Mulayankavu

Mulayankavu Bhagavathi Temple, belonging to the Tharakkal family, is located at Mulayankavu village in Palakkad. The temple is situated approx. 20 kms from Pattambi. The presiding deity is Bharadevata (Goddess Kali), the Mother deity of the family. Goddess Kali or Goddess Parvathi is the wife of Lord Shiva, one of the Trinities. She is also considered to be the origin of all energy. The pre-monsoon festival of the village culminates in the extravaganza Kalavela and Pooram.

Kalavela: The popular belief is that elephants were used for procession initially in the temple. Once, one of the elephants lost control and charged at the idol of Goddess. It is believed She got upset and the elephant turned into a stone. There is a crude elephant-looking stone on one of the hills nearby. Since then oxen are being used for the procession. [Life science reason: If we look at the society in the neighbouring area, we notice that its mostly an agrarian society and would have give a lot of importance to bulls which help in ploughing the land. (Elephants were mainly part of cavalry or used to move felled trees.) The farmers are paying respects to Mother Nature for her gratious gift of oxen].

I visit my village once in a year or two. Its such a relief from the strenuous city life. Being close to nature feels good. The calm, the beautiful sound of the forest and the absence of TV - Boy!!! What else can we want?