The centuries-old Pisharikavu temple, dedicated to the goddess Bhadrakali, is located in the village of Kollam near Koyilandy, in Kozhikode district. Bhadrakali is the fierce and auspicious form of the Supreme Goddess in Hinduism. The Ravari community, ancestrally connected with the temple and their builders, has special rights to conduct the Kaliyattam festival, the most important festival held here. (The word ‘Ravari’ was a colloquial version of ‘vyaapari’ which means merchant in Malayalam.) Though the temple is dedicated to the goddess, there are two shreekovils (shrines) of which one is devoted to Lord Shiva.

One goddess, many divine spirits
The temple, known for its beautiful architecture, has intricate, traditional wooden carvings and ancient murals. The sacred groves surrounding the temple are considered as abodes of divine spirits, and therefore protected and conserved by the local community. 

Legend of the temple
According to legend, the goddess, in the form of Porkali (war goddess), had visited an ancestor of the Ettuveettil family of diamond merchants, in a dream. The goddess bestowed her ardent devotee with a magical sword, the ‘Nandakam’, and instructed him to return to his hometown in order to build a temple with the sword, her incarnation, as the deity. The deity, she promised, would answer all his prayers. True to her promise, the goddess abundantly blessed her devotee and his entire family, making them a rich and powerful family.

Annual Meenam Utsavam
The annual festival of the Pisharikavu temple is held every year in the Malayalam month of Meenam. The celebrations go on for eight days. On the seventh day known as Valiya Vilakku, and the eighth, the Kaliyattom, the Nandakam is paraded around the temple on the back of a female elephant, decorated in the traditional manner. This elephant pageant is well-known across Kerala. During this festival, many theyyams – traditional dance-dramas - are performed. 

Other cultural events
Other than the Meenam Utsavam, the temple is also known for its celebration of the nine-day festival of Navarathri. 

During Makaram month, the month of the Makara Vilakku festival which heralds the new year, the Shuddhi Kriya ritual, a cleansing ritual, and various other rituals are also performed.