The Madayi (or Madayi) Kavu Festival, prominently celebrated at the ancient Thiruvarkadu Bhagavathi Temple in Kannur, Kerala, is a significant cultural event in North Malabar. The primary deity is Bhadrakali (or Thiruvarkadu Bhagavathi), worshipped in her fierce form as the slayer of the demon Darika. The temple hosts two main festivals: Pooram (March-April), a seven-day celebration featuring rituals, cultural programs, and the ceremonial Pooramkuli (holy dip); and Kalasam (May-June), which is sometimes referred to as Kaliyattam or Perumkaliyattam and is notable for the ritualistic appearance of various Theyyams, or divine impersonators. This temple is deeply revered, particularly as the traditional tutelary deity of the Kolathiri Dynasty, and the unique rituals, including the ceremonial fishing known as Kavu Pidi, mark it as a powerful center for the unique Tantric traditions of the region.