Poonilarkavu Devi Temple
Devi (Bhagavathi) temple · Kodakara, Thrissur, Kerala, India
Photo: Aruna at Malayalam Wikipedia. · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
Poonilarkavu Devi Temple is a Bhagavathi (goddess) temple at Kodakara in Thrissur district, Kerala (Manorama Online; Madhyamam; Janmabhumi). It is best known locally for its part in the Kodakara Shashti festival, when the kavadiyattam (kavadi dance) is performed on the temple grounds (Manorama Online; Madhyamam).
The Kunnathrikovil temple complex on the hill at Kodakara is a keezhedam, or subordinate shrine, of the Poonilarkavu temple (Madhyamam; Janmabhumi). The goddess of Poonilarkavu also takes part in the Arattupuzha Pooram, the annual gathering of temple deities in Thrissur district (Janmabhumi).
Faith & Tradition
Religious Significance of Poonilarkavu Devi Temple
The ceremonies of the Kodakara Shashti are held at the Kunnathrikovil Subrahmanya temple, while the kavadiyattam takes place at Poonilarkavu (Manorama Online; Madhyamam). On Shashti morning, the Poonilarkavu Devaswom performs the first abhishekam (ritual bathing of the deity) at Kunnathrikovil (Manorama Online). Madhyamam reports that the abhishekam offerings, including milk, rose water, kalabham and panchamritam, are carried from the Poonilarkavu Devi temple to the hill shrine before dawn (Madhyamam).
Around midday, kavadi groups from the Kodakara area arrive one after another at the Poonilarkavu temple grounds, drawing large crowds (Madhyamam; Manorama Online). Manorama reported 21 kavadi groups in 2022 and 20 sets in 2024, and Madhyamam reported 21 sets in 2023, so the number varies from year to year (Manorama Online; Madhyamam). In the evening a bhasma kavadi goes from Poonilarkavu to Kunnathrikovil (Manorama Online; Madhyamam).
Heritage
History of Poonilarkavu Devi Temple
No independent published source we checked gives a founding date or documented history for the temple, so none is given here. Janmabhumi records that, in the past, the Poonilarkavu goddess went to the Arattupuzha Pooram together with the Chalakudy Pisharikkal and Kaduppassery Bhagavathis, whom it describes as her sister goddesses in tradition, and that the Kaduppassery Bhagavathi has not come to Kodakara for some years (Janmabhumi).
Plan Your Visit
Darshan and Visitor Information
Kodakara Shashti draws large crowds to the temple grounds for the kavadiyattam (Madhyamam; Manorama Online). No official source for timings or visitor rules was found; confirm current arrangements with the Poonilarkavu Devaswom before visiting.
Timings and arrangements change with seasons and festivals. Confirm current details with Poonilarkavu Devaswom before travelling. Last reviewed 11 October 2026.
Sacred Calendar
Festivals at Poonilarkavu Devi Temple
Kodakara Shashti
The Shashti rituals are held at Kunnathrikovil, a subordinate shrine of Poonilarkavu, while the kavadiyattam takes place on the Poonilarkavu temple grounds (Madhyamam; Manorama Online). The Poonilarkavu Devaswom performs the first abhishekam at Kunnathrikovil on Shashti morning (Manorama Online).
Arattupuzha Pooram
The Poonilarkavu Bhagavathi is one of the deities who take part in the Arattupuzha Pooram, appearing in the night procession with the Kaduppassery and Chalakudy Pisharikkal Bhagavathis (Janmabhumi). After the pooram the goddess returns to Kunnathrikovil and then to Poonilarkavu, where the pooram rites end after the Uthram vilakku (Janmabhumi).
Location
How to Reach Poonilarkavu Devi Temple
The temple is at Kodakara in Thrissur district, Kerala (Manorama Online; Madhyamam; Janmabhumi). We did not find an official or government source giving directions or distances, so confirm the route locally before travelling.
Location: Kodakara, Thrissur, Kerala, India
More in Hindu temples in Kerala · Devi (Bhagavathi) temples · Temples in Kodakara · Temples in Chalakudy Taluk · Temples in Thrissur District
Questions
Poonilarkavu Devi Temple: Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Poonilarkavu Devi Temple?
It is at Kodakara in Thrissur district, Kerala (Manorama Online; Madhyamam; Janmabhumi).
Which deity is worshipped at Poonilarkavu?
The temple is dedicated to the goddess, referred to as the Poonilarkavu Bhagavathi or Devi (Madhyamam; Janmabhumi).
What is the link between Poonilarkavu and Kodakara Shashti?
The Shashti rituals take place at the Kunnathrikovil Subrahmanya temple, a subordinate shrine of Poonilarkavu, while the kavadiyattam is performed on the Poonilarkavu temple grounds (Madhyamam; Manorama Online).
Who performs the first abhishekam on Shashti day?
Manorama reports that the Poonilarkavu Devaswom performs the first abhishekam at Kunnathrikovil early on Shashti morning (Manorama Online).
How many kavadi groups take part in Kodakara Shashti?
The number varies: Manorama reported 21 groups in 2022 and 20 sets in 2024, and Madhyamam reported 21 sets in 2023 (Manorama Online; Madhyamam).
Does the Poonilarkavu goddess take part in Arattupuzha Pooram?
Yes. Janmabhumi lists Poonilarkavu among the temples whose deities take part in the Arattupuzha Pooram (Janmabhumi).
Is Kunnathrikovil part of Poonilarkavu?
Madhyamam and Janmabhumi describe the Kunnathrikovil shrines as a keezhedam, or subordinate shrine, of the Poonilarkavu temple (Madhyamam; Janmabhumi).
Sources and attribution
- © OpenStreetMap contributors — location data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)
- Wikidata Q13113405 — structured data (CC0)
- ml:പൂനിലാർകാവ് ഭഗവതിക്ഷേത്രം — text facts from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
- Manorama Online — Varnabhamayi Kodakara Shashti; 20 sets from Kodakara take part (2024)
- Manorama Online — Varnavismaya niravil Kodakara Shashti (2022)
- Madhyamam — Varna nada vismayam pakarnnu Kodakara Shashtiyude pakalattam (2023)
- Janmabhumi — Aushadha nivedyavumayi Poonilarkavu: temples and rituals of Arattupuzha Pooram (2024)
- Janmabhumi — Madhya Keralathile devasangamam; Arattupuzha Pooram nale (2026)
Further reading: Poonilarkavu Devi Temple on Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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