Billathikulam Temple
Billathikulam temple, one of the famous temples of Kozhikode with Lord Shiva as the presiding deity is renowned for its beautiful sculptures and paintings. The temple is located at West Hill, close to the city. In the olden days, one could enter the temple only after taking a bath in the temple tank and wearing wet cloths leaving the chest uncovered. During the festive season, traditional arts such as Koothu, Kathakali, Ottanthullal and Kaikottikali are performed at the temple.

Varakkal Devi Temple
Located on the shores of Arabian Sea, atop a hill near the West Hill railway station is the Varakkal Devi Temple. The temple dedicated to Goddess Durga is supposed to be the 108th and last Devi temple built by Sree Parasurama, the legendary creator of Kerala. It is believed that Parasurama ploughed this area out of divine insight and Devi (Goddess) with all her mercy appeared before him. 28 steps lead to the temple. Navratri festival is celebrated here on a grand scale. On the full moon day in the month of Thulam, Vavu Bali is observed, when thousands congregate here to perform the ancestral obsequies. On this day the sea is found to be surprisingly calm as if facilitating the religious observances.

Contact Address:
Varakkal Sree Durga Temple, 
West hill, Calicut - 673 005, 
Phone : 0495 2383134

Thali Temple
Renowned for the 'Revathi Pattathanam', an annual competition of academic skills, Thali temple is situated 1.5km east of Mananchira. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this 14th century temple built by Zamorin Swamy Thirumulpad of Kozhikode kingdom is a fine example of the total integration that can exist between wood and laterite, which is a remarkable feature of the Kerala style architecture. Mukhamandapam, i.e the square sanctorum with a high laterite wall and wide and open temple pond are the peculiarities of the temple.

The eight day long annual festival of the temple is celebrated in the month of April/ May. The gala ends with the holy bath ritual known as 'Aarattu'. Devotees throng the temple especially during festival season.

Sree Kanteswara Kshethram (Temple)
Installed by the great spiritual leader Sree Narayana Guru, Sree Kanteshwara Temple is located in the southwest corner of the Kozhikode stadium at a distance of 1.5 km from the railway station. Devoted to Lord Shiva, this temple also known as Puthiyambalam has a Shiva Lingam in the Dhakshinamoorthi Sankalpa as the main deity. Lord Subramanian, Sree Ganapathi, Sree Dharma Shastha, Maha Vishnu, Bhagavathi and Navagraha are the upadevathas (other deities) here. It is believed that centuries earlier a temple named Nalliswara Kshetram, had existed at the exact place where the Sree Kanteswara Temple is now situated.

Maha Ganapathi Homam and Sree Bhoodha Bali are conducted on every 1st and 15th of the Malayalam Calendar. Besides these, many other offerings and rituals like Shodashabhishekam, Udayasthamana Pooja etc are also held here.

Contact Address:
Sreekandeswara Kshetrha Yogam
Kozhikode-673001
Phone: 0495-2722161,2722681
E-mail : Contact Now

Jain Temple
The Archaeological Society of India has preserved many Jain temples as heritage sites, which are there as a result of the long presence of the Jain community in Malabar. Two Jain temples are located at Trokkovil lane, near Valiyangadi (market). Of these, the northern temple is considered to be older. It has exquisitely painted interiors and elaborately carved porticoes based on puranic themes.

Parsi Anju Amman Baug
Constructed in the traditional Kerala architectural style, Parsi Anju Amman Baug is located at the city center on SM Street. This fire temple is the only Parsi temple in Kerala, which was built in the 18th century when Parsi traders settled in Kozhikode about 200 years ago. A13th century inscription in the temple reveal that the property was donated by a Zamorin. Non-Parsis are not allowed inside this temple.

Buddha Vihar
Buddha Vihar is a marked example of the presence of Buddhists in Kozhikode. Situated at Customs road near south beach of city, it has a good collection of writings on Buddha’s birth, life and teachings.

Sree Valayanad Bagavathy Temple
Situated at Govindapuram about 6kms away from Kozhikode is the Valayanadu Bhagavathy Temple, renowned for its unique architectural beauty. It is one among the Saktheya Temples in India and the presiding deity Chandika also known as ‘Mahartham’ and ‘Kalasarppini’ is supposed to be a goddess from Kashmir. Here the poojas (temple worship) are carried out along with Ruruji worship. Moosad, the temple priest follows Kashmiri way of worshipping and performs the Pooja according to certain rules.

Another unique features are the 'Sreechakra' in the sanctum which was designed by Sivayogi Thayyavur Sivasankar and the Saptha School of architecture. 'Guruthy Tharpanam', an important ritual of this temple is done from the alleyway of 'Kshethrapalan'. Apart from the main Devi deity, there are also the idols of Lord Shiva, Ayyappa, Vigneshwara, and Bagavathy.

The annual festival of the temple begins on the day of Karthika of Makaram and it continues for seven days. During the Mandala season there will be 'Kalamezhuthupattu' from 1st of Malayalam month Vrichikam and will last for forty one days.

Contact Address:
Sree Valayanadu Devi temple
Valayanadu, Govindapuram , Kozhikode-673007
Phone: 0495- 2741083
E-mail : Contact Now

Mannur Temple
Located 12 km away from Kozhikode at Kadalundi village, Sri Mannur Maha Shiva Kshethram or Mannar Temple is one of the 108 renowned temples in Kerala, believed to be built by the great sage Parashurama. Although no sturdy evidence is available, scholars say that this temple is more than 1000 years of old. Certain inscriptions on the wall of the temple date back to 400 years. The exquisitely carved Gajaprathista (elephant) styled laterite structure is more than two centuries old.

The sanctum sanctorum facing west is constructed at two levels with intricate architectural calculations. The foundation is made of granite and the red laterite stone walls are beautifully carved. Here Lord shiva is depicted as Aghoramurthy, i.e the angry form of Shiva after the Dakshayaga. Sreeparvathi, Dakshinamurthy and Vigneswara are the upadevathas (other deities) in the temple. The temple complex also consists of Mahavishnu temple, Chuttambalam, Sastha temple and Karinkali Kavu.

It is believed that Sree Parashurama starts his Siva Linga prathista at Tiruvannur and completes it here every noon. Hence the noon pujas here are considered very special. Shivarathri and Thiruvathira are the major festivals celebrated here. The temple was administrated by the two families of Perumparambil and Manezhi Illoms and was later handed over to the Hindu Religious Charitable Endowment Department.

Contact Address : 
Sri Mannur Maha Shiva Kshethram
P.O. Mannur, Feroke, Kozhikode- 673 328, Kerala
Phone : +91 495 2471160
E-mail : Contact Now

Pishakarikavu Temple
Pishakarikavu Temple, one of the prominent shrines in Kozhikode dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathy is situated at Kollam, 30 km away from the city. The temple has two Sreekovils (shrines), one devoted to Lord Shiva and other to Goddess Devi. The centuries old temple has exquisite wood carvings and mural paintings which is believed to be the oldest in the state. Valia vattala guruthi, Udayasthama pooja, Niramalya, Rekthapushpanjali, Palpayasom are some of the rituals and offerings here. 

A myth associated with the origin of the Pishakarikavu temple has been mentioned by the renowned Malayalam scholar Kottarathil Sankunni in his work 'Eithihya mala' which is a collection of myths. According to the myth, the Pishakarikavu temple was built by the Vaisya community who had migrated from southern Kerala. Vaisya's were a trading community who lived in the Kollam district. They had built a temple there, worshipping a sword (Nandhakam) gifted by Sri Porkali Devi to a devotee, as the main idol. Devi’s presence and power in this sword, brought prosperity to this community. Their attitude completely changed, to the extent of challenging even the King of their country. As a result, the king expelled the Vaisya community from his territory and they came to Kurubranadu taluk (Quilandy taluk) and settled there. There they built a temple and installed the idol, which they had brought along with them and named the place as Kollam, in memory of their original place.

The seven day annual fiesta of the Pishakarikavu temple is celebrated in the Malayalam month of Medam (April- May). Moossadu, a sub cast of Brahmins fixes the date of Kodiyettu (flag hoisting) and the rite is known as 'Kaliyattam Kurikkal'. Temple arts such as Thayambaka, pachavadyam, padhakom, Ottanthullal, Chakyarkoothu are performed during the festive days and on the final day, the main idol, 'Nandhakam Vaal' (sword) is taken out of the temple in a grand procession. The festival concludes with 'Kaliyattam'. 

One could easily reach the temple by bus or train. The temple is near Anakkulangara bus stop and just two kilometers north west of Quilandy railway station.

Lokanarkavu Temple
Lokanarkavu temple which is associated with the heroes and heroines of the Vadakkanpattu combines an arresting simplicity and a legendary aura. Dedicated to Goddess Durga known by the name Lokanarkavil Amma, this temple is situated at Memunda, 4 km from Vadakara town (48 km north of Kozhikode). Apart from the main shrine which is believed to be more than 1500 years old, there are two more shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and Vishnu. A notable feature in the temple premises is the three rock cut caves artfully engraved with beautiful carvings and fascinating murals. This temple is said to be in Athythama state while most of the other Goddess temples in Kerala are in Madhyama and rarely in Uthama state. The temple is open to the devotees from 5 am to 11 am and 5 pm to 8 pm every day.

Two festivals are celebrated here annually in the Malayalam months of Vrischikam (November-December) and Meenam (March/April). Pooram that is celebrated in March- April is a week long festival which begins with Kodiyettam (flag hoisting) and concludes with Arattu. Mandala Utsavam alias Mandalavilakku festival held in Vrischikam is the major festival that lasts for 41 days. Thacholikali, a peculiar folk dance that resembles the martial art Kalarippayattu, is performed during the festival by a group of people known as Theeyampadi Kurup.

The legendary martial hero, Thacholi Othenan was a great devotee of the goddess 'Lokanarkavil Amma'. He used to seek her blessings before going for any duel, and even today Kalaripayattu artists seek her blessings before their debut. 

Vadakara (4km) is the nearest railway station and the nearest airport Karipur, is 87km away.  

Ponmeri Temple
Lord Shiva is the main deity at Ponmeri temple. This temple and the Sri Krishna temple at Karatt have flamboyant paintings portraying 'palazhimathanam', i.e the story of churning of the ocean of milk from the Puranas.