The Kadalayi Sree Krishna Temple, situated in Chirakkal at Kannur, is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Legend says that the idol of Lord Vishnu at Kadalayi is consecrated by Sathyabhama, the consort of Lord Krishna some 5,000 years ago. The annual festival of this temple begins with Kodiyettam (ceremonial flag hoisting) on 15th of the Malayalam month of Makaram (January) and ends on 22nd Makaram with the holy bath (arattu). Ashtami Rohini, Guruvayoor Ekadashi and the Mandala Pooja are also celebrated here
The main festival concerned with the temple includes different types of Kalasham that are rarely followed by other temples in the state. The shudhi Kalasham focus on taking away all the impurities and is hosted for 5 days starting from 27th January every year. The Naveekarana Kalasham concentrates on the reincarnations and is hosted from February 8th to 21st annually. On completion of the above-mentioned kalashams, follows the festive mood with different fireworks and crackers indicating the full satisfaction of the deities of the temple.
There is an interesting legend associated with the origin of the temple. It is believed that the idol of Lord Vishnu consecrated here is the very idol worshiped by Sathyabhama, the consort of Lord Krishna at Dwaraka in the Mahabharata Era more than 5,000 years ago. One day it so happened that she failed to notice her husband standing nearby as she was immersed in performing Pooja to the idol. The Lord, furious, kicked the idol off the pedestal. It flew into the nearby sea, when its right hand was broken. Time and tide took the idol to the Kannur sea belt off Dwarka. A fisherman happened to net it. It being a precious catch, he presented it to King Valabhan, the Kolathiri King ruling over the area in that period. The king had constructed a temple, Kadalayi, in a village about 6 km (3.7 mi) north of Kannur and was on the lookout for an idol to be consecrated there. The astrologers understood the sanctity of the idol and confirmed that the idol, though its hand was broken and thus deformed, was worthy of consecration. The idol was thus consecrated at Kadalayi. When the temple was ruined due to the devastating onslaught of time a new temple was built at Chirakkal 180 years ago and the old idol re-consecrated. The temple, though situated at Chirakkal, is still referred to by its old name, Kadalayi.
For Men: Dhoti or Mundu without shirts or banyan.
For Women’s: Saree and Pavada are allowed. (Salvar sets and modern dresses are not allowed).
The temple is situated 500m away from Puthiyatheru, the busy market place of Chirakkal, which stands on NH 17 about 6 km (3.7 mi) north of Kannur and 18 km (11 mi) south of Taliparamba. Mofussil buses plying between Kannur and Taliparamba pass through this place. There are also frequent town services. The nearest major railway station where all trains stop is Kannur on Kozhikode-Kannur sector of the Southern Railway. You can take a bus/taxi/autorickshaw from there to reach the temple. The nearest airport is Kozhikode Airport.
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