Jeevan's KALLI VALLI : Connecting links: Bhagavati Temple, Elatur, Calicut

Bhagavati Temple, Elatur, Calicut taluk, Malabar district

I was searching with this photo taken before more than 100 years ago. It was a tough task to locate this Temple, as the title refers to Elathur which lies about 4 km away from the actual place..The actual place is called Puthiyangadi, near to Pavangad, Calicut. Later, After talking to some local people, I learnt that Elathur was a wast land, not a mere town, like today.

Front view of Bhagavati Temple, Elatur, Calicut taluk, Malabar district
Photographer: Archaeological Survey of India |
Date: [1900] ; 1900-01
Source: British Library

This photo taken before more than 100 years ago and I wandered to locate this Temple, as the title refers to Elathur. Look closely the architecture of the temple and it is a masterpiece. If you study the photo in details, we can assume the higher classes of aristocratic men appearing in the photo with priests of the temple. Most probably they were related to Zamorins Kovilakom. Even today the temple is under Zamorins.

Under Zamorins, This temple has been preserved the glory and in its original shape till recently. I discovered this temple premises has lots of works and now renovating, but not in an artistic way. Thanks, to the authorities under Malabar Deveswam, the works are mainly on outside of the temple and sanctum sanctorium remain untouched. The actual place is called Puthiyangadi, near to Pavangad, Calicut, on Calicut- Kannur Highway.

2014 photo of the same location.

Inner view of the main shrine, Bhagavati Temple, Elatur, Calicut taluk, Malabar district.

Source : British Library

Photographer : Archaeological Survey of India |

Date: [1900] ; 1900-01

Puthoor Ambalam (Puthoor Temple)

Puthoor Sree Durga Kshethram is. Sree Durga Devi is sitting here in three different roopas. they are one is as Durga, second as Lakshmi & the third as Kaali. This temple is being shortly destroyed in Tipu Sulthan's War.