Elephant pageantry at Pisharikkavu Temple

Sree Pisharikkavu Bhagavathy temple is located at Kollam, about 28 kilometers from Kozhikode town. The main deities are Lord Shiva and his consort Goddess Parvathi.

Elephant pageantry
Kaaliyattam is an most important ritual connected with the eight-day annual festival here. On the Kaaliyattam day, the Naandakam Vaal (a sword) is ceremoniously taken out of the temple atop caparisoned elephant.

About fifteen caparisoned elephants take part in the procession and traditional drum ensembles is another highlight.

The temple
The temple has two sanctum sanctorums and two main sub shrines. It is famous for murals, considered to be one among the oldest in the state. Exquisite woodcarvings are another attraction.

Kollam Chira, the pond on the temple premises is a big one. Large number of devotees visits the temple seeking the blessings and various rituals are held at the temple.

The temple also finds a mention in Kottarathil Sankunni’s famed book Aithihyamala, a collection of Kerala legends.