Andalur Kavu is a very ancient, famous and prominent Thiyyar Community Urayama temple in Andalur in Dharmadam village of Kannur district, Kerala, India. This ancient temple is in the name of Lord Rama and the main festival is celebrated in mid-February: the first week of the month "Kumbam" of the Malayalam calendar. The administrative authority of this temple (known as the Kottil) belonged to six Thiyyar ancestral houses (Tharavadu) held by the "Four Thara Achans." This center of power functioned as an autonomous region.
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| Andalur Kavu, Kerala keralatourism.org |
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| Andalur Kavu keralatourism.org |
In the quiet village of Dharmadam in Kerala’s Kannur district stands Andalur Kavu, a centuries-old shrine that serves as a living testament to the unique cultural synthesis of the Thiyyar community. As a prominent Urayima temple, it is not merely a place of worship but a cultural powerhouse that preserves the ancient traditions of North Malabar, famously known as the land of Theyyams.
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| Andalur Kavu temple,Kannur Dist.,KE instagram.com |
The history of Andalurkavu is deeply intertwined with the social fabric of the Thiyyar community. Historically, the temple's administration, known as the Kottil, was managed by six ancestral houses (Tharavadu) and governed by the "Four Thara Achans." This administrative body once functioned with a degree of regional autonomy.
The name "Andalurkavu" is believed to be derived from Andar-villoor-kavu, translating to the "grove where the sacred weapons of the deities are kept." A fascinating tradition supports this etymology: whenever a boy is born into the families of the four surrounding regions, a miniature bow and arrow are crafted and offered to the temple. This practice of dedicating children to the shrine's service has led to the temple being affectionately called "Andalure Aayiram Ville" (The Thousand Bows of Andalur).
Architectural and Natural Landscape
The temple is divided into two distinct parts: the Mele Kavu (Upper Temple) and the Thazhe Kavu (Lower Temple). While the Mele Kavu houses the primary deities, the Thazhe Kavu is a pristine sacred grove. This grove is a biological treasure trove, harboring rare Myristica swamp species and the endangered Syzygium travancoricum. The architecture follows the traditional Kerala style, characterized by sloping tiled roofs and wooden carvings, designed to harmonize with the surrounding dense greenery.
Religious Significance and the Annual Festival
Andalurkavu is unique for its visualization of the Yuddha Kanda (the battle chapter) of the Ramayana. The deities are worshipped in their folk forms: Lord Rama as Daivathaar, Lakshmana as Angakkaran, and Hanuman as Bappuran.
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| Andalur Kavu Theyyam KE keralatourism.org |
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| Andalur Kavu Theyyam KE instagram.com |
Above image: At this old temple, normally held in mid February is a seven day long festival,a ritualistic blend of ordinary life with ancient mythologies like the Ramayana..........
The annual festival, held in mid-February (the month of Kumbam), is a spectacular seven-day event. It is one of the few places where the epic Ramayana is brought to life through Theyyam, a ritualistic dance-performance. The Daivathar Theyyam is the most revered, as the performer is believed to become a medium for Lord Rama. Other performances include the dramatic depiction of the battle between Bali and Sugriva. During this time, the entire village undergoes a spiritual transformation, adhering to ancient customs that blur the line between mythology and daily life.
https://utsav.gov.in/view-event/andalur-kavu-theyyam-1
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andalurkavu
https://www.keralatourism.org/thalassery/photo-gallery/andalur-kavu/153
K. N. Jayaraman
