Shree Adukkath Bhagavathy Temple

The temple traces its origins to over four hundred years ago, making it an ancient shrine within Kerala's religious landscape. It sits within Molothu Kavu, a sacred grove dense with forest trees, located approximately three kilometers south of the Vallakkunnu bus stop on the Bandadka road in Kundamkuzhy, Kasaragod district. The temple occupies a clearing within this wooded sanctuary, with the turtle pond positioned to the south of the main shrine. A separate shrine dedicated to serpent worship (a nagalayam) stands within the eastern portion of the grove, where rituals for the propitiation of serpent afflictions are performed.

The pond itself remains full even during the hottest months, though the turtles retreat underwater or into nearby forests to escape extreme heat. During the monsoon season, the pond teems with visible turtles, and the creatures lay their eggs within the sacred grove. Some of the turtles are believed to be over a century old, making them living witnesses to centuries of worship and devotion at this site.

The Daily Ritual of Aamayoottu

The temple's most distinctive practice is Aamayoottu—the ritual feeding of the turtles by devotees as a spiritual cure for skin diseases. Each day, after the Ucha Puja (the main worship), the chief priest Melshanthi Muralikrishnan Namboothiri first offers Anna Nivedya (food offering) to the turtles. Devotees then participate in the same act of feeding, approaching the mandapam steps between noon and 1 p.m. to make their offerings.

Approximately twenty kilograms of white rice are used daily for these offerings. On average, one hundred to one hundred twenty-five devotees participate in the ritual each day, each contributing a fee of twenty rupees. The practice has been maintained for centuries, rooted in the belief that feeding the sacred turtles—understood as manifestations of the divine—brings healing from skin afflictions. To participate on any given day, devotees must register before 10:30 a.m. The monsoon season is the optimal time to visit, as the turtles are most visible and active during this period.

Visiting the Temple

The temple is situated in Kundamkuzhy, Kasaragod district, approximately three kilometers south of the Vallakkunnu bus stop on the Bandadka road. The coordinates are 12.438055555556 latitude and 75.161666666667 longitude. Those wishing to participate in the Aamayoottu ritual should arrive before 10:30 a.m. to register; the feeding itself occurs between noon and 1 p.m. The Ucha Puja (main worship) takes place in the morning, though the exact timing is not specified in available sources. Visitors should contact the temple directly to confirm current darshan hours and any seasonal variations.

As with most Hindu temples, modest dress is appropriate—covering shoulders and knees. The sacred grove setting means the temple is surrounded by forest; visitors should be prepared for the natural environment and consider visiting during daylight hours. The ritual fee for Aamayoottu is twenty rupees per offering.

A Shrine for Healing

The temple has become known throughout the region as a place of healing, particularly for those suffering from skin diseases. The connection between the turtles and healing is understood through the lens of Dhanvantari, the divine physician, whose presence is believed to reside within the Kurma idol at the pond's center. By participating in the act of feeding the sacred turtles—an act of devotion and service—devotees seek relief from afflictions. This practice reflects a broader Hindu understanding of healing as inseparable from spiritual practice and divine grace.