Tirtha Atlas

The sacred geography of the Indic world — every site mapped, dated, storied, and cited.

1805 sites15 countries4 traditions30 centuries
High medieval · Hindu · India

Madayi Kavu

Madayi, Kannur district, Kerala · 12.0347°, 75.2614°

BhadrakaliChirakkalKerala
Sacred since
1000 CE
first attestation / structure
Standing structure
dating unrecorded
Chirakkal

History & significance

A hilltop Bhadrakali kavu at Madayi near Pazhayangadi in Kannur district, with four sanctums and worship in the Kaula tradition performed by Pidarar Brahmins. During Hyder Ali's incursion of 1780 the Nair warrior Vengayil Chathukutty is recorded as having defended it from desecration; it is now under the Malabar Devaswom Board.

Sthala katha — the legend

The goddess is said to have slain the demon Darika, after which Shiva directed Parashurama to establish her shrine on this hill.

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Sources

coordinates: wikipedia-2026-08-27 · sources retrieved 2026-08-26 · dynasty page: Chirakkal