadashami, Ramayana Maasam, Mandalakalam are some of the important days of celebration.
Mudiyettu
Mudiyettu is the annual festival of the temple. The festival comes to an end with Mudiyettu and Guruthi.Mudiyettu is a ritual art where viewers also participate in the performance.Mudiyettu" a mixture of entertainment and devotion. The period of origin of Mudiyettu is un-traceable. This art is more of a ritual than dramatic.Mudiyettu is the story of the war of Bhadrakaali with the two notorious Asuras Daarikan and Daanavendran, eventually Killing them.
The sequence of Mudiyettu is as follows:
1. Kotti Ariyippu (Drum beat announcement) This done in the morning, usually after the morning poojas in the temple. This is how the performance on that particular day is announced. The instruments used are `Chenda'`Veekkan' and `Elathaalam'.
2. Keli Kottu This is to announce the starting of the performance.
3. Chutti Kuthal(Make up)After `Kalam maayikkal' (wiping off of the portrait) the artists undergo `chutti kuthal'. Other make-ups resemble that in Kathakali including head gears.
1. Kotti Ariyippu (Drum beat announcement) This done in the morning, usually after the morning poojas in the temple. This is how the performance on that particular day is announced. The instruments used are `Chenda'`Veekkan' and `Elathaalam'.
2. Keli Kottu This is to announce the starting of the performance.
3. Chutti Kuthal(Make up)After `Kalam maayikkal' (wiping off of the portrait) the artists undergo `chutti kuthal'. Other make-ups resemble that in Kathakali including head gears.
The story of Mudiyettu goes like this: Daarika and Daanavendra were two notorious Asuras, born to Daarumathi and Daanamathi. In order to achieve more powers, they performed severe penance and Lord Brahma was finally forced to appear before them. They demanded the boon for immortality, but Lord Brahma declined this request as death was inevitable for anybody once taken birth. The Asura brothers then compromised with the boon that no males can ever kill them. Lord Brahma then asked them why they did not demand that females also could not kill them. The asuras enraged by the pride of the boon they got, retorted "It is a disgrace to us and our community to demand likewise.How how dare a female kill us as long as we are strong enough for anyone to harm us?". Annoyed by the pride of these Asuras and sensing their evil intentions, Lord Brahma curses them-"Let you be killed by a female". This part of the story is not performed in Mudiyettu. Following are the sequence of scenes presented.
1.Siva Naarada Samvadam (Discussion between Siva and Naarada)
2.Daarikan Purappadu (Triumphant march of Daarika)
3.Kaali Purappadu
4.Koyimpata Nayar
5.Kooli Purappadu
6.Koodiyattam (Yudham or Battle)
7.Daarika Vadham (Killing of Daarika)
1.Siva Naarada Samvadam (Discussion between Siva and Naarada)
2.Daarikan Purappadu (Triumphant march of Daarika)
3.Kaali Purappadu
4.Koyimpata Nayar
5.Kooli Purappadu
6.Koodiyattam (Yudham or Battle)
7.Daarika Vadham (Killing of Daarika)
Kalamezhuthu Pattu
Kalamezhuthu Pattu is one of the major worship form during the annual festival of the temple. The kalam is a unique drawing also called " dhulee chithram" or powder drawing. The artist uses the floor as his canvas. Kalamezhuthu pattu is performed as part of the rituals to worship and propitiate the Goddess. The kalam or drawing are erased at the end of the ritual to the accompaniment of musical instruments like ilathalam and veekan chenda.
The coloured powders used for the kalam are prepared from natural products only. The pigments are extracted from plants - rice flour (white), charcoal powder (black), turmeric powder (yellow), powdered green leaves (green), and a mixture of turmeric powder and lime (red). It often takes more than two hours to finish a kalam drawing with appealing perfection.
The figures drawn usually have an expression of anger, and other emotions. The kalam at Utherikkavu is drawn by the people from Marar Community.
Decorations like a canopy of palm fronds, garlands of red hibiscus flowers and thulasi or Ocimum leaves are hung above the kalam.
The Kalamezhuthu is normally 10-15 days ritualistic festival and it denotes the beginning of the annual festival. The number of days depend on the number of sponsors.
The figures drawn usually have an expression of anger, and other emotions. The kalam at Utherikkavu is drawn by the people from Marar Community.
Decorations like a canopy of palm fronds, garlands of red hibiscus flowers and thulasi or Ocimum leaves are hung above the kalam.
The Kalamezhuthu is normally 10-15 days ritualistic festival and it denotes the beginning of the annual festival. The number of days depend on the number of sponsors.
