Bhayankavu Bhagavathi Temple, Purathur

Bhayankavu Bhagavathi Temple is at Kavilakkad in Purathur, on the Alathiyoor–Pallikadavu Road, about 14 km from Tirur railway station in Malappuram district. A granite idol of the goddess stands in its square sanctum, surrounded by sub-shrines and a chuttambalam.

Three festivals mark the year: one on the 1st of Thulam, Makarachovva on the first Tuesday of Makaram, and the annual Thalappoli. Through the month of Kumbham, Pavakkooth is performed, a shadow play in which only the outlines of the deities appear, and Kalamezhuthu floor drawings are made from natural colours such as rice flour, charcoal, turmeric and leaf powder, often taking over two hours, under canopies of palm fronds hung with hibiscus and thulasi. At Thalappoli hundreds of girls and women walk in procession carrying lit lamps, joined by Poothan and Thira figures in tall headgear balanced on a cloth called thorthu.