Parakkattu Kavu

Parakkatu Kavu Bhagawathi
By
P.R.Ramachander
This temple is situated in Kavaseeri which is five kilometers from Alathur, which is
twenty kilometers from Palakkad. The holy Gayathri River flows by the side of this
temple.
It seems while Goddess Durga was trying to kill Mookasura, from every drop of his
blood one Asura arose. Goddess killed all of them. One of that asuras was Para. It is
believed that Para was killed in this forest and the name of the temple is derived from
this. It seems initially the Goddess took her place in a place called Paracheri and later
migrated to the place which is called Koottala .She was dissatisfied being there and
requested for a fire torch (Pandam) from an old lady belonging to Unnikumarathu family
.That lady made a bundle of paddy straw tied it in a cloth and dipped it in oil and lighted
it and gave it to her. Then the goddess took that torch and arrived in Kavasseri. This
temple is believed to be at least 300 years old.
In the month of meena (March-April) , the village plants 18 pillar posts((aria Kodi
maram) and the goddess is brought from the temple to this place in a procession., The
people of Unnikumarathu family hold the torch before this procession,. Later a festival
for seven days is celebrated. There would be song called “Bhagawathi Pattu” during these
seven days.
People of all castes join in the worship at this temple. There are special rights for
many of the castes of this area during the festival. It is believed that once upon a time
People were sacrificed to propitiate the Goddess. Once when a young boy was about to
be sacrificed he cried and entreated the Goddess to help him. The goddess threw the
sword and shield in a near by well. After that the custom of sacrifice was stopped at this
temple.
It is believed that this goddess is the sister of Mangottu Kavu Bhagwathi of Athi Petta.
Every year she goes shutting down her own temple for seven days to be with her sister.
This also is in the month of Meena (March-April) .
If any male child is born in any of the houses in the surrounding village , they would
come and make a musical throaty sound(Kurava) facing the temple of the Goddess.